Postoperative Outcomes Among Patients Treated by Male Versus Female Surgeons

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides compelling evidence that patients treated by female surgeons have slightly lower postoperative mortality rates compared to those treated by male surgeons, based on data from 5.4 million patients. I find the analysis rigorous and well-conducted, though limitations due to potential unmeasured confounders should be noted. The authors appropriately highlight that differences in adherence to clinical guidelines, risk-aversion, communication skills, and collaborative approaches may contribute to these outcomes. However, the very low certainty of evidence for readmission and complication rates suggests these findings should be interpreted cautiously. This study underscores the need for further research into gender-related practice patterns and reinforces the importance of promoting equity in surgical professions. Overall, it's a significant contribution to understanding surgeon gender impact on patient outcomes.

Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. www.annalsofsurgery. com DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006339