Surgeon factors but not hospital factors associated with length of stay after colorectal surgery - A population based study.

AIM: Length of stay (LOS) after colorectal surgery (CRS) is a significant driver of healthcare utilization and adverse patient outcomes. To date, there is little high-quality evidence in the literature examining how individual surgeon and hospital factors independently impact LOS. We aimed to identify and quantify the independent impact of surgeon and hospital factors on LOS after CRS. METHODS: A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using validated health administrative databases, encompassing all patients from the province of Ontario, Canada. All patients from 121 hospitals in Ontario who underwent elective CRS between 2008 and 2019 in Ontario were included, and factors pertaining to these patients and their treating surgeon and hospital were assessed. A negative binomial regression model was used to assess the independent effect of surgeon and hospital factors on LOS, accounting for a comprehensive collection of determinants of LOS. To minimize unmeasured confounding, the analysis was repeated in a subgroup comprising patients undergoing lower-complexity CRS without postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 90,517 CRS patients were analysed. Independent of patient and procedural factors, low surgeon volume (lowest volume quartile) was associated with a 20% increase in LOS (95% CI: 12-29, p < 0.0001) compared to high surgeon volume (highest volume quartile). In the 22,639 patients undergoing uncomplicated lower-complexity surgeries, a 43% longer LOS was seen in the lowest volume surgeon quartile (95% CI: 26-61, p < 0.0001). In both models, more years-in-practice was associated with a small increase in LOS (RR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.02-1.03, p < 0.0001). Hospital factors were not significantly associated with increased LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon factors, including low surgeon volume and increasing years-in-practice, were strongly and independently associated with longer LOS, whereas hospital factors did not have an independent impact. This suggests that LOS is driven primarily by surgeon-mediated care processes and may provide actionable targets for provider-level interventions to reduce LOS after CRS.

Impairments in Bowel Function, Social Function and Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) can be associated with decreases in quality of life (QOL). Bowel-related QOL (BR-QOL) after CRS-HIPEC has not been previously studied. The objectives of the current study were to examine the effect of different types of bowel resection during CRS-HIPEC on overall QOL and BR-QOL. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed. QOL data were collected using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and CR-29 questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 months after CRS-HIPEC. Patients were divided into groups that underwent no bowel resection, non-low anterior resection (LAR) bowel resection, LAR, and LAR with stoma. Primary outcomes were global QOL and BR-QOL. RESULTS: Overall, 158 patients were included in this study. Bowel resections were performed in 77% of patients, with 31% undergoing LAR. Global QOL was not significantly different between groups. LAR patients (with and without stoma) had significantly worse BR-QOL, embarrassment, and altered body image, with LAR + stoma patients having the largest impairments in these domains. Trends toward higher levels of impotence and anxiety were also seen in LAR patients. Although global QOL improved over time, impairments in BR-QOL and sexual and social function did not significantly improve over time. CONCLUSIONS: Although global QOL after CRS-HIPEC was not affected by the type of bowel resection, the use of LAR and ostomies was associated with clinically meaningful and persistent impairments in BR-QOL and related functional domains. Generic QOL questionnaires may not adequately capture these domains; however, targeted questionnaires in these patients may help improve QOL after CRS-HIPEC.

Outcomes of Daytime Procedures Performed by Attending Surgeons after Night Work.

BACKGROUND: Sleep loss in attending physicians has an unclear effect on patient outcomes. In this study, we examined the effect of medical care provided by physicians after midnight on the outcomes of their scheduled elective procedures performed during the day. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, retrospective, matched-cohort study in Ontario, Canada. Patients undergoing 1 of 12 elective daytime procedures performed by a physician who had treated patients from midnight to 7 a.m. were matched in a 1:1 ratio to patients undergoing the same procedure by the same physician on a day when the physician had not treated patients after midnight. Outcomes included death, readmission, complications, length of stay, and procedure duration. We used generalized estimating equations to compare outcomes between patient groups. RESULTS: We included 38,978 patients, treated by 1448 physicians, in the study, of whom 40.6% were treated at an academic center. We found no significant difference in the primary outcome (death, readmission, or complication) between patients who underwent a daytime procedure performed by a physician who had provided patient care after midnight and those who underwent a procedure performed by a physician who had not treated patients after midnight (22.2% and 22.4%, respectively; P=0.66; adjusted odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.03). We also found no significant difference in outcomes after stratification for academic versus nonacademic center, physician's age, or type of procedure. Secondary analyses revealed no significant difference between patient groups in length of stay or procedure duration. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the risks of adverse outcomes of elective daytime procedures were similar whether or not the physician had provided medical services the previous night. (Funded by the University of Toronto Dean's Fund and others.).

Characteristics of Adrenal Masses in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal masses are a known extraintestinal manifestation of familial adenomatous polyposis. However, the literature on this association is largely confined to case reports. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of adrenal masses in familial adenomatous polyposis and their clinical significance, as well as to estimate their prevalence. Mutational analysis was conducted to determine if any potential genotype-phenotype correlations exist. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Analysis included all patients meeting the criteria of classic familial adenomatous polyposis who were registered with the Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry, a national Canadian database. PATIENTS: Appropriate imaging or autopsy reports were available in 311 registry patients. Patients with adrenal metastases were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data collection included demographic data, mutation genotype, adrenal mass characteristics, surgical interventions and mortality. RESULTS: The prevalence of adrenal masses was 16% (n = 48/311). The median age at diagnosis of adrenal mass was 45 years. The median diameter of adrenal mass at diagnosis was 1.7 cm (interquartile range, 1.4-3.0) with a median maximal diameter of 2.5 cm (interquartile range, 1.7-4.1) with median imaging follow-up of 48 months. The majority of adrenal masses were benign (97%, n = 61/63). Surgery was performed on 7 patients because of concerns for size, malignancy, or hormonal secretion. One adrenal-related death was due to an adrenocortical carcinoma. Mutation analysis did not identify any specific genotype-phenotype correlations. LIMITATIONS: There were incomplete or insufficient endocrinology data available in the registry to allow for the analysis of hormone secretion patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal masses are approximately twice as prevalent in the familial adenomatous polyposis population as in previous studies of the general population. Nearly all mutations led to truncation of the APC gene; however, there was no genetic signature to help predict those at increased risk. The majority of adrenal lesions identified were of benign etiology; thus, an intensive management or surveillance strategy with imaging screening is likely unwarranted. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A507.

Introduction of surgical safety checklists in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from observational studies that the use of surgical safety checklists results in striking improvements in surgical outcomes led to the rapid adoption of such checklists worldwide. However, the effect of mandatory adoption of surgical safety checklists is unclear. A policy encouraging the universal adoption of checklists by hospitals in Ontario, Canada, provided a natural experiment to assess the effectiveness of checklists in typical practice settings. METHODS: We surveyed all acute care hospitals in Ontario to determine when surgical safety checklists were adopted. Using administrative health data, we compared operative mortality, rate of surgical complications, length of hospital stay, and rates of hospital readmission and emergency department visits within 30 days after discharge among patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures before and after adoption of a checklist. RESULTS: During 3-month periods before and after adoption of a surgical safety checklist, a total of 101 hospitals performed 109,341 and 106,370 procedures, respectively. The adjusted risk of death during a hospital stay or within 30 days after surgery was 0.71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.76) before implementation of a surgical checklist and 0.65% (95% CI, 0.60 to 0.70) afterward (odds ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.03; P=0.13). The adjusted risk of surgical complications was 3.86% (95% CI, 3.76 to 3.96) before implementation and 3.82% (95% CI, 3.71 to 3.92) afterward (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.03; P=0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of surgical safety checklists in Ontario, Canada, was not associated with significant reductions in operative mortality or complications. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.).

A survey of current practices and barriers to expanding laparoscopic HPB surgery in Canada.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this survey was to determine the extent to which laparoscopy is used in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) resections in Canada, and to assess HPB surgeons' attitudes and their perceived barriers to its further adoption. METHODS: Using an electronic questionnaire, 68 Canadian Hepatopancreatobiliary Association (CHPBA) surgical members were surveyed. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions regarding: surgeon demographics, the use and limitations of laparoscopy in their practice, and interest in increasing the use of laparoscopic techniques. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 75%. Of the 51 respondents, 86% reported performing minor laparoscopic resections such as hepatic wedge resections. Only 23% of surgeons reported performing laparoscopic liver lobectomies. Eighty-two percent of respondents indicated a wish to increase the use of laparoscopy in their practice. Barriers identified included operating time constraints (61%), a lack of equipment (41%) and lack of adequate training (43%). DISCUSSION: This survey demonstrates that currently, most Canadian HPB surgeons use laparoscopy for minor HPB resections; however, there is a strong desire to expand the use of minimally invasive techniques amongst Canadian HPB surgeons. Training centered on addressing the limitations and barriers to the uptake of minimally invasive techniques in HPB surgery are needed.

Population-based assessment of the outcomes in patients with postcolonoscopy colorectal cancers.

OBJECTIVE: The potential for cancers to not be detected on colonoscopy is increasingly recognised, but little is known about patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients diagnosed with postcolonoscopy colorectal cancers (PCCRCs). DESIGN: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study, including all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Ontario, Canada from 2003 to 2009. Patients were categorised into three groups: DETECTED (diagnosed within 6 months of first colonoscopy), PCCRC (diagnosed 6-36 months after first colonoscopy) or NOSCOPE (no colonoscopy within 36 months of diagnosis). Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to study overall survival, surgical treatment, emergency presentation and surgical complications. RESULTS: Overall, 45 104 patients were included, with 2804 being classified as having a PCCRC. Compared with the DETECTED group, PCCRC was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of stage IV disease (17.2% vs 12.9%), worse overall survival (5 year OS: 60.8% vs 68.3%, p<0.0001; adjusted HR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.32, p<0.0001), a higher likelihood of emergency presentation (OR: 2.86, 95% CI 2.56 to 3.13, p<0.001) and lower likelihood of surgical resection (OR: 0.61, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.67, p<0.001). However, patients with PCCRC had significantly better outcomes than those in the NOSCOPE group (stage IV: 37.1%, 5 year OS: 38.9%) CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CRC detected by colonoscopy, PCCRCs are associated with a higher risk of emergent presentation, a lower likelihood of surgical resection and most notably, significantly worse oncological outcomes. However, they have better outcomes than patients with no recent colonoscopy.

Impact of Major Complications on Patients' Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an effective treatment for selected patients with peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM). Although it can have significant morbidity, perioperative mortality is low. Little is known about whether major complications after CRS/HIPEC have a lasting impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from a prospectively collected database on patients treated with CRS/HIPEC for PSM (2011-2014). Patients with CRS/HIPEC and 6-month QOL evaluation were included. Major perioperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 3/4) were the primary independent variable. QOL was evaluated using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 score. The primary outcome was 6-month global health score. Secondary outcomes were individual functional and symptom domains. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were analyzed. Median age was 57.5; 64 % were female. Origin of PSM was appendix (55 %), colorectal (38 %), mesothelioma (5 %), and small bowel (2 %). Fourteen patients (33 %) had major (grade 3/4) complications. Median length of stay was 16 days; patients experiencing major complications had significantly increased length of stay (35.5 vs. 13 days, p < 0.01). Major complications included intra-abdominal abscess (9.5 %), bleeding (9.5 %), symptomatic pleural effusion (7.1 %), anastomotic leaks (7.1 %), and renal failure (2.4 %). The average global health score at 6 months was 68.1. The worst-rated symptom scores at 6 months were diarrhea (39.8) and fatigue (35.4). There were no significant differences in 6-month QOL scores between patients with and without major complications, globally or in specific domains. CONCLUSIONS: Although major complications are common after CRS/HIPEC, QOL at 6 months recovers and is similar to those without major complications.

Cancer Worry, Perceived Risk and Cancer Screening in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Familial Gastric Cancer.

Currently, there is a lack of evidence evaluating the psychological impact of cancer-related risk perception and worry in individuals at high risk for gastric cancer. We examined the relationships between perceived risk, cancer worry and screening behaviors among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with familial gastric cancer. FDRs of patients diagnosed with familial gastric cancer with a non-informative genetic analysis were identified and contacted. Participants completed a telephone interview that assessed socio-demographic information, cancer risk perception, cancer worry, impact of worry on daily functioning, and screening behaviors. Twenty-five FDRs completed the telephone interview. Participants reported high levels of comparative and absolute cancer risk perception, with an average perceived lifetime risk of 54 %. On the other hand, cancer-related worry scores were low, with a significant minority (12 %) experiencing high levels of worry. Study participants exhibited high levels of confidence (median = 70 %) in the effectiveness of screening at detecting a curable cancer. Participants that had undergone screening in the past showed significantly lower levels of cancer-related worry compared to those that had never undergone screening. In conclusion, individuals at high-risk for gastric cancer perceived a very high personal risk of cancer, but reported low levels of cancer worry. This paradoxical result may be attributed to participants' high levels of confidence in the effectiveness of screening. These findings highlight the importance for clinicians to discuss realistic risk appraisals and expectations towards screening with unaffected members of families at risk for gastric cancer, in an effort to help mitigate anxiety and help with coping.

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Colon Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Data for Cytoreduction and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

A systematic review of the literature on the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from colon cancer with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) was undertaken using OVID Medline. Forty-six relevant studies were reviewed. Mean weighted overall morbidity following CRS and IPC was 49% (range 22-76%) and mortality was 3.6% (range 0-19%). Median overall survival ranged from 15 to 63 months, and 5-year overall survival ranged from 7 to 100%. This represents an improvement over historical treatment with systemic chemotherapy alone, even in the era of modern chemotherapeutic agents. Quality of life following surgery is initially decreased but improves with time and approaches baseline. Available data appear to support the treatment of PC from colon cancer with CRS and IPC. There is a large amount of variability among studies and few high-quality studies exist. Further studies are needed to standardize techniques.

Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry.

Peritoneal metastases (PM) are common in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We aimed to characterize patients with mCRC and PM from a clinical and molecular perspective using the American Association of Cancer Research Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) Biopharma Collaborative (BPC) registry. Patients' tumor samples underwent targeted next-generation sequencing. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were collected retrospectively. Overall survival (OS) from advanced disease and progression-free survival (PFS) from start of cancer-directed drug regimen were estimated and adjusted for the left truncation bias. A total of 1,281 patients were analyzed, 244 (19%) had PM at time of advanced disease. PM were associated with female sex [OR: 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.54; P = 0.014] and higher histologic grade (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.08-2.71; P = 0.022), while rectal primary tumors were less frequent in patients with PM (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.29-0.88; P < 0.001). APC occurred less frequently in patients with PM (N = 151, 64% vs. N = 788, 79%) while MED12 alterations occurred more frequently in patients with PM (N = 20, 10% vs. N = 32, 4%); differences in MED12 were not significant when restricting to oncogenic and likely oncogenic variants according to OncoKB. Patients with PM had worse OS (HR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.16-1.81) after adjustment for independently significant clinical and genomic predictors. PFS from initiation of first-line treatment did not differ by presence of PM. In conclusion, PM were more frequent in females and right-sided primary tumors. Differences in frequencies of MED12 and APC alterations were identified between patients with and without PM. PM were associated with shorter OS but not with PFS from first-line treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: Utilizing the GENIE BPC registry, this study found that PM in patients with colorectal cancer occur more frequently in females and right-sided primary tumors and are associated with worse OS. In addition, we found a lower frequency of APC alterations and a higher frequency in MED12 alterations in patients with PM.

Models of Follow-Up Care and Secondary Prevention Measures for Survivors of Colorectal Cancer: Evidence-Based Guidelines and Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To provide recommendations for preferred models of follow-up care for stage I-IV colorectal (CRC) cancer survivors in Ontario; to identify signs and symptoms of potential recurrence and when to investigate; and to evaluate patient information and support needs during the post-treatment survivorship period. METHODS: Consistent with the Program in Evidence-Based Medicine's standardized approach, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO databases were systematically searched. The authors drafted recommendations and revised them based on the comments from internal and external reviewers. RESULTS: Four guidelines, three systematic reviews, three randomized controlled trials, and three cohort studies provided evidence to develop recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal cancer follow-up care is complex and requires multidisciplinary, coordinated care delivered by the cancer specialist, primary care provider, and allied health professionals. While there is limited evidence to support a shared care model for follow-up, this approach is deemed to be best suited to meet patient needs; however, the roles and responsibilities of care providers need to be clearly defined, and patients need to know when and how to contact them. Although there is insufficient evidence to recommend any individual or combination of signs or symptoms as strong predictor(s) of recurrence, patients should be educated about these and know which care provider to contact if they develop any new or concerning symptoms. Psychosocial support and empathetic, effective, and coordinated communication are most valued by patients for their post-treatment follow-up care. Continuing professional education should emphasize the importance of communication skills and coordination of communication between the patient, family, and healthcare providers.

An Evidence-Based Guideline for Surveillance of Patients after Curative Treatment for Colon and Rectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To provide recommendations for a surveillance regimen that leads to the largest overall survival benefit for patients after curative treatment for Stage I-IV colon and rectal cancer. METHODS: Consistent with the Program in Evidence-Based Care's standard approach, guideline databases, i.e., MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO, were systematically searched. Then, we drafted recommendations and methodology experts performed an internal review of the resulting draft recommendations, which was followed by an external review by targeted experts and intended users. RESULTS: Four systematic reviews and two randomized controlled trials were identified that provided evidence for recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with stage I-III colon cancer, a medical history and physical examination should be performed every six months for three years; computed tomography (CT) of the chest-abdomen-pelvis (CT CAP) should be performed at one and three years, or one CT CAP could be performed at 18 months; the use of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is optional if CT imaging is being performed; and surveillance colonoscopy should be performed one year after the initial surgery. The frequency of subsequent surveillance colonoscopy should be dictated by previous findings, but generally, colonoscopies should be performed every five years if the findings are normal. There was insufficient evidence to support these recommendations for patients with rectal cancer, Stage IV colon cancer, and patients over the age of 75 years. Patients should be informed of current recommendations and the treating physician should discuss the specific risks and benefits of each recommendation with their patients.

Impact of surgeon and hospital factors on length of stay after colorectal surgery systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Although length of stay (LOS) after colorectal surgery (CRS) is associated with worse patient and system level outcomes, the impact of surgeon and hospital-level factors on LOS after CRS has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to synthesize the evidence for the impact of surgeon and hospital-level factors on LOS after CRS. METHODS: A comprehensive database search was conducted using terms related to LOS and CRS. Studies were included if they reported the effect of surgeon or hospital factors on LOS after elective CRS. The evidence for the effect of each surgeon and hospital factor on LOS was synthesized using vote counting by direction of effect, taking risk of bias into consideration. RESULTS: A total of 13 946 unique titles and abstracts were screened, and 69 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were retrospective and assessed a total of eight factors. Surgeon factors such as increasing surgeon volume, colorectal surgical specialty, and progression along a learning curve were significantly associated with decreased LOS (effect seen in 87.5 per cent, 100 per cent, and 93.3 per cent of studies respectively). In contrast, hospital factors such as hospital volume and teaching hospital status were not significantly associated with LOS. CONCLUSION: Provider-related factors were found to be significantly associated with LOS after elective CRS. In particular, surgeon-related factors related to experience specifically impacted LOS, whereas hospital-related factors did not. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these relationships may allow for tailoring of interventions to reduce LOS.

Recurrence rates and prognostic factors in ypN0 rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy is typically recommended for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Patients with pathologically node-negative tumors have an improved prognosis, but recurrence patterns and independent prognostic factors in these patients have been incompletely characterized. METHODS: Using a retrospective cohort study design, we included all rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and curative surgery from 1993 through 2003, who had ypN0 tumors. We characterized recurrence rates and patterns in patients not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Secondarily, we compared them to patients who did receive adjuvant treatment and assessed for independent prognostic factors, using univariate and multivariable survival analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 324 ypN0 patients (ypT0: n = 73; ypT1-2: n = 130; ypT3-4: n = 120) were followed for a median of 5.8 years. The risk of recurrence was associated with pathologic stage-2.7% ypT0, 12.3% ypT1-2, 24.2%ypT3-4. Five-year recurrence-free survival in patients who did not receive adjuvant treatment was 100% (ypT0), 84.4% (ypT1-2) and 75% (ypT3-4). There was no significant difference in 5-year recurrence-free survival between patients who did and did not receive adjuvant treatment. In multivariable analysis, pathologic stage was the factor most strongly associated with recurrence (hazard ratio 3.6 for ypT3-4 vs. ypT0-2, 95% confidence interval 1.9-6.7, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rates for selected patients with ypT0-2N0 rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision are low. Although standard practice remains completion of planned postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for all patients undergoing chemoradiation, these data suggest prospective trials may be warranted to measure the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in favorable subgroups, such as ypT0-2N0.