Patient Factors Lead to Extensive Variation in Outcomes and Cost From Cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is a common procedure with significantly varied outcomes. We analyzed differences in comorbidities, outcomes, and cost of cholecystectomy by acute care surgery (ACS) versus hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were retrospectively identified between 2008 and 2015. Exclusion criteria included the following: (1) part of another procedure; (2) abdominal trauma; (3) ICU admission; vasopressors. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six ACS and 122 HPB patients were analyzed. The HPB subset had higher burden of comorbid disease and significantly lower projected 10-year survival (87.4% ACS vs 68.5% HPB, P < .0001). Median lengths of stay were longer in HPB patients (2 vs 5 days, P < .0001) as were readmission rates (30-day 5.6% vs 13.1%, P = .040; 90-day 7.9% vs 20.5%, P = .005). Median cost was higher including operative supply cost ($969.42 vs $1920.66, P < .0001) and total cost of care ($7340.66 vs $19 338.05, P < .0001). A predictive scoring system for difficult gallbladders was constructed and a phone application was created. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy in a complicated patient can be difficult with longer hospital stays and higher costs. The utilization of procedure codes to explain disparities is not sufficient. Incorporation of comorbidities needs to be addressed for planning and reimbursement.

Frequency of unplanned surgery in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy with an intact primary: An analysis of SEER-Medicare.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stage IV colorectal cancer is often treated with palliative chemotherapy with the primary tumor in place. Low rates of unplanned surgical intervention (due to obstruction or perforation) have been reported. We examined a large national dataset to determine the rate of unplanned surgical intervention in these patients. METHODS: Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare were queried for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy (1998-2013). Patient who underwent planned surgery to the primary or metastasectomy were excluded. The primary outcome was the need for nonelective surgery. Time to surgery or death was measured. Conditional analyses were performed to determine the risk of surgical intervention at 6-month, 1-, and 2-year after diagnosis. RESULTS: The analytic cohort consisted of 4692 patients (median age = 75). At 24 months, 80% of the patients had died. The overall unplanned intervention rate was 12%. The probability of requiring unplanned surgery between 6 and 12 months was 8.1%; 12 and 24 months = 6.7%, and >24 months = 5.3%. Males, those with right-sided tumors, and older patients were less likely to require surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with palliative chemotherapy who are not resected upfront are unlikely to require unplanned surgery. Prophylactic surgery to reduce the risk of perforation or obstruction may not be necessary.

Current State of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery.

For over two decades, enhanced recovery pathways have been implemented in many surgical disciplines, most notably in colorectal surgery. Since 2001, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Study Group has developed a main protocol comprising 24 evidence-based core items. While these core items unite similar preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative principles across surgical subspecialties, variations and modifications exist to these core items based on unique considerations for each surgical subspecialty. This overview will summarize overarching principles for ERAS within hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery, first summarizing Pancreaticoduodenectomy and Hepatectomy ERAS Society Guidelines. Specifically, principles and areas of current debate regarding preoperative oral carbohydrate loading/fasting, perioperative fluid management, and analgesia will be discussed. While institutions are beginning to realize both clinical and financial benefits of ERAS within HPB surgery, enhanced recovery remains a relatively recent phenomenon within the field. The complex patient population, high morbidity, and resource-intensive care involved in HPB surgery certainly warrant special consideration. To continue to promote improved clinical outcomes in a cost-effective manner, the ERAS Society will continue to actively address concerns and ensure all recommendations are based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence within the field of HPB surgery.

Robotic longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis: Comparison of clinical outcomes and cost to the open approach.

BACKGROUND: This study compares clinical and cost outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) and open longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) for chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Clinical and cost data were retrospectively compared between open and RAL LPJ performed at a single center from 2008-2015. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients underwent LPJ: 19 open and 7 RAL. Two robot-assisted cases converted to open were included in the open group for analysis. Patients undergoing RAL LPJ had less intraoperative blood loss, a shorter surgical length of stay, and lower medication costs. Operation supply cost was higher in the RAL group. No difference in hospitalization cost was found. CONCLUSIONS: Versus the open approach, RAL LPJ performed for chronic pancreatitis shortens hospitalization and reduces medication costs; hospitalization costs are equivalent. A higher operative cost for RAL LPJ is mitigated by a shorter hospitalization. Decreased morbidity and healthcare resource economy support use of the robotic approach for LPJ when appropriate.