Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma has established a framework for trauma center quality improvement. Despite efforts, recent studies show persistent variation in patient outcomes across national trauma centers. We aimed to investigate whether risk-adjusted mortality varies at the hospital level and if high-performing centers demonstrate better adherence to ACS Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) program quality measures. ⋯ Significant variation in risk-adjusted mortality persists across trauma centers. Given the association between adherence to quality measures and high-performance, multidisciplinary efforts to refine and implement guidelines are warranted.
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This study compared the efficacy of cutting of the intersphincteric space (COIS) with cutting seton (CS) procedure in treating high anal fistula. ⋯ In comparison to the CS procedure, COIS appears to be an effective treatment option for high anal fistulas, offering quicker wound healing time, enhanced sphincter function, less pain, minimal invasiveness, and cost-efficiency, while maintaining a high healing rate and low recurrence rate.
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Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) requires a high degree of expertise in both hepatobiliary and minimally invasive surgery. Our group previously reported a 3-level LLR complexity classification based on intra-postoperative outcomes: grade I (low), grade II (intermediate), and grade III (high). We evaluated the learning curve effect in each complexity grade to assess the experience needed for a surgeon to safely progress through the grades. ⋯ A gradual progression in LLR per complexity grade as follow: 40 cases of low grade I procedures before starting intermediate complexity grade II procedures, and 30 cases of intermediate complexity grade II procedures before starting high complexity grade III procedures may ensure a safe implementation of high complexity LLR procedures.