Multicenter Study of the Treatment of Appendicitis in America: Acute, Perforated, and Gangrenous (MUSTANG), an EAST Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe contemporary presentation, treatment, and outcomes of patients presenting with acute (A), perforated (P), and gangrenous (G) appendicitis in the United States. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Recent European trials have reported that medical (antibiotics only) treatment of acute appendicitis is an acceptable alternative to surgical appendectomy. However, the type of operation (open appendectomy) and average duration of stay are not consistent with current American practice and therefore their conclusions do not apply to modern American surgeons. METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study enrolled adults with appendicitis from January 2017 to June 2018. Descriptive statistics were performed. P and G were combined into a "complicated" outcome variable and risk factors were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total 3597 subjects were enrolled across 28 sites: median age was 37 (27-52) years, 1918 (53%) were male, 90% underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging, 91% were initially treated by appendectomy (98% laparoscopic), and median hospital stay was 1 (1-2) day. The 30-day rates of Emergency Department (ED) visit and readmission were 10% and 6%. Of 219 initially treated with antibiotics, 35 (16%) required appendectomy during index hospitalization and 12 (5%) underwent appendectomy within 30 days, for a cumulative failure rate of 21%. Overall, 2403 (77%) patients had A, whereas 487 (16%) and 218 (7%) patients had P and G, respectively. On regression analysis, age, symptoms >48 hours, temperature, WBC, Alvarado score, and appendicolith were predictive of "complicated" appendicitis, whereas co-morbidities, smoking, and ED triage to appendectomy >6 hours or >12 hours were not. CONCLUSION: In the United States, the majority of patients presenting with appendicitis receive CT imaging, undergo laparoscopic appendectomy, and stay in the hospital for 1 day. One in five patients selected for initial non-operative management required appendectomy within 30 days. In-hospital delay to appendectomy is not a risk factor for "complicated" appendicitis.

Optimal Timing of First Abdominal Radiography after Gastrografin Administration for Small Bowel Obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Water-soluble contrast agent (WSCA) administration is commonly used to evaluate adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) either via a challenge or follow-through study. This analysis aimed to determine optimal timing to first abdominal radiograph after WSCA administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A post hoc review of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma SBO database was used to compare data from two institutions using different methodologies, either the small bowel follow through method or the challenge method, from March 2015-January 2018. The primary outcome was timing of contrast into the colon. Outcomes were also analyzed. A multivariate regression analysis controlled for age, sex, body mass index, previous SBO admissions, and abdominal surgeries. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria (A, 119; B, 117). There were minor demographic differences between cohorts and no significant differences between institutions regarding the confirmed presence of WSCA in the colon, rates of operative intervention, length of operation, hospital length of stay, or 30-d readmission rates.Institution A, where the challenge method was practiced, had 95 (80%) patients with contrast to colon overall; four of 95 (4%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon at or before 7 h, and 89 of 95 (94%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon between 7.1 and 10 h. Institution B, where the small bowel follow through method was practiced, had 94 (80%) patients with contrast to colon overall; 73 of 94 (78%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon at or before 7 h, and 15 of 94 (16%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon between 7.1 and 10 h. CONCLUSIONS: Either method is effective for evaluation of SBO. Adding a radiograph at 4 h is feasible, could promote earlier disposition, be conducted as part of an emergency department protocol, and possibly allow for the selection of patients who are candidates for outpatient treatment.

Narrow- versus Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics for Simple Acute Appendicitis Treated by Appendectomy: A Post Hoc Analysis of EAST MUSTANG Study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to compare the effectiveness of narrow- versus broad-spectrum antibiotics (abx) in preventing infectious complications in adults with acute appendicitis treated with appendectomy. METHODS: In this post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter observational study of appendicitis in adults (≥18 y) conducted from January 2017 to June 2018, we included only patients with simple appendicitis. Subjects were grouped based on receipt of broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum abx before and/or after appendectomy. Outcomes compared were surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, secondary interventions (percutaneous drainage or operation), emergency department (ED) visits, 30-d readmission, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 2336 subjects were analyzed. In comparing narrow (n = 778) versus broad (n = 1558) groups, there were no differences in male sex (53% versus 54%, P = 0.704), white blood cell (13.0 ± 3.9 versus 13.4 ± 4.5, P = 0.05), Alvarado score (6 [5-7] versus 6 [5-7], P = 0.25), or Charlson comorbidity index (0 [0-1] versus 0 [0-1], P = 0.09). A total of 688 (29%) received postoperative abx, [184 (24%) narrow and 504 (32%) broad, P < 0.001] for a median 5 [2-7] d [42 (23%) narrow and 235 (47%) broad, P < 0.001]. There were no significant differences between narrow and broad groups in surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, secondary interventions, ED visits, or hospital readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Significant practice variation in duration and spectrum of antibiotic adjunct for surgical treatment of simple acute appendicitis treatment is evident, and broad-spectrum abx did not offer clinical advantages over narrow-spectrum abx. Restriction of antibiotic spectrum should be considered, although randomized trials are required to overcome selection bias.

A Significant Proportion of Small Bowel Obstructions Require >48 Hours to Resolve After Gastrografin.

BACKGROUND: Gastrografin (GG)-based nonoperative approach is both diagnostic and therapeutic for partial small bowel obstruction (SBO). Absence of X-ray evidence of GG in the colon after 8 h is predictive of the need for operation, and a recent trial used 48 h to prompt operation. We hypothesize that a significant number of patients receiving the GG challenge require >48 h before an effect is seen. METHODS: A post hoc analysis of an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional SBO database was performed including only those receiving GG challenge. Successful nonoperative management (NOM) was defined as passage of flatus or nasogastric tube (NGT) removal. NOM was considered a failure if operative intervention was required. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of delayed (>48 h) GG challenge effect and expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of 286 patients receiving GG, 208 patients (73%) were successfully managed nonoperatively. A total of 60 (29%) NOM patients had NGT decompression for >48 h (n = 54) or required >48 h to pass flatus (n = 34), with some requiring both (n = 28). Prior abdominal operations and SBO admission were protective of delayed GG effect (0.411 [0.169-1.00], P < 0.05; 0.478 [0.240-0.952], P < 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of patients at 48 h (29%) "failed" the GG challenge as they had yet to pass flatus or still required NGT but were nonetheless successfully managed nonoperatively. Extending the GG challenge beyond 48 h may help avoid unnecessary operations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Breast Cancer Litigation in the 21st Century.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 15% of general surgeons practicing in the United States face a medical malpractice lawsuit each year. This study aimed to determine the reasons for litigation for breast cancer care during the past 17 years by reviewing a public legal database. METHODS: The LexisNexis legal database was queried using a comprehensive list of terms related to breast cancer, identifying all cases from 2000 to 2017. Data were abstracted, and descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: The study identified 264 cases of litigation pertaining to breast cancer care. Delay in breast cancer diagnosis was the most common reason for litigation (n = 156, 59.1%), followed by improperly performed procedures (n = 26, 9.8%). The medical specialties most frequently named in lawsuits as primary defendants were radiology (n = 76, 28.8%), general surgery (n = 74, 28%), and primary care (n = 52, 19.7%). The verdict favored the defendant in 145 cases (54.9%) and the plantiff in 60 cases (22.7%). In 59 cases (22.3%), a settlement was reached out of court. The median plaintiff verdict payouts ($1,485,000) were greater than the settlement payouts ($862,500) (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Failure to diagnose breast cancer in a timely manner was the most common reason for litigation related to breast cancer care in the United States. General surgery was the second most common specialty named in the malpractice cases studied. Most cases were decided in favor of the defendant, but when the plaintiff received a payout, the amount often was substantial. Identifying the most common reasons for litigation may help decrease this rate and improve the patient experience.

Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Reversal of Coagulopathy in Emergency General Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Coagulopathy can delay or complicate surgical diseases that require emergent surgical treatment. Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) provide concentrated coagulation factors which may reverse coagulopathy more quickly than plasma (FFP) alone. We aimed to determine the time to operative intervention in coagulopathic emergency general surgery patients receiving either PCC or FFP. We hypothesize that PCC administration more rapidly normalizes coagulopathy and that the time to operation is diminished compared to FFP alone. METHODS: Single institution retrospective review was performed for coagulopathic EGS patients during 2/1/2008 to 8/1/2016. Patients were divided into three groups (1) PCC alone (2) FFP alone and (3) PCC and FFP. The primary outcome was the duration from clinical decision to operate to the time of incision. Summary and univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Coagulopathic EGS patients (n = 183) received the following blood products: PCC (n = 20, 11%), FFP alone (n = 119, 65%) and PCC/FFP (n = 44, 24%). The mean (± SD) patient age was 71 ± 13 years; 60% were male. The median (IQR) Charlson comorbidity index was similar in all three groups (PCC = 5(4-6), FFP = 5(4-7), PCC/FFP = 5(4-6), p = 0.33). The mean (± SD) dose of PCC administered was similar in the PCC/FFP group and the PCC alone group (2539 ± 1454 units vs. 3232 ± 1684, p = .09). The mean (±SD) time to incision in the PCC alone group was significantly lower than the FFP alone group (6.0 ± 3.6 vs. 8.8 ± 5.0 h, p = 0.01). The mean time to incision in the PCC + FFP group was also significantly lower than the FFP alone group (7.1 ± 3.6 vs. 8.8 ± 5.0, p = 0.03). The incidence of thromboembolic complications was similar in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: PCC, alone or in combination with FFP, reduced INR and time to surgery effectively and safely in coagulopathic EGS patients without an apparent increased risk of thromboembolic events, when compared to FFP use alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV single institutional retrospective review.

Autozygome-guided exome sequencing in retinal dystrophy patients reveals pathogenetic mutations and novel candidate disease genes.

Retinal dystrophy (RD) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases caused by loss of photoreceptor function and contributes significantly to the etiology of blindness globally but especially in the industrialized world. The extreme locus and allelic heterogeneity of these disorders poses a major diagnostic challenge and often impedes the ability to provide a molecular diagnosis that can inform counseling and gene-specific treatment strategies. In a large cohort of nearly 150 RD families, we used genomic approaches in the form of autozygome-guided mutation analysis and exome sequencing to identify the likely causative genetic lesion in the majority of cases. Additionally, our study revealed six novel candidate disease genes (C21orf2, EMC1, KIAA1549, GPR125, ACBD5, and DTHD1), two of which (ACBD5 and DTHD1) were observed in the context of syndromic forms of RD that are described for the first time.

Early Acetabular Fracture Repair Through an Anterior Approach Is Associated With Increased Blood Loss.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the timing of acetabular fracture fixation through an anterior approach influences estimated and calculated perioperative blood loss. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center from 2013 to 2021. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients aged ≥18 years treated with acetabular fracture fixation through an anterior-based approach. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: The primary outcome was calculated blood loss (CBL). Secondary outcomes were estimated blood loss reported by surgeon and anesthesia, and blood transfusion requirements. Comparisons of blood loss were made at discrete postinjury time thresholds (24, 36, and 48 hours) and on a continuous basis. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients were studied. The mean age was 65 years, and 73% of patients were male. Earlier fixation of acetabular fractures resulted in greater CBL and estimated blood loss (surgeon and anesthesia) compared with later fixation when analyzed on a continuum and at specific time points (24, 36, and 48 hours). Mean CBL in patients treated earlier (<48 hours, 2539 ± 1194 mL) was significantly greater than those treated later (≥48 hours, 1625 ± 909 mL; P < 0.001). Fracture repair before 48 hours postinjury was associated with a 3 times greater risk of >2000 mL of CBL ( P = 0.006). This did not result in differences in transfusion rates between groups at 24 hours ( P = 0.518), 36 hours ( P = 1.000), or 48 hours ( P = 0.779). CONCLUSIONS: Delaying fixation of acetabular fractures treated through an anterior approach for 48 hours postinjury may significantly reduce perioperative blood loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prophylactic Drainage after Appendectomy for Perforated Appendicitis in Adults: A Post Hoc Analysis of an EAST Multi-Center Study.

Background: We sought to assess the efficacy of prophylactic abdominal drainage to prevent complications after appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. Methods: In this post hoc analysis of a prospective multi-center study of appendicitis in adults (≥ 18 years), we included patients with perforated appendicitis diagnosed intra-operatively. The 634 subjects were divided into groups on the basis of receipt of prophylactic drains. The demographics and outcomes analyzed were surgical site infection (SSI), intra-abdominal abscess (IAA), Clavien-Dindo complications, secondary interventions, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Multivariable logistic regression for the cumulative 30-day incidence of IAA was performed controlling for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), antibiotic duration, presence of drains, and Operative American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Grade. Results: In comparing the Drain (n = 159) versus No-Drain (n = 475) groups, there was no difference in the frequency of male gender (61% versus 55%; p = 0.168), weight (87.9 ± 27.9 versus 83.8 ± 23.4 kg; p = 0.071), Alvarado score (7 [6-8] versus 7 [6-8]; p = 0.591), white blood cell (WBC) count (14.8 ± 4.8 versus 14.9 ± 4.5; p = 0.867), or CCI (1 [0-3] versus 1 [0-2]; p = 0.113). The Drain group was significantly older (51 ± 16 versus 48 ± 17 years; p = 0.017). Drain use increased as AAST EGS Appendicitis Operative Severity Grade increased: Grade 3 (62/311; 20%), Grade 4 (46/168; 27%), and Grade 5 (51/155; 33%); p = 0.007. For index hospitalization, the Drain group had a higher complication rate (43% versus 28%; p = 0.001) and longer LOS (4 [3-7] versus 3 [1-5] days; p < 0.001). We could not detect a difference between the groups in the incidence of SSI, IAA, or secondary interventions. There was no difference in 30-day emergency department visits, re-admissions, or secondary interventions. Multi-variable logistic regression showed that only AAST Grade (odds ratio 2.7; 95% confidence interval7 1.5-4.7; p = 0.001) was predictive of the cumulative 30-day incidence of IAA. Conclusions: Prophylactic drainage after appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in adults is not associated with fewer intra-abdominal abscesses but is associated with longer hospital LOS. Increasing AAST EGS Appendicitis Operative Grade is a strong predictor of intra-abdominal abscess.

Validation of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma emergency general surgery score for acute appendicitis-an EAST multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) has proposed a grading system for anatomic severity of 16 Emergency General Surgery conditions, including appendicitis. This is the first prospective, multicenter clinical study evaluating the AAST Appendicitis grading scale. METHODS: The EAST Appendicitis study utilized data collected prospectively from 27 centers, between January 2017 to June 2018. An overall grade was assigned as the highest grade of the subscales: clinical, radiographic, operative, and pathologic. Grade 1-3 of the clinical subscale was assigned as Grade 1. Patients with a final diagnosis other than appendicitis were excluded. The cohort was divided into two groups: simple appendicitis (Grades 1 and 2), and complicated appendicitis (Grades 3, 4, and 5).Fisher's exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine association between the overall AAST grade and the following outcomes: infectious complications, Clavien-Dindo complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day emergency department visits, readmissions, and secondary interventions. RESULTS: A total of 2,909 cases were analyzed: 1,656 (57%) were Grade 1; 181 (6%), Grade 2; 399 (14%) Grade 4; and 549 (19%) Grade 5; 94% of patients underwent appendectomy. Index hospitalization LOS increased significantly with increasing grade: 1, [1,1], 1 [1,2], 1 [1,2], 2 [1,3], and 32,5 (p < 0.001). Infectious complications, Clavien-Dindo complications, hospital LOS, and secondary interventions were significantly associated with increasing AAST severity grade during index hospitalization. For 30-day outcomes, similar trends were noted for readmission, 30-day infections complications, 30-day cumulative infectious complications, 30-day Clavien-Dindo complications, 30-day cumulative Clavien-Dindo complications, 30-day secondary interventions, and 30-day cumulative secondary interventions. CONCLUSION: The AAST emergency general surgery grade for appendicitis is a valid predictor of clinical outcomes such as infectious complications, overall complications, and the need for secondary intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level III.

Hospital length of stay following radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Development and validation of a population-based prediction model.

OBJECTIVE: Length of hospital stay for patients following radical cystectomy is an important determinant for improved quality of care. We sought to develop and validate a predictive model for length of hospital stay following radical cystectomy. METHODS: Patients aged 66 to 90 years diagnosed with clinical stage T2-4a muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy were included from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2011 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data. Linear regression analyses were used to develop and validate a predictive model for length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 2,448 patients met inclusion criteria. After random assignment, 1,224 patients were included in the discovery cohort and 1,224 patients included in the validation cohort. The cohorts were well balanced with no significant difference in any of the preoperative variables. A best model was developed using marital status, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) region, clinical stage, Charlson comorbidity index, logarithm of hospital cystectomy volume, and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a backward selection to predict the length of stay. There was robust internal validation (sum square error (SSE): 258.1 vs. predicted sum of squares (PRESS): 264.0 at SLS = 0.10), consistent with the external validation (average square error (ASE): discovery (0.248) vs. validation (0.258)) cohort. The strength of the model in predicting length of stay for the entire cohort was (R2 = 0.048). CONCLUSION: In this large population-based study, we developed and validated a model to predict length of hospital stay following radical cystectomy. Identification of at-risk patients for prolonged hospital stay may aid in targeted interventions to reduce length of stay, improve quality of care, and decrease healthcare costs.

Discerning Patterns and Quality of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Use Among Patients with Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is underutilized in bladder cancer patients who undergo radical cystectomy. However, the quality of regimens used in this setting remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine utilization treatment patterns and survival outcomes according to regimens administered. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database to identify patients diagnosed with clinical stage TII-IV bladder cancer from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2011. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Temporal trends were assessed using the Cochran-Armitage test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors for neoadjuvant chemotherapy use. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare overall survival according to regimens administered. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of 2738 patients treated with radical cystectomy, 344 (12.6%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The agents most commonly used were gemcitabine (72.3%), cisplatin (55.2%), and carboplatin (31.1%). The regimens most commonly used were gemcitabine-cisplatin (45.3%), gemcitabine-carboplatin (24.1%), and methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC; 6.7%). Use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy more than tripled during the study period, from 5.7% in 2001 to 17.3% in 2011 (p<0.001). The quality of the regimen administered impacted survival outcomes, as M-VAC use was significantly associated with better overall survival among patients diagnosed with stage II bladder cancer (hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.86; p=0.030]. Limitations include the limited ability of retrospective analysis to control for selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was underused, and the quality of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens administered for bladder cancer was inconsistent with guideline recommendations. These findings are important when interpreting population-based data on the use of chemotherapy and extrapolating survival outcomes. PATIENT SUMMARY: In a large population-based study, 12.6% of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, half of whom received guideline-recommended regimens. The quality of the regimen impacted survival outcomes, as use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy was significantly associated with better overall survival among patients diagnosed with stage II bladder cancer. However, <1% of radical cystectomy patients received this regimen.

Enhanced readability of discharge summaries decreases provider telephone calls and patient readmissions in the posthospital setting.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital discharge instructions provide critical information necessary for patients to manage their own care; however, often they are written at a substantially higher readability level than recommended (ie, 6th-grade level) by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health. We hypothesize that improving the reading level of discharge instructions will decrease the number of patient telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study. Patient discharge instructions were edited and incorporated to enhance the readability level in August 2015. Return telephone call and readmissions of patients admitted before the intervention from August 1, 2014, to January 31, 2015, were compared with the prospective cohort studied from September 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016. RESULTS: A total of 1,072 patients were included (preintervention: n = 493, postintervention: n = 579). Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and education level were similar among both groups. The median discharge instruction readability level in the postintervention group was significantly lower (10.0, 95% CI 10.0-10.2 vs 8.6, 95% CI 8.8-8.9; P < .0001). The proportion of patients calling after hospital discharge was significantly reduced after the intervention (21.9% vs 9.0%; P < .0001). Monthly hospital readmissions were decreased by 50% for every 100 patients discharged after the intervention (1.9% vs 0.9%; P = .002). The proportion of patients calling and readmissions for poor pain control significantly decreased after the intervention (7.1% vs 2.59%; P = .0005 and 2.8% vs 1.0%; P = .029, respectively). CONCLUSION: Enhanced readability of discharge instructions was associated with a decrease in the number of telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting, enhancing health literacy and simultaneously reducing the burden on providers. Improved patient instructions written to an appropriate level may also allow for better pain control in the posthospital setting.

Impact of Centralizing Care for Genitourinary Malignancies to High-volume Providers: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: The centralization of cancer care is associated with better clinical outcomes and may be a method for optimizing value-based health care systems. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature regarding the impact of centralization of care on clinical outcomes for genitourinary malignancies. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review was conducted using Ovid and MEDLINE to identify studies between 1970 and 2018 reporting on the centralization of care for genitourinary malignancies. Prospective and retrospective studies were screened. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: There were no published randomized control trials (RCTs) on the centralization of care for genitourinary malignancies. Twenty-two retrospective studies met inclusion criteria. Centralization of radical cystectomy was the most studied. Care for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, penile cancer, testicular cancer, and renal cancer was reportedly associated with better morbidity and survival outcomes for patients treated at high-volume centers. However, evidence of better outcomes for centralization of care remains limited for penile, renal, and testicular cancers owing to the paucity of data and/or the lower incidence of these genitourinary malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: Care for genitourinary malignancies by high-volume providers was associated with greater utilization of cancer surgery, lower morbidity, and better survival outcomes. Centralization of care was most appropriate for complex procedures such as radical cystectomy when interpreted in the context of survival outcomes. Further research is needed to address the impact of centralizing care for all urologic malignancies with consideration of the associated costs and patient-reported measures, including quality of life and patient experience. PATIENT SUMMARY: We explored the evidence for moving major operations into larger centers. We focused on surgery for cancers of the bladder, prostate, testicle, penis, and kidney, and found that larger-volume hospitals had better survival outcomes and fewer complications when compared to smaller hospitals. The difference may be greatest for complex major surgeries such as radical cystectomy.

Comparison of Costs of Radical Cystectomy vs Trimodal Therapy for Patients With Localized Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Importance: Earlier studies on the cost of muscle-invasive bladder cancer treatments lack granularity and are limited to 180 days. Objective: To compare the 1-year costs associated with trimodal therapy vs radical cystectomy, accounting for survival and intensity effects on total costs. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study used the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database and included 2963 patients aged 66 to 85 years who had received a diagnosis of clinical stage T2 to T4a muscle-invasive bladder cancer from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2011. The data analysis was performed from March 5, 2018, through December 4, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Total Medicare costs within 1 year of diagnosis following radical cystectomy vs trimodal therapy were compared using inverse probability of treatment-weighted propensity score models that included a 2-part estimator to account for intrinsic selection bias. Results: Of 2963 participants, 1030 (34.8%) were women, 2591 (87.4%) were white, 129 (4.4%) were African American, and 98 (3.3%) were Hispanic. Median costs were significantly higher for trimodal therapy than radical cystectomy in 90 days ($83 754 vs $68 692; median difference, $11 805; 95% CI, $7745-$15 864), 180 days ($187 162 vs $109 078; median difference, $62 370; 95% CI, $55 581-$69 160), and 365 days ($289 142 vs $148 757; median difference, $109 027; 95% CI, $98 692-$119 363), respectively. Outpatient care, radiology, medication expenses, and pathology/laboratory costs contributed largely to the higher costs associated with trimodal therapy. On inverse probability of treatment-weighted adjusted analyses, patients undergoing trimodal therapy had $136 935 (95% CI, $122 131-$152 115) higher mean costs compared with radical cystectomy 1 year after diagnosis. Conclusions and Relevance: Compared with radical cystectomy, trimodal therapy was associated with higher costs among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The differences in costs were largely attributed to medication and radiology expenses associated with trimodal therapy. Extrapolating cost figures resulted in a nationwide excess spending of $468 million for trimodal therapy compared with radical cystectomy for patients who received a diagnosis of bladder cancer in 2017.

Systematic Review of Factors Associated with the Utilization of Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

CONTEXT: Despite established guidelines for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, it has been reported that radical cystectomy (RC) is markedly underused, especially among patients of advanced age and those with higher comorbidity burden and lower access to care. Understanding the interactions between patient, provider, and hospital factors may inform targeted interventions to optimize RC utilization. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature regarding factors associated with RC utilization. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic search was conducted using Ovid and Medline according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify studies between 1970 and 2017 reporting on RC utilization. Prospective and retrospective studies were included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: There are no published randomized control trials on RC utilization. Variations in study quality and design precluded a formal statistical meta-analysis. RC receipt significantly depended on patient, provider, and hospital factors. Patient factors associated with lower RC use included advanced age, African American and Hispanic race/ethnicity, higher comorbidity burden, unmarried marital status, higher tumor stage and grade, and lower socioeconomic status. Provider factors associated with underutilization included lower surgeon volume and a metropolitan location. Finally, hospital factors associated with lower RC use included low hospital volume, nonacademic affiliation, and hospital location in the Midwest. CONCLUSIONS: RC is reportedly underutilized. We found that age, race, marital status, socioeconomic factors, cancer severity, comorbidity burden, surgeon volume, and facility type and location significantly determined RC receipt. Improved understanding of the varying contributions of the risk factors according to patient, provider, and hospital determinants may assist in developing targeted interventions to improve RC utilization. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this review we explored the clinical evidence for factors predicting the utilization of radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Many factors related to the patient, provider, and hospital determine whether patients receive this guideline-recommended treatment. However, there remains a lack of understanding on characterization and targeted interventions according to these levels, which may improve use.

The EGS grading scale for skin and soft-tissue infections is predictive of poor outcomes: a multicenter validation study.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last 5 years, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma has developed grading scales for emergency general surgery (EGS) diseases. In a previous validation study using diverticulitis, the grading scales were predictive of complications and length of stay. As EGS encompasses diverse diseases, the purpose of this study was to validate the grading scale concept against a different disease process with a higher associated mortality. We hypothesized that the grading scale would be predictive of complications, length of stay, and mortality in skin and soft-tissue infections (STIs). METHODS: This multi-institutional trial encompassed 12 centers. Data collected included demographic variables, disease characteristics, and outcomes such as mortality, overall complications, and hospital and ICU length of stay. The EGS scale for STI was used to grade each infection and two surgeons graded each case to evaluate inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: 1170 patients were included in this study. Inter-rater reliability was moderate (kappa coefficient 0.472-0.642, with 64-76% agreement). Higher grades (IV and V) corresponded to significantly higher Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis scores when compared with lower EGS grades. Patients with grade IV and V STI had significantly increased odds of all complications, as well as ICU and overall length of stay. These associations remained significant in logistic regression controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, mental status, and hospital-level volume. Grade V disease was significantly associated with mortality as well. CONCLUSION: This validation effort demonstrates that grade IV and V STI are significantly predictive of complications, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Though predictive ability does not improve linearly with STI grade, this is consistent with the clinical disease process in which lower grades represent cellulitis and abscess and higher grades are invasive infections. This second validation study confirms the EGS grading scale as predictive, and easily used, in disparate disease processes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiologic retrospective multicenter trial, level III.

Validation of AAST EGS Grade for Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The AAST recently developed an emergency general surgery (EGS) disease grading system to measure anatomic severity. We aimed to validate this grading system for acute pancreatitis and compare cross sectional imaging-based AAST EGS grade and compare with several clinical prediction models. We hypothesize that increased AAST EGS grade would be associated with important physiological and clinical outcomes and is comparable to other severity grading methods. METHODS: Single institution retrospective review of adult patients admitted with acute pancreatitis during 10/2014-1/2016 was performed. Patients without imaging were excluded. Imaging, operative, and pathological AAST grades were assigned by two reviewers. Summary and univariate analyses were performed. AUROC analysis was performed comparing AAST EGS grade with other severity scoring systems. RESULTS: There were 297 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 55 ± 17 years; 60% were male. Gallstone pancreatitis was the most common etiology (28%). The overall complication, mortality, and ICU admission rates were 51, 1.3, and 25%, respectively. The AAST EGS imaging grade was comparable to other severity scoring systems that required multifactorial data for readmission, mortality, and length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The AAST EGS grade for acute pancreatitis demonstrates initial validity; patients with increasing AAST EGS grade demonstrated longer hospital and ICU stays, and increased rates of readmission. AAST EGS grades assigned using cross sectional imaging findings were comparable to other severity scoring systems. Further studies should determine the generalizability of the AAST system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Study Type: Single institutional retrospective review.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Surgical Residents.

Importance: Medical malpractice litigation against surgical residents is rarely discussed owing to assumed legal doctrine of respondeat superior, or "let the master answer." Objective: To better understand lawsuits targeting surgical trainees to prevent future litigation. Design, Setting, and Participants: Westlaw, an online legal research database containing legal records from across the United States, was retrospectively reviewed for malpractice cases involving surgical interns, residents, or fellows from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2015. Infant-related obstetric and ophthalmologic procedures were excluded. Exposures: Involvement in a medical malpractice case. Main Outcomes and Measures: Data were collected on patient demographics, case characteristics, and outcomes and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: During a 10-year period, 87 malpractice cases involving surgical trainees were identified. A total of 50 patients were female (57%), and 79 were 18 years of age or older (91%), with a median patient age of 44.5 years (interquartile range, 45-56 years). A total of 67 cases (77%) resulted in death or permanent disability. Most cases involved elective surgery (61 [70%]) and named a junior resident as a defendant (24 of 35 [69%]). Cases more often questioned the perioperative medical knowledge, decision making errors, and injuries (53 [61%]: preoperative, 19 of 53 [36%]) and postoperative, 34 of 53 [64%]) than intraoperative errors and injuries (43 [49%]). Junior residents were involved primarily with lawsuits related to medical decision making (21 of 24 [87%]). Residents' failure to evaluate the patient was cited in 10 cases (12%) and lack of direct supervision by attending physicians was cited in 48 cases (55%). A total of 42 cases (48%) resulted in a jury verdict or settlement in favor of the plaintiff, with a median payout of $900 000 (range, $1852 to $32 million). Conclusions and Relevance: This review of malpractice cases involving surgical residents highlights the importance of perioperative management, particularly among junior residents, and the importance of appropriate supervision by attending physicians as targets for education on litigation prevention.

Validation of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma emergency general surgery grade for skin and soft tissue infection.

INTRODUCTION: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) present with variable severity. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) developed an emergency general surgery (EGS) grading system for several diseases. We aimed to determine whether the AAST EGS grade corresponds with key clinical outcomes. METHODS: Single-institution retrospective review of patients (≥18 years) admitted with SSTI during 2012 to 2016 was performed. Patients with surgical site infections or younger than 18 years were excluded. Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score and AAST EGS grade were assigned. The primary outcome was association of AAST EGS grade with complication development, duration of stay, and interventions. Secondary predictors of severity included tissue cultures, cross-sectional imaging, and duration of inpatient antibiotic therapy. Summary and univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were included (mean ± SD age of 55.1 ± 17.0 years, 55% male). The majority of patients received cross sectional imaging (169, 76%) or an operative procedure (155, 70%). Skin and soft tissue infection tissue culture results included no growth (51, 24.5%), monomicrobial (83, 39.9%), and polymicrobial (74, 35.6%). Increased AAST EGS grade was associated with operative interventions, intensive care unit utilization, complication severity (Clavien-Dindo index), duration of hospital stay, inpatient antibiotic therapy, mortality, and hospital readmission. CONCLUSION: The AAST EGS grade for SSTI demonstrates the ability to correspond with several important outcomes. Prospective multi-institutional study is required to determine its broad generalizability in several populations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level IV.