Factors Associated With Surgical Management in Gallbladder Cancer-A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare-Based Study.

Introduction: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) incidence is rising, yet prognosis remains poor. Oncological resection of stage T1b or higher improves survival, yet many patients do not receive appropriate resection. This study aims to evaluate factors that may attribute to this discrepancy using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare (SEER-Medicare) database.

Diversity presentations at cardiothoracic surgery meetings: Opportunity to align our actions with our values.

Objective: Substantial efforts have been directed toward identifying and addressing cardiothoracic surgical disparities in both patient care and our workforce. We aimed to characterize the presence over time of diversity and disparities-related content at cardiothoracic surgical society meetings.

Methods: Annual meeting program books from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons from 2013 to 2023 were manually reviewed to identify abstract presentations, invited talks, and dedicated sessions related to diversity, equity, or social determinants of health.

Gender representation trends in cardiothoracic surgery journal editorial boards.

Objective: We aimed to characterize chronologic trends of gender composition of the editorial boards of major cardiothoracic surgery journals in the current era.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed of gender representation in editorial board members of 2 North American cardiothoracic surgery journals from 2008 to 2023. Member names and roles were collected from available monthly issues.

Overall Volume of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Positively Impacts Gastric Cancer Outcomes at Centers with Low Gastrectomy Volume.

Background: The relationship between hospital volume and surgical mortality is well documented. However, complete centralization of surgical care is not always feasible. The present study investigates how overall volume of upper gastrointestinal surgery at hospitals influences patient outcomes following resection for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Trends in access to minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancers.

Background: Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD), including robotic (RPD) and laparoscopy (LPD), is becoming more frequently employed in the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), though the majority of operations are still performed via open approach (OPD). Access to technologic advances often neglect the underserved. Whether disparities in access to MIPD exist, remain unclear.

The Evaluation of Gallstone Disease in the Year Before Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis.

Introduction: Patients with pancreatic cancer can present with a variety of insidious abdominal symptoms, complicating initial diagnosis. Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer often mirror those associated with gallstone disease, which has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for this malignancy. This study aims to compare the incidence of gallstone disease in the year before diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as compared to the general population, and evaluate the association of gallstone disease with stage at diagnosis and surgical intervention.

The impact of social risk factors on the presentation, treatment and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at an urban, academic safety-net hospital.

Background: Vulnerable populations have worse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes. We sought to understand if this could be mitigated at a safety-net hospital.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of HCC patients was conducted (2007-2018).

The role of imaging and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with T3b-T4b melanoma with clinically negative disease.

Background: Previous studies demonstrate minimal utility of pre-operative imaging for low-risk melanoma; however, imaging may be more critical for patients with high-risk disease. Our study evaluates the impact of peri-operative cross-sectional imaging in patients with T3b-T4b melanoma.

Methods: Patients with T3b-T4b melanoma who underwent wide local excision were identified from a single institution (1/1/2005 - 12/31/2020).

Disparities in the Receipt of Recommended Curative Treatment for Patients with Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: In early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the receipt of recommended care is critical for long-term survival. Unfortunately, not all patients decide to undergo therapy. We sought to identify factors associated with the decision to decline recommended intervention among patients with early-stage HCC.

A propensity score matching analysis: Impact of senior resident versus fellow participation on outcomes of complex surgical oncology.

Background: Teaching hospitals that train both general surgery residents and fellows in complex general surgical oncology have become more common. This study investigates whether participation of a senior resident versus a fellow has an impact on outcomes of patients undergoing complex cancer surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent esophagectomy, gastrectomy, hepatectomy, or pancreatectomy between 2007 and 2012 with assistance from a senior resident (post-graduate years 4-5) or a fellow (post-graduate years 6-8) were identified from the ACS NSQIP.

Update on the Financial Well-Being of Surgical Residents in New England.

Background: Poor personal financial health has been linked to key components of health including burnout, substance abuse, and worsening personal relationships. Understanding the state of resident financial health is key to improving their overall well-being.

Study Design: A secondary analysis of a survey of New England general surgery residents was performed to understand their financial well-being.

COVID-19 Did Not Stop the Rising Tide: Trends in Case Volume Logged by Surgical Residents.

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic has profoundly impacted all facets of surgical care, including surgical residency training. The objective of this study was to assess the operative experience and overall case volume of surgery residents before and during the pandemic.

Methods: Using data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education annual operative log reports, operative volume for 2015 to 2021 graduates of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education -accredited general, orthopedic, neuro- and plastic surgery residency programs was analyzed using nonparametric Kendall-tau correlation analysis.

Thromboprophylaxis Timing After Blunt Solid Organ Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Trauma patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injuries are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the optimal time to safely administer chemical thromboprophylaxis is controversial, especially for patients who are managed nonoperatively due to increased risk of hemorrhage. We sought to compare failure of nonoperative management (NOM) and VTE events based on timing of chemical thromboprophylaxis initiation.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Embase databases.

Authorship Trends and Disparities in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Background: Previous investigations have revealed significant gender disparities in the academic arenas of cardiothoracic surgery. However, the status of gender representation in cardiothoracic publications has not been well described. This study aimed to evaluate authorship trends by gender in two high-impact cardiothoracic surgical journals.

Intraoperative fluorescence imaging in esophagectomy and its application to the robotic platform: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: Robotic-assisted esophagectomy is an approach to minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) that has demonstrated equivalent or improved outcomes relative to open and other minimally invasive techniques. The robotic approach also allows unique opportunities to improve complications following esophagectomy through use of enhanced visualization tools, including intraoperative fluorescence imaging. In this review, we summarize the specific uses of intraoperative fluorescence imaging as an adjunct tool during esophagectomy and discuss its application to the robotic platform.

Surveillance Patterns for Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Screening-Eligible Patients in the Medicare Population.

Introduction: Routine screening plays a critical role in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but not all patients undergo consistent surveillance. This study aims to evaluate surveillance patterns and their association with diagnosis stage and survival among Medicare patients at risk for HCC.

Patients And Methods: Patients with HCC and guideline-based screening eligibility who underwent imaging with ultrasound or abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the 2 years prior to diagnosis were identified from SEER-Medicare (2008-2015).

Exclusion criteria: Evaluating the impact of enrollment requirements in SEER-Medicare research.

Background: Enrollment criteria are routinely utilized in patient selection in SEER-Medicare but little is known about how this may be impacting research outcomes. This study evaluated demographics and survival among pancreatic cancer patients who are included and excluded from SEER-Medicare analyses.

Methods: Patients ≥66 years old with pancreatic cancer were identified (SEER-Medicare, 2008-2015).

Socioeconomic Mediation of Racial Segregation in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment and Outcome Disparities.

Objective: To understand the mediating effect of socioeconomic factors on the association between residential segregation and racial disparities in pancreatic cancer (PC).

Background: Black patients with PC present at a later stage and have worse mortality than White patients. These disparities have been explained by the level of residential segregation.