Background Enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) have been shown to aid in patient recovery and improve outcomes in many surgical settings. At present, there is limited data available regarding the use and feasibility of ERPs for patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction. We sought to assess patient outcomes before and after the introduction of an ERP that was adopted by multiple surgeons at a single cancer center. Methods A multidisciplinary ERP was developed for patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) or muscle-sparing free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction. Core elements of the ERP included substituting intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with a multimodal pain regimen consisting of intravenous ketorolac and transversus abdominis plane blocks with liposomal bupivacaine, as well as the use of intraoperative goal-directed fluid management. Patients who underwent surgery between April and August 2015 using the ERP were compared with a historical control cohort. The primary endpoints were hospital length of stay (LOS) and total postoperative opioid consumption. Results In total, 91 consecutive patients were analyzed (ERP, 42; pre-ERP, 49). Mean hospital LOS was significantly shorter in the ERP group than in the pre-ERP group (4.0 vs. 5.0 days; p<0.0001). Total postoperative morphine equivalent consumption was also lower in the ERP group (46.0 vs. 70.5 mg; p=0.003). There was no difference in the incidence of 30-day complications between the groups (p=0.6). Conclusions The adoption of an ERP for DIEP and TRAM flap reconstruction by multiple surgeons significantly decreased opioid consumption and reduced LOS by 1 day.

Background Physician burnout, widespread across medicine, is linked to poorer physician quality of life and reduced quality of care. Data on prevalence of and risk factors for burnout among anesthesiologists are limited. The objective of the current study was to improve understanding of burnout in anesthesiologists, identify workplace and personal factors associated with burnout among anesthesiologists, and quantify their strength of association. Methods During March 2020, the authors surveyed member anesthesiologists of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey. Additional survey questions queried workplace and personal factors. The primary research question was to assess rates of high risk for burnout (scores of at least 27 on the emotional exhaustion subscale and/or at least 10 on the depersonalization subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey) and burnout syndrome (demonstrating all three burnout dimensions, consistent with the World Health Organization definition). The secondary research question was to identify associated risk factors. Results Of 28,677 anesthesiologists contacted, 13.6% (3,898) completed the survey; 59.2% (2,307 of 3,898) were at high risk of burnout, and 13.8% (539 of 3,898) met criteria for burnout syndrome. On multivariable analysis, perceived lack of support at work (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% CI, 5.3 to 8.5); working greater than or equal to 40 h/week (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.80 to 2.75); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual status (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.35 to 3.63); and perceived staffing shortages (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.76 to 2.42) were independently associated with high risk for burnout. Perceived lack of support at work (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% CI, 5.4 to 18.3) and home (odds ratio, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.69 to 2.69) were most strongly associated with burnout syndrome. Conclusions The prevalence of burnout among anesthesiologists is high, with workplace factors weighing heavily. The authors identified risk factors for burnout, especially perceived support in the workplace, where focused interventions may be effective in reducing burnout. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New

von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome linked to alteration of the VHL tumor suppressor gene. Affected patients are predisposed to develop pheochromocytomas and cystic and solid tumors of the kidney, CNS, pancreas, retina, and epididymis. However, organ involvement varies considerably among families and has been shown to correlate with the underlying germline alteration. Clinically, we observed a paradoxically lower prevalence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with complete germline deletion of VHL. To determine if a relationship existed between the type of VHL deletion and disease, we retrospectively evaluated 123 patients from 55 families with large germline VHL deletions, including 42 intragenic partial deletions and 13 complete VHL deletions, by history and radiographic imaging. Each individual and family was scored for cystic or solid involvement of CNS, pancreas, and kidney, and for pheochromocytoma. Germline deletions were mapped using a combination of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative Southern and Southern blot analysis. An age-adjusted comparison demonstrated a higher prevalence of RCC in patients with partial germline VHL deletions relative to complete deletions (48.9 vs. 22.6%, p=0.007). This striking phenotypic dichotomy was not seen for cystic renal lesions or for CNS (p=0.22), pancreas (p=0.72), or pheochromocytoma (p=0.34). Deletion mapping revealed that development of RCC had an even greater correlation with retention of HSPC300 (C3orf10), located within the 30-kb region of chromosome 3p, immediately telomeric to VHL (52.3 vs. 18.9%, p <0.001), suggesting the presence of a neighboring gene or genes critical to the development and maintenance of RCC. Careful correlation of genotypic data with objective phenotypic measures will provide further insight into the mechanisms of tumor formation.

Meaningful reductions in SSI can be achieved by implementing a multidisciplinary care bundle at a hospital-wide level.

Key Points Question Can a more clinically feasible version of the modified Frailty Index for older patients with cancer be developed? Findings In this cohort study of 1137 older patients with cancer, the Memorial Sloan Kettering–Frailty Index (MSK-FI) was associated with aging-related impairments. A higher score on the MSK-FI was also associated with a longer length of stay, higher odds of intensive care unit admission, and lower overall survival. Meaning The MSK-FI may be a feasible tool to perioperatively assess frailty in older patients with cancer.