Quality Improvement in Cystectomy Care with Enhanced Recovery (QUICCER) study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if patients managed with a cystectomy enhanced recovery pathway (CERP) have improved quality of care after radical cystectomy (RC), as defined by a decrease in length of hospital stay (LOS) without an increase in complications or readmissions compared with those not managed with CERP. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Quality Improvement in Cystectomy Care with Enhanced Recovery (QUICCER) study was a non-randomized quasi-experimental study. Data were collected between June 2011 and April 2015. The CERP was implemented in July 2013. The primary endpoint was LOS. Secondary endpoints were quality scores, complications and readmissions. Multivariable regression was performed. Propensity score matching was carried out to further simulate randomized clinical trial conditions. A CERP quality composite score was created and evaluated with regard to adherence to CERP elements. RESULTS: The study included 79 patients managed with CERP and 121 who were not managed with CERP. After matching, there were 75 patients in the non-CERP group. The LOS was significantly different between the groups: the median LOS was 5 and 8 days for the CERP and non-CERP group, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression showed that any complication was the most significant predictor of total LOS at 90 days after RC. The higher the quality composite score the shorter the LOS (P < 0.001). There was no association between CERP and a greater number of complications or readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Audited quality measures in the CERP are associated with a reduction in LOS with no increase in readmissions or complications. The CERP is important for the future improvement of peri-operative care for RC and provides an opportunity to improve the quality of care provided.

Bladder cancer incidence and mortality in patients treated with radiation for uterine cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of radiation therapy (RT) administered for uterine cancer (UtC) on bladder cancer (BC) incidence, tumour characteristics at presentation, and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, records of 56 681 patients diagnosed with UtC as their first primary malignancy during 1980-2005 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) database. Follow-up for incident BC ended on 31 December 2008. Occurrences of BC diagnoses and BC deaths in patients with UtC managed with or without RT were summarised with counts and person-time incidence rates (counts divided by person-years of observation). Age adjustment of rates was performed by direct standardisation. Incident BC cases were described in terms of histological types, grades and stages. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 15 years, BC was diagnosed in 146 (0.93%) of 15 726 patients with UtC managed with RT, and in 197 (0.48%) of 40 955 patients with UtC managed without RT, with an age-adjusted rate ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-2.5). Fatal BC occurred in 39 (0.25%) and 36 (0.09%) of patients with UtC managed with vs without RT, respectively, with an age-adjusted rate ratio of 2.9 (95% CI 1.8-4.6). Incident BC cases diagnosed in patients with UtC managed with vs without RT had similar distributions of histological types, grades, and stages. CONCLUSIONS: Use of RT for UtC is associated with increased BC incidence and mortality later in life. Heightened awareness should help identify women with new voiding symptoms or haematuria, all of which should be fully evaluated.

Multi-institutional Clinical Tool for Predicting High-risk Lesions on 3Tesla Multiparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for prostate cancer detection without careful patient selection may lead to excessive resource utilization and costs. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a clinical tool for predicting the presence of high-risk lesions on mpMRI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Four tertiary care centers were included in this retrospective and prospective study (BiRCH Study Collaborative). Statistical models were generated using 1269 biopsy-naive, prior negative biopsy, and active surveillance patients who underwent mpMRI. Using age, prostate-specific antigen, and prostate volume, a support vector machine model was developed for predicting the probability of harboring Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System 4 or 5 lesions. The accuracy of future predictions was then prospectively assessed in 214 consecutive patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Receiver operating characteristic, calibration, and decision curves were generated to assess model performance. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: For biopsy-naïve and prior negative biopsy patients (n=811), the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.730 on internal validation. Excellent calibration and high net clinical benefit were observed. On prospective external validation at two separate institutions (n=88 and n=126), the machine learning model discriminated with AUCs of 0.740 and 0.744, respectively. The final model was developed on the Microsoft Azure Machine Learning platform (birch.azurewebsites.net). This model requires a prostate volume measurement as input. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who are naïve to biopsy or those with a prior negative biopsy, BiRCH models can be used to select patients for mpMRI. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this multicenter study, we developed and prospectively validated a calculator that can be used to predict prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results using patient age, prostate-specific antigen, and prostate volume as input. This tool can aid health care professionals and patients to make an informed decision regarding whether to get an MRI.

Secondary Tumors After Urinary Diversion.

It has been known that urinary diversions juxtaposing the urinary and intestinal tracts lead to increased incidence of secondary malignancies. Although tumorigenesis in ureterosigmoidostomies follows the typical course from adenomas to adenocarcinomas, secondary malignancies arising from isolated intestinal diversions are much more heterogeneous. Research over the last half century has unveiled patterns of incidence and progression, while also uncovering possible mechanisms driving the neoplastic changes. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of these unique tumors, with the hope that the knowledge gained may shed light on the etiologies of other cancers arising from the urinary and intestinal tracts.

Are we doing "better"? The discrepancy between perception and practice of enhanced recovery after cystectomy principles among urologic oncologists.

PURPOSE: The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery has been around since the 1990s when it was first introduced as a means to improve postoperative recovery of general surgical patients. In the field of urology, the uptake of enhanced recovery pathways has been slow for unclear reasons. Recently, interest in enhanced recovery after cystectomy (ERAC) has been increasing, but the current urologic oncology practice patterns remain unclear. In this study, we investigate modern perioperative patterns of care and rates of application of ERAC principles by cystectomy surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ERAC principles were identified by reviewing urology and general surgery literature. An adapted version of The Royal College of Surgeons of England fast-track surgical principles survey was used. Preoperative education, bowel preparation avoidance, nasogastric tubes avoidance, normothermia, opioid avoidance, early ambulation, and early feeding were all practices queried with the survey. Surveys were distributed electronically to faculty of Society of Urologic Oncology fellowships with bladder cancer as a special area of interest. Additional participants were identified by recent publications on cystectomies for bladder cancer. In total, 128 surveys were e-mailed to the previously identified experts. Of these, 61 (48%) completed the survey. Responses were classified as congruent with commonly accepted ERAC principles (ERAC group) or noncongruent (non-ERAC group). Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney for ordinal variables. RESULTS: Of the urologists who classified themselves in the ERAC group (64%), the average length of stay was reported to be 6.1 days and 7.2 days in the non-ERAC group (P = 0.02). Only 20% were practicing all interventions. Among the ERAC surgeons 1, 2 or 3 of the interventions were omitted by 13%, 25%, and 23% of the respondents, respectively. Significant differences were found between the self-reported ERAC adopters and nonadopters in the use of bowel preparation (P = 0.01), nasogastric tubes (P = 0.007), alvimopan (P<0.001), and the average day of advancement to clear liquids (P<0.001). There were no differences in postoperative ambulation and opiate or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Lack of convincing evidence was cited as the main reason for the non-ERAC group not yet implementing an ERAC pathway followed by lack of resource availability. CONCLUSION: Urologists who consider themselves as practicing ERAC do not universally practice all of the pathway tenets. A significant gap exists between self-perception and practice of enhanced recovery. ERAC implementation is challenging but represents a significant opportunity to improve the quality of care for cystectomy patients.

The Future of Enhanced Recovery for Radical Cystectomy: Current Evidence, Barriers to Adoption, and the Next Steps.

Radical cystectomy (RC) is a complex procedure that can involve long postoperative hospital stays and complicated, burdensome recoveries. Enhanced recovery after surgery is a broad term encompassing an overall approach to perioperative management of postsurgical patients and is becoming more widely accepted for cystectomy patients. This review examines the current evidence for using enhanced recovery protocols for RC as well as current rates of adoption of enhanced recovery among urologists performing RC. We also discuss the next steps for overcoming barriers to the widespread implementation of enhanced recovery for RC.

Cost-Effectiveness of Extended Duration Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in High Risk Urological Oncology Surgical Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Major urological oncology surgery carries a significant risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism events, resulting in major morbidity, possible mortality and substantial costs. We determined the incremental cost-effectiveness for in-hospital and low molecular weight heparin extended duration prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism prevention in patients at high risk following major urological oncology surgery. METHODS: A decision analytical model was developed to compare inpatient hospital costs, venous thromboembolism incidence within 365 days and outcomes associated with extended duration prophylaxis for 4 prophylaxis strategies. The 4 strategies grouped by protocol adherence were 1) per protocol in-hospital prophylaxis with extended duration prophylaxis in 88 cases, 2) per protocol in-hospital prophylaxis without extended duration prophylaxis in 42, 3) not per protocol in-hospital prophylaxis with extended duration prophylaxis in 80 and 4) not per protocol in-hospital prophylaxis without extended duration prophylaxis in 99. Between June 2011 and March 2014, 707 patients underwent major urological oncology surgery. Using the Caprini risk score 309 patients were at high risk. RESULTS: The group 1 strategy was the dominant (most effective) strategy when the probability of preventing venous thromboembolism with extended duration prophylaxis was greater than 80%. Effectiveness for preventing venous thromboembolism was most influenced by the group 2 venous thromboembolism incidence rate. Costs in group 1 vs group 2 were calculated at $1,531 vs $1,563. Using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to compare groups 1 and 2, which were the 2 groups with the closest costs and effectiveness, an overall cost savings of $1,390 per patient was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with competing strategies in-hospital and extended duration prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism prevention in patients at high risk undergoing major urological oncology surgery is effective to prevent venous thromboembolism and it is cost saving.