Updated outcomes of laparoscopic versus open umbilical hernia repair in patients with obesity based on a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program review.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there's not a well-accepted optimal approach for umbilical hernia repair in patients with obesity when comparing laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair (LUHR) versus open umbilical hernia repair (OUHR). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate if there's a difference in postoperative complications after LUHR versus OUHR with the goal of indicating an optimal approach. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was completed using the 2016 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to identify patients with obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) who underwent LUHR or OUHR. Patients were divided into OUHR and LUHR groups, and post-operative outcomes were compared, focusing on wound complications. RESULTS: A total of 12,026 patients with obesity who underwent umbilical hernia repair were identified; 9695 underwent OUHR, while 2331 underwent LUHR. The LUHR group was found to have a statistically significant higher BMI (37.5 kg/m2 vs. 36.1 kg/m2; p < 0.01) and higher incidence of diabetes mellitus requiring therapy (18.4% vs. 15.8%; p < 0.01), hypertension (47.5% vs. 43.8%; p < 0.01), and current smoker status (18.6% vs. 16.5%; p < 0.02). Superficial surgical site infection (SSI) was significantly higher in the OUHR group (1.5% vs. 0.9%; p < 0.03), and there was a trend towards higher deep SSI in the OUHR group (0.3% vs. 0.5%; p = 0.147). There was no difference in organ space SSI, wound disruption, or return to OR. On logistic regression, composite SSI rate (defined as superficial, deep, and organ space SSIs) was significantly increased in the OUHR group (p < 0.01). Predictive factors significantly associated with increased morbidity included female gender and higher BMI. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with obesity, even though the LUHR group had an overall higher BMI and higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and current smoking status, they experienced decreased post-operative wound complications compared to the OUHR group.

Work-Related Quality of Life of US General Surgery Residents: Is It Really so Bad?

PURPOSE: The quality of working life of US surgical residents has not been studied, and given the complexity of interaction between work and personal life there is a need to assess this interaction. We utilized a validated Work Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) questionnaire to evaluate the perceived work-related quality of life of general surgery residents, using a large, nationally representative sample in the United States. METHODS: Between January 2016 and March 2016, all US general surgery residents enrolled in an ACGME general surgery training program were invited to participate. The WRQoL scale measures perceived quality of life covering six domains: General Well-Being (GWB), Home-Work Interface (HWI), Job and Career Satisfaction (JCS), Control at Work (CAW), Working Conditions (WCS) and Stress at Work (SAW). RESULTS: After excluding for missing data, the final analysis included 738 residents. The average age was 30 (±3) years, of whom 287 (38.9%) were female, 272 (36.9%) were from a community hospital, and 477 (64.6%) were juniors (postgraduate year ≤ 3). Demographically, the respondents matched expected percentages. When male and female residents were compared, males had statistically better HWI (p<0.001), better GWB (p = 0.03), more CAW (p = 0.0003) and WCS (p = 0.001). Junior residents had a lower JCS (p = 0.002) and CAW (p = 0.04) compared to seniors. There were no differences between university and community residents in any of the domains of WRQoL. Although residents were more stressed than other professions but the overall WRQoL was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The nature of surgical residency and a surgical career may in fact be more "stressful" than other professions, yet may not translate into a worsened Quality of Life. Our findings suggest further study is needed to elucidate why female residents have or experience a lower perceived WRQoL than their male colleagues.