Trends in Hospital Billing for Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Procedures from 2013 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: With greater acceptance of postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) as a safe and reliable treatment option, the role of plastic surgeons in breast cancer management continues to rise. As Medicare reimbursements for surgical procedures decline, hospitals may increase charges. Excessive markups can negatively affect uninsured and underinsured patients. We aimed to analyze mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures to gain insights into recent trends in utilization and billing. METHODS: We queried the 2013 to 2020 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data with 14 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to collect service count numbers, hospital charges, and reimbursements. We calculated utilization (service counts per million female Medicare enrollees), weighted mean charges and reimbursements, and charge-to-reimbursement ratios (CRRs). We calculated total and annual percentage changes for the included CPT codes. RESULTS: Among the 14 CPT codes, 12 CPT codes (85.7%) with nonzero service counts were included. Utilization of mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures decreased from 1,889 to 1,288 (-31.8%) procedures per million female Medicare beneficiaries from 2013 to 2020. While the utilization of immediate implant placements (CPT 19340) increased by 36.2%, the utilization of delayed implant placements (CPT 19342) decreased by 15.1%. Reimbursements for the included CPT codes changed minimally over time (-2.9%) but charges increased by 28.9%. These changes resulted in CRRs increasing from 3.3 to 4.4 (+33.3%) from 2013 to 2020. Free flap reconstructions (CPT 19364) had the highest CRRs throughout the study period, increasing from 7.0 in 2013 to 10.3 in 2020 (+47.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures billed to Medicare Part B from 2013 to 2020 showed increasingly excessive procedural charges. Rises in hospital charges and CRRs may limit uninsured and underinsured patients from accessing necessary care for breast cancer management. Legislations that monitor hospital markups for PMBR procedures may be considered by policymakers.

Trends in Hospital Billing for Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Procedures from 2013 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: With greater acceptance of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) as a safe and reliable treatment option, the role of plastic surgeons in breast cancer management continues to rise. As Medicare reimbursements for surgical procedures decline, hospitals may increase charges. Excessive markups can negatively affect uninsured and underinsured patients. We aimed to analyze mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures to gain insights into recent trends in utilization and billing. METHODS: We queried the 2013-2020 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data with 14 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to collect service counts, hospital charges, and reimbursements. We calculated utilization (service counts per million female Medicare enrollees), weighted mean charges and reimbursements, and charge-to-reimbursement ratios (CRRs). We calculated total and annual % changes for the included CPT codes. RESULTS: Among the 14 CPT codes, 12 CPT codes (85.7%) with non-zero service counts were included. Utilization of mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures decreased from 1,889 to 1,288 (-31.8%) procedures per million female Medicare beneficiaries from 2013 to 2020. While the utilization of immediate implant placements (CPT 19340) increased by 36.2%, the utilization of delayed implant placements (CPT 19342) decreased by 15.1%. Reimbursements for the included CPT codes changed minimally over time (-2.9%), but charges increased by 28.9%. These changes resulted in CRRs increasing from 3.3 to 4.4 (+33.3%) from 2013 to 2020. Free flap reconstructions (CPT 19364) had the highest CRRs throughout the study period, increasing from 7.0 in 2013 to 10.3 in 2020 (+47.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures billed to Medicare Part B from 2013 to 2020 showed increasingly excessive procedural charges. Rises in hospital charges and CRRs may limit uninsured and underinsured patients from accessing necessary care for breast cancer management. Legislations that monitor hospital markups for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction procedures may be considered by policymakers.

Billing and Utilization Trends in Reconstructive Microsurgery Indicate Worsening Access to Care.

BACKGROUND: Within the last 20-years, Medicare reimbursements for microsurgery have been declining, while physician expenses continue to increase. As a result, hospitals may increase charges to offset revenue losses, which may impose a financial barrier to care. This study aimed to characterize the billing trends in microsurgery and their implications on patient care. METHODS: The 2013 to 2020 Provider Utilization and Payment Data Physician and Other Practitioners Dataset was queried for 16 CPT codes. Service counts, hospital charges, and reimbursements were collected. The utilization, weighted mean reimbursements and charges, and charge-to-reimbursement ratios (CRRs) were calculated. The total and annual percent changes were also determined. RESULTS: In total, 13 CPT codes (81.3%) were included. The overall number of procedures decreased by 15.0%. The average reimbursement of all microsurgical procedures increased from $618 to $722 (16.7%). The mean charge increased from $3,200 to $4,340 (35.6%). As charges had a greater increase than reimbursement rates, the CRR increased by 15.4%. At the categorical level, all groups had increases in CRRs, except for bone graft (-49.4%) and other procedures (-3.5%). The CRR for free flap breast procedures had the largest percent increase (47.1%). Additionally, lymphangiotomy (28.6%) had the second largest increases. CONCLUSION: Our analysis of microsurgical procedures billed to Medicare Part B from 2013 to 2020 showed that hospital charges are increasing at a faster rate than reimbursements. This may be in part due to increasing physician expenses, cost of advanced technology in microsurgical procedures, and inadequate reimbursement rates. Regardless, these increased markups may limit patients who are economically disadvantaged from accessing care. Policy makers should consider legislation aimed at updating Medicare reimbursement rates to reflect the increasing complexity and cost associated with microsurgical procedures, as well as regulating charge markups at the hospital level.

The Role of Antibiotics in Nasal Fractures after Closed Reduction.

Nasal fractures represent the most common fracture in facial trauma. The role of prophylactic antibiotics in these injuries is debated, given low infection rates and demonstrated risks of antibiotics. We studied the isolated effect of prophylactic antibiotics on infection rate in patients with nasal fracture after closed reduction. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of a prospectively maintained facial trauma database was conducted. Demographics, comorbidities, fracture classifications, and management of patients who received antibiotics at the time of closed nasal reduction were compared against those who did not receive antibiotics. Infection rates between groups were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was conducted to control for confounding variables. Qualitative analysis was performed for patients who experienced infection following nasal fracture. Results: A total of 282 patients met inclusion criteria (n = 144, antibiotic; n = 138, nonantibiotic). Six patients experienced infection. There was no difference in infection rate between antibiotic and nonantibiotic groups (2.0% versus 2.2%; P = 0.90). On multivariate regression, antibiotics did not significantly decrease odds of infection (OR 1.7 [0.17-13.6]; P = 0.64). Moreover, patients with open nasal fractures did not have significantly higher odds of infection (OR 1.9 [0.08-20.8]; P = 0.64). Similarly, increasing severity of injury based on Rohrich classification did not significantly impact odds of infection (OR 0.68 [0.23-1.9]; P = 0.46). All six infections were managed at the bedside, with zero infections following operating room management (P = 0.32). Conclusions: Prophylactic antibiotics do not decrease infection rates following nasal fractures managed by closed reduction. Bedside management may be a risk factor for the development of infection; however, this finding requires further evaluation.

Blood Pressure Challenge Reduces Hematomas in Gender-Affirming Mastectomy: A Retrospective Chart Review of 92 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: Gender-affirming mastectomy is a common surgery for the treatment of gender incongruence and gender dysphoria and improves quality of life. Hematoma rates for gender-affirming double incision mastectomies are between 2.8% and 8.1%. This study aims to investigate the utility of a blood pressure challenge, whereby the patient's blood pressure is medically increased intraoperatively to reveal bleeding vessels that can be addressed with additional hemostasis before skin closure, to reduce postoperative hematoma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent gender-affirming double incision mastectomies over a 6-year period by a single surgeon was conducted. Surgeries were separated into a blood pressure challenge experimental group and a non-blood pressure challenge control group. Demographics, surgical characteristics, and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 cohorts using Pearson χ2, Fisher exact, t tests, univariate logistic regression, and multivariable logistical regression. Significance was established at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients (184 breasts) were included with 32 patients (64 breasts) in the control group and 60 (120 breasts) in the blood pressure challenge group. In the control group, there were 5 hematomas (7.81%) compared with 1 (0.83%) in the blood pressure challenge group (P = 0.02). On univariate logistical regression analysis, blood pressure challenge was the only variable significantly associated with hematoma (odds ratio, 0.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.63; P = 0.04). On multivariable logistical regression, after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking status, and mass of excised breast tissue, patients who underwent blood pressure challenge demonstrated lower hematoma rates (odds ratio, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.004-0.59; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Using an intraoperative blood pressure challenge was associated with reduced hematoma rates. Guidelines for blood pressure challenge goals should be established to standardize care and reduce complications in gender-affirming mastectomies.

Development of posttraumatic frontal brain abscess in association with an orbital roof fracture and odontogenic abscess: A case report.

Background: Brain abscess is a potentially fatal condition. Orbital fractures caused by penetrating injury may be associated with intracranial infection. Such complication associated with blunt trauma, orbital roof fractures, and odontogenic abscesses is exceedingly rare. Case Description: We report the case of a 40-year-old transgender female with a frontal abscess presenting several weeks following a motor vehicle crash from which she suffered multiple facial fractures and an odontogenic abscess. On computed tomography scan, the patient had multiple right-sided facial fractures, including a medial orbital wall fracture and a right sphenoid fracture extending into the superior orbital roof. There was hemorrhage notable in the right frontal lobe. Communication with the ethmoid sinuses likely provided a conduit for bacterial spread through the orbit and into the intracranial and subdural spaces. Conclusion: Skull base fractures that communicate with a sinus, whether it be frontal, ethmoid, or sphenoid may increase the risk of brain abscess, especially in patients who develop an odontogenic abscess. Surgical repair of the defect is essential, and treating patients prophylactically with antibiotics may be beneficial.

Evidence of Linear Bone Flap Resorption in Patients Undergoing Autologous Cranioplasty Following Decompressive Craniectomy: A 3D Slicer Segmented Analysis of Serial Computed Tomography Images.

OBJECTIVE: Autologous cranioplasty (CP) following decompressive craniectomy (DC) carries a risk of bone flap resorption (BFR). The current literature offers limited information regarding the natural progression of BFR and the rate at which it occurs. We aim to characterize the progression of BFR over time and elucidate risk factors for accelerated BFR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent DC and autologous CP. Serial computed tomography (CT) images were used to quantify the degree of BFR over time. Risk factors included age, diabetes, smoking status, flap fragmentation, defect size, and DC-CP time interval. χ2 analyses and Student's t-tests were performed to examine differences between patients who experienced BFR and those who did not. RESULTS: Overall, 82% of patients demonstrated evidence of clinically relevant resorption on CT. On average, the bone flap decreased in volume by 36.7% within the first year, with a linear loss in volume after multiple years of follow-up. Individuals who developed greater BFR were significantly younger (43 ± 17 vs. 56 ± 12, P = 0.022), had a lower incidence of diabetes (5.9% vs. 43%, P = 0.037), and had more bone flap fragments (1.4 ± 0.67 vs. 1.00 ± 0, P < 0.001) than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Resorption following CP with cryopreserved bone appears to progress in a fairly linear and continuous fashion over time. Using serial CT images, we found a resorption rate of 82% at our institution. We identified several possible risk factors for resorption, including flap fragmentation, younger age, and absence of diabetes.

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus may be associated with autologous cranioplasty failure, independent of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement: a retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a common procedure used for the treatment of intracranial hypertension. Once brain swelling has subsided, a cranioplasty is performed to restore cosmesis and protection to the brain. While using the patient's autologous bone flap is often the first choice in cranioplasty, this procedure is frequently complicated by bone flap resorption and infection. This study seeks to identify predictors of autologous cranioplasty failure. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy and autologous cranioplasty. Patient demographics and factors related to both surgeries and failure rates were recorded from patient records. Logistic regressions were conducted to determine which factors were implicated in autologous cranioplasty failure. RESULTS: In our cohort, 127 patients underwent autologous cranioplasty. Overall, 18 (14.2%) patients experienced autologous cranioplasty failure. Regression analysis identified development of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) following DC (OR: 3.26, p = 0.043), presence of neurological deficits following DC (OR: 4.88, p = 0.025), and reoperation prior to CP (OR 3.0, p = 0.049) as significant predictors of autologous cranioplasty failure. Of the 16 patients who developed PTH following DC, 9 received a VP shunt. The rate of flap failure was similar across the 9 PTH patients who received a shunt and the 7 PTH patients who did not receive a shunt (33% vs. 57% failure rate, respectively, p = 0.341). CONCLUSION: Autologous cranioplasty is a reasonably successful procedure with a flap failure rate of 14.2%. We identified PTH, persistent neurological deficits, and reoperation prior to cranioplasty as significant predictors of autologous cranioplasty failure. Interestingly, the presence of VP shunt did not impact the odds of flap failure.

Subgaleal drains may be associated with decreased infection following autologous cranioplasty: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autologous bone is often the first choice in cranioplasty following a decompressive craniectomy. However, infection is a common complication, with reported rates up to 25%. While the incidence and management of infection are well documented, the risk factors associated with infection remain less clear. The current study aims to identify predictors of infection risk following autologous cranioplasty. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty using cryopreserved autologous bone flaps between 2010 and 2020. Patient demographics and factors related to both surgeries and infection rates were recorded from patient records. Logistic regressions were conducted to determine which factors were implicated in the development of infection. RESULTS: In our cohort, 126 patients underwent autologous cranioplasty. A total of 10 patients (7.9%) developed an infection following reconstruction, with half resulting in implant failure. We did not identify any significant risk factors for infection. Regression analysis identified placement of subgaleal drain following cranioplasty as a protective factor against the development of infection (OR: 0.16, p = 0.007). On average, drains remained in for 3 days, with no difference between the length of drains for those with infection vs. those without (p = 0.757). CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates an infection rate of 7.9% in patients who receive an autologous cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy, which is consistent with previous data. Half (4%) of patients who experienced an infection ultimately required removal of the implant. While it is common practice for neurosurgeons to use drains to prevent hematomas and fluid collections, we found that subgaleal drain placement following cranioplasty was associated with decreased infection, thus demonstrating another benefit of a commonly used tool.

Optimizing Nasal Reconstruction in Severe Congenital Nasal Deviations.

ABSTRACT: Nasal deviations pose a 2-fold task for plastic surgeons, as the correction must often address both functional and aesthetic challenges. Regardless of the etiology of the nasal deviation, the principles of treatment have been previously extensively described. The authors present an extreme case of congenital nasal deviation in an 18-year-old male acquired as a result of abnormal in-utero positioning during a multigestational pregnancy. Through this case, the authors demonstrate effective use of previously described surgical principles in treating a severe congenital nasal deviation and reinforce the importance of postoperative nasal manipulation to maintain the desired outcome.

P2X4 receptor-eNOS signaling pathway in cardiac myocytes as a novel protective mechanism in heart failure.

We have demonstrated using immunoprecipitation and immunostaining a novel physical association of the P2X4 receptor (P2X4R), a ligand-gated ion channel, with the cardioprotective, calcium-dependent enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Treatment of murine ventricular myocytes with the P2XR agonist 2-methylthioATP (2-meSATP) to induce a current (mainly Na(+)) increased the formation of nitric oxide (NO), as measured using a fluorescent probe. Possible candidates for downstream effectors mediating eNOS activity include cyclic GMP and PKG or cellular protein nitrosylation. A cardiac-specific P2X4R overexpressing mouse line was protected from heart failure (HF) with improved cardiac function and survival in post-infarct, pressure overload, and calsequestrin (CSQ) overexpression models of HF. Although the role of the P2X4R in other tissues such as the endothelium and monocytes awaits characterization in tissue-specific KO, cardiac-specific activation of eNOS may be more cardioprotective than an increased activity of global systemic eNOS. The intra-myocyte formation of NO may be more advantageous over NO derived externally from a donor. A small molecule drug stimulating this sarcolemmal pathway or gene therapy-mediated overexpression of the P2X4R in cardiac myocytes may represent a new therapy for both ischemic and pressure overloaded HF.