This study aimed to characterize patient satisfaction with navigators and surgical care accessed through a novel navigation program for under-resourced communities.
PSN-I and PSQ-18 questionnaires assessed satisfaction with navigators and care, respectively. Primary outcomes were PSN-I and PSQ-18 scores. Secondary analyses tested associations between satisfaction and patient factors and between PSN-I and PSQ-18 scores.
Of 294 patients contacted, 88 (29.9 %) responded. Most were Hispanic/Latinx (76.1 %), Spanish-speaking (71.5 %), and uninsured (85.2 %). Participants were highly satisfied with navigators (mean 38.5, SD 7.6; max. 45) and most care domains except Financial Aspects (mean 3.2, SD 1.0; max. 5) and Accessibility/Convenience (mean 3.5, SD 0.6; max. 5). Higher navigator satisfaction was associated with post-consultation need for surgery (coeff. 5.6, 95 % CI[0.9, 10.3]) and increased the odds of care satisfaction (OR 1.1, 95 % CI[1.0, 1.2]).
Patients are satisfied with navigation services—a previously unstudied aspect of this unique surgical equity program.
Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure, with more than 20 million cases yearly. Choice between mesh types varies in clinical practice. To compare light-weight polypropylene (LW-PP, 34–36 g/m2) and heavy-weight polypropylene (HW-PP, 95 g/m2) meshes.
Data from patients who underwent open inguinal hernia repair between 2020 and 2022. Selection criteria ensured homogeneity. Endpoints were to assess the impact of different mesh weights on overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL), using Short Form 36 (SF-36), and to monitor postoperative complications.
Two hundred patients were included in both groups. Lateral and direct hernias occurred in 60.5 % and 39.5 %. According to EHS, 31.5 %, 22.3 % and 46.2 % were classified as size 1, 2, 3. Follow-up showed similar HRQoL at 30-days, with a favorable trend towards LW-PP mesh offering fewer limitations, better comfort, and improved general health after 12-months. No difference in postoperative paresthesia, wound hematoma, and interference with daily activities.
1-year after surgery HRQoL evaluation highlights the non-inferiority of LW-PP. Mesh selection should be tailored, aiming at improving outcomes and postoperative comfort.
Though a key component of the surgical training paradigm envisioned by Halstead and critical for the generation of future surgeons, teaching surgery is increasingly challenging. The qualities and practices of effective educators have been published and can be acquired through practice. Teaching allows us to connect with our learners and the larger surgical community.
Background: Although high-risk older patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to perioperative care, the specific roles and responsibilities of the clinicians involved have yet to be adequately characterized.
Methods: Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with four anesthesia preoperative clinic providers, seven surgeons, and nine primary care providers in northern New England.
Results: The analysis revealed both distinct and overlapping roles and responsibilities. Anesthesia providers were described as a "safety net" and surgeons as "captain of the ship", in charge of getting "all the ducks in a row" to avoid surgery delays and cancellations. Primary care providers saw themselves as the "quarterback", ensuring care continuity and consideration of patient psychosocial factors.
Conclusions: While all have a shared responsibility for facilitating patient-centered decision-making and a safe perioperative course, each discipline has different areas of focus and expertise. Role clarification can help optimize the distribution of responsibilities and enhance perioperative communication and collaboration.
Progress has been observed in the pathophysiology of calcium homeostasis, localization studies, and intraoperative adjuncts in parathyroid surgery. The aim of this study is to gain a comprehensive perspective on the research landscape of parathyroid surgery over time.
A search of the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted to identify publications on parathyroid surgery from 1985 to 2024. Keywords were manually curated, and their frequencies were calculated based on the publication year.
Publications on secondary hyperparathyroidism have decreased in recent years, but those on calcimimetics, tertiary hyperparathyroidism, and parathyroid cancer have increased. Publications related to sestamibi scans have decreased, while research on four-dimensional computed tomography and positron emission tomography has increased. Research on fluorescence and ablation treatment has recently been on the rise. The citation count per publication was positively correlated with the number of contributing institutions.
We provide an overview of contemporary research themes and emerging topics related to parathyroid surgery. The endocrine surgery community could benefit from more inter-institutional partnerships to foster scientific progress.
Blunt aortic injury (BAI) is relatively uncommon in the pediatric population. The goal of this study was to examine the management of BAI in both children and adolescents, using a large national dataset.
Patients (1–19 years of age) with BAI were identified from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database over 14-years. Patients were stratified by age group (children [ages 1–9] and adolescents [ages 10–19]) and compared. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of mortality in adolescents with BAI.
Adolescents undergoing TEVAR had similar morbidity (16.8 vs 12.6 %, p = 0.057) and significantly reduced mortality (2.1 vs 14.4 %, p < 0.0001) compared to those adolescents managed non-operatively. MLR identified use of TEVAR as the only modifiable risk factor significantly associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.138; 95%CI 0.059–0.324, p < 0.0001).
BAI leads to significant morbidity and mortality for both children and adolescents. For pediatric patients with BAI, children may be safely managed non-operatively, while an endovascular repair may improve outcomes for adolescents.