Perioperative outcomes and hospital reimbursement by type of radical prostatectomy: results from a privately insured patient population.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of robotic surgery in the United States, the comparative effectiveness and differences in reimbursement of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) and open prostatectomy (ORP) in privately insured patients are unknown. Therefore, we sought to assess the differences in perioperative outcomes and hospital reimbursement in a privately insured patient population who were surgically treated for prostate cancer. METHODS: Using a large private insurance database, we identified 17,610 prostate cancer patients who underwent either MIRP or ORP from 2003 to 2010. The primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), perioperative complications, 90-day readmissions rates and hospital reimbursement. Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate for differences in primary outcomes across surgical approaches. RESULTS: Overall, 8981 (51.0%) and 8629 (49.0%) surgically treated prostate cancer patients underwent MIRP and ORP, respectively. The proportion of patients undergoing MIRP markedly rose from 11.9% in 2003 to 72.5% in 2010 (P<0.001 for trend). Relative to ORP, MIRP was associated with a shorter median LOS (1.0 day vs 3.0 days; P<0.001) and lower adjusted odds ratio of perioperative complications (OR: 0.82; P<0.001). However, the 90-day readmission rates of MIRP and ORP were similar (OR: 0.99; P=0.76). MIRP provided higher adjusted mean hospital reimbursement compared with ORP (US $19,292 vs. US $17,347; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among privately insured patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, robotic surgery rapidly disseminated with over 70% of patients undergoing MIRP by 2009-2010. Although MIRP was associated with shorter LOS and modestly better perioperative outcomes, hospitals received higher reimbursement for MIRP compared with ORP.

Benign pedunculated tumor of the esophagus.

Benign pedunculated tumors of the esophagus are rare, even large tumors often remain asymptomatic. Recent experiences with two patients are described, who only complained of recurrent appearance of the tumor in their mouth. In barium studies the esophageal dilatation can incorrectly suggest achalasia or cardiospasm, whereas the tumor itself is overlooked. Even at endoscopy the tumor can be missed, as it is covered with normal epithelium. Histology of a biopsy often shows no abnormalities. Once the diagnosis is made, resection is strictly indicated, especially to prevent acute laryngeal obstruction. In one patient surgical removal was performed via cervical esophagotomy, in the second by endoscopy.

A modified pectoralis muscle flap for closure of postpneumonectomy esophagopleural fistula: technique and results.

In surgical treatment of late postpneumonectomy esophagopleural fistula, closure of the empyema space is of prime importance. A wide thoracoplasty and ample decapitation of the empyema cavity allow sufficient room for a modified pectoralis muscle flap, which provides sufficient mass to obliterate the entire empyema cavity. We present the cases of 2 patients in whom an esophagopleural fistula occurring 3 and 16 years after pneumonectomy was successfully closed by this method.

Survival after resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus.

During the period 1978-1984, 525 patients referred with cancer of the oesophagus or gastro-oesophageal junction were assessed for operation and cure. After investigation, 276 patients were selected and operated upon, as a rule, 4 weeks after radiotherapy (40 Gy/4 weeks). In 224 patients (81 per cent) the oesophagus and cardia were resected and reconstructed with stomach (69 per cent), colon (21 per cent), free ileal graft (7 per cent) or Roux-en-Y-oesophagojejunostomy (3 per cent). The postresectional hospital mortality was 14 per cent in all patients and decreased to 5 per cent in 1983. Mortality was higher when the colon was used for reconstruction than when the stomach was used. By postresection staging, 82 patients were found to have stages I and II tumours and 142 patients stage III tumours. Estimated 3-year survival after resection for all male patients was 28 per cent and for all female patients was 42 per cent. Estimated 3-year survival for all patients treated for adenocarcinoma was 31 per cent. Survival was better for stages I and II patients with adenocarcinoma (52 per cent) than for stage III patients (18 per cent) (P less than 0.01). Estimated 3-year survival for all patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma was 33 per cent. Estimated 3-year survival was better for stages I and II patients with squamous cell carcinoma (48 per cent) than for stage III patients (25 per cent) (P less than 0.001). It can be concluded from this study that resection of oesophagus and cardia after radiotherapy offers hope for cure in a subgroup of patients with non-advanced oesophageal cancer. The operation can be performed with acceptable mortality by experienced surgeons, especially when the stomach is used for reconstruction.

Therapy of esophageal carcinoma. Results from the Joint Group on Esophageal Carcinoma in Rotterdam.

During the period 1978-1981 172 patients were referred to the Rotterdam Joint Group on Esophageal Carcinoma. Ninety-one patients were considered for combined therapy, comprising radiation therapy and surgery, and 10 patients refused surgery. The figures given in this material are actuarial survival values corrected for intercurrent death (the actuarial overall survival in parentheses). The 4-year survival in 69 patients who completed this treatment was 39 per cent (26%) (significantly better for women compared with men; significantly better for tumors less than 2 vertebrae compared with tumors greater than or equal to 2 vertebrae). The resectability rate was 85 per cent and the operation mortality rate 20 per cent. Thirty-eight patients had curative radiation therapy with a 4-year corrected survival of 5 per cent (3%). For palliative treatment, radiation therapy and endoscopic introduction of a Celestin tube were mostly used. The results of curative as well as of palliative treatment of esophageal carcinoma have shown improvement during the past decade compared with an earlier period.

Carcinoma of the esophagus: treatment results.

Of the 172 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or the gastro-esophageal junction seen between January 1978 and January 1981, 69 patients had combined treatment, radiotherapy and resection, and 38 had curative radiotherapy. The remaining 65 were treated palliatively. The 4-year actuarial survival of the first two treatment groups was respectively 40% and 4%. The resectability rate of the operated patients was 84% with a post-operative mortality of 20%. The tumor size and sex were two important prognostic factors. Patients with combined treatment and a tumor size of less than two corresponding underlying vertebrae, had a 4-year actuarial survival of 60%.

The influence of preoperative jaundice, biliary drainage and age on postoperative morbidity and mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy and total pancreatectomy.

Details are given of the postoperative course of 56 patients after pancreatoduodenectomy, and 11 after total pancreatectomy. The main indication was adenocarcinoma (56 cases). The most serious complication was leakage from the pancreatojejunostomy, which occurred in nine patients and was fatal in seven of these (10%). This was the only cause of death in the group. The observed mortality was appreciably higher (38%) in the 13 patients aged over 70 years. Contrary to recent reports, jaundice was not found to influence postoperative mortality adversely, nor was preoperative biliary drainage found to reduce mortality.

A new technique for pancreatojejunostomy.

In the presence of a nonobstructed pancreas, a pancreatojejunostomy can be performed with relative simplicity using a GIA automatic stapler when the pancreatic stump is invaginated in a jejunal loop after removing some of the staples.

Treatment of pancreatic injuries.

Between 1972 and 1983 14 patients with pancreatic injuries have been treated. The diagnosis was often difficult and only made at laparotomy in most patients. Peritoneal lavage and serum amylase levels were of little help in diagnosis. Even at laparotomy, the diagnosis was initially missed in one patient. Six patients had injuries of the pancreatic head and were treated either by Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy (one patient), drainage with gastric and jejunal decompression (two patients) or simple drainage (three patients). Six patients had injuries of the pancreatic body, necessitating distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in four cases. Two patients with contusion of the pancreatic tail were treated by drainage, followed by development of an infected pancreatic pseudocyst in one case. Six patients died (43%). It is concluded that complete inspection of the pancreas and peripancreatic hematoma is mandatory in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic injuries.

Haemorrhage from the pancreatic duct: a rare form of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Recurrent upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage arising from the pancreatic duct presents diagnostic difficulties. Bleeding can be secondary to pancreatic disease (pancreatitis, pseudocysts) or vascular disorders (aneurysms of the splanchic arteries). Of the 5 cases reported here, 3 involved a ruptured aneurysm of the splenic artery and 2 chronic pancreatitis. Attacks of colicky pain in the left epigastric region associated with haematemesis and/or melaena were characteristic symptoms. Pancreatectomy controlled the bleeding in 4 and ligation of the splenic artery and the pancreatic duct in one. Fifty-five patients with similar pathology have been previously reported, suggesting that this syndrome should be borne in mind when gastrointestinal haemorrhage of obscure origin is encountered. If routine endoscopy does not reveal the site of the haemorrhage and there are no signs of cholestasis, endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) and selective coeliac arteriography should be performed to evaluate the possibility of haemorrhage from the pancreatic duct. Surgical management depends on the site of the causative lesion.

Needle catheter jejunostomy (NCJ) for early postoperative feeding: experience in 210 patients.

Enteral feeding has many advantages over total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the early postoperative period. The risk of sepsis is small, the nutrients are cheap and metabolic problems are rare. In the period April 1980 to January 1983, needle catheter jejunostomy (NCJ) was applied in 210 patients after surgery of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, liver or pancreas. All but 14 of these patients were fed by NCJ for a certain period postoperatively, NCJ feeding being initiated within 48 hours after the operation in 63% of the cases. In 14 patients, it was decided not to use NCJ feeding because of counter-indications observed postoperatively. The mean duration of the feeding by NCJ was 17 days (range two to 84 days). The complications observed were intraperitoneal leakage in four patients (1.9%), ileus in seven patients (3.3%) and diarrhoea in 54 patients (25.7%). The total number of feeding days was 2,906. This form of feeding resulted in savings of Dfl. 115,00 per patient per day compared with TPN, for a 12,600 Joule intake. NCJ feeding is a relatively safe, economical procedure that can be applied as a matter of routine after abdominal surgery.

Effective reconstruction after pharyngolaryngo-oesophagectomy with an ileal autograft.

Total pharyngolaryngo-oesophagectomy is performed for carcinoma of the cervical oesophagus, the piriform sinuses and the postcricoid region. A safe effective way of reconstructing the cervical oesophagus is of the utmost importance in these patients. Use of a revascularized intestinal segment for this purpose is described. Twenty-one patients who underwent reconstruction of the cervical oesophagus with an ileal autograft were studied, with a follow-up period of one to .58 months. The low postoperative mortality and morbidity, quick resumption of oral intake, short hospitalization and good functional results obtained with this method yield benefits for these patients.

Surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis by distal pancreatectomy.

No consensus exists on the best surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis. In a retrospective study on 29 patients it was found that pain caused by chronic pancreatitis can be treated effectively by a 95% DP or a 40-80% DP. However, after a 40-80% DP the incidence of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is less frequent than after a 95% DP. Therefore, distal pancreatectomy can be advised as a treatment of pain, caused by chronic pancreatitis. In order to minimize the chance of pancreatic insufficiency resection should be done as conservatively as possible.

Haemodynamics and renal function in patients undergoing surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Haemodynamics and renal function were studied in patients undergoing surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm, before, during and after infrarenal aortic clamping, in order to establish base-line criteria. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) remained practically unchanged during aortic clamping. A significant decrease in cardiac index (CI) was found. The significant decrease in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), despite a significant rise in the systemic vascular resistance (SVRI), probably reflects relative preoperative dehydration and venous pooling in the lower part of the body. Brief suggestions are made concerning the management of this condition. No irreversible loss of renal function was seen.