A 36-Year-Old Woman With an Unexpected Cause of Hypokalemia.

A 36-year-old woman complained of bilateral lower limb weakness for the last 3 days. She could move her upper limb, neck, and facial muscles and had no respiratory or swallowing difficulties. About 4 years ago, she complained of sudden weakness involving her lower limbs. Two years later, she had another episode involving only the right upper limb. In both cases, she was hypokalemic and received oral and intravenous potassium. She is a known diabetic and has polycystic ovary disease. Her blood pressure was 150/100 mm Hg, and body mass index was 29. Her serum potassium was 2 mEq/L, plasma renin 5 ng/dL, plasma aldosterone 0.63 µIU/mL, and aldosterone to plasma renin activity ratio 8. Cushing syndrome was considered a possibility. Subsequent analysis indicated a baseline cortisol level of 19.6 µg/dL at 8 Am. A screening overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) showed 17 µg/dL cortisol. The low-dose DST revealed a cortisol level of 10.8 µg/dL. Adrenocorticotropin level was 196 pg/mL, and 24-hour urinary cortisol level was 1284 mg/dL. A high dose of 8-mg DST at 11 Pm to find the source of hypercortisolism performed yielded 15.9 µg/dL. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary displayed a well-defined, heterogeneously enhanced mass lesion (15 × 13 × 11 mm) in the sella with mild suprasellar extension. Transsphenoidal resection and stereotactic radiosurgery were performed on the tumor with hormone replacement and glycemic control following surgery.

Adverse outcomes and short-term cost implications of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) is an uncommon but major complication of cholecystectomy that has a poorly defined magnitude of effect on hospital costs. This study sought to calculate the healthcare costs, length of stay, and discharge status associated with bile duct injury in patients undergoing cholecystectomy in the United States. METHODS: The Premier Healthcare Database, which comprises hospital-billing records from over 700 hospitals in the United States, was queried for all patients undergoing cholecystectomy between January 2010 and March 2018. BDI was defined by ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and operative information were extracted. Hospital costs, length of stay, and discharge status were compared between BDI and non-BDI patients. Propensity score matching was used to minimize confounding factors. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the association between BDI and the outcomes variables. RESULTS: A total of 1,168,288 cholecystectomies were identified. BDI occurred in 878 patients (0.08%). Laparoscopy was the most common approach (> 95%). The majority of BDI occurred during inpatient admissions (71.0%). BDI patients had higher index admission hospital costs ($18,771 vs. $12,345, p < 0.0001), increased rate of discharge to an institutional post-acute care facility (odds ratio 3.89, 95% CI 2.92-5.19, p < 0.0001), and increased risk of readmission within 30 days after discharge (odds ratio 1.86, 95% CI 1.52-2.28, p < 0.0001), compared to patients without BDI. Among inpatient cholecystectomies, BDI was associated with increased length of stay (8.6 days vs. 4.8 days, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: BDI is associated with significantly increased hospital costs, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and discharge to an institutional post-acute care facility.

Mutual reporting of process and outcomes enhances quality outcomes for colon and rectal resections.

BACKGROUND: This report describes the favorable results of mutual reporting of process and outcome of care for major resections of the colon and rectum, one of six focal points for the Center for Medicare Services studies seeking to broadly reduce death and complications and enhance consistency of care. METHODS: A group of 66 surgical specialists in 9 cities in Kentucky reported cases to a quality improvement network over the past 5 years, and these data were supplemented by chart verification and patient satisfaction surveys. Consecutive colon and rectal resections (N=309) were reported by 23 general and colorectal surgeons. Eighty percent of the operations were performed by 4 surgeons. RESULTS: Forty-four percent of the patients had colorectal cancer, and 27% had diverticulitis; 84% of colon resections were performed by general surgeons whereas 77% of rectal resections were performed by colorectal specialists. Audit showed 6 leaks/fistulas and 16 patients who required unscheduled readmissions. Eleven patients had prolonged ileus. Only 2 patients died. Consensus among network surgeons included the following: 1. Mutual reporting led to a narrowing of choices and improved timing for antibiotic prophylaxis. 2. Standard order sets in one hospital led to a shortened duration of stay. 3. Surgeon participation in a quality improvement network led to a safe reduction in preoperative cardiology consultation. 4. More patients arrive with all evaluations complete due to increased utilization of preoperative anesthesiology clinics. 5. Enhanced operating room throughput has been achieved by joint anesthesia/surgery reporting and includes reduced time to induction of anesthesia and in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and lessened use of expensive postoperative antiemetics. 6. Reported medication errors were reduced by standard order sets, as were other reported adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Practicing surgeons meet and/or exceed published benchmarks for colorectal resections and can further improve their outcomes by standardization and refinement of orders and procedures and improved collaboration with anesthesiologists.