Bariatric and associated operations in private and academic practices.
BACKGROUND
The types of bariatric and the associated operations performed by academic and private surgeons were surveyed.


METHODS
A survey containing 8 questions regarding type of practice, type of surgery, associated procedures during bariatric surgery, years in practice and bariatric training was e-mailed to all members of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.


RESULTS
46% of the members responded and were divided between those who performed their procedures laparoscopically and those who performed open procedures. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was almost exclusively performed in academic centers and encompassed 20% of their bariatric operations, while the gastric bypass was the most common operation performed (65%), followed by vertical banded gastroplasty and duodenal switch. Operations performed simultaneously indicated that cholecystectomies were performed equally in private practice (92.5%) and the academic sector (95%), with higher incidence in open procedures (95%) compared to laparoscopic (40%). Of the surgeons performing appendectomies, 20% were in private practice and 10% in academic. Liver biopsy was performed with the same incidence in private and academic practices (60%). A minority of responders had formal fellowship training (17%), and many had learned from a partner (40%). The approach was dictated by the surgical training (85%) and background.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant difference was found between the private and academic surgeons in performing operations. Appendectomy is rarely performed academically, and cholecystectomy is mostly performed in the open procedure.
Frezza
Eldo Ermenegildo
EE
Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79415, USA. eldo.frezza@ttuhsc.edu
Robinson
Matthew
M
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D049088:Bariatrics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011331:Private Practice; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States