Background Morbidity after gastrectomy remains high. The potentially modifiable risk factors have not been well described. This study considers a series of potentially modifiable patient-specific and perioperative characteristics that could be considered to reduce morbidity and mortality after gastrectomy. Methods This retrospective cohort study includes adults in the ACS NSQIP PUF dataset who underwent gastrectomy between 2011 and 2013. Sequential multivariable models were used to estimate effects of clinical covariates on study outcomes including morbidity, mortality, readmission and reoperation. Results 3,678 patients underwent gastrectomy. A majority of patients had distal gastrectomy (N= 2,799, 76.1%) and had resection for malignancy (N= 2,316, 63.0%). 798 patients (21.7%) experienced a major complication. Reoperation was required in 290 patients (7.9%). 30-day mortality was 5.2%. Age (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.01–1.02, p=0.001), preoperative malnutrition (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.35–2.02, p<0.001), total gastrectomy (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.31–2.03, p<0.001), benign indication for resection (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.29–1.97, p<0.001), blood transfusion (OR=2.57, 95% CI: 2.10–3.13, p<0.001), and intraoperative placement of a feeding tubes (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.00–1.62, p=0.047) were independently associated with increased risk of morbidity. Association between tobacco use and morbidity was statistically marginal (OR=1.23, 95% CI: 0.99–1.53, p=0.064). All-cause postoperative morbidity had significant associations with reoperation, readmission, and mortality (all p<0.001). Conclusions Mitigation of perioperative risk factors including smoking and malnutrition as well as identified operative considerations may improve outcomes after gastrectomy. Postoperative morbidity has the strongest association with other measures of poor outcome: reoperation, readmission, and mortality.

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Major hepatectomy and enterohepatic biliary reconstruction are associated with significantly greater rates of bile leak after liver resection. Bile leak is independently associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Mitigation of bile leak is critical in reducing morbidity and mortality after liver resection.

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Background Telemedicine has been rapidly adopted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited work surrounding demographic and socioeconomic disparities that may exist in telemedicine utilization. This study aimed to examine demographic and socioeconomic differences in surgical patient telemedicine usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Department of Surgery outpatients seen from July 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 were stratified into three visit groups: pre-COVID-19 in-person, COVID-19 in-person, or COVID-19 telemedicine. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations of sex, race/ethnicity, Distressed Communities Index (DCI) scores, MyChart activation, and insurance status with telemedicine usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results 14,792 patients (median age 60, female [57.0%], non-Hispanic White [76.4%]) contributed to 21,980 visits. Compared to visits before the pandemic, telemedicine visits during COVID-19 were more likely to be with patients from the least socioeconomically distressed communities (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.08,1.58; P = 0.005), with an activated MyChart (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17–1.64; P < .001), and with non-government or commercial insurance (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.84–2.94; P < .001). Adjusted comparison of telemedicine visits to in person visits during COVID-19 revealed telemedicine users were more likely to be female (OR, 1.38, 95% CI, 1.10–1.73; P = 0.005) and pay with non-government or commercial insurance (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.85–4.16; P < .001). Conclusions During the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was more likely utilized by female patients and those without government or commercial insurance compared to patients who used in-person visits. Interventions using telemedicine to improve health care access might consider such differences in utilization.