Getting back to work: A framework and pivot plan to resume elective surgery and procedures after COVID-19.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled a majority of hospital systems to reduce surgical and procedural volumes in an attempt to preserve resources. Elective surgery and procedures resumption has proven to be a calculated risk between COVID-19 exposure and resource depletion and patient morbidity and mortality from surgical deferral.

Methods: Within a few days of halting elective surgery and procedures, our 7-hospital (2427 in-patient beds, 26,647 inpatient surgeries) healthcare system developed a multidisciplinary Pivot Plan with the primary outcome of a phased resumption of elective surgery and procedures.

Evolution of technique in performance of minimally invasive colectomies.

Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is commonly used in colorectal surgery and provides benefit in complex cases.

Objective: This study examined the minimally invasive surgical trends, patient characteristics, and operative variables unique to patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

Design: This was a retrospective medical chart review.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic ileal ureter.

Background And Objectives: A patient with a solitary kidney, cysteine stones, and recurrent ureteral strictures underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic ureterectomy with ileal ureter formation.

Methods: Using a transperitoneal, 4-port robotic approach, we removed the strictured ureter and created an ileal ureter. The ileal-pyelo and ileal-vesical anastomoses were performed using the robotic system.

The New England colorectal cancer quality project: a prospective multi-institutional feasibility study.

Background: The need for risk-adjusted databases to benchmark quality is well recognized. Data entry is typically performed by physician surrogates who are variably involved in patient care and might be unable to capture key elements of patient care known only to the operating surgeon. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of developing a multi-institutional, prospective, surgeon-initiated database and, secondarily, to compare the data collected with chart review.

Practice parameters for the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis.

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is dedicated to assuring high-quality patient care by advancing the science, prevention, and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. The Standards Committee is composed of Society members who are chosen because they have demonstrated expertise in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery. This committee was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus.

Colovesical fistula: not a contraindication to elective laparoscopic colectomy.

Purpose: Traditionally, diverticular fistula was thought to be a contraindication for laparoscopic colectomy. The advent of hand-assisted laparoscopy has allowed repair of a diverticular fistula to be technically feasible laparoscopically. We present our experience with laparoscopic colectomy in patients with diverticular fistulas.