Costs associated with postoperative intra-abdominal abscess in pediatric perforated appendicitis: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal abscess, the most common complication after perforated appendicitis, is associated with considerable economic burden. However, costs of intra-abdominal abscesses in children are unknown. We aimed to evaluate resource utilization and costs attributable to intra-abdominal abscess in pediatric perforated appendicitis. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis was performed of children (<18 years) who underwent appendectomy for perforated appendicitis (2013-2019). Hospital costs incurred during the index admission and within 30 postoperative days were obtained from the hospital accounting system and inflated to 2019 USD. Generalized linear models were used to determine excess resource utilization and costs attributable to intra-abdominal abscess after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Of 763 patients, 153 (20%) developed intra-abdominal abscesses. Eighty-one patients with intra-abdominal abscesses (53%) underwent percutaneous abscess drainage. Intra-abdominal abscess was independently associated with a nearly 8-fold increased risk of 30-day readmission (adjusted risk ratio, 7.8 [95% confidence interval, 4.7-13.0]). Patients who developed an intra-abdominal abscess required 6.1 excess hospital bed days compared to patients without intra-abdominal abscess (95% confidence interval, 5.3-7.0). Adjusted mean hospital costs for patients with intra-abdominal abscess totaled $27,394 (95% confidence interval, $25,688-$29,101) versus $15,586 (95% confidence interval, $15,102-$16,069) for patients without intra-abdominal abscess. Intra-abdominal abscess was associated with an incremental cost of $11,809 (95% confidence interval, $10,029-$13,588). Hospital room costs accounted for 66% of excess costs. CONCLUSION: Postoperative intra-abdominal abscess nearly doubled pediatric perforated appendicitis costs, primarily due to more hospital bed days and associated room costs. Intra-abdominal abscesses resulted in estimated excess costs of $1.8 million during the study period. Even small reductions in intra-abdominal abscess rates or hospital bed days could yield substantial health care savings.

Single site versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: some pain for no gain?

INTRODUCTION: The optimal laparoscopic appendectomy approach is not clear, comparing single site laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) to conventional 3-port appendectomy (CLA). We investigated outcomes in pediatric patients comparing SILA to CLA: length of operation, length of stay, time to resumption of regular diet, follow up, rehospitalization, and cost. METHODS: Data was collected from children 1 to 18 years with appendectomy at Loma Linda University from 2018 to 2020, operated by two surgeons. Analysis utilized two-sample T, chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of 173 patients, 77 underwent SILA and 96 had CLA. There was no gender, age, or race difference between groups. Mean WBC was 17.5 × 103/mL in SILA group, compared to 15.3 × 103/mL in CLA group (P = 0.004). Operative time was 47.0 SILA compared to 49.5 minutes CLA (P = 0.269). Of SILA cases, 55.8% were simple appendicitis, while 53.3% of the CLA cases were simple (P = 0.857). Regular diet was resumed after 1.7 days in the SILA group, 1.1 days in CLA (P = 0.018). Length of stay was 2.9 days for SILA, 2.4 days for CLA (P = 0.144). Seven children required hospital readmission, 5 SILA and 2 CLA (P = 0.244). Five of the children who returned had intra-abdominal abscesses, of whom 4 had SILA. There was no difference in cost. CONCLUSIONS: The operative techniques had similar outcomes and operative times. There was a trend toward more intra-abdominal abscesses in the SILA group. Further study and longer follow up is needed to determine if there is an advantage to one laparoscopic approach over another.

Post-operative abdominal infections: epidemiology, operational definitions, and outcomes.

Postoperative abdominal infections are an important and heterogeneous health challenge in intensive care units (ICU) and encompass postoperative infectious processes developing within the abdominal cavity that may be caused by either bacterial or fungal pathogens. In this narrative review, we discuss postoperative bacterial and fungal abdominal infections, covering also multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. We also cover clinically preeminent aspects such as the definition of postoperative abdominal infections, which still remains difficult owing to their heterogeneity in patient characteristics, clinical presentation, ecology and antimicrobial treatment. With regard to treatment, modifiable factors such as source control and antimicrobial therapy play a key role in influencing the prognosis of postoperative abdominal infections, but several conditions may hamper their correct application; thus efforts should necessarily be devoted towards improving their appropriateness and timing. Hot topics regarding the characteristics and management of postoperative abdominal infections are discussed in this narrative review.

[Comparación entre ligadura con lazo hemostático y engrapadora mecánica lineal para el cierre de base apendicular]. / Comparison between endoloop and linear mechanical stapler for the appendicular stump closure.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En las últimas décadas es creciente el abordaje por mínima invasión de patologías abdominales debido a sus beneficios evidentes. El cuadro apendicular es la principal emergencia quirúrgica, con diferentes métodos del cierre de la base apendicular. En este artículo comparamos dicho cierre con engrapadora lineal o ligadura con lazo hemostático, para analizar la frecuencia de complicaciones como absceso, dehiscencia y seroma. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, observacional y descriptivo, con un total de 703 procedimientos, empleando en 567 pacientes ligadura con lazo hemostático y en 136 engrapadora lineal, operados por los mismos cirujano y equipo quirúrgico, con curva de aprendizaje concluida. RESULTADOS: Las complicaciones referidas en el presente estudio son absceso (n = 5), dehiscencia (n = 3) y seroma (n = 3). De acuerdo con las fases de la patología apendicular: fase 1 o apéndice congestivo, no presentaron complicaciones; fase 2 o supurativo, se reportó un caso de dehiscencia de herida quirúrgica con el uso de ligadura con lazo hemostático; fase 3 o necrótico, se reportó un caso de seroma en un paciente tratado con ligadura con lazo hemostático; y fase 4 o perforado, se encuentra diferencia significativa en el caso de abscesos, reportando cinco con el uso de ligadura con lazo hemostático y ninguno con engrapadora lineal. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestro estudio no existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el uso de engrapadora lineal o ligadura con lazo hemostático en las fases apendiculares 1-3; en la fase 4 es de utilidad significativa el uso de engrapadora lineal ante la incidencia de abscesos. INTRODUCTION: In the last decades, the approach by minimally invasive surgery of abdominal pathologies is growing due to its evident benefits; the appendicular cases being the main surgical emergency, with different methods of closing the appendicular base. In this article, we compared the appendicular base closure with linear stapler and endoloop, to analyze the frequency of complications such as abscess, dehiscence and seroma. METHOD: A prospective, observational and descriptive study was conducted, with a total of 703 procedures, using 567 endoloop patients and 136 linear stapler, operated by the same surgeon and surgical team, with a completed learning curve. RESULTS: The complications referred in the present study were patients with abscess (n = 5), dehiscence (n = 3) and seroma (n = 3). According to the phases of the appendiceal pathology: phase 1 or congestive appendix did not present complications; phase 2 or suppurative was reported one case of surgical wound dehiscence in the use of endoloop; in phase 3 or necrotic, one case of seroma was reported in a patient treated with endoloop; while in phase 4 or perforated there is a significant difference in the case of abscesses, reporting five in the use of endoloop and none in the case of a linear stapler. CONCLUSIONS: In our study there is no statistically significant difference between the use of linear stapler or endoloop in the early appendicular phases; being of significant utility in Phase 4 the use of linear stapler for the incidence of abscesses.

The cost effectiveness and utility of a "quick MRI" for the evaluation of intra-abdominal abscess after acute appendicitis in the pediatric patient population.

INTRODUCTION: Contrast-enhanced CT remains the first-line imaging for evaluating postoperative abscess (POA) after appendicitis. Given concerns of ionizing radiation use in children, we began utilizing quick MRI to evaluate POA and summarize our findings in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children imaged with quick MRI from 2015 to 2017 were compared to children evaluated with CT from 2012 to 2014 using an age and weight matched case-control model. Radiation exposure, size and number of abscesses, length of exam, drain placement, and patient outcomes were compared. RESULTS: There was no difference in age or weight (p>0.60) between children evaluated with quick MRI (n=16) and CT (n=16). Mean imaging time was longer (18.2±8.5min) for MRI (p<0.001), but there was no difference in time from imaging order to drain placement (p=0.969). No children required sedation or had non-diagnostic imaging. There were no differences in abscess volume (p=0.346) or drain placement (p=0.332). Thirty-day follow-up showed no difference in readmissions (p=0.551) and no missed abscesses. Quick MRI reduced imaging charges to $1871 from $5650 with CT. CONCLUSION: Quick MRI demonstrated equivalent outcomes to CT in terms of POA detection, drain placement, and 30-day complications suggesting that MRI provides an equally effective, less expensive, and non-radiation modality for the identification of POA. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Case-Control Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Measuring the Value of a Clinical Practice Guideline for Children With Perforated Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incremental cost-effectiveness of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) compared with "usual care" for treatment of perforated appendicitis in children. Secondary objective was to compare cost analyses using hospital accounting system data versus data in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). BACKGROUND: Value-based surgical care (outcomes relative to costs) is frequently touted, but outcomes and costs are rarely measured together. METHODS: During an 18-month period, 122 children with perforated appendicitis at a tertiary referral children's hospital were treated using an evidence-based CPG. Clinical outcomes and costs for the CPG cohort were compared with patients in the 30-month period before CPG implementation (n = 191 children). RESULTS: With CPG-directed care, intra-abdominal abscess rate decreased from 0.24 to 0.10 (adjusted risk ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-0.75). The rate of any adverse event decreased from 0.30 to 0.23 (adjusted risk ratio 0.82, 95% CI 0.58-1.17). Mean total hospital costs per patient (hospital accounting system) decreased from $16,466 to $10,528 (adjusted absolute difference-$5451, 95% CI -$7755 to -$3147), leading to estimated adjusted total savings of $665,022 during the study period. Costs obtained from the PHIS database also showed reduction with CPG-directed care (-$6669, 95% CI -$8949 to -$4389 per patient). In Bayesian cost-effectiveness analyses, likelihood that CPG was the dominant strategy was 91%. CONCLUSIONS: An evidence-based CPG increased the value of surgical care for children with perforated appendicitis by improving outcomes and lowering costs. Hospital cost accounting data and pre-existing cost data within the PHIS database provided similar results.

Prophylactic pasireotide administration following pancreatic resection reduces cost while improving outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pasireotide decreases leak rates after pancreatic resection, though significant drug cost may be prohibitive. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine whether prophylactic pasireotide possesses a reasonable cost profile. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness model compared pasireotide administration after pancreatic resection versus usual care, populated by probabilities of clinical outcomes from a randomized trial and hospital costs (2013 US$) from a university pancreatic disease center. Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify influential clinical components of the model. RESULTS: With the cost of pasireotide included, per patient costs of pancreatectomy, including those for readmission, were lower in the intervention arm (41,769 versus 42,159$; net savings of 390$, or 1%). This was associated with a 56% reduction in pancreatic fistula/pancreatic leak/abscess (PF/PL/A; 21.9-9.2%). Pasireotide cost would need to increase by over 15.4% to make the intervention strategy more costly than usual care. Sensitivity analyses exploring variability of key model inputs demonstrated that the three strongest drivers of cost were (i) cost of pasireotide; (ii) probability of readmission; and (iii) probability of PF/PL/A. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic pasireotide administration following pancreatectomy is cost savings, reducing expensive post-operative sequealae (major complications and readmissions). Pasireotide should be utilized as a cost-saving measure in pancreatic resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:784-788. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Safety assessment of resident grade and supervision level during emergency appendectomy: analysis of a multicenter, prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Resident surgeons have been identified as a risk factor for worse outcome after appendectomy. The context of grade of resident and impact of supervision require further investigation. The objective of this study was to determine whether grade and supervision level of resident-performed appendectomy affects patient outcome. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective cohort study was performed for consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy during May and June 2013. The primary endpoint for this analysis was the 30-day adverse event rate. Supervision was defined as resident-performed appendectomy with an attending scrubbed. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to take into account case mix and produce adjusted odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: From 2,867 appendectomies, 87% were performed by residents, and 72% were performed unsupervised. Residents operated on significantly younger patients with lower American Society of Anesthesiologists scores. Although wound infection rates were similar between attendings, and senior and junior residents (4.1%, 3.8%, 3.4% respectively; P = .486), pelvic abscess rate was greater for attendings (5.2%, 2.7%, 2.4%; P = .045). In adjusted models, supervised senior, supervised junior, and unsupervised junior residents showed no difference in 30-day adverse event rates compared with attendings (OR, 1.07 [P = .834], 0.93 [P = .773], and 0.83 [P = .264] respectively); unsupervised senior residents had a lesser rate of adverse events (OR, 0.71; P = .045). All resident groups showed no difference for rates of histopathologically normal appendectomy compared with attendings. CONCLUSION: Resident-performed appendectomy does not worsen patient outcomes. These findings support independent resident operating rights for selected cases. The system relies on mutual credentialing of competency between residents and supervising attendings.

Pediatric appendectomy: optimal surgical timing and risk assessment.

Appendicitis is one of the most common pediatric surgical problems. In the older surgical paradigm, appendectomy was considered to be an emergent procedure; however, with changes to resident work hours and other economic factors, the operation has evolved into an urgent and deliberately planned intervention. This paradigm shift in care has not necessarily seen universal buy-in by all stakeholders. Skeptics worry about the higher incidence of complications, particularly intra-abdominal abscess (IAA), associated with the delay to appendectomy with this strategy. Development of IAA after pediatric appendectomy greatly burdens the healthcare system, incapacitates patients, and limits family functionality. The risk factors that influence the development of IAA after appendectomy were evaluated in 220 children admitted to a large urban teaching hospital over a recent 1.5-year period. Preoperative risk factors included in the study were age, sex, weight, ethnicity, duration and nature of symptoms, white cell count, and ultrasound or computed tomography scan findings (appendicolith, peritoneal fluid, abscess, phlegmon), failed nonoperative management, antibiotics administered, and timing. Intraoperative factors included were timing of appendectomy, surgical and pathological findings of perforation, open or laparoscopic procedure, and use of staple or Endoloop to ligate the appendix. Postoperative factors included were duration and type of antibiotic therapy. There were 94 (43%) perforated and 126 (57%) nonperforated appendicitis during the study period. The incidence of postoperative IAA was 4.5 per cent (nine of 220). Children operated on after overnight antibiotics and resuscitation had a significantly lower risk of IAA as compared with children managed by other strategies (P < 0.0003). Of the preoperative factors, only the presence of a fever in the emergency department (P < 0.001) and identification of complicated appendicitis on imaging (P < 0.0001) were significant risk factors for postoperative abscess development. Perforated appendicitis carries a higher risk of development of IAA that is not reduced by an emergent operative or delayed nonoperative management strategy. The timing of appendectomy appears to be an extremely important factor in reducing the incidence of IAA after all presentations of appendectomy. The role of resuscitation and antibiotics in limiting the effects of the inflammatory cascade and development of laboratory markers that accurately measure the latter need to be the focus of further research in this field.

Does resident experience affect outcomes in complex abdominal surgery? Pancreaticoduodenectomy as an example.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding the factors contributing to improved postoperative patient outcomes remains paramount. For complex abdominal operations such as pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the influence of provider and hospital volume on surgical outcomes has been described. The impact of resident experience is less well understood. METHODS: We reviewed perioperative outcomes after PD at a single high-volume center between 2006 and 2012. Resident participation and outcomes were collected in a prospectively maintained database. Resident experience was defined as postgraduate year (PGY) and number of PDs performed. RESULTS: Forty-three residents and four attending surgeons completed 686 PDs. The overall complication rate was 44 %; PD-specific complications (defined as pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, intraabdominal abscess, wound infection, and bile leak) occurred in 28 % of patients. The overall complication rates were similar when comparing PGY 4 to PGY 5 residents (55.3 vs. 43.0 %; p > 0.05). On univariate analysis, there was a difference in PD-specific complications seen between a PGY 4 as compared to a PGY 5 resident (44 vs. 27 %, respectively; p = 0.016). However, this was not statistically significant when adjusted for attending surgeon. Logistic regression demonstrated that as residents perform more cases, PD-specific complications decrease (OR = 0.97; p < 0.01). For a resident's first PD case, the predicted probability of a PD-specific complication is 27 %; this rate decreases to 19 % by resident case number 15. CONCLUSIONS: Complex cases, such as PD, provide unparalleled learning opportunities and remain an important component of surgical training. We highlight the impact of resident involvement in complex abdominal operations, demonstrating for the first time that as residents build experience with PD, patient outcomes improve. This is consistent with volume-outcome relationships for attending physicians and high-volume hospitals. Maximizing resident repetitive exposure to complex procedures benefits both the patient and the trainee.

Hospital readmissions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the frequency and costs of, and the disease predictors and inpatient process issues that may predispose to, 30-day readmission for an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient. METHODS: IBD patients admitted to an inpatient gastroenterology service were followed for a time-to-readmission analysis assessing factors associated with readmission within 30 days. RESULTS: Index admissions were more costly among those readmitted than among those not readmitted. Patients admitted with evidence of increased inflammation, infection, or obstruction or for dehydration or pain control had a higher risk of readmission. Patients treated with opioid analgesia during index admission were no less likely to be readmitted, and there was a 2.2-fold increase in readmissions when patients were discharged with no opioid analgesia. Scheduling variability and outpatient follow-up compliance were associated with readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Predicting readmission is complex. A predictive model developed to be used at discharge yielded an area under the curve of 0.757.

Treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses in Crohn's disease: a nationwide analysis of patterns and outcomes of care.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal abscesses are a common complication in Crohn's disease (CD). Percutaneous drainage of such abscesses has become increasingly popular and may deliver outcomes comparable to surgical treatment; however, such comparative data are limited from single-center studies. There have been no nationally representative studies comparing different treatment modalities for abdominal abscesses. METHODS: We identified all adult CD-related non-elective hospitalizations from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2007 that were complicated by an intra-abdominal abscess. Treatment modality was categorized into 3 strata-medical treatment alone, percutaneous drainage, and surgery. We analyzed the nationwide patterns in the treatment and outcomes of each treatment modality and examined for patient demographic, disease, or hospital-related disparities in treatment and outcome. RESULTS: There were an estimated 3,296 hospitalizations for abdominal abscesses in patients with CD. Approximately 39 % were treated by medical treatment alone, 29 % with percutaneous drainage, and 32 % with surgery with a significant increase in the use of percutaneous drainage since 1998 (7 %). Comorbidity burden, admission to a teaching hospital, and complicated Crohn's disease (fistulae, stricture) were associated with non-medical treatment. Use of percutaneous drainage was more common in teaching hospitals. Mean time to percutaneous drainage and surgical treatment were 4.6 and 3.3 days, respectively, and early intervention was associated with significantly shorter hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the nationwide pattern in the treatment of abdominal abscesses and demonstrate an increase in the use of percutaneous drainage for the treatment of this subgroup. Early treatment intervention was predictive of shorter hospitalization.

Hospital readmission after a pancreaticoduodenectomy: an emerging quality metric?

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmission has attracted attention from policymakers as a measure of quality and a target for cost reduction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and patterns of rehospitalization after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: The records of all patients undergoing a PD at an academic medical centre for malignant or benign diagnoses between January 2006 and September 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence, aetiology and predictors of subsequent readmission(s) were analysed. RESULTS: Of 257 consecutive patients who underwent a PD, 50 (19.7%) were readmitted within 30 days from discharge. Both the presence of any post-operative complication (P = 0.049) and discharge to a nursing/rehabilitation facility or to home with health care services (P = 0.018) were associated with readmission. The most common reasons for readmission were diet intolerance (36.0%), pancreatic fistula/abscess (26.0%) and superficial wound infection (8.0%). Nine (18.0%) readmissions had lengths of stay of 2 days or less and in four of those (8.0%) diagnostic evaluation was eventually negative. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-fifth of patients require hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge after a PD. A small fraction of these readmissions are short (2 days or less) and may be preventable or manageable in the outpatient setting.

Effect of insurance status on patients admitted for acute diverticulitis.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between insurance status and the management and outcome of acute diverticulitis in a nationally representative sample. METHOD: A retrospective cohort analysis of a nationally representative sample of 1 031 665 hospital discharges of patients admitted for acute diverticulitis in the 2006-2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data set. The main outcome measures included state at presentation (complicated/uncomplicated), management (medical/surgical), time to surgical intervention, type of operation and inpatient death. RESULTS: In total, 207 838 discharges were identified (including 37.0% with private insurance, 49.3% in Medicare, 5.6% in Medicaid and 5.8% uninsured) representing 1 031 665 total discharges nationally. Medicare patients were more likely to present with complicated diverticulitis compared with private insurance patients (23.8% vs 15.1%). Time to surgical intervention differed by insurance status. After adjusting for patient, hospital and treatment factors, Medicare patients were less likely than those with private insurance to undergo a procedure (Medicare OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.91), while the uninsured were more likely to undergo drainage (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16-1.46) or a colostomy only (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.24-2.33). All patients without private insurance were more likely to die in hospital (Medicare OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.09-1.52; Medicaid OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.22-1.97; uninsured OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07-1.87). CONCLUSION: In a nationally representative sample of patients with acute diverticulitis, patient management and outcome varied significantly by insurance status, despite adjustment for potential confounders. Providers might need to heighten surveillance for complications when treating patients without private insurance to improve outcome.

[Matched-pair analysis comparing laparoscopic (LA) vs. single-port appendectomy (SP) for initial assessment of a new surgical approach during its inauguration]. / "Matched-Pair"-Analyse der laparoskopischen (LA) vs. Single-Port-Appendektomie (SP) zur initialen Evaluation im Rahmen der Etablierung einer neuen Operationsmethode.

INTRODUCTION: By minimising the invasiveness of a surgical intervention, a reduction of operative trauma can be achieved. AIM AND METHODS: The aim of this study was based on a theoretical approach to investigate (i) the feasibility of the SP approach and its overall costs, and, furthermore, (ii) the patients' outcome based on simple perioperative parameters available in daily clinical practice. Therefore, single-port (SP) and laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) were compared using a matched-pair analysis. As a prediction, an absolute match between the criteria histology, sex and ASA stage was required. RESULTS: From 01/01/2009 to 12/31/2010, 196 (60 % were females) consecutive patients underwent appendectomy. Out of them, in 23 patients with either SP or LA appendectomy the predictions for matched-pair analysis (congruence in histopathological finding, sex and ASA criteria) were fulfilled. The operating time was the target criterion for the feasibility of the new surgical method (SP), which could be shortened as seen by comparing SP No. 1-10 with 11-23 (54.6 ± 19.8 min vs. 28.5 ± 18.9 min) expressing the typical effect of a learning curve. The times were similar to those for LA. The postoperative hospital stay and complication rate used to appropriately assess patient outcome did not show a significant difference if comparing SP and LA. Based on the use of single ports, which can be re-used (which has been also a further target) in SP (34.8 %) at the end of the investigation period, SP and LA can be considered comparable surgical techniques with regard to operating times, middle-term outcome and general costs. CONCLUSION: SP is (in case of well-developed laparoscopic expertise) a surgical method that can be easily inaugurated and considered as a feasible approach in daily surgical practice; it is comparable to LA with regard to outcome and general costs. Based on this, SP can be gradually added to the spectrum of surgical procedures in clinical practice and can be performed in suitable cases. A further systematic institutional or even country-wide case register appears to be recommendable to recruit a larger case number and, thus, to achieve a better knowledge on the perioperative management as well as the especially interesting long-term outcome for an appropriate assessment of treatment quality.

Current analysis of endoloops in appendiceal stump closure.

BACKGROUND: An inadequate closure of the appendix stump leads to intra-abdominal surgical site infection. The effectiveness of various appendiceal stump closure methods, for instance, staplers or endoloops, was evaluated. Many analyses show that the use of a stapler for transection and closure of the appendiceal stump lowers the risk of this infection but a statistically significant risk of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess or wound infection was not considered in any randomized study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complications after using endoloops in a high-volume center. METHODS: The data of 1,790 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between January 1998 and December 2006 and a single center was prospectively acquired. The standard procedure used was an appendiceal stump closure using endoloops and a selective use of staplers. The outcome criteria for inclusion in the study were intra-abdominal abscess formations, other specific intraoperative and postoperative complications, and the different costs of the operation. RESULTS: Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 1,790 (80.8%) patients and open appendectomy in 425 (19.2%) patients. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 74 (4.13%) patients. Laparoscopic appendectomy with stump closure using endoloops was performed in 1,670 (97.3%) patients and stump closure using a stapler in 46 (2.7%) patients. Among 851 patients with acute appendicitis, 284 patients with perforated appendicitis, and 535 patients with other or no pathology, the rate of intra-abdominal abscess after using an endoloop or a stapler was not significantly different (1.5 vs. 0%, p = 0.587; 3.5 vs. 4.2%, p = 0.870; 0.7% vs. 0, p = 0.881, respectively). There were no significant differences between the endoloop group and the stapler group with respect to the other specific intraoperative and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: This study shows the safety of the endoloop for clinical daily routine. A selective procedure for stump closure has been established. Appendiceal stump closure using an endoloop is an easy, safe, and cost-effective procedure.

Outcomes of Crohn's disease presenting with abdominopelvic abscess.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes, quality-adjusted life-years, and the cost-effectiveness gained from percutaneous drainage followed by elective surgery vs. initial surgery for abdominopelvic abscesses related to Crohn's disease. METHODS: All consecutive patients with spontaneous Crohn's disease-related abdominopelvic abscess from 1997 to 2007 were reviewed. The authors excluded postoperative and perirectal abscesses. Decision analysis during one year of patient life was used to calculate quality-adjusted life-years and the cost-effectiveness of each strategy. RESULTS: Of 94 patients, 48 (51 percent) were initially approached with percutaneous drainage. Thirty-one (65 percent) had successful percutaneous drainage and delayed elective surgery. The factors significantly associated with percutaneous drainage failure were steroid use, colonic phenotype, and multiple or multilocular abscesses. The initial treatment was surgery in the remaining 46 (49 percent) patients. The initial approach with percutaneous drainage gave higher quality-adjusted life-years and was more cost-effective than initial surgery. Percutaneous drainage was the optimal strategy in spite of the risk of failure and septic complications within the plausible range. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous drainage failure is associated with steroid use, colonic phenotype, and multiple or multilocular abscesses. When feasible, percutaneous drainage is the most effective strategy from the perspective of patients and third-party payers.

Laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: There are minimal data comparing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) in obese patients. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive adult patients from 2003 to 2005 who underwent an appendectomy at a University-affiliated teaching hospital. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater. Outcome measures included length of stay, surgical times, intra-abdominal abscesses, wound infections, and hospital charges. RESULTS: There were 116 patients with a mean body mass index of 35. Eighty-five patients underwent LA, 12 were converted to open, 4 of 12 (31%) were perforated. Thirty-one patients underwent OA. Overall, 21 (18%) were perforated. Length of stay for LA was better, 3.4 days versus 5.5 days for OA (P = .02), and wound closure rate was better, 90% for LA versus 68% for OA (P < .01). Other outcome measures were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: LA is associated with shorter lengths of stay, fewer open wounds, and equivalent hospital charges and intra-abdominal abscess rates; and should be considered the procedure of choice for obese patients with appendicitis.

Predictors of efficacy and health resource utilization in treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections: evidence for pooled clinical studies comparing tigecycline with imipenem-cilastatin.

BACKGROUND: Duration of intravenous (IV) treatment, surgical/radiologic interventions for infection control, and hospital length of stay (LOS) are important cost considerations in complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs). METHODS: Data were pooled from two multinational, double-blind studies conducted in hospitalized adults with cIAIs who were randomized (1:1) to receive tigecycline (100 mg IV initial dose then 50 mg IV every 12 h) or imipenem-cilastatin (500 mg IV every 6 h) for 5 to 14 days in order to assess tigecycline safety and efficacy. This report focuses on developing predictors of cure and health care resource utilization, including the need for repeat surgical/radiologic interventions, duration of IV antibiotic therapy, and hospital LOS. Multiple regression models were applied for each of the above outcomes, incorporating both baseline and on-treatment potential covariates. Logistic modeling was used for categorical outcomes (cure; repeat surgical/radiologic interventions) and least squares modeling for continuous outcomes (duration of IV antibiotic therapy; LOS). Stepwise selection was used to retain only those predictors found to be significant (p < 0.05) independent risk factors. RESULTS: The most common causative pathogen was Escherichia coli (63.0%), with 63.3% of the patients exhibiting polymicrobial infections. The most common cIAI diagnosis was complicated appendicitis (51.9%). Lack of clinical cure (+ 6.1 days; p < 0.0001), perforation of the intestine (+3.7 days; p < 0.0001), an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score >15 (+3.1 days; p=0.039), abnormal plasma sodium concentration (+3.7 days; p=0.026), and repeat surgical/radiologic intervention (+2.2 days; p=0.0097) were identified as key risk factors for longer LOS. Inadequate source control was associated with reduced odds of cure, longer IV treatment duration (+1.5 days; p=0.007), and longer LOS. The treatment groups did not differ in terms of LOS, IV treatment duration, or clinical cure. CONCLUSION: Tigecycline was similar to imipenem-cilastatin in terms of both efficacy and health resource utilization. Risk factors identified in this study for both outcome measures are offered as support for guiding clinical practice.

What are the true advantages of a pediatric appendicitis clinical pathway?

Multiple protocols have been described for pediatric appendicitis, but few have been compared with off-protocol treatment. We performed such a comparison. Children treated for appendicitis by three pediatric surgeons over a 28-month period were studied. A protocol of primary wound closure without drains, standardized use of antibiotics, and patient discharge according to pre-determined clinical criteria was compared with individualized drain use, antibiotic selection, and discharge timing. Three hundred ninety-seven children were treated, 43 per cent on pathway (Group I) and 57 per cent off pathway (Group II). The two groups showed similar incidence of acute (45% vs 46%), complicated (50% vs 49%), and normal (5%) appendix. Among patients with simple appendicitis, Group I had less postoperative antibiotic use (16% vs 80% P < 0.001), shorter hospital stays (1.44 vs 1.89 days, P = 0.001), and decreased hospital charges (dollars 9,289 vs dollars 10,751, P = 0.001). Among patients with complicated appendicitis, Group I had less drain placement (4% vs 27%, P < 0.001), less use of discharge antibiotics (13% vs 39%, P < 0.001), and no readmission (0% vs 5%, P = 0.05). Infectious complications were similar between the two groups. A clinical pathway decreases the use of unnecessary antibiotics, hospital stay, and charges for simple appendicitis. It decreases the use of unnecessary drains, and eliminates readmissions after complicated appendicitis.