Sustainability in surgical practice: a collaborative call toward environmental sustainability in operating rooms.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare system plays a pivotal role in environmental sustainability, and the operating room (OR) significantly contributes to its overall carbon footprint. In response to this critical challenge, leading medical societies, government bodies, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders are taking measures to address healthcare sustainability and its impact on climate change. Healthcare now represents almost 20% of the US national economy and 8.5% of US carbon emissions. Internationally, healthcare represents 5% of global carbon emissions. US Healthcare is an outlier in both per capita cost, and per capita greenhouse gas emission, with almost twice per capita emissions compared to every other country in the world. METHODS: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) established the Sustainability in Surgical Practice joint task force in 2023. This collaborative effort aims to actively promote education, mitigation, and innovation, steering surgical practices toward a more sustainable future. RESULTS: Several key initiatives have included a survey of members' knowledge and awareness, a scoping review of terminology, metrics, and initiatives, and deep engagement of key stakeholders. DISCUSSION: This position paper serves as a Call to Action, proposing a series of actions to catalyze and accelerate the surgical sustainability leadership needed to respond effectively to climate change, and to lead the societal transformation towards health that our times demand.

Preferred Feedback Styles Among Different Groups in an Academic Medical Center.

INTRODUCTION: Feedback is an essential component in complex work environments. Different generations have been shown to have different sets of values, derived from societal and cultural changes. We hypothesize that generational differences may be associated with preferred feedback patterns among medical trainees and faculty in a large academic institution. METHODS: A survey was distributed to all students, residents/fellows, and faculty at a large academic medical institution from April 2020 through June 2020. Survey questions evaluated feedback methods for six domains: preparedness, performance, attitude, technical procedures, inpatient, and outpatient care. Participants selected a preferred feedback method for each category. Patient demographics and survey responses were described using frequency statistics. We compared differences in feedback preferences based on generation and field of practice. RESULTS: A total of 871 participants completed the survey. Preferred feedback patterns in the medical field do not seem to align with sociologic theories of generational gaps. Most participants preferred to receive direct feedback after an activity away from their team, irrespective of their age or medical specialty. Individuals preferred direct feedback during an activity in front of their team only for technical procedures. Compared to nonsurgeons, surgeons were more likely to prefer direct feedback in front of team members for preparedness, performance, and attitude. CONCLUSIONS: Generational membership is not significantly associated with preferred feedback patterns in this complex medical academic environment. Variations in feedback preferences are associated with field of practice that may be due to specialty-specific differences in culture and personality traits present within certain medical specialties, particularly surgery.

Comparison of early post-operative complications in primary and revisional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and duodenal switch MBSAQIP-reported cases from 2015 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is now the most performed bariatric surgery, though gastric bypass (GB) and duodenal switch (DS) remain common, especially as conversion/revision (C/R) procedures. This analysis compared early postoperative outcomes of primary and C/R laparoscopic SG to DS and GB; and primary procedures of each vs C/R counterparts. METHODS: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) dataset was queried for SG, GB, and DS cases from 2015 to 2019. Multivariable logistic regression calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios for surgical site infection (SSI), reoperation, and readmission at 30 days in two initial comparisons: (1) primary SG vs DS or GB and (2) C/R SG vs DS or GB. A secondary analysis compared primary GS, GB, or DS with C/R counterparts. Models were adjusted for confounding demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: Of 755,968 primary cases, most were SG (72.8%), followed by GB (26.3%), then DS (0.9%). Compared to SG, GB and DS demonstrated higher odds of SSI (aOR 3.02 [2.84, 3.2]), readmission (aOR 1.97 [1.92, 2.03]), and reoperation (aOR 2.74 [2.62, 2.86]), respectively. Of 68,716 C/R cases, SG was most common (43.2%), followed by GB (37.5%), then DS (19.2%). C/R GB and DS demonstrated greater risk of SSI (aOR 2.28 [1.98, 2.62]), readmission (aOR 2.10 [1.94, 2.27]), and reoperation (aOR 2.3 [2.04, 2.59]) vs SG, respectively. C/R SG and DS demonstrated greater risk of SSI (OR 2.09 [1.66, 2.63]; 1.63 [1.24, 2.14), readmission (OR 1.13 [1.02, 1.26]), and reoperation (OR 1.27 [1.06, 1.52]; 1.58 [1.24, 2.0]), vs primary procedures. C/R DS demonstrated greater risk of SSI (OR 1.23 [1.66, 2.63]). CONCLUSIONS: Early complications are comparable between GB and DS, and greater than SG. In C/R procedures, GB and DS demonstrate greater risk than SG. Overall, C/R procedures demonstrate greater risk of most, but not all, early postoperative complications.

Comparison of robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy outcomes in multiple staple line treatment modalities from 2015 to 2019: a 5-year propensity score-adjusted MBSAQIP® analysis.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) is an increasingly common approach to sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Staple line reinforcement (SLR) is well-discussed in laparoscopic SG literature, but not RSG- likely due to the absence of dedicated robotic SLR devices. However, most RSG cases report SLR. This retrospective analysis compares outcomes in RSG cases reporting (1) any staple line treatment (SLT) vs none and (2) SLR vs oversewing. METHODS: MBSAQIP was queried for adults who underwent RSG from 2015 to 2019. Open procedures, Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery, hand-assisted, single-incision, concurrent procedures, and illogical BMIs were excluded (n = 3444). Final sample included 52,354 patients. Two comparisons were made: SLT (n = 34,886) vs none (n = 17,468) and SLR (n = 22,217) vs oversew (n = 5620). We fitted multivariable regression models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and performed propensity score analysis with inverse probability of treatment weight based on patient factors. RESULTS: Most RSG cases utilized SLT (66.6%). Cases with SLT had a reduced risk of organ space SSI (RR 0.68 [0.49, 0.94]), 30-day reoperation (RR 0.77 [0.64, 0.93]), 30-day re-intervention (RR 0.80 [0.67, 0.96]), sepsis (RR 0.58 [0.35, 0.96]), unplanned intubation (RR 0.59 [0.37, 0.93]), extended ventilator use (RR 0.46 [0.23, 0.91]), and renal failure (RR 0.40 [0.19, 0.82]) compared to no-treatment cases. In single-treatment cases (n = 27,837), most utilized SLR (79.8%). Cases with oversew had a higher risk of any SSI (RR 1.70 [1.19, 2.42]), superficial incisional SSI (RR 1.71 [1.06, 2.76]), septic shock (RR 6.47 [2.11, 19.87]), unplanned intubation (RR 2.18 [1.06, 4.47]), and extended ventilator use (> 48 h) (RR 4.55 [1.63, 12.71]) than SLR. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest SLT in RSG is associated with reduced risk of some adverse outcomes vs no-treatment. Among SLT, SLR demonstrated lower risk than oversewing. However, risk of all-cause mortality, cardiac arrest, and unplanned ICU admission were not significant.

Comparison of post-operative outcomes of large direct inguinal hernia repairs based on operative approach (open vs. laparoscopic vs. robotic) using the ACHQC (Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative) database.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes for open, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia repairs for direct, unilateral inguinal hernia repairs, with particular focus on 30-day morbidity surgical site infection (SSI); surgical site occurrence (SSO); SSI/SSO requiring procedural interventions (SSOPI), reoperation, and recurrence. METHODS: The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative database was queried for patients undergoing elective, primary, > 3 cm medial, unilateral inguinal hernia repairs with an open (Lichtenstein), laparoscopic, or robotic operative approach. Preoperative demographics and patient characteristics, operative techniques, and outcomes were studied. A 1-to-1 propensity score matching algorithm was used for each operative approach pair to reduce selection bias. RESULTS: There were 848 operations included: 297 were open, 285 laparoscopic, and 266 robotic hernia repairs. There was no evidence of a difference in primary endpoints at 30 days including SSI, SSO, SSI/SSO requiring procedural interventions (SSOPI), reoperation, readmission, or recurrence for any of the operative approach pairs (open vs. robotic, open vs. laparoscopic, robotic vs. laparoscopic). For the open vs. laparoscopic groups, QoL score at 30 day was lower (better) for laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery (OR 0.53 [0.31, 0.92], p = 0.03), but this difference did not hold at the 1-year survey (OR 1.37 [0.48, 3.92], p = 0.55). Similarly, patients who underwent robotic repair were more likely to have a higher (worse) 30-day QoL score (OR 2.01 [1.18, 3.42], p = 0.01), but no evidence of a difference at 1 year (OR 0.83 [0.3, 2.26] p = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not reveal significant post-operative outcomes between open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches for large medial inguinal hernias. Surgeons should continue to tailor operative approach based on patient needs and their own surgical expertise.

Gastric Bypass Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy: Comparison of Patient Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Quality of Life in a Single-Center Experience.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common primary bariatric operation performed in the United States. Its relative technical ease, combined with a decreased risk for anatomic and malabsorptive complications make LSG an attractive option compared to laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) for many patients and surgeons. However, emerging evidence for progressive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after LSG, and the inferior weight loss in many studies, suggests that the enthusiasm for LSG requires reassessment. We hypothesized that patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) may be lower after LSG compared to LGB because of these differences. Methods: We distributed a survey querying weight-loss outcomes, complications, foregut symptoms, QoL, and overall satisfaction to patients who underwent bariatric operations at our institution between 2000 and 2020 and who had electronic mail contact information available. Mean follow-up was 2.75 ± 2.41 years for LGB patients and 3.37 ± 2.18 (P = .021) years for LSG patients. We compared these groups for weight-loss outcomes, changes in foregut symptoms, gastrointestinal QoL, postbariatric QoL, and overall satisfaction using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Among 323 respondents, 126 underwent LGB and 197 underwent LSG. LGB patients had larger body mass index (BMI) reduction than LSG patients (-17.16 ± 9.07 kg/m2 versus -14.87 ± 7.4 kg/m2, P = .023). LGB patients reported less reflux (P = .003), with decreased heartburn (P < .0001) and regurgitation (P = .0027). However, a greater proportion of LGB patients reported at least one complication (P = .025). Despite this, more LGB patients reported satisfaction (92.86%) than LSG patients (73.6%). Conclusion: LGB patients are significantly more likely to be satisfied than LSG patients. Factors contributing to the higher level of satisfaction include less GERD and better BMI decrease.

"Orphaned" Stomach-An Infrequent Complication of Gastric Bypass Revision.

While generally safe, bariatric operations have a variety of possible complications. We present an uncommon complication after gastric bypass revision, namely the creation of an "orphaned" segment of remnant stomach that was left inadvertently in discontinuity, leading to recurrent intra-abdominal abscesses. Sinogram ultimately proved the diagnosis, and the issue was successfully treated using a combination of surgical and endoscopic methods to control the abscess and to allow internal drainage.

Laparoscopic Posterior Partial Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that greatly impacts quality of life. Management options include medical and surgical therapies. Nonoperative management typically relies on longitudinal use of acid-suppressive medications such as proton pump inhibitors, which is associated with a significant financial burden and an increasing number of recognized side effects. The surgical management of GERD is focused on correction of the lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction by means of a fundoplication, thus limiting acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux. Multiple techniques have been described, including use of complete (360°) fundoplication or partial fundoplication in either an anterior (180°) or posterior (220-270°) position. Recent studies have shown that the total and the partial fundoplications are similarly effective in controlling GERD. A partial fundoplication may also be advantageous when treating patients with GERD and poor esophageal motility. This article focuses on the posterior partial (modified Toupet) fundoplication, with attention to the key elements of the preoperative workup, appropriate patient selection, and important technical steps that are associated with the best outcomes.

Differential phosphorylation of a regulatory subunit of protein kinase CK2 by target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling and the Cdc-like kinase Kns1.

Transcriptional regulation of ribosome and tRNA synthesis plays a central role in determining protein synthetic capacity and is tightly controlled in response to nutrient availability and cellular stress. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the regulation of ribosome and tRNA synthesis was recently shown to involve the Cdc-like kinase Kns1 and the GSK-3 kinase Mck1. In this study, we explored additional roles for these conserved kinases in processes connected to the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1). We conducted a synthetic chemical-genetic screen in a kns1Δ mck1Δ strain and identified many novel rapamycin-hypersensitive genes. Gene ontology analysis showed enrichment for TORC1-regulated processes (vesicle-mediated transport, autophagy, and regulation of cell size) and identified new connections to protein complexes including the protein kinase CK2. CK2 is considered to be a constitutively active kinase and in budding yeast, the holoenzyme comprises two regulatory subunits, Ckb1 and Ckb2, and two catalytic subunits, Cka1 and Cka2. We show that Ckb1 is differentially phosphorylated in vivo and that Kns1 mediates this phosphorylation when nutrients are limiting and under all tested stress conditions. We determined that the phosphorylation of Ckb1 does not detectably affect the stability of the CK2 holoenzyme but correlates with the reduced occupancy of Ckb1 on tRNA genes after rapamycin treatment. Thus, the differential occupancy of tRNA genes by CK2 is likely to modulate its activation of RNA polymerase III transcription. Our data suggest that TORC1, via its effector kinase Kns1, may regulate the association of CK2 with some of its substrates by phosphorylating Ckb1.

Isquemia crítica por oclusión aortoilíaca: puentes aorto y axilofemorales / Critical ischemia by aortoiliac occlusion: aorto and axilofemoral by pass

Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con isquemia crítica de miembros inferiores. Sólo se incluyeron aquellos casos en que se utilizaron puentes aortofemorales (Aof) y axilofemorales (Axf). Se revisaron los registros de 139 pacientes (59 puentes Aof y 97 Axf). Se excluyeron los pacientes con aneurismas, con cirugía vascular previa y los infectados. La decisión táctica se basó en las condiciones clínicas que suponían un riesgo operatorio elevado. La femoral superficial estaba ocluída en 129 casos (83 por ciento). Se utilizó siempre prótesis de dacron. La supervivencia global Aof: 68,02 por ciento (ES: 8,20); Axf: 43,07 por ciento (ES: 8,12); Permeabilidad primaria, Aof: 65,11 por ciento (ES: 9,32); Axf: 52,67 por ciento (ES: 9,32). Permeabilidad secundaria, Aof: 80,55 por ciento (ES: 7,57); Axf: 71,71 por ciento (ES: 8,75). Conservación miembro, Aof: 76,16 por ciento (ES: 8,11); Axf: 75,69 por ciento (ES: 8,56). Dentro de los primeros 90 días se realizaron puentes distales en el 5 por ciento de los casos por insuficiencia hemodinámica (3/59 Aof) y en el 6,18 por ciento por trombosis del injerto (6/97 Axf). Cuando no es factible realizar un estudio prospectivo por razones éticas, es posible utilizar controles históricos, aunque la información puede estar sometida a diferentes sesgos. Nuestra experiencia sugiere que: a) la permeabilidad secundaria de los puentes Axf obtenida mediante múltiples reoperaciones tiende a ser comparable a la permeabilidad primaria de los puentes aórticos y b) ambas tasas de conservación del miembro son similares

Isquemia crítica por oclusión aortoilíaca: puentes aorto y axilofemorales / Critical ischemia by aortoiliac occlusion: aorto and axilofemoral by pass

Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con isquemia crítica de miembros inferiores. Sólo se incluyeron aquellos casos en que se utilizaron puentes aortofemorales (Aof) y axilofemorales (Axf). Se revisaron los registros de 139 pacientes (59 puentes Aof y 97 Axf). Se excluyeron los pacientes con aneurismas, con cirugía vascular previa y los infectados. La decisión táctica se basó en las condiciones clínicas que suponían un riesgo operatorio elevado. La femoral superficial estaba ocluída en 129 casos (83 por ciento). Se utilizó siempre prótesis de dacron. La supervivencia global Aof: 68,02 por ciento (ES: 8,20); Axf: 43,07 por ciento (ES: 8,12); Permeabilidad primaria, Aof: 65,11 por ciento (ES: 9,32); Axf: 52,67 por ciento (ES: 9,32). Permeabilidad secundaria, Aof: 80,55 por ciento (ES: 7,57); Axf: 71,71 por ciento (ES: 8,75). Conservación miembro, Aof: 76,16 por ciento (ES: 8,11); Axf: 75,69 por ciento (ES: 8,56). Dentro de los primeros 90 días se realizaron puentes distales en el 5 por ciento de los casos por insuficiencia hemodinámica (3/59 Aof) y en el 6,18 por ciento por trombosis del injerto (6/97 Axf). Cuando no es factible realizar un estudio prospectivo por razones éticas, es posible utilizar controles históricos, aunque la información puede estar sometida a diferentes sesgos. Nuestra experiencia sugiere que: a) la permeabilidad secundaria de los puentes Axf obtenida mediante múltiples reoperaciones tiende a ser comparable a la permeabilidad primaria de los puentes aórticos y b) ambas tasas de conservación del miembro son similares (AU)

Aneurismas de carótida primitiva / Aneurysms of primitive carotid artery

Se presentan 3 casos de aneurismas de carótida primitiva, dos de ellos a causa de degeneración mixomatosa marfanoide y uno de etiología aterosclerótica constituyendo una frecuencia de presentación respecto de los aneurismas en general del 1,07 por ciento y del 7,5 por ciento de los aneurismas periféricos. La única manifestación clínica fue la presencia de una tumoración pulsátil en región lateral de cuello. Se destaca la importancia del Duplex Scanning para evidenciar patología estenótica agregada, pero se hace indispensable el uso de la angiografía para descartar patología intracraneal. En el diagnóstico diferencial se consideran otras tumoraciones laterales de cuello (glomus, adenopatías, elongaciones carotídeas). Su resección quirúrgica se justifica por la baja frecuencia de complicaciones postoperatorias de la cirugía carotídea (< 5 por ciento) en relación con la alta tasa de complicaciones neurológicas observadas en pacientes no tratados (50-70 por ciento)

Fístula humero-basílico-mediana-cefálica: una alternativa en la hemodiálisis crónica / Thumeral basilic-medium-cephalic fistula: an alternative in chronic hemodialysis

El éxito del tratamiento de los pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica dependerá del mantenimiento de un acceso vascular adecuado. Se presenta una vía de acceso utilizando el eje venoso basílico-mediano-cefálico y la arteria humeral como alternativa cuando los vasos del antebrazo han sido empleados previamente. Brinda un amplio trayecto de punción, con nula participación del sistema venoso profundo y es de suma utilidad en niños ya que la mayor acumulación de tejido adiposo en la zona del antebrazo y muñeca, asociados al pequeño calibre de los vasos superficiales dificultan el acceso clásico

Aneurismas de carótida primitiva / Aneurysms of primitive carotid artery

Se presentan 3 casos de aneurismas de carótida primitiva, dos de ellos a causa de degeneración mixomatosa marfanoide y uno de etiología aterosclerótica constituyendo una frecuencia de presentación respecto de los aneurismas en general del 1,07 por ciento y del 7,5 por ciento de los aneurismas periféricos. La única manifestación clínica fue la presencia de una tumoración pulsátil en región lateral de cuello. Se destaca la importancia del Duplex Scanning para evidenciar patología estenótica agregada, pero se hace indispensable el uso de la angiografía para descartar patología intracraneal. En el diagnóstico diferencial se consideran otras tumoraciones laterales de cuello (glomus, adenopatías, elongaciones carotídeas). Su resección quirúrgica se justifica por la baja frecuencia de complicaciones postoperatorias de la cirugía carotídea (< 5 por ciento) en relación con la alta tasa de complicaciones neurológicas observadas en pacientes no tratados (50-70 por ciento) (AU)

Fístula humero-basílico-mediana-cefálica: una alternativa en la hemodiálisis crónica / Thumeral basilic-medium-cephalic fistula: an alternative in chronic hemodialysis

El éxito del tratamiento de los pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica dependerá del mantenimiento de un acceso vascular adecuado. Se presenta una vía de acceso utilizando el eje venoso basílico-mediano-cefálico y la arteria humeral como alternativa cuando los vasos del antebrazo han sido empleados previamente. Brinda un amplio trayecto de punción, con nula participación del sistema venoso profundo y es de suma utilidad en niños ya que la mayor acumulación de tejido adiposo en la zona del antebrazo y muñeca, asociados al pequeño calibre de los vasos superficiales dificultan el acceso clásico (AU)

Aneurisma inflamatorios de la aorta abdominal / Inflamatory aneurysms of the abdominal aorta

Entre 1975 y 1989 fueron operados 10 pacientes con aneurismas inflamatorios de la aorta abdominal (6% del total). Se describen las características de este tipo de lesión, señalando que son aneurismas ateroscleróticos que muestran una inusual acentuación de la reacción inflamatoria, probablemente debido a un fenómeno autoinmune. La ecografía y la tomografía computada ofrecen las mejores posibilidades de diagnóstico. El reemplazo aórtico es el tratamiento electivo por el riesgo de ruptura y porque el procedimiento parece detener o incluso disminuir el proceso inflamatorio.

Aneurisma inflamatorios de la aorta abdominal / Inflamatory aneurysms of the abdominal aorta

Entre 1975 y 1989 fueron operados 10 pacientes con aneurismas inflamatorios de la aorta abdominal (6% del total). Se describen las características de este tipo de lesión, señalando que son aneurismas ateroscleróticos que muestran una inusual acentuación de la reacción inflamatoria, probablemente debido a un fenómeno autoinmune. La ecografía y la tomografía computada ofrecen las mejores posibilidades de diagnóstico. El reemplazo aórtico es el tratamiento electivo por el riesgo de ruptura y porque el procedimiento parece detener o incluso disminuir el proceso inflamatorio. (AU)

Aneurismas ilíacos / Iliac aneurysms

Los aneurismas ilíacos puros constituyen una patología poco frecuente y muchas veces oculta por su sintomatología variada y su difícil palpación. Se presentan 6 aneurismas ilíacos puros operados en 4 pacientes, entre los años 1974 y 1988, encontrándose una incidencia del 3 por ciento sobre el total de aneurismas intraabdominales operados en el mismo período. Se trataba de aneurismas de ilíaca primitiva bilateral en 2 pacientes y unilateral en los restantes. El diámetro varió entre 3,5 y 9 cm, presentándose el más grande de ellos con ruptura y shock hipovolémico. Se considera la tomografía axial computada como procedimiento ideal no sólo para el diagnóstico sino también para planificar la cirugía electiva. En todos los casos los pacientes fueron tratados mediante reemplazo endoaneurismático o exclusión con prótesis de Dacron tratando de conservar la permeabilidad del sistema hipogástrico-ilíaca externa-femoral profunda homolateral