Utility of circulating tumor DNA for predicting prognosis in the management of resectable pancreatic cancer

Background: The measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been studied in several malignancies, including metastatic pancreatic cancer, but less is known about its utility in monitoring treatment response and recurrence in resectable pancreatic cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature examining the association of ctDNA with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival. Results: Five articles met our exclusion criteria. Baseline and/or postoperative ctDNA was found to be associated with decreased OS and recurrence-free survival. Discussion: ctDNA has the potential to be used as a prognostic biomarker and to guide therapy in resectable pancreatic cancer

Assessing Resident Well-Being After the ABSITE: A Bad Time to Ask?

Objectives: Assess the association of residents' exam performance and transient emotions with their reports of burnout, suicidality, and mistreatment. Background: An annual survey evaluating surgical resident well-being is administered following the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). One concern about administering a survey after the ABSITE is that stress from the exam may influence their responses. Methods: A survey was administered to all general surgery residents following the 2018 ABSITE assessing positive and negative emotions (scales range from 0 to 12), as well as burnout, suicidality over the past 12 months, and mistreatment (discrimination, sexual harassment verbal/emotional or physical abuse) in the past academic year. Multivariable hierarchical regressions assessed the associations of exam performance and emotions with burnout, suicidality, and mistreatment. Results: Residents from 262 programs provided complete responses (N = 6987, 93.6% response rate). Residents reported high mean positive emotion (M = 7.54, SD = 2.35) and low mean negative emotion (M = 5.33, SD = 2.43). While residents in the bottom ABSITE score quartile reported lower positive and higher negative emotion than residents in the top 2 and 3 quartiles, respectively (P < 0.005), exam performance was not associated with the reported likelihood of burnout, suicidality, or mistreatment. Conclusions: Residents' emotions after the ABSITE are largely positive. Although poor exam performance may be associated with lower positive and higher negative emotion, it does not seem to be associated with the likelihood of reporting burnout, suicidality, or mistreatment. After adjusting for exam performance and emotions, mistreatment remained independently associated with burnout and suicidality. These findings support existing evidence demonstrating that burnout and suicidality are stable constructs that are robust to transient stress and/or emotions

A National Survey of Motor Vehicle Crashes Among General Surgery Residents

Objectives: Evaluate the frequency of self-reported, post-call hazardous driving events in a national cohort of general surgery residents and determine the associations between duty hour policy violations, psychiatric well-being, and hazardous driving events. Summary of background data: MVCs are a leading cause of resident mortality. Extended work shifts and poor psychiatric well-being are risk factors for MVCs, placing general surgery residents at risk. Methods: General surgery residents from US programs were surveyed after the 2017 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. Outcomes included self-reported nodding off while driving, near-miss MVCs, and MVCs. Group-adjusted cluster Chi-square and hierarchical regression models with program-level intercepts measured associations between resident- and program-level factors and outcomes. Results: Among 7391 general surgery residents from 260 programs (response rate 99.3%), 34.7% reported nodding off while driving, 26.6% a near-miss MVC, and 5.0% an MVC over the preceding 6 months. More frequent 80-hour rule violations were associated with all hazardous driving events: nodding off while driving {59.8% with ≥5 months with violations vs 27.2% with 0, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.86 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.21-3.69]}, near-miss MVCs, [53.6% vs 19.2%, AOR 3.28 (95% CI 2.53-4.24)], and MVCs [14.0% vs 3.5%, AOR 2.46 (95% CI 1.65-3.67)]. Similarly, poor psychiatric well-being was associated with all 3 outcomes [eg, 8.0% with poor psychiatric well-being reported MVCs vs 2.6% without, odds ratio 2.55 (95% CI 2.00-3.24)]. Conclusions: Hazardous driving events are prevalent among general surgery residents and associated with frequent duty hour violations and poor psychiatric well-being. Greater adherence to duty hour standards and efforts to improve well-being may improve driving safety

Experiences of Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Among Residents in General Surgery Programs Across the US

Importance: Mistreatment is a common experience among surgical residents and is associated with burnout. Women have been found to experience mistreatment at higher rates than men. Further characterization of surgical residents' experiences with gender discrimination and sexual harassment may inform solutions. Objective: To describe the types, sources, and factors associated with (1) discrimination based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation and (2) sexual harassment experienced by residents in general surgery programs across the US. Design, setting, and participants: This cross-sectional national survey study was conducted after the 2019 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). The survey asked respondents about their experiences with gender discrimination and sexual harassment during the academic year starting July 1, 2018, through the testing date in January 2019. All clinical residents enrolled in general surgery programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were eligible. Exposures: Specific types, sources, and factors associated with gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment. Main outcomes and measures: Primary outcome was the prevalence of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Secondary outcomes included sources of discrimination and harassment and associated individual- and program-level factors using gender-stratified multivariable logistic regression models. Results: The survey was administered to 8129 eligible residents; 6956 responded (85.6% response rate)from 301 general surgery programs. Of those, 6764 residents had gender data available (3968 [58.7%] were male and 2796 [41.3%] were female individuals). In total, 1878 of 2352 female residents (79.8%) vs 562 of 3288 male residents (17.1%) reported experiencing gender discrimination (P < .001), and 1026 of 2415 female residents (42.5%) vs 721 of 3360 male residents (21.5%) reported experiencing sexual harassment (P < .001). The most common type of gender discrimination was being mistaken for a nonphysician (1943 of 5640 residents [34.5%] overall; 1813 of 2352 female residents [77.1%]; 130 of 3288 male residents [4.0%]), with patients and/or families as the most frequent source. The most common form of sexual harassment was crude, demeaning, or explicit comments (1557 of 5775 residents [27.0%] overall; 901 of 2415 female residents [37.3%]; 656 of 3360 male residents [19.5%]); among female residents, the most common source of this harassment was patients and/or families, and among male residents, the most common source was coresidents and/or fellows. Among female residents, gender discrimination was associated with pregnancy (odds ratio [OR], 1.93; 95% CI, 1.03-3.62) and higher ABSITE scores (highest vs lowest quartile: OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.14-2.43); among male residents, gender discrimination was associated with parenthood (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.31-2.27) and lower ABSITE scores (highest vs lowest quartile: OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.43-0.76). Senior residents were more likely to report experiencing sexual harassment than interns (postgraduate years 4 and 5 vs postgraduate year 1: OR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.40-2.24] among female residents; 1.31 [95% CI, 1.01-1.70] among male residents). Conclusions and relevance: In this study, gender discrimination and sexual harassment were common experiences among surgical residents and were frequently reported by women. These phenomena warrant multifaceted context-specific strategies for improvement

Experiences With Unionization Among General Surgery Resident Physicians, Faculty, and Staff

Importance: Labor unions are a mechanism for employee advocacy, but their role in surgery resident wellness is poorly characterized. Objective: To understand experiences with unionization among general surgery residents and residency program faculty and staff. Design, setting, and participants: This exploratory qualitative study included data from the Surgical Education Culture Optimization Through Targeted Interventions Based on National Comparative Data (SECOND) trial. In the exploratory phase of the SECOND trial (from March 6, 2019, to March 12, 2020), semistructured interviews about wellness were conducted with residents, faculty (attending physicians), and staff (program administrators) at 15 general surgery residency programs. Unionization was identified as an emergent theme in the interviews. Data analysis was performed from March 2019 to May 2023. Main outcomes and measures: The main outcome was resident and faculty experience with resident labor unions. In the qualitative analysis, lexical searches of interview transcripts identified content regarding resident labor unions. A codebook was developed inductively. Transcripts were coded by dyads, using a constant comparative approach, with differences reconciled by consensus. Results: A total of 22 interview transcripts were identified with relevant content. Of these, 19 were individual interviews conducted with residents (n = 10), faculty (n = 4), administrative staff (n = 1), a program director (n = 1), a department chair (n = 1), and designated institutional officials (n = 2), and 3 were from resident focus groups. Residents from all postgraduate year levels, including professional development (ie, research) years, were represented. Interviewees discussed resident unions at 2 programs (1 recently unionized and 1 with a decades-long history). Interviewees described the lack of voice and the lack of agency as drivers of unionization ("Residents…are trying to take control of their well-being"). Increased salary stipends and/or housing stipends were the most concretely identified union benefits. Unanticipated consequences of unionization were described by both residents and faculty, including (1) irrelevance of union-negotiated benefits to surgical residents, (2) paradoxical losses of surgery department-provided benefits, and (3) framing of resident-faculty relationships as adversarial. Union executives were noted to be nonphysician administrators whose participation in discussions about clinical education progression may increase the time and effort to remediate a resident and/or reduce educators' will to meaningfully intervene. Active surgical resident participation within the union allows for an understanding of surgical trainees' unique needs and reduced conflict. Conclusions and relevance: In this qualitative study, unionization was a mechanism for resident voice and agency; the desire to unionize likely highlighted the lack of other such mechanisms in the training environment. However, these findings suggest that unionization may have had unintended consequences on benefits, flexibility, and teaching. Effective advocacy, whether within or outside the context of a union, was facilitated by participation from surgical residents. Future research should expand on this exploratory study by including a greater number of institutions and investigating the evolution of themes over time

Unbundling Bundles: Evaluating the Association of Individual Colorectal Surgical Site Infection Reduction Bundle Elements on Infection Rates in a Statewide Collaborative

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection reduction bundles are effective but can be complex and resource intensive. Understanding which bundle elements are associated with reduced surgical site infections may guide concise bundle implementation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of individual surgical site infection reduction bundle elements with infection rates. DESIGN: Post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study SETTING: Illinois Surgical Quality Improvement Collaborative hospitals PATIENTS: Elective colorectal resections at participating hospitals from 2016–2017 INTERVENTIONS: 16-element colorectal surgical site infection reduction bundle MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical site infection rates were compared among patients by adherence with each bundle element using Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression. Principal component analysis identified composites of correlated bundle elements. Coincidence analysis identified combinations of bundle elements or principal component composites associated with the absence of surgical site infection. RESULTS: Among 2,722 patients, 192 (7.1%) developed a surgical site infection. Infections were less likely when oral antibiotics (OR 0.63 [95% CI 0.41–0.97]), wound protectors (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.37–0.81]), and occlusive dressings (OR 0.71 [95% CI 0.51–1.00]) were used. Bundle elements were reduced into 5 principal component composites. Adherence with the combination of (1) oral antibiotics, (2) wound protector, or (3) redosing intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis plus chlorhexidine-alcohol intraoperative skin preparation were associated with the absence of infection (consistency=0.94, coverage=0.96). Four of the five principal component composites in various combinations were associated with the absence of surgical site infection, while the composite consisting of occlusive dressing placement, postoperative dressing removal, and daily postoperative chlorhexidine incisional cleansing had no association with the outcome. LIMITATIONS: The inclusion of hospitals engaged in quality improvement initiatives may limit the generalizability of these data. CONCLUSION: Bundle elements had varying association with infection reduction. Implementation of colorectal surgical site infection reduction bundles should focus on the specific elements associated with low surgical site infections. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/Bxxx

Experiences of LGBTQ+ Residents in US General Surgery Training Programs

Importance: Previous studies have shown high rates of mistreatment among US general surgery residents, leading to poor well-being. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) residents represent a high-risk group for mistreatment; however, their experience in general surgery programs is largely unexplored. Objective: To determine the national prevalence of mistreatment and poor well-being for LGBTQ+ surgery residents compared with their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Design, setting, and participants: A voluntary, anonymous survey adapting validated survey instruments was administered to all clinically active general surgery residents training in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited general surgery programs following the 2019 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. Main outcomes and measures: Self-reported mistreatment, sources of mistreatment, perceptions of learning environment, career satisfaction, burnout, thoughts of attrition, and suicidality. The associations between LGBTQ+ status and (1) mistreatment, (2) burnout, (3) thoughts of attrition, and (4) suicidality were examined using multivariable regression models, accounting for interactions between gender and LGBTQ+ identity. Results: A total of 6956 clinically active residents completed the survey (85.6% response rate). Of 6381 respondents included in this analysis, 305 respondents (4.8%) identified as LGBTQ+ and 6076 (95.2%) as non-LGBTQ+. Discrimination was reported among 161 LGBTQ+ respondents (59.2%) vs 2187 non-LGBTQ+ respondents (42.3%; P < .001); sexual harassment, 131 (47.5%) vs 1551 (29.3%; P < .001); and bullying, 220 (74.8%) vs 3730 (66.9%; P = .005); attending surgeons were the most common overall source. Compared with non-LGBTQ+ men, LGBTQ+ residents were more likely to report discrimination (men: odds ratio [OR], 2.57; 95% CI, 1.78-3.72; women: OR, 25.30; 95% CI, 16.51-38.79), sexual harassment (men: OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.39-2.99; women: OR, 5.72; 95% CI, 4.09-8.01), and bullying (men: OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.07-2.12; women: OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.37-2.91). LGBTQ+ residents reported similar perceptions of the learning environment, career satisfaction, and burnout (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.97-1.52) but had more frequent considerations of leaving their program (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.52-2.74) and suicide (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.26-3.04). This increased risk of suicidality was eliminated after adjusting for mistreatment (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.90-2.39). Conclusions and relevance: Mistreatment is a common experience for LGBTQ+ surgery residents, with attending surgeons being the most common overall source. Increased suicidality among LGBTQ+ surgery residents is associated with this mistreatment. Multifaceted interventions are necessary to develop safer and more inclusive learning environments