A Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors Associated with Guarded Outcome after Carpal Tunnel Release in Symptomatic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is a validated measurement tool to assess the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome, and improvements in the BCTQ after carpal tunnel release (CTR) have been demonstrated to influence patient satisfaction. The authors hypothesized that patient-related factors influence response in BCTQ subscales, including the Symptom Severity Scale and the Functional Status Scale, after CTR. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery with follow-up BCTQ were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Paired t tests were used to compare BCTQ subscales at each follow-up time point. Minimal clinically important differences were set. Patients below these thresholds were deemed as having failure to improve after CTR. Univariate analysis was used to identify risk factors for failure to improve after CTR. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors for failure to improve after CTR. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients demonstrated significant improvements at all follow-up time points. The factor most associated with improvement beyond the minimal clinically important differences was a more severe score in the respective domain assessed. Other independent factors that influenced outcome after CTR included race, concomitant cubital tunnel release, sex, and age. CONCLUSIONS: CTR results in significant improvements in BCTQ and its subscales, with improvements stabilizing after 6 weeks. In a select cohort of patients, failure to improve after CTR occurs with factors independently associated with a lower degree of improvement. Identification of patients with these risk factors will provide a basis for counseling and increased monitoring of patients at risk for a guarded prognosis. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Characterization of the Saddle Nose Deformity Following Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

Objective The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is commonly employed in skull base surgery for neoplasm resection. While nasal deformity following EEA is described, this study aimed to perform a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of the associated saddle nose deformity (SND) in particular. Setting/Participants This is a retrospective review of 20 adult patients with SND after EEA for resection of skull base tumors over a 5-year period at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Main Outcome Measures Fifteen measurements related to SND were obtained on pre- and postoperative imaging. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate differences between pre- and postoperative anatomies. Results The most common EEA was transsellar. Reconstruction techniques included nine free mucosal grafts alone, eight vascularized nasoseptal flaps (NSFs), one combined free mucosal graft/abdominal fat graft, and one combined NSF/fascia lata graft. Imaging analysis showed a trend toward loss of mean nasal height, nasal tip projection, and nasolabial angle postoperatively. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with NSF reconstruction had a significantly decreased nasal tip projection (1.2 mm, p = 0.039) and increased alar base width (1.2 mm, p = 0.046) postoperatively. Patients without functional pituitary microadenomas demonstrated significantly increased nasofrontal angle and decreased nasal tip projection on postoperative imaging, in contrast to those with functional adenomas who had no measurable significant changes. Conclusion Clinically evident SND does not always lead to significant radiographic changes. This analysis suggests that patients who undergo surgery for indications other than functional pituitary microadenomas or who receive NSF reconstruction develop more marked SND on standard imaging tests.

Prospective Cohort Study Comparing Ligament Reconstruction with Tendon Interposition and Suture-Only Suspension Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Basal joint arthritis is a common form of osteoarthritis. There is no consensus procedure for maintenance of trapezial height following trapeziectomy. Suture-only suspension arthroplasty (SSA) is a simple method for stabilizing the thumb metacarpal following trapeziectomy. METHODS: This single-institution, prospective, cohort study compares trapeziectomy followed by either ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition (LRTI) or SSA for the treatment of basal joint arthritis. Patients underwent LRTI or SSA from May of 2018 to December of 2019. Visual analogue scale pain scores; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire functional scores; clinical thumb range of motion, pinch, and grip strength data; and patient-reported outcomes were recorded and analyzed preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Total number of study participants was 45 (LRTI, n = 26; SSA, n = 19). Mean ± SE age was 62.4 ± 1.5 years; 71% were female patients; and 51% underwent surgery on the dominant side. Visual analogue scale scores improved for LRTI and SSA ( P < 0.0001) over 6 months, with no differences between groups at any time point ( P > 0.3). Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire scores improved for LRTI and SSA over 6 months ( P < 0.0001), with no differences between groups at any time point ( P > 0.3). Following SSA, opposition improved ( P = 0.02), but not as well for LRTI ( P = 0.16). Grip and pinch strength decreased following LRTI and SSA at 6 weeks but recovered similarly for both groups over 6 months. Patient-reported outcomes were generally no different between groups at all time points. CONCLUSION: LRTI and SSA are similar procedures following trapeziectomy relative to pain, function, and strength recovery. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

The Use of a Hartmann's Pouch for Bowel Vaginoplasty: A Case Report.

Bowel vaginoplasty is a well-described procedure utilizing a pedicled segment of large or small bowel. It has most commonly been used for vaginal agenesis, male-to-female gender affirmation surgery when the phallus skin is not sufficient, or a revision after failure of the primary reconstruction. Our case report describes the usage of a pedicled segment of large bowel to reconstruct the vagina after severe stricture of the original reconstruction. We were able to provide relief of the symptomatic Hartmann's pouch mucocele, urethral stricture, and provide a functional introitus and vaginal canal. This technique can provide a framework that can be used as a salvage plan in patients with previously irritated and inhospitable defects.

Opioid-Prescribing Practices in Plastic Surgery: A Juxtaposition of Attendings and Trainees.

BACKGROUND: The rates of opioid abuse and overdose in America have risen in parallel with the rates of opioid prescribing by physicians. As such, we sought to examine the prescribing practices among plastic surgery attendings and trainees to determine the need for more thorough education. METHODS: A survey was distributed to all ACGME-accredited plastic surgery residency programs and included questions regarding opioid-prescribing practices and self-rated ability pertaining to opioid management. Trends in prescribing practices based on prescriber position were analyzed using cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds and Chi-squared tests for ordinal and nominal variables, respectively. RESULTS: We received 78 responses with a wide geographical representation from plastic surgery residency programs: 59% of respondents were male and 39.7% female, 29.5% were attendings, 26.9% senior residents, 29.5% junior residents, and 14.1% interns. Compared with attendings, interns prescribe fewer pills (p < 0.05) and were significantly more likely to prescribe oxycodone (p < 0.03). Junior residents were 4.49 times more likely (p = 0.012) and senior residents 3.65 times more likely (p = 0.029) to prescribe additional opioids to avoid phone calls and follow-up visits. Interns and senior residents were significantly less comfortable than attendings in managing patients requesting additional opioids (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey demonstrate that knowledge deficits do exist among trainees, and that trainees are significantly less comfortable than their attending counterparts with opioid prescribing and patient management. Therefore, the implementation of a thorough postoperative pain management education in residency may be a cogent strategy in mitigating the opioid crisis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Wound Complications, Additional Ventilation Requirement, Prolonged Stay, and Readmission in Primary Palatoplasty: A Risk Factor Analysis of 3616 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The present study examined risk factors associated with 30-day palatoplasty complications based on analysis of national data. METHODS: Primary palatoplasties were identified in the 2012 to 2015 Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Cases were analyzed with multivariate regression to investigate predictors for wound healing complications, additional ventilation requirement, prolonged stay (>3 days), and readmission. RESULTS: In 3616 operations, mean age was 12.2 months and operative time was 135.4 minutes. The 30-day complication rate was 7.6 percent overall, including wound dehiscence/infection (3.4 percent), additional ventilation requirement (2.0 percent), and readmission (2.4 percent); 5.1 percent of patients required prolonged stays. Wound healing complications were not predicted by comorbidities. American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or greater (OR, 2.8; p = 0.033), neuromuscular disorder (OR, 3.5; p = 0.029), and nutritional support (OR, 2.9; p = 0.035) predicted additional ventilation requirement. Prolonged stays were predicted by requiring additional ventilation (OR, 14.7; p < 0.001) or American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or greater (OR, 1.8; p = 0.047), but preoperative ventilator dependence was protective (OR, 0.1; p = 0.012). Mean hospital stay was 1.6 days without an airway complication versus 5.0 days with. Readmissions were increased for patients requiring nutritional support (OR, 2.6; p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents one of the largest cohorts of palatoplasty patients analyzed to date. It identifies what can be learned from a nonspecific 30-day registry regarding cleft outcomes and, from its limitations, discusses what the future of cleft outcomes research might entail. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

The Impact of Massive Weight Loss on Psychological Comorbidities: A Large, Retrospective Database Review.

BACKGROUND: The obese population has a higher incidence of mood disorders compared to individuals with normal body mass index (BMI). A better understanding of the unique psychosocial challenges faced by this patient population will allow physicians to better optimize patient psychosocial support systems perioperatively, as well as help the patient to maintain appropriate expectations. METHODS: A large, retrospective database of 1135 patients with greater than 50 pounds of weight loss was reviewed. Data were analyzed using a multinomial regression model to determine the influence of psychosocial factors on the incidence of depression and anxiety. RESULTS: Prior to massive weight loss, patients reported an overall incidence of depression and anxiety of 42.5% and 26.3%, respectively. Following massive weight loss, the incidence of depression decreased to 32.3% and the incidence of anxiety decreased to 22.0%. Patients with spousal support and with positive self-image were more likely to experience resolution of depression. Patients with positive self-image were likely to experience resolution of anxiety. Resolution of medical comorbidities correlated with a decrease in the rate of depression. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in the massive weight loss patient population undergoing body contouring surgery. Support systems are a vital resource for patients with psychological comorbidities undergoing massive weight loss. Patients who have a positive self-image of themselves are more likely to experience resolution of psychological comorbidities. Physicians should consider recommending support groups and/or counseling in patients who have poor support and negative self-image. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Milestones in Plastic Surgery: Attending Assessment versus Resident Assessment.

BACKGROUND: The Plastic Surgery Milestones Project was jointly conceived by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Plastic Surgery as a tool to improve granularity in resident feedback. Resident self-evaluations were compared to attending clinical competency committee evaluations to gauge resident self-perceptions and understanding of the milestones framework. METHODS: Semiannual evaluations from June of 2014 to 2017 were analyzed and compared with corresponding resident self-evaluations from the 2015 to 2017 academic year at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Evaluations were analyzed for overall trends in performance. The presence of systemic differences between each type of evaluation were determined using Student's t tests. Subgroup analysis using the chi-square test was performed to determine factors that may contribute to major assessment disparity (≥1). RESULTS: Six thousand two hundred seven milestones across 187 faculty evaluations and 3139 milestones across 106 resident self-evaluations were available for review. With the exception of postgraduate year-2 residents, residents rated themselves at a significantly lower level in the competencies of medical education and patient care. Postgraduate year, academic year timing, and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competency were associated with major assessment discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, resident and faculty evaluations at the authors' program were concordant, which demonstrates that residents are capable of accurately assessing their own abilities and understanding the milestones framework. Areas of discordance between resident and faculty evaluations fostered discussion between residents and faculty and have led to multiple changes in the authors' program. The introduction of self-evaluation tools at other programs may provide them with similar benefits.

Amputation-Site Soft-Tissue Restoration Using Adipose Stem Cell Therapy.

Soft-tissue deficits in amputation stumps can lead to significant pain and disability. An emerging treatment option is stem cell-enriched fat grafting. This is the first study assessing the potential for this treatment modality in lower extremity amputation sites. In this prospective cohort study, five injured military personnel suffering from pain and limited function at amputation sites were recruited. Fat grafting enriched with stromal vascular fraction was performed at amputation sites to provide additional subcutaneous tissue padding over bony structures. Outcomes measures included complications, demographic data, physical examination, cellular subpopulations, cell viability, graft volume retention, pain, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Functional Mobility Assessment, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and rates of depression. Follow-up was 2 years. There were no significant complications. Volume retention was 61.5 ± 24.0 percent. Overall cell viability of the stromal vascular fraction was significantly correlated with volume retention (p = 0.016). There was no significant correlation between percentage of adipose-derived stem cells or number of cells in the stromal vascular fraction and volume retention. There was a nonsignificant trend toward improvement in pain scores (3.0 ± 2.5 to 1.2 ± 1.6; p = 0.180 at 2 years). There were no significant changes in disability indexes. Results from this pilot study demonstrate that stromal vascular fraction-enriched fat grafting is a safe, novel modality for the treatment of symptomatic soft-tissue defects in traumatic lower extremity amputations. Volume retention can be anticipated at slightly over 60 percent. Further studies are needed to assess efficacy. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic, IV.

Is There a Limit? A Risk Assessment Model of Liposuction and Lipoaspirate Volume on Complications in Abdominoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Combining liposuction and abdominoplasty is controversial because of concerns for increased complications and potential for vascular compromise of the abdominoplasty flap. Also, the lipoaspirate volume in abdominoplasty is regulated in some areas to as little as 500 ml when performed with abdominoplasty. This study measures abdominoplasty complication rates when performed with and without trunk liposuction, and evaluates the effect of lipoaspirate volume on complications. METHODS: Abdominoplasty and liposuction of the trunk procedures were identified in the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database. Multivariate regression models determined the effect of liposuction with abdominoplasty on complications compared with abdominoplasty alone and determined the effect of liposuction volume on complications. RESULTS: Eleven thousand one hundred ninety-one patients were identified: 9638 (86.1 percent) having abdominoplasty with truncal liposuction and 1553 (13.9 percent) having abdominoplasty alone. Overall complication rates were 10.5 percent and 13.0 percent, respectively. Combined liposuction and abdominoplasty was independently associated with a reduced risk of both overall complications (p = 0.046) and seroma (p = 0.030). Given existing laws limiting liposuction volume to 500 or 1000 ml in combination with abdominoplasty, each of these thresholds was evaluated, with no effect on complications. Surprisingly, increasing liposuction volume was not independently associated with an increased risk of any complication. CONCLUSIONS: When done by board-certified plastic surgeons, abdominoplasty with truncal liposuction is safe, with fewer complications than abdominoplasty alone. Regulations governing liposuction volumes in abdominoplasty are arbitrary and do not reflect valid thresholds for increased complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Vasopressin stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of red blood cell precursors and improves recovery from anemia.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) made by hypothalamic neurons is released into the circulation to stimulate water resorption by the kidneys and restore water balance after blood loss. Patients who lack this antidiuretic hormone suffer from central diabetes insipidus. We observed that many of these patients were anemic and asked whether AVP might play a role in red blood cell (RBC) production. We found that all three AVP receptors are expressed in human and mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The AVPR1B appears to play the most important role in regulating erythropoiesis in both human and mouse cells. AVP increases phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, as erythropoietin (EPO) does. After sublethal irradiation, AVP-deficient Brattleboro rats showed delayed recovery of RBC numbers compared to control rats. In mouse models of anemia (induced by bleeding, irradiation, or increased destruction of circulating RBCs), AVP increased the number of circulating RBCs independently of EPO. In these models, AVP appears to jump-start peripheral blood cell replenishment until EPO can take over. We suggest that specific AVPR1B agonists might be used to induce fast RBC production after bleeding, drug toxicity, or chemotherapy.

Evaluating the Rule of 10s in Cleft Lip Repair: Do Data Support Dogma?

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip represents one of the most common birth defects in the world. Although the timing of cleft lip repair is contingent on a number of factors, the "rule of 10s" remains a frequently quoted safety benchmark. Initially reported by Wilhelmsen and Musgrave in 1966 and modified by Millard in 1976, this rule referred to performing surgery once patients had reached cutoffs in weight, hemoglobin, and age/leukocyte count. Despite significant advances in both surgical and anesthetic technique, the oft-quoted "rule of 10s" has not been systematically investigated since its inception. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary cleft lip repair were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the independent effect of each rule of 10 metric or violation of the rule of 10s as a whole on postoperative complications, and to determine independent risk factors for complications in cleft lip surgery. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred thirteen patients met inclusion criteria, with a 3.6 percent complication rate. Of the included patients, 151 (11.5 percent) violated at least one facet of the rule of 10s. Other than patient weight, neither the rule of 10s nor any individual metric was significantly predictive of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Since its introduction nearly a half century ago, the risks associated with performing surgery in patients who violate the rule of 10s has undergone dramatic reductions. This analysis highlights the need to continually validate and evaluate dogma as the field continues to advance. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on Postoperative Morbidity After Orthopaedic Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Although a plethora of literature exists on the impact of body mass index (BMI) in orthopaedic surgery, few have examined its implications in the pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) population. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of BMI class on 30-day complications after orthopaedic surgery on children with CP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric participant use files from 2012 to 2013 was conducted. Patients with a diagnosis of CP undergoing any orthopaedic procedure were included and subclassified according to BMI classes: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the independent effect of BMI class on total, surgical site, and medical complications as well as unplanned reoperations. RESULTS: A total of 1746 patients were included in our study. These included 345 (19.8%) underweight, 952 (54.5%) normal weight, 209 (12.8%) overweight, and 240 (13.7%) obese children and adolescents. In hip and lower extremity osteotomies, underweight class was an independent risk factor for total complications (P=0.037) and medical complications (P=0.031). Similarly, underweight class was a risk factor for total complications (P=0.022) and medical complications (P=0.019) in spine procedures. Weight class was not independently associated with complications in tendon procedures. Overweight and obesity classes were not associated with any independent increased risk for complications. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the pediatric CP population, underweight status was deemed an independent predictor of increased complications in osteotomies and spine surgery with no independent increased risk in the overweight or obese cohorts. This information can greatly aid providers with risk stratification, preoperative counseling, and postoperative monitoring as it relates to orthopaedic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-Prognostic.

A Predictive Risk Index for 30-day Readmissions Following Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric scoliosis often requires operative treatment, yet few studies have examined readmission rates in this patient population. The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence, reasons, and independent risk factors for 30-day unplanned readmissions following scoliosis surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement-Pediatric database from 2012 to 2013 was performed. Patients undergoing spinal arthrodesis for progressive infantile scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis, or scoliosis due to other medical conditions were identified and divided between 2 groups: patients with unplanned 30-day readmissions (Readmitted) and patients with no unplanned readmissions (Non-Readmitted). Multivariate logistic regression models were created to determine independent risk factors for readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 3482 children were identified, of which 120 (3.4%) had an unplanned readmission. A majority of patients had a readmission due to a surgical site complication regardless of scoliosis etiology. Risk factors for readmission included obesity (P<0.001) and posterior fusion of 13 or more vertebrae (P=0.029) for idiopathic scoliosis, impaired cognition (P=0.009) for progressive infantile scoliosis, and pelvic fixation (P=0.025) and American Society of Anesthesiologist ≥3 (P=0.048) for scoliosis due to other conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We present 30-day readmissions risk factors based on independent patient and procedural risk factors. This may be useful in the clinical management of patients following scoliosis surgery, specifically for the role of preoperative and predischarge risk stratification.

Predictors of 30-day readmission after mastectomy: A multi-institutional analysis of 21,271 patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent healthcare legislation has made unplanned hospital readmission an important metric of health care quality, and current efforts center on reducing this complication in order to avoid fiduciary penalties. OBJECTIVE: There is currently a paucity of data delineating risk factors for readmission following mastectomy. To this end, we sought to develop a predictive model of unplanned readmissions following mastectomy. METHODS: The 2011 and 2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) datasets were retrospectively queried to identify patients who underwent mastectomy. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to identify risk factors for readmission. RESULTS: Of 21,271 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 1,190 (5.59%) were readmitted. The most commonly cited reasons for readmission included surgical site complications (32.85%), infection not localized to the surgical site (2.72%), and venous thromboembolism (4.39%). Independent predictors of readmission included BMI, active smoking status, and skin-sparing mastectomy. Significantly, concurrent breast reconstruction and bilateral mastectomy were not independent predictors of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of readmission rates after mastectomy. Awareness of specific risk factors for readmission, particularly those that are modifiable, may serve to identify and manage high risk patients, aid in the development of pre- and postoperative clinical care guidelines, and ultimately improve patient care.

Assessing the Impact of Blood Loss in Cranial Vault Remodeling: A Risk Assessment Model Using the 2012 to 2013 Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data Sets.

BACKGROUND: Most cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis is associated with substantial blood loss necessitating transfusion. The transfusion of over 25 ml/kg of red blood cells has long been considered an important safety threshold and has been proposed as a potential marker of health care quality, despite a lack of evidence. The authors sought to ascertain risk factors for transfusion in cranial vault remodeling and to quantify the effect of transfusion volume on postoperative complications. METHODS: Patients who underwent complex cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis were identified from the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Multivariate regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for transfusion and to assess its impact on subsequent outcomes. RESULTS: One thousand fifty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Seven hundred seventy-seven patients (73.4 percent) required a transfusion and 520 patients (49.1 percent) required a transfusion in excess of 25 ml/kg. Neither transfusion nor transfusion volume in excess of 25 ml/kg had a significant effect on postoperative outcomes. Therefore, the authors sought to determine a more meaningful threshold. The top 20 percent of transfusion volumes were greater than or equal to 45.28 ml/kg. Recursive partitioning generated a threshold of 62.52 ml/kg, which independently predicted a greater number of complications and was associated with higher odds ratios than the quintile method. A threshold of 60 ml/kg was chosen for simplicity and was independently predictive of overall complications, medical complications, and increased length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion is common in complex cranial vault remodeling. Currently described occurrence thresholds do not accurately convey postoperative risk. Transfusion in excess of 60 ml/kg significantly increases risk for complications and length of stay in cranial vault remodeling.

Is There a Safe Lipoaspirate Volume? A Risk Assessment Model of Liposuction Volume as a Function of Body Mass Index.

BACKGROUND: No concrete data exist to support a specific volume at which liposuction becomes unsafe; surgeons rely on their own estimates, professional organization advisories, or institutional or government-imposed restrictions. This study represents the first attempt to quantify the comprehensive risk associated with varying liposuction volumes and its interaction with body mass index. METHODS: Suction-assisted lipectomies were identified from the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database. Multivariate regression models incorporating the interaction between liposuction volume and body mass index were used to assess the influence of liposuction volume on complications and to develop a tool that returns a single adjusted odds ratio for any combination of body mass index and liposuction volume. Recursive partitioning was used to determine whether exceeding a threshold in liposuction volume per body mass index unit significantly increased complications. RESULTS: Sixty-nine of 4534 patients (1.5 percent) meeting inclusion criteria experienced a postoperative complication. Liposuction volume and body mass index were significant independent risk factors for complications. With progressively higher volumes, increasing body mass index reduced risk (OR, 0.99; 95 percent CI, 0.98 to 0.99; p = 0.007). Liposuction volumes in excess of 100 ml per unit of body mass index were an independent predictor of complications (OR, 4.58; 95 percent CI, 2.60 to 8.05; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Liposuction by board-certified plastic surgeons is safe, with a low risk of life-threatening complications. Traditional liposuction volume thresholds do not accurately convey individualized risk. The authors' risk assessment model demonstrates that volumes in excess of 100 ml per unit of body mass index confer an increased risk of complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Preoperative predictors of increased hospital costs in elective anterior cervical fusions: a single-institution analysis of 1,082 patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The frequency of anterior cervical fusion (ACF) surgery and total hospital costs in spine surgery have substantially increased in the last several years. PURPOSE: To determine which patient comorbidities are associated with increased total hospital costs after elective one- or two-level ACFs. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: Individuals who have undergone elective one- or two-level ACFs at our single institution. The total number of patients amounted to 1,082. OUTCOME MEASURES: Total hospital costs during single admission. METHODS: Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze independent effects of preoperative patient characteristics on total hospital costs. Univariate analysis was used to examine association of these characteristics on operative time, length of hospital stay (LOS), and complications. RESULTS: Age, obesity, and diabetes were independently associated with increased average hospital costs of $1,404 (95% confidence interval [CI], $857-$1,951; p<.001), $681 (95% CI, $285-$1,076; p=.001), and $1,877 (95% CI, $726-$3,072; p=.001), respectively. Age was associated with increased LOS (p<.001) and complications (p<.001) but not operative time (p=.431). Diabetes was associated with increased LOS (p<.001) and complications (p=.042) but not operative time (p=.234). Obesity was not associated with increased LOS (p=.164), complications (p=.890), or operative time (p=.067). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the patient comorbidities associated with increased hospital costs after one- or two-level ACFs and the potential drivers of these costs.

Surgeon specialty differences in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of spine surgeon specialty on 30-day postoperative complication rates of single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusions (ACDFs). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ACDFs are performed by both neurological and orthopedic surgeons. Although previous studies have examined preoperative risk factors for postoperative complications in ACDFs, no studies have shown the impact of surgical specialty on these variables. METHODS: All patients who underwent any single-level ACDF between 2006 and 2012 were selected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Propensity-score matching was used to reduce confounding preoperative differences. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and complications were compared between the 2 surgical specialties using univariate analyses. Multivariate logistic regression models were created to isolate independent effects of surgeon specialty on complications. RESULTS: A total of 1944 patients undergoing single-level ACDFs were included in our analysis. Orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons performed 19.9% and 80.1% of ACDFs, respectively. Patients who underwent surgery by neurosurgeons had a higher number of comorbidities. After propensity matching, however, not all preoperative variables vary significantly between the specialty cohorts. Multivariate analysis of the propensity-matched groups revealed that for single-level ACDFs, treating physician cohort (orthopedic surgeons vs. neurosurgeons) was not associated with higher odds for overall complications (OR, 1.708; 95% CI, 0.849-3.436; P = 0.133), surgical site complications (OR, 0.869; 95% CI, 0.233-3.247; P = 0.835), or medical complications (OR, 1.863; 95% CI, 0.805-4.311; P = 0.146). CONCLUSION: Spine surgeon specialty is not a risk factor for any reported postoperative complication in patients undergoing single-level ACDFs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.