Operative time as a marker of quality in bariatric surgery.

Background: Few studies have examined the effect of prolonged operative time (OT) on outcomes in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Existing studies mostly focus on 30-day complications, whereas serious complications may not occur until well after 30 days from the index operation.

Objective: To determine the effect of prolonged OT on 1-year morbidity and mortality after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Outcomes of Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery in the Elderly Population.

There have been limited data on the safety of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in the elderly. To compare outcomes of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) between elderly (≥65 years) and nonelderly (18-64 years) patients. Using the 2011 to 2015 NSQIP database, we analyzed severely obese patients who underwent LRYGB or LSG.

Laparoscopic loop ileostomy reversal with intracorporeal anastomosis is associated with shorter length of stay without increased direct cost.

Background: Laparoscopic ileostomy closure with intracorporeal anastomosis offers potential advantages over open reversal with extracorporeal anastomosis, including earlier return of bowel function and reduced postoperative pain. In this study, we aim to compare the outcome and cost of laparoscopic ileostomy reversal (utilizing either intracorporeal or extracorporeal anastomosis) with open ileostomy reversal.

Methods: A retrospective review of sequential patients undergoing elective loop ileostomy reversal between 2013 and 2016 at a single, high-volume institution was performed.

Laparoscopic versus open resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: survival outcomes from the NCDB.

Background: Studies comparing laparoscopic versus open resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) typically involve small comparative groups and often do not control for tumor size or stage of disease. The objective of this study was to compare adjusted survival outcomes for laparoscopic versus open GIST.

Method: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2010 to 2014 was evaluated for gastric and small intestinal GIST resections.

How safe is same-day discharge after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy?

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is associated with low morbidity and mortality and a short length of stay. Studies on the safety of same-day discharge after LSG are limited.

Objective: To compare outcomes between same-day versus first-postoperative-day (POD1) discharge after LSG.

One-Year Mortality after Contemporary Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: An Analysis of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database.

Background: Contemporary mortality after bariatric surgery is low and has been decreasing over the past 2 decades. Most studies have reported inpatient or 30-day mortality, which may not represent the true risk of bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to examine 1-year mortality and factors predictive of 1-year mortality after contemporary laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Same-Day Discharge after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: An Analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program Database.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has been performed with successful discharge on postoperative day 1 (POD1). There are limited studies on same-day discharge after LRYGB. The objective of this study was to examine the frequency and outcomes of same-day discharge after LRYGB.

The Growing Utilization of Laparoscopy in Emergent Colonic Disease.

Emergent colonic disease has traditionally been managed with open procedures. Evaluation of recent trends suggests a shift toward minimally invasive techniques in this disease setting. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) targeted colectomy database from 2012 to 2014 was used to examine clinical data from patients who emergently underwent open colectomy (OC) and laparoscopic colectomy (LC).

An endoscopic mucosal grading system is predictive of leak in stapled rectal anastomoses.

Background: Anastomotic leak is a devastating postoperative complication following rectal anastomoses associated with significant clinical and oncological implications. As a result, there is a need for novel intraoperative methods that will help predict anastomotic leak.

Methods: From 2011 to 2014, patient undergoing rectal anastomoses by colorectal surgeons at our institution underwent prospective application of intraoperative flexible endoscopy with mucosal grading.

The effect of hospital teaching status on outcomes in bariatric surgery.

Background: Studies have shown conflicting effects of resident involvement on outcomes after laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Resident involvement may be a proxy for a teaching environment in which multiple factors affect patient outcomes. However, no study has examined outcomes of laparoscopic bariatric surgery based on hospital teaching status.

Respiratory complications after colonic procedures in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: does laparoscopy offer a benefit?

Background: Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Despite the benefits of a minimally invasive approach, laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum can substantially reduce functional residual capacity and raise alveolar dead space, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory failure which may be poorly tolerated by COPD patients. This raises controversy as to whether open techniques should be preferentially employed in this population.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Explantation and Implantation at Academic Centers.

Background: The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) was approved for use in the US in 2001 and has been found to be a safe and effective surgical treatment for morbid obesity. However, there is a recent trend toward reduced use of LAGB nationwide. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and outcomes of primary LAGB implantation compared with revision and explantation at academic centers.

Association of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating With Outcomes in Advanced Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery.

Importance: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating to help patients compare hospitals based on a 5-star scale. The star rating was designed to assess overall quality of the institution; thus, its validity toward specifically assessing surgical quality is unknown.

Objective: To examine whether CMS high-star hospitals (HSHs) have improved patient outcomes and resource use in advanced laparoscopic abdominal surgery compared with low-star hospitals (LSHs).

Defining the Role of Minimally Invasive Proctectomy for Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma.

Objective: National examination of open proctectomy (OP), laparoscopic proctectomy (LP), and robotic proctectomy (RP) in pathological outcomes and overall survival (OS).

Background: Surgical management for rectal adenocarcinoma is evolving towards utilization of LP and RP. However, the oncological impacts of a minimally invasive approach to rectal cancer have yet to be defined.

Validation of revised American Joint Committee on Cancer staging for gallbladder cancer based on a single institution experience.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare malignancy, which often goes undiagnosed until advanced stages of disease and is associated with poor prognosis. The only potentially curative treatment is surgical resection. This retrospective study aims to investigate the validity of the revised 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer staging criteria and determine prognostic factors.

Genetic integration of molar cusp size variation in baboons.

Many studies of primate diversity and evolution rely on dental morphology for insight into diet, behavior, and phylogenetic relationships. Consequently, variation in molar cusp size has increasingly become a phenotype of interest. In 2007 we published a quantitative genetic analysis of mandibular molar cusp size variation in baboons.