The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Differential presentation in acuity and outcomes based on socioeconomic status in patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Socioeconomic differences can lead to differences in how patients present with surgical conditions. We attempted to determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) affects survival outcomes after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. ⋯ In our TAAA series from a single, high-volume practice, SES differences did not appear to influence operative mortality rates. In addition, SES was not associated with a difference in mid-term survival. Efforts to understand and ameliorate the greater acuity of presentation in patients of low SES appear worthwhile.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Transoral endoscopic repair of Zenker diverticulum by a thoracic surgical service.
Zenker diverticulum (ZD), a pulsion diverticulum of the esophagus, has been traditionally managed with an open surgical approach, but endoscopic transoral stapling has been reported with increasing frequency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic repair of ZD by a thoracic surgery service. ⋯ Endoscopic stapling repair of ZD can be performed safely with good results in experienced centers by thoracic surgeons with significant esophageal experience. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate the durability of endoscopic repair of ZD.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
A mapping algorithm for International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes for congenital heart surgery benchmark procedures.
Administrative billing data are critical to many initiatives in congenital heart surgery. Mapping algorithms for International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision diagnosis and procedure codes to clinical registry procedure definitions will allow identification of surgical cases and account for patient and procedural factors within administrative data. Our objectives were to develop mapping logic to crosswalk International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision procedure codes to 10 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database benchmark and beta-test the algorithm. ⋯ Novel mapping algorithm for International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision procedure codes enables identification of congenital heart benchmark procedures within administrative billing data. This crosswalk facilitates population-based congenital heart surgical research and quality assessment.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Mortality due to hospital-acquired infection after cardiac surgery.
Hospital-acquired infections have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality in critically ill surgical patients. However, little is known about mortality due to hospital-acquired infections in cardiac surgery. ⋯ Although hospital-acquired infections are relatively uncommon after cardiac surgery (4.2%), these infections have a major impact on postoperative mortality (attributable mortality fraction, 17.1%).
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Nontechnical skills training in cardiothoracic surgery: A pilot study.
The importance of nontechnical skills in surgery is widely recognized. We demonstrate the feasibility of administering and assessing the results of a formal Non-Technical Skills in Surgery (NOTSS) curriculum to cardiothoracic surgery residents. ⋯ We have developed a simulation-based NOTSS curriculum in cardiothoracic surgery that can be formally integrated into the current residency education. This pilot study indicates the feasibility of reproducible assessments by course educators and self-assessments by participating residents in nontechnical skills competencies.