Vikram Reddy

Laparoscopic colectomy for the treatment of cancer has been widely adopted in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Fewer than 10% of patients with colon cancer in the United States are reportedly treated with a laparoscopic colectomy despite the benefits it has over the open approach. This estimate, however, may be artificially low because of inaccurate case identification. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of colon resections performed laparoscopically for the treatment of colon cancer and to identify factors associated with its use. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective review of the 2008 to 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. SETTINGS, PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS: Adult patients with a diagnosis of colon cancer who underwent an elective colectomy were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The overall proportion of colon resections performed laparoscopically was calculated. Multivariable regression modeling was used to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with undergoing a laparoscopic procedure. RESULTS: During the study period, 9075 (weighted = 45,549) patients were identified with 50% treated via the laparoscopic approach. Patients were more likely to undergo a laparoscopic procedure if their median annual income was

Graduating general surgery resident operative confidence: perspective from a national survey.

63,000+ based on home zip code (adjusted relative risk = 1.08 (1.02–1.16)) and less likely if they were 70+ years of age (adjusted relative risk = 0.93 (0.87–1.00)), female (adjusted relative risk = 0.96 (0.92–0.99)), and had Medicaid (adjusted relative risk =0.84 (0.73–0.97)), or 3+ chronic conditions (adjusted relative risk = 0.84 (0.79–0.89)). Treatment at teaching hospitals (adjusted relative risk =1.10 (1.00–1.20)) and high-volume centers (adjusted relative risk =1.41 (1.22–1.63)) was associated with undergoing a laparoscopic colectomy, whereas treatment at rural hospitals was associated with less frequent use of laparoscopic colectomy (adjusted relative risk = 0.76 (0.64–0.90)). LIMITATIONS: This study is subject to the limitations of using administrative data. CONCLUSIONS: There has been widespread adoption of the laparoscopic approach to colon resection for cancer in the United States. Disparities in access remain, with application of this technique favoring patients with a higher socioeconomic status and those able to be treated at higher-volume, academic, and nonrural centers.

Operative confidence of graduating surgery residents: a training challenge in a changing environment.

BACKGROUND General surgical training has changed significantly over the last decade with work hour restrictions, increasing subspecialization, the expanding use of minimally invasive techniques, and nonoperative management for solid organ trauma. Given these changes, this study was undertaken to assess the confidence of graduating general surgery residents in performing open surgical operations and to determine factors associated with increased confidence. METHODS A survey was developed and sent to general surgery residents nationally. We queried them regarding demographics and program characteristics, asked them to rate their confidence (rated 1-5 on a Likert scale) in performing open surgical procedures and compared those who indicated confidence with those who did not. RESULTS We received 653 responses from the fifth year (postgraduate year 5) surgical residents: 69% male, 68% from university programs, and 51% from programs affiliated with a Veterans Affairs hospital; 22% from small programs, 34% from medium programs, and 44% from large programs. Anticipated postresidency operative confidence was 72%. More than 25% of residents reported a lack of confidence in performing eight of the 13 operations they were queried about. Training at a university program, a large program, dedicated research years, future fellowship plans, and training at a program that performed a large percentage of operations laparoscopically was associated with decreased confidence in performing a number of open surgical procedures. Increased surgical volume was associated with increased operative confidence. Confidence in performing open surgery also varied regionally. CONCLUSIONS Graduating surgical residents indicated a significant lack of confidence in performing a variety of open surgical procedures. This decreased confidence was associated with age, operative volume as well as type, and location of training program. Analyzing and addressing this confidence deficit merits further study.

Sexually transmitted infections of the anus and rectum

BACKGROUND Given the recent changes in general surgical training, this study was undertaken to assess the confidence of graduating general surgery residents in performing open operations and to determine factors that are associated with increased confidence. METHODS A survey was sent to the 5th-year general surgery residents in the Northeast. Respondents were queried regarding demographics, program characteristics and asked to rate their confidence in performing open operations. We compared those who indicated confidence with those who did not. RESULTS We received 232 responses: 74% male, 70% from university programs, and 50% from programs affiliated with a Veterans Affairs Hospital. Fifty-two percent expressed confidence in their ability to practice independently after residency. Operative confidence varied with sex, type of training program, affiliation to a Veterans Affairs Hospital, and surgical volume. CONCLUSIONS Graduating surgical residents indicated a significant lack of confidence in performing a variety of open surgical procedures. Analyzing and addressing this confidence deficit merits further study.

Outcomes of small bowel obstruction in patients with previous gynecologic malignancies

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant public health concern. Several STIs, once thought to be on the verge of extinction, have recently reemerged. This change is thought to be partially related to an increase in STIs of the anus and rectum. Importantly, the global human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic has contributed to the emergence of particular anorectal lesions that require specialized approaches. In this report, we review common anorectal STIs that are frequently referred to colorectal surgeons in the United States. Epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management are summarized, including the latest treatment recommendations. The particularity of anorectal diseases in HIV/AIDS is addressed, along with recent trends in anal cytology and human papillomavirus vaccination.

Senior Surgical Resident Confidence in Performing Flexible Endoscopy: What Can We Do Differently?

BACKGROUND Features predictive of malignant small bowel obstructions among patients with previous gynecologic malignancies remain undetermined. METHODS Predictors of malignancy and mortality among patients with gynecologic malignancies and bowel obstructions were identified through a retrospective review of records. RESULTS Malignancy was noted among 69.8% of 189 patients included in the analysis. Advanced-stage cancer (P = .006, odds ratio [OR] = 6.62), ovarian malignancy (P = .001, OR = 25.64), and early-onset obstruction (P = .014) predicted malignant etiology, whereas chemotherapy (P < .001, OR = .02) or radiation therapy (P = .027, OR = .09) predicted benign obstruction. The average survival was 9 months versus 49 months for malignant and benign obstructions, respectively. Ovarian cancer (P = .009, hazard ratio [HR] = 4.45), anemia (P = .001, HR = 1.11), and renal dysfunction (P < .001, HR 1.81) impaired survival. CONCLUSIONS Palliative care should be considered for patients with advanced-stage cancer, ovarian malignancy, and a shorter time interval between cancer diagnosis and bowel obstruction, especially in the setting of anemia and renal dysfunction.

Are Graduating Surgical Residents Confident in Performing Open Vascular Surgery? Results of a National Survey

INTRODUCTION The American Board of Surgery endoscopy requirements for general surgery training are evolving. In 2006, the Residency Review Committee in Surgery increased the total number of endoscopy cases required before completion of general surgery residency training. This requirement is set to change further, given the new Flexible Endoscopic Curriculum that would be a requirement for applicants graduating surgical training during or after the 2017 to 2018 academic year. Given these changes, our goal was to evaluate the confidence of senior surgical residents performing flexible endoscopy. METHODS A survey was developed and sent to general surgery residents nationally, querying them regarding demographics and program-specific characteristics; additionally they were asked to rate their confidence level in performing flexible upper endoscopy and colonoscopy on a Likert scale of 1 to 5. We then compared those residents who indicated confidence (Likert scale 4-5) to those who did not (Likert scale 1-3). For the purpose of this study, only senior (postgraduate year 4 and 5) general surgery residents were assessed. RESULTS We received 1176 responses from senior surgical residents: 56% of these were postgraduate year 5 residents, 65% male, 68% from University Programs, and 56% from programs associated with a Veterans Affairs Hospital; 33% were from programs in the Northeast, 29% in the South, 24% in the Midwest, and 14% in the West; 75% were going on to additional fellowship training after the completion of residency; 42% indicated that they would go into academic practice and 32% into private practice; 66.7% reported confidence performing upper endoscopy and 52.7% reported confidence performing colonoscopy. Male gender, overall operative volume, and graduating from a medium-sized program or program in the South were associated with increased confidence performing flexible endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS A large percentage of senior residents do not report confidence in performing flexible endoscopy. Although increasing the number of cases required for graduation has likely helped improve the training of residents in endoscopy, additional improvements in training are required. The Flexible Endoscopic Curriculum helps standardize the curriculum and demonstrate that the graduating resident has the fundamental knowledge and skills required in the performance of endoscopy. Simulation training and dedicated endoscopic rotations during the course of residency training could help improve endoscopy training and proficiency for future graduating residents.

Disseminated enteroinvasive aspergillosis in a critically ill patient without severe immunocompromise

INTRODUCTION General surgical training has changed significantly over the past decade with work-hour restrictions, increasing use of minimally invasive techniques, and increasing specialization, leading to decreased resident exposure to open operative techniques. Furthermore, the presence of vascular surgery fellows and the advent of dedicated vascular surgery residencies have had the potential to diminish further the vascular surgery experience of general surgery residents. Given these changes, this study was undertaken to assess the confidence of graduating general surgery residents in performing certain key open vascular maneuvers, approaches that might be required in a general surgery practice, and to determine factors associated with variations in reported confidence. METHODS A survey was developed and sent to graduating chief surgical residents nationally. We queried them regarding demographics and program characteristics and asked them to rate their confidence (rated 1-5 on a Likert scale) in performing a vascular anastomosis and 4 specific vascular control maneuvers. We then compared those who indicated confidence with those who did not. RESULTS We received 653 responses from fifth-year (postgraduate year 5) surgical residents: 69% men, 67.5% from university programs, and 51% from programs affiliated with a Veterans Affairs hospital; additionally, 22% were from small programs, 34% from medium programs, and 44% from large programs. Although 70% of respondents indicated confidence performing a vascular anastomosis, less than 25% indicated confidence performing each of the 4 specified vascular maneuvers. Age, program size, future fellowship plans, surgical volume, estimated percentage of cases performed laparoscopically, and geographic location were all associated with variations in reported confidence. CONCLUSIONS Graduating general surgical residents indicated a significant lack of confidence in performing specific open vascular surgical maneuvers. This decreased confidence varied regionally and was associated with both demographic and program-specific factors.

Indications for Surgery in Patients with Severe Clostridium Difficile Colitis

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a rapidly progressive and often fatal infectious disease described classically in patients who are highly immunocompromised. However, there has been increasing evidence that IA may affect critically ill patients without traditional risk factors. We present a case of a 47-year-old man without conventional risk factors for IA who presented with impending sepsis and proceeded to have a complicated hospital course with a postmortem diagnosis of invasive gastrointestinal aspergillosis of the small bowel.

Less Common Rectal Tumors

Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC) is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the United States, with a broad spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to fulminant colitis which can lead to multisystem organ failure and death. For the majority of cases, surgical therapy is unnecessary as CDC responds to antibiotic therapy. Medically refractory colitis carries a high morbidity and mortality, and often necessitates surgical intervention which may also be associated with poor outcomes. The timing of surgery in the setting of CDC is critical; surgical intervention early in the course of disease may lead to an unnecessary colectomy with ileostomy when medical therapy may have been sufficient, but delaying surgical therapy in fulminant colitis commonly leads to a fatal outcome.