A prospective comparison of costs between robotics, laparoscopy, and laparotomy in endometrial cancer among women with Class III obesity or higher.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the immediate operating room (OR), inpatient, and overall costs between three surgical modalities among women with endometrial cancer (EC) and Class III obesity or higher. METHODS: A multicentre prospective observational study examined outcomes of women, with early stage EC, treated surgically. Resource use was collected for OR costs including OR time, equipment, and inpatient costs. Median OR, inpatient, and overall costs across surgical modalities were analyzed using an Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis Test among patients with BMI ≥ 40. RESULTS: Out of 520 women, 103 had a BMI ≥ 40. Among women with BMI ≥ 40: median OR costs were $4197.02 for laparotomy, $5524.63 for non-robotic assisted laparoscopy, and $7225.16 for robotic-assisted laparoscopy (p < 0.001) and median inpatient costs were $5584.28 for laparotomy, $3042.07 for non-robotic assisted laparoscopy, and $1794.51 for robotic-assisted laparoscopy (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the median overall costs: $10 291.50 for laparotomy, $8412.63 for non-robotic assisted laparoscopy, and $9002.48 for robotic-assisted laparoscopy (p = 0.185). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in overall costs between the three surgical modalities in patient with BMI ≥ 40. Given the similar costs, any form of minimally invasive surgery should be promoted in this population.

Minimally invasive surgery for suspected early-stage ovarian cancer; a cost-effectiveness study.

OBJECTIVE: While there are a number of benefits to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for women with ovarian cysts, there is an increased risk of ovarian capsule rupture during the procedure, which could potentially seed the abdominal cavity with malignant cells. We developed a decision model to compare the risks, benefits, effectiveness and cost of MIS versus laparotomy in women with ovarian masses. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness study POPULATION: Hypothetical cohort of 10 000 women with ovarian masses who were undergoing surgical management. METHODS: The initial decision point in the model was performance of surgery via laparotomy or a MIS approach. Model probabilities, costs and utility values were derived from published literature and administrative data sources. Extensive sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness of MIS versus laparotomy for women with a pelvic mass measured by incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS: MIS was the least costly strategy at $7,732 per women on average, compared with $17,899 for laparotomy. In our hypothetical cohort of 10 000 women, there were 64 cases of ovarian rupture in the MIS group and 53 in the laparotomy group, while there were 26 cancer-related deaths in the MIS group and 25 in the laparotomy group. MIS was more effective than laparotomy (188 462 QALYs for MIS versus 187 631 quality adjusted life years [QALYs] for laparotomy). Thus, MIS was a dominant strategy, being both less costly and more effective than laparotomy. These results were robust in a variety of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: MIS constitutes a cost-effective management strategy for women with suspicious ovarian masses. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: MIS is a cost-effective management strategy for women with suspicious ovarian masses.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Versus Mini-Open Laparotomy for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in the Medicare Population.

BACKGROUND: Placement of the distal shunt catheter into the peritoneum during ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery can be done with either laparoscopic assistance or laparotomy. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes in laparoscopic-assisted vs laparotomy for placement of VPS in the Medicare population. METHODS: Patients undergoing VPS placement, between 2004 and 2014, were identified by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes in the Medicare database. Demographic data including age, sex, comorbidities, and indications were collected. Six- and twelve-month complication rates were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1966 (3.2%) patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted VPS and 60 030 (96.8%) patients underwent nonlaparoscopic-assisted VPS placement. Compared with traditional open VPS placement, the laparoscopic approach was associated with decreased odds of distal revision at 6- and 12-mo postoperatively (6 mo: odds ratio [OR] = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-0.74; 12 mo: OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.94). At 6- and 12-mo postoperatively, multivariable regression analysis demonstrated increased odds of distal revision in patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 Kg/M2, history of open abdominal surgery, and history of laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Additionally, history of prior abdominal surgery and BMI > 30 Kg/M2 were significantly associated with increase odds of shunt infection at 6 and 12-mo, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the largest retrospective analysis to date, patients with a history of abdominal surgery and obesity were found to be at increased risk of infection and distal revision after VPS placement. However, the laparoscopic approach for abdominal placement of the distal catheter was associated with reduced rates of distal revision in this population, suggesting an avenue for reducing complications in well-selected patients.

Cost-effectiveness Evaluation of Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Minimally Invasive Colectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of open, laparoscopic, and robotic colectomy. BACKGROUND: The use of robotic-assisted colon surgery is increasing. Robotic technology is more expensive and whether a robotically assisted approach is cost-effective remains to be determined. METHODS: A decision-analytic model was constructed to evaluate the 1-year costs and quality-adjusted time between robotic, laparoscopic, and open colectomy. Model inputs were derived from available literature for costs, quality of life (QOL), and outcomes. Results are presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), defined as incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the effect of clinically reasonable variations in the inputs on our results. RESULTS: Open colectomy cost more and achieved lower QOL than robotic and laparoscopic approaches. From the societal perspective, robotic colectomy costs $745 more per case than laparoscopy, resulting in an ICER of $2,322,715/QALY because of minimal differences in QOL. From the healthcare sector perspective, robotics cost $1339 more per case with an ICER of $4,174,849/QALY. In both models, laparoscopic colectomy was more frequently cost-effective across a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds. Sensitivity analyses suggest robotic colectomy becomes cost-effective at $100,000/QALY if robotic disposable instrument costs decrease below $1341 per case, robotic operating room time falls below 172 minutes, or robotic hernia rate is less than 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic and robotic colectomy are more cost-effective than open resection. Robotics can surpass laparoscopy in cost-effectiveness by achieving certain thresholds in QOL, instrument costs, and postoperative outcomes. With increased use of robotic technology in colorectal surgery, there is a burden to demonstrate these benefits.

Laparoscopically Assisted Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement Is not Cost-Effective nor Preventive for Distal Shunt Malfunction.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy for ventriculoperitoneal shunt creation might offer smaller incisions and more reliable placement. We assessed the reliability and cost-effectiveness of this technique compared with mini-laparotomy shunt placement. METHODS: All patients undergoing ventriculoperitoneal shunt creation between November 2013 and September 2017 at a single academic institution were evaluated. Individual cases were assessed for the use of laparoscopy for peritoneal shunt placement (laparoscopy) versus mini-laparotomy for peritoneal shunt placement (open). The direct hospital costs for the laparoscopy and open groups were compared for elective shunt placement from the Vizient database. These direct costs were the proportion of the admission cost attributed to surgery. The primary endpoints included costs and revision of the peritoneal catheter within 12 months of the index procedure. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most cases (n = 40; 58.8%) had been performed with laparoscopy, with 28 performed using an open peritoneal approach. Three patients had required ≥1 distal shunt revision: 2 laparoscopy patients (5.0%; 1 had required a second revision) and 1 open patient (3.6%). No statistically significant differences were found for the patients requiring distal shunt revision between the 2 groups (P = 1.000; Fisher's exact test). The direct cost ($9461) of ventriculoperitoneal shunt creation with laparoscopy was greater than that with an open approach ($8247; P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Both laparoscopy and open peritoneal shunt creation are safe procedures, with a 12-month distal revision rate in the present series of ~4%. Laparoscopy provided no relative improvement in safety or complication avoidance but had resulted in a mean increase in costs of >$1200 per patient.

Assessment of trauma scoring systems in patients subjected to exploratory laparotomy.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the epidemiological profile of patients undergoing exploratory trauma laparotomy based on severity and prognosis criteria, and to determine the predictive accuracy of trauma scoring systems in terms of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: retrospective cohort study and review of medical records of patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for blunt or penetrating trauma at the Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre, from November 2015 to November 2019. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, physiological (RTS and Shock Index), anatomical (ISS, NISS and ATI) and combined (TRISS and NTRISS) trauma scores, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, length of stay and outcomes. RESULTS: 506 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 31 ± 13 years, with the majority being males (91.3%). Penetrating trauma was the most common mechanism of injury (86.2%), predominantly by firearms. The average RTS at hospital admission was 7.5 ± 0.7. The mean ISS and NISS was 16.5 ± 10.1 and 22.3 ± 13.6, respectively. The probability of survival estimated by TRISS was 95.5%, and by NTRISS 93%. The incidence of postoperative complications was 39.7% and the overall mortality was 12.8%. The most accurate score for predicting mortality was the NTRISS (88.5%), followed by TRISS, NISS and ISS. CONCLUSION: the study confirms the applicability of trauma scores in the studied population. The NTRISS seems to be the best predictor of morbidity and mortality.

Assessment of trauma scoring systems in patients subjected to exploratory laparotomy / Avaliação dos escores de trauma em pacientes submetidos à laparotomia exploradora

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the epidemiological profile of patients undergoing exploratory trauma laparotomy based on severity and prognosis criteria, and to determine the predictive accuracy of trauma scoring systems in terms of morbidity and mortality. Methods: retrospective cohort study and review of medical records of patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for blunt or penetrating trauma at the Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre, from November 2015 to November 2019. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, physiological (RTS and Shock Index), anatomical (ISS, NISS and ATI) and combined (TRISS and NTRISS) trauma scores, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, length of stay and outcomes. Results: 506 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 31 ± 13 years, with the majority being males (91.3%). Penetrating trauma was the most common mechanism of injury (86.2%), predominantly by firearms. The average RTS at hospital admission was 7.5 ± 0.7. The mean ISS and NISS was 16.5 ± 10.1 and 22.3 ± 13.6, respectively. The probability of survival estimated by TRISS was 95.5%, and by NTRISS 93%. The incidence of postoperative complications was 39.7% and the overall mortality was 12.8%. The most accurate score for predicting mortality was the NTRISS (88.5%), followed by TRISS, NISS and ISS. Conclusion: the study confirms the applicability of trauma scores in the studied population. The NTRISS seems to be the best predictor of morbidity and mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes submetidos a laparotomia exploradora por trauma com base em critérios de gravidade e prognóstico, e determinar a acurácia preditiva dos escores de trauma em termos de morbimortalidade. Métodos: estudo de coorte retrospectiva e revisão de prontuários dos pacientes submetidos a laparotomia exploradora por trauma contuso ou penetrante no Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre no período de novembro de 2015 a novembro de 2019. Foram avaliados dados demográficos, mecanismo do trauma, lesões associadas, índices fisiológicos (RTS e Shock Index), anatômicos (ISS, NISS e ATI) e mistos (TRISS e NTRISS), achados intraoperatórios, complicações pós-operatórias, tempo de internação e desfecho. Resultados: foram incluídos 506 pacientes na análise. A idade média foi de 31 ± 13 anos, com predomínio do sexo masculino (91,3%). O trauma penetrante foi o mecanismo de lesão mais comum (86,2%), sendo a maioria por arma de fogo. A média do RTS na admissão hospitalar foi 7,5 ± 0,7. A média do ISS e do NISS foi 16,5 ± 10,1 e 22,3 ± 13,6, respectivamente. A probabilidade de sobrevida estimada pelo TRISS foi de 95,5%, e pelo NTRISS de 93%. A incidência de complicações pós-operatórias foi de 39,7% e a mortalidade geral de 12,8%. O escore com melhor acurácia preditiva foi o NTRISS (88,5%), seguido pelo TRISS, NISS e ISS. Conclusões: o estudo confirma a aplicabilidade dos escores de trauma na população em questão. O NTRISS parece ser o sistema com melhor acurácia preditiva de morbimortalidade.

Alvimopan is associated with decreased length of stay for both open and laparoscopic segmental colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Alvimopan has been shown to reduce length of stay after bowel resection. Use remains variable among institutions due to cost and efficacy concerns in laparoscopic surgery. Additionally, alvimopan's effects have not been isolated from other medications within enhanced recovery protocols. The aim of this study was to distinguish the relationship between alvimopan use, length of stay, and cost in both open and laparoscopic segmental colectomies. METHODS: The Vizient dataset was queried to identify patients undergoing open and laparoscopic colectomies from 2015 to 2017. Patient demographics and treatment details were collected. Primary outcomes of interest included duration of stay and total direct costs. RESULTS: In the study, 12,727 patients met inclusion criteria and 3,358 (26.4%) received alvimopan. For both open and laparoscopic groups, alvimopan was associated with decreased length of stay in unadjusted (4.0 vs 6.0 days, P < .01 and 3.0 vs 4.0 days, P < .01, respectively) and adjusted analysis (effect ratio 0.79, P < .01 and 0.85, P < .01, respectively). Alvimopan was associated with a 7% decrease in direct cost after adjustment (effect ratio 0.93, P = .04), with no cost difference in laparoscopic procedures (effect ratio 0.99, P = .71). CONCLUSION: Alvimopan use is associated with decreased length of stay for both open and laparoscopic colon resections, decreased cost in open procedures, and no cost difference for laparoscopic procedures.

An evaluation of the epidemiology, management and outcomes for perforated peptic ulcers across the North of England over 15 years: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The management of perforated peptic ulcers has evolved over time and includes laparoscopic or open repair, and conservative management. The utilisation of, and outcomes from these strategies are not clear. Trends in epidemiology, management and outcomes for perforated peptic ulcer across the North of England over a 15-year period were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Emergency General Surgical admissions data from nine NHS trusts in the North of England from 2002 to 2016 were collected and analyzed, including demographics, interventions and outcomes. Cases were identified using ICD-10 codes K25, K26 and K27 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.6. RESULTS: Peptic ulcer perforation accounted for 2373 of 491141 admissions (0.48%), with a decreased incidence over time (0.62% in 2002-2006 to 0.36% in 2012-2016). Over the 15 years studied, an increasing proportion of cases were managed laparoscopically (4.5%-18.4%, p < 0.001) and under upper-gastrointestinal consultants (15.4%-28.6%, p < 0.001). Thirty-day inpatient mortality improved significantly over time (20.0%-10.8%, p < 0.001) as did mean length of stay (17.3-13.0 days, p = 0.001). Independent predictors of increased 30-day mortality were increasing age, Charlson co-morbidity score, clinical and operative risk, earlier year of admission, winter admission, weekend/bank holiday procedure and management strategy, with laparotomy and conservative management increasing risk. CONCLUSION: Outcomes (30-day mortality and LOS) improved significantly over the study period. Laparoscopic approach was increasingly utilised and was an independently significant factor associated with improved mortality. Management by upper-gastrointestinal specialists increased rates of laparoscopy, with fewer conversions to open.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Major Hepatectomy: Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Cost Effectiveness in a High-Volume Center.

BACKGROUND: Considering the increasing evidence on the feasibility of laparoscopic major hepatectomies (LMH), their clinical outcomes and associated costs were herein evaluated compared to open (OMH). METHODS: Major contributors of perioperative expenses were considered. With respect to the occurrence of conversion, a primary intention-to-treat analysis including conversions in the LMH group (ITT-A) was performed. An additional per-protocol analysis excluding conversions (PP-A) was undertaken, with calculation of additional costs of conversion analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five LMH and 61 OMH were included (14.5% conversion rate). At the ITT-A, LMH showed lower blood loss (p < 0.001) and morbidity (global p 0.037, moderate p 0.037), shorter hospital stay (p 0.035), and a lower need for intra- and postoperative red blood cells transfusions (p < 0.001), investigations (p 0.004), and antibiotics (p 0.002). The higher intraoperative expenses (+ 32.1%, p < 0.001) were offset by postoperative savings (- 27.2%, p 0.030), resulting in a global cost-neutrality of LMH (- 7.2%, p 0.807). At the PP-A, completed LMH showed also lower severe complications (p 0.042), interventional procedures (p 0.027), and readmission rates (p 0.031), and postoperative savings increased to - 71.3% (p 0.003) resulting in a 29.9% cost advantage of completed LMH (p 0.020). However, the mean additional cost of conversion was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Completed LMH exhibit a high potential treatment effect compared to OMH and are associated to significant cost savings. Despite some of these benefits may be jeopardized by conversion, a program of LMH can still provide considerable clinical benefits without cost disadvantage and appears worth to be implemented in high-volume centers.

Diffusion-weighted MRI assessment of the peritoneal cancer index before cytoreductive surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with limited peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer may be candidates for an aggressive surgical approach including cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC). Selection is based on surgical inspection during laparoscopy or laparotomy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) can be used to select patients for CRS-HIPEC. METHODS: This was a prospective study at a tertiary referral centre. Patients with confirmed or suspected colorectal peritoneal metastases scheduled for exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy were eligible. Two radiologists assessed the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) on CT (CT-PCI) and DW-MRI (MRI-PCI). The reference standard was PCI at surgery. Radiologists were blinded to the surgical PCI and to each other's findings. The main outcome was the accuracy of DW-MRI in predicting whether patients had resectable disease (PCI less than 21) or not. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included in the study, of whom 49 could be evaluated. The mean(s.d.) PCI at surgery was 11·27(7·53). The mean MRI-PCI was 10·18(7·07) for reader 1 and 8·59(7·08) for reader 2. Readers 1 and 2 correctly staged 47 of 49 and 44 of 49 patients respectively (accuracy 96 and 90 per cent). Both readers detected all patients with resectable disease with a PCI below 21 at surgery (sensitivity 100 per cent). No patient was overstaged. The intraclass correlation (ICC) between readers was excellent (ICC 0·91, 95 per cent c.i. 0·77 to 0·96). MRI-PCI had a stronger correlation with surgical PCI (ICC 0·83-0·88) than did CT-PCI (ICC 0·39-0·44). CONCLUSION: DW-MRI is a promising non-invasive tool to guide treatment selection in patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer.

An evaluation of mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy in the laparoscopic era: a rural experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard for the management of symptomatic cholelithiasis and complications of gallstone disease. Mini laparotomy cholecystectomy (MOC) may be a more appropriate option in the resource constrained rural setting due to its widespread applicability and comparable outcome with LC. The study aimed to provide an epidemiological analysis of gallstone disease in the rural population and to evaluate the outcome of MOC in a rural hospital. METHOD: A retrospective chart analysis of 248 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in a rural regional referral hospital in KwaZulu-Natal from January 2009 to December 2013 was undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 248 patients, the majority were females (n = 211, [85%]). The most frequent indications for cholecystectomy included: biliary colic (n = 115, [46.3%]); acute cholecystitis (n = 80, [32.3%]); gallstone pancreatitis (n = 27, [10.8%]). Forty cases (16.1%) were converted to open cholecystectomy (OC). The median operative time was 40 minutes (range18-57). Twenty-three morbidities (9.3%) occurred including: bile leaks (n = 6, [2.4%]); bleeding from drain site (n = 1, [0.4%]), incisional hernia (n = 8 [3.2%]) and wound sepsis (n = 8 [3.2%]). The median length of hospital stay in patients who underwent MOC was 48 hours (range: 24-72 hours) and the median time to return to work was 10 days (range: 4-14 days). There was one mortality in the entire cohort. CONCLUSION: MOC is a safe and feasible operation for symptomatic cholelithiasis when cholecystectomy is indicated. The low operative morbidity and mortality in the context of a high risk patient profile and complicated gallstone disease makes this procedure an alternative to LC where LC is inaccessible.

Robotic surgery for rectal cancer: the future?

Robotic technology currently offers some technical advantages in pelvic dissection compared with competing minimally invasive techniques, and adoption for the surgical treatment of rectal cancer is rapidly increasing worldwide. While there are some early data demonstrating modest improvement in patient outcomes, benefits in terms of long-term oncological outcomes, as well as potential improvements in surgeon-centered outcomes such as fatigue and repetitive stress injury are actively being investigated. Rapid innovation, with the impending release of several new robotic platforms, is likely to further expand the application of these technologies, improve on current limitations, and reduce capital and consumable costs. It is imperative that, as the technology develops and adoption increases further, clinician and research led programs drive safe implementation with a patient-first approach.

Multicentre study of laparoscopic or open assessment of the peritoneal cancer index (BIG-RENAPE).

BACKGROUND: The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) is a comparative prognostic factor for colorectal peritoneal metastasis (CRPM). The ability of laparoscopy to determine the PCI in consideration of cytoreductive surgery remains undetermined, and this study was designed to compare it with laparotomy. METHODS: A prospective multicentre study was conducted for patients with no known CRPM, but at risk of peritoneal disease. Surgery began with laparoscopic exploration followed by open exploration to determine the PCI. Concordance between laparoscopic and open assessment was evaluated for the diagnosis of CRPM and for the PCI. RESULTS: Among 50 patients evaluated, CRPM recurrence was found in 29 (58 per cent) and 34 (68 per cent) at laparoscopic and open surgery respectively. Laparoscopy was feasible in 88 per cent (44 of 50) and deemed satisfactory by the surgeon in 52 per cent (26 of 50). Among the 25 evaluable patients with satisfactory laparoscopy, there was concordance of 96 per cent (24 of 25 patients) and 38 per cent (10 of 25) for laparoscopic and open assessment of CRPM and the PCI respectively. Where there were discrepancies, it was laparoscopy that underestimated the PCI. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy may underestimate the extent of CRPM.

Evaluation of pet owner preferences for operative sterilization techniques in female dogs within the veterinary community.

OBJECTIVE: To describe pet owner preferences within the veterinary community when choosing operative techniques for canine spay. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 1234 respondents from 5 veterinary university teaching hospitals in North America. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to faculty, students, and staff that currently are or previously were dog owners. Responses were analyzed to determine what spay technique respondents would choose for their own dogs. Surgical options offered included open celiotomy, 2-port (TP) laparoscopy, single-port (SP) laparoscopy, and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). RESULTS: TP laparoscopic ovariectomy (OVE) was the most popular choice, followed by SP laparoscopic OVE; NOTES was the least popular technique when all surgical options were available. If only minimally invasive surgeries were offered, 0.3% of respondents would refuse surgery. Nearly half (48%) of respondents were willing to spend between $100 and $200 more for a minimally invasive OVE than for an open celiotomy. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive OVE is an acceptable operative approach to those in the veterinary community. Additional study is required to correlate these findings with the general veterinary client population.

The State of Prophylactic Mesh Augmentation.

Prophylactic mesh augmentation (PMA) is the implantation of mesh during closure of an index laparotomy to decrease a patient's risk for developing incisional hernia (IH). The current body of evidence lacks refined guidelines for patient selection, mesh placement, and material choice. The purpose of this study is to summarize the literature and identify areas of research needed to foster responsible and appropriate use of PMA as an emerging technique. We conducted a comprehensive review of Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, and clinicaltrials.gov for articles and trials related to using PMA for IH risk reduction. We further supplemented our review by including select papers on patient-reported outcomes, cost utility, risk modeling, surgical techniques, and available materials highly relevant to PMA. Five-hundred-fifty-one unique articles and 357 trials were reviewed. Multiple studies note a significant decrease in IH incidence with PMA compared with primary suture-only-based closure. No multicenter randomized control trial has been conducted in the United States, and only two such trials are currently active worldwide. Evidence exists supporting the use of PMA, with practical cost utility and models for selecting high-risk patients, but standard PMA guidelines are lacking. Although Europe has progressed with this technique, widespread adoption of PMA requires large-scale pragmatic randomized control trial research, strong evidence-based guidelines, current procedural terminology coding, and resolution of several barriers.

Diagnostic staging laparoscopy in gastric cancer treatment: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Accurate preoperative staging helps avert morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with non-therapeutic laparotomy in gastric cancer (GC) patients. Diagnostic staging laparoscopy (DSL) can detect metastases with high sensitivity, but its cost-effectiveness has not been previously studied. We developed a decision analysis model to assess the cost-effectiveness of preoperative DSL in GC workup. METHODS: Analysis was based on a hypothetical cohort of GC patients in the U.S. for whom initial imaging shows no metastases. The cost-effectiveness of DSL was measured as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Drivers of cost-effectiveness were assessed in sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Preoperative DSL required an investment of $107 012 per QALY. In sensitivity analysis, DSL became cost-effective at a threshold of $100 000/QALY when the probability of occult metastases exceeded 31.5% or when test sensitivity for metastases exceeded 86.3%. The likelihood of cost-effectiveness increased from 46% to 93% when both parameters were set at maximum reported values. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of DSL for GC patients is highly dependent on patient and test characteristics, and is more likely when DSL is used selectively where procedure yield is high, such as for locally advanced disease or in detecting peritoneal and superficial versus deep liver lesions.

Impact of surgical approach and patient factors on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey scoring in gynecologic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey responses of women who underwent gynecologic surgery at our institution across patient factors and surgical approach. METHODS: We identified patients with returned HCAHPS surveys following an inpatient laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy in gynecologic surgery from 10/1/2012-9/30/2015. Exclusions included patient age<18years, discharge by a service other than Gynecologic Surgery, or refusal of Minnesota research authorization. HCAHPS composite measures were calculated using published top-box and summary star rating methodologies and dichotomized as "high" versus "low." Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Of 403 women who met inclusion criteria, 109 (27%) underwent laparoscopic surgery (19% laparoscopic hysterectomy and 8% other laparoscopic procedures) and 294 (73%) laparotomy (28% open hysterectomy and 47% other open procedures). Length of stay (LOS) was longer for laparotomy cases vs. laparoscopy cases (median 2.5days following open hysterectomy and 4days following other open procedures vs 1day following laparoscopic hysterectomy and other laparoscopic procedures, p<0.001). Patients who underwent laparotomy other than hysterectomy were more likely to have low summary scores (79% vs 66% laparoscopic hysterectomy, 66% open hysterectomy, and 52% other laparoscopic procedures, p=0.005). After adjustment, non-hysterectomy laparotomy cases were more likely to have a low summary score than non-hysterectomy laparoscopy (OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.71-8.68, p=0.001). This significance did not remain after further adjusting for LOS. CONCLUSION: In Gynecologic Surgery, patients undergoing laparotomy gave lower hospital ratings compared to laparoscopy. Those with longer LOS reported poorer patient experience, which is the driving variable for lower scores. In the future, it may be necessary to adjust for surgical approach when reporting patient experience scoring.

Medical therapy for preventing recurrent endometriosis after conservative surgery: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of different strategies, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and oral contraceptive therapy, for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence after conservative surgery. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis from a health care perspective. SETTING: A health-resource-limited setting in China. POPULATION: Patients who underwent conservative laparoscopic or laparotomic surgery for endometriosis. METHODS: A Markov model was developed for the endometriosis disease course. Clinical data were obtained from published studies. Direct medical costs and resource utilization in the Chinese health care setting were taken into account. The health and economic outcomes were evaluated over a period from treatment initiation to menopause onset. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to test the impact of various parameters and assumptions on the model output. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and costs from a health care perspective. RESULTS: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 6-month GnRH-a therapy compared with no therapy ranged from $6,185 per QALY in deep endometriosis to $6,425 with peritoneal endometriosis. A one-way sensitivity analysis showed considerable influential factors, such as remission rates and utility values. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that 6-month GnRH-a therapy is cost-effective in most cases at a threshold of $7,400/QALY, regardless of the type of endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Six months of therapy with GnRH-a can be a highly cost-effective option for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist is cost effective for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence.