Laparoscopic-Assisted pancreatic necrosectomy: A new surgical option for treatment of severe necrotizing pancreatitis

Hypothesis: Open surgery for pancreatic debridement is often associated with major morbidity such as wound complications, fascial dehiscence, and intestinal fistulae. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) is useful for complex abdominal procedures since the benefits of traditional laparoscopic surgery are retained. Published experience with HALS for pancreatic debridement is limited to anecdotal case reports. Setting University-affiliated private and public hospitals. Patients Twenty-three patients with necrotizing pancreatitis were evaluated and 19 patients underwent pancreatic debridement from 2001 to 2006. A GelPort (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif) was used to provide laparoscopic hand access. In the majority of the patients, an infracolic approach was used to access the pancreatic necrosis. Results: Nineteen patients underwent laparoscopic evacuation of pancreatic necrosis, and in 18 patients, the procedure was completed. The mean age was 54 years; the mean \ub1 SEM body mass index, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, was 32.0 \ub1 2.6; the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3.4; and 7 of 19 patients had past history organ failure. The mean \ub1 SEM operating time was 153 \ub1 10 minutes and mean \ub1 SEM blood loss was 352.6 \ub1 103 mL. Four patients required reoperations, 2 using HALS and 2 open. There were no postoperative complications related to the HAL procedure itself, such as major wound infections, intestinal fistulae, or postoperative hemorrhage. Postoperative computed tomographic scans confirmed adequacy of debridement. The mean \ub1 SEM length of hospital stay after surgery was 16.3 \ub1 3.8 days. Conclusions: This is the largest reported study of laparoscopic debridement for pancreatic necrosis. The procedure is feasible and associated with a low morbidity and mortality. Pancreatic debridement with HALS may provide a new option for the surgical treatment of selected patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis

American Psychiatric Association's Leadership Fellowship Program: Short-term and Longer-term Outcomes.

ObjectiveThis study assessed the impact of a Leadership Fellowship, sponsored by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and APA Foundation, on the careers of psychiatry residents and examined the influence of gender and year of Fellowship completion. This 2-year program for residents offered multiple opportunities to interact with professional leaders at various levels.MethodsA retrospective online survey of alumni of the APA Leadership Fellowship, who had completed this Fellowship between 2003 and 2019, was conducted.ResultsOut of the 93 psychiatrists who were sent the survey, 59 alumni responded (60.8% response rate). Most respondents had remained involved with organized psychiatry groups and 80% held leadership positions. Respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with the APA Fellowship experience, noting the importance of peer networking. Overall, male and female respondents were similar in their subsequent leadership positions and satisfaction with the survey. Similarly, Fellows who completed the Fellowship in 2003-2015 had responses about the experience that were largely similar to those in the 2016-2019 cohort that had not yet completed their residency.ConclusionA vast majority of alumni of the APA Leadership Fellowship had become leaders in their workplace or organized psychiatry groups. The leadership-focused career development programs for psychiatry trainees are important avenues to develop a diverse cohort of future leaders in psychiatry