Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction: A National Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study objectives were to characterize surgical outcomes for malignant small bowel obstruction (MaSBO) as compared to other small bowel obstructions (SBO) and to develop a prediction model for postoperative mortality for MaSBO. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: MaSBO is a morbid complication of advanced cancers for which the optimal management remains undefined. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for MaSBO or SBO were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005-2017). Outcomes [30-day morbidity, unplanned readmissions, mortality, postoperative length of stay (LOS)] were compared between propensity score-matched MaSBO and SBO patients. An internally validated prediction model for mortality in MaSBO patients was developed. RESULTS: Of 46,706 patients, 1612 (3.5%) had MaSBO. Although MaSBO patients were younger than those with SBO (median 63 vs 65 years, P < 0.001), they were otherwise more clinically complex, including a higher proportion with recent weight loss (22.0% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001), severe hypoalbuminemia (18.6% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001), and cytopenias. After matching (N = 1609/group), MaSBO was associated with increased morbidity [odds ratio (OR) 1.2, P = 0.004], but not readmission (OR 1.1, P = 0.48) or LOS (incidence rate ratio 1.0, P = 0.14). The odds of mortality were significantly higher for MaSBO than SBO (OR 3.3, P < 0.001). A risk-score model predicted postoperative mortality for MaSBO with an optimism-adjusted Brier score of 0.114 and area under the curve of 0.735. Patients in the highest-risk category (11.5% of MaSBO population) had a predicted mortality rate of 39.4%. CONCLUSION: Surgery for MaSBO is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, necessitating careful patient evaluation before operative intervention.

Practice Patterns and Prognostic Value of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Thick Melanoma: A National Cancer Database Study.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been somewhat controversial for patients with a diagnosis of thick (> 4 mm) melanoma. This study aimed to characterize the national practice pattern in performing SLNB for this patient population and to determine the predictors and prognostic value of nodal positivity using population-level data. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of clinically node-negative, thick melanoma (2010-2015) were identified using the National Cancer Database. Factors associated with performing regional nodal evaluation were characterized. Predictors of nodal positivity were determined using multivariable logistic regression. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Of 9847 study patients, 7513 (76.3%) underwent SLNB. The patients who underwent nodal evaluation were younger (median age, 66 vs 81 years; P < 0.001), less likely to have comorbid conditions (19.6% vs 26.0%; P < 0.001), more often privately insured (40.4% vs 16.4%; P < 0.001), and more frequently treated at an academic center (49.5% vs 43.9%; P < 0.001). Among those who underwent nodal evaluation, 25.5% had metastatic nodes. Multivariable regression identified age, Charlson-Deyo score, primary location, ulceration, mitoses, vertical growth phase, and lymphovascular invasion as independent predictors of nodal positivity, but with only moderate predictive accuracy (optimism-adjusted area under the curve, 0.684). Furthermore, compared with node negativity, node positivity was significantly associated with decreased OS (hazard ratio, 2.05; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although nodal status provides important prognostic information, at a national level, nearly one fourth of patients with clinically node-negative, thick melanoma do not undergo SLNB. Appropriate pathologic staging would allow these high-risk patients to be candidates for effective adjuvant therapy.