The Impact of an Overactive Bladder Care Pathway on Longitudinal Patient Management.

IMPORTANCE: Implementation of an overactive bladder (OAB) care pathway may affect treatment patterns and progression. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effect of OAB care pathway implementation on treatment patterns for women with OAB. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study evaluated women with OAB, before (January 1, 2015-December 31, 2017) and after (January 1, 2019-December 31, 2021) care pathway initiation. Care pathway use included standardized counseling, early introduction of therapy, and close follow-up. Primary outcomes included OAB medication use, follow-up visits, third-line therapy, and time to third-line therapy. RESULTS: A total of 1,349 women were included: 1,194 before care pathway implementation and 155 after. Patients after implementation were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (P = 0.04) and less likely to smoke (P = 0.01). Those managed via a care pathway were more likely to use any medication or third-line therapy within 1 year after consultation (61.3% vs 25.0%; P < 0.001). This included higher proportions receiving a medication (50.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41.8%-57.6%] vs 23.3% [95% CI, 20.9%-25.7%]; P < 0.001) and progressing to third-line therapy (22.6% [95% CI, 15.7%-28.9%] vs 2.9% [95% CI, 2%-3.9%]; P < 0.001). Among those who underwent third-line treatment, care pathway use was associated with shorter time to third-line therapy (median, 10 days [interquartile range, 1-56 days] vs 29 days [interquartile range, 7-191 days]; P = 0.013). Those managed via a care pathway were less likely to have additional clinic visits for OAB within 1 year after initial consultation (12.3% vs 23.9%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Use of an OAB care pathway was associated with higher rates of oral medication and third-line therapy yet decreased follow-up office visits. Use of an OAB care pathway may promote consistent and efficient care for women with OAB.

Perioperative Outcomes of Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair by Surgical Approach.

IMPORTANCE: Data comparing perioperative outcomes between transvaginal, transabdominal, and laparoscopic/robotic vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair are limited but are important for surgical planning and patient counseling. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess perioperative morbidity of VVF repair performed via various approaches. STUDY DESIGN: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify women who underwent transvaginal, transabdominal, or laparoscopic/robotic VVF repair from 2009 to 2020. Associations of surgical approach with baseline characteristics, blood transfusion, prolonged hospitalization (>4 days), and 30-day outcomes (any major or minor complication or return to the operating room) were evaluated with χ 2 , Fisher exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the adjusted association of approach with 30-day complications and prolonged hospitalization. RESULTS: Overall, 449 women underwent VVF repair, including 252 transvaginal (56.1%), 148 transabdominal (33.0%), and 49 laparoscopic/robotic procedures (10.9%). Abdominal repair was associated with a longer length of hospitalization (median, 3 days vs 1 day transvaginal and laparoscopic/robotic; P < 0.001), higher risk of prolonged length of stay (abdominal, 21.1%; transvaginal, 4.0%; laparoscopic/robotic, 2.0%; P < 0.001), major complications (abdominal, 4.7%; transvaginal, 0.8%; laparoscopic/robotic, 0.0%; P = 0.03), and perioperative transfusion (abdominal, 5.0%; transvaginal, 0.0%; laparoscopic/robotic, 2.1%; P = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, the abdominal approach was independently associated with an increased risk of prolonged hospitalization compared with laparoscopic/robotic (odds ratio, 12.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.63-93.21; P = 0.02) and transvaginal (odds ratio, 6.09; 95% confidence interval, 2.87-12.92; P < 0.001) but not with major/minor complications ( P = 0.76). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal and laparoscopic/robotic approaches to VVF repair are associated with lower rates of prolonged hospitalization, major complications, and readmission compared with a transabdominal approach.

Disparities in Parathyroidectomy: Who Receives Appropriate Treatment for Primary Hyperparathyroidism?

INTRODUCTION: Parathyroidectomy is underperformed despite clear benefits in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We evaluated disparities in receipt of parathyroidectomy following PHPT diagnosis to explore barriers to care. METHODS: Adults diagnosed with PHPT 2013-2018 at a health system were identified. Recommended indications for parathyroidectomy include age ≤50 y, calcium >11 mg/dL, or the presence of nephrolithiasis, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, decreased glomerular filtration rate, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or pathological fracture 1 y prior to diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed rates of parathyroidectomy within 12 mo following diagnosis as well as median time to parathyroidectomy, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses assessed factors associated with undergoing parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: Of 2409 patients, 75% were females, 12% aged ≤50 y, and 92% non-Hispanic White, while 52% had Medicaid/Medicare, 36% were commercial/self-pay or uninsured, and 12% unknown. Parathyroidectomy was performed within 1 y in 50% of patients. Within the 68% that met recommendations, parathyroidectomy was performed within 1 y in 54%; median time from diagnosis to surgery was shorter for males, patients aged ≤50 y, commercial/self-pay/no insurance patients (versus Medicaid/Medicare), and those with fewer comorbidities, P < 0.05. Multivariable analysis demonstrated non-Hispanic White patients and those with commercial/self-pay/uninsured were more likely to undergo parathyroidectomy after adjusting for comorbidity, age, and facility site. Among those strongly indicated, patients not on Medicare/Medicaid and aged ≤50 y were more likely to undergo parathyroidectomy after adjusting for race, comorbidity, and facility site. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in parathyroidectomy for PHPT were observed. Insurance type was associated with undergoing parathyroidectomy; patients on governmental insurance were less likely to undergo surgery and waited longer for surgery despite strong indications. Barriers to referral and access to surgery should be investigated and addressed to optimize all patients' access to care.

Multisite analysis of patient experience scores and risk of hospital admission: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Routinely collected patient experience scores may inform risk of patient outcomes. The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of hospital admission within 30-days following third-party receipt of the patient experience survey and guide interventions. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys, January 2016-July 2019, from an institution's 20 hospitals in four U.S. states. Surveys were routinely sent to patients using census sampling. We analyzed surveys received ≤60 days following discharge from patients living ≤60 miles of any of the institution's hospitals. The exposures were 19 survey items. The outcome was hospital admission within 30 days after third-party receipt of the survey. We evaluated the association of favorable (top-box) vs unfavorable (non-top-box) score for survey items with risk of 30-day hospital admission in models including patient and hospitalization characteristics and reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR [95% confidence interval]). RESULTS: Among 40,162 respondents (mean age ± standard deviation: 68.1 ± 14.0 years), 49.8% were women and 4.3% had 30-day hospital admission. Patients with 30-day hospital admission, compared to those not admitted, were more likely to be discharged from a medical service line (62.9% vs 42.3%; P < 0.001) and have a higher Elixhauser index. Favorable vs unfavorable score for hospital rating was associated with lower odds of 30-day hospital admission in the overall cohort (0.88 [0.77-0.99]; P = 0.04), medical service line (0.81 [0.70-0.94]; P = 0.007), and upper tertile of Elixhauser index (0.79 [0.67-0.92]; P = 0.003). Favorable score for recommend hospital was associated with lower odds of 30-day hospital admission in the medical service line (0.83 [0.71-0.97]; P = 0.02) but for others (e.g. cleanliness of hospital environment) showed no association. CONCLUSION: In routinely collected patient experience scores, favorable hospital rating was associated with lower odds of 30-day hospital admission and may inform risk stratification and interventions. Evidence-based survey items linked to patient outcomes may also inform future surveys.

Patient Satisfaction Scores Impact Pediatrician Practice Patterns, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout.

Patient satisfaction (PS) surveying has become a commonly used measure of physician performance, but little is known about the impact on pediatricians. To investigate our hypothesis that PS surveys negatively impact pediatricians, we conducted a survey at an academic children's medical center. Of 155 eligible physicians, 115 responded (response rate 74%). Two-thirds (68%) did not find the PS score report useful and 88% did not feel that PS scores accurately reflect the physician's clinical ability. A third reported ordering tests, medications, or consultations due to pressure for higher PS scores. In addition, one-third agreed that PS surveys contribute to burnout and make it difficult to practice meaningful medicine. Overall, PS score reporting has a negative impact on pediatricians, especially those who are female, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of color), subspecialists, younger, and attended non-US medical schools. Further investigation into improved methods for providing feedback to pediatric physicians is warranted.

Collaborative improvement on acute opioid prescribing among diverse health systems.

BACKGROUND: Despite broad awareness of the opioid epidemic and the understanding that patients require much fewer opioids than traditionally prescribed, improvement efforts to decrease prescribing have only produced modest advances in recent years. METHODS AND FINDINGS: By using a collaborative model for shared expertise and accountability, nine diverse health care systems completed quality improvement projects together over the course of one year to reduce opioid prescriptions for acute pain. The collaborative approach was flexible to each individual system's goals, and seven of the nine participant institutions definitively achieved their desired results. CONCLUSIONS: This report demonstrates the utility of a collaborative model of improvement to bring about real change in opioid prescribing practices and may inform quality improvement efforts at other institutions.

Is Same-Day Discharge Following Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy Safe and Feasible? A National Contemporary Database Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate trends and outcomes of ambulatory minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISC) using data from a contemporary multicenter nationwide cohort. METHODS: We used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify women who underwent nonemergent MISC (laparoscopic and robotic) from 2012 to 2018. Exclusion criteria were age <18 or ≥90 years, rectal prolapse, postoperative discharge day ≥3, and concomitant hysterectomy, transvaginal mesh repair, colpocleisis, and/or colorectal surgery. Baseline demographics and 30-day outcomes were compared between patients who underwent same-day discharge (SDD; discharge on postoperative day [POD] 0) and those discharged on POD 1-2 using Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher exact, and Pearson χ2 tests. A 2-sided Cochran-Armitage trend test assessed SDD over time, and person-years methodology was used to assess readmission rates. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling evaluated associations between SDD and postoperative outcomes. We hypothesized that SDD increased over the study time frame and is not associated with adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Of 2,928 women, 362 (12.4%) were SDD, and 2,566 (87.6%) were discharged POD 1-2. The proportion of SDD nearly quadrupled over time (5.6% [2012], 20.6% [2018]; P < 0.001). The SDD group was younger (mean age, 61.9 vs 63.6; P = 0.04), with lower proportion of American Society of Anesthesiologists class III or higher (21.8% vs 27.5%; P = 0.02) and hypertension (37.3% vs.46.5%; P < 0.001), shorter total operation time (median, 142 vs 172 minutes; P < 0.001), and fewer concomitant slings (21.5% vs 33.0%; P < 0.001). Outcomes were similar for SDD: 30-day overall complications (3.0% vs 4.4%; P = 0.23), readmissions (1.1% vs 2.0%; P = 0.28), and reoperations (1.1% vs 0.9%; P = 0.55) and persisted with multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory MISC significantly increased during the study period and appears safe and feasible in select patients.

Hip Disarticulation for Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Frequency, Outcome, and Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the largest available series of hip disarticulation (HD) procedures performed for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) includes only 6 patients. Given the lack of data on this dreadful outcome, we sought to determine the frequency of and risk factors for HD performed for a primary diagnosis of PJI. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2016 was used to estimate the annual incidences of HD associated with PJI, elective primary total joint arthroplasty (control group 1), and other surgical procedures associated with PJI (control group 2) using National Inpatient Sample trend weights. RESULTS: One-hundred forty-eight HDs for PJI, 2,378,313 primary total joint arthroplasty controls, and 51,580 PJI controls were identified. Median length-of-stay (11 days), proportion of patients with ≥5 comorbidities (22.8%), and median hospital costs ($25,895.60) were all greater for patients with HD compared with both control groups. The weighted frequency of HD hospitalizations increased by 366%, whereas the frequency of cases in control groups 1 and 2 increased by 93% and 310%, respectively, during the same timeframe. Upon multivariable logistic regression, age <65 years without private insurance (reference group: age ≥65 years without private insurance, odds ratio [OR]: 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.24), diabetes with chronic complications (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.12-3.26), and peripheral vascular disease (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.49-4.48) were significantly associated with increased risk of HD among all patients with PJI. CONCLUSION: While the overall frequency of lower extremity amputations may be decreasing, our study documents an alarming increase in the frequency of HD for PJI during the study period. Patients under age 65 years without private insurance were at significantly higher risk of HD among patients with PJI.

Female Sex is a Marker for Higher Morbidity and Mortality after Elective Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The adverse gender disparities for women after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair have been well documented. The purpose of this study is to review whether these disparities extend to elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Nonruptured, elective AAA was identified from the American College of Surgeons' National Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Targeted Participant Use File for EVAR from 2012 to 2017. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included lower extremity ischemia requiring intervention (LEIRI) and prolonged operative time (>120 min). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the risk of mortality, LEIRI, and prolonged operative time among women compared with men. RESULTS: There were 14,019 EVAR procedures captured. A total of 3,367 were included for analysis after limiting to nonruptured, elective cases for diagnosis of AAA with a Current Procedural Terminology procedure code for EVAR. Of those, 2,764 (82.1%) were performed in men and 603 (17.9%) in women. Female patients were older (median [interquartile range (IQR)] 77 years [70-82] versus 74 years [68-80], P < 0.001), more likely to smoke (35.5% versus 29.6%, P = 0.005), and less likely to have diabetes (12.4% versus 17.8%, P = 0.001). Women had slightly smaller AAA size (median [IQR] 5.4 cm [5.0-5.9] versus 5.5 cm [5.1-6.0], P < 0.001) and were more likely to have prior abdominal operations (35.3% versus 23.1%, P < 0.001). The operative time was longer among women (median 114 min. [85-150] versus 105 min. [82-140], P < 0.001). Postoperatively, mortality was higher in female patients (1.8% versus 0.9%, P = 0.036), LEIRI occurred in higher proportion among female patients (2.7% versus 1.2%, P = 0.009), and their hospital stay was also longer (median 2 days [1-3] versus 1 day [1-2] days, P < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, hematocrit level <30 vol% versus ≥30 vol% (odds ratio (OR) 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-14.5, P < 0.001) was associated with increased mortality. Although not statistically significant, there was also evidence that the odds of mortality were also greater among women (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.98-4.2, P = 0.06). LEIRI was more likely among women (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.9, P = 0.015) and patients with a smoking history (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2, P = 0.044). Finally, odds of prolonged operative time were higher among women (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7, P < 0.001) and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5, P = 0.033) or partial/total dependent functional status (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.7, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Although EVAR has improved overall surgical AAA outcomes, the NSQIP data in elective EVAR demonstrate continued sex disparities in morbidity and mortality after AAA surgical repair to the detriment of female patients.

What Drives Opioid Prescriptions After Cardiac Surgery: Practice or Patient?

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to describe opioid prescribing after hospitalization for elective cardiac operation, to identify factors associated with increased opioid prescriptions, and to develop procedure-specific opioid prescribing guidelines. METHODS: We analyzed data from all adults (≥18 years) undergoing elective cardiac operation for acquired heart disease from July 2014 to March 2017 at 3 affiliated hospitals. Opioid prescription data were abstracted and converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Multivariable logistic regression was performed with the outcome of top-quartile prescriptions. RESULTS: There were 4145 study patients after exclusion of preoperative opioid users (10.5%). Mean ± SD patient age was 63.9 ± 13.2 years, and 68.4% (n = 2835) were male. The operation was the first in 87.3% (3617); the most common operative approach was sternotomy in 91.0% (n = 3773), followed by robot-assisted operation in 4.6% (n = 192). The majority of patients, 72.7%, received an opioid prescription at hospital dismissal, with a median opioid prescription of 200 MME (interquartile range 0 to 375 MME; range 0 to 6400 MME). This varied by hospital, with medians of 150, 450, and 600 MME (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, the factor with greatest association with top-quartile opioid prescription was hospital (odds ratio, 57.2, highest vs lowest; 95% confidence interval, 40.2-81.4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation in opioid prescribing practices after cardiac operation was observed. The primary driver was hospital-centric as opposed to patient specific. Opioid prescribing guidelines were established to standardize posthospital pain management.

Editor's Choice - Short Term and Long Term Outcomes After Endovascular or Open Repair for Ruptured Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in the Vascular Quality Initiative.

OBJECTIVE: Repair of ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) has shifted from open surgical (OAR) to endovascular (EVAR) over the last decade. However, the long term impact of EVAR vs. OAR for rAAA has not been well described. METHODS: Prospectively collected registry data (Vascular Quality Initiative [VQI]) were analysed retrospectively to identify patients who underwent EVAR or OAR for rAAA (2004-2018). The primary outcome was death (in hospital and overall post-discharge). Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to adjust for treatment selection. Poisson regression assessed the number of one year post-discharge re-interventions. RESULTS: In total, 4257 patients receiving EVAR (n = 2389 [56%]) or OAR (n = 1868 [44%]) for rAAA were identified. Patients were predominantly male (n = 3310 [77.8%]) with a mean ± standard deviation age of 72.7 ± 9.6 years; most (n = 2449 [59.4%]) presented with haemodynamic instability. Use of EVAR for rAAA increased from 7.8% in 2004 to 67.2% in 2018. After IPW, OAR was associated with a higher odds of in hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.54-2.01; p < .001), which was confirmed after multivariable logistic regression (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.76-2.45; p < .001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards showed that OAR was also associated with increased overall post-discharge mortality among all patients (hazard ratio 1.36, 95% CI 1.23-1.51; p < .001). Within weighted treatment groups, five year survival was significantly different (55% for EVAR vs. 46% for OAR; p < .001). OAR showed a significantly higher risk of one year post-discharge re-interventions (incidence rate ratio 2.10, 95% CI 1.52-2.89; p < .001). CONCLUSION: Within the VQI, EVAR for rAAA repair has been increasingly adopted with favourable short term outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality, as compared with OAR. Unlike elective AAA repair, survival rates between EVAR and OAR do not converge in long term follow up for patients who survived the index hospitalisation.

Patient and institutional factors associated with postoperative opioid prescribing after common vascular procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Overprescription of postoperative opioid medication is a major contributor to the opioid abuse epidemic in the United States. Research into prescribing practices has suggested that patients be limited to 7 days or <200 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) after surgical procedures. Our aim was to identify patient or institutional factors associated with increased opioid prescriptions. METHODS: Opioid naive patients from an integrated health system undergoing one of nine surgical and endovascular procedures tracked within the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2015 to 2017 were identified and matched to their discharge and refill opioid prescriptions. Discharge opioid prescriptions were converted to MME. The primary outcome was discharge MME >200, and secondary outcomes were procedure-specific top-quartile opioid prescription and medication refills. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess patient and perioperative factors associated with each outcome. RESULTS: Among 1546 opioid naive patients, 739 (48%) received a discharge opioid prescription; median MME was 0 (interquartile range, 0-150), and 349 (23%) had >200 MME. Among those with a discharge prescription, median MME was 180 (interquartile range, 150-300). MME varied by procedure (P < .001), with highest MME after suprainguinal bypass (median, 225) and infrainguinal bypass (200) and lowest MME after carotid artery stenting, carotid endarterectomy, and percutaneous peripheral vascular intervention (all medians of 0). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with MME >200 included younger patient age (<65 vs ≥ 80 years; odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-4.6; P < .001), treating institution B vs A (OR, 3.50; 95% CI, 2.42-5.07; P < .001) and C vs A (OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 2.66-5.74; P < .001), procedure-specific top-quartile length of stay (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.01-2.08; P = .047), and prior tobacco use (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.07-2.37; P = .02). The same variables along with current tobacco use and lack of preoperative aspirin were associated with procedure-specific top-quartile MME at discharge. Chronic beta-blocker use was protective of top-quartile MME. Based on the observed variability, an institutional standard for opioid prescribing has been developed for standardization. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid prescriptions at discharge vary with the invasiveness of vascular surgical procedures. Less than 25% of patients receive >200 MME. Variation by center represents a lack of standardization in prescribing practices and an opportunity for further improvement based on developed guidelines. Patient factors and procedure type can alert clinicians to patients at risk of higher than recommended MME.

Prospective longitudinal cohort study of patient recovery after major gastrointestinal surgery: is there a difference between minimally invasive and open approaches?

BACKGROUND: Surgeons use the absence of post-operative complications to define recovery while patients define recovery as return to normal function. We aimed to better define the recovery process after minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for open or MIS pancreaticoduodenectomy, esophagectomy, colectomy, and proctectomy were prospectively enrolled. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected using validated PROMIS and LASA scales pre-operatively, on post-operative days 2, 7, 14, 30, and monthly until 6 months. Patients were also asked if they felt fully recovered. Descriptive statistics and area under the curve (AUC) were used to compare approaches. Multivariable mixed-effects repeated measures models and logistic regression were used to control for covariates. RESULTS: 340 patients met inclusion criteria (158 open and 182 MIS). Median age was 60 years with 44% women. The PRO showed improved post-operative QOL scores in MIS compared to open on all measures by AUC. None of these difference persisted at 6-months. After adjusting for covariates, MIS had higher overall QOL scores at day 14 (Estimate + 0.58, p = 0.02) and 30 (+ 0.56, p = 0.03). Differences did not persist at 3 and 6 months (both p > 0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months, 20%, 47%, and 61% of patients reported feeling completely recovered. On adjusted analysis there was no difference in odds of complete recovery in MIS at 1 (OR 1.07 [95% CI 0.53-2.14] and 3 months (1.12 [0.63-2.01]) compared to open. MIS patients were more likely to report complete recovery at 6 months (1.87 [1.05-3.33]). CONCLUSION: MIS patients reported improved PRO on selected QOL measures early in the recovery period compared to open. There was no difference in long-term QOL data between MIS and open patients. Two-thirds (61%) of patients reported being fully recovered at 6 months with MIS patients being more likely to report a complete recovery.

Integrated cancer networks improve compliance with national guidelines and outcomes for resectable gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend accurate clinical staging, perioperative therapy, and complete lymphadenectomy for patients with stage II to III gastric cancer. However, national compliance remains low. It was hypothesized that integrated cancer networks might improve compliance and outcomes within the community. METHODS: Patients with stage II to III gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing curative-intent resection (National Cancer Data Base, 2006-2015) were examined. Guideline compliance was defined as any perioperative adjunctive therapy, complete lymphadenectomy, complete clinical staging, and complete compliance (all measures). Univariate comparisons and multivariable regression were used to assess factors associated with compliance, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess survival. RESULTS: There were 27,210 patients identified: 7235 (26.6%) underwent surgery alone, whereas 19,975 (73.4%) received additional therapy. Half (53.1%) had complete lymphadenectomies, whereas complete clinical staging was available for 65.5%. Overall compliance with all 3 measures was 30.1%. Compliance improved by approximately 20% for each measure across the 10-year study period. Although patients treated at academic programs were most likely to receive concordant care in an adjusted analysis, those treated at integrated care networks were more likely to receive guideline-concordant care (odds ratio [OR], 0.69) than those treated at comprehensive community programs (OR, 0.48) or community programs (OR, 0.45; all P values <.001). The median overall survival was 45.5 months for patients who received guideline-concordant care and 32.0 months for those who did not (P < .001, reference for all ORs: academic programs). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with guidelines was associated with improved outcomes. Although the rate of compliance with NCCN guidelines is improving, integrated care networks may be an important way of improving the quality of gastric cancer care within the community.

Using evidence to direct quality improvement efforts: Defining the highest impact complications after complex cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify postoperative complications with the greatest impact on patient-centric outcomes to serve as high yield QI targets in ovarian cancer (OC) surgery. METHODS: Women undergoing complex CRS (defined as cytoreductive surgery with colon resection) for OC between January 1, 2012 and 12/31/2016 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. We determined the population attributable fraction (PAF) to quantify the contribution of each major complication towards adverse outcomes. PAF represents the burden of adverse outcomes that could be eliminated if the corresponding complication was prevented. Organ space surgical site infection (SSI) was used as a surrogate for anastomotic leak (AL). RESULTS: A total of 1434 women met inclusion criteria. Any adverse clinical outcome (composite of death, reoperation, or end organ dysfunction) occurred in 9.1% of women, and AL was the largest contributor to adverse clinical outcomes [PAF = 33.4% (95%CI: 22.3%-45.6%)]. The rates of increased resource utilization were as follows; prolonged hospitalization in 23.7%, non-home discharge in 10.7% and unplanned readmission in 14.8% of women. AL was the largest contributor to prolonged hospitalizations [PAF = 75.7% (95%CI: 51.4%-90.0%)] and readmissions [PAF = 17.1% (95%CI: 11.5%-22.6%)]; while transfusion was the largest contributor to non-home discharge [PAF = 22.8% (95%CI: 0.7%-42.4%)]. By comparison, the impact of other complications, including those targeted by the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP), such as incisional SSI, venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and urinary infection, was small. CONCLUSIONS: Anastomotic leak is the largest contributor to adverse clinical outcomes and increased resource utilization after complex cytoreductive surgery. Quality improvement efforts to reduce AL and its impact should be of highest priority in OC surgery.

Pain and opioid prescriptions vary by procedure after breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: With the opioid epidemic in the United States, evaluating opioid prescribing patterns is essential. We evaluated opioids prescribed at discharge following breast surgery and their association with patient factors and pain scores. METHODS: We retrospectively identified adult patients who underwent a mastectomy for cancer at Mayo Clinic sites from January 2010 to December 2016. Pain scores and prescription data were compared across operations and patient factors by univariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of 4021 patients, 3782 (94.1%) received an opioid prescription. Median oral milligram morphine equivalents (MME) were similar across all site-specific procedure groups (medians ranging from 225 to 375) while pain scores ranged from 1 to 4. Patients undergoing bilateral mastectomy (BM) and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) reported the greatest pain scores. Pain scores did not vary with age or diagnosis for patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy or BM with lymph node surgery and IBR procedures. On multivariable analysis, variables associated with a MME discharge prescription >Q4 values included age, body mass index, site, year, inpatient status, and pain before discharge >3. CONCLUSION: Patient-reported pain following breast surgery varied by procedure, while MMEs prescribed remained similar. This suggests current opioid prescribing does not reflect intensity of pain and requires further research to optimize discharge opioid prescribing practices.

Does Metabolic Syndrome Increase the Risk of Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Surgery?

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is associated with poorer postoperative outcomes after various abdominal operations. However, the impact of metabolic syndrome on outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery remains poorly described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between metabolic syndrome and short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: This study used a national multicenter database. PATIENTS: Adult patients who underwent elective colectomy for colorectal cancer from 2010 to 2016 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirty-day postoperative mortality and morbidity, unplanned reoperation, unplanned readmission, operative time, and length of stay were measured. RESULTS: A total of 91,566 patients were analyzed; 7603 (8.3%) had metabolic syndrome. On unadjusted analysis, metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of 30-day overall morbidity, pulmonary complications, renal complications, septic complications, cardiac complications, wound complications, blood transfusion, longer length of stay, and unplanned readmissions. On multivariable analysis, metabolic syndrome remained significantly associated with renal complications (OR = 1.44 (95% CI, 1.29-1.60)), superficial surgical site infection (OR = 1.46 (95% CI, 1.32-1.60)), deep surgical site infection (OR = 1.40 (95% CI, 1.15-1.70)), wound dehiscence (OR = 1.47 (95% CI, 1.20-1.80)), and unplanned readmissions (HR = 1.24 (95% CI, 1.15-1.34)). The risks of overall morbidity, cardiac and septic complications, and prolonged length of stay for laparoscopic procedures were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus rather than metabolic syndrome as a composite entity. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective design and inability to analyze outcomes beyond 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with metabolic syndrome undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer have an increased risk of 30-day postoperative renal complications, wound complications, and unplanned hospital readmissions. A multidisciplinary approach involving lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic interventions to improve the components of metabolic syndrome should be implemented preoperatively for these patients. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A909.

Characterizing the spectrum of body mass index associated with severe postoperative pulmonary complications in children.

PURPOSE: While high body mass index (BMI) is a recognized risk factor for pulmonary complications in adults, its importance as a risk factor for complications following pediatric surgery is poorly described. We evaluated the association between BMI and severe pediatric perioperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated pediatric patients (aged 2-17 years) undergoing elective procedures in the 2015 Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP-P). Severe PPCs were defined as either pneumonia/reintubation within 3 days of surgery, or pneumonia/reintubation as an index complication within 7 days. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for patient factors and surgical case-mix tested associations between BMI class-using the Centers for Disease Control age- and sex-dependent BMI percentiles-and severe PPCs. RESULTS: Among 40,949 patients, BMI class was distributed as follows: 2740 (6.7%) were underweight, 23,630 (57.7%) normal weight, 6161 (15.0%) overweight, and 8418 (20.6%) obese. Overweight BMI class was not associated with PPCs in univariate analyses, but became statistically significant after adjustment [OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.07-3.15), p = 0.03], and persisted across multiple adjustment approaches. Neither underweight [OR 1.01 (95% CI 0.53-1.94), p = 0.97] nor obesity [OR 1.10 (95% CI 0.63-1.94), p = 0.73] were associated with PPCs after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Overweight pediatric patients have an elevated, previously underappreciated risk of severe PPCs. Contrary to prior studies, the present study found no greater risk in obese children, perhaps due to bias, confounding, or practice migration from "availability bias". Findings from the present study, taken with prior work describing pulmonary risks of obesity, suggest that both obese and overweight children may be evaluated for tailored perioperative care to improve outcomes.