Trends in the management of esophageal carcinoma based on provider volume: treatment practices of 618 esophageal surgeons

Controversy exists regarding optimal treatment practices for esophageal cancer. Esophagectomy has received focus as one of the index procedures for both hospital and surgical quality despite a relative paucity of controlled trials to define best practices. A survey was created to determine the degree of heterogeneity in the treatment of esophageal cancer among a diverse group of surgeons and to use high‐volume (HV) (≥15 cases/year) and low‐volume (LV) (<15 cases/year) designations to discern specific differences in the management of esophageal cancer from the surgeon's perspective. Based on society rosters, surgeons (n = 4000) in the USA and 15 countries were contacted via mail and queried regarding their treatment practices for esophageal cancer using a 50‐item survey instrument addressing demographics, utilization of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and choice of surgical approach for esophageal resection and palliation. There were 618 esophageal surgeons among respondents (n = 1447), of which 77 (12.5%) were considered HV. The majority of HV surgeons (87%) practiced in an academic setting and had cardiothoracic training, while most LV surgeons were general surgeons in private practice (52.3%). Both HV and LV surgeons favored the hand‐sewn cervical anastomosis and the stomach conduit. Minimally invasive esophagectomy is performed more frequently by HV surgeons when compared with LV surgeons (P = 0.045). Most HV surgeons use neoadjuvant therapy for patients with nodal involvement, while LV surgeons are more likely to leave the decision to the oncologist. With a few notable exceptions, substantial heterogeneity exists among surgeons' management strategies for esophageal cancer, particularly when grouped and analyzed by case volume. These results highlight the need for controlled trials to determine best practices in the treatment of this complex patient population.     

Thoracic surgery in Egypt

General thoracic surgery operations in Egypt are performed mainly by cardiothoracic surgeons and less oftenly by dedicated thoracic surgeons and general surgeons. This is mainly due to the relatively small number of thoracic surgeons in relation to population as only 210 cardiothoracic surgery specialists and 458 consultants are registered with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate (EMS) in a country with a population of more than 100 million people. Thoracic surgeons in Egypt are faced with a number of burdens, including the need to propagate the service to advanced technology infront of the obstacle of limited resources. Other burdens include higher incidence of TB, trauma and foreign body inhalation related to cultural backgrounds. More centres now are major video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) providing centres and others are specialized in more complex surgeries like complicated airway procedures and radical surgery for mesothelioma. As part of the international community, the COVID-19 pandemic has put more burdens on the thoracic surgery service as most centres have reduced their elective surgery workload to less than half of usual. Interestingly, the pandemic has allowed a self-referral screening programme with widespread Computed Tomography (CT) chest being performed among the population allowing thoracic surgeons to operate more on early stage lung cancer. The academic challenges for thoracic surgeons are even more with need for developing national databases. Nevertheless, thoracic surgeons in Egypt are optimistic regarding the future. The rising interest among the younger population will push training programs to meet the interests of enthusiastic junior surgeons. While the ancient history of thoracic surgery in Egypt seems to be extraordinary, the future perspectives promise to be more rewarding.     

Variations in colon and rectal surgical mortality

PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine variations in operative mortality among surgical specialists who perform colorectal surgery. METHODS: Mortality rates were compared between six board-certified colorectal surgeons and 33 other institutional surgeons using comparable colorectal procedure codes and a validated database indicating patient severity of illness. Thirty-five ICD-9-CM procedure codes were used to identify 2,805 patients who underwent colorectal surgery as their principal procedure between July 1986 and April 1994. Atlas, a state-legislated outcome database, was used by the hospital's Quality Assurance Department to rank the Admission Severity Group (ASG) of 1,753 patients from January 1989 to April 1994 (higher ASG, 0 to 4, indicates increasing medical instability). RESULTS: Colorectal surgeons had an eight-year mean in-hospital mortality rate of 1.4 percent compared with 7.3 percent by other institutional surgeons (P=0.0001). There was a significantly lower mortality rate for colorectal surgeons compared with other institutional surgeons in ASG 2 (0.8 and 3.8 percent, respectively; P=0.026) and ASG 3 (5.7 and 16.4 percent, respectively; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Board-certified colorectal surgeons had a lower in-hospital mortality rate than other institutional surgeons as patients' severity of illness increased.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 7 to 12, 1995.     

Pilot Study of the Quality Initiative in Rectal Cancer Strategy

INTRODUCTION Total mesorectal excision vs. traditional surgical techniques may lead to improved rates of permanent colostomy, local tumor recurrence, and survival for patients undergoing major rectal cancer operations. We developed the surgeon-directed, multipronged Quality Initiative in Rectal Cancer strategy to encourage surgeons to use total mesorectal excision techniques.METHODS The Quality Initiative in Rectal Cancer strategy interventions included a workshop, an operative demonstration of total mesorectal excision, and a postoperative questionnaire. The design of the strategy was informed by the industrial theory principles of continuous quality improvement. We assessed the logistics of implementing the strategy and the attitudes of surgeons toward the strategy through a pilot study at three community hospitals in the Central-West region of Ontario.RESULTS Seventeen of 19 surgeons participated in a workshop, and 12 of 17 workshop participants received at least one operative demonstration of total mesorectal excision. Ten of 11 surgeons who completed a postoperative questionnaire indicated their traditional approach to rectal cancer surgery varied with that of the operative demonstration. The attitudes of surgeons toward the Quality Initiative in Rectal Cancer strategy were positive. For the time periods before and after the pilot study, there was a trend toward a lower rate of permanent colostomy among patients treated by surgeons who participated in both the workshop and an operative demonstration of total mesorectal excision.CONCLUSION The Quality Initiative in Rectal Cancer strategy may be an effective method of introducing optimal rectal cancer surgery techniques to a large group of practicing surgeons.Supported by the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre Foundation, Hamilton Health Sciences FoundationPresented at the meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology Cancer Symposium, Denver, Colorado, March 14 to 17, 2002.     

Differences between endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons in management of the solitary thyroid nodule

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether management of the solitary thyroid nodule differs between endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons. METHODS: A questionnaire containing a hypothetical case (a 42-year-old euthyroid woman with a 2-x-3-cm solitary thyroid nodule) and 13 clinical variations was sent to endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons in Australia. RESULTS: The response rate was 51%, including 122 endocrinologists and 48 endocrine surgeons. For the index case, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and ultrasonography were widely used by both groups, but thyroid antibody tests and scintigraphy were ordered more commonly by endocrinologists. In the setting of benign cytology, treatment differed significantly between specialties for the index case (endocrinologists: no treatment 78%, surgery 11%, thyroxine 11%; surgeons: no treatment 73%, surgery 25%, thyroxine 2%; P = 0.032). Treatment recommendations also differed significantly for 12 of the 13 clinical variations. In particular, for a patient with a suppressed serum TSH concentration, a majority of endocrinologists recommended radioiodine treatment, whereas surgeons favoured surgery (endocrinologists: radioiodine 53%, surgery 22%, no treatment 25%; surgeons: surgery 60%, radioiodine 11%, no treatment 27%; P < 0.001). For most of the variations, a higher proportion of surgeons than endocrinologists recommended surgical treatment. Comparison with previous surveys of European Thyroid Association and American Thyroid Association members (predominantly endocrinologists) demonstrated considerable international differences in management. CONCLUSION: There are clinically significant differences between Australian endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons in management of the solitary thyroid nodule, and international differences in management of this disorder.     

Pan-European survey on the implementation of robotic and laparoscopic minimally invasive liver surgery

BackgroundLaparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is gaining popularity. Recent data and views on the implementation of laparoscopic and robotic MILS throughout Europe are lacking.MethodsAn anonymous survey consisting of 46 questions was sent to all members of the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.ResultsThe survey was completed by 120 surgeons from 103 centers in 24 countries. Median annual center volume of liver resection was 100 [IQR 50–140]. The median annual volume of MILS per center was 30 [IQR 16–40]. For minor resections, laparoscopic MILS was used by 80 (67%) surgeons and robotic MILS by 35 (29%) surgeons. For major resections, laparoscopic MILS was used by 74 (62%) surgeons and robotic MILS by 33 (28%) surgeons. The majority of the surgeons stated that minimum annual volume of MILS per center should be around 21–30 procedures/year. Of the surgeons performing robotic surgery, 28 (70%) felt they missed specific equipment, such as a robotic-CUSA. Seventy (66%) surgeons provided a formal MILS training to residents and fellows. In 5 years’ time, 106 (88%) surgeons felt that MILS would have superior value as compared to open liver surgery.ConclusionIn the participating European liver centers, MILS comprised about one third of all liver resections and is expected to increase further. Laparoscopic MILS is still twice as common as robotic MILS. Development of specific instruments for robotic liver parenchymal transection might further increase its adoption.     

Doctor‐to‐patient transmission of viral hepatitis B: is it a problem,is there a solution?

It is well-established that hepatitis B may be transmitted from surgeons to their patients. Clear strategies are needed to reduce the risk of transmission whilst not discriminating unnecessarily against surgeons who may pose no risks to their patients. This review outlines the current position and provides a blueprint for action that may reduce the risks to patients whilst minimizing the impact on practising surgeons.     

Relation of race, ethnicity and cardiac surgeons to operative mortality rates in primary coronary artery bypass grafting in California

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether African American, Hispanic, and Asian patients in California were more likely to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by cardiac surgeons with higher risk-adjusted mortality rates (RAMRs). Clinical data from the California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program were analyzed for all patients who underwent isolated CABG from 2003 to 2006 by surgeons who performed ≥ 10 operations. Surgeons were divided into quintiles on the basis of their RAMRs, with the top-performing surgeons in the first quintile and the lowest performing surgeons in the fifth quintile. There were 72,845 isolated CABG procedures performed by 303 surgeons, including 49,886 in white, 9,380 in Hispanic, 6,867 in Asian, and 2,750 in African American patients. African American and Asian patients underwent CABG by surgeons with higher mean RAMRs (2.90% and 2.99%, respectively) compared with the state average of 2.65% (p <0.001). Compared to white patients, Asian and Hispanic patients were more likely to be treated by surgeons in the lowest quintile (odds ratio [OR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11 to 1.3, and OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.48, respectively). African Americans and Hispanics were less likely to be operated on by surgeons in the top quintile compared to white patients (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.90, and OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.87, respectively). Hispanics were less likely to be treated by surgeons in the top quintile than by surgeons in the lowest quintile (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.75). In conclusion, racial and ethnic minority patients who undergo isolated CABG in California may be more likely to be operated on by cardiac surgeons with higher RAMRs.     

Intraoperative endoscopy: An important adjunct to gastrointestinal surgery

Flexible endoscopy has become an increasingly important skill for gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons, and there is no setting more important than the intraoperative setting for surgeons to employ endoscopic techniques during the course of surgical procedures performed on the GI tract. Endoscopic confirmation of pathology before initiating surgery, intraoperative anastomotic evaluation and margin assessment, and combined laparoscopic-endoscopic approaches to patient care are just a few examples emphasizing the need for surgeons to perform GI endoscopy as a routine adjunct to foregut, bariatric, and colorectal procedures. Intraoperative endoscopy adds value in the operating room and holds the promise of improved surgical outcomes by providing useful clinical information important to point-of-service decision making that allows surgeons to address technical concerns before they manifest as postoperative complications.     

Pain management,fluid therapy and thromboprophylaxis after pancreatoduodenectomy: a worldwide survey among surgeons

BackgroundThe aim of this survey was to assess practices regarding pain management, fluid therapy and thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy on a global basis.MethodsThis survey study among surgeons from eight (inter)national scientific societies was performed according to the CHERRIES guideline.ResultsOverall, 236 surgeons completed the survey. ERAS protocols are used by 61% of surgeons and respectively 82%, 93%, 57% believed there is a relationship between pain management, fluid therapy, and thromboprophylaxis and clinical outcomes. Epidural analgesia (50%) was most popular followed by intravenous morphine (24%). A restrictive fluid therapy was used by 58% of surgeons. Chemical thromboprophylaxis was used by 88% of surgeons. Variations were observed between continents, most interesting being the choice for analgesic technique (transversus abdominis plane block was popular in North America), restrictive fluid therapy (little use in Asia and Oceania) and duration of chemical thromboprophylaxis (large variation).ConclusionThe results of this international survey showed that only 61% of surgeons practice ERAS protocols. Although the majority of surgeons presume a relationship between pain management, fluid therapy and thromboprophylaxis and clinical outcomes, variations in practices were observed. Additional studies are needed to further optimize, standardize and implement ERAS protocols after pancreatic surgery.     

A survey of the timing and approach to the surgical management of patients with acute cholecystitis in Japanese hospitals

Background/Purpose

Despite the fact that there is evidence advocating early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC), the practice of this treatment has not been investigated sufficiently. This study was designed to assess the current practice of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for AC among Japanese general surgeons.

Methods

A postal questionnaire was sent to the 291 councillors of the Japanese Society of Abdominal Emergency Medicine in order to ascertain their current management of patients with AC.

Results

The response rate was 72.5%. A policy of early cholecystectomy for AC was adopted by 41.7% of the responding surgeons. However, almost the same percentage of surgeons routinely managed their patients conservatively, and opted for delayed cholecystectomy at a later date. The adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was made by 79.1% of surgeons. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with AC who had percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was adopted by 73.9% of the surgeons. Of the surgeons opting for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 37.3% performed intraoperative cholangiography laparoscopically for all patients with AC.

Conclusions

Although early cholecystectomy for patients with AC was not adopted by the majority of the surgeons who responded, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was a common procedure for early and delayed cholecystectomy. Despite evidence that strongly supports the use of early cholecystectomy, the use of this treatment remains suboptimal in Japan.     

Pan-European survey on the implementation of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery with emphasis on cancer

Background

Minimally invasive (MI) pancreatic surgery appears to be gaining popularity, but its implementation throughout Europe and the opinions regarding its use in pancreatic cancer patients are unknown.

Methods

A 30-question survey was sent between June and December 2014 to pancreatic surgeons of the European Pancreatic Club, European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association and 5 European national pancreatic societies. Incomplete responses were excluded.

Results

In total, 237 pancreatic surgeons responded. After excluding 34 incomplete responses, 203 responses from 27 European countries were included. 164 (81%) surgeons were employed at a university hospital, 184 (91%) performed advanced MI surgery and 148 (73%) performed MI distal pancreatectomy. MI pancreatoduodenectomy was performed by 42 (21%) surgeons, whereas 9 (4.4%) surgeons had performed more than 10 procedures. Robot-assisted MI pancreatic surgery was performed by 28 (14%) surgeons. 63 (31%) surgeons expected MI distal pancreatectomy for cancer to be inferior to open distal pancreatectomy concerning oncological outcomes. 151 (74%) surgeons expected to benefit from training in MI distal pancreatectomy and 149 (73%) were willing to participate in a randomized trial on this topic.

Conclusions

MI distal pancreatectomy is a common procedure, although its use for cancer is still disputed. MI pancreatoduodenectomy is still an uncommon procedure. Specific training and a randomized trial regarding MI pancreatic cancer surgery are welcomed.     

Surgical management of the rheumatoid hand: consensus and controversy among rheumatologists and hand surgeons

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common cause of debilitating hand deformities, but management of these deformities is controversial, characterized by large variations in the surgical rates of common RA hand procedures. We conducted a national survey evaluating potential differences in physicians' management of RA hand deformities. METHODS: We mailed a survey instrument to a random national sample of 500 rheumatologists and 500 hand surgeons in the US. We evaluated physicians' attitudes toward the other specialties' management of common RA hand deformities and toward the indications for performing rheumatoid hand surgery. RESULTS: We found 70% of rheumatologists consider hand surgeons deficient in understanding the medical options available for RA, while 73.6% of surgeons believe rheumatologists have insufficient knowledge of the surgical options for RA hand diseases. However, 66.9% of surgeons and 79.5% of rheumatologists had no exposure to the other specialty during training. The 2 physician groups disagree significantly on the indications for commonly performed RA hand procedures such as metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty (p < 0.001), small joint synovectomy (p < 0.001), and distal ulna resection (p = 0.001). When physicians do not agree with others' management of RA hand deformities, only 62.4% of surgeons and 61.9% of rheumatologists relay their concern to the other specialty. CONCLUSION: Rheumatologists and hand surgeons have minimal interdisciplinary training, communicate with each other infrequently, and significantly disagree on the indications for RA hand surgery. Research must focus on the surgical outcomes of RA hand procedures and on improving communication between rheumatologists and hand surgeons.     

Use of protective eyewear among surgeons in a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria

The study was a prospective study during which a hand-held lens was used to examine the goggles of all surgeons who used them during surgery at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Only 169 (54.8%) of the 308 surgeons used eye protection during surgery. There was at least a bloodstain on 70 (41.4%) of the goggles. There is need to enforce universal precautions during surgery to protect the eyes of surgeons from blood drops of the patient being operated.     

HIV/AIDS: occupational risk, attitude and behaviour of surgeons in southeast Nigeria

Our objective was to evaluate the level of occupational risk, attitude and behaviour of surgeons towards HIV-infected patients. A questionnaire survey of 264 randomly selected surgeons in training or in practice in five different health institutions in southeast Nigeria within a five-month period was carried out. A 94% response rate was obtained with completed questionnaires from 264 surgeons. The respondents included obstetricians and gynaecologists (n = 78), general surgeons (n = 121), orthopaedic surgeons (n = 40), dental surgeons (n = 10), ophthalmologists (n = 6), urologists (n = 5), and ear, nose and throat surgeons (n = 4). Of them, 31% (n = 82) were qualified surgeons in practice, while the remaining 69% (n = 182) were resident surgeons in training. In the past five years, 40.2% (n = 106) and 26% (n = 70) of the respondents reported needle-stick injuries and blood splash, respectively, during surgery. The majority of the victims were resident surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists, and orthopaedic surgeons. Level of clinical experience and high patient blood loss are likely to contribute to this observation. In all, 89% (n = 236) were engaged in the risky practice of operating on patients with open wounds in their hand and the wounds were contaminated with blood in 5% of cases. During surgical procedures, all (100%) respondents wore protective apron, 65.2% (n = 172) wore double gloves and 30.3% (n = 80) used protective goggles. The use of double gloves and protective eye wear increased remarkably over the past decade, probably because the fear of occupational transmission of HIV was substantial. In total, 83% (n = 220) of the respondents had some reservations about treating patients infected with HIV, while 13.3% (n = 35) viewed them with fear. The remaining 3.4% (n = 9) had a more positive attitude towards HIV-infected patients. Further, 92% advocated preoperative screening, with special precaution during surgery, if the results are positive. In addition, 79.5% were of the view that infected patients should not be discriminated against in treatment, provided necessary protective materials are available. To ensure provision of these protective materials, 91% (n = 240) and 89.4% (n = 236) of the respondents favoured involvement of government and insurance agencies, respectively. In order to achieve a greater commitment from surgeons in developing countries towards caring for HIV-infected patients, there is a need for a comprehensive AIDS management package that would offer specific preventive and psychological training in care of HIV patients and provide requisite funds and resources.     

A questionnaire on the educational system for pancreatoduodenectomy performed in 1,134 patients in 71 institutions as members of the Japanese Society of Pancreatic Surgery

Background/purpose

Mastering the technique of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a major theme in hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, and education for PD has not been established even in each institution. With the progression of disease, the difficulty of PD increases due to cases requiring resection of multiple organs and borderline resectable cases, and complications affecting survival also often occur. To help to improve the education of young surgeons, we clarified the institutions’ principles and the status of operations performed by young surgeons.

Methods

We sent questionnaires to institutions as members of the Japanese Society of Pancreatic Surgery about the institutions’ educational principles in 2010 and surgeons who performed PD and patients treated by PD between January and December 2007. The PD operators were classified into two groups: postgraduate year ≤10 or ≥11, and each institution’s principles, and pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors were evaluated.

Results

PD was performed by surgeons at postgraduate year ≤10 in 29 (40.6%) institutions. Education programs were using 29 (41.4%) institutions. High-volume centers, where the surgeons performing PD tend to be at postgraduate year ≤10, can provide more training. Preoperative risks were not included in the criteria for selecting cases for operations by young surgeons, and young surgeons tended to perform PD in patients with less advanced stages. The incidence of pancreatic fistula classified as International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery Grade B or C was significantly higher (P = 0.010) in the operator group at postgraduate year ≤10 (24.6%, 32 patients) than that at postgraduate year ≥11 (17.6%, 177 patients). Cumulative survival rate of pancreatic cancer or extrahepatic bile duct cancer did not significantly differ between the two operator groups.

Conclusion

The present questionnaire showed increased opportunities of performing operations by young surgeons. Although the incidence of Grade B/C fistula is higher for postgraduate year ≤10, postoperative outcome is acceptable. It is acceptable for the pancreaticoduodenectomy performed by young surgeons, when young surgeons receive high-level education under the guidance of supervisory doctor. Prognosis did not differ between two operator groups at postgraduate year ≤10 and ≥11 in this study. Based on these findings, operations by surgeons at postgraduate year ≤10 present can be recommended.     

Investigation on cognition of zoonosis among veterinary clinical staff

We conducted a survey to determine how much veterinary clinic staff, including veterinary surgeon and veterinary technicians, know about zoonosis. Response was 52.5%. All staff members knew of zoonosis. Staff members who knew what zoonosis meant accounted for 98%. Staff members trained in zoonosis accounted for 75% among veterinary surgeons and 66% among veterinary technicians. Staff members who thought that zoonosis would increase in future accounted for 92% among veterinary surgeons and 79% among veterinary technicians. Staff members who were asked by pet owners about zoonosis accounted for 87% among veterinary surgeons and 51% among veterinary technicians. Staff members who thought veterinary surgeons must report zoonosis to public health centers accounted for 96% among veterinary surgeons and 88% among veterinary technicians. Veterinary clinic staffs thus had correct knowledge and were aware of zoonosis. The network of medical staff and veterinary staff could therefore build on this result.     

The disproportion of female and male surgeons in cardiothoracic surgery.

In ancient times, female medical practitioners and female surgeons were well known. With the introduction of medicine as an academic course and the ban on women studying, the medical career became virtually impossible for women. This condition changed with the general admission for women to colleges, in Germany in 1908. The current situation of women in surgery is presented here, with cardiovascular surgery as an example. Of 302 active cardiothoracic and cardiac surgeons 4.6% are female. According to an inquiry of all German heart institutes, there are 20 female senior registrars and 27 female surgeons as well as 162 female assistants. Most of the medical directors do have a positive opinion about female surgeons, but criticize that only a few women who apply for actually finish surgical training. One reason for this may be the greater difficulties for women to take care of a family and become a surgeon simultaneously. In this regard, an improvement in the position of female doctors is desirable.     

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in doctors of various specialties

We compared parameters of 24-hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring during off duty free day and 24-hours on duty in male surgeons (n=76) and internists (n=53) aged 30 - 60 years. Arterial hypertension (AH) was diagnosed in 17.1 and 13.2% of surgeons and internists, respectively (p > 0.05). During on duty 24-hour BP monitoring surgeons without AH had higher nocturnal systolic and both nocturnal and diurnal diastolic BP than internists without AH. Moreover surgeons significantly more often had non-dipper type of systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) curve. In internists only mean nocturnal SBP differed between on and off duty days. Surgeons had higher levels of mean SBP and DBP, higher values of nocturnal indexes of time and SBP and DBP measurements. Percent of subjects with non-dipper 24-hour SBP and DBP rhythms during on duty day was higher among surgeons. Possibly high mortality and rate of vascular catastrophes in surgeons are to some extent related to the presence of stress induced cardiovascular phenomena described above.     

Comparing plastic surgery and otolaryngology surgical outcomes and cartilage graft preferences in pediatric rhinoplasty: A retrospective cohort study analyzing 1839 patients

Rhinoplasty in children has raised concerns about its safety in the pediatric population. There is scarcity of evidence describing outcomes and surgical techniques performed in pediatric rhinoplasty. We analyzed post-operative complications and cartilage preferences between plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists.Data was collected through the Pediatric National Surgical Improvement Program from 2012 to 2017. Current Procedure Terminology codes were used for data extraction. Patients were grouped according to type of rhinoplasty procedures (primary, secondary, and cleft rhinoplasty). A comparison between plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists was made in each group in terms of postoperative complications. Additionally, a sub-group analysis based on cartilage graft preferences was performed.During the study period, a total of 1839 patients underwent rhinoplasty procedures; plastic surgeons performed 1438 (78.2%) cases and otolaryngologists performed 401 (21.8%) cases. After analyzing each group, no significant differences were noted in terms of wound dehiscence, surgical site infection, readmission, or reoperation. Subgroup analysis revealed that plastic surgeons prefer using rib and ear cartilage, while otolaryngologists prefer septal and ear cartilage.The analysis of 1839 pediatric patients undergoing three types of rhinoplasty procedures showed similar postoperative outcomes, but different cartilage graft utilization between plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists.