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OBJECTIVE: The "weekend effect" occurs when patients cared for during weekends versus weekdays experience worse outcomes. But reasons for this effect are unclear, especially amongst patients undergoing elective cervical spinal fusion (ECSF). Our aim was to analyze whether index weekend admission affects 30- and 90-day readmission rates post-ECSF. METHODS: All ECSF patients > 18 years were retrospectively identified from the 2016-2018 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), using unique patient linkage codes and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression analyzed primary outcomes of 30- and 90-day readmission rates in weekday or weekend groups. Multivariate regression determined the impact of complications on readmission rates. RESULTS: Compared to the weekday group (n = 125,590), the weekend group (n = 1,026) held a higher percentage of Medicare/Medicaid insurance, incurred higher costs, had longer length of stay, and fewer routine home discharge (all p < 0.001). There was no difference in comorbidity burden between weekend versus weekday admissions, as measured by the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (p = 0.527). Weekend admissions had higher 30-day (4.30% vs. 7.60%, p < 0.001) and 90-day (7.80% vs. 16.10%, p < 0.001) readmission rates, even after adjusting for sex, age, insurance status, and comorbidities. All-cause complication rates were higher for weekend admissions (8.62% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.001), specifically deep vein thrombosis, infection, neurological conditions, and pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: Index weekend admission increases 30- and 90-day readmission rates after ECSF. In patients undergoing ECSF on weekends, postoperative care for patients at risk for specific complications will allow for improved outcomes and health care utilization.
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PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between prostatic vessel changes induced by cigarette smoking and the perioperative outcome of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 268 postoperative patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were prospectively analysed in our department. They were divided into two groups (smokers and non-smokers) according to smoking history. Transrectal colour Doppler ultrasound was performed to evaluate the prostate vascular changes. Pathologically, HE staining, CD31 and CD34 were analysed in prostatic section chips. Furthermore, postoperative outcomes were determined during a 6-month follow-up period. RESULTS: The preoperative prostate volume was significantly decreased in smoking patients (P = 0.04). CPI was significantly lower in smoking BPH patients (P < 0.01), whereas RI was significantly increased in smokers compared with non-smokers (P < 0.01). Histological assays revealed elevated CD34 in the smoking BPH individuals presenting an increased number of microvessels. The HoLEP duration was increased in smokers. Interestingly, we identified significantly increased overactive bladder syndrome score (OABSS) and decreased Qmax in smoking individuals during the 6-month follow-up with no difference being observed preoperatively. However, no significant difference between the groups was observed for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). CONCLUSIONS: The significantly lower CPI and higher RI values in smoking BPH patients indicated the presence of considerable vascular damage in these subjects. Moreover, cigarette smoking extended the surgical duration and prolonged the recovery period of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. Thus, integrated treatment should be suggested for various BPH individuals.