Transoral incisionless fundoplication with or without hiatal hernia repair for gastroesophageal reflux disease after peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) following peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) occurs in 40% to 60% of patients. There are limited data evaluating antireflux surgery or transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) for refractory post-POEM GERD. In a single-center prospective cohort study, consecutive patients with medically refractory post-POEM regurgitation and/or GERD treated with TIF or combined laparoscopic hernia repair and TIF (cTIF) were evaluated.

Association of Allostatic Load With Overall Mortality Among Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Importance: Adverse social determinants of health (SDHs) (eg, poverty) are associated with poor oncologic outcomes among patients with lung cancer. However, no studies have evaluated biological correlates of adverse SDHs, operationalized as allostatic load (AL), with mortality due to lung cancer.

Objective: To examine the association among AL, SDHs, and mortality among patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Women in Thoracic Surgery 2020 Update-Subspecialty and Work-Life Balance Analysis.

Background: While women comprise nearly half of medical school graduates, they remain underrepresented in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. To better understand ongoing barriers, we aimed to delineate issues relevant to the CT subspecialities, emphasizing personal life.

Methods: An anonymous Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap; hosted at Indiana University School of Medicine) survey link was emailed to female diplomats of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons (ABTS).

Investigating the incidence, impact, and severity of pulmonary complications after hepatectomy: A single institution experience.

Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications are a common cause of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing hepatectomy. This study aimed to identify risk factors, define severity, and evaluate the impact of postoperative pulmonary complications on postoperative morbidity after hepatectomy.

Method: We used a prospective database in identifying all hepatectomies from 2013 to 2018.

Minimally invasive surgery in the management of resectable thymoma: a retrospective analysis from the National Cancer Database.

Background: Thymomas are relatively uncommon tumors traditionally resected via open sternotomy. Despite the appeal of minimally invasive techniques, concerns persist regarding their oncologic efficacy. We hypothesized that minimally-invasive thymectomies for resectable thymomas are oncologically safe when compared to open thymectomy.

Social Disparities in the Thoracic Surgery Workforce.

Diversity fosters innovation, advances the work environment, and enriches patient care. Despite that, only 17%, 5%, and 3% of cardiothoracic (CT) surgeons in academia were women, Hispanic, and Black, respectively. Diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and deliberate initiatives are necessary to eradicate disparities in the CT workforce.

Impact of smoke-free ordinance strength on smoking prevalence and lung cancer incidence.

Background: Smoke-free ordinances (SFO) have been shown to be effective public health interventions, but there is limited data on the impact SFO on lung cancer outcomes. We explored the effect of county-level SFO strength with smoking prevalence and lung cancer incidence in Indiana.

Methods: We obtained county-level lung cancer incidence from the Indiana State Cancer Registry and county-level characteristics from the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission's policy database between 1995 and 2016.

2020 Women in Thoracic Surgery Update on the Status of Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Background: Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) has previously reported on the status of women in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. We sought to provide a 10-year update on women in CT surgery.

Methods: An anonymous research electronic data capture survey link was emailed to female diplomats of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Computer-Tailored Decision Support Tool for Lung Cancer Screening: Community-Based Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Lung cancer screening is a US Preventive Services Task Force Grade B recommendation that has been shown to decrease lung cancer-related mortality by approximately 20%. However, making the decision to screen, or not, for lung cancer is a complex decision because there are potential risks (eg, false positive results, overdiagnosis). Shared decision making was incorporated into the lung cancer screening guideline and, for the first time, is a requirement for reimbursement of a cancer screening test from Medicare.

Conversion to Prepectoral Breast Implant Reconstruction after Chest Wall Resection for Desmoid Tumor.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Randomized Prospective Study Evaluating Single-Injection Paravertebral Block, Paravertebral Catheter, and Thoracic Epidural Catheter for Postoperative Regional Analgesia After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

Objective: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has improved patient outcomes; however, postoperative pain remains potentially severe. The objective of this study was to compare adjunct analgesic modalities for VATS, including paravertebral nerve blockade (PVB) and thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA).

Design: Prospective, randomized trial.

Sexual Harassment and Cardiothoracic Surgery: #UsToo?

Background: Fifty-eight percent of women in science, engineering, and medicine report being affected by sexual harassment (SH). This study sought to determine the extent of SH in cardiothoracic surgery.

Methods: The study developed a survey that was based on the Sexual Experience Questionnaire-Workplace, physician wellness, and burnout surveys.

Management of anastomotic leaks following esophagectomy: when to intervene?

Background: Esophagectomy is the mainstay treatment for early stage and locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer. Anastomotic leaks following esophagectomy are associated with numerous detrimental sequelae. The management of anastomotic leaks has evolved over time.