Assessment of laparoscopic surgery practice, knowledge, and training goals in Liberia: A mixed-methods study among Liberian surgeons.

Background: Laparoscopy training remains inaccessible in many low- and middle-income countries, including Liberia. We assessed the availability of laparoscopy and feasibility of implementing a laparoscopic program among Liberian surgeons and trainees.

Methods: This mixed-methods study utilized a 32-item survey and semi-structured interviews on laparoscopic experience, knowledge, desires, barriers, patient perceptions, and training opportunities among surgeons and trainees at Liberia's two main teaching hospitals in March 2023.

Variation in surgical approach and postoperative complication among older adults undergoing ventral hernia repair.

Background: Surgical decision-making for preference-sensitive operations among older adults is understudied. Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is one operation where granular data are limited to guide preoperative decision-making. We aimed to determine risk for VHR in older adults given clinically nuanced data including surgical and hernia characteristics.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Gauge Competency on a Novel Laparoscopic Training System.

Objective: Laparoscopic surgical skill assessment and machine learning are often inaccessible to low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). Our team developed a low-cost laparoscopic training system to teach and assess psychomotor skills required in laparoscopic salpingostomy in LMICs. We performed video review using AI to assess global surgical techniques.

Implementation of a Smartphone-Based Platform for Operative Feedback at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: The SIMPL operative feedback tool is used in many U.S. surgical residency programs.

Medical students' perception of their 'distance travelled' in medical school applications.

Introduction: Within medical school's holistic review of applicants includes a review of their distance travelled to get to this point in their education. The AAMC defines distance travelled (DT) as, 'any obstacles or hardships you've overcome to get to this point in your education or any life challenges you've faced and conquered'. What medical students consider as their distance travelled has not been explored.

Evidence supporting performance measures of laparoscopic appendectomy through a novel surgical proficiency assessment tool and low-cost laparoscopic training system.

Background: Laparoscopic training remains inaccessible for surgeons in low- and middle-income countries, limiting its widespread adoption. We developed a novel tool for assessment of laparoscopic appendectomy skills through ALL-SAFE, a low-cost laparoscopy training system.

Methods: This pilot study in Ethiopia, Cameroon, and the USA assessed appendectomy skills using the ALL-SAFE training system.

Association of Prehabilitation With Postoperative Opioid Use in Colorectal Surgery: An Observational Cohort Study.

Introduction: Preoperative optimization programs have demonstrated positive effects on perioperative physical function and surgical outcomes. In nonsurgical populations, physical activity and healthy diet may reduce pain and pain medication requirement, but this has not been studied in surgical patients. Our aim was to determine whether a preoperative diet and exercise intervention affects postoperative pain and pain medication use.

Motivations and Barriers Toward Implementation of a Rectal Cancer Synoptic Operative Report: A Process Evaluation.

Background: The use of synoptic reporting has been shown to improve documentation of critical information and provide added value related to data access and extraction, data reliability, relevant detail, and completeness of information. Surgeon acceptance and adoption of synoptic reports has lagged behind other specialties.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the process of implementing a synoptic operative report.

Engagement and Adherence with a Web-Based Prehabilitation Program for Patients Awaiting Abdominal Colorectal Surgery.

Background: Understanding the drivers of patient engagement and adherence is critical to developing and implementing preoperative optimization programs. The aim of this project is to determine whether existing health beliefs are associated with engagement and adherence in a home-based online prehabilitation program.

Methods: Patients undergoing abdominal colorectal operations were enrolled in an online nutrition and exercise program.

Self-efficacy Toward a Healthcare Career Among Minority High School Students in a Surgical Pipeline Program: A Mixed Methods Study.

Objective: While many barriers to healthcare careers exist for URM students, a strong sense of self-efficacy may help mitigate these obstacles. This study explores how URM high school students describe their academic challenges and compares their descriptions across self-efficacy scores.

Design: We conducted a convergent mixed methods study of URM high school students.

Implementation of a Synoptic Operative Report for Rectal Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer is a collaborative effort to improve the quality of rectal cancer care, including multidisciplinary assessment, treatment planning, and documentation using synoptic radiology, pathology, and operative reports.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation and use of a synoptic operative report for rectal cancer.

Design: This was a convergent mixed-methods implementation study of electronic medical record data, surveys, and qualitative interviews.

The Comprehensive AO CMF Classification System for Mandibular Fractures: A Multicenter Validation Study.

The AO CMF has recently launched the first comprehensive classification system for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures. The AO CMF classification system uses a hierarchical framework with three levels of growing complexity (levels 1, 2, and 3). Level 1 of the system identifies the presence of fractures in four anatomic areas (mandible, midface, skull base, and cranial vault).

Development and Implementation of a Hands-on Surgical Pipeline Program for Low-Income High School Students.

This qualitative study describes the development and implementation of a hands-on surgical pipeline program for low-income high school students.

Childhood cancer incidence and survival in Thailand: A comprehensive population-based registry analysis, 1990-2011.

Background: Southeast Asia is undergoing a transition from infectious to chronic diseases, including a dramatic increase in adult cancers. Childhood cancer research in Thailand has focused predominantly on leukemias and lymphomas or only examined children for a short period of time. This comprehensive multisite study examined childhood cancer incidence and survival rates in Thailand across all International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC) groups over a 20-year period.