Effect of neighborhood and individual-level socioeconomic factors on breast cancer screening adherence in a multi-ethnic study.

BACKGROUND: Although mammography can significantly reduce breast cancer mortality, many women do not receive their annual breast cancer screening. Differences in screening adherence exist by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and insurance status. However, more detailed investigations into the impact of neighborhood disadvantage and access to resources on screening adherence are lacking. METHODS: We comprehensively examined the effect of individual social, economic, and demographic factors (n = 34 variables), as well as neighborhood level SES (nSES) indicators (n = 10 variables) on breast cancer screening adherence across a multi-ethnic population (n = 472). In this cross-sectional study, participants were surveyed from 2017 to 2018. The data was analyzed using univariate regression and LASSO for variable reduction. Significant predictors were carried forward into final multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression models where odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals and p-values were reported. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of participants were non-adherent to breast screening guidelines. Race/ethnicity was not associated with adherence; however, increasing age (OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.95-0.99, p = 0.01), renting a home (OR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.30-0.94, p = 0.04), food insecurity (OR 0.46, 95%CI = 0.22-0.94, p = 0.01), and overcrowding (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.32-0.94, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with lower breast cancer screening adherence. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic indicators at the individual and neighborhood levels impact low breast cancer screening adherence and may help to inform future screening interventions.

Glomerular hyperfiltration is an independent predictor of postoperative outcomes: A NSQIP multi-specialty surgical cohort analysis.

AIM: While high estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been associated with increased overall mortality, its effect on postoperative outcomes is relatively understudied. We sought to investigate the association between high eGFR and 30-day postoperative outcomes using a multi-specialty surgical cohort. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we selected adult for whom eGFR could be calculated using the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Based on sex-specific distributions of eGFR stratified by age quintiles, we classified patients into low (<5th percentile), normal (5-95th percentile) and high eGFR (>95th percentile). The primary outcome was a composite of any 30-day major adverse outcomes, including: death, reoperation, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and stroke. Secondary outcomes included 30-day infectious complications, venous thromboembolism (VTE), bleeding requiring transfusion, prolonged length of stay and unplanned readmission. After matching for demographic differences, comorbidity burden and operative characteristics, logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between extremes of eGFR and the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Of 1 668 447 patients, 84 115 (5.07%) had a high eGFR. High eGFR was not associated with major adverse outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97, 1.03]); however, it was associated with reoperation (OR 1.04 [95% CI: 1.00,1.08]), infectious complications (OR 1.14 [95% CI: 1.11, 1.16]), VTE (OR 1.15 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.22]) and prolonged length of stay (OR 1.19 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.21]). CONCLUSION: Our findings support an association between high eGFR and adverse 30-day postoperative outcomes.

Association between isolated abnormal coagulation profile on transfusion following major surgery: A NSQIP analysis of individuals without bleeding disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative coagulation screening for patients without bleeding disorders remains controversial. The combinatorial risk of INR, aPTT, and platelet count (PLT) abnormalities leading to bleeding requiring transfusion is not known in these patients. We examined the association between abnormal coagulation profile and the risk of transfusion following common elective surgery in patients without bleeding disorders. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2004 to 2018 to identify patients without a history of bleeding disorders undergoing common 23 major elective procedures across 10 specialties. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between coagulation profile and bleeding requiring packed red blood cell transfusion intra-/post-operatively. RESULTS: Of the 672,075 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 53.7% presented with normal coagulation profile preoperatively. Overall, 12.2% (n = 82,368) received transfusion. In the setting of normal aPTT/PLT, both Equivocal INR of 1.1-1.5 (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.38-1.44) and Abnormal INR of >1.5 (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.71-1.93) were significantly associated with an increased risk of transfusion. Equivocal (60-70) and Abnormal (>70) aPTT with normal INR/PLT did not demonstrate a comparable risk of transfusion. We observed a synergistic effect of combinatorial lab abnormalities on the risk of transfusion when both Abnormal INR/aPTT and Low PLT of <100,000 were present (aOR 5.18, 95% CI 3.04-8.84), compared to the effect of Abnormal INR/aPTT and normal/elevated PLT (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.48-2.45). DISCUSSION: The preoperative presence of abnormal findings in INR or PLT was significantly associated with the risk of bleeding requiring transfusion during intraoperative and postoperative periods.

A phase II clinical trial of neoadjuvant sasanlimab and stereotactic body radiation therapy as an in situ vaccine for cisplatin-ineligible MIBC: the RAD VACCINE MIBC trial.

The utilization of neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, specifically anti-PD-1/L1 agents, prior to radical cystectomy is an emerging paradigm in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In situ vaccination represents a strategy to manipulate the tumor in order to augment the immune response toward improved local and distant cancer control. The authors describe the study rationale, design and objectives for RAD VACCINE MIBC, a single-arm, single-institution, phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of combination neoadjuvant sasanlimab (humanized IgG monoclonal antibody that targets PD-1) with stereotactic body radiotherapy as an in situ vaccine in cisplatin-ineligible patients with MIBC. The results from this trial will establish the safety profile of this combination strategy and evaluate pathologic complete response rates.

RAD VACCINE MIBC is a phase II clinical trial that aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of a study drug called sasanlimab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor), combined with radiation therapy (stereotactic body radiation therapy) prior to surgery to remove the bladder (known as radical cystectomy [RC]) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. For this type of cancer, patients typically receive chemotherapy followed by RC as the standard of care. However, many patients who have pre-existing medical conditions such as poor kidney function are unable to receive chemotherapy. These patients undergo RC alone at the risk of less optimal cancer control. Bladder cancer is known to inhibit the immune cells (T cells) from attacking it, which is an important way in which the body controls cancer cells. Sasanlimab allows T cells that are specific to the cancer to potentially reactivate. Ongoing studies have shown that drugs similar to sasanlimab can be used to achieve improvement in cancer control in the bladder (as measured by shrinking the cancer or eradicating it) before surgery. The authors are studying the use of the study drug with the addition of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a combined therapy. The role of SBRT as a combined therapy to immune checkpoint inhibition has been well studied to help improve the process of how immune cells recognize cancer cells. By giving both the study drug and SBRT together before RC, the authors aim to demonstrate the safety of this technique and its effectiveness in eradicating all cancer in the bladder. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05241340 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Comparative Effectiveness and Risks of Bowel Preparation Before Elective Colorectal Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between bowel preparation and surgical site infections (SSIs), and also other postoperative complications, after elective colorectal surgery. BACKGROUND: SSI is a major source of postoperative morbidity/costs after colorectal surgery. The value of preoperative bowel preparation to prevent SSI remains controversial. METHODS: We analyzed 32,359 patients who underwent elective colorectal resections in the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2014. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed; propensity adjustment using patient/procedure characteristics was used to account for nonrandom receipt of bowel preparation. RESULTS: 26.7%, 36.6%, 3.8%, and 32.9% of patients received no bowel preparation, mechanical bowel preparation (MBP), oral antibiotics (OA), and MBP + OA, respectively. After propensity adjustment, MBP was not associated with decreased risk of SSI compared with no bowel preparation. In contrast, both OA and OA + MBP were associated with decreased risk of any SSI (adjusted odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.38-0.64; and adjusted odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.40-0.50, respectively) compared with no bowel preparation. OA and MBP + OA were associated with decreased risks of anastomotic leak, postoperative ileus, readmission, and also shorter length of stay (all P < 0.05). Bowel preparation was not associated with increased risk of cardiac/renal complications compared with no preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MBP alone before elective colorectal resection to prevent SSI is ineffective and should be abandoned. In contrast, OA and MBP + OA are associated with decreased risks of SSI and are not associated with increased risks of other adverse outcomes compared with no preparation. Prospective studies to determine the efficacy of OA are warranted; in the interim, MBP + OA should be used routinely before elective colorectal resection to prevent SSI.

Granular cell tumor experience at a comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare lesions occurring almost anywhere in the body. Multiple case reports have been published. However, there are very few large-scale studies regarding GCT. The aim of this study was to define characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with GCT. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was performed. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were produced. RESULTS: Fifty patients were treated for GCT at our institution between 1992 and 2015. The median age was 47 y; 62% of patients were female and 64% were whites. Median tumor size was 0.8 cm. Four percent of patients had malignant tumors, 10.0% had atypical tumors, and 86.0% had benign tumors. The most frequent location of tumors was the gastrointestinal tract (n = 30; 60%), followed by skin/subcutaneous tissues (n = 19; 38%), then respiratory tract (n = 1; 2%). Most patients underwent surgical excision or endoscopic removal of their tumors without prior biopsy. Three patients (6%) had multifocal tumors; they were more likely to experience recurrence than patients with unifocal tumors (33.3% versus 10.6%, respectively; P = 0.05). Six patients (12.0%) experienced recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 13.5 mo. Overall cancer-specific 5-y survival was 98.0%. Overall recurrence-free 5-y survival was 86.4%. Patients with atypical tumors had a lower recurrence-free 5-y survival rate than those with benign tumors (75.0% versus 89.7%, respectively; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GCT fair well, particularly when tumors are benign. Patients with multifocal tumors are more likely to experience recurrence and should be closely monitored.

Does the Surgical Apgar Score predict serious complications after elective major cancer surgery?

BACKGROUND: Major cancer surgery is associated with significant risks of perioperative morbidity and mortality, resulting in delayed adjuvant therapy, higher recurrence rates, and worse overall survival. Previous retrospective studies have used the Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) for perioperative risk assessment. This study prospectively evaluated the predictive value of SAS to predict serious complication (SC) after elective major cancer surgery. METHODS: Demographic, comorbidity, procedure, and intraoperative data were collected prospectively for 405 patients undergoing elective major cancer surgery between 2014-17. The SAS was calculated immediately postoperative and outcome data were collected prospectively. Rates of SC according to SAS risk category were compared using Cochran-Armitage trend test. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were generated and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Eighty percent, 17.3%, and 2.7% of patients were low (SAS 7-10), intermediate (SAS 5-6), and high risk (SAS 0-4), respectively, for SC based on their SAS. Forty-six (11.4%) had an SC within 30 days; 3.7% returned to the operating room, 3.7% experienced a urinary tract infection, 3.2% experienced a respiratory complication, 2.7% experienced a wound complication, and 1.2% experienced a cardiac complication. Overall, 9.3%, 18.6%, and 27.3% of patients with SAS 7-10, 5-6, and 0-4 experienced an SC, respectively (P = 0.005). The overall discriminatory ability of the SAS was modest (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves 0.661; 95% confidence intervals, 0.582-0.740). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was an overall association between SAS and higher risk of subsequent postoperative SC in our cohort, the ability of the SAS to accurately predict risk of postoperative SC at the patient level was limited.

Evaluation and management of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinomas are rare biliary tract tumors that are often challenging to diagnose and treat. Cholangiocarcinomas are generally categorized as intrahepatic or extrahepatic depending on their anatomic location. The majority of patients with cholangiocarcinoma do not have any of the known or suspected risk factors and present with advanced disease. The optimal evaluation and management of patients with cholangiocarcinoma requires thoughtful integration of clinical information, imaging studies, cytology and/or histology, as well as prompt multidisciplinary evaluation. The current review focuses on recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cholangiocarcinoma and, in particular, on the role of endoscopy, surgery, transplantation, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and liver-directed therapies in the curative or palliative treatment of these individuals. Cancer 2016;122:1349-1369. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Surgical management of pancreatic neoplasms: what's new?

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA. Although some patients will present with premalignant pancreatic lesions (i.e., intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms) or localized tumors amenable to curative resection, the majority of patients will unfortunately present with technically unresectable or metastatic disease. This review of the recent medical literature will discuss the optimal work-up and management of premalignant pancreatic lesions and the surgical management of localized, borderline resectable, and locally advanced (i.e., unresectable) pancreatic tumors. It will focus on new criteria used to define surgical "resectability," the significance and clinical impact of surgical margins, the role of multimodality therapy in the management of patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced tumors, the role of surgery for local or distant recurrence, and minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Comparative molecular profiling of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the head versus body and tail.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) of the head (H) and body/tail (B/T) differ in embryonic origin, cell composition, blood supply, lymphatic and venous drainage, and innervation. We aimed to compare the molecular and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) profiles of PDAC of the H vs. B/T. A total of 3499 PDAC samples were analyzed via next-generation sequencing (NGS) of RNA (whole transcriptome, NovaSeq), DNA (NextSeq, 592 genes or NovaSeq, whole exome sequencing), and immunohistochemistry (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Significance was determined as p values adjusted for multiple corrections (q) of <0.05. Anatomic subsites of PDAC tumors were grouped by primary tumor sites into H (N = 2058) or B/T (N = 1384). There were significantly more metastatic tumors profiled from B/T vs. H (57% vs. 44%, p < 0.001). KRAS mutations (93.8% vs. 90.2%), genomic loss of heterozygosity (12.7% vs. 9.1%), and several copy number alterations (FGF3, FGF4, FGF19, CCND1, ZNF703, FLT4, MUTYH, TNFRS14) trended higher in B/T when compared to H (p < 0.05 but q > 0.05). Expression analysis of immuno-oncology (IO)-related genes showed significantly higher expression of CTLA4 and PDCD1 in H (q < 0.05, fold change 1.2 and 1.3) and IDO1 and PDCD1LG2 expression trended higher in B/T (p < 0.05, fold change 0.95). To our knowledge, this is one of the largest cohorts of PDAC tumors subjected to broad molecular profiling. Differences in IO-related gene expression and TIME cell distribution suggest that response to IO therapies may differ in PDAC arising from H vs. B/T. Subtle differences in the genomic profiles of H vs. B/T tumors were observed.

Transition to Value-based Healthcare: Development, Implementation, and Results of an Optimal Surgical Care Framework at a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: The continued rise in healthcare expenditures has not produced commensurate improvements in patient outcomes, leading US healthcare stakeholders to emphasize value-based care. Transition to such a model requires all team members to adopt a new strategic and organizational framework. OBJECTIVE: To describe and report a strategy for the implementation of a novel patient-centered value-based "optimal surgical care" (OSC) framework, with validation and cost analysis in kidney surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: An observational study of care episodes at a single institution from 2014 to 2019 was conducted. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multidisciplinary teams defined OSC by core and procedure-specific metrics using a combination of provider-based ("bottom-up") and "clinical leadership"-based ("top-down") strategies. Baseline OSC rates across were established, while identifying proportions of OSC achieved by coefficient of variation (CV) in total direct costs. Multivariable linear regression comparing cost between OSC and non-OSC encounters was performed, adjusting for patient characteristics. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: An analysis of 30 261 perioperative care episodes was performed. Following the implementation of an OSC framework, there was an increase in OSC rates across all procedure buckets using core (25%) and procedure-specific (26%) metrics. Among the tumors tested, kidney cancer surgical episodes held the highest OSC rate improvement (67%) with lowest variability in cost (CV 0.5). OSC was associated with significant total cost savings across all tumor types after adjusting for inflation (p < 0.05). Compared with non-OSC episodes, a significant reduction in the cost ratio of OSC was noted for renal surgery (p < 0.01), with estimated costs savings of $2445.87 per OSC encounter. CONCLUSIONS: Institutional change directing efforts toward optimizing surgical care and emphasizing value rather than focusing solely on expense reduction is associated with improved outcomes, while potentially reducing costs. The strategy for implementation requires serial performance analyses, engaging and educating providers, and continuous ongoing adjustments to achieve durable results. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we report our strategy and outcomes for transitioning to a value-based healthcare model using a novel "optimal surgical care" framework at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. We observed an increase in optimal surgical care episodes across all specialties after 5 yr, with a potential associated reduction in cost expenditure. We conclude that the key to a successful and sustained transition is the implementation strategy, focusing on continual review and provider engagement.

Effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on recurrence and survival in colon cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Although epidemiologic studies suggest that metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of colorectal cancer, its effect on cancer mortality remains controversial. METHODS: The authors used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database (1998-2006) to conduct a retrospective cohort study of 36,079 patients with colon cancer to determine the independent effect of MetS and its components on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free rates (RFRs). Data on MetS and its components were ascertained from Medicare claims. OS and RFRs in patients with and without MetS and its components were compared using multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: MetS had no apparent effect on OS or RFR. Both elevated glucose/diabetes mellitus (DM) and elevated hypertension were associated with worse OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.17 [95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.21] and 1.08 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.12], respectively) and worse RFRs (aHR, 1.25 [95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.34] and 1.22 [95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.33], respectively). In contrast, dyslipidemia was associated with improved survival (aHR, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.80) and reduced recurrence (aHR, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.75). These effects were consistent for both men and women and were more pronounced in patients with early stage disease. CONCLUSIONS: MetS had no apparent effect on colon cancer outcomes, probably because of the combined adverse effects of elevated glucose/DM and hypertension and the protective effect of dyslipidemia in patients with nonmetastatic disease. The authors concluded that patients who have early stage colon cancer with elevated glucose/DM and/or hypertension may benefit from more intensive surveillance and/or broader use of adjuvant therapy and that trials to define the benefits of low-fat diets, insulin-lowering agents, and statins on recurrence/survival in patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer are warranted.

Morbidity and mortality of multivisceral resection with radical nephrectomy for locally advanced renal cell carcinoma: An analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

INTRODUCTION: Locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can rarely invade into adjacent abdominal viscera without clinical evidence of distant metastases. The role of multivisceral resection (MVR) of involved adjacent organs at the time of radical nephrectomy (RN) remains poorly described and quantified. Using a national database, we aimed to evaluate the association between RN+MVR and 30-day postoperative complications. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing RN for RCC with and without MVR between 2005 and 2020 using the ACS-NSQIP database. The primary outcome was a composite of any of the following 30-day major postoperative complications: mortality, reoperation, cardiac event, and neurologic event. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the composite primary outcome, as well as infectious and venous thromboembolic complications, unplanned intubation and ventilation, transfusion, readmission, and prolonged length of stay (LOS). Groups were balanced using propensity score matching. Likelihood of complications was assessed by conditional logistic regression adjusted for unbalanced total operation time. Postoperative complications were compared by Fisher's exact test among subtypes of resection. RESULTS: A total of 12,417 patients were identified: 12,193 (98.2%) undergoing RN alone and 224 (1.8%) undergoing RN+MVR. Patients undergoing RN+MVR were more likely to experience major complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-4.74). However, there was no significant association between RN+MVR and postoperative mortality (OR 2.49; 95% CI 0.89-7.01). RN+MVR was associated with higher rates of reoperation (OR 7.85; 95% CI 2.38-25.8), sepsis (OR 5.45; 95% CI 1.83-16.2), surgical site infection (OR 4.41; 95% CI 2.14-9.07), blood transfusion (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.55-3.22), readmission (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.11-2.84), infectious complications (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.62-4.24), and longer hospital stay (5 days [IQR 3-8] vs. 4 days [IQR 3-7]; OR 2.31 [95% CI 2.13-3.03]).  There was no heterogeneity in the association between subtype of MVR and major complication rate. CONCLUSION: Undergoing RN+MVR is associated with an increased risk of 30-day postoperative morbidity, including infectious complications, reoperation, blood transfusion, prolonged LOS, and readmission.

Postoperative Discharge Destination Impacts 30-Day Outcomes: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Multi-Specialty Surgical Cohort Analysis.

Surgical patients can be discharged to a variety of facilities which vary widely in intensity of care. Postoperative readmissions have been found to be more strongly associated with post-discharge events than pre-discharge complications, indicating the importance of discharge destination. We sought to evaluate the association between discharge destination and 30-day outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Patients were dichotomized based on discharge destination: home versus non-home. The main outcome of interest was 30-day unplanned readmission. The secondary outcomes included post-discharge pulmonary, infectious, thromboembolic, and bleeding complications, as well as death. In this cohort study of over 1.5 million patients undergoing common surgical procedures across eight surgical specialties, we found non-home discharge to be associated with adverse 30-day post-operative outcomes, namely, unplanned readmissions, post-discharge pulmonary, infectious, thromboembolic, and bleeding complications, as well as death. Non-home discharge is associated with worse 30-day outcomes among patients undergoing common surgical procedures. Patients and caregivers should be counseled regarding discharge destination, as non-home discharge is associated with adverse post-operative outcomes.

De-Escalating the Management of In Situ and Invasive Breast Cancer.

It is necessary to identify appropriate areas of de-escalation in breast cancer treatment to minimize morbidity and maximize patients' quality of life. Less radical treatment modalities, or even no treatment, have been reconsidered if they offer the same oncologic outcomes as standard therapies. Identifying which patients benefit from de-escalation requires particular care, as standard therapies will continue to offer adequate cancer outcomes. We provide an overview of the literature on the de-escalation of treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), local treatment of breast cancer, and surgery after neoadjuvant systemic therapy. De-escalation of breast cancer treatment is a key area of investigation that will continue to remain a priority. Improvements in understanding the natural history and biology of breast cancer, imaging modalities, and adjuvant treatments will expand this even further. Future efforts will continue to challenge us to consider the true role of various treatment modalities.

The Association between Serum Albumin and Post-Operative Outcomes among Patients Undergoing Common Surgical Procedures: An Analysis of a Multi-Specialty Surgical Cohort from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).

While studies have demonstrated an association between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and adverse clinical outcomes, the optimal serum albumin threshold for risk-stratification in the broader surgical population remains poorly defined. We sought define the optimal threshold of preoperative serum albumin concentration for risk-stratification of adverse post-operative outcomes. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database, we identified 842,672 patients that had undergone a common surgical procedure in one of eight surgical specialties. An optimal serum albumin concentration threshold for risk-stratification was determined using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the odds of adverse surgical events; a priori defined subgroup analyses were performed. A serum albumin threshold of 3.4 g/dL optimally predicted adverse surgical outcomes in the broader cohort. After multivariable analysis, patients with hypoalbuminemia had increased odds of death within 30 days of surgery (odds ratio [OR] 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.94-2.08). Hypoalbuminemia was associated with greater odds of primary adverse events among patients with disseminated cancer (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.88-2.20) compared to patients without disseminated cancer (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.44-1.51). The standard clinical threshold for hypoalbuminemia is the optimal threshold for preoperative risk assessment.

Association of Surgeon-Patient Sex Concordance With Postoperative Outcomes.

Importance: Surgeon sex is associated with differential postoperative outcomes, though the mechanism remains unclear. Sex concordance of surgeons and patients may represent a potential mechanism, given prior associations with physician-patient relationships. Objective: To examine the association between surgeon-patient sex discordance and postoperative outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this population-based, retrospective cohort study, adult patients 18 years and older undergoing one of 21 common elective or emergent surgical procedures in Ontario, Canada, from 2007 to 2019 were analyzed. Data were analyzed from November 2020 to March 2021. Exposures: Surgeon-patient sex concordance (male surgeon with male patient, female surgeon with female patient) or discordance (male surgeon with female patient, female surgeon with male patient), operationalized as a binary (discordant vs concordant) and 4-level categorical variable. Main Outcomes and Measures: Adverse postoperative outcome, defined as death, readmission, or complication within 30-day following surgery. Secondary outcomes assessed each of these metrics individually. Generalized estimating equations with clustering at the level of the surgical procedure were used to account for differences between procedures, and subgroup analyses were performed according to procedure, patient, surgeon, and hospital characteristics. Results: Among 1 320 108 patients treated by 2937 surgeons, 602 560 patients were sex concordant with their surgeon (male surgeon with male patient, 509 634; female surgeon with female patient, 92 926) while 717 548 were sex discordant (male surgeon with female patient, 667 279; female surgeon with male patient, 50 269). A total of 189 390 patients (14.9%) experienced 1 or more adverse postoperative outcomes. Sex discordance between surgeon and patient was associated with a significant increased likelihood of composite adverse postoperative outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.09), as well as death (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13), and complications (aOR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07-1.11) but not readmission (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98-1.07). While associations were consistent across most subgroups, patient sex significantly modified this association, with worse outcomes for female patients treated by male surgeons (compared with female patients treated by female surgeons: aOR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.10-1.20) but not male patients treated by female surgeons (compared with male patients treated by male surgeons: aOR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.95-1.03) (P for interaction = .004). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, sex discordance between surgeons and patients negatively affected outcomes following common procedures. Subgroup analyses demonstrate that this is driven by worse outcomes among female patients treated by male surgeons. Further work should seek to understand the underlying mechanism.

Perioperative normothermia during major surgery: is it important?

PH caused by anesthesia-induced thermoregulatory inhibition and exposure to cold operating room environments still occurs in a significant proportion of patients undergoing major surgery. Although the association between specific perioperative temperatures (in and of themselves) and postoperative morbidity remains unclear, there is fair evidence to suggest that perioperative active warming may reduce the risk of postoperative cardiac events, bleeding, and SSIs. As such, proactive efforts by surgical teams to prevent PH are warranted and have become the standard of care at many institutions. Continued intraoperative monitoring of core temperature (ideally using esophageal probes) is recommended in all cases lasting more than 30 minutes, both to detect malignant hyperthermia and to maintain normothermia. Preoperative and/or intraoperative use of warmed forced-air devices is an effective way to minimize redistribution hypothermia following induction, whereas intraoperative use of warmed i.v. fluids helps reduce the potential for fluid-induced hypothermia and, in turn, optimizes rates of perioperative normothermia.

Modified frailty index predicts complications and death after non-bariatric gastrectomies.

BACKGROUND: The modified frailty index (mFI) has been shown to predict mortality and morbidity after major operations. The aim of the present study was to assess the mFI as a preoperative predictor of short-term postoperative complications and 30-day mortality in patients undergoing gastrectomy for non-bariatric diseases. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database was queried for patients who underwent total or partial gastrectomy from 2005 to 2011. A mFI was calculated based on 11 variables as previously described. The population divided into the following four categories based on the mFI score: the non-frail (mFI 0), the low frail (mFI 1), the intermediate frail (mFI 2) and frail (mFI ≥3). Thirty-day mortality and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 5,711 patients underwent a gastrectomy for non-bariatric diseases. Higher mFI score was associated with higher rates of mortality (from 1.2% in the non-frail group to 10.7% in frail group, P<0.001), overall morbidity (26.7% vs. 51.1%, P<0.001), postoperative Clavien IV complication (6% vs. 24.6%, P<0.001), serious complications (19.3% vs. 42.6%, P<0.001), sepsis-related complications (8.4% vs. 16.4%, P<0.001), cardiopulmonary complications (5% vs. 20.7%, P<0.001) and failure to rescue (5.7% vs. 21.8%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher mFI score in patients undergoing non-bariatric gastrectomy, is associated with a stepwise greater risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. MFI Score can be easily calculated preoperatively, from the patient's history, and it can be used as an exceptionally useful criterion for treatment planning.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Financial Toxicity Among Adults in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Financial toxicity (FT) is a well-established side-effect of the high costs associated with cancer care. In recent years, studies have suggested that a significant proportion of those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) experience FT and its consequences. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare FT for individuals with neither ASCVD nor cancer, ASCVD only, cancer only, and both ASCVD and cancer. METHODS: From the National Health Interview Survey, we identified adults with self-reported ASCVD and/or cancer between 2013 and 2018, stratifying results by nonelderly (age <65 years) and elderly (age ≥65 years). We defined FT if any of the following were present: any difficulty paying medical bills, high financial distress, cost-related medication nonadherence, food insecurity, and/or foregone/delayed care due to cost. RESULTS: The prevalence of FT was higher among those with ASCVD when compared with cancer (54% vs. 41%; p < 0.001). When studying the individual components of FT, in adjusted analyses, those with ASCVD had higher odds of any difficulty paying medical bills (odds ratio [OR]: 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09 to 1.36), inability to pay bills (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.50), cost-related medication nonadherence (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.51), food insecurity (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.64), and foregone/delayed care due to cost (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.36). The presence of ≥3 of these factors was significantly higher among those with ASCVD and those with both ASCVD and cancer when compared with those with cancer (23% vs. 30% vs. 13%, respectively; p < 0.001). These results remained similar in the elderly population. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that FT is greater among patients with ASCVD compared with those with cancer, with the highest burden among those with both conditions.