Effect of On-Site Cardiac Surgery Program on General Thoracic Surgery Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist exploring the relationship between multispecialty surgical collaboration and outcomes in general thoracic surgery. To address this, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was analyzed to determine whether the presence of an on-site cardiac surgery program is associated with improved general thoracic surgery outcomes. METHODS: The NIS (1999-2008) was utilized to identify 389,959 patients who had a lobectomy, pneumonectomy, or esophagectomy. Short-term outcomes of patients undergoing these procedures were compared between hospitals with and without an on-site cardiac surgery program. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine patient and hospital predictors of mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: During the study period, patients undergoing lobectomy (n = 314,130), pneumonectomy (n = 34,860), or esophagectomy (n = 40,969) were identified. Univariate analysis demonstrated lower mortality for lobectomy (P < 0.001) and esophagectomy (P < 0.001) but not pneumonectomy (P = 0.344) in hospitals with a cardiac surgery program. All-cause morbidity was significantly lower for all 3 procedures in hospitals with a cardiac surgery program. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that a cardiac surgery program was not an independent predictor when adjusted for known confounders, particularly procedure volume and hospital academic teaching status. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an on-site cardiac surgery program is not in and of itself associated with improved general thoracic surgery outcomes. The presence of a cardiac surgery program is likely a surrogate for other known predictors of improved outcomes such as hospital teaching status and procedure volume.

Disparities in Follow-Up After Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated an improvement in overall survival with lung cancer screening. Achieving follow-up for a positive screen is essential to impact early intervention for lung cancer. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of follow-up after a positive lung cancer screening test. The NLST database was queried for participants with a positive lung cancer screening exam. This cohort was then subdivided into patients who had follow-up and those who did not. Pairwise comparison was performed within different subgroups. A logistic regression model was then utilized to identify predictive factors associated with follow-up. Of the 53,454 patients who participated in the study, we identified 14,000 patients who had a positive lung cancer screening test. Of those patients, 12,503 followed up appropriately (89.3%). Women had a statistically higher follow-up rate compared to men (90% vs 88.8%, P ≤ 0.05). Patients reported as married or living as married also showed a higher rate of follow-up compared to patients reported as never married, divorced, separated, or widowed (90.2% vs 87.5%, P ≤ 0.05). The rate of follow-up among African-American patients was 82.8%, while those in white patients was 89.6%, this was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Education level was not a significant factor in follow-up rates. Current smokers followed up at lower rates compared to former smokers (87.9 % vs 90.6%, P ≤ 0.05). Logistic regression determined gender, marital status, race, and smoking status to be predictors of follow-up. Follow-up rates after a positive lung cancer screening test were associated with a patient's gender, marital status, race, and smoking status.

Never smokers with resected lung cancer: different demographics, similar survival.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine changes over time in the proportion of never smokers among surgical lung cancer patients and to determine whether smoking history affected survival. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a prospective database. Among never smokers and smokers, demographic and pathological data were compared. Disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analysed. Propensity matching was performed for further comparison of survival in a matched cohort. RESULTS: Among 3232 patients, we identified 718 never smokers (22%), 993 smokers with <30 pack history (31%) and 1521 smokers with ≥30 pack history (47%). The proportion of never smokers increased over time, comprising 26.6% of the cohort after 2007 compared with 16.1% prior thereto (P ≤ 0.001). Never smokers were younger, more likely to be women and Asian, more frequently had adenocarcinoma and lower lobe tumours and were more likely to have pStage I disease. In pStage-matched cohorts, there were no differences in DFS or CSS. Similarly, in propensity-matched groups (498 patients each), there was no difference in 5-year DFS (66% vs 67%, P = 0.661) or in CSS (84% vs 81%, P = 0.350). On univariate analysis of the matched cohort, never smoking status had no effect on DFS (hazard ratio 1.05, P = 0.661) or CSS (hazard ratio 1.16, P = 0.350). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of never smokers undergoing resections for lung cancer is increasing. Never smokers have distinct demographic patterns and tend to be younger women with adenocarcinoma. Despite these differences, stage and propensity-matched never smokers have the same survival as smokers and remain at equal risk for recurrence and death.

T1N0 oesophageal cancer: patterns of care and outcomes over 25 years.

OBJECTIVES: Historically, surgical resection has been the mainstay of treatment for T1N0 oesophageal cancer (OC). More recently, oesophageal sparing endoscopic techniques have shown value for local control in a large institutional series. However, the effect of their utilization upon survival rates in large population series is largely unknown. METHODS: The surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database was queried for T1N0M0-OC patients (1988-2013). Patients with multiple treatment types were excluded. Time periods were divided by 5-year increments. Overall survival and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were compared in the group as a whole and in propensity-matched subgroups. Independent predictors of cancer-specific mortality were studied by the Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: We identified 5497 patients with cT1N0M0 OC. Treatment modalities used were changed significantly over time. The ratio of oesophagectomy when compared with local therapy decreased from 15:1 in 1998-92 to 1.4:1 in 2008-13. The proportion of patients treated with radiation slightly increased (35% vs 41%) between 1988-92 and 2008-13. In the propensity-matched groups, 5-year CSS was similar in patients treated with oesophagectomy and local therapy (81% vs 89%; P = 0.257) (n = 216 in each group), whereas oesophagectomy had superior 5-year CSS compared with radiation alone (73% vs 38%; P < 0.001) (n = 497 in each group). In multivariable analysis, significant predictors of cancer-specific mortality included age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.022], tumour size (HR 1.005), radiation therapy (HR 3.67), tumour Grade III/IV (HR 1.25) and early time period of diagnosis (HR 1.75). CONCLUSIONS: Oesophageal sparing endoscopic techniques have been increasingly utilized in the treatment of cT1N0-OC but without compromising CSS. Local therapy, either endoscopic techniques or surgery, remains superior to radiation therapy.

Clinical Predictors of Persistent Mediastinal Nodal Disease After Induction Therapy for Stage IIIA N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with persistent N2 disease after induction have poor survival. Many of these patients may have had mediastinoscopy before induction therapy, making reassessment of the mediastinum by repeat mediastinoscopy hazardous and inaccurate. The sensitivity and specificity of endobronchial ultrasonography and nodal fine-needle aspiration in this setting is unclear. In this study, we sought to identify the clinical predictors of persistent N2 disease after induction therapy, which may help in selecting the patients most likely to benefit from surgical resection. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospective database (1990 to 2014) was performed to identify patients who had surgical resection after induction therapy for clinical stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of persistent N2 disease. RESULTS: 203 patients (56% female; median age 64 years) underwent potentially curative lung resection after induction therapy. Ninety-seven patients (48%) had pathologic nodal downstaging (pN0/N1), which was associated with significantly better overall survival compared with patients with persistent N2 disease (5 years, 56% versus 35%, p = 0.047). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that upper or middle lobe location and less than 60% reduction of N2 SUVmax were independent predictors of persistent N2 disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with upper lobe tumors and less than 60% reduction in N2 SUVmax are more likely to have persistent N2 disease, which is often associated with poor survival rates. These clinical prognostic criteria may help surgeons in stratifying patients and properly selecting optimal surgical candidates.

Clinical Predictors of Nodal Metastases in Peripherally Clinical T1a N0 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite the relatively high sensitivity of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scans used for staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a subset of patients with peripherally located clinical T1a N0 will be upstaged due to pathologic nodal disease. It is important to study this risk of upstaging, especially if local treatments, such as wedge resection or stereotactic body radiation therapy, are potential treatment modalities. Our aim was to determine the rate of pathologic N1/N2 disease in peripherally located clinical T1a N0 NSCLC and predictive factors for nodal metastasis. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospective database (2000 to 2015) identified 1,342 patients with clinical T1a N0 NSCLC, and 914 (68%) underwent lobectomy. Among this group, 449 patients had peripherally located tumors and were deemed node negative by fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT scan. The relationship between clinicopathologic features and the PET maximal-standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor was investigated. Predictors for nodal metastasis were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the cutoff value of PET-SUVmax on the incidence of nodal metastasis. RESULTS: Nodal metastasis was detected in 9.6% (43 of 449) of the patients: 4.5% (n = 20) had pN1 and 5.1% (n = 23) had pN2 metastasis. The relationship between SUVmax and development of pathologic nodal metastasis was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic curve with cutoff point at SUVmax of 3.3. In multivariable analysis, PET-SUVmax exceeding 3.3 was the only independent predictor for N1/N2 metastasis (p = 0.016). Disease-free survival showed a trend of poor survival for patients with nodal metastasis (p = 0.068). CONCLUSIONS: High PET-SUVmax of the primary tumor is associated with elevated risk of nodal disease for peripheral T1a N0 NSCLC patients. Further diagnostic procedures, such as endobronchial ultrasound, may be required, especially if wedge resection or stereotactic body radiation therapy are being considered.

The importance of lymph node dissection accompanying wedge resection for clinical stage IA lung cancer.

Objectives: For patients undergoing lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a survival benefit exists with increased number of lymph nodes (LNs) resected. We sought to evaluate the associations of LN removal with outcomes in clinical stage I lung cancer patients undergoing wedge resection. Methods: We evaluated all patients undergoing wedge resection for peripheral, clinical stage IA NSCLC and grouped patients into those with and without LN assessment. Data were compared and survival analysed using Kaplan-Meier, with differences compared using log-rank. Propensity score matching controlling for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, patient tolerability of lobectomy, surgery year, tumour size and surgical approach was done (51 patients in each group, caliper 0.2). Results: We identified196 patients undergoing wedge resection, of whom 138 patients (70%) had LNs resected (median = 4 nodes), while the remaining 58 patients (30%) had none. There were no significant differences in the clinical or pathologic characteristics between the two groups. There was no difference in terms of OR time, estimated blood loss, chest tube duration or length of stay. Median pT size was 1.5 cm in each group ( P = 0.73). Among patients with LNs removed, 6 (4.3%) had positive nodes Patients in the LN assessed group had higher probability of freedom from loco-regional recurrence compared to the no lymph node (NLN) group (5-year: 92 vs 74%, P = 0.025).In propensity matched groups, patients who underwent LN dissection also had higher probability of freedom from local recurrence ( P = 0.024). Conclusions: Accompanying wedge resection for lung cancer, LN sampling adds no morbidity and does not increase length of stay. Positive nodes are identified in 4.3% of patients thought eligible for wedge resection. LN removal appears to decrease locoregional recurrence and may be associated with a survival benefit.

Comparative analysis of diaphragmatic hernia repair outcomes using the nationwide inpatient sample database.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the comparative effectiveness of various approaches to diaphragmatic hernia (DH) repair, including open abdominal, laparoscopic abdominal, and thoracotomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1999 to 2008, a comprehensive cohort of 38 764 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.8 [19.5] years) hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of DH who underwent repair was identified. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality of patients who underwent DH repair. RESULTS: Open approaches were the most common, performed in 91% of patients (open abdominal, n=28 824 [74.4%]; thoracotomy, n=6573 [17.0%]). Hospital mortality was 1.1% or less for each of the approaches. However, patients who underwent a laparoscopic DH repair had a shorter length of stay (mean [SD], 4.5 [0.10] days) and fewer discharges to skilled nursing facilities than those who underwent open abdominal or thoracotomy repair approaches. Patients who underwent a DH repair through a thoracotomy approach had the longest length of stay (mean [SD], 7.8 [0.11] days) and a higher need for postoperative mechanical ventilation than those undergoing open or laparoscopic abdominal approaches (5.6% vs 3.2% vs 2.3%, respectively; P.001). In addition, the thoracotomy approach was found to be an independent predictor for the development of a pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSIONS: This large national study demonstrates that most DH repairs are performed through open abdominal and thoracic approaches. Laparoscopic approaches are associated with decreased length of stay and more routine discharges than open abdominal and thoracotomy approaches.

Prevalence, outcomes, and a risk-benefit analysis of diaphragmatic hernia admissions: an examination of the National Inpatient Sample database.

OBJECTIVE: Current practice is to repair uncomplicated diaphragmatic hernias (UDHs) to avoid complications such as obstruction or gangrene. However, practice patterns are based on limited data. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample to compare outcomes of patients with obstructed (ODH) or gangrenous (GDH) diaphragmatic hernias and those who underwent repair of UDHs to perform a risk-benefit analysis of observation versus elective repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We queried the National Inpatient Sample for hospitalized patients who underwent a UDH repair as the principal procedure during their admission. To this repair group, we compared the outcomes of those patients who had a diagnosis of GDH or ODH. A risk-benefit analysis of observation versus elective repair was performed based on these data. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 193,554 admissions for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia were identified. A UDH was the diagnosis in 161,777 (83.6%) admissions with 38,764 (24.0%) admissions for elective repair. ODH or GDH was the reason for admission in 31,127 (16.1%) and 651 (0.3%), respectively. Compared with patients who underwent elective repair, mortality was higher in patients with ODH or GDH (1% vs 4.5%; P < .001; and 1% vs 27.5%; P < .001). Risk-benefit analysis suggested a small but real benefit to elective repair in patients aged 50 to 70 years or if the operative mortality is 1% or less. CONCLUSIONS: Elective UDH repair is associated with better outcomes than admissions for ODH or GDH with a favorable risk-benefit profile than observation if the operative mortality is low.