Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41136651›Full record

ArticleSurgical endoscopy2026

Cost analysis of research publications and quality improvement initiatives at a tertiary hernia center over four years.

Gregory T Scarola, Sullivan A Ayuso, Brittany S Mead, Kent W Kercher, Vedra A Augenstein, B Todd Heniford

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Surgical endoscopy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Gregory T ScarolaDivision of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Sullivan A AyusoDivision of Elective General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Brittany S MeadDepartment of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Kent W KercherDivision of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Vedra A AugensteinDivision of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
B Todd HenifordDivision of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Evanston Hospital, Endeavor Health, Grainger Center for Simulation and Innovation, Room B665, 2650 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA. todd.heniford@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionResearch publications are fundamental for advancing clinical practice and knowledge in specialized fields such as abdominal wall reconstruction. Understanding the financial requirements for producing high-quality research is important for centers aiming to establish or expand research programs, ensuring long-term sustainability and efficient resource allocation. This study analyzed the financial expenditures related to research publications at a tertiary hernia center over a four-year period ending in 2024.

methodsA cost analysis was conducted for all research publications, including manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. Expenses were categorized into personnel costs, Institutional Review Board (IRB) fees, travel, research study supplies, and publication-specific fees. Costs per year and per publication were calculated.

resultsThe total cost of the research program ranged from $245,546-$319,863 annually, with an average cost of $276,560. Personnel costs account for on average 77% of total program costs. The total number of publications over the four-year period was 72, with 64 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 8 book chapters. Total number of publications per year ranged from 9-29 with an average of 18 publications. The total cost per publication ranged from $9,537-$31,986, with an average of $15,154. The impact factors of journals where peer-reviewed manuscripts were published ranged from 1.00-16.30. The program supported 1 clinical fellow and 1 to 2 research residents annually, which contributed to quality improvement initiatives, significant direct and indirect cost savings, and 7 resident-won national and international research awards over the 4 -year period. DISCUSSION: This analysis provides a practical overview of the financial commitment required to support research in a tertiary hernia center. These findings highlight the potential benefits, including quality improvement initiatives, increased departmental visibility gained through publications in high-impact journals, research education for residents, and improvement in resident recruiting.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchPeriodicals as TopicPublishingQuality ImprovementTertiary Care CentersCosts and Cost AnalysisHerniorrhaphyHumansAbdominal wall reconstructionCostsHerniaHernia centerQuality improvementResearch

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.