Importance San Francisco Match publishes no data on the research output of matched applicants to an ophthalmology residency. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the temporal trends in publication volume by medical students who successfully matched into a top ophthalmology residency. Methods This retrospective case series compared all residents in the top 30 ophthalmology residency programs from the class of 2022 and 2017. Publication volume from before September 15th of the residents' fourth year of medical school was recorded using PubMed and Google Scholar. We recorded total number of publications (any authorship), first/second author publications, and ophthalmology-specific publications. Using Welch's t-test, publication volumes were statistically compared against all others. Results One-hundred sixty-one residents from the class of 2022 and 145 residents from the class of 2017 were included. Total publications per matched applicant (mean ± standard deviation) were 3.04 ± 0.35 for the class of 2022 and 1.67 ± 0.23 for the class of 2017. Mean publications in ophthalmology journals were 1.07 ± 0.20 (2022) and 0.58 ± 0.13 (2017); mean first author publications were 1.00 ± 0.13 (2022) and 0.64 ± 0.11 (2017) and mean second author publications were 0.70 ± 0.10 (2022) and 0.37 ± 0.06 (2017). Research productivity in all four metrics (total, ophthalmology journals, first author, and second author publications) was significantly higher for the class of 2022 than the class of 2017 (p = 0.001; p = 0.03; p = 0.03; p = 0.02, respectively) supporting the trend of increasing research output among students. Applicants with PhD degrees had statistically more total and first author publications in 2017 (p = 0.01; p = 0.045), but only more first author publications in 2022 (p = 0.01). International applicants produced significantly more total publications in 2022 (p < 0.001). Conclusions Overall, after a 5-year period, the authors found matched applicants had significantly increased publications compared with those at the beginning of the period. We also identified several applicant factors that may have variable effects on research publication. This analysis emphasizes the growing importance of research in the match process and can help future applicants navigate the ophthalmology match.

Background: Chronic degeneration of the zygapophyseal joints in the cervical or lumbar spine are common causes of axial back pain. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a treatment modality in the denervation of facet joint–related pain. Although multiple factors have been theorized to contribute to the size of the optimal RF lesion, the addition of hypertonic saline solution has been posited to create larger RF lesion sizes. Objectives: This study compares lesion of 20-gauge RF monopolar probe using 2% lidocaine, 0.9% normal saline solution, and 3% saline solution administered through the RF needle prior to ablation, with subsequent lesion sizes recorded. Study Design: Randomized, double-blinded, ex vivo study using clinically relevant conditions. Setting: Procedural laboratory in an academic institution. Methods: RF ablation lesions were reproduced in room temperature (21°C ± 2°C) chicken breast specimens with 20-gauge monopolar RF probes inserted. RF was applied for 90 seconds at 80°C after injection of 1 mL of either 2% lidocaine, 2% lidocaine and 0.9% normal saline solution in a 1:1 ratio, or 2% lidocaine and 3% saline solution in a 1:1 ratio. Tissues were dissected, measured, and ellipsoid volumes of burn calculated. Homogeneity of variances was assessed via the Bartlett’s test, and heteroskedasticity with the studentized Breusch-Pagan test. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (α of 0.05) was used to evaluate statistical significance between volume means across groups. When the null hypothesis of no difference in burn volume between samples could not be rejected, a predefined equivalence volume of ± 0.05 cm3 was used with Welch’s 2 one-sided t-tests (TOST) with a Bonferroni adjusted α of 0.0167 to evaluate for null acceptance. Results: The mean lesion volume for monopolar RF with 1 mL 2% lidocaine was 0.16 cm3 . Monopolar RF with 1 mL 2% lidocaine + 0.9% normal saline solution had a mean lesion volume of 0.15 cm3 , and treatment with 1 mL 2% lidocaine + 3% saline solution measured 0.17 cm3 . ANOVA failed to reject the null, and TOST accepted as equivalent all 3 comparisons. Limitations: In vivo anatomy and physiology of a human organism was not used for this study. Samples were not warmed to physiologic temperature. Randomization resulted in slightly unequal sample sizes, although all groups were of sufficient size that the central limit theorem should apply. Conclusions: Three commonly used solutions were found to have equivalent lesion sizes from monopolar probe RF ablation. Key words: Radiofrequency, ablation, lesion shape, lesion size, monopolar RF, hypertonic saline solution

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a video-based, patient-focused opioid education tool delivered in the perioperative period would decrease acute and chronic post-operative opioid prescription dispensations and increase self-rated knowledge about opioids. Methods: We enrolled 110 patients with no reported opioid use in the previous 30 days, undergoing ambulatory surgery for breast, orthopedic, gynecologic, or other outpatient procedures for which opioids would be prescribed. Patients were randomized to receive either post-operative opioid education by the surgical team (control arm) or pre-operative education via a novel 5-minute video plus post-operative education by the surgical team (intervention arm). All patients received follow-up phone calls on post-operative day (POD) 7 to assess self-rated knowledge of opioids on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being most informed, and self-reported opioid use (primary outcome). Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (AR PDMP) data were obtained to assess opioid dispensations at POD 90-150 days. Results: Seventy-seven percent of participants completed POD7 survey. Participants in the intervention arm rated their knowledge of opioids after surgery significantly higher than those in the control arm (p=0.013). Data from the AR PDMP reveal trends (non-significant) that show increased use of opioids in the control group when compared to the video intervention group at POD 30 (88.7% vs 76%) and POD 90-150 (22.6% vs 10%). Conclusion: Video-based, patient-focused opioid education can be effectively implemented in a large university hospital during the perioperative period and is effective for increasing a patient's perception of opioid-related knowledge. A fully powered, randomized control trial is needed to further explore observed trends and determine if this novel tool can decrease chronic post-operative opioid dispensations.

Background: Morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences are essential components for resident education and provide a valuable tool to improve patient safety and quality of care. M&M conferences help identify important gaps in safety and reduce avoidable events in future patient care. Active methods to improve the utilization of M&M conferences have been shown to enhance their educational value for residents, faculty and multidisciplinary teams in healthcare institutions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to use a survey-based methodology to assess how morbidity and mortality conferences are conducted in residency programs, including characteristics such as frequency, involvement of personnel and the effects of COVID-19. Methods: From February to October 2021, a validated 19 question survey was electronically distributed to residency program directors in anesthesiology, emergency medicine and general surgery, after a search for email addresses in the ACGME database. The survey was created and hosted on Google Forms. Results: A total of 125 of 713 program directors (17.5%) responded to the survey. Eighty-three percent of respondent programs reported mandatory participation for residents, with residents providing most of the presentations. Case presentations utilized various formats including SBAR, adverse event analysis and root cause analysis as the most common modalities. Though most programs reported no change in frequency of M&M conferences due to COVID-19, most respondents reported a shift to a virtual or hybrid platform. Conclusion: M&M conferences are an important educational and quality improvement modality, and many residency directors changed practice to incorporate virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain uninterrupted educational sessions. Nonetheless, significant variation still exists in how these conferences are conducted between different institutions.

Background Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) is a serious complication of high‐risk deliveries with controversy surrounding timing of corrective nerve surgery. This review systematically examines the existing literature and investigates correlations between age at time of upper trunk brachial plexus microsurgery and surgical outcomes. Methods A systematic screening of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases using PRISMA‐IPD guidelines was conducted in January 2020 to include full‐text English papers with microsurgery in upper trunk palsy, pediatric patients. Spearman rank correlation analysis and two‐tailed t‐tests were performed using individual patient data to determine the relationship between mean age at time of surgery and outcome as determined by the Mallet, Medical Research Council (MRC), or Active Movement Scale (AMS) subscores. Results Two thousand nine hundred thirty six papers were screened to finalize 25 papers containing individual patient data (n = 256) with low to moderate risk of bias, as assessed by the ROBINS‐I assessment tool. Mallet subscore for hand‐to‐mouth and shoulder abduction, AMS subscore for elbow flexion and external rotation, and MRC subscore for elbow flexion were analyzed alongside the respective age of patients at surgery. Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation (ρ = −0.30, p < .01, n = 89) between increasing age (5.50 ± 2.09 months) and Mallet subscore for hand‐to‐mouth (3.43 ± 0.83). T‐tests revealed a significant decrease in Mallet hand‐to‐mouth subscores after 6 months (p < .05) and 9 months (p < .05) of age. No significant effects were observed for Mallet shoulder abduction, MRC elbow flexion, or AMS elbow flexion and external rotation. Conclusion The cumulative evidence suggests a significant negative correlation between age at microsurgery and Mallet subscores for hand‐to‐mouth. However, a similar correlation with age at surgery was not observed for Mallet shoulder abduction, MRC elbow flexion, AMS external rotation, and AMS elbow flexion subscores.

Précis: Telepresence robots (TR) present the versatility to effectively provide remote educational sessions for patients affected by glaucoma to improve disease knowledge. Given COVID-19’s effect on clinical practice, TR can maintain social distancing when educating patients. Purpose: TR are devices that allow remote users to have a mobile presence anywhere. We compared the effect of an education session given by an in-person educator versus a TR on glaucoma knowledge and identified factors that impact patient education. Methods: Eighty-five glaucoma patients were split into control, human, and TR groups. We measured glaucoma knowledge scores (KS) using the National Eye Institute’s Eye-Q Test. Human and TR groups had the education session with a human or TR followed by the questionnaire. The control group was administered the questionnaire without an education session. Treatment regimen recall (RR) >90% was considered a success. We used linear regression and binary logistic regression to determine variables that affect KS and RR, respectively. Results: Mean age was 58.3±2.8 years. 49% were female. Mean KS were 5.8±0.7 in the control group (n=31), 7.9±0.5 in the TR group (n=26), and 8.4±0.5 in the human group (n=28). Control participants had a lower mean KS than the human or TR groups (P<0.001). Having the education session (2.5, P<0.001), education greater than high school (0.8, P=0.016), and diabetes (−0.7, P=0.037) affected KS. Having diabetes (odds ratio=0.14, P=0.014) negatively affected RR. Having the education session may affect RR (odds ratio=5.47, P=0.07), warranting additional studies. Conclusions: Education sessions with a human and TR improved patients’ glaucoma KS. TRs may serve as an alternative to in-person education sessions and allow educators to safely and effectively educate patients remotely to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

No abstract

Introduction: Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene is mutated in 7-14% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. IDH1 encodes for an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of isocitrate to α- ketoglutarate. IDH1 mutation leads to accumulation of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate. Clonal evolutionary dynamics of IDH1 mutations in AML have not been clearly characterized. The introduction of targeted small-molecule therapy, Ivosidenib, in AML treatment underscores the significance of understanding the topography of clonal dynamics in IDH1-mutated AML to optimize precision medicine. Methods: We analyzed ~6000 patients with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and identified 107 patients with IDH1 mutated AML. Disease status was determined for each NGS test date by manual chart review. IDH1 mutation status was characterized during course of AML at diagnosis, remission, relapse, and with persistent disease. Cytogenic risk category was determined using ELN 2017 guidelines. Kaplan Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to determine significant differences in overall survival among patient groups. Results: Of the 107 total patients, 39 patients (36%) had AML with myelodysplastic-related changes (AML-MRC) and 39 patients (36%) had AML-NOS. The most frequently co-mutated genes were SRSF2, DNMT3A, ASXL1, RUNX1, NRAS, BCOR, STAG2, NPM1, JAK2, and FLT-3 in order of frequency. Of the total patients, 74 patients (69%) had good cytogenetics, 17 patients (16%) had intermediate cytogenetics, and 16 patients (15%) had poor/very poor cytogenetics. Among the patients with IDH1-mutated AML, 85 patients (79%) were IDH1-positive at initial diagnosis, while 22 patients (21%) were IDH1- negative at diagnosis and acquired the mutation later in disease course. Of those 22 patients, 18 patients gained the mutation in the setting of persistent disease, 3 patients at remission, and 1 patient at relapse. In those with persistent AML (n=42), 30 patients (71%) remained IDH1-positive while 12 patients (29%) lost the mutation. In those achieving remission (n=66), 12 patients (18%) who were IDH1-positive remained IDH1-positive while 51 patients (77%) cleared the mutation. In those with relapsed disease (n= 21), 17 patients (81%) with IDH1-positive AML remained IDH1-positive while 4 patients (19%) lost the mutation at relapse. There were no significant differences in median overall survival in patients who were positive or negative for IDH1 mutations at diagnosis, positive or negative with disease persistence, or among patients who remained IDH1-positive or lost the IDH1 mutation at disease relapse. Patients that were IDH1-positive at diagnosis were more likely to have poorer cytogenetics than patients who were IDH1-negative at diagnosis (p=0.0016). Conclusion: In summary, this study found that IDH1 mutations are unstable throughout the course of AML and periodic genetic testing of AML patients is necessary for optimizing precision medicine approaches. In disease remission, most patients (77%) cleared the IDH1 mutation. In the relapse setting, 81% of patients retained IDH1-positive status. Our study, the largest of its kind to our knowledge, shows that serial genomic profiling for the IDH1 mutation across disease course may be beneficial in helping to tailor targeted therapy for IDH1+ AML. Disclosures Sweet: Bristol Meyers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AROG: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sallman: Kite: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aprea: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Intellia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Magenta: Consultancy; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Shattuck Labs: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syndax: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hussaini: Adaptive: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Celegene: Consultancy; Decibio: Consultancy; Guidepoint: Consultancy; Bluprint Medicine: Consultancy.