Determinants and barriers to junior faculty well-being at a large quaternary academic medical center: A qualitative survey.

Background: Increasing levels of burnout among trainees and faculty members at all levels is a major problem in academic medicine. Junior faculty members may be at unique risk for burnout and have unique needs and barriers that contribute to attrition, job satisfaction, and overall workplace well-being.

Methods: Twenty-seven faculty members at the assistant professor level at a large, quaternary referral academic medical institution were interviewed.

Time to Symptom Resolution After Total Thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease.

Introduction: Total thyroidectomy (TT) has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for Graves' disease. However, the time course for improvement of symptoms has not been defined.

Methods: With an institutional review board approval, we prospectively gathered survey data of all patients (n = 79) undergoing TT for Graves' disease at a single institution from 2019 to 2021.

Parathyroid Imaging Practices for Primary Hyperparathyroidism Without Previous Operations Among Endocrine Surgery Program Directors.

Background: Attempts at preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid gland(s) in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) can be performed with a variety of modalities. Study utilization is surgeon-specific with highly variable opinions in parathyroid surgery. As more people are diagnosed with pHPT, the complexity of the disease has given rise to variation in management.

Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: All Risks, No Reward.

Background: Central neck dissection (CND) remains a controversial intervention for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with clinically negative nodes (cN0) in the central compartment. Proponents state that CND in cN0 patients prevents locoregional recurrence, while opponents deem that the risks of complications outweigh any potential benefit. Thus, there remains conflicting results amongst studies assessing oncologic and surgical outcomes in cN0 PTC patients who undergo CND.

Higher prevalence of Concomitant Hyperparathyroidism in African American Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery.

Background: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) occurs in about 1% of the general population. Previous studies have suggested that the incidence is higher in those patients with thyroid disease who are undergoing thyroid surgery. The study purpose was to examine the incidence of concomitant HPT in patients already undergoing a thyroid procedure and to identify risk factors.

A Novel Use of Artificial Intelligence to Examine Diversity and Hospital Performance.

Background: The US population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Research suggests that cultural diversity within organizations can increase team potency and performance, yet this theory has not been explored in the field of surgery. Furthermore, when surveyed, patients express a desire for their care provider to mirror their own race and ethnicity.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement facilitates outpatient thyroidectomy in children.

Introduction: We hypothesize that intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) measurement after a total thyroidectomy predicts children at risk for hypoparathyroidism and allow for outpatient procedure.

Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, we reviewed all patients under the age of 21 undergoing a thyroidectomy (total or lobectomy). Based on the ioPTH concentration, the patients were treated by the following protocol: a) PTH ≥20 pg/mL: no treatment; b) PTH = 10-19 pg/mL: 1000 mg calcium orally TID; c) PTH = 5-9 pg/mL: calcitriol 250 μg orally BID plus 1000 mg calcium orally TID; or d) PTH <5 pg/mL calcitriol 500 μg orally BID plus 1000 mg calcium orally TID.

From Presentation to Publication: Where did Abstracts at the 2017 Academic Surgical Congress End up? A Three-Year Analysis.

Introduction: Medical school and residency programs encourage increased research, and thousands of abstracts are submitted to conferences annually. This study sought to determine the rate of publication of oral presentations from the 2017 Academic Surgical Congress (ASC) and assess factors that influence the likelihood of publication.

Methods: Abstracts selected for oral, plenary, and QuickShot presentations at the 2017 ASC were evaluated for publication status.

Correlation between air quality and lung cancer incidence: A county by county analysis.

Background: Poor air quality has previously been associated with lung cancer development, but the risks associated with regional differences in air quality are poorly understood. We investigated the association of air quality indices with development of lung cancer in all Texas counties.

Methods: Lung cancer incidence, air quality indicators (particulate matter <2.

Effects of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol on acute pediatric burn care: Transfusion threshold in pediatric burns.

Background: Blood transfusion is costly and associated with various medical risks. Studies in critically ill adult and pediatric patients suggest that implementation of more restrictive transfusion protocols based on lower threshold hemoglobin concentrations can be medically and economically advantageous. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implications of a hemoglobin threshold change in pediatric burn patients.