The Current Evidence and How-To on Combined Sacrocolpopexy and Rectopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Multicompartment prolapse is a complex pelvic floor condition that can involve coordination of both urogynecologists and colorectal surgeons. METHODS: Concomitant sacrocolpopexy and ventral rectopexy is a safe and effective approach to treating this condition. RESULTS: The combined procedure has high rates of patient satisfaction and symptom improvement, including defecatory dysfunction, sexual health, and overall increased quality of life. CONCLUSION: Concomitant sacrocolpopexy with ventral rectopexy is safe and improves overall outcomes.

Recurrence Rates and Risk Factors in the Altemeier Procedure for Rectal Prolapse: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Perineal proctosigmoidectomy (Altemeier) is a surgical procedure that is commonly used for the treatment of rectal prolapse. However, there is a diverse range of recurrence rates after Altemeier procedure repair that has been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To identify primary and subsequent recurrence rates after perineal proctosigmoidectomy and to define potential risk factors for recurrence. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTINGS: Conducted at 6 hospitals affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic. PATIENTS: The study included patients who were older than 18 years and were treated with the Altemeier procedure for rectal prolapse between 2007 and 2022. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were rates of primary and subsequent recurrences. Secondary outcomes included potential risk factors for recurrence previously mentioned in the literature. RESULTS: We identified 182 patients, of whom 95.1% were women, with a mean age of 79 years (SD 11.4). Overall, procedures were elective in 92.1% of patients, and 14.3% had previously undergone prolapse repairs (Delorme, Thiersch, abdominal suture rectopexy, and abdominal mesh rectopexy). At a mean follow-up period of 27.5 months (SD 45.7), 37.9% of patients experienced recurrence, with 16.5% of patients having multiple recurrences. A subsequent Altemeier procedure was performed in 72.5% of instances. Other treatments included Delorme, abdominal suture rectopexy, abdominal mesh rectopexy, or conservative management. This study identified connective tissue disorders and time since surgery as significant risk factors for recurrence. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design and varying follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal proctosigmoidectomy is associated with a significant risk of recurrence. The risk of recurrence increased with the presence of a connective tissue disorder and in proportion to the elapsed time since surgery. These discoveries assist health care professionals in counseling and managing patients who undergo perineal proctosigmoidectomy for rectal prolapse. See Video Abstract . TASAS DE RECURRENCIA Y FACTORES DE RIESGO EN EL PROCEDIMIENTO DE ALTEMEIER PARA EL PROLAPSO RECTAL UN ESTUDIO MULTICNTRICO: ANTECEDENTES:La proctosigmoidectomía perineal (Altemeier) es un procedimiento quirúrgico que se utiliza comúnmente para el tratamiento del prolapso rectal. Sin embargo, existe una amplia gama de tasas de recurrencia después de la reparación con el procedimiento de Altemeier que se han informado en la literatura.OBJETIVO:Nuestro objetivo fue identificar las tasas de recurrencia primaria y posterior después de la proctosigmoidectomía perineal, así como definir los posibles factores de riesgo de recurrencia.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohorte.AJUSTES:Realizado en 6 hospitales afiliados a la Clínica Cleveland.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años que fueron tratados con procedimiento de Altemeier por prolapso rectal entre 2007 y 2022.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:Los resultados primarios fueron las tasas de recurrencias primarias y posteriores. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron factores de riesgo potenciales de recurrencia mencionados anteriormente en la literatura.RESULTADOS:Se identificaron 182 pacientes, de los cuales el 95,1% eran mujeres con una edad media de 79 años (DE 11,4). En general, el 92,1% fueron electivos y el 14,3% se habían sometido previamente a reparaciones de prolapso (Delorme, Thiersch, rectopexia con sutura abdominal y rectopexia con malla abdominal). En un período de seguimiento medio de 27,5 meses (DE 45,7), el 37,9% de los pacientes experimentó recurrencia, y el 16,5% de los pacientes tuvo recurrencias múltiples. En el 72,5% de los casos se realizó un procedimiento de Altemeier posterior. Otros tratamientos incluyeron Delorme, rectopexia con sutura abdominal, rectopexia con malla abdominal o manejo conservador. Este estudio identificó los trastornos del tejido conectivo y el tiempo transcurrido desde la cirugía como factores de riesgo importantes de recurrencia.LIMITACIONES:Diseño retrospectivo y períodos de seguimiento variables.CONCLUSIÓN:La proctosigmoidectomía perineal se asocia con un riesgo significativo de recurrencia. El riesgo de recurrencia aumentó con la presencia de un trastorno del tejido conectivo y en proporción al tiempo transcurrido desde la cirugía. Estos descubrimientos ayudan a los profesionales de la salud a asesorar y tratar a los pacientes que se someten a proctosigmoidectomía perineal por prolapso rectal. (Traducción-Dr. Ingrid Melo ).

Close margin of adverse histologic factors with a negative primary tumor margin is not associated with increased locoregional recurrence in colon cancer.

PURPOSE: Locoregional recurrence after resection of colon cancer is increased when primary tumor margin is positive (<1 â€‹mm). Data is limited regarding the risk of locoregional recurrence with close margin (<1 â€‹mm) of histologic factors, such as intravascular tumor, intranodal tumor, tumor deposits, or extranodal extension. We hypothesized that close margin of these factors doesn't affect locoregional recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective review of all colon cancer surgical resections for adenocarcinoma from 2007 to 2020 was performed. Inclusion criteria were specimens with a negative primary tumor margin but a close margin of adverse histologic factors, defined as intravascular tumor, intranodal tumor, tumor deposits, or extranodal extension within 1 â€‹mm of a mesenteric or circumferential margin. RESULTS: Among 4435 pathology reports reviewed, 45 (1 â€‹%) of cases met inclusion criteria. Average follow-up was 38 months. The adverse histologic factor was identified as intranodal tumor in 24 (53 â€‹%) cases, intravascular tumor in 8 (17.8 â€‹%), tumor deposits in 5 (11.1 â€‹%), and more than one pathologic feature in 6 (13.3 â€‹%). There were 9 (20 â€‹%) recurrences; 6 (13 â€‹%) had distant recurrences only, 2 (4 â€‹%) patients had locoregional recurrences only, and 1 (2 â€‹%) patient had both locoregional and distant recurrence. The adverse histologic factor in these three patients was intravascular in two and both intravascular and intranodal in one. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we do not have evidence that the presence of intravascular tumor, intranodal tumor, tumor deposits, or extranodal extension within 1 â€‹mm of a mesenteric or circumferential margin is associated with increased risk of locoregional recurrence.

Ventral mesh rectopexy for recurrent rectal prolapse after Altemeier perineal proctosigmoidectomy: feasibility and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Recurrence of rectal prolapse following the Altemeier procedure is reported with rates up to 40%. The optimal surgical management of recurrences has limited data available. Ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) is a favored procedure for primary rectal prolapse, but its role in managing recurrences after Altemeier is unclear. VMR for recurrent prolapse involves implanting the mesh on the colon, which has a thinner wall, more active peristalsis, no mesorectum, less peritoneum available for covering the mesh, and potential diverticula. These factors can affect mesh-related complications such as erosion, migration, or infection. This study assessed the feasibility and perioperative outcomes of VMR for recurrent rectal prolapse after the Altemeier procedure. METHODS: We queried our prospectively maintained database between 01/01/2008 and 06/30/2022 for patients who had experienced a recurrence of full-thickness rectal prolapse following Altemeier's perineal proctosigmoidectomy and subsequently underwent ventral mesh rectopexy. RESULTS: Ten women with a median age of 67 years (range 61) and a median BMI of 27.8 kg/m2 (range 9) were included. Five (50%) had only one Altemeier, and five (50%) had multiple rectal prolapse surgeries, including Altemeier before VMR. No mesh-related complications occurred during a 65-month (range 165) median follow-up period. Three patients (30%) experienced minor postoperative complications unrelated to the mesh. Long-term complications were chronic abdominal pain and incisional hernia in one patient, respectively. One out of five (20%) patients with only one previous prolapse repair had a recurrence, while all patients (100%) with multiple prior repairs recurred. CONCLUSION: Mesh implantation on the colon is possible without adverse reactions. However, high recurrence rates in patients with multiple previous surgeries raise doubts about using VMR for secondary or tertiary recurrences.

Safety & feasibility of targeted mesenteric approaches with Kono-S anastomosis and extended mesenteric excision in ileocolic resection and anastomosis in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The mesentery has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of Crohn's disease (CD), and several techniques have been developed to target the mesentery to reduce its influence on recurrence. We aimed to describe short-term safety and feasibility after these approaches. METHODS: This is a comparative, retrospective, single-center cohort study of consecutive CD patients undergoing primary or redo ileocolic resection from 2015 to 2022 with Kono-S anastomosis (KSA), extended mesenteric excision (EME) only, or both: mesenteric excision and exclusion (MEE). RESULTS: 186 patients underwent KSA (n â€‹= â€‹74), EME (n â€‹= â€‹66), or MEE (n â€‹= â€‹46). The groups had comparable baseline characteristics. The MEE group operative time was longer (median: 187 vs. KSA 170, EME 152 â€‹min, p â€‹< â€‹0.01). Postoperatively, the groups had similar lengths of stay (median 4 days), readmissions (9.1 â€‹%), major postoperative complications (6.5 â€‹%), and anastomotic leaks (1.1 â€‹%). CONCLUSION: Targeting the mesentery with novel surgical approaches for ileocolic Crohn's disease was safe and feasible for short-term follow-up.

Association Between Surgeon Technical Skills and Patient Outcomes.

Importance: Postoperative complications remain common after surgery, but little is known about the extent of variation in operative technical skill and whether variation is associated with patient outcomes. Objectives: To examine the (1) variation in technical skill scores of practicing surgeons, (2) association between technical skills and patient outcomes, and (3) amount of variation in patient outcomes explained by a surgeon's technical skill. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this quality improvement study, 17 practicing surgeons submitted a video of a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy that was then rated by at least 10 blinded peer surgeons and 2 expert raters. The association between surgeon technical skill scores and risk-adjusted outcomes was examined using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. The association between technical skill scores and outcomes was examined for colorectal procedures and noncolorectal procedures (ie, assessed on whether technical skills demonstrated during colectomy were associated with patient outcomes across other cases). In addition, the proportion of patient outcomes explained by technical skill scores was examined using robust regression techniques. The study was conducted from September 23, 2016, to February 10, 2018; data analysis was performed from November 2018 to January 2019. Exposures: Colorectal and noncolorectal procedures. Main Outcomes and Measures: Any complication, mortality, unplanned hospital readmission, unplanned reoperation related to principal procedure, surgical site infection, and death or serious morbidity. Results: Of the 17 surgeons included in the study, 13 were men (76%). The participants had a range from 1 to 28 years in surgical practice (median, 11 years). Based on 10 or more reviewers per video and with a maximum quality score of 5, overall technical skill scores ranged from 2.8 to 4.6. From 2014 to 2016, study participants performed a total of 3063 procedures (1120 colectomies). Higher technical skill scores were significantly associated with lower rates of any complication (15.5% vs 20.6%, P = .03; Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient r = -0.54, P = .03), unplanned reoperation (4.7% vs 7.2%, P = .02; r = -0.60, P = .01), and a composite measure of death or serious morbidity (15.9% vs 21.4%, P = .02; r = -0.60, P = .01) following colectomy. Similar associations were found between colectomy technical skill scores and patient outcomes for all types of procedures performed by a surgeon. Overall, technical skill scores appeared to account for 25.8% of the variation in postcolectomy complication rates and 27.5% of the variation when including noncolectomy complication rates. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that there is wide variation in technical skill among practicing surgeons, accounting for more than 25% of the variation in patient outcomes. Higher colectomy technical skill scores appear to be associated with lower complication rates for colectomy and for all other procedures performed by a surgeon. Efforts to improve surgeon technical skills may result in better patient outcomes.

Association of obesity with postoperative outcomes after proctectomy.

BACKGROUND: Prior efforts evaluating obesity as a risk factor for postoperative complications following proctectomy have been limited by sample size and uniform outcome classification. METHODS: The ACS NSQIP was queried for patients with non-metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent elective proctectomy. After stratification by BMI classification, multivariable modeling was used to identify the effect of BMI class on adjusted risk of 30-day outcomes controlling for patient, procedure, and tumor factors. RESULTS: Of 2241 patients identified, 33.4% had a normal BMI, 33.5% were overweight, 21.1% were obese, and 12.0% were morbidly obese. Increased risk of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) was observed in obese (OR 2.42, 95%CI:[1.36-4.29]) and morbidly obese (OR 3.29, 95%CI:[1.77-6.11]) patients when compared to normal BMI. Morbid obesity was associated with increased risk of any complication (OR 1.44, 95%CI:[1.05-1.96]). BMI class was not associated with risk adjusted odds of anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: Morbid obesity is independently associated with an increased composite odds risk of short-term morbidity following elective proctectomy for cancer primarily due to increased risk of superficial SSI.

Do prolonged operative times obviate the benefits associated with minimally invasive colectomy?

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive colectomy is associated with improved length of stay and decreased postoperative morbidity. Little is known regarding the impact of prolonged operative time on the benefits afforded by minimally invasive colectomy. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program procedure targeted colectomy dataset was queried to identify elective right and left colectomies performed between 2011 and 2017. Multivariable modeling was used to compare rates of composite 30-day death or serious morbidity, overall morbidity, mortality, anastomotic leak, surgical site infection, and length of stay for prolonged minimally invasive cases to those for average duration open cases. RESULTS: A total of 16,602 right colectomies and 36,557 left colectomies were identified. Median operative times for open and minimally invasive right colectomies were 107 min and 129 min (P < .01), while that for open left colectomies was 128 min and 156 min for minimally invasive left colectomies (P < .01). Cohorts were stratified by quartiles of operative time with the highest (fourth) quartile defined as a prolonged operating time. When compared with an average duration open colectomy, prolonged minimally invasive right colectomies and left colectomies were associated with decreased risk-adjusted rates of overall morbidity, surgical site infection, and with lesser lengths of stay (P < .05). Prolonged minimally invasive left colectomies were also associated with improved rates of composite 30-day death or serious morbidity relative to average open left colectomies (odds ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.79). CONCLUSION: Prolonged operating times of an minimally invasive approach do not obviate the benefits of an minimally invasive approach to colectomy.

Does Implementation of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Protocols in Colorectal Surgery Improve Patient Outcomes?

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols are multimodal perioperative care pathways designed to accelerate recovery by minimizing the physiologic stress of a surgical procedure. Benefits of ERAS implementation in colorectal surgery include reduced length of stay and decreased complications without an increase in readmissions. Though there is evidence associating individual ERAS protocol elements (e.g., preoperative carbohydrate loading, judicious perioperative fluid administration, and early initiation of postoperative nutrition) with improved outcomes, ensuring high compliance with all elements of an ERAS protocol will maximize benefits to the patient. After ERAS implementation, data collection on protocol process measures can help providers target education and interventions to improve protocol compliance and patient outcomes.

Adherence to Enhanced Recovery Protocols in NSQIP and Association With Colectomy Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of protocol adherence on length of stay (LOS) and recovery-specific outcomes after colectomy. BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) may decrease postoperative morbidity and LOS; however, the effect of overall protocol adherence remains unclear. METHODS: Using American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program colectomy data (July 2014-December 2015) and 13 novel ERP variables, propensity scores were constructed for low (0-5), moderate (6-9), and high adherence (10-13 components). Prolonged LOS (>75th percentile, uncomplicated cases) was modeled with multivariable logistic regression with robust standard errors, adjusted for hospital-level clustering and propensity score. Secondary recovery-specific outcomes were modeled with negative binomial regression. Subgroup analysis was conducted on uncomplicated cases. RESULTS: Among 8139 elective colectomies at 113 hospitals, LOS increased with decreasing adherence (4.3 days [SD 3.3] high adherence vs 7.8 [SD 6.8] low adherence; P < 0.0001). High adherence was associated with fewer complications, including postoperative ileus, compared with moderate (P < 0.0001) and low adherence (P < 0.0001). High-adherence patients achieved recovery milestones earlier (vs low adherence), with return of bowel function at 1.9 (vs 3.7) days, tolerance of diet at 2.4 (vs 5.4) days, and oral pain control at 2.7 (vs 5.0) days (P < 0.0001). Risk-adjusted odds of prolonged LOS were significantly increased for low (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 2.0-3.6) and moderate-adherence (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4-2.1) groups. In a negative binomial regression, time to recovery was 60% to 95% longer for low versus high adherence (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, multi-institutional North American data registry, high adherence to ERPs was associated with earlier recovery, decreased complications, and shorter LOS. ERPs can improve outcomes; however, benefits correlate with adherence.

Evidence Review Conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery: Focus on Anesthesiology for Colorectal Surgery.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in partnership with the American College of Surgeons and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, has developed the Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR), which is a national effort to disseminate best practices in perioperative care to more than 750 hospitals across multiple procedures in the next 5 years. The program will integrate evidence-based processes central to enhanced recovery and prevention of surgical site infection, venous thromboembolic events, catheter-associated urinary tract infections with socioadaptive interventions to improve surgical outcomes, patient experience, and perioperative safety culture. The objectives of this review are to evaluate the evidence supporting anesthesiology components of colorectal (CR) pathways and to develop an evidence-based CR protocol for implementation. Anesthesiology protocol components were identified through review of existing CR enhanced recovery pathways from several professional associations/societies and expert feedback. These guidelines/recommendations were supplemented by evidence made further literature searches. Anesthesiology protocol components were identified spanning the immediate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care. Components included carbohydrate loading, reduced fasting, multimodal preanesthesia medication, antibiotic prophylaxis, blood transfusion, intraoperative fluid management/goal-directed fluid therapy, normothermia, a standardized intraoperative anesthesia pathway, and standard postoperative multimodal analgesic regimens.

Effect of Diagnosis on Outcomes in the Setting of Enhanced Recovery Protocols.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of enhanced recovery protocols in colectomy reduces length of stay and morbidity, but it remains unknown whether benefits vary by clinical diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: Outcomes after colectomy in the setting of enhanced recovery protocols were compared for 3 diagnoses: 1) neoplasm, 2) diverticulitis, and 3) IBD. DESIGN: This was a retrospective registry-based cohort study. SETTINGS: Novel enhanced recovery variables were released in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program in 2014. PATIENTS: Patients with enhanced recovery variable data undergoing elective colectomy (July 2014 to December 2015) for neoplasm, diverticulitis, or IBD were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of interest was prolonged length of stay. Additional outcomes included surgical site infection, death/serious morbidity, reoperation, readmission, and days to achieve per os pain control, tolerance of a diet, and return of bowel function. RESULTS: We identified 4620 patients with neoplasm, 1730 patients with diverticulitis, and 593 patients with IBD. Patients undergoing colectomy for IBD were more likely to have prolonged length of stay (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.46-2.69), death/serious morbidity (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.13-2.32), and readmission (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.15-2.08) compared with patients with neoplasm. Patients with IBD took longer than patients with neoplasm or diverticulitis to achieve per os pain control (mean, 4.2 days vs 3.4 and 3.5 days, p < 0.001) and tolerate a diet (mean, 4.1 days vs 3.7 and 3.5 days, p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences in outcomes between patients with neoplasm and diverticulitis were seen. LIMITATIONS: There may be heterogeneity among implemented enhanced recovery protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing colectomy for neoplasm and diverticulitis have improved outcomes in comparison with patients undergoing colectomy for IBD. Knowledge of expected outcomes for patients with different diagnoses may inform clinician and patient expectations. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A623.

Association of an Enhanced Recovery Pilot With Length of Stay in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

Importance: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) are standardized care plans of best practices that can decrease morbidity and length of stay (LOS). However, many hospitals need help with implementation. The Enhanced Recovery in National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ERIN) pilot was designed to support ERP implementation. Objective: To evaluate the association of the ERIN pilot with LOS after colectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants: Using a difference-in-differences design, pilot LOS before and after ERP implementation was compared with matched controls in a hierarchical model, adjusting for case mix and random effects of hospitals and matched pairs. The setting was 15 hospitals of varied size and academic status from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Preimplementation and postimplementation colectomy cases (July 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015) were collected using novel ERIN variables. Emergency and septic cases were excluded. A propensity score match identified a 2:1 control cohort of patients undergoing colectomy at non-ERIN hospitals. Interventions: Pilot hospitals developed and implemented ERPs that included expert guidance, multidisciplinary teams, data audits, and opportunities for collaboration. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was LOS, and the secondary outcome was serious morbidity or mortality composite. Results: There were 4975 colectomies performed by 15 ERIN pilot hospitals (3437 before implementation and 1538 after implementation) compared with a control cohort of 9950 colectomies (4726 before implementation and 5224 after implementation). The mean LOS decreased by 1.7 days in the pilot (6.9 [interquartile range (IQR), 4-8] days before implementation vs 5.2 [IQR, 3-6] days after implementation, P < .001) compared with 0.4 day in controls (6.4 [IQR, 4-7] days before implementation vs 6.0 [IQR, 3-7] days after implementation, P < .001). Readmission did not differ pre-post for the pilot or controls. Serious morbidity or mortality decreased for pilot participants (485 [14.1%] before implementation vs 162 [10.5%] after implementation, P < .001), with no difference in controls, and remained significant after risk adjustment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.96). After adjusting for differences in case mix and for clustering in hospitals and matched pairs, the adjusted difference-in-differences model demonstrated a decrease in LOS by 1.1 days in the pilot over controls (P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Participating ERIN pilot hospitals achieved shorter LOS and decreased complications after elective colectomy, without increasing readmissions. The ability to implement ERPs across hospitals of varied size and resources is essential. Lessons from the ERIN pilot may inform efforts to scale this effective and evidence-based intervention.

Concurrent bariatric operations and association with perioperative outcomes: registry based cohort study.

Objective To determine whether perioperative outcomes differ between patients undergoing concurrent compared with non-concurrent bariatric operations in the USA.Design Retrospective, propensity score matched cohort study.Setting Hospitals in the US accredited by the American College of Surgeons' metabolic and bariatric surgery accreditation and quality improvement program.Participants 513 167 patients undergoing bariatric operations between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016.Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was a composite of 30 day death, morbidity, readmission, reoperation, anastomotic or staple line leak, and bleeding events. Operative duration and lengths of stay were also assessed. Operations were defined as concurrent if they overlapped by 60 or more minutes or in their entirety.Results In this study of 513 167 operations, 739 (29.5%) surgeons at 483 (57.8%) hospitals performed 6087 (1.2%) concurrent operations. The most frequently performed concurrent bariatric operations were sleeve gastrectomy (n=3250, 53.4%) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n=1601, 26.3%). Concurrent operations were more often performed at large academic medical centers with higher operative volumes and numbers of trainees and by higher volume surgeons. Compared with non-concurrent operations, concurrent operations lasted a median of 34 minutes longer (P<0.001) and resulted in 0.3 days longer average length of stay (P<0.001). Perioperative adverse events were not observed to more likely occur in concurrent compared with non-concurrent operations (7.5% v 7.4%; relative risk 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 1.15; P=0.84).Conclusions Concurrent bariatric operations occurred infrequently, but when they did, there was no observable increased risk for adverse perioperative outcomes compared with non-concurrent operations. These results, however, do not argue against improved and more meaningful disclosure of concurrent surgery practices.

Outcomes of Concurrent Operations: Results From the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether concurrently performed operations are associated with an increased risk for adverse events. BACKGROUND: Concurrent operations occur when a surgeon is simultaneously responsible for critical portions of 2 or more operations. How this practice affects patient outcomes is unknown. METHODS: Using American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2014 to 2015, operations were considered concurrent if they overlapped by ≥60 minutes or in their entirety. Propensity-score-matched cohorts were constructed to compare death or serious morbidity (DSM), unplanned reoperation, and unplanned readmission in concurrent versus non-concurrent operations. Multilevel hierarchical regression was used to account for the clustered nature of the data while controlling for procedure and case mix. RESULTS: There were 1430 (32.3%) surgeons from 390 (77.7%) hospitals who performed 12,010 (2.3%) concurrent operations. Plastic surgery (n = 393 [13.7%]), otolaryngology (n = 470 [11.2%]), and neurosurgery (n = 2067 [8.4%]) were specialties with the highest proportion of concurrent operations. Spine procedures were the most frequent concurrent procedures overall (n = 2059/12,010 [17.1%]). Unadjusted rates of DSM (9.0% vs 7.1%; P < 0.001), reoperation (3.6% vs 2.7%; P < 0.001), and readmission (6.9% vs 5.1%; P < 0.001) were greater in the concurrent operation cohort versus the non-concurrent. After propensity score matching and risk-adjustment, there was no significant association of concurrence with DSM (odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96-1.21), reoperation (OR 1.16; 95% CI 0.96-1.40), or readmission (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.99-1.29). CONCLUSIONS: In these analyses, concurrent operations were not detected to increase the risk for adverse outcomes. These results do not lessen the need for further studies, continuous self-regulation and proactive disclosure to patients.

Executive Summary of the American College of Surgeons/Surgical Infection Society Surgical Site Infection Guidelines-2016 Update.

Guidelines regarding the prevention, detection, and management of surgical site infections (SSIs) have been published previously by a variety of organizations. The American College of Surgeons (ACS)/Surgical Infection Society (SIS) Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Guidelines 2016 Update is intended to update these guidelines based on the current literature and to provide a concise summary of relevant topics.

Association Between Resident Perceptions of Patient Safety and Duty Hour Violations.

BACKGROUND: Residents are often required to balance whether to adhere to duty hour policies or violate them to care for patients and obtain educational experiences. Little is known about why residents violate duty hour policies and whether there is a relationship between how often residents violate duty hours and concerns about patient safety. Our objective was to assess the association between resident duty hour violations and resident concerns about patient safety. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed survey data collected from surgery residents who completed the 2015 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination, excluding those in the Flexible Policy arm of the Flexibility in Duty Hour Requirements for Surgical Trainees (FIRST) trial. Perceptions of how duty hour restrictions affect patient safety were dichotomized as either "positive/neutral" or "negative." Resident duty hour violations in a typical month were separated as "frequently" (≥3 times) or "infrequently" (<3 times). Rates were compared and regression models were used to examine the association between negative perceptions and duty hour violations, adjusting for resident and program-level covariates. RESULTS: Overall, 25.3% of trainees under current policies perceived that current ACGME duty hour policies negatively affected patient safety. This negative perception increased with PGY level (PGY1: 18.5%, PGY2 to 3: 22.6%, PGY4 to 5: 32.0%; p < 0.001). Residents with negative perceptions more often reported frequent duty violations (positive/neutral: 20.0% vs negative: 32.7%; p < 0.001). After adjustment for covariates, a negative perception of how duty hour policies affect patient safety was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of frequent duty hour violations among all trainees grouped together (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.60-2.22), and separately for interns (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.70-3.93), junior (OR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.22-2.16), and senior residents (OR = 1.99; 95% CI, 1.54-2.58). CONCLUSIONS: Trainees who reported perceiving negative effects of duty hour policies on patient safety were more likely to report frequent duty hour violations.