Does resident involvement in thyroid surgery lead to increased postoperative complications?

Does resident involvement in tonsillectomy affect outcomes?

OBJECTIVE

Tonsillectomy is essentially a solo surgery with a well-described complication profile. It may serve as a good benchmark to evaluate the resident-as-surgeon. This study examined complications such as post-tonsillectomy bleeding in children undergoing tonsillectomy by attending surgeons (AS) or pediatric otolaryngologist-supervised residents.

METHODS

Charts were reviewed of all children aged 12 and under who had tonsillectomy +/- adenoidectomy at a children's hospital between Jan 2019 and Dec 2020. Patient age, gender, BMI, indication for surgery, surgical technique, presence of a resident surgeon, primary bleeding, secondary bleeding, treatment of bleeding, other Emergency Room (ER) visits, and clinic phone calls were recorded. Binary logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS

2051 total children (1092 (53.2 %) males and 956 (46.6 %) females) with a mean age of 6.1 years (95 % CI 6.0-6.2) were included. 1910 (93.0 %) underwent surgery for tonsillar obstruction. 1557 (75.9 %) underwent monopolar cautery tonsillectomy. 661 (32.2 %) had a resident surgeon. 274 (13.4 %) had a related ER visit within 15 days. 18 (0.9 %) had a primary bleed and 155 (7.6 %) had a secondary bleed. Binary logistic regression showed that significant predictors of postoperative ER visits were patient age (OR = 1.101, 95 % CI = 1.050-1.154, p < .001) and resident involvement (OR = 0.585, 95 % CI = 0.429-,797, p < .001). Only age was associated with overall postoperative bleeding incidence (OR = 1.131, 95 % CI = 1.068-1.197, p < .001), as well as secondary bleeding (OR = 1.128, 95 % CI = 1.063-1.197, p < .001). There were no significant predictors of primary bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Resident involvement in pediatric tonsillectomy is associated with decreased postoperative ER utilization and does not appear to increase common postoperative complications including bleeding and dehydration.

[The new continuing education regulations-A challenge for visceral surgery : Results of a survey among DGAV members and solution strategies of the Young Surgeons]

BACKGROUND

The new competency-based further training regulations (nWBO) for surgical training have been adopted by all German state medical associations.

METHODS

From May to June 2023 the Young Surgeons' Working Group (CAJC) conducted an anonymous online survey among the 5896 members of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV).

OBJECTIVE

The survey aimed to assess expectations regarding the nWBO and to develop strategies for enhancing surgical training.

RESULTS

With 488 participants (response rate 8.3%) the study is representative. The respondents consisted of 107 continuing education assistants (WBA 21.9%), 69 specialist physicians, and 188 senior physicians (specialist physicians 14.1% and senior physicians 38.5%), as well as 107 chief physicians (21.9%). The majority worked in regular care providers (44%), followed by maximum care providers (26.8%) and university clinics (20.1%). Only 22% considered the required operative spectrum of the new medical specialist training regulations (nWBO) to be realistic. Half of the respondents believed that full training in their clinic according to the new catalog will no longer be possible and 54.6% considered achieving the target numbers in 6 years to be impossible or state that they can no longer train the same number of continuing education assistants (WBAs) in the same time frame. Endoscopy (17.1-18.8%), fundoplication (15.4-17.7%) and head and neck procedures (12.1-17.1%) were consistently mentioned as bottlenecks across all levels of care. Rotations for balance were reported to be already established or not necessary in 64.7%. In 48% it was stated that the department had established the partial steps concept. The importance of a structured training concept was considered important by 85% of WBAs, compared to 53.3% of chief physicians (CÄ). If a structured training concept was present in the department, the achievability of the target numbers was significantly assessed more positively in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, male gender and the status of "habilitated/professor" were independent factors for a more positive assessment of the nWBO. Objective certification of training was considered important by 51.5%.

CONCLUSION

Concerns surround the nWBO and the sentiment is pessimistic. Additional requirements and hospital reforms could exacerbate the situation. Collaboration and rotations are crucial but still insufficiently implemented. Quality-oriented certification could enhance the quality of training.

Surgical complications in the first and second semesters of the general surgery medical residence. A study of 14063 cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the rate of surgical complications is higher during the first semester of the General Surgery residency in the largest hospital complex in Latin America. During this period, students are expected to have less experience in carrying out procedures.

METHODS

During a period of two years, all General Surgery resident doctors at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, made a notification of all the procedures they performed (n = 14.063), containing information such as name of the procedure, date, who participated, complications, among others. These data were analyzed with the purpose of evaluating the variation in the rate of complications throughout the year.

RESULTS

There was a 52 % increase in the rate of complications in the first academic semester when compared to the second semester. This phenomenon was observed in resident doctors in the first and second years of residency. Furthermore, it was observed that second-year residents remain with high rates of complications, in some procedures, for a longer time than first-year residents. Furthermore, the first three months (March, April and May) seem to have the highest complication rates of the entire year.

CONCLUSION

The impact of these complications can affect several health services and the increase in surgical complications in the first half of the year must be monitored by institutions, in order to control this phenomenon.

Sex-Stratified Predictors of Prolonged Operative Time and Hospital Admission in Outpatient Parathyroidectomy

Our retrospective database study investigates sex-stratified predictors of prolonged operative time (POT) and hospital admission following parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The 2016 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) was queried for patients with PHPT undergoing parathyroidectomy. Cases analyzed were all outpatient status, arrived from home, coded as non-emergent, and elective. POT was defined by the 75th percentile. Hospital admission was defined as LOS ≥ 1 day. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regressions were utilized. Of 7442 cases satisfying inclusion criteria, the majority were female (78.0%) and White (78.5%). Median OT (IQR) for females and males was 77 (58-108) and 81 (61-109) minutes, respectively (P = 0.003). 1965 (33.9%) females and 529 (32.3%) males required hospital admission. Independent predictors of POT included ASA class III/IV (aOR 1.342, 95% CI 1.007-1.788) and obesity (aOR 1.427, 95% CI 1.095-1.860) for males (P < 0.05). Independent predictors of hospital admission included age (aOR 1.008, 95% CI 1.002-1.014), ASA class III/IV (aOR 1.490, 95% CI 1.301-1.706), obesity (aOR 1.309, 95% CI 1.151-1.489), dyspnea (aOR 1.394, 95% CI 1.041-1.865), chronic steroid use (aOR 1.674, 95% CI 1.193-2.351), and COPD (aOR 1.534, 95% CI 1.048-2.245) for females (P < 0.05); and ASA class III/IV (aOR 1.931, 95% CI 1.483-2.516) and bleeding disorder (aOR 2.752, 95% CI 1.443-5.247) for males (P < 0.005). In conclusion, predictors of POT and hospital admission following parathyroidectomy for PHPT differed by patient sex. Identifying patients at risk for POT and hospital admission may optimize healthcare resource utilization. Level of Evidence: IV.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04444-3.

The RVU Compensation Model and Head and Neck Surgical Education

BACKGROUND

The present study aims to quantify the opportunity cost of training residents and fellows for head and neck surgery.

METHODS

A 2005-2015 review of ablative head and neck surgical procedures was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Work relative value units (wRVU) generated per hour were compared among procedures performed by attendings alone, attendings with residents, and attendings with fellows.

RESULTS

Among 34,078 ablative procedures, the rate of wRVU generation per hour was greatest for attendings alone (10.3), followed by attendings with residents (8.9) and attendings with fellows (7.0, p < 0.001). Resident and fellow involvement was associated with opportunity costs of $60.44 per hour (95% CI: $50.21-$70.66/h) and $78.98 per hour ($63.10-$94.87/h, 95% CI), respectively.

CONCLUSION

wRVU-based physician reimbursement does not consider or adjust for the extra effort involved in training future head and neck surgeons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 134:113-119, 2024.

A propensity score matching analysis: Impact of senior resident versus fellow participation on outcomes of complex surgical oncology

BACKGROUND

Teaching hospitals that train both general surgery residents and fellows in complex general surgical oncology have become more common. This study investigates whether participation of a senior resident versus a fellow has an impact on outcomes of patients undergoing complex cancer surgery.

METHODS

Patients who underwent esophagectomy, gastrectomy, hepatectomy, or pancreatectomy between 2007 and 2012 with assistance from a senior resident (post-graduate years 4-5) or a fellow (post-graduate years 6-8) were identified from the ACS NSQIP. Based on age, sex, body mass index, ASA classification, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and smoking status, propensity-scores were created for odds of undergoing the operation assisted by a fellow. Patients were matched 1:1 based on propensity score. Postoperative outcomes including risk of major complication were compared after matching.

RESULTS

In total, 6934 esophagectomies, 13,152 gastrectomies, 4927 hepatectomies, and 8040 pancreatectomies were performed with assistance of a senior resident or fellow. After matching, overall rates of major complications were equivalent across all four anatomic locations between cases performed with the participation of a senior resident versus a surgical fellow: esophagectomy (37.0%% vs 31.6%, p = 0.10), gastrectomy (22.6% vs 22.3%, p = 0.93), hepatectomy (15.8% v 16.0%, p = 0.91), and pancreatectomy (23.9% vs 25.2%, p = 0.48). Operative time was shorter for gastrectomy (212 vs. 232 min; p = 0.004) involving a resident compared to a fellow, but comparable for esophagectomy (330 vs. 336 min; p = 0.41), hepatectomy (217 vs. 219 min; p = 0.85), and pancreatectomy (320 vs. 330 min; p = 0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Senior resident participation in complex cancer operations does not appear to negatively impact operative time or postoperative outcomes. Future research is needed to further assess this domain of surgical practice and education, particularly with regard to case selection and operative complexity.

Does length of time between cases affect resident operative time for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of prolonged time intervals between tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA) on resident operative time and complications.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING

Tertiary academic hospital.

METHODS

This retrospective study covers a five-year period from 2015 to 2020. Time intervals between isolated pediatric TA cases performed by eight otolaryngology residents were reviewed to assess effect on operative time (defined as prolonged if ≥ 30 min and non-prolonged if < 30 min). Intervals including a procedure involving either a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy that was a non-isolated TA were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 309 isolated TAs were identified with 67.3% of procedures performed under 30 min. The mean surgical time interval between procedures was 5.83 ± 10.02 days (range 0.02-69.82). Most TAs were performed on patients aged 7 years or younger. Surgical time interval between TA was not a significant factor in determining prolonged operative time on univariable logistic regression, OR 1.01 (CI: 0.98 to 1.03) (p = 0.63). Patient age at surgery, adenoid grade, tonsil size and total number of TAs performed to date were significant factors in determining prolonged operative time in both univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Prolonged operative time did not have a significant effect on readmission, reoperation, or post-operative bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Extended time interval (up to 3 months) between routine TA does not affect operative time. Expansion of our methodology to more complex cases would be beneficial in designing resident training curriculum.

Trainee participation does not adversely affect the safety of thyroid surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Surgical traineeship is essential but must be safe for patients. In thyroid surgery, surgeon volume correlates with improved clinical/economic outcomes. However, it is presently unclear how far does trainee participation affect post-thyroidectomy complication rates in real-world and randomized data. We systematically searched four databases for associations of trainee participation with any post-thyroidectomy outcome. We conducted univariate meta-analyses, sensitivity analyses, and assessed publication bias qualitatively and quantitatively. We included 1 randomized and 15 observational studies from 3755 records, comprising 34 774 thyroid surgical patients. Trainee participation was associated with 12 min longer operative time, but not higher complication rates (hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hematoma, blood loss, return to operating room, hospitalization duration, readmission, and mortality). Sensitivity, publication bias, and multivariate analyses did not change our findings. Real-world and limited randomized data suggest that trainee participation in thyroid surgery is safe, given adequate consultant supervision and appropriate case selection.

Evaluating resident involvement and the 'July effect' in parotidectomy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of resident involvement and the 'July effect' on peri-operative complications after parotidectomy.

METHOD

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for parotidectomy procedures with resident involvement between 2005 and 2014.

RESULTS

There were 11 733 cases were identified, of which 932 involved resident participation (7.9 per cent). Resident involvement resulted in a significantly lower reoperation rate (adjusted odds ratio, 0.18; 95 per cent confidence interval, 0.05-0.73; p = 0.02) and readmission rate (adjusted odds ratios 0.30; 95 per cent confidence interval, 0.11-0.80; p = 0.02). However, resident involvement was associated with a mean 24 minutes longer adjusted operative time and 23.5 per cent longer adjusted total hospital length of stay (respective p < 0.01). No significant difference in surgical or medical complication rates or mortality was found when comparing cases among academic quarters.

CONCLUSION

Resident participation is associated with significantly decreased reoperation and readmission rates as well as longer mean operative times and total length of stay. Resident transitions during July are not associated with increased risk of adverse peri-operative outcomes after parotidectomy.

See (n)One, Do (n)One, Teach (n)One: Reality of Surgical Resident Training in Germany

Introduction

Due to technological changes, working time restrictions and the creation of specialized centers, surgical training has changed. A competence-based learning technique of surgical skills is the sub-step practice approach, which has been proven important in nationwide opinion surveys. The aim of this prospective multi-center trial was to determine the status quo of the sub-step concept in Germany.

Methods

Over 6 months, the voluntarily participating centers evaluated the following index procedures: laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCHE), laparoscopic and open sigmoid resection, minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair, thyroid resection and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). Patients with private insurance were excluded. The detailed sub-steps were documented as well as the reason why these were not performed. In addition, an online survey regarding the sub-step concept was performed before and after the study.

Results

In total, 21 centers included 2969 surgical procedures in 2018 for final analyses. While 24.4% of the procedures were performed by residents, sub-steps were performed in 22.2%. LCHE was most often performed completely by residents (43.3%), and PPPD revealed the highest rate of performed sub-steps (43.3%). Reasons for not assisting sub-steps to residents were often organizational and other reasons. After an initial increase, the number of performed sub-steps decreased significantly during the second half of the survey. The opinion survey revealed a high importance of the sub-step concept. The number of resident procedures was overestimated, and the number of performed sub-steps was underestimated. After the study, these estimations were more realistic.

Conclusion

Even though the sub-step practice concept is considered highly important for surgical education, it needs to be put into practice more consequently. The current data suggest a low participation of surgical residents in the operating room, although the participating hospitals are most likely highly interested in surgical education, hence their voluntary participation. Conceptual changes and a control of surgical education are needed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00268-020-05539-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pediatric thyroidectomies: A surgical subspecialty comparison

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to establish the typical population, safety, and outcomes of pediatric thyroidectomies, specifically identifying surgical complication rates. Furthermore, the study compares management and complication differences between the two specialties that most often manage these patients - Pediatric General Surgery and Otolaryngology.

METHODS

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program - Pediatrics (NSQIP-P) data between the years of 2012 and 2016 was reviewed and analyzed for patient characteristics, perioperative course and outcomes. Sub-group analysis was used to compare groups based on surgeon sub-specialty: Otolaryngology or Pediatric General Surgery.

RESULTS

The study identified 516 cases pediatric patients operated on by Pediatric Otolaryngology (229; 44.4%) and Pediatric General Surgery (287; 55.6%). Overall, rates of surgical and medical adverse events were low (1.2% and 0.7%, respectively). Upon univariate analysis, there were no differences between specialties in surgical adverse events (p = 1.000), medical adverse events (p = 0.196), reoperation (p = 0.505), or readmission (p = 0.262). Indication for surgery differed between specialties, with benign neoplasm more common in the Pediatric Otolaryngology group (48.9% vs. 35.2%), and thyrotoxicosis more common in the Pediatric General Surgery group (43.9% vs. 23.1%) (p < 0.001). Compared to cases done by Otolaryngology, Pediatric General Surgery was independently associated with a shorter operative time (B: -31.583 min [95% CI: -42.802 to -20.364]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Thyroidectomy in the pediatric population is a safe procedure with no differences in adverse outcomes noted when comparing Pediatric General Surgeons to Pediatric Otolaryngologists. Pediatric General Surgeons were observed to have a significantly shorter operative time.

Supervision of Resident Physicians

Supervision of resident physicians is a high-risk area of emergency medicine, and what constitutes appropriate supervision is a complex question. In this article, policies and procedures for appropriate supervision of resident physicians and the implications for billing are reviewed. Recommendations on supervision of resident physicians in the emergency department are detailed, with attention paid to addressing challenges in balancing patient safety with resident autonomy and education during the course of patient care and graduate medical education.

Quantifying the Opportunity Cost of Resident Involvement in Academic Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Matched-Pair Analysis

PURPOSE

To quantify the cost of resident involvement in academic sports medicine by examining differences in operative time, relative value units (RVUs) per case, and RVUs per hour between attending-only cases and cases with resident involvement.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of common sports medicine procedures identified by Current Procedural Terminology code was performed using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2015. Matched cohorts were generated based on demographic variables, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, and surgical procedures. Bivariate analysis examined mean differences in operative time, RVUs per case, and RVUs per hour between attending-only cases and cases with resident involvement. A cost analysis was performed to quantify differences in RVUs generated per hour in terms of dollars per case.

RESULTS

A total of 14,840 attending-only cases and 2,230 resident-involved cases were used to generate 2 matched cohorts (N = 4,460). Resident cases had greater mean operative times than attending-only cases, with operative time increasing as residents became more senior (P < .01). Residents participated in cases with larger mean RVUs per case (P < .01). Cases with lone attendings showed greater RVUs per hour (P < .01). The cost of resident involvement increased nearly 8-fold from postgraduate year 1 to postgraduate year 6 residents ($25.70 vs $200.07).

CONCLUSIONS

In academic sports medicine, the involvement of resident physicians increases operative time. The associated decrease in attending physician efficiency in RVUs per hour equates to an average cost per case of $159.18, with costs increasing as residents become more senior.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative trial.

Thyroid surgery outcomes analysis in an oral and maxillofacial surgery department

The purpose of this study was to identify complication rates of thyroidectomies performed within the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Health - Jacksonville, and to compare these with quantified data regarding complications of thyroidectomies performed by other specialties. A retrospective cohort analysis was implemented to determine complication rates amongst patients treated in the department between January 2012 and December 2017. Data variables included demographics, ASA status, social history, and preoperative signs and symptoms. The primary outcome variables were length of hospital length, secondary procedures in the same admission, and postoperative complications including hypocalcemia, hematoma, and voice changes. A total of 402 patients were identified, of whom six were excluded for insufficient data. The mean age of the 396 patients included was 47.9 years and 84.6% were female. Of the patients included, 338 experienced no complications; 86 patients spent more than one postoperative day in the hospital. A statistically significant (P=0.033) correlation was found between higher ASA status (III, IV, V) and increased length of stay. The results indicated safe and efficient thyroid surgery within a department of oral and maxillofacial surgery by current prevailing standards.

Training in endocrine surgery

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In Europe, the Division of Endocrine Surgery (DES) determines the number of operations (thyroid, neck dissection, parathyroids, adrenals, neuroendocrine tumors of the gastro-entero-pancreatic tract (GEP-NETs)) to be required for the European Board of Surgery Qualification in (neck) endocrine surgery. However, it is the national surgical boards that determine how surgical training is delivered in their respective countries. There is a lack of knowledge on the current situation concerning the training of surgical residents and fellows with regard to (neck) endocrine surgery in Europe.

METHODS

A survey was sent out to all 28 current national delegates of the DES. One questionnaire was addressing the training of surgical residents while the other was addressing the training of fellows in endocrine surgery. Particular focus was put on the numbers of operations considered appropriate.

RESULTS

For most of the operations, the overall number as defined by national surgical boards matched quite well the views of the national delegates even though differences exist between countries. In addition, the current numbers required for the EBSQ exam are well within this range for thyroid and parathyroid procedures but below for neck dissections as well as operations on the adrenals and GEP-NETs.

CONCLUSIONS

Training in endocrine surgery should be performed in units that perform a minimum of 100 thyroid, 50 parathyroid, 15 adrenal, and/or 10 GEP-NET operations yearly. Fellows should be expected to have been the performing surgeon of a minimum of 50 thyroid operations, 10 (central or lateral) lymph node dissections, 15 parathyroid, 5 adrenal, and 5 GEP-NET operations.

Effect of Resident Involvement on Morbidity and Mortality Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of resident involvement in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although the influence of resident intraoperative involvement in several types of surgical procedures has been reported, the effect of resident participation in TEVAR is unknown. We evaluated patient outcomes in resident-involved TEVAR procedures.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was analyzed for TEVAR performed from 2010 to 2012. Current procedural terminology codes were used to identify adult patients (≥18 y) who underwent TEVAR. Patients were grouped into those with and without resident involvement. Descriptive and binomial logistic statistics were used to determine the effect of resident involvement on post-TEVAR outcomes. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 676 patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 517 (76.5%) had residents involved. Overall mortality was 9.8%, with no significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.88). Resident involvement was not a significant predictor of any post-TEVAR complication. Postoperative pneumonia (3.5% vs 6.9%, p = 0.06), prolonged mechanical ventilation (11.8% vs 11.9%, p = 0.96), stroke (2.7% vs 5.7%, p = 0.07), urinary tract infection (3.3% vs 4.4%, p = 0.50), progressive renal insufficiency (1.2% vs 2.5%, p = 0.22), acute renal failure (4.1% vs 5.0%, p = 0.60), cardiac arrest (2.9% vs 5.0%, p = 0.20), myocardial infarction (1.7% vs 1.9%, p = 0.91), deep venous thrombosis (1.7% vs 1.3%, p = 0.67), red blood cells transfusions (29.2% vs 36.5%, p = 0.08), sepsis (2.9% vs 4.4%, p = 0.35), septic shock (1.9% vs 3.8%, p = 0.18), and unplanned reintubation (8.7% vs 9.4%, p = 0.78) were not significantly affected. Additionally, resident involvement did not significantly affect operative time (176.1 ± 122.8 min vs 180.3 ± 119.1 min, p = 0.71) and anesthesia time (282.1 ± 146.6 min vs 278.3 ± 140.5 min, p = 0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

The participation of residents in TEVAR did not significantly affect all 30-day patient outcomes. Resident involvement in TEVAR is safe and should be encouraged.

MINI ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effect of resident participation on postoperative outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) database. Results showed that resident involvement in TEVAR does not negatively affect patient outcomes.

The Presence of an Advanced Gastrointestinal (GI)/Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Fellowship Program Does Not Impact Short-Term Patient Outcomes Following Fundoplication or Esophagomyotomy

INTRODUCTION

The current surgical landscape reflects a continual trend towards sub-specialization, evidenced by an increasing number of US surgeons who pursue fellowship training after residency. Despite this growing trend, however, the effect of advanced gastrointestinal (GI)/minimally invasive surgery (MIS) fellowship programs on patient outcomes following foregut/esophageal operations remains unclear. This study looks at two representative foregut surgeries (laparoscopic fundoplication and esophagomyotomy) performed in New York State (NYS), comparing hospitals which do and do not possess a GI/MIS fellowship program, to examine the effect of such a program on perioperative outcomes. We also aimed to identify any patient or hospital factors which might influence perioperative outcomes.

METHODS

The SPARCS database was examined for all patients who underwent a foregut procedure (specifically, either an esophagomyotomy or a laparoscopic fundoplication) between 2012 and 2014. We compared the following outcomes between institutions with and without a GI/MIS fellowship program: 30-day readmission, hospital length of stay (LOS), and development of any major complication.

RESULTS

There were 3175 foregut procedures recorded from 2012 to 2014. Just below one third (n = 1041; 32.8%) were performed in hospitals possessing a GI/MIS fellowship program. Among our entire included study population, 154 patients (4.85%) had a single 30-day readmission, with no observed difference in readmission between hospitals with and without a GI/MIS fellowship program, even after controlling for potential confounding factors (p = 0.6406 and p = 0.2511, respectively). Additionally, when controlling for potential confounders, the presence/absence of a GI/MIS fellowship program was found to have no association with risk of having a major complication (p = 0.1163) or LOS (p = 0.7562). Our study revealed that postoperative outcomes were significantly influenced by patient race and payment method. Asians and Medicare patients had the highest risk of suffering a severe complication (10.00 and 7.44%; p = 0.0311 and p = 0.0036, respectively)-with race retaining significance even after adjusting for potential confounders (p = 0.0276). Asians and uninsured patients demonstrated the highest readmission rates (15.00 and 12.50%; p = 0.0129 and p = 0.0012, respectively)-with both race and payment method retaining significance after adjustment (p = 0.0362 and p = 0.0257, respectively). Lastly, payment method was significantly associated with postoperative LOS (p < 0.0001), with Medicaid patients experiencing the longest LOS (mean 3.99 days) and those with commercial insurance experiencing the shortest (mean 1.66 days), a relationship which retained significance even after adjusting for potential confounders (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The presence of a GI/MIS fellowship program does not impact short-term patient outcomes following laparoscopic fundoplication or esophagomyotomy (two representative foregut procedures). Presence of such a fellowship should not play a role in choosing a surgeon. Additionally, in these foregut procedures, patient race (particularly Asian race) and payment method were found to be independently associated with postoperative outcomes, including postoperative LOS.

Impact of Resident Participation on Operative Time and Outcomes in Otologic Surgery

Objectives

To describe the impact of resident involvement in tympanoplasty on operative time and surgical complication rates.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients in the 2011-2014 public use files of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program who underwent a tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy. Cases were included if the database indicated whether the operating room was staffed with an attending alone or an attending with residents. Categorical and continuous variables were compared with chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Generalized linear models with a log-link and gamma distribution were used to examine the factors affecting operative time.

Results

Overall, 1045 cases met our study criteria (tympanoplasty, n = 797; tympanomastoidectomy, n = 248). Resident involvement increased mean operative time for tympanoplasties by 46% (107 vs 73 minutes, P < .001) and tympanomastoidectomies by 49% (175 vs 117 minutes, P < .001). While controlling for confounding factors, the variable with the largest impact on operative time was resident involvement. There were no significant differences observed in the rate of surgical complications between attending-alone and attending-resident cases.

Conclusion

Resident involvement in tympanoplasty and tympanomastoidectomy did not affect the surgical complication rate. Resident involvement increased operative time for tympanoplasties and tympanomastoidectomies; however, the specific reasons for the increase are not explained by the available data.