Arezou Yaghoubian

Early cholecystectomy safely decreases hospital stay in patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis: a randomized prospective study.

Objective:We hypothesized that laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed within 48 hours of admission for mild gallstone pancreatitis, regardless of resolution of abdominal pain or abnormal laboratory values, would result in a shorter hospital stay. Summary of Background Data:Although there is consensus among surgeons that patients with gallstone pancreatitis should undergo cholecystectomy to prevent recurrence, the precise timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for mild disease remains controversial. Methods:Consecutive patients with mild pancreatitis (Ranson score ≤3) were prospectively randomized to either an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (within 48 hours of admission) versus a control laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (performed after resolution of abdominal pain and normalizing trend of laboratory enzymes). The primary end point was hospital length of stay. Secondary end point was a composite of rates of conversion to an open procedure, perioperative complications, and need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. The study was designed to enroll 100 patients with an interim analysis after 50 patients. Results:At interim analysis, 50 patients were enrolled at a single university-affiliated public hospital. Of them, 25 patients were randomized to the early group and 25 patients to the control group. Patient age ranged from 18 to 74 years with a median duration of symptoms of 2 days upon presentation and a median Ranson score of 1. There were no baseline differences between the groups with regards to demographics, clinical presentation, or the presence of comorbidities. The hospital length of stay was shorter for the early cholecystectomy group (mean: 3.5 [95% CI, 2.7–4.3], median: 3 [IQR, 2–4]) compared with the control group (mean: 5.8 [95% CI, 3.8–7.9], median: 4 [IQR, 4–6] [P = 0.0016]). Six patients from the early group required endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, compared with 4 in the control group (P = 0.72). There was no statistically significant difference in the need for conversion to an open procedure or in perioperative complication rates between the 2 groups. Conclusion:In mild gallstone pancreatitis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed within 48 hours of admission, regardless of the resolution of abdominal pain or laboratory abnormalities, results in a shorter hospital length of stay with no apparent impact on the technical difficulty of the procedure or perioperative complication rate.

Predicting Performance on the American Board of Surgery Qualifying and Certifying Examinations: A Multi-institutional Study

BACKGROUND We sought to determine whether US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score, American Board of Surgery (ABS) In-Training Examination (ABSITE) score, and other variables are associated with failing the ABS qualifying and certifying examinations. Identifying such factors may assist in the early implementation of an academic intervention for at-risk residents. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING Seventeen general surgery training programs in the western United States. PARTICIPANTS Six hundred seven residents who graduated in 2000-2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES First-time pass rates on the qualifying and certifying examinations, US vs non-US medical school graduation, USMLE Steps 1 and 2 scores, ABSITE scores, operative case volume, fellowship training, residency program type, and mandatory research. RESULTS The first-time qualifying and certifying examination pass rates for the 607 graduating residents were 78% and 74%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, scoring below the 35th percentile on the ABSITE at any time during residency was associated with an increased risk of failing both examinations (odds ratio, 0.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.68] for the qualifying examination and 0.35 [0.20-0.61] for the certifying examination), as was scoring less than 200 on the USMLE Step 1 (0.36 [0.21-0.62] for the qualifying examination and 0.62 [0.42-0.93] for the certifying examination). A mandatory research year was associated with an increased likelihood of passing the certifying examination (odds ratio, 3.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.6-6.8]). CONCLUSIONS Residents who are more likely to fail the ABS qualifying and certifying examinations can be identified by a low USMLE Step 1 score and by poor performance on the ABSITE at any time during residency. These findings support the use of the USMLE Step 1 score in the surgical residency selection process and a formal academic intervention for residents who perform poorly on the ABSITE.

Laparoscopic vs Open Appendectomy in Children: Outcomes Comparison Based on Age, Sex, and Perforation Status

HYPOTHESIS Outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) will be similar to open appendectomy (OA) in children of all ages. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using discharge abstract data. SETTING Twelve regional hospitals in Southern California. PATIENTS Seven thousand six hundred fifty patients underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis (LA = 3551, OA = 4099). INTERVENTION Laparoscopic appendectomy or OA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Thirty-day morbidity (wound infection, abscess drainage, and readmission) and length of hospitalization. RESULTS Use of laparoscopy increased from 22% in 1998 to 70% in 2007. Overall, patients undergoing LA were older (mean [SD] age, 12.8 [3.2] vs 10.4 [3.7] years; P < .001) and had a lower perforation rate (24% vs 34%; P < .001). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated a decreased odds ratio for wound infection (odds ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.5-0.8) and abscess drainage (odds ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.7) following LA compared with OA. Multivariable linear regression also showed decreased length of hospitalization following LA compared with OA. CONCLUSION Now the preferred operation for children with appendicitis, LA was associated with a decreased risk of wound infection, abscess drainage, and length of hospitalization compared with OA.

Acute Care Surgery Performed by Sleep Deprived Residents: Are Outcomes Affected?

BACKGROUND The Institute of Medicine recently recommended further reductions in resident duty hours, including a 5-h rest time for on-call residents after 16 h of work. This recommendation was purportedly intended to better protect patients against fatigue-related errors made by physician trainees. Yet no data are available regarding outcomes of operations performed by surgical trainees working without rest beyond 16 h in the current 80-h workweek era. METHODS A retrospective review of all laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) and appendectomies performed by surgery residents at a public teaching hospital from July 2003 through March 2009. Operations after 10 PM were performed by residents who began their shift at 6 AM and had thus been working 16 or more hours. An outcomes comparison between time periods was conducted for operations performed between 6 AM and 10 PM (daytime) and 10 PM and 6 AM (nighttime). Outcome measures were rates of total complications, bile duct injury, conversion to open operation, length of surgery, and mortality. RESULTS Over the 7-y study period, 2908 LC and 1726 appendectomies were performed. Appendectomies were performed laparoscopically in 73% of cases in patients for both time periods. There were no differences in rates of overall morbidity and mortality for operations when performed in nighttime compared with daytime. On multivariable analysis, there were no differences in outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION The two most commonly performed general surgical operations performed at night by unrested residents have favorable outcomes similar to those performed during the day. Instituting a 5-h rest period at night is unlikely to improve the outcomes for these commonly performed operations.

Decreased Bile Duct Injury Rate During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Era of the 80-Hour Resident Workweek

BACKGROUND Considerable concern has been raised about the effects of restricted duty hours on surgical training. However, to our knowledge, the effect of the 80-hour resident workweek on operative outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been well studied. OBJECTIVE To compare the rates of bile duct injury and overall complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy before and after the institution of the duty-hour restriction. DESIGN Retrospective review of patient medical records to determine morbidity and mortality before (January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2003; period 1) and after (July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2006; period 2) implementation of duty hour limitations. SETTING Major public teaching hospital. PATIENTS A total of 2470 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bile duct injury and overall complication rates as determined using multivariate analysis. RESULTS Overall, 2470 laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures were performed, including 1353 in period 1 and 1117 in period 2. In period 2, more patients had acute cholecystitis as the indication for surgery (49% vs 35% in period 1, P < .001), and a higher percentage of patients were male (22% vs 18%, P = .01). The incidence of bile duct injury and total complications decreased in period 2 from 1% to 0.4%(P = .04) and from 5% to 2% (P < .001), respectively. Mortality was unchanged. Multivariate analysis revealed that period 2 was protective for bile duct injury (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.96; P = .04). For complications, both female sex (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.9) and surgery during period 2 (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.75) were protective, whereas older age (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.05) was associated with complications. CONCLUSION At a major public teaching hospital, the bile duct injury rate and the overall complication rate decreased after implementation of the 80-hour workweek.

General Surgery Resident Remediation and Attrition: A Multi-institutional Study

OBJECTIVE To determine the rates and predictors of remediation and attrition among general surgery residents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Eleven-year retrospective analysis of 348 categorical general surgery residents at 6 West Coast programs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates and predictors of remediation and attrition. RESULTS Three hundred forty-eight categorical general surgery residents were included. One hundred seven residents (31%) required remediation, of which 27 were remediated more than once. Fifty-five residents (15.8%) left their programs, although only 2 were owing to failed remediation. Remediation was not a predictor of attrition (20% attrition for those remediated vs 15% who were not [P = .40]). Remediation was most frequently initiated owing to a deficiency in medical knowledge (74%). Remediation consisted of monthly meetings with faculty (79%), reading assignments (72%), required conferences (27%), therapy (12%), and repeating a clinical year (6.5%). On univariate analysis, predictors of remediation included receiving honors in the third-year surgery clerkship, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) step 1 and/or step 2, and American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination scores at postgraduate years 1 through 4. On multivariable regression analysis, remediation was associated with receiving honors in surgery (odds ratio, 1.9; P = .01) and USMLE step 1 score (odds ratio, 0.9; P = .02). On univariate analysis, the only predictor of attrition was the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination score at the postgraduate year 3 level (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Almost one third of categorical general surgery residents required remediation during residency, which was most often owing to medical knowledge deficits. Lower USMLE step 1 scores were predictors of the need for remediation. Most remediated residents successfully completed the program. Given the high rates of remediation and the increased educational burden on clinical faculty, medical schools need to focus on better preparing students to enter surgical residency.

Computed Tomographic Angiography as the Primary Diagnostic Modality in Penetrating Lower Extremity Vascular Injuries: A Level I Trauma Experience

BACKGROUND Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has been established as a valid modality for the assessment of extremity vascular injury. Over the last several years at our institution, CTA has evolved as the primary diagnostic modality for penetrating extremity injuries, largely replacing diagnostic angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes with this imaging modality at a high-volume Level I trauma center. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of all patients presenting with penetrating lower extremity trauma between 2008 and 2009. Patient factors collected included demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity, presence of hard signs of vascular injury, radiologic studies, operative intervention, and outcomes. RESULTS There were 132 patients with penetrating lower extremity trauma. The average age of the patients was 25 years, with an average injury severity score of 10. The injuries were primarily gunshot wounds (89%). In all, 59 patients (45%) underwent CTA. CTA of the extremity was performed as a continuation of a computed tomography of the chest/abdomen/pelvis in 28 (47%) versus a targeted CTA of the extremity in 31 (53%) patients. In all, 34 (58%) CTAs were negative for vascular injury, 19 (32%) were positive, and six (10%) were indeterminate. Of the 34 patients with a normal CTA, none went to the operating room for repair of a major vascular injury; similarly, of the 19 patients with an abnormal CTA, there were no negative operative explorations. A total of 28 (21%) patients required operative intervention for the injured extremity; procedures performed included fasciotomy, venous and arterial ligation, primary repair, and interposition grafting. There were no amputations and no mortalities. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the use of CTA as the primary imaging modality in evaluating penetrating lower extremity injury. Because of its proven accuracy in detecting major vascular injury, cost-effectiveness, and ease and rapidity of administration and interpretation, CTA should supplant conventional angiography in initial evaluation of the patient presenting with penetrating trauma.

A Multi-Institutional Comparison of Pediatric Appendicitis Outcomes Between Teaching and Nonteaching Hospitals

OBJECTIVE In this era of heightened emphasis on patient outcomes, it is important to document the effect of residents acting as the surgeon for a surgical procedure. This study compares the outcomes of appendicitis between teaching and nonteaching institutions. DESIGN A retrospective review from 1998 to 2007 was performed. The study outcomes were postoperative morbidity and length of hospitalization (LOH). Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and χ(2) analysis. SETTING Two teaching institutions (each with its own General Surgery residency program) were compared with 10 nonteaching institutions. RESULTS A total of 1472 patients were treated at the teaching institutions (mean age = 9.8 years, male = 63%), and 6431 patients were treated at the nonteaching institutions (mean age = 10.8 years, male = 62%). The perforated appendicitis rate was 37% at the teaching institutions and 30% at the nonteaching institutions (p < 0.0001). For nonperforated appendicitis, a higher rate of laparoscopic appendectomy was found at the nonteaching institutions versus the teaching institutions (39% vs 52%, p < 0.0001). Otherwise, no difference was noted in the rate of wound infection, postoperative abscess drainage, or readmissions between the institutions. The LOH was also similar. For perforated appendicitis, a lower wound infection (5.2% vs 8.2%, p = 0.03) and readmission (5.6% vs 9.7%, p = 0.004) rate was found at the teaching institutions. No differences were discovered in the incidence of postoperative abscess drainage or LOH between teaching versus nonteaching hospitals. Perforated appendicitis was managed nonoperatively more commonly at the teaching institutions (7.4% vs 12.8%, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Postoperative morbidity was similar in children with nonperforated appendicitis and lower in children with perforated appendicitis at teaching institutions. LOH was similar between teaching and nonteaching institutions. Overall, the presence of surgical trainees had no adverse impact on the quality of care for children with appendicitis.

Plication as Primary Treatment of Steal Syndrome in Arteriovenous Fistulas

Steal syndrome is an uncommon complication following hemodialysis access. Options for management include fistula ligation, banding, and distal revascularization with interval ligation (DRIL). Plication is another technique that is simple yet infrequently reported. We have adopted plication as the procedure of choice for steal syndrome following autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. We report seven cases managed by plication. All had immediate resolution of symptoms (Table I). At follow-up, all AVFs were patent and continued to be used for hemodialysis. However, one patient experienced recurrence of symptoms and required re-plication. In conclusion, plication of the autologous AVF represents a simple alternative to the management of steal syndrome.

Peripheral Vascular Surgery Using Targeted Beta Blockade Reduces Perioperative Cardiac Event Rate

BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest that preoperative cardiac stress testing is unnecessary in low to intermediate cardiac risk patients undergoing operations, and that targeted beta blockade is cardiac protective. STUDY DESIGN A cohort study of patients undergoing vascular surgery or major amputation, with low to intermediate cardiac risk, but without cardiac stress testing, was performed. Targeted beta blockade was initiated preoperatively. The primary end point was a composite of adverse cardiac outcomes. A comparison was made with historical controls who received selective stress testing and selective nontargeted beta blockade. RESULTS One hundred consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled, and 80 retrospective controls were identified. There were no differences between groups with respect to median revised cardiac index (RCI; 0 versus 1). In the retrospective group, 14% underwent preoperative cardiac stress testing versus none in the prospective group (p=0.0002). Nontargeted beta blockade was given in 61% of the retrospective group. The median heart rate for the prospective group was significantly lower (66 versus 77 beats/minute; p=0.0007). The composite cardiac complication rate was 2% in the prospective group versus 10% in the retrospective group (p=0.02). There were no deaths. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for revised cardiac index score, there was a lower cardiac complication rate in the prospective group (odds ratio, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.5; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing vascular surgery or major amputation, with low to intermediate cardiac risk, preoperative targeted beta blockade alone is more effective than selective cardiac stress testing and nontargeted beta blockade in preventing cardiac morbidity.