Show Me the Money, I'll Show You My Complications: Impacts of Incentivized Incident Self-Reporting Among Surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Trial and error have the propensity to generate knowledge. Near misses and adverse event reporting can improve patient care. Professional ridicule or litigation risks after an incident may lead to decreased reporting by physicians; however, the lack of incident reporting can negatively affect patient safety and halt scientific advancements. This study compares reporting patterns after distribution of financial incentives to surgeons for self-reporting quality incidents. METHODS: Retrospective review of an internal incident reporting system, RL6, from September 2018 to September 2019 was performed. Incident reporting patterns after incentive distributions across professional classifications and surgical specialties were evaluated. Engagement surveys on incident reporting were completed by physicians. The primary outcomes were changes in reporting patterns and perceptions after distribution of incentives. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighteen surgical patients were identified in the incidents reported. Financial incentives significantly increased incidents reported (35 to 183) by physicians (37.1% to 67.8%; P < 0.001) and physician assistants (2.9% to 18.6%; P < 0.001). Acute care surgery displayed the largest increase in incidents reported among surgical specialties (5.7% to 20.2%; P = 0.040). Surgeons exhibited an increase in reporting (60.0% to 94.5%; P < 0.001) compared with witnesses after incentivization (2.9% to 1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Financial incentives were associated with increased incident reporting. After the establishment of incentives, physicians were more likely to report their incidents, which may dispel professional embarrassment and display incident ownership. Institutions must encourage reporting while supporting providers. Future quality-improvement studies targeting reporting should incorporate incentives aimed to engage and empower health-care providers.

Combination of red cell distribution width and American Society of Anesthesiologists score for hip fracture mortality prediction.

UNLABELLED: The prognostic value of red cell distribution width (RDW) and a combination of RDW and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score for long-term hip fracture mortality remains unknown. Our data showed that both RDW and ASA were independent risk predictors. A combination of these two parameters may provide a more powerful strategy for the prediction of hip fracture mortality. INTRODUCTION: Red cell distribution width (RDW) has recently been suggested as an independent predictor of prognosis in a variety of disorders. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) system has been widely used to stratify patients for outcome evaluations. However, the prognostic value of RDW and a combination of RDW and the ASA score for long-term hip fracture mortality has yet to be studied. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 1402 subjects from 2000 to 2011 with a follow-up study over a 2 year period. Cox proportional hazards models with a bootstrap validation were used to evaluate associations of RDW, ASA, and a combination of both with long-term mortality. The global fit and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for model discrimination were further analyzed. RESULTS: Both RDW and ASA exhibited as independent risk predictors of 2-year mortality. The population with elevation of either RDW or ASA increased the risk of mortality (bootstrap validated hazard ratio (HR) 1.971 95 % confidence interval (CI) [1.336-3.005] p < 0.01) while those with an increase in both assessments (bootstrap validated HR 2.667 95 % CI [1.526-4.515] p < 0.01) were at the highest risk for mortality. The addition of the combination of ASA and RDW improved the discrimination power of risk prediction models (AUC increased from 0.700 to 0.723, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both RDW and ASA exhibited as independent risk predictors of 2-year hip fracture mortality. The combination of these two readily available parameters may provide a more powerful and effective strategy for the assessment of all-cause mortality in hip fracture patients.

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy in severely comorbid patients with acute cholecystitis: results of a monocentric study.

Aim: The aim is to evaluate laparoscopic cholecystectomy safety based on American Society of Anesthesiologists score for acute cholecystitis in patients with comorbidities. Patients & methods: This is retrospective study of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between 2003 and 2021. According to their respective ASA-score, patients were divided into group 1: ASA1-2 and group 2: ASA3-4. Results: We collected 578 patients. Even though the gangrenous forms were more frequent and the operative time was longer in group 2, laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems safe and effective. We didn't observe any differences in terms of intraoperative incidents, open conversion rate, or postoperative complications compared with other patients. Conclusion: ASA3-4 patients with acute cholecystitis don't face elevated risks of complications or mortality during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This study, involving 578 patients with acute cholecystitis, assessed the safety of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy based on their health scores. Despite longer operative times and more gangrenous forms in higher-scored patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to be safe and effective. No significant differences in complications or mortality were observed compared with lower-scored patients. In conclusion, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered a safe option for patients with higher health scores facing acute cholecystitis.

Study assessed laparoscopic cholecystectomy safety in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis based on ASA scores. Despite longer operative times, it's a safe and effective option. #CholecystectomySafety.

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status system predicts the risk of postoperative Clavien-Dindo complications greater than one at 90 days after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: final results of a tertiary referral center.

To test the hypothesis of an association between the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system and the risk of 90-days postoperative complications after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification system (CDS). In a period ranging from January 2013 to October 2020, 1143 patients were evaluated. ASA classification was computed by trained anesthesiologists. Postoperative complications at 90 days after RARP were grouped as greater than one (CDS between 2 and 4a) versus up to one (CDS between 0 and 1). The risk association was computed using logistic regression models. According to ASA physical status classification system, patients were distributed as follows: 102 (8.9%) ASA 1, 934 (81.7%) ASA 2, and 107 (9.4%) ASA 3. Overall, 90-days postoperative complications occurred in 277 (24.2%) cases, of which 137 (12%) were graded as CDS 1 vs. 105 (9.2%) CDS 2 vs. 17 (1.5%) CDS 3a vs. 15 (1.3%) CDS 3b vs. 3 (0.3%) CDS 4a. ASA 2 and 3 patient categories were more likely to have 90-days postoperative complications CDS > 1 (12.5% and 16.8%, respectively) compared to ASA 1 patients (4.9%). The risk association was stronger for ASA 3 (odds ratio, [OR]: 4.085; 95%CI: 1.457-11.455; p = 0.007) than for ASA 2 (OR: 2.907; 95%CI: 1.106-7.285; p = 0.023) patient categories. After adjustment for clinical, pathological, and perioperative covariates, including pelvic lymph node dissection (performed vs. not performed), either ASA 2 or 3 categories remained independent predictors of 90-days postoperative complications CDS > 1. The risk of 90-days postoperative complications CDS > 1 after RARP increased as the ASA physical status deteriorated independently by performing or not an extended pelvic lymph node dissection. In the ASA 3 patients category, RARP should be performed at tertiary referral centers to safely manage the risk of postoperative complications.

Pneumonectomy for Primary Lung Tumors and Pulmonary Metastases: A Comprehensive Study of Postoperative Morbidity, Early Mortality, and Preoperative Clinical Prognostic Factors.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonectomy is a major surgical resection that still remains a high-risk operation. The current study aims to investigate perioperative risk factors for postoperative morbidity and early mortality after pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies at our institution between 2014 and 2022. Complications were assessed up to 30 days after the operation. Mortality for any reason was recorded after 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 145 out of 169 patients undergoing pneumonectomy were included in this study. The postoperative 30-day complication rate was 41.4%. The 30-day-mortality was 8.3%, and 90-day-mortality 17.2%. The presence of cardiovascular comorbidities was a risk factor for major cardiopulmonary complications (54.2% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.01). Postoperative bronchus stump insufficiency (OR: 11.883, 95% CI: 1.288-109.591, p = 0.029) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score 4 (OR: 3.023, 95% CI: 1.028-8.892, p = 0.044) were independent factors for early mortality. CONCLUSION: Pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies remains a high-risk major lung resection with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. Attention should be paid to the preoperative selection of patients.

Predictors of 90-Day All-Cause Morbidity, Mortality and Poor Functional Outcome Scores Following Elective Total Knee Arthroplasty in a High-Volume Setting: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The primary objective was to ascertain the predictors of 90-day all-cause morbidity, mortality and poor functional outcome scores following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Material and Method: The study population comprised 3645 patients who underwent elective primary unilateral TKA at our institution. Demographic variables, Body Mass Index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade and the Deyo-Charlson comorbidity scores were ascertained. The Functional outcomes, perioperative complications, mortality and readmission rates were monitored prospectively for 90 days and analysed. Patients were assessed twice: at baseline and at 90 days postoperatively. Odds ratio and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated to quantify the risk. A p < 0.05 for two-tailed tests were considered significant. Result: The 90-day mortality rate was 0.08% (all males) and 3.95% of the patients experienced one or the other complications. The majority of patients reported excellent-to-poor scores at 90-day follow-up VAS (8.85 ± 1.02 vs. 2.65 ± 1.15; p < 0.0001) and KSS scores (42.96 ± 5.90 vs. 80.52 ± 4.15; p < 0.0001). The early readmission rate was 0.96%. Infection was being the primary reason. Age > 70 years; Deyo-Charlson co-morbidity score ≥ 4, ASA grade-III, Diabetes Mellitus, BMI > 35, Cardiac Issues and Male gender were significant predictors of early morbidity and mortality. Female, Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score ≥ 4, ASA grade-III, BMI > 35, Age > 75 years and poor preoperative scores were significantly associated with poor functional outcome. Conclusion: The present study explicates the relative importance of predictors on morbidity, mortality and functional outcome. Efforts to minimize morbidity and mortality should concentrate more on elderly male patients, and those with high Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score, BMI and ASA grade.

American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) Physical Status System and Risk of Major Clavien-Dindo Complications After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy at Hospital Discharge: Analysis of 1143 Consecutive Prostate Cancer Patients.

Objective: To test the hypothesis of associations of preoperative physical status system with major postoperative complications at hospital discharge in prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Materials and Methods: In a period ranging from January 2013 to October 2020, 1143 patients were evaluated. The physical status was assessed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) system, which was computed trained anesthesiologists. The Clavien-Dindo system was used to classify postoperative complications, which were coded as major if greater than 1. Results: ASA physical status system included class I in 102 patients (8.9%), class II in 934 subjects (81.7%), and class III in 107 cases (9.4%). Clavien-Dindo complications were distributed as follows: grade 1: 141 cases (12.3%), grade 2: 108 patients (9.4%), grade 3a: 5 subjects (0.4%), grade 3b: 9 patients (0.8%), and grade 4a: 3 cases (0.3%). Overall, major complications were detected in 125 cases (10.9%). On multivariate analysis, major Clavien-Dindo complications were predicted by ASA score grade II (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 2.538; 95%CI 1.007-6.397; p = 0.048) and grade III (adjusted OR 3.468; 95%CI 1.215-9.896; p = 0.020) independently by pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and/or blood lost. Conclusion: In RARP surgery, the risk of major postoperative Clavien-Dindo complications increased as the physical status system deteriorated independently by performing or not a PLND and/or large intraoperative blood lost. The ASA score system was an effective predictor of major Clavien-Dindo complications, which delayed LOHS in RARP surgery. Confirmatory studies are required. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-022-01577-9.

Anesthesiologist Provided Regional Nerve Block Against Surgeon Provided Infiltration Block for Abdominal Surgery: Case Series.

We present two patients who underwent double mastectomy and breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap. The goal of this case series was to compare surgeon-provided infiltration block against anesthesiologist-provided regional nerve block, focusing on abdominal analgesia. This case report highlights that pain control for a patient could be successful when done collaboratively. To achieve this, it is important for both the surgical and anesthesia team to discuss the best analgesic plan for the patient while taking into consideration the confidence, experience, and technique that both the surgical and anesthesiology team can offer.

Influence of American Society of Anesthesiologists Score on Oncologic Outcomes in Patients With Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma After Radical Nephroureterectomy: A Large-Sample Study in Two Institutions.

INTRODUCTION: As a research team of urologists and an anesthetist, we sought to investigate the prognostic significance of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score in patients with upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). ASA physical status (ASA-PS) classification not only was found to be associated with increased comorbidities but also independently factors for predicting morbidity and mortality. Accurate risk assessment was being particularly important for patients being considered for surgery. METHODS: Records for 958 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU were reviewed. Clinicopathologic variables, including ASA-PS, were assessed at two institutions. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), intravesical recurrence-free survival (IRFS), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. We measured the independent predictive value of ASA-PS for mortality by multivariate regression. Association of ASA-PS and clinicopathologic variables was assessed. RESULTS: The group of patients with ASA = 2/3 had a shorter 5-year OS (67.6% and 49.9%), CSS (72.9% and 58.1%), and MFS (75.1% and 58.5%). The median follow-up time was 39 months. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the group with ASA = 2/3 had significantly poorer OS, CSS, and MFS. Adjusting for multiple potential confounding factors, multivariate analyses suggested that ASA score was an independent predictor of OS, CSS, and MFS (p = 0.004, p = 0.005, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher ASA scores were independently associated with lower survival rate. This capability, along with its simplicity, makes it a valuable prognostic metric. It should be seriously referenced in UTUC patients being considered for RNU.

Primary total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients over 85 years old: risks, complications and medium-long term results. / Artroplastia total primaria de cadera en pacientes mayores de 85 años: riesgos, complicaciones y resultados a medio-largo plazo.

INTRODUCTION: The elderly population candidate for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increasing exponentially in developed countries, due to the high prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA). The objective is to identify the overall survival in patients over 85 years with primary OA who underwent THA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study in patients over 85 years with primary hip OA undergoing THA between 2012 and 2019. Demographic, clinical, comorbidity, complications, functionality and pain variables were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed, survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the differences in pain and functionality before and after surgery with the McNemar-Bowker test. RESULTS: We included 66 patients, 40 women and 26 men with a mean age of 87.22 years, of whom 15 had high comorbidity (Charlson>2). Only 14 patients presented complications in the postoperative period, the most frequent was confusional syndrome (5); and the most serious was a death (1), with a median hospital stay of 8 days. Two cases of dislocation were detected over a mean follow-up of 3.61 years, without requiring revision surgery. Improvement of pain was evident after surgery (p<.0001). The median overall survival is 6.77 years, with no difference in survival adjusted by the Charlson index (p=.75) or by ASA anaesthetic group (p=.23). CONCLUSIONS: With good patient selection, THA is a good option for patients over 85 years of age with functional limitations or pain due to OA.

Laparoscopic vs open surgery for colorectal cancer patients with high American Society of Anesthesiologists classes.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery has become popular for colorectal cancer treatment in recent years. However, its success rate even among high-risk patients remains debatable. The present study aims to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgeries in the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes 3 and 4 patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study performed at a university hospital, with 78 patients suffering from colorectal cancer who underwent surgery in ASA classes 3 and 4 as respondents. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative outcomes, and prognoses were factors compared between the open and laparoscopic groups. RESULTS: Compared with the open group, laparoscopic group had longer operation time (median 287.5 vs 204.5 minutes, P = .001), less operative blood loss (median 40 vs 240 mL, P = .020), and fewer postoperative complications (24% vs 55%, P = .011). In addition, operative approach (open vs laparoscopic) served as an independent factor for the occurrence of postoperative complications [HR = 3.963 (1.344-12.269), P = .013]. In terms of overall survival and recurrence-free survival (P = .171 and .087, respectively), no significant difference was found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery is thus associated with more favorable short-time outcomes and could be adopted as treatment even for colorectal cancer ASA class 3 and 4 patients.

Complications following single-level interbody fusion procedures: an ACS-NSQIP study.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over the ability of various lumbar interbody fusion techniques to realign global and regional balance and their effect on patient outcomes. This is a retrospective cohort study to compare thirty-day postoperative outcomes between anterior and posterior interbody fusion techniques within a large national database. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database included 2,372 (29.9%) single-level anterior/direct lateral interbody fusions (ALIF/DLIF) and 5,563 (70.1%) single-level posterior/transforaminal lateral interbody fusions (PLIF/TLIF) between 2013 and 2014. Emergent cases, fracture cases, and preoperative compromised wounds were not analyzed. Primary thirty-day outcomes included mortality, return to operating room, readmission, length of stay, and other major complications. Minor outcomes included urinary tract infection, superficial incisional site infection, and perioperative blood transfusion within 72 hours. RESULTS: ALIF/DLIF was performed more for degenerative lumbar disc disease (31.0% vs. 13.9%, P<0.001), whereas PLIF/TLIF was utilized more for spondylolisthesis (19.1% vs. 24.4%, P<0.001). Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher with ALIF/DLIF (0.3% vs. 0.1%, P=0.021) in the univariate analysis and persisted in the multivariate analysis (OR =12.8; 95% CI, 1.37-119.6; P=0.025). Significantly more PLIF/TLIF patients required blood transfusions within 72 hours of surgery (9.6% vs. 7.6%, P=0.005). This difference did not persist in the multivariate analysis after controlling for covariates. Elevated ASA physical status classification, age >60, prior bleeding disorder, and preoperative anemia were significantly associated with blood transfusion requirement. More deep venous thrombosis occurred (DVT) with ALIF/DLIF compared to PLIF/TLIF (1.0% vs. 0.6%, P=0.025), which persisted in the multivariate analysis (OR =2.03; 95% CI, 1.13-3.65; P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Although numerous techniques can be utilized in the treatment approach to various lumbar pathologies, anterior approaches have an increased risk of developing a perioperative DVT and early mortality. Transfusion risk is more strongly associated with elevated American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, increased age, preoperative anemia, and patients with bleeding disorders.

Assessing the Academic Productivity of Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) Resident Scholars.

BACKGROUND: The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research Resident Scholar Program (RSP) supports academically promising anesthesiology residents to attend mentoring seminars at the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting. The objective of this study was to describe the career paths of RSP participants. METHODS: Prior RSP participants were surveyed regarding their academic productivity and their evaluation of the RSP experience. Univariate statistics were used to characterize the survey results. RESULTS: A total of 882 RSP participants were surveyed. The response rate was 26%. Seventy-two percent of respondents had worked in an academic institution, and 45% (95% CI: 38%-51%) were currently at an academic institution, which is higher than the national average of 18% (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This program may be a model for supporting the development of future academic anesthesiologists.

Propofol-based deep sedation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure in sick elderly patients in a developing country.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of propofol-based deep sedation (PBDS) for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure in sick (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] physical status III-IV) and nonsick (ASA physical status I-II) elderly patients in a teaching hospital in Thailand. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of the anesthesia or sedation service records of elderly patients who underwent ERCP procedures from October 2007 to September 2008. All patients were classified into two groups according to the ASA physical status. In group A, the patients had ASA physical status I-II, while in group B, the patients had ASA physical status III-IV. The primary outcome variable of the study was the successful completion of the procedure. The secondary outcome variables were sedation-related adverse events during and immediately after the procedure. RESULTS: There were 158 elderly patients who underwent ERCP procedure by using PBDS during the study period. Of these, 109 patients were in group A and 49 patients were in group B. There were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, duration of ERCP, indication of procedure, and the mean dose of fentanyl, propofol, and midazolam between the two groups. All patients in both groups successfully completed the procedure except eight patients in group A and three patients in group B (P = 0.781). Overall, respiratory and cardiovascular adverse events in both groups were not significantly different. All adverse events were easily treated, with no adverse sequelae. CONCLUSION: In the setting of a developing country, PBDS for ERCP procedure in sick elderly patients by trained anesthetic personnel with appropriate monitoring was safe and effective. The clinical efficacy of this technique in sick elderly patients was not different or worse than in nonsick elderly patients. Serious adverse events were rare in our population.