A multi-institutional study from the US ROPE consortium examining factors associated with endocrine surgery exposure for general surgery residents

BACKGROUND

Prior analyses of general surgery resident case logs have indicated a decline in the number of endocrine procedures performed during residency. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the endocrine operative experience of general surgery residents and compare those who matched in endocrine surgery fellowship with those who did not.

METHODS

We analyzed the case log data of graduates from 18 general surgery residency programs in the US Resident Operative Experience Consortium over an 11-year period.

RESULTS

Of the 1,240 residents we included, 17 (1%) matched into endocrine surgery fellowships. Those who matched treated more total endocrine cases, including more thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal cases, than those who did not (81 vs 37, respectively, P < .01). Program-level factors associated with increased endocrine volume included endocrine-specific rotations (+10, confidence interval 8-12, P < .01), endocrine-trained faculty (+8, confidence interval 7-10, P < .01), and program co-location with otolaryngology residency (+5, confidence interval 2 -8, P < .01) or endocrine surgery fellowship (+4, confidence interval 2-6, P < .01). Factors associated with decreased endocrine volume included bottom 50th percentile in National Institute of Health funding (-10, confidence interval -12 to -8, P < .01) and endocrine-focused otolaryngologists (-3, confidence interval -4 to -1, P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Several characteristics are associated with a robust endocrine experience and pursuit of an endocrine surgery fellowship. Modifiable factors include optimizing the recruitment of dedicated endocrine surgeons and the inclusion of endocrine surgery rotations in general surgery residency.

Impact of Obesity on Risk of Hypocalcemia After Total Thyroidectomy: Targeted National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Analysis of 16,277 Patients

INTRODUCTION

Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy (TT) is common due to postoperative parathyroid dysfunction and vitamin D deficiency. Given the association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency, we sought to correlate body mass index (BMI) with hypocalcemia after TT.

METHODS

Patients undergoing TT between 2016 and 2020 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program thyroidectomy-targeted database. Univariable and multivariable regressions, stratified by BMI category (normal, overweight, obese), identified factors associated with hypocalcemia prior to discharge, within 30 d, and severe hypocalcemic events (emergent evaluation, intravenous calcium supplementation, or readmission).

RESULTS

Sixteen thousand two hundred seventy seven TT were performed with available BMI data. Three thousand five hundred thirty one (21.7%) patients had normal BMI, 4823 (29.6%) were overweight, and 7772 (47.7%) were obese. Patients with BMI ≥ 25 had decreased risk of hypocalcemia before discharge (9.8% versus 13%, odds ratio [OR] 0.73, P < 0.001), 30 d (8.1% versus 10.4%, OR 0.76, P < 0.001), and severe hypocalcemic events (5.5% versus 6.4%, OR 0.84, P = 0.029) compared to normal BMI patients. On multivariable analysis for normal BMI patients, age < 45 y was a risk factor for hypocalcemia before discharge, 30 d, and severe hypocalcemic events (P < 0.05 for all). Additional risk factors in this group for 30-d hypocalcemia included parathyroid autotransplant and central neck dissection (P < 0.05) and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury for severe hypocalcemic events (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger patients with BMI < 25 are at an increased risk for hypocalcemia and severe hypocalcemic events after TT. These patients may benefit from preoperative counseling and increased calcium/vitamin D supplementation to reduce prolonged hospitalization and mitigate morbidity.