Actigraphy measures show sleep improvement after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

IMPORTANCE: The symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism are often subtle, such as fatigue, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. After parathyroidectomy, patients often report improvement in sleep and mood; however, objective data supporting these improvements is lacking. OBJECTIVE: This prospective study uses standard measures to objectively and subjectively assess sleep in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism before and after parathyroidectomy. DESIGN: A longitudinal prospective study was conducted over three one-week-long periods: pre-parathyroidectomy, 1-week post-parathyroidectomy, and three months post-parathyroidectomy. During each time point, patients wore an actigraphy device, recorded a sleep diary, and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures models to compare the average measures among the three time points and test for trends over time. SETTING: Single institution, tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism from ages 18 to 89 years old. EXPOSURE: Parathyroidectomy between September 2020 and January 2024. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Actigraphy data, consensus sleep diary, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 Items (DASS). RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were enrolled, and 34 patients completed the study. Actigraphy data showed a significant negative trend in average sleep latency (p = 0.045) and average time in bed (p = 0.046). Sleep diary data showed additional differences in the number of awakenings (p = 0.002), wake after sleep onset (p < 0.001), sleep quality (p < 0.001), and sleep efficiency (p = 0.02) among the three time points and/or as a significant negative trend. PSQI and ISI scores were significantly different among the three time points (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) and also declined significantly over time (p = 0.008 and p = 0.007, respectively). DASS depression, anxiety, and stress scores were significantly different among the three time points (p < 0.001, p = 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively), and stress also declined significantly over time (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: This study represents the most extensive prospective study demonstrating objective and subjective sleep and mood improvement in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy.

Management of Large Cecal Polyps: When Can the Ileocecal Valve Be Spared?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection comprises the first-line treatment for large cecal polyps. With up to 14% of unresectable colonic polyps harboring malignancy, the management of endoscopically unresectable cecal polyps remains an oncologic right hemicolectomy, which can be associated with substantial postoperative morbidity. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the outcomes of patients with cecal polyps who underwent either endoscopic mucosal resection, a cecectomy, or a right hemicolectomy. DATA SOURCES: Patients undergoing either endoscopic mucosal resection, partial cecectomy, or right hemicolectomy from 2008 to 2017 at a single tertiary care institution were selected. STUDY SELECTION: This was a retrospective cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were the rate of malignancy, complication rate, estimated blood loss, and hospital length of stay between surgical cohorts. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients with cecal polyps were identified, of which 52 were referred for surgery. Nineteen underwent partial cecectomy and 33 (27.3%) underwent right hemicolectomy. Two patients undergoing cecectomy required conversion to hemicolectomy because the resected specimen did not contain the polyp. The 2 surgical cohorts did not differ significantly regarding age, sex, or ASA classification. Procedural complication rates were higher among those undergoing hemicolectomy compared with those undergoing cecectomy (37.1% versus 5.9%, p = 0.02). Estimated blood loss (50 vs 10 mL, p = 0.02), operative duration (98 vs 76 minutes, p = 0.009), and length of stay (4 vs 2 days, p < 0.001) were higher in patients undergoing hemicolectomy than in those undergoing cecectomy. No invasive malignancies were identified on final pathology within the cecectomy cohort. LIMITATIONS: Single-institution data and retrospective design were limitations of this study. CONCLUSIONS: In tertiary centers, the majority of large cecal polyps are benign and can be addressed by using endoscopic mucosal resection. When involvement of the appendiceal orifice or ileocecal valve precludes endoscopic treatment, surgical resection is the standard of care. In the subset of cases not involving the ileocecal valve and without preoperative evidence of malignancy, partial cecectomy spares the ileocecal valve and can offer reduced postoperative morbidity compared with a formal right hemicolectomy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A674.

Resource utilization associated with cervical hematoma after thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cervical hematoma (PCH) after thyroid and parathyroid surgery is a well-known complication. This study used data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify risk factors, estimate mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total costs attributable to PCH in patients undergoing procedures for thyroid and parathyroid diseases. METHODS: Patients aged >18 y who underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery between 2001 and 2011 were identified and stratified by the occurrence of PCH. Univariate analyses of patient demographics, clinical and hospital characteristics were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for hematoma formation. LOS and costs were fit to linear regression models to determine the effect of PCH after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Of patients who underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery, 619 patients (0.8%) had a PCH. Predisposing factors included nonelective admission (emergent: OR = 2.01, P < 0.0001; urgent: OR = 1.47, P = 0.003), diagnosis of Graves' disease (OR = 1.90, P < 0.0001), or other benign pathology (OR = 1.43, P = 0.011) and having ≥2 comorbidities (2-3 comorbidities, OR = 1.24; P = 0.036 and ≥ 4 comorbidities, OR = 2.28; P < 0.0001). After adjusting for those characteristics, the total excess LOS and costs attributable to PCH were 2.1 d (P < 0.0001) and $7316 (P < 0.0001), respectively. In addition, after risk adjustment, odds of mortality more than tripled (P < 0.0001) in the setting of PCH. CONCLUSIONS: Because risk for PCH is largely driven by preoperative patient risk factors, five clinicians have an opportunity to stratify patients accordingly and thereby minimize the resource utilization and health care spending among those with lowest risk.

Value of Prophylactic Cervical Thymectomy in Parathyroid Hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: In parathyroid hyperplasia (HPT), parathyroid glands within the cervical thymus are a cause for recurrence. As a result of differences in pathophysiology, variable practice patterns exist regarding performing bilateral cervical thymectomy (BCT) in primary hyperplasia versus hyperplasia from renal failure or familial disease. The objective of this study was to capture patients where thymic tissue was found with subtotal parathyroidectomy (PTX) and intended BCT, identify number of thymic supernumerary glands (SNGs), and determine overall cure rate. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with four-gland exploration and intended BCT for HPT from 2000 to 2013 was performed. Identification of thymic tissue and SNGs were determined by operative/pathology reports. Univariate analysis identified differences in cure rate for patients undergoing subtotal PTX with or without BCT. RESULTS: Thymic tissue was found in 52 % of 328 primary HPT (19 % unilateral, 33 % bilateral), 77 % of 128 renal HPT (28 % unilateral, 49 % bilateral), and 100 % of familial HPT (24 % unilateral, 76 % bilateral) patients. Nine percent of primary, 18 % of renal, and 10 % of familial HPT patients had SNGs within thymectomy specimens. Cure rates of primary HPT patients with BCT were 99 % compared to 94 % in subtotal PTX alone. Renal HPT cure rates were 94 % with BCT compared to 89 % without BCT. CONCLUSIONS: Renal HPT patients benefited most in cure when thymectomy was performed. Although the rate of SNGs found in primary HPT was lower than renal HPT, the cure rate mimicked the pattern in renal disease. Furthermore, the incidences of SNGs in primary and familial HPT were similar. On the basis of these data, we advocate that BCT be considered in primary HPT when thymic tissue is readily identified.

Establishing a core outcomes set for massive transfusion: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma modified Delphi method consensus study.

BACKGROUND: The management of severe hemorrhage has changed significantly over recent decades, resulting in a heterogeneous description of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in the literature, which is not suitable for data pooling. Therefore, we sought to develop a core outcome set (COS) to help guide future massive transfusion (MT) research and overcome the challenge of heterogeneous outcomes reporting. METHODS: Massive transfusion content experts were invited to participate in a modified Delphi study. For Round 1, participants submitted a list of proposed core outcomes. In subsequent rounds, panelists used a 9-point Likert scale to score proposed outcomes for importance. Core outcomes consensus was defined as >85% of scores receiving 7 to 9 and <15% of scores receiving 1 to 3. Feedback and aggregate data were shared between rounds. RESULTS: From an initial panel of 16 experts, 12 (75%) completed three rounds of deliberation to reevaluate variables not achieving predefined consensus criteria. A total of 64 items were considered, with 4 items achieving consensus for inclusion as core outcomes: blood products received in the first 6 hours, 6-hour mortality, time to mortality, and 24-hour mortality. CONCLUSION: Through an iterative survey consensus process, content experts have defined a COS to guide future MT research. This COS will be a valuable tool for researchers seeking to perform new MT research and will allow future trials to generate data that can be used in pooled analyses with enhanced statistical power. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Test or Criteria; Level V.

Establishing a core outcome set for blunt cerebrovascular injury: an EAST modified Delphi method consensus study.

Objectives: Our understanding of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) has changed significantly in recent decades, resulting in a heterogeneous description of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in the literature which is not suitable for data pooling. Therefore, we endeavored to develop a core outcome set (COS) to help guide future BCVI research and overcome the challenge of heterogeneous outcomes reporting. Methods: After a review of landmark BCVI publications, content experts were invited to participate in a modified Delphi study. For round 1, participants submitted a list of proposed core outcomes. In subsequent rounds, panelists used a 9-point Likert scale to score the proposed outcomes for importance. Core outcomes consensus was defined as >70% of scores receiving 7 to 9 and <15% of scores receiving 1 to 3. Feedback and aggregate data were shared between rounds, and four rounds of deliberation were performed to re-evaluate the variables not achieving predefined consensus criteria. Results: From an initial panel of 15 experts, 12 (80%) completed all rounds. A total of 22 items were considered, with 9 items achieving consensus for inclusion as core outcomes: incidence of postadmission symptom onset, overall stroke incidence, stroke incidence stratified by type and by treatment category, stroke incidence prior to treatment initiation, time to stroke, overall mortality, bleeding complications, and injury progression on radiographic follow-up. The panel further identified four non-outcome items of high importance for reporting: time to BCVI diagnosis, use of standardized screening tool, duration of treatment, and type of therapy used. Conclusion: Through a well-accepted iterative survey consensus process, content experts have defined a COS to guide future research on BCVI. This COS will be a valuable tool for researchers seeking to perform new BCVI research and will allow future projects to generate data suitable for pooled statistical analysis with enhanced statistical power. Level of evidence: Level IV.

A core outcome set for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: A consensus based approach using a modified Delphi method.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in trauma has grown exponentially in recent years. However, inconsistency in reporting of outcome metrics related to this intervention has inhibited the development of evidence-based guidelines for REBOA application. This study sought to attain consensus on a core outcome set (COS) for REBOA. METHODS: A review of "landmark" REBOA articles was performed, and panelists (first and senior authors) were contacted for participation in a modified Delphi study. In round 1, panelists provided a list of potential core outcomes. In round 2, using a Likert scale (1 [not important] to 9 [very important]), panelists scored the importance of each potential outcome. Consensus for core outcomes was defined a priori as greater than 70% of scores receiving 7 to 9 and less than 15% of scores receiving 1 to 3. Feedback was provided after round 2, and a third round was performed to reevaluate variables not achieving consensus and allow a final "write-in" round by the experts. RESULTS: From 17 identified panelists, 12 participated. All panelists (12 of 12, 100%) participated in each subsequent round. Panelists initially identified 34 unique outcomes, with two outcomes later added upon write-in request after round 2. From 36 total potential outcomes, 20 achieved consensus as core outcomes, and this was endorsed by 100% of the participants. CONCLUSION: Panelists successfully achieved consensus on a COS for REBOA-related research. This REBOA-COS is recommended for all clinical trials related to REBOA and should help enable higher-quality study designs, valid aggregation of published data, and development of evidence-based practice management guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic test or criteria, level V. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Core Outcomes in Trauma Surgery: Development of a Core Outcome Set for Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) http://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1709.

A core outcome set for damage control laparotomy via modified Delphi method.

OBJECTIVES: Damage control laparotomy (DCL) remains an important tool in the trauma surgeon's armamentarium. Inconsistency in reporting standards have hindered careful scrutiny of DCL outcomes. We sought to develop a core outcome set (COS) for DCL clinical studies to facilitate future pooling of data via meta-analysis and Bayesian statistics while minimizing reporting bias. METHODS: A modified Delphi study was performed using DCL content experts identified through Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) 'landmark' DCL papers and EAST ad hoc COS task force consensus. RESULTS: Of 28 content experts identified, 20 (71%) participated in round 1, 20/20 (100%) in round 2, and 19/20 (95%) in round 3. Round 1 identified 36 potential COS. Round 2 achieved consensus on 10 core outcomes: mortality, 30-day mortality, fascial closure, days to fascial closure, abdominal complications, major complications requiring reoperation or unplanned re-exploration following closure, gastrointestinal anastomotic leak, secondary intra-abdominal sepsis (including anastomotic leak), enterocutaneous fistula, and 12-month functional outcome. Despite feedback provided between rounds, round 3 achieved no further consensus. CONCLUSIONS: Through an electronic survey-based consensus method, content experts agreed on a core outcome set for damage control laparotomy, which is recommended for future trials in DCL clinical research. Further work is necessary to delineate specific tools and methods for measuring specific outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, criteria.

Cost-effectiveness of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) at an academic medical center between the first 6 months and through the first and second years of implementation. BACKGROUND: The NSQIP has been extended to private-sector hospitals since 1999, but little is known about its cost-effectiveness. METHODS: Data included 2229 general or vascular surgeries, 699 of which were conducted after NSQIP was in place for 6 months. We estimated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) comparing costs and benefits before and after the adoption of NSQIP. Costs were estimated from the perspective of the hospital and included hospital costs for each admission plus the total annual cost of program adoption and maintenance, including administrator salary, training, and information technology costs. Effectiveness was defined as events avoided. Confidence intervals and a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve were computed by using a set of 10,000 bootstrap replicates. The time periods we compared were (1) July 2007 to December 2007 to July 2008 to December 2008 and (2) July 2007 to June 2008 to July 2008 to June 2009. RESULTS: The incremental costs of the NSQIP program were $832 and $266 for time periods 1 and 2, respectively, yielding ICERs of $25,471 and $7319 per event avoided. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curves suggested a high probability that NSQIP was cost-effective at reasonable levels of willingness to pay. CONCLUSIONS: In these data, not only did NSQIP appear cost-effective, but also its cost-effectiveness improved with greater duration of participation in the program, resulting in a decline to 28.7% of the initial cost.

Neck hematoma after major head and neck surgery: Risk factors, costs, and resource utilization.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cervical hematoma after major head and neck surgery is a feared complication. However, risk factors for developing this complication and attributable costs are not well-established. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was utilized compare patients with and without postoperative cervical hematoma. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for hematoma formation and 30-day mortality. Total inpatient length of stay (LOS) and costs were fit to generalized linear models. RESULTS: Of 32 071 patients, 1098 (3.4%) experienced a postoperative cervical hematoma. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.38; P < .0001), black race (OR 1.35; P = .010), 4 or more comorbidities (OR 1.66; P < .0001), or presence of a preoperative coagulopathy (OR 6.76; P < .0001) were associated. Postoperative cervical hematoma was associated with 540% increased odds of death (P < .0001). The LOS and total excess costs were 5.14 days (P < .0001) and $17 887.40 (P < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, postoperative cervical hematoma is a life-threatening complication of head and neck surgery with significant implications for outcomes and resource utilization.

Injuries and outcomes associated with traumatic falls in the elderly population on oral anticoagulant therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Fall risk for older adults is a multi-factorial public health problem as 90% of geriatric injuries are caused by traumatic falls. The CDC estimated 33% of adults >65 years incurred a fall in 2011, with 30% resulting in moderate injury. While much has been written about overall risk to trauma patients on oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, less has been reported on outcomes in the elderly trauma population. We used data from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) to identify the types of injury and complications incurred, length of stay, and mortality associated with OACs in elderly patients sustaining a fall. METHODS: Using standard NTDB practices, data were collected on elderly patients (≥65 years) on OACs with diagnosis of fall as the primary mechanism of injury from 2007 to 2010. Univariate analysis was used to determine patient variables influencing risk of fall on OACs. Odds ratios were calculated for types of injury sustained and post-trauma complications. Logistic regression was used to determine mortality associated with type of injury incurred. RESULTS: Of 118,467 elderly patients sampled, OAC use was observed in 444. Predisposing risk factors for fall on OACs were >1 comorbidity (p<0.0001). Patients on OACs were 188% and 370% more likely to develop 2 and >3 complications (p<0.0001); the most significant being ARDS and ARF (p<0.0001). The mortality rate on OACs was 16%. Injuries to the GI tract, liver, spleen, and kidney (p<0.0002) were more likely to occur. However, if patients suffered a mortality, the most significant injuries were skull fractures and intracranial haemorrhage (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Risks of anticoagulation in elderly trauma patients are complex. While OAC use is a predictor of 30-day mortality after fall, the injuries sustained are markedly different between the elderly who die and those who do not. As a result there is a greater need for healthcare providers to identify preventable and non-preventable risks factors indicative of falls in the anti-coagulated elderly patient.

Attributable costs of differentiated thyroid cancer in the elderly Medicare population.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about costs associated with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and follow-up care. This study used data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to examine cumulative costs attributable to disease stage and treatment options of DTC in elderly patients over 5 years. METHODS: We identified 2,823 patients aged >65 years with DTC and 5,646 noncancer comparison cases from SEER Medicare data between 1995 and 2005. Cumulative costs were obtained by estimating average costs/patient in each month up to 60 months after diagnosis. We performed multivariate analyses of costs by fitting each monthly cost to linear models, controlling for demographics and comorbidities. Marginal effects of covariates were obtained by summing coefficients over 60 months. RESULTS: Cumulative costs were $17,669/patient the first year and $48,989/patient 5 years after diagnosis. Regional disease was associated with higher costs at 1 year ($9,578) and 5 years ($8,902). Distant disease was associated with 1-year costs of $28,447 and 5-year costs of $20,103. Patients undergoing surgery and radiation had a decrease in cost of $722 at 5 years. CONCLUSION: DTC in the elderly is associated with significant economic burden largely attributable to patient demographics, stage of disease, and treatment modalities.

Recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Medicare-linked database were used to estimate the incidence of and risk factors associated with recurrent thyroid cancer, and to assess the impact of recurrence on mortality following diagnosis, controlling for mortality as a competing risk. DESIGN: We identified 2883 patients over 65 years of age diagnosed with a single, primary well-differentiated thyroid cancer between 1995 and 2007. A recurrence was considered if the patient had evidence of I-131 therapy, imaging for metastatic thyroid carcinoma, or complete thyroidectomy beyond 6 months of diagnosis. Competing risk regressions were performed using Cox proportional hazards models with 1- and 2-year landmarks. RESULTS: Recurrence was observed in 1117 (39%) of the 2883 patients in the cohort. Age, stage, and treatment status were significant risk factors for developing recurrent disease (P<0.0001). Patients with recurrent disease had a higher risk of all-cause mortality within 10 years of diagnosis than patients with no recurrence at 1- and 2-year landmarks. Patients with follicular histology and a recurrence were less likely to die from cancer (hazard ratio 0.54; P=0.03) than patients with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of recurrence of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas in this sample of elderly patients was 39%. Extent of disease and older age negatively impacted the risk of recurrence from differentiated thyroid cancer. In these data, patients with follicular histology and a recurrence were less likely to die, suggesting that mortality and recurrence are competing risks. These data should be taken into account with individualized treatment strategies for elderly patients with recurrent malignant thyroid disease.

Renal transplant status in patients undergoing colorectal surgery: is immunosuppression safer than kidney disease?

BACKGROUND: It is unknown how colorectal surgical outcomes in recipients of renal transplants (TXP) compare to the outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2004 to 2008 were reviewed. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes identified patients undergoing colorectal surgery who were stratified as having no kidney disease, CKD, ESRD, or TXP. The effects of renal status on mortality, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs were determined. RESULTS: A total of 171,133 patients were identified; 162,986 had no kidney disease, 3,686 had CKD, 1,296 had ESRD, and 3,765 had had TXP. The odds of death after surgery were 43% more likely for patients with CKD, 82% more likely for TXP, and 240% more likely for those with ESRD. TXP resulted in an additional length of hospital stay of 3.4 days, compared to 3.2 days for those with ESRD, and 1.1 days for those with CKD (P < .0001). CKD added $4,223 in additional costs, TXP added $8,213, and ESRD added $12,821 (P < .0001). TXP demonstrated odds of mortality between those of CKD and ESRD for cardiovascular complications (OR 2.47). Pulmonary complications resulted in the highest odds of mortality for TXP (OR 6.3). CONCLUSION: After TXP, patients undergoing colorectal surgery have mortality and costs between those of patients with CKD and ESRD, with pulmonary complications remaining high mortality events.

Synergistic implications of multiple postoperative outcomes.

As payment policies for surgical complications evolve, surgeons and hospitals need to understand the financial implications of postoperative events. Using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), the authors estimated mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total cost attributable to multiple postoperative events in general and vascular surgery patients. Data were collected using standard NSQIP practices at a single academic center between 2007 and 2009. LOS and costs were fit to linear regression models to determine the effect of 19 postoperative events in the setting of 1, 2, or 3+ events. Of 2250 patients sampled, 457 patients developed at least 1 postoperative event. LOS increased by 2.59, 5.18, and 10.99 days (P < .0001) for 1, 2, and 3+ postoperative events; excess costs were $6358, $12 802, and $42 790 (P < .0001), respectively. Multiple postoperative events have a synergistic effect on mortality, LOS, and the financial cost of patient care.

Laparoscopic and open abdominoperineal resection for cancer: how patient selection and complications differ by approach.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes between laparoscopic (LAPR) and open abdominoperineal resections (OAPR) are poorly described. METHODS: After IRB approval, 2005-2008 NSQIP data were used to identify patients undergoing LAPR and OAPR for rectal cancer. Logistic regression identified variables influencing the selection of LAPR vs. OAPR as well as the likelihood of postoperative events. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the incidence of 30-day postoperative events. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred ninety-seven OAPRs and 143 LAPRs were identified. LAPRs were less likely to have a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 (p = 0.04) and were associated with equivalent mean operative times (p = 0.36). LAPRs and OAPRs were found to have similar rates of surgical site infections (p = 0.13), transfusion requirements (p = 0.17), myocardial infarction (p = 0.48), and need for reoperation within 30 days (p = 0.20). Neoadjuvant radiotherapy did not directly increase complication rates in either group. Few factors predicted choice of LAPR but included BMI <25 (OR, 1.54; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Complication rates between LAPR and OAPR were similar despite the greater technical challenge of LAPR. Wound infection rates were equivalent, which may reflect similar rates of perineal wound infections. Few patients are offered LAPR, possibly due to surgeon preferance as opposed to patient factors.

Electronic measures of surgical site infection: implications for estimating risks and costs.

OBJECTIVE: Electronic measures of surgical site infections (SSIs) are being used more frequently in place of labor-intensive measures. This study compares performance characteristics of 2 electronic measures of SSIs with a clinical measure and studies the implications of using electronic measures to estimate risk factors and costs of SSIs among surgery patients. METHODS: Data included 1,066 general and vascular surgery patients at a single academic center between 2007 and 2008. Clinical data were from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, which includes a nurse-derived measure of SSI. We compared the NSQIP SSI measure with 2 electronic measures of SSI: MedMined Nosocomial Infection Marker (NIM) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) coding for SSIs. We compared infection rates for each measure, estimated sensitivity and specificity of electronic measures, compared effects of SSI measures on risk factors for mortality using logistic regression, and compared estimated costs of SSIs for measures using linear regression. RESULTS: SSIs were observed in 8.8% of patients according to the NSQIP definition, 2.6% of patients according to the NIM definition, and 5.8% according to the ICD-9 definition. Logistic regression for each SSI measure revealed large differences in estimated risk factors. NIM and ICD-9 measures overestimated the cost of SSIs by 134% and 33%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be taken when relying on electronic measures for SSI surveillance and when estimating risk and costs attributable to SSIs. Electronic measures are convenient, but in this data set they did not correlate well with a clinical measure of infection.

Hospital costs associated with surgical site infections in general and vascular surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Although much has been written about excess cost and duration of stay (DOS) associated with surgical site infections (SSIs) after cardiothoracic surgery, less has been reported after vascular and general surgery. We used data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to estimate the total cost and DOS associated with SSIs in patients undergoing general and vascular surgery. METHODS: Using standard NSQIP practices, data were collected on patients undergoing general and vascular surgery at a single academic center between 2007 and 2009 and were merged with fully loaded operating costs obtained from the hospital accounting database. Logistic regression was used to determine which patient and preoperative variables influenced the occurrence of SSIs. After adjusting for patient characteristics, costs and DOS were fit to linear regression models to determine the effect of SSIs. RESULTS: Of the 2,250 general and vascular surgery patients sampled, SSIs were observed in 186 inpatients. Predisposing factors of SSIs were male sex, insulin-dependent diabetes, steroid use, wound classification, and operative time (P < .05). After adjusting for those characteristics, the total excess cost and DOS attributable to SSIs were $10,497 (P < .0001) and 4.3 days (P < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSION: SSIs complicating general and vascular surgical procedures share many risk factors with SSIs after cardiothoracic surgery. Although the excess costs and DOS associated with SSIs after general and vascular surgery are somewhat less, they still represent substantial financial and opportunity costs to hospitals and suggest, along with the implications for patient care, a continuing need for cost-effective quality improvement and programs of infection prevention.