Supply and demand of hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons in the United States

BACKGROUND

Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery requires specialized training and adequate case volumes to maintain procedural proficiency and optimal outcomes. Studies of individual HPB surgeon supply related to annual HPB case demand are sparse. This study assesses the supply and demand of the HPB surgical workforce in the United States (US).

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried from 1998-2019 to estimate the number of HPB procedures performed. To approximate the number of HPB surgeons, models based on previous HPB workforce publications were employed. We then calculated the number of HPB surgeons needed to maintain volume-outcome thresholds at current reported levels of centralization.

RESULTS

In 2019, approximately 37,335 patients underwent inpatient HPB procedures in the US, while an estimated 905-1191 HPB surgeons were practicing. Assuming 50% centralization and an optimal volume-outcome threshold of 24 HPB cases-per-year, only 778 HPB surgeons were needed. Without adjustment in centralization, by 2030 there will be a demand of fewer than 12 annual cases per HPB surgeon.

CONCLUSION

The current supply of HPB surgeons may exceed demand in the United States. Without alteration in training pathways or improved care centralization, by 2030, there will be insufficient HPB case volume per surgeon to maintain published volume-outcome standards.

Contemporary Analysis of Ureteral Reconstruction 30-Day Morbidity Utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database: Comparison of Minimally Invasive Versus Open Approaches

OBJECTIVES

To characterize 30-day morbidity of upper ureteral reconstruction (UUR) and lower ureteral reconstruction (LUR) surgery by comparing open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches using a national surgical outcomes registry.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was reviewed for patients who underwent UUR and LUR between 2007-2017. Primary endpoints included 30-day complications, transfusion, readmission, return to operating room (ROR), and prolonged postoperative length of stay (LOS). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to observe the association of MIS approach on 30-day outcomes.

RESULTS

3042 patients were identified with 2116 undergoing UUR and 926 undergoing LUR. Of 2116 patients undergoing UUR, 1733 (82%) were performed via MIS approach. On multivariable analysis, open approach for UUR was associated with increased odds of any 30-day complication (odds ratio (OR) 1.6 [1.1-2.4]; p=0.014), major complication (OR 1.8 [1.04-3.0]; p=0.034), transfusion (OR 3.7 [1.2- 11.5]; p=0.025), ROR (OR 2.0 [1.0-3.9]; p=0.047), and prolonged LOS (OR 5.4 [3.9-7.6]; p<0.001). Of the 926 patients undergoing LUR, 458 (49%) were performed via a MIS approach. On multivariable analysis, open approach for LUR was associated with increased odds of any 30-day complication (OR 1.5 [1.1-2.1]; p=0.028), minor complication (OR 1.7 [1.1-2.6]; p=0.02), transfusion (OR 8.1 [2.7-23.7]; p<0.001), and prolonged LOS (OR 4.2 [2.4-7.3]; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Utilization of a national surgical database revealed an open approach was associated with increased 30-day morbidity across multiple postoperative outcome measures. These findings suggest a MIS approach should be considered, when feasible, for upper and lower ureteral reconstruction.

Thirty-day postoperative morbidity and mortality after temporal lobectomy for medically refractory epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Temporal lobectomy is a well-established treatment modality for the management of medically refractory epilepsy in appropriately selected patients. The aim of this study was to assess 30-day morbidity and mortality after temporal lobectomy in cases registered in a national database.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using a multiinstitutional surgical registry compiled between 2006 and 2014. The authors identified patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and/or amygdalohippocampectomy for a primary diagnosis of intractable epilepsy. Univariate and multivariable analyses with regard to patient demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics, and 30-day outcomes were applied.

RESULTS

A total of 216 patients were included in the study. The median age was 38 years and 46% of patients were male. The median length of stay was 3 days and the 30-day mortality rate was 1.4%. Fourteen patients (6.5%) developed at least one major complication. Return to the operating room was observed in 7 patients (3.2%). Readmission within 30 days and discharge to a location other than home were available for 2011–2014 (n = 155) and occurred in 11% and 10.3% of patients, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that increasing age was an independent predictor of discharge disposition other than home and that male sex was a significant risk factor for the development of a major complication. Interestingly, the presence of the attending neurosurgeon and a resident during the procedure was significantly associated with decreased odds of prolonged length of stay (i.e., > 75th percentile [5 days]) and discharge to a location other than home.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a multiinstitutional surgical registry, 30-day outcome data after temporal lobectomy for medically intractable epilepsy demonstrates a mortality rate of 1.4%, a major complication rate of 6.5%, and a readmission rate of 11%. Temporal lobectomy is an extremely effective therapy for seizures originating there—however, surgical intervention must be weighed against its morbidity and mortality outcomes.