Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Volume-to-outcome data have been studied in several complex surgical procedures, demonstrating improved outcomes at higher volume centers. Laparoscopic lysis of adhesions (LLOA) for small bowel obstruction (SBO) may result in better outcomes, but there is no information on the learning curve for this potentially complex case. This study evaluates the effect of institutional procedural volume on length of stay (LOS), outcomes, and costs in LLOA for SBOs. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The Nationwide Inpatient Sample data set between 2000 and 2013 was queried for discharges for a diagnosis of SBO involving LLOA in adult patients. Patients with intra-abdominal malignancy and evidence of any other major surgical procedure during hospitalization were excluded. The procedural volume per hospital was calculated over the period, and high-volume hospitals were designated as those performing greater than five LLOA per year. Patient characteristics were described by hospital volume status using stratified cluster sampling tabulation and linear regression methods. LOS, total charges, and costs were reported as means with standard deviation and median values. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS:A total of 9111 discharges were selected, which was representative of 43,567 weighted discharges nationally between 2000 and 2013. Over the study period, there has been a 450% increase in the number of LLOA performed. High-volume hospitals had significantly shorter LOS (mean: 4.92 ± standard error (SE) 0.13 d; median: 3.6) compared to low-volume hospitals (mean: 5.68 ± 0.06 d; median: 4.5). In multivariate analysis, high-volume status was associated with a decreased LOS of 0.72 d (P < 0.0001) as compared to low-volume status. Other significant predictors for decreased LOS included decreased age, decreased comorbidity, and the absence of small bowel resection. There was no significant association between volume status and total charges in multivariate or univariate models, but high-volume hospitals were associated with lower costs in multivariate models by approximately $984 (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates that high hospital volume was associated with decreased LOS for LLOA in SBO. Although volume was not associated with differences in total charges, there was a small decrease in hospital costs.

BACKGROUND:Procedural teaching and the ability to detect and correct errors are important components of surgical education. This study evaluates whether review of an instructional video will improve residents' ability to detect errors. We hypothesized that clinical experience and confidence do not correlate with ability to detect errors. METHODS:Participants were randomized to 2 groups: the study group viewed an instructional video demonstrating correct technique, whereas the control group did not view the instructional video. Forty general surgery residents described errors in technique during an ultrasound-guided right internal jugular vein catheterization pre and post randomization. RESULTS:Participants who viewed the video improved their error identification rate by 72.6% (P < .001). No correlation between postgraduate year or confidence in error detection and the actual ability to detect errors was noted (r = .17 and r = .14 respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Experience and seniority may not be sufficient to detect procedural errors during central line insertion. Instructional videos improve error recognition.

Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common disorder and constitutes a significant healthcare burden. Laparoscopic lysis of adhesions (LLOA) for SBO is predicted to decrease complications, shorten hospital stay, and cut healthcare costs compared with the open lysis of adhesions (OLOA); however, large comparison studies are lacking. We evaluated the nationwide adoption of LLOA and compared outcomes with OLOA. We retrospectively analyzed data from 9920 OLOA and 3269 LLOA cases from 2005 to 2013 using the American College of Surgeons prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data set. Annual trends were evaluated using linear regression. Surgery outcomes were compared using two-sample t tests or Mann-Whitney tests. Post-surgical complications were compared using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for comorbidities. The proportion of SBO cases treated by LLOA increased nationwide by 1.6 percent per year (R ² 0.87), from 17.2 % in 2006 to 28.7 % in 2013. Patients undergoing OLOA had longer operations (66 vs 60 min, P < 0.001), longer hospital stay (8.9 vs 4.2 days, P < 0.001), and higher post-surgical complication rates (adjusted odds ratio 2.73 95 % CI 2.36-3.15, P < 0.001) when compared to LLOA. Despite the lack of prospective randomized trials comparing LLOA to OLOA, we found progressive nationwide adoption of LLOA for SBO treatment. Our large retrospective analysis demonstrated clinical benefit and reduced resource utilization for LLOA.

Organ shortage remains a major barrier to transplantation. While many efforts have focused on educating the general population regarding donation, few studies have examined knowledge regarding donation and donor registration rates among waitlisted candidates. We aimed to determine waitlisted patients' willingness to donate, elucidate attitudes surrounding organ allocation, and identify barriers to donation. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to assess demographics, knowledge regarding organ donation, and attitudes regarding the allocation process. Responses from 225 of 579 (39%) waitlisted patients were collected. Seventy-one respondents (32%) were registered donors, while 64 patients (28%) noted no interest in participating in donation. A total of 19% of respondents felt their medical treatment would change by being a donor, while 86 patients (38%) felt their condition precluded them from donation. Forty patients (18%) felt they should be prioritized on the waitlist if they agreed to donate. A minority of patients (28%) reported discussion of organ donation with their physician. Waitlisted candidates constitute a population of willing, although often unregistered, organ donors. Moreover, many endorse misconceptions regarding the allocation process and their donation eligibility. In a population for which transplantation is not always possible, education is needed regarding organ donation among waitlisted patients, as this may enhance donation rates.

Measurement of blood volume (BV) may guide fluid and red blood cell management in critically ill patients when capillary leak from shock and fluid resuscitation makes assessment of intravascular volume difficult. This is a prospective randomized trial of critically ill surgical patients with septic shock, severe sepsis, severe respiratory failure, and/or cardiovascular collapse. The control group received fluid management based on pulmonary artery catheter parameters and red blood cell transfusions based on hematocrit values. The BV group received fluid and red blood cell transfusions based on BV analyses in addition to pulmonary artery catheter parameters. Blood volume was measured using the radioisotope tracer technique with iodine 131-labeled albumin. This allowed direct measurement of plasma volume and calculation of the red blood cell volume. The control group was blinded to the BV results. There were statistically significantly more times when the control group (compared with the BV group) demonstrated hypervolemia (48% vs. 37%) and red blood cell deficiency (33% vs. 16%). There was a delay in red blood cell transfusions administered to the control group by 1.5 +/- 2 days at which time the abnormality became clinically evident. Blood volume analyses provided additional information to the clinicians resulting in a change in treatment in 44% of the time to patients randomized to the BV group. The mortality rates were significantly different between the two groups (8% for the BV group and 24% in the control group; P = 0.03). Blood volume measurements allowed the physicians to promptly treat physiologic disturbances in both red blood cell volume and plasma volume, resulting in improved survival.

Up to 5% of gastrointestinal bleeds occur between the ligament of Treitz and the ileocecal valve. These patients present with occult bleeding and pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Currently, an array of technology exists for diagnostic purposes, including upper and lower endoscopies, capsule endoscopy, nuclear scans, angiography, and intraoperative endoscopy. All of these modalities have advantages and disadvantages. However, the diagnostic gold standard for occult gastrointestinal bleeding does not exist. We present a case of an 18-year-old male with occult gastrointestinal bleeding to illustrate the variety of available modalities. Initially, the patient underwent upper, lower, and push endoscopies. Subsequently, he had a nuclear bleeding scan, video capsule endoscopy, and an angiogram. Ultimately, the patient had a diagnostic laparoscopy with mobilization of the terminal ileum and right colon. The bowel was exteriorized and an intraoperative endoscopy was performed through a small bowel enterotomy. Multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were ascertained and resected. This case is presented in detail and the technique of intraoperative endscopy is reviewed. The diagnostic literature regarding AVMs is also reviewed.

BACKGROUND:Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in aging Westem societies. The objective of the lutein antioxidant supplementation trial (LAST) is to determine whether nutritional supplementation with lutein or lutein together with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, improves visual function and symptoms in atrophic ARMD. METHODS:The study was a prospective, 12-month, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial conducted at an urban midwestern Veterans Administration Hospital from August 1999 to May 2001. Ninety patients with atrophic ARMD were referred by ophthalmologists at two Chicago-area veterans medical facilities. Patients in Group 1 received lutein 10 mg (L); in Group 2, a lutein 10 mg/antioxidants/vitamins and minerals broad spectrum supplementation formula (L/A); and in Group 3, a maltodextrin placebo (P) over 12 months. RESULTS:In Groups 1 L and 2 L/A, mean eye macular pigment optical density increased approximately 0.09 log units from baseline, Snellen equivalent visual acuity improved 5.4 letters for Group 1 L and 3.5 letters for Group 2 L/A, and contrast sensitivity improved. There was a net subjective improvement in Amsler grid in Group 1 L. VFO-14 questionnaires conceming subjective glare recovery were nearly significant at 4 months for Group 2 L/A. Patients who received the placebo (Group 3) had no significant changes in any of the measured findings. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In this study, visual function is improved with lutein alone or lutein together with other nutrients. Further studies are needed with more patients, of both genders, and for longer periods of time to assess long-term effects of lutein or lutein together with a broad spectrum of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in the treatment of atrophic age-related macular degeneration.