IBD: A Growing and Vulnerable Cohort of Hospitalized Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection.

The most recent nationwide data show a rising incidence of Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We describe recent national trends with regard to incidence, mortality, and the rate of total colectomy. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database identified patients admitted to hospitals in the United States with diagnoses of C. difficile and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during the study years 2007 to 2013. We analyzed incidence of C. difficile, mortality, and colectomy rates. From 2007 to 2013, incidence of patients with IBD admitted with the primary diagnosis of C. difficile rose faster than the non-IBD population (1.24% to 2.14% vs 0.26% to 0.30%, P < 0.0001) and specifically in the UC population rose from 2.36 to 3.48 per cent (P < 0.001). The mortality of non-IBD patients with C. difficile decreased 47 per cent (3.76% to 1.99%, P = 0.003), whereas mortality of IBD patients with C. difficile decreased 54 per cent (6.08% to 2.79%, P = 0.003). For UC patients with primary diagnosis C. difficile, the percentage undergoing total colectomy decreased by 38 per cent (2.47% vs 1.51%, P = 0.049). The incidence of C. difficile continues to rise in the both the IBD and non-IBD population. Our study shows decreasing mortality for IBD and non-IBD patients with C. difficile but a greater decrease in mortality for IBD patients.

Comparison of 30-Day Postoperative Outcomes after Laparoscopic vs Robotic Colectomy.

BACKGROUND: The robotic platform has been used increasingly to perform colorectal surgery. The benefits of robotic colectomy when compared with laparoscopic colectomy have not been definitively established. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of the NSQIP database was performed on patients undergoing elective laparoscopic or robotic colectomy in 2013. Demographic characteristics, length of stay, operative time, and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Of the 17,774 colectomies performed during the study period, 11,267 (63.4%) were performed laparoscopically and 653 (3.7%) were performed robotically. In comparison with laparoscopic colectomy, robotic colectomy was associated with increased operative time (233 vs 180 minutes; p < 0.01) and decreased length of stay (5.04 vs 6.06 days; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference with respect to mortality (0.2% vs 0.4%; p < 0.312), anastomotic leak (3.4% vs 3.1%; p = 0.715), reoperation (4.9% vs 4.0%; p = 0.27), conversion (10.3% vs 12.2%; p = 0.13), or readmission (9.3% vs 8.7%; p = 0.593) rates. The differences in length of stay and operative time persisted in the right colectomy and left colectomy/sigmoid resection subgroup analysis with no difference in conversion rates. CONCLUSIONS: In this head-to-head comparison of laparoscopic colectomy and robotic colectomy, the majority of postoperative outcomes were equivalent, except for an increase in operative time and shorter length of stay in the robotic group. Robotic colectomy appears to be a safe option for minimally invasive colectomy, but additional studies are needed to elucidate whether it is cost-effective when compared with laparoscopic colectomy.

Stenting for obstructing colon cancer: fewer complications and colostomies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Colonic stenting has been used in the setting of malignant obstruction to avoid an emergent colectomy. We sought to determine whether preoperative placement of a colonic stent decreases morbidity and the rate of colostomy formation. METHODS: Cases of obstructing sigmoid, rectosigmoid, and rectal cancer from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2011, were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. All patients were treated at hospitals in the United States, and the database generated national estimates. Postoperative complications, mortality, and the rate of colostomy formation were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the estimated 7891 patients who presented with obstructing sigmoid, rectosigmoid, or rectal cancer necessitating intervention, 12.1% (n = 956) underwent placement of a colonic stent, and the remainder underwent surgery without stent placement. Of the patients who underwent stenting, 19.9% went on to have colon resection or stoma creation during the same admission. Patients who underwent preoperative colonic stent placement had a lower rate of total postoperative complications (10.5% vs 21.7%; P < .01). There was no significant difference in mortality (4.7% vs 4.2%; P = .69). The rate of colostomy formation was more than 2-fold higher in patients who did not undergo preoperative stenting (42.5% vs 19.5%; P < .01). Preoperative stenting was associated with increased use of laparoscopy (32.6% vs 9.7%; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study characterizes the national incidence of preoperative placement of a colonic stent in the setting of malignant obstruction. Preoperative stent placement is associated with lower postoperative complications and a lower rate of colostomy formation. The results support the hypothesis that stenting as a bridge to surgery may benefit patients by converting an emergent surgery into an elective one.

Paracolostomy hernia repair: who and when?

BACKGROUND: Paracolostomy hernia repair (PHR) can be a challenging procedure associated with significant morbidity and high recurrence rates. We sought to analyze the complication rate and 30-day mortality among patients undergoing PHR. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with PHR, based on Current Procedural Terminology code 44346, using the NSQIP database from 2005 to 2008. Univariate analysis of 30-day outcomes after both emergent and nonemergent PHR in patients greater than or less than 70 years old was completed. RESULTS: There were 519 patients who underwent PHR (mean age, 63.9 years old, female, 55.9%). Emergency PHR, performed in 59 patients (11.4%), was associated with increased rates of organ space surgical site infection (SSI) (8.5% vs 0.9%, p = 0.0014), pneumonia (18.6% vs 2.6%, p ≤ 0.0001), septic shock (13.6% vs 2.6%, p = 0.0007), total morbidity (50.8% vs 2.6%, p ≤ 0.0001), and death (10.2% vs 0.9%; p = 0.0002). In patients older than 70 years, emergent PHR amplified these differences: organ space SSI (13.8% vs 1.2%, p = 0.0054); pneumonia (27.6% vs 3.7%; p = 0.0002), septic shock (17.2% vs 4.3%; p = 0.02), and mortality (20.7% vs 1.9%; p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that most PHRs are performed electively. Although elective repair remains a relatively safe procedure, even in the elderly, emergency PHR is associated with increased morbidity, especially pulmonary and septic complications, and higher mortality. These results are amplified among patients older than 70 years undergoing emergent repair. These findings suggest that greater consideration should be given to elective repair of paracolostomy hernias in the elderly because emergency repair is associated with considerable risk and worse outcomes.

A practical mortality risk score for emergent colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients requiring emergent colectomy have significant mortality risk. OBJECTIVE: A national administrative database was used to compose a simple scoring scheme for predicting in-hospital mortality risk. DESIGN: The 2007 to 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried to identify patients requiring nonelective colectomy. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors that increased mortality. Each predictor was given a point value, based on the corresponding logit, the sum of which constituted a risk score. The scoring system was tested by using k-partitions cross-validation. SETTINGS: This study is based on database analysis. PATIENTS: A total of 338,348 cases were identified. Mean age was 64, and 53% of the patients were women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were mortality and risk score development. RESULTS: The overall mortality risk was 9%. Regression analysis identified the following risk factors and assigned points: acute renal failure (6), hemodialysis (6), age >65 (4), peripheral vascular disease (4), myocardial infarction (4), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2), cardiac arrhythmia (1), and congestive heart failure (1). The maximum score observed was 26 (of a possible 28), which corresponded to 100% mortality. Receiver operator characteristic analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.81. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited because of its retrospective nature, and because it used database data with variability in coding among participating institutions. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of a simple 8-variable scoring system, inpatient mortality estimates can be made for patients requiring emergent colectomy. When used judiciously, it can be used as a tool when counseling patients and family both before and after surgery.

Transfer status is a risk factor for increased in-hospital mortality in patients with diverticular hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage is a common problem accounting for approximately 1 % of hospital admissions. It is estimated that one third of the episodes of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage are secondary to diverticular disease. Inter-institutional transfer has been associated with delay in care and increased in-hospital mortality. We hypothesized that patients with diverticular hemorrhage that were transferred from an acute care hospital to tertiary care institutions have increased in-hospital morbidity and mortality when compared to primarily admitted patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the year 2008. Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of diverticular hemorrhage were selected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between transfer status and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 99,415 hospitalizations for diverticular hemorrhage were identified. Transferred patients had higher in-hospital mortality rates compared to primarily admitted patients (3.5 vs. 1.8 %, p < 0.001), as well as increased length of stay (8.4 vs. 5.4 days, p < 0.001) and a higher rate of total abdominal colectomy (1.2 vs. 0.6 %, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that transfer status was associated with increased in-hospital mortality [OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.5-2.8, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Inter-institutional transfer for diverticular bleeding is associated with increased in-hospital mortality, increased total abdominal colectomy rate, as well as increased economic burden including mean length of stay and total hospital charges. Further prospective studies are needed to analyze the clinical information of patients requiring transfer to another hospital in order to identify those patients who would truly benefit from inter-institutional transfer.

Cervical spine injuries and helmet laws: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the incidence of cervical spine (C-spine) injuries in patients admitted after motorcycle crash in states with mandatory helmet laws (MHL) compared with states without helmet laws or selective helmet laws. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the Healthcare and Utilization Project for the year 2008 was analyzed. International Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, Ninth Edition codes were used to identify patients with a diagnosis of motorcycle crash and C-spine injuries. National estimates were generated based on weighted analysis of the data. Outcome variables investigated were as follows: length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, hospital teaching status, and discharge disposition. States were then stratified into states with MHL or selective helmet laws. RESULTS: A total of 30,117 discharges were identified. Of these, 2,041 (6.7%) patients had a C-spine injury. Patients in MHL states had a lower incidence of C-spine injuries (5.6 vs. 6.4%; p = 0.003) and less in-hospital mortality (1.8 vs. 2.6%; p = 0.0001). Patients older than 55 years were less likely to be discharged home (57.5% vs. 72.5%; p = 0.0001), more likely to die in-hospital (3.0% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.0001), and more likely to have a hospital LOS more than 21 days (7.7% vs. 6.2%; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients admitted to the hospital in states with MHLs have decreased rate of C-spine injuries than those patients admitted in states with more flexible helmet laws. Patients older than 55 years are more likely to die in the hospital, have a prolonged LOS, and require services after discharge. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Gallbladder damage control: compromised procedure for compromised patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze a population-based database for (1) recent 9-year trends in utilization of partial cholecystectomy (PC), laparoscopic PC, and trocar cholecystostomy (TC), (2) demographics, associated diagnoses, and hospital characteristics, and (3) relevant inpatient outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) files from 2000 to 2008 was performed. For the purposes of the study, gallbladder damage control was defined as PC, laparoscopic PC, and TC. RESULTS: A national estimate of 10,872 gallbladder damage control cases was obtained. Procedures performed included PC (47.8 %), laparoscopic PC (27.2 %), TC (25.3 %), and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) (19.7 %). A total of 1,479 (13.6 %) postoperative complications were identified, including pulmonary complications (4.3 %), hemorrhage/hematoma/seroma (3.4 %), and accidental puncture or laceration during procedure (3.3 %). Common bile duct injury occurred in 3.3 % overall. Hospital types included nonteaching (82.1 %) and urban (67.8 %), with regional variations of 42.1 % from the South and 45.2 % from the West. Inpatient outcomes included mean length of stay of 11.4 (0.16 SEM) days, mean total hospital charge of $71,296.69 ($1,106.03 SEM), 7.4 % mortality, and 16.8 % discharge to skilled nursing facility. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified independent risk variables for common bile duct injury: teaching hospitals (OR = 1.517, CI = 1.155-1.991, P = 0.003). IOC (OR = 2.030, CI = 1.590-2.591, P < 0.001) was a commonly associated procedure in the setting of common bile duct injury. CONCLUSION: Various circumstances may require gallbladder damage control with PC and TC. Postoperative complications and common bile duct injury remain significantly high despite limited resection, and the teaching status of the hospital is associated with CBD injury. High morbidity and mortality of gallbladder damage control may reflect both the compromised nature of the procedures and multiple comorbidities.

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in reduction mammoplasty: an analysis of nationwide inpatient sample database.

The American Society of Plastic Surgery recently recorded a decline in numbers of breast reductions, one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. The purpose of this study is to characterize the reduction mammoplasty patient population which would further assist in planning the future workforce needs. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for 2007, a χ analysis of female in-patients treated with reduction mammoplasty for breast hypertrophy was performed to identify significant differences in race and payer mix. Of 8394 female in-patients with breast hypertrophy, 61% were treated with reduction mammoplasty. Black and Hispanic patients (P < 0.0001) and patients with private insurance (P < 0.0001) were more likely to undergo reduction mammoplasty. This study demonstrates racial and socioeconomic disparities in breast reduction in the United States in 2007. With the pending institution of universal healthcare, it is predicted that disparities revealed may worsen due to cost containment pressures.