Postoperative outcomes of elderly patients undergoing partial nephrectomy.

To describe clinical outcomes of patients aged 75 years and above after partial nephrectomy (PN), and to assess independent factors of postoperative complications. We retrospectively reviewed information from our multi-institutional database. Every patient over 75 years old who underwent a PN between 2003 and 2016 was included. Peri-operative and follow up data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictive factors of postoperative complications. We reviewed 191 procedures including 69 (40%) open-surgery, and 122 (60%) laparoscopic procedures, of which 105 were robot-assisted. Median follow-up was 25 months. The mean age was 78 [75-88]. The American Society of Anesthesiologist's score was 1, 2, 3 and 4 in 10.5%, 60%, 29% and 0.5% of patients respectively. The mean tumor size was 4.6 cm. Indication of PN was elective in 122 (65%) patients and imperative in 52 patients (28%). The median length of surgery was 150(± 60) minutes, and the median estimated blood loss 200 ml. The mean glomerular filtration rate was 71.5 ml/minute preoperatively, and 62 ml/min three months after surgery. The severe complications (Clavien III-V) rate was 6.2%. On multivariate analysis, the robotic-assisted procedure was an independent protective factor of medical postoperative complications (Odds Ration (OR) = 0.31 [0.12-0.80], p = 0.01). It was adjusted for age and RENAL score, robotic-assisted surgery (OR = 0.22 [0.06-0.79], p = 0.02), and tumor size (OR = 1.13 [1.02-1.26], p = 0.01), but the patients age did not forecast surgical complications. Partial nephrectomy can be performed safely in elderly patients with an acceptable morbidity, and should be considered as a viable treatment option. Robotic assistance is an independent protective factor of postoperative complications.

Is the subcutaneous route an alternative for administering ertapenem to older patients? PHACINERTA study.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic administration by subcutaneous (SC) injection is common practice in French geriatric wards as an alternative to the intravenous (IV) route, but few pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data are available. Ertapenem is useful for the treatment of infections with ESBL-producing enterobacteria. OBJECTIVES: To report and compare ertapenem pharmacokinetic data between IV and SC routes in older persons. METHODS: Patients >65 years of age receiving ertapenem (1 g once daily) for at least 48 h (IV or SC, steady-state) were prospectively enrolled. Total ertapenem concentrations [residual (C0), IV peak (C0.5) and SC peak (C2.5)] were determined by UV HPLC. Individual-predicted AUC0-24 values were calculated and population pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. Using the final model, a Monte Carlo simulation involving 10 000 patients evaluated the influence of SC or IV administration on the PTA. Tolerance to ertapenem and recovery were also monitored. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02505386. RESULTS: Ten (mean ± SD age=87±7 years) and 16 (age=88±5 years) patients were included in the IV and SC groups, respectively. The mean C0 and C2.5 values were not significantly different between the IV and SC groups (C0=12±5.9 versus 12±7.4 mg/L, P=0.97; C2.5=97±42 versus 67±41 mg/L, P=0.99). The mean C0.5 was higher in the IV group compared with the SC group (C0.5=184±90 versus 51±66 mg/L, P=0.001). The mean individual AUCs (1126.92±334.99 mg·h/L for IV versus 1005.3±266.0 mg·h/L for SC, P=0.38) and PTAs were not significantly different between groups. No severe antibiotic-related adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: SC administration of ertapenem is an alternative to IV administration in older patients.

[Triage risk screening tool (TRST) in screening elderly patients requiring the intervention of a mobile geriatric team: results of a pilot study]. / Évaluation du Triage risk screening tool (TRST) pour le dépistage des personnes âgées nécessitant l'intervention d'une équipe mobile de gériatrie dans les établissements de santé: résultats d'une étude pilote.

Improving care and health course for hospitalized elderly patients is one of the tasks set out in the "Rapport du parcours de santé des PAERPA" (elderly people with or at risk of functional decline). Identification of the needs of a mobile geriatric team (MGT) intervention for the patients remain difficult in emergency department and in medical surgical units. A screening tool is needed and should be simple and fast to use. Its implementation implies that it is efficient and previously validated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the validity and predictive performances of the Triage risk stratification tool (TRST) for identify patients aged over 75 years, requiring the intervention of the MGT. This is a prospective, national, multicenter study including consecutive patients aged 75 years and older, hospitalized in emergency services and medical-surgical units in September and October 2013. The TRST was considered positive when the score was greater than 2 of 5 points. A supplementary question with binary answer (yes/no) was asked to MGT, in order to define if MGT intervention was useful. This issue has served as a "gold standard" for assessing the validity and predictive test performance. In emergency departments, the TRST was performed in 427 patients, 347 were positive. Results showed high sensitivity (79%), and poor specificity (19%) of the test in emergency units, showing that TRST did not permit to identify patients requiring MGT intervention. In contrast, the TRST seems more performant in medical-surgical (n=63 patients) units with good predictive performances (positive predictive value 90% and negative predictive value 87%). The specificity of TRST in emergency services is insufficient to generalize its use. However, performances of the TRST in other units are encouraging to propose a validation as part of a national research project.

Prevalence and incidence rates of pressure ulcers in an Emergency Department.

Older patients represent an increasing population in emergency department (ED) with underlying diseases and longer ED length of stay, which are potential risk factors of pressure ulcers (PUs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and incidence rates of PUs in an Emergency Department and to analyse variables related to PUs occurrence. The study was carried out in the Emergency Department of Bordeaux (France), and included 602 patients from 1 to 15 June 2010. All the potential body sites of pressure were examined at admission and discharge for all the patients by trained nurses. Comorbidity score, list of treatment, length of stay (hours), PUs (including stage I) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were systematically recorded. A total of 47 (7·8%) patients had prevalent PUs at admission and 74 (12·3%) at discharge. The cumulative incidence was 4·9% and the incidence density was 5·4 per 1000 patients per hour. In multivariate analysis, higher comorbidities (OR 1·3; P = 0·014) and CRP levels (OR 1·005; P = 0·017) were both independent risk factors for developing PU. In conclusion, these data show that even a very short stay to the ED is sufficient to induce PUs especially stage I.

The short mean length of stay of post-emergency geriatric units is associated with the rate of early readmission in frail elderly.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Specific postemergency short-stay geriatric units may decrease length of hospital stay, functional decline, and early readmission rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors of early rehospitalization in a shortstay geriatric unit. METHODS: This study was a prospective observational study comprising over one year patients aged over 75 years, admitted to the post-emergency short-stay geriatric unit (Hôpital Saint André, Bordeaux, France) and discharged home. Socio-demographic data, length of hospital stay, and a standardized geriatric assessment were collected for all patients. One month after home discharge, patients were followed-up by phone, and the hospital readmission rate was calculated. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: descriptive, unvaried and multivariate analyses were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 476 patients were included in this study (mean age 86.5±6 yrs; 154 men, 322 women). Mean length of stay in the post-emergency short-stay geriatric unit was 6.3±2.7 days, and a total of 68 (14.3%) patients were readmitted within one month after home discharge. The readmission rate was associated with a diagnosis of delirium (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.3; p=0.02), mean length of stay exceeding 6 days (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.5; p=0.02), and decision of home discharge (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.4-4.1; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Short mean lengths of stay were not considered as a risk factor for readmissions within one month, even in frail, dependent, hospitalized elderly persons.