Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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En bloc celiac axis resection (CAR) for pancreatic cancer is considered increasingly after modern neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Appleby and distal pancreatectomy with CAR are anatomically inaccurate terms, as tumors can extend beyond celiac axis proper, requiring concurrent resection of the proper hepatic artery and/or superior mesenteric artery. ⋯ Current terminology for CAR inadequately describes all operative variants. Our classification, based on the largest single-center series, allows complex operative planning and standardized reporting across institutions. Extent of arterial involvement determines pancreatectomy type, need for arterial revascularization, and likelihood of gastric preservation. Operative mortality has improved, morbidity remains significant, and survival favorable after extended NAC with associated pathologic responses; given these factors, CAR should only be considered in fit patients with objective NAC responses at specialized centers.
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Neoadjuvant therapy and liver transplantation is an effective treatment for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) addresses the problem of organ shortage, but has higher risk of technical complication that can be aggravated by radiotherapy. We investigated the incidence of vascular and biliary complication in pCCA compared with non-pCCA patients and their impact on patient and graft survival. ⋯ Late vascular complication is common after LDLT for pCCA, but do not adversely affect long-term survival. LDLT provides excellent survival, particularly for patients with no residual disease at the time of transplantation.
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Previous work has demonstrated the impact of sex on the relationship between confidence and competence, with women having less confidence and less self-perceived competence. Recent recruitment of examiners by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) allowed exploration of confidence and perceived competence. ⋯ Men reported practicing more broadly and were more confident than women in their ability to examine across ABS Certifying Examination content areas. However, the confidence of male surgeons was not restricted to those areas in which they reported practicing. These data have important implications for training, leadership, and professional development.