Operation duration and adrenal gland size, but not BMI, are correlated with complication rate for posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases.

Background: We sought to determine whether obesity is correlated with complications after posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases and to develop surrogate markers of abdominal fat in preoperative computed tomography.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy and preoperative computed tomography between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2015. The cross-sectional components of fat assessed by computed tomography included total fat area, subcutaneous fat area, retroperitoneal fat area, and peritoneal fat area.

Facilitating anaplastic thyroid cancer specialized treatment: A model for improving access to multidisciplinary care for patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a highly aggressive thyroid cancer. Several treatment trials are available, but the number of eligible patients to participate is very low because of the rarity and aggressiveness of the disease.

Methods: Facilitating Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Specialized Treatment (FAST) is a quality improvement project aimed at decreasing time from referral to disposition (scheduling of first appointment) to our institution.