Assessment of postoperative morbidity in Spanish hospitals: Results from a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The methodology used for recording, evaluating and reporting postoperative complications (PC) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine how PC are recorded, evaluated, and reported in General and Digestive Surgery Services (GDSS) in Spain, and to assess their stance on morbidity audits. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, an anonymous survey of 50 questions was sent to all the heads of GDSS at hospitals in Spain. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 67 out of 222 services (30.2%). These services have a reference population (RP) of 15 715 174 inhabitants, representing 33% of the Spanish population. Only 15 services reported being requested to supply data on morbidity by their hospital administrators. Eighteen GDSS, with a RP of 3 241 000 (20.6%) did not record PC. Among these, 7 were accredited for some area of training. Thirty-six GDSS (RP 8 753 174 (55.7%) did not provide details on all PC in patients' discharge reports. Twenty-four (37%) of the 65 GDSS that had started using a new surgical procedure/technique had not recorded PC in any way. Sixty-five GDSS were not concerned by the prospect of their results being audited, and 65 thought that a more comprehensive knowledge of PC would help them improve their results. Out of the 37 GDSS that reported publishing their results, 27 had consulted only one source of information: medical progress records in 11 cases, and discharge reports in 9. CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects serious deficiencies in the recording, evaluation and reporting of PC by GDSS in Spain.

Impact of tumor stage and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in fluorescence-guided lymphadenectomy during laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A propensity score-matched study in a western center.

BACKGROUND: The use of indocyanine green fluorescence has been shown to be a safe and effective method for improving lymph node retrieval in patients with gastric cancer. However, previous studies have focused on early-stage tumors and/or the Asian population and excluded patients who received neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: In this study, 142 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy at a Spanish hospital between January 2017 and December 2022. Of these, 42 patients received preoperative indocyanine green injection to guide lymphadenectomy. Their outcomes were compared to a retrospective cohort of 42 patients after 1:1 propensity score matching. RESULTS: The feasibility of indocyanine green lymphatic mapping was 95.5%. No complications associated with indocyanine green injection were observed. The indocyanine green group had a significantly higher number of retrieved lymph nodes than the non-indocyanine green group (32.67 vs 25.14; P = .013). This statistically significant difference was maintained across subgroups of neoadjuvant treatment, non-obese patients, pT0 to 2 stage, and pN0 stage. In 47.6% of patients from the indocyanine green group, lymphadenectomy was extended outside the standard D2 dissection area based on indocyanine green uptake, but none of the retrieved lymph nodes were metastatic. There were no differences in postoperative complications and length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Indocyanine green-guided lymphadenectomy is safe and feasible and increases the number of retrieved lymph nodes compared to conventional lymphatic dissection, as well as in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The use of indocyanine green should be routine if available for guiding lymph node dissection in gastric cancer, regardless of tumor stage or previous neoadjuvant treatment. However, further studies are needed to determine the impact of this technique on disease-free and overall survival.

Classification of GIST and other benign gastric tumors based on minimally invasive surgical strategy.

PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors (GMTs) include malignant, intermediate malignancy, and benign lesions. The aim is to propose a new surgical classification to guide the intraoperative minimally invasive surgical strategy in case of non-malignant GMTs less than 5 cm. METHODS: Primary endpoint is the creation of a classification regarding minimally invasive surgical technique for these tumors based on their gastric location. Secondary endpoint is to analyze the R0 rate and the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Tumors were classified in two groups based on their morphology (group A: exophytic, group B: transmural/intragastric). Each group is then divided based on the tumor location and consequently surgical technique used in subgroup: AI (whole stomach area) and AII (iuxta-cardial and pre-pyloric areas) both for the anterior and posterior gastric wall; BIa (greater curvature on the anterior and posterior wall), BIb (lesser curvature on the anterior wall); BII (iuxta-cardial and pre-pyloric area in the anterior and posterior wall, including the lesser curvature on the posterior wall). RESULTS: Forty-two patients were classified and allocated in each subgroup: 17 in AI, 2 in AII, 5 in BIa, 3 in BIb, and 15 in BII. Two postoperative Clavien-Dindo I complications (4.8%, subgroup BIa and BIb) occurred. One patient (2.4%, subgroup AI) underwent reintervention due to R0 resection. CONCLUSIONS: This classification proved to be able to classify gastric lesions based on their morphology, location, and surgical treatment, obtaining encouraging perioperative results. Further studies with wider sample of patients are required to draw definitive conclusions.

Cross-cultural adaptation, analysis of psychometric properties and validation of the Spanish version of a perioperative satisfaction questionnaire (EVAN-G).

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is a reliable and measurable indicator of the quality provided by a healthcare service. There are several questionnaires for measuring it, but only a few have shown good psychometric properties, an outstanding one being the EVAN-G (Evaluation du Vécu de l'Anesthésie Générale) questionnaire, which measures patient satisfaction regarding perioperative care and is validated in French. The aim of this study is the validation of a Spanish version of the EVAN-G questionnaire. METHODS: A translation/back-translation of the questionnaire into Spanish was carried out and the final version obtained was administered to three hundred patients. Its psychometric properties were measured and compared with those of the original EVAN-G questionnaire to verify that they had been maintained after the previous translation process. The questionnaire's content, construct and external validity were measured. To calculate reliability, Cronbach-α coefficient and test-retest method were used. The Global Satisfaction Index was calculated and satisfaction level in our sample was analyzed. RESULTS: Content, construct and external validity were proven with similar results that in the original EVAN-G. The translated version of the questionnaire showed good reliability: Cronbach-α coefficient was 0.92 and intraclass correlation coefficient measured by test-retest method was 0.9. The acceptability was high. The average Global Satisfaction Index in our sample was 73±12. CONCLUSIONS: The translation into Spanish and cross-cultural adaptation of the EVAN-G questionnaire has proven its validity, reliability, and acceptability to measure patient satisfaction in interventions performed under general anesthesia.

Early implementation of protective measures defines surgical outcomes in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quick implementation of specific protocols and protective measures in a tertiary hospital in Spain allowed for the early diagnosis and optimal management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and proper protection of staff and inpatients. From the COVID-19 outbreak in this country until the time of writing, 14 patients in our hospital underwent surgery with COVID-19, or COVID-19 developed postoperatively. Their postoperative outcomes did not differ from those in our routine clinical practice, with a 0% respiratory failure rate and a 7.14% mortality rate, in contrast with other published series. COVID-19 did not develop in any of the healthcare workers present in the operating room during these procedures or in those who cared for these patients on the ward.

Acute appendicitis during pregnancy: differences in clinical presentation, management, and outcome. / Diferencias en la presentación clínica, manejo y resultados de la apendicitis aguda en el embarazo.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of acute appendicitis (AA) in pregnant and nonpregnant women of childbearing age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of 2 cohorts of women (pregnant -P- and nonpregnant -NP-). The women, who were matched according to risk factors, were included when they underwent an emergency appendectomy based on clinical suspicion of AA. We recorded age, medical history, clinical presentation, management, and outcome. Pregnant women were classified according to gestational age of the fetus (trimester). RESULTS: . We included 153 women (51 P, 102 NP). The mean (SD) age was 28.8 (6.5) years (P women, 29.7 [5.8] years; NP, 28.3 [6.8]; P=.242). The mean Alvarado score was 7.1 (1.6) (P, 6.7 [1.7]; NP, 7.3 [1.5]; P=.016). The rate of complicated AA was higher in P (19.6%) than NP (2.9%) women (P<.001). Pregnancy was also associated with higher rates of surgical wound infection (P, 14.0%; NP, 3.0%; P=.016) and a longer mean hospital stay (P, 5.1 [4.8] days; NP, 1.7 [1.0]; P<.001). In the third trimester of P, poorer outcomes were recorded in relation to these risks (P=.031; P=.003, and P<.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The atypical clinical presentation of AA during pregnancy makes diagnosis difficult and may lead to a higher incidence of complicated AA and surgical wound infection as well as longer hospital stays, particularly when AA presents in the third trimester.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la presentación clínica, el manejo y los resultados de la apendicitis aguda (AA) en mujeres de edad fértil en función de la presencia de embarazo y su estado evolutivo. METODO: Estudio observacional de dos cohortes (gestantes [G] y no gestantes [NG]), apareadas según técnicas de propensión de riesgo, que incluyó mujeres adultas en edad fértil sometidas a apendicectomía urgente por la sospecha clínica de AA. Se recogieron variables relacionadas con la edad, los antecedentes personales, la presentación clínica, el manejo y los resultados. Se realizó un análisis según la presencia de embarazo y el trimestre de gestación. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 153 mujeres (51 G y 102 NG). La edad media fue de 28,8 (DE 6,5) años (G: 29,7 [DE 5,8] vs NG: 28,3 [DE 6,8]; p = 0,242). La puntuación de la escala de Alvarado fue de 7,1 (DE 1,6) (G: 6,7 [DE 1,7] vs NG: 7,3 [DE 1,5]; p = 0,016). Las G presentaron mayor incidencia de AA complicada (G: 19,6% vs NG: 2,9%; p < 0,001), infección del sitio quirúrgico (G: 14,0% vs NG: 3,0; p = 0,016), estancia media (G: 5,1 [DE 4,8] vs NG: 1,7 [DE 1,0]; p < 0,001). Los resultados fueron peores, entre las G del tercer trimestre (p = 0,031, p = 0,003 y p < 0,001, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: La presentación clínica atípica de la AA durante el embarazo dificulta su diagnóstico, lo que podría traducirse en una mayor incidencia de AA complicada, infección del sitio quirúrgico y tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, sobre todo si se presenta la AA durante el tercer trimestre de gestación.