Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.051
Mallory N. Perez MD , Maxwell Wilberding BS , Goeto Dantes MD , Alison Lehane MD , Mehul V. Raval MD, MS , Gustave H. Falciglia MD , Nicholas E. Burjek MD , Jane L. Holl MD, MPH , Willemijn L.A. Schäfer PhD
Introduction
The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society published guidelines in 2020 for minimizing physiologic stress in neonatal patients who are undergoing intestinal surgery. This study explores stakeholder perceptions of the acceptability and adoption of a neonatal enhanced recovery protocol as well as barriers and facilitators to implementation.
Methods
We conducted seven semistructured focus groups, purposively selecting diverse stakeholders (N = 36) from six US hospitals. Transcripts were generated and transferred into MAXQDA for coding and analysis. We used a combined inductive and deductive approach to develop codes, followed by thematic analysis.
Results
Implementation of the guidelines was variable, with wide adoption of some components (e.g., breastmilk as preferred nutrition) and limited acceptability of others (e.g., early postoperative enteral feeds). We identified five key barriers/facilitators: (1) the heterogeneity of the neonatal surgical population (e.g., degree of prematurity); (2) competing stakeholder priorities (e.g., caregiver values versus clinician assessment of risks/benefits); (3) aligning care across teams (e.g., clinician-clinician, clinician-caregiver communication); (4) the clarity/specificity of component definitions (e.g., “goal-directed fluid management”); and (5) responsiveness to change (e.g., nursing willingness to learn and trial mucous fistula refeeding).
Conclusions
This study provides a preimplementation assessment of an enhanced recovery protocol for neonatal intestinal surgery, highlighting the specific needs of this vulnerable population and identifying actionable refinements to existing guidelines. Broad, effective implementation will require greater consensus on the target population, alignment with stakeholder priorities, clearer care coordination strategies, refined component definitions, and increased openness to practice change.
{"title":"Barriers and Facilitators to Enhanced Recovery Protocol Implementation for Neonatal Intestinal Surgery","authors":"Mallory N. Perez MD , Maxwell Wilberding BS , Goeto Dantes MD , Alison Lehane MD , Mehul V. Raval MD, MS , Gustave H. Falciglia MD , Nicholas E. Burjek MD , Jane L. Holl MD, MPH , Willemijn L.A. Schäfer PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.051","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.051","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society published guidelines in 2020 for minimizing physiologic stress in neonatal patients who are undergoing intestinal surgery. This study explores stakeholder perceptions of the acceptability and adoption of a neonatal enhanced recovery protocol as well as barriers and facilitators to implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted seven semistructured focus groups, purposively selecting diverse stakeholders (<em>N</em> = 36) from six US hospitals. Transcripts were generated and transferred into MAXQDA for coding and analysis. We used a combined inductive and deductive approach to develop codes, followed by thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Implementation of the guidelines was variable, with wide adoption of some components (e.g., breastmilk as preferred nutrition) and limited acceptability of others (e.g., early postoperative enteral feeds). We identified five key barriers/facilitators: (1) the heterogeneity of the neonatal surgical population (e.g., degree of prematurity); (2) competing stakeholder priorities (e.g., caregiver values <em>versus</em> clinician assessment of risks/benefits); (3) aligning care across teams (e.g., clinician-clinician, clinician-caregiver communication); (4) the clarity/specificity of component definitions (e.g., “goal-directed fluid management”); and (5) responsiveness to change (e.g., nursing willingness to learn and trial mucous fistula refeeding).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides a preimplementation assessment of an enhanced recovery protocol for neonatal intestinal surgery, highlighting the specific needs of this vulnerable population and identifying actionable refinements to existing guidelines. Broad, effective implementation will require greater consensus on the target population, alignment with stakeholder priorities, clearer care coordination strategies, refined component definitions, and increased openness to practice change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 580-592"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145724086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.039
Vera M. Funk MD , Mason H. Remondelli MD , Michael Morell BS , Natalia K. Barzanji MD , Megan C. Bartel MD , Patrick F. Walker MD , Matthew J. Bradley MD
Introduction
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for emergency general surgery, with more than 1 in 20 Americans expected to develop it during their lifetime. Despite its prevalence, there is significant variability in the treatment of acute appendicitis, particularly in the use of antibiotics, imaging modalities, and length of hospital stay. In 2016, our military medical institution established a novel Emergency General Surgery Performance Improvement program. As part of this initiative, we developed disease-specific protocols, including an outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy (OLA) protocol, to reduce treatment variability, improve efficiency, and optimize the quality of patient care. This is a 5-yreview of our appendectomy protocol.
Methods
Our institution implemented an OLA, which outlined specific imaging and antibiotic administration, and minimized the hospital length of stay to within 24 h. Data from patients undergoing OLA between 2017 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included age < 18 y, advanced appendicitis, immunosuppression, pregnancy, or lack of postdischarge supervision. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square tests. Continuous variables (age, time to operating room [OR]) were tested for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test and reported as median (Q1, Q3). Nonparametric comparisons across years used the Kruskal–Wallis test; 2020 (signage posted) was compared to other years using the Mann–Whitney U test. Significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results
A total of 104 patients met inclusion criteria (median age 35 y; 60% male). Antibiotic compliance ranged from 56% to 93%, and imaging compliance from 75% to 100%, both varying significantly over time (P = 0.014 and P = 0.039, respectively). Median time to OR remained stable at 7.0 h (interquartile range 6.0-10.0), with no significant yearly difference (P = 0.29). In 2020, signage was associated with higher antibiotic (P = 0.001) and imaging compliance (P = 0.001), but not shorter time to OR (P = 0.35). Complications were rare (2%).
Conclusions
Despite variations in antibiotic and imaging compliance, key surgical outcomes, including time to the OR and hospital length of stay, remained stable. Signage reinforced protocol adherence, highlighting the importance of ongoing education. The low complication rate supports the overall safety of laparoscopic appendectomy. Future efforts should focus on improving compliance and optimizing preoperative workflows to enhance patient care.
{"title":"Outpatient Laparoscopic Appendectomy PI","authors":"Vera M. Funk MD , Mason H. Remondelli MD , Michael Morell BS , Natalia K. Barzanji MD , Megan C. Bartel MD , Patrick F. Walker MD , Matthew J. Bradley MD","doi":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Acute appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for emergency general surgery, with more than 1 in 20 Americans expected to develop it during their lifetime. Despite its prevalence, there is significant variability in the treatment of acute appendicitis, particularly in the use of antibiotics, imaging modalities, and length of hospital stay. In 2016, our military medical institution established a novel Emergency General Surgery Performance Improvement program. As part of this initiative, we developed disease-specific protocols, including an outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy (OLA) protocol, to reduce treatment variability, improve efficiency, and optimize the quality of patient care. This is a 5-yreview of our appendectomy protocol.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Our institution implemented an OLA, which outlined specific imaging and antibiotic administration, and minimized the hospital length of stay to within 24 h. Data from patients undergoing OLA between 2017 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included age < 18 y, advanced appendicitis, immunosuppression, pregnancy, or lack of postdischarge supervision. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square tests. Continuous variables (age, time to operating room [OR]) were tested for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test and reported as median (Q1, Q3). Nonparametric comparisons across years used the Kruskal–Wallis test; 2020 (signage posted) was compared to other years using the Mann–Whitney <em>U</em> test. Significance was set at <em>P</em> < 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 104 patients met inclusion criteria (median age 35 y; 60% male). Antibiotic compliance ranged from 56% to 93%, and imaging compliance from 75% to 100%, both varying significantly over time (<em>P</em> = 0.014 and <em>P</em> = 0.039, respectively). Median time to OR remained stable at 7.0 h (interquartile range 6.0-10.0), with no significant yearly difference (<em>P</em> = 0.29). In 2020, signage was associated with higher antibiotic (<em>P</em> = 0.001) and imaging compliance (<em>P</em> = 0.001), but not shorter time to OR (<em>P</em> = 0.35). Complications were rare (2%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Despite variations in antibiotic and imaging compliance, key surgical outcomes, including time to the OR and hospital length of stay, remained stable. Signage reinforced protocol adherence, highlighting the importance of ongoing education. The low complication rate supports the overall safety of laparoscopic appendectomy. Future efforts should focus on improving compliance and optimizing preoperative workflows to enhance patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 540-548"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145862886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/S0022-4804(26)00002-8
{"title":"Journal of Surgical Research","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0022-4804(26)00002-8","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0022-4804(26)00002-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Page iii"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Intussusception is a common cause of acute abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction in children worldwide. However, in areas with limited health-care resources, it is more frequently associated with severe complications and poor outcomes due to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Although nonsurgical treatments have improved outcomes worldwide, many children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still require surgery for this condition. This study reviews the available evidence on surgical outcomes for pediatric intussusception in SSA.
Methods
We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar—for studies published from 1991 to 2024 that reported on surgical treatment of pediatric intussusception in SSA. From these studies, we extracted key details such as patient demographics, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, surgical procedures, complications, and mortality rates. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we calculated pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Finally, we evaluated study quality with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.
Results
Twenty-four studies involving 2078 children from 11 SSA countries were included. The pooled mean age at presentation was 13.2 mo, with 64% of cases occurring in males. The classic triad (intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody stools) was present in 50.4% (95% CI: 37.3–63.4), and the mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 3.45 d. Ultrasound was used in 58.3% (95% CI: 49.2–66.9), whereas clinical diagnosis alone accounted for 34.7%. Manual reduction was the most common surgical procedure (55.2%; 95% CI: 49.9–60.6), followed by resection with anastomosis (38.2%; 95% CI: 31.0–45.3). Postoperative complications occurred in 24.5% (95% CI: 18.5–30.5), with surgical site infection being the most frequent. The pooled mortality rate was 12.4% (95% CI: 9.2–15.6), substantially higher than global averages.
Conclusions
Pediatric intussusception in SSA is characterized by delayed presentation, high reliance on surgical management, and unacceptably high mortality and complication rates. Strengthening early diagnosis, expanding access to nonoperative reduction, and improving surgical capacity are essential to reduce the burden of this condition in the region.
{"title":"Pediatric Intussusception in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Surgical Outcomes","authors":"Yohannis Derbew Molla MD , Kidist Hunegn Setargew MD , Mekdes Tsegaye Alebel MD , Hirut Tesfahun Alemu MD","doi":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.068","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.068","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Intussusception is a common cause of acute abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction in children worldwide. However, in areas with limited health-care resources, it is more frequently associated with severe complications and poor outcomes due to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Although nonsurgical treatments have improved outcomes worldwide, many children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still require surgery for this condition. This study reviews the available evidence on surgical outcomes for pediatric intussusception in SSA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar—for studies published from 1991 to 2024 that reported on surgical treatment of pediatric intussusception in SSA. From these studies, we extracted key details such as patient demographics, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, surgical procedures, complications, and mortality rates. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we calculated pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Finally, we evaluated study quality with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-four studies involving 2078 children from 11 SSA countries were included. The pooled mean age at presentation was 13.2 mo, with 64% of cases occurring in males. The classic triad (intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody stools) was present in 50.4% (95% CI: 37.3–63.4), and the mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 3.45 d. Ultrasound was used in 58.3% (95% CI: 49.2–66.9), whereas clinical diagnosis alone accounted for 34.7%. Manual reduction was the most common surgical procedure (55.2%; 95% CI: 49.9–60.6), followed by resection with anastomosis (38.2%; 95% CI: 31.0–45.3). Postoperative complications occurred in 24.5% (95% CI: 18.5–30.5), with surgical site infection being the most frequent. The pooled mortality rate was 12.4% (95% CI: 9.2–15.6), substantially higher than global averages.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Pediatric intussusception in SSA is characterized by delayed presentation, high reliance on surgical management, and unacceptably high mortality and complication rates. Strengthening early diagnosis, expanding access to nonoperative reduction, and improving surgical capacity are essential to reduce the burden of this condition in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 567-579"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.050
Annika Gompers MPhil, Jessica L. Harding PhD
{"title":"Letter Regarding: Racial and Sex Disparities in US Kidney Transplant Clinical Trials: A Comparative Analysis With National Transplant Registry Data","authors":"Annika Gompers MPhil, Jessica L. Harding PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.050","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.050","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 599-601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145696206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/S0022-4804(26)00004-1
{"title":"On The Cover","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0022-4804(26)00004-1","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0022-4804(26)00004-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Page x"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Response Regarding: Predicting Acute Cholecystitis on Final Pathology to Prioritize Surgical Urgency: An Evaluation of the Tokyo Criteria and Development of a Novel Predictive Score","authors":"Lilly Groszman MD, Brent Hopkins MD, MSc, FRCSC, Nawaf AlShahwan MBBS, FRCSC, DABS, Shannon Fraser MD, MSc, FRCSC, Simon Bergman MD, MSc, FRCSC, Jean-Sebastien Pelletier MD, FRCSC, Tsafrir Vanounou MD, MBA, Evan G. Wong MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACS","doi":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.11.014","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 597-598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145668841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.049
Tirayut Veerasatian MD, Schawanya K. Rattanapitoon MD, Chutharat Thanchonnang PhD, Nathkapach K. Rattanapitoon PhD
{"title":"Letter Regarding: Predicting Acute Cholecystitis on Final Pathology to Prioritize Surgical Urgency: An Evaluation of the Tokyo Criteria and Development of a Novel Predictive Score","authors":"Tirayut Veerasatian MD, Schawanya K. Rattanapitoon MD, Chutharat Thanchonnang PhD, Nathkapach K. Rattanapitoon PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jss.2025.10.049","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17030,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Surgical Research","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 595-596"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145648756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}