Background: Malnutrition continues to be pervasive among the general population, with rates as high as 50% of patients undergoing surgical procedures. Data is limited about women undergoing surgery for non-malignant gynecologic indications (generally elective laparoscopic hysterectomies, after failed conservative measures). With the significant increase in benign gynecologic surgery, it is of the upmost importance that surgeons optimize modifiable risk factors for patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of malnutrition on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing data that was collected through the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database. All patients that underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications were identified. Patients with malnutrition were identified by either low albumin (Յ 3.5 g/dL), low body mass index (Յ 18.5), or 10% weight loss within 6 months. The frequency of postoperative complications was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses where appropriate.Results: Following adjustment, multivariate analysis illustrated pre-operative malnutrition to be a risk factor for the following complications: any complication, death, bleeding requiring transfusion, wound, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, thromboembolic, sepsis complications, extended length of stay, and reoperation (p Յ 0.05 for all). Conclusion:Malnourished patients were at significantly higher risk of developing postoperative complications during the acute postoperative period. With elective laparoscopic hysterectomies, pre-operative evaluation and intervention for malnutrition should be considered to improve nutritional status.

INTRODUCTION: We have established a Vaginal Breech Initiative (VBI) to increase access to, and training in, the process of vaginal breech delivery. The VBI is a collaborative care team composed of physicians and nurse-midwives that leads care of participating women. Components of the VBI are: thorough antenatal screening, strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, rigorous informed consent, established delivery guidelines, and frequent simulation training. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the VBI from 8/2011 to 11/2017. Inclusion criteria were: gestational age 34-42 weeks, singleton pregnancy, estimated fetal weight 2000-3800g, frank or complete breech, flexed head, adequate clinical pelvimetry, head and abdominal circumference within normal range and concordant, spontaneous labor and presence of a Vaginal Breech Team member. The primary outcome was incidence of vaginal breech delivery. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were examined secondarily. RESULTS: In total, 47 patients underwent a vaginal breech trial of labor, of which 72.3% had a successful vaginal breech delivery (n=34/47). Piper forceps were utilized in 11.8% of deliveries (n=4/34). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was 2.1% (n=1/47). There was one 3rd degree laceration (2.1%; n=1/47). Neonatal outcomes included an 8.5% incidence of neonatal intensive care unit admission (n=4/47) and a 2.1% frequency of head entrapment (n=1/47). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients undergoing breech vaginal delivery through our VBI had a successful vaginal breech delivery. Perinatal morbidity outcomes were rare. Through careful patient selection, counseling, and collaboration, breech vaginal deliveries performed in the context of a VBI are feasible in an academic medical center.

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Objectives: At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Surgeon General ordered the cessation of all elective surgical procedures. We evaluated the mental health impact of COVID-19 related surgical delay on patients awaiting procedures for benign, pre-malignant and malignant conditions. We sought to understand the short term impact of surgical delay and to identify potential longer term mental health affects after completion of the delayed procedure. Methods: All patients over age 18 awaiting surgery for benign, pre-malignant or malignant conditions in the gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology and colorectal services at Northwell Health were eligible. Upon enrollment, participants completed a baseline survey consisting of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and Brief-Illness Patient Questionnaire (B-IPQ). Six weeks after their surgery, participants were sent a second survey consisting of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale in addition to the GAD-7, PSWQ, and B-IPQ. Results: 56 patients underwent their procedure and completed the follow-up survey. Patients with suspected benign conditions had a longer delay in scheduling their surgery than patients with suspected/confirmed cancer or pre-malignant conditions (101.4d vs 66.3d, p<0.05). There was no correlation of length of delay with postoperative worry, anxiety, or depression scores. There was no decrease in level of worry, as delineated by the PSWQ, among gynecologic oncology patients when comparing pre-operative to post-operative data. However, surgical oncology and colorectal patients demonstrated decreased post-operative worry. There was no difference in anxiety by surgical specialty.While the surgical delay was ongoing 79% of patients considered it to be moderately to extremely concerning, with 46% indicating the highest possible level of concern. Post-operatively, 47% of the respondents indicated moderate to extreme concern about the surgical delay, while 37% were not concerned. Initially, the surgical delay was considered to have a moderate to severe impact upon daily life by 65% of patients; which decreased to 53% at the time of post-operative follow-up. Interestingly, these relative decreases in patient concern were not significant when comparing pre-operative to post-operative values as a whole, by diagnosis or by specialty. 20% of participants qualified as depressed based on their response to the CES-D. Of these patients, 70% had a post-operatively confirmed cancer or pre-cancer. The incidence of depression was not affected by the post-operative diagnosis. Conclusions: Many patients experienced distress surrounding surgical delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This extended to their postoperative period. Gynecologic oncology patients did not experience decreased post-operative worry, while surgical oncology and colorectal patients did. There was no significant...