Steven Canfield, MD, Division Director of Urology in the Department of Surgery, recently became the first surgeon in Houston to perform a NanoKnife prostate ablation. This minimally invasive procedure uses an electrical pulse process to destroy tumors without damaging any surrounding structures. It also serves as an alternative to radiation or surgery in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Congratulations to Dr. Canfield and his team on this amazing achievement!



EDUCATION

Surgeons Get Educated at the APDS/ASE Meeting

Surgical Education Week is a combined meeting of the Association for Surgical Education, the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, and the Association of Residency Administrators in Surgery. This year, Surgical Education Week was held April 10-15 in San Diego, California.

Dr. Sasha Adams moderated the 1st panel session of the meeting. "Our Program is Pregnant" panel presenters highlighted the current data available about pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications during surgical residency, challenges in navigating the current regulations for parental leave, and the impact parental leave has on the rest of the program.

A Recipe for a Continuous Quality Improvement Program in Surgical Residency

In 2021, the Department of Surgery Quality Improvement Curriculum Workgroup launched an initiative to support real-world, resident-lead quality improvement in our partnership hospitals. The workgroup’s approach was to provide didactic training on QI and have each PGY class from 2s to 5s, select a project for each to work on for the entire academic year. 

Dr. Tamara Saunders, along with her workgroup colleagues, presented the results of this initiative at Surgical Education Week. The poster highlighted the success of the approach at McGovern Medical School. The poster detailed a faculty-facilitated educational resident QI program building on faculty expertise and project management support, resulting in ongoing stakeholder buy-in and resident collaboration. The QI resident education program is feasible, creates sustained knowledge, and enables residents to acquire first-hand experience designing and implementing quality improvement projects across several service lines.

For additional information on poster presentation as well as the work of the QI Curriculum Workgroup, please contact Terry Fisher.

Kao Presents at Disparities & Inequities in Trauma Care

Lillian S. Kao, MD, FACS, Professor, and Division Director of Acute Care Surgery, participated in an online, live, high-level broadcast event for Disparities and Inequities in Trauma Care. Kao presented “Best Practices for Health Equity Research.”

The program, sponsored by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT), aims to explore and address persistent inequities in trauma care by race, ethnicity, age, international variation, and social determinants of health through discussing best practices in researching inequities and interventions, and policy interventions to achieve more equitable outcomes.

The talks can be accessed on the Advances in Surgery (AIS) Channel:

https://aischannel.com/live-surgery/disparities-and-inequities-in-trauma-care

RESEARCH

Congratulations to the LBJ Research Team

As of April 2023, LBJ General Hospital is the highest enrolling site for the Comparison of Surgery and Medicine on the Impact of Diverticulitis (COSMID) trial. Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), this multi-center trial compares surgery to medical management in patients with at least one episode of diverticulitis confirmed by a CT scan in the last five years. Eligible patients have either a history of recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis without current symptoms in the previous five years or persistent signs, symptoms, and concerns related to diverticular disease at least three months after recovery from an episode of diverticulitis. The primary outcome is gastrointestinal quality of life.

Congratulations to our colorectal surgery team at LBJ General Hospital – Dr. Stefanos Millas, Erik Askenasy, Ritha Belizaire, and Elias Chamely. Thanks to our research team – Debbie Nguyen, Stephanie Marquez, and Sophia Syed!

Annual Surgical Infection Society Meeting

Dr. Krislynn Mueck wins the Surgical Infection Society Junior Faculty Clinical Research Award. Pictured with Dr. Phil Barie, President of the SIS Foundation, and Dr. Laura Kreiner, Chair of the SIS Awards Committee (and former UTHealth Houston general surgery resident).

Dr. Mueck accepts her SIS Junior Faculty Clinical Research Award.

Dr. Chelsea Guy-Frank presents on oral health and infectious complications in critically ill trauma patients.

Dr. James Klugh presents a Bayesian re-analysis of the STOP-IT trial.

Deboever Presents Work at AACR

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, the foremost national gathering focused on cancer research, was held on April 16th in Orlando, FL. This year, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston surgical resident Dr. Nate Deboever (currently on a research sabbatical at MD Anderson Cancer Center with the Department of Thoracic Surgery) was invited to present his poster on Machine Learning Prediction of Financial Toxicity in Patients with Resected Lung Cancer. This work focuses on effectively identifying patients at high risk of experiencing significant financial hardship after lung cancer surgery and implementing techniques to minimize these burdens, which can adversely affect how patients interact with the healthcare system during the important postoperative period. He was awarded one of the Association’s competitive “Scholar-in-Training” Awards, which supported his attendance at the Annual Meeting. 

UTHealth Houston Faculty Present at Prestigious Surgical Meeting

Founded in 1880, the American Surgical Association (ASA) is the oldest and most prestigious surgical association. Giving a talk at the ASA's annual meeting is considered a great honor, and only the best science is selected for presentation. At this year's 143^rd annual meeting in Toronto, Canada, UTHealth Houston was well represented.

Dr. KuoJen Tsao, a Professor in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, presented "Impact of Body Mass Index on Pediatric Complicated Appendicitis and Postoperative Complications." Dr. David Meyer, Assistant Professor in the Division of Acute Care Surgery, reported on the results of his KL2-funded trial: "Randomized Controlled Trial of Surgical Rib Fixation to Non-Operative Management in Severe Chest Wall Injury." Dr. Gustavo Oderich, Professor in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, presented on "Outcomes of Elective and Non-Elective Fenestrated-Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in the International Aortic Research Consortium."

The Scoop on the Southwest Surgical Conference

The 74^th Scientific Meeting of the Southwestern Surgical Congress was held April 16-19 at Ojai Valley Inn in California. Almost 200 abstracts were submitted. Among those, two abstracts from McGovern Medical School were accepted for presentation. Dr. Michael Van Gent, ACS Fellow, presented on “Electrolyte Derangements Following Emergent Transfusions: An Evaluation of 2048 Bleeding Trauma Patients” (Senior Author: Dr. Bryan Cotton). Dr. Heather Kregel, former T32 Research Fellow, presented on “Are Tracheostomies Beneficial in Older Adults Following Trauma” (Senior Author: Dr. Thaddeus Puzio). Additionally, Dr. Laura Moore, a Professor in the Division of Acute Care Surgery, co-moderated one of the scientific sessions.

Drs. Van Gent and Moore attend the SWSC Meeting.

Drs. Michael Van Gent, Laura Moore, and Heather Kregel grab a bite to eat at the SWSC Meeting.

Dr. Van Gent's presentation for the SWSC Meeting.

Dr. Van Gent presenting at SWSC Meeting.

HIGHLIGHTS

Attendees Learn Leadership and Advocacy Pearls at ACS Summit

Texas Surgeons Network in Tyler

The Texas Surgical Society (TSS) held its 210^th Semi-Annual Meeting in Tyler, Texas, on April 14-16th. The TSS was founded in 1915 to advance the science of surgery. Its membership includes surgeons across Texas; accordingly, the TSS holds its meetings in cities all over the state.

Dr. H. Randolph Bailey presented at this meeting on "Competency in Performing Colonoscopy: An Assessment of Colonoscopy Skills Acquired During a Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency." The next meeting of TSS will be October 6-8^th in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Drs. Synder, Askenasy, Cusick, and Bailey at Texas Surgical Society in Tyler.

Incoming 2023-2024 fellow, Yarechta, Drs. Synder, Askenasy, Cusick, and Bailey with former 2017-2018 fellow Miller at Texas Surgical Society in Tyler.

Plastics Team Represents UTHealth Houston at Cleft Smiles 5K Family Fun Run

The Cleftsmiles5k was held in Fleming Park in the Woodlands on Saturday, April 1. UTHealth Houston Plastic Surgery had the third largest team, with students, residents, and faculty joining the fun run. Dr. David Mitchell PGY-1 plastic surgery won second place in the men’s run. The organization raises money to support the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial team at UTHealth Houston and has donated over $100,000 to support our patients and families over the past few years. 

Publications of Note

Chen-Goodspeed A, Dronavalli G, Zhang X, Podbielski J, Patel B, Modis K, Cotton B, Wade C, *Cardenas JC. Antithrombin Activity is Associated with Persistent Thromboinflammation and Mortality in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Illness. Acta Haematol. 2023;146(2):117-124. PMID: 36538905. PMC9940263.

Diaz JJ, Barnes S, O'Meara L, Sawyer R, May A, Cullinane D, Schroeppel T, Chipman A, Kufera J, Vesselinov R, Zielinski M, MERIDIAN Study Group (Kao LS, *Wei S). Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Rescue: Expanding the Definition. J Am Coll Surg. Apr 1 2023;236(4):827-835. PMID: 36633328.

*Krocker JD, Cotton ME, *Schriner JB, Osborn BK, Talanker MM, Wang YW, Cox CS, Jr., Wade CE. Influence of TRPM4 rs8104571 genotype on intracranial pressure and outcomes in African Americans with traumatic brain injury. Sci Rep. Apr 10 2023;13(1):5815. PMID: 37037835.

Levy DT, Livingston CE, Saroukhani S, Fox EE, Wade CE, Holcomb JB, Gumbert SD, Galvagno SM, Jr., Kaslow OY, Pittet JF, Pivalizza EG. Association of Opioid Administration During General Anesthesia and Survival for Severely Injured Trauma Patients: A Preplanned Secondary Analysis of the PROPPR Study. Anesth Analg. May 1 2023;136(5):905-912. PMID: 37058726.

Lubkin DT, Van Gent JM, Cotton BA, Brill JB. Mortality and outcomes by blood group in trauma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vox Sang. Apr 12 2023. PMID: 37045792.

Moore LJ. Pressure Ulcers. In: Vincent JL, Moore FA, Bellomo R, Marini JJ, eds. Textbook of Critical Care. Eighth Edition ed. Elsevier Inc; 2024: chap 154, 1242-1245.e1.

Puzio TJ, *Adams SD, Kao LS. Invited Commentary: Targeting Many or a Few? A Commentary on Redefining Multimorbidity in Older Surgical Patients. J Am Coll Surg. May 1 2023;236(5):1022-1023. PMID: 36919931.

Puzio TJ, *Adams SD. Traumatic brain injury. In: Vincent JL, Moore FA, Bellomo R, Marini JJ, eds. Textbook of Critical Care. Eighth Edition ed. Elsevier Inc; 2024:344-350.e2.

Sperry JL, Cotton BA, Luther JF, Cannon JW, Schreiber MA, Moore EE, Namias N, Minei JP, Wisniewski SR, Guyette FX. Whole Blood Resuscitation and Association with Survival in Injured Patients with an Elevated Probability of Mortality. J Am Coll Surg. Apr 11 2023. PMID: 37039365.

Stewart MK, Kao LS. Coaching the Coach to Reduce Burnout: Commentary on Do Resident Coaching Programs Benefit Their Coaches? Impact of a Professional Development Coaching Program on the Coaches. World J Surg. Apr 15 2023. PMID: 37060365.

Winer LK, Kader S, Abelson JS, Hammaker AC, Eruchalu CN, Etheridge JC, Cho NL, Foote DC, Ivascu FA, Smith S, Postlewait LM, Greenwell K, Meister KM, Montgomery KB, Zmijewski P, Byrd SE, Kimbrough MK, Stopenski SJ, Nahmias JT, Harvey J, Farr D, Callahan ZM, Marks JA, Stahl CC, Al Yafi M, Sutton JM, Elsaadi A, Campbell SJ, Dodwad SM, *Adams SD, Woeste MR, Martin RCG, Patel P, Anstadt MJ, Nasim BW, Willis RE, Patel JA, Newcomb MR, George BC, Quillin RC, 3rd, Cortez AR. Disparities in the Operative Experience Between Female and Male General Surgery Residents: A Multi-Institutional Study from the US ROPE Consortium. Ann Surg. Mar 30 2023. PMID: 36994704.

RESIDENT & STUDENT CORNER

The Chief Resident class enjoys a much-deserved night out, courtesy of Associate Program Director Dr. David Kim. 

Don't miss out on this exciting video featuring Drs. Cotton and Kao as they discuss the resurgence of whole blood in resuscitating trauma patients. Watch as they dive into the topic and explore its potential impact in the medical field.

Editorial Team: Dr. Lillian S. Kao, Dr. Casey B. Duncan, and Dr. Peter A. Walker

For content submissions, email Sophia.M.Solis@uth.tmc.edu.