Factors impacting cumulative dissipated energy levels and postoperative visual acuity outcome in cataract surgery

Purpose To determine factors impacting cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in phacoemulsification. Design Review of 1102 cases at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC), China. Subjects Patients who underwent cataract surgery at UCSF 03/2014–03/2019 and at ZOC 10/2018–05/2019. Methods Patient demographics, medical history, routine ocular examination, and surgical information, including disassembly method, complications, and surgeon training level were recorded. Univariable and multivariable regression models were used to determine factors associated with CDE and good postoperative BCVA (20/40 or better) at 1 month. Outcome measures CDE, postoperative BCVA. Results In multivariable analysis, patient age at time of surgery, diabetes, degree of nuclear sclerosis (NS), white-to-white corneal diameter, disassembly method, preoperative BCVA, surgeon training level, and surgical center were significantly associated with CDE. Log10CDE increased by 0.20–0.31 for patient age ≥ 70 years, by 0.07 if the patient had diabetes, by 0.12–0.41 for NS grade ≥ 2, by 0.48 per 10 mm increase in white-to-white corneal diameter, by 0.34–0.47 for disassembly method other than non-stop chop, by 0.16 per unit increase in preoperative logMAR BCVA, and by > 0.09 when phacoemulsification was performed by residents early in their training. Log10CDE was 0.33 higher at UCSF than ZOC. In multivariable analysis, worse baseline visual acuity and age above 90 years at time of surgery decreased the odds of good BCVA (OR = 0.26 per unit increase in preoperative logMAR BCVA; OR = 0.12 for age > 90); comorbid retinal issues decreased the odds of good postoperative BCVA (OR = 0.13–0.39); greater anterior chamber depth (ACD) or shorter axial length (AL), increased the odds of good postoperative outcome (OR = 2.64 per 1 mm increase ACD, OR = 0.84 per 1 mm increase AL). Conclusions Cataract grade determined by slit lamp exam and, for the first time, older patient age, were noted to be important predictors of high CDE. CDE was not a risk factor for postoperative BCVA measured at postoperative 1 month. When surgery was performed by trainees under supervision, lower training level was associated with higher CDE, but not with worse postoperative BCVA.

Burnout Among Surgeons in the UK During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cohort Study

Background Surgeon burnout has implications for patient safety and workforce sustainability. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of burnout among surgeons in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional online survey was set in the UK National Health Service and involved 601 surgeons across the UK of all specialities and grades. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a bespoke questionnaire. Outcome measures included emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Results A total of 142 surgeons reported having contracted COVID-19. Burnout prevalence was particularly high in the emotional exhaustion (57%) and depersonalisation (50%) domains, while lower on the low personal accomplishment domain (15%). Burnout prevalence was unrelated to COVID-19 status; however, the greater the perceived impact of COVID-19 on work, the higher the prevalence of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Degree of worry about contracting COVID-19 oneself and degree of worry about family and friends contacting COVID-19 was positively associated with prevalence on all three burnout domains. Across all three domains, burnout prevalence was exceptionally high in the Core Trainee 1–2 and Specialty Trainee 1–2 grades. Conclusions These findings highlight potential undesirable implications for patient safety arising from surgeon burnout. Moreover, there is a need for ongoing monitoring in addition to an enhanced focus on mental health self-care in surgeon training and the provision of accessible and confidential support for practising surgeons.

Cost talk: protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial of an intervention helping patients and urologic surgeons discuss costs of care for slow-growing prostate cancer during shared decision-making

Background Costs of care are important to patients making cancer treatment decisions, but clinicians often do not feel prepared to discuss treatment costs. We aim to (1) assess the impact of a conversation-based decision aid (Option Grid) containing cost information about slow-growing prostate cancer management options, combined with urologic surgeon training, on the frequency and quality of patient-urologic surgeon cost conversations, and (2) examine the impact of the decision aid and surgeon training on decision quality. Methods We will conduct a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial in outpatient urology practices affiliated with a large academic medical center in the USA. We will randomize five urologic surgeons to four intervention sequences and enroll their patients with a first-time diagnosis of slow-growing prostate cancer independently at each period. Primary outcomes include frequency of cost conversations, initiator of cost conversations, and whether or not a referral is made to address costs. These outcomes will be collected by patient report (post-visit survey) and by observation (audio-recorded clinic visits) with consent. Other outcomes include the following: patient-reported decisional conflict post-visit and at 3-month follow-up, decision regret at 3-month follow-up, shared decision-making post-visit, communication post-visit, and financial toxicity post-visit and at 3-month follow-up; clinician-reported attitudes about shared decision-making before and after the study, and feasibility of sustained intervention use. We will use hierarchical regression analysis to assess patient-level outcomes, including urologic surgeon as a random effect to account for clustering of patient participants. Discussion This study evaluates a two-part intervention to improve cost discussions between urologic surgeons and patients when deciding how to manage slow-growing prostate cancer. Establishing the effectiveness of the strategy under study will allow for its replication in other clinical decision contexts. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT04397016. Registered on 21 May 2020

Current management of malignant bowel obstructions: a survey of acute care surgeons and surgical oncologists

BackgroundMalignant small bowel obstructions (MSBOs) are one of the most challenging problems surgeons encounter, and evidence-based treatment recommendations are lacking. We hypothesized that current opinions on MSBO management differ between acute care surgeons (ACSs) and surgical oncologists (SOs).MethodsWe developed three case scenarios describing patients with previously treated cancer who developed an MSBO. Each case had five to six alternate scenarios, intended to capture the heterogeneity of MSBO presentations. Members of the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies, and the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma were asked how likely they would be to offer surgical treatment in each scenario. Responses were analyzed for factors associated with the likelihood surgeons would offer surgical management.Results316 surgeons completed the survey: 119 (37.7%) SOs and 197 (62.3%) ACSs. Overall, SOs were nearly twice as likely as ACSs to recommend surgical management. The largest differences between provider groups were seen in patients with an increased metastatic burden. In a patient with MSBO with metastatic colon cancer, both SOs (95.8%) and ACSs (94.4%) were likely or very likely to offer an operation (p=0.587); however, this fell to 91.6% and 77.7%, respectively, when this patient had multiple hepatic metastases (p=0.001). All surgeons were less likely to offer surgery to patients with multiple sites of obstruction, recurrent MSBO, and shorter disease-free intervals.DiscussionOpinions on MSBO management differ based on surgeon training and experience. Multidisciplinary management of patients with MSBO should be offered when available and increased emphasis placed on determining optimal management guidelines across specialties.Level of evidenceLevel IV Epidemiologic.

537 Implications of Covid-19 on Vitreoretinal and Cataract Surgery

Introduction The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has greatly impacted ophthalmic surgery, including changes to surgical protocols and training. We explored the effects on vitreoretinal and cataract surgeries, which constitute the commonest areas of ophthalmic surgery. Method Literature searches were performed for the terms “vitreoretinal”, and “cataract”, each in combination with “surgery” and “Covid-19”. Relevant results were assessed to determine perceived impact on ophthalmic theatres. Results 36 search results were analysed; 25 and 11 for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery respectively. Efforts to reduce infection rates have significantly reduced non-urgent operations, with reports of just 5.7% of ophthalmologists in certain areas performing cataract surgeries. Furthermore, surgeons have been advised to perform bilateral cataract surgery, and to combine phacoemulsification with vitreoretinal surgery, thereby avoiding deferred operations and further exposure. Other recommended changes in surgical strategies to enhance safety include three-dimensional heads-up displays for vitreoretinal surgeries, novel microscope drapes, and virtual consultations for surgery follow-up. Various reports indicate a negative impact on junior surgeon training and mental well-being; indeed, The Royal College of Ophthalmology has recommended assigning operations to experienced surgeons. Conclusions Ophthalmic surgery rates and protocols have been impacted in the effort to reduce Covid-19 spread. Trainee surgeon education and well-being warrant further attention.