Outpatient hospital utilization after single event multi-level surgery in children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine outpatient hospital utilization (number of specialties seen and number of visits to each specialty) in the year after single event multi-level surgery (SEMLS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to determine if utilization differs across the medical center in the year after compared to the year before SEMLS. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study used electronic medical record data of outpatient hospital utilization in children with CP who underwent SEMLS. RESULTS: Thirty children with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-V, mean age of 9.9 years) were included. In the year after surgery, a significant difference (p = 0.001) was found for the number of specialties seen, with non-ambulatory children seeing more specialties than ambulatory children. No statistically significant difference was found between the number of outpatient visits to each specialty in the year after SEMLS. Compared to the year before SEMLS, fewer therapy visits occurred in the year after SEMLS (p < 0.001) but significantly more visits to orthopaedics (p = 0.001) and radiology (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Children with CP had fewer therapy visits but more orthopaedic and radiology visits the year after SEMLS. Nearly half of the children were non-ambulatory. Examination of care needs in children with CP undergoing SEMLS is justified with consideration of ambulatory status, surgical burden, and post-operative immobilization.

Care burden and outcome of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of the last 20 years in a tertiary hospital in Spain / Carga asistencial y resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de la colitis ulcerativa: un análisis retrospectivo de los últimos 20 años en un hospital terciario de España

Aim: To analyze the surgical burden of UC care in the last two decades, analyzing the characteristics of the patients, surgical indications along with the short and long-term results. Method: Single-center retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients undergoing abdominal and anorectal surgery between January 2000 and December 2020. The care burden, clinical data and results were analyzed according to distribution by decades. Results: 128 patients, 37% female, underwent 376 surgical interventions (296 intestinal procedures and 80 anorectal). Mean follow-up for the cohort was 106±64 months. Timing from diagnosis to first surgery was under 5 years in 53.3%. In the second decade of the study there were fewer operated patients (73 vs. 48) as well as the total number of interventions per patient (2.7 vs. 2.0). The proportion between elective and urgent surgery was reversed in the second decade, observing an increase in laparoscopic surgery (70% vs. 8%) together with a decrease in major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). 80 patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, with a failure of 5% at 1 year but 23.7% in the long term. 37 patients required anorectal surgery, of which 26 (71%) were serial interventions, most due to septic complications of the pouches. Conclusions: The number of colectomies and interventions per patient decreased in the last decade, while there were improvements in morbidity and surgical approach. The need for sequential surgeries and long-term active instrumental surveillance for possible functional deterioration constitutes a significant clinical burden. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar la carga quirúrgica asistencial por CU en 20 años, analizando las características de los pacientes, indicaciones quirúrgicas y resultados a corto y largo plazo. Método: Análisis retrospectivo unicéntrico de pacientes intervenidos de enero del 2000 a diciembre del 2020. La carga asistencial, los datos clínicos y los resultados se analizaron según distribución por décadas. Resultados: Ciento veintiocho pacientes, 37% mujeres, con 376 intervenciones quirúrgicas (296 procedimientos intestinales y 80 anorrectales). El seguimiento medio de la cohorte fue de 106±64 meses. El lapso entre el diagnóstico y la primera cirugía fue <5 años en el 53,3%. En la segunda década del estudio hubo menos pacientes operados (73 frente a 48) y un menor número de intervenciones por paciente (2,7 frente a 2,0). La proporción entre cirugía electiva y urgente se revirtió en la segunda década, observándose un aumento de la cirugía laparoscópica (70% vs. 8%) junto con una disminución de la morbilidad postoperatoria mayor (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). Se realizó una proctocolectomía restauradora a 80 pacientes, con un fracaso al año del 5% pero del 23,7% a largo plazo. Treinta y siete pacientes requirieron cirugía anorrectal, de los cuales 26 (71%) fueron intervenciones seriadas, la mayoría por complicaciones sépticas de los reservorios. Conclusiones: El número de colectomías y de intervenciones por paciente disminuyó en la última década, a la vez que hubo mejorías en la morbilidad y el abordaje quirúrgico. La necesidad de cirugías secuenciales y de una vigilancia instrumental activa a largo plazo por el posible deterioro funcional constituye una importante carga clínica. (AU)

Care burden and outcome of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of the last 20 years in a tertiary hospital in Spain / Carga asistencial y resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de la colitis ulcerativa: un análisis retrospectivo de los últimos 20 años en un hospital terciario de España

Aim: To analyze the surgical burden of UC care in the last two decades, analyzing the characteristics of the patients, surgical indications along with the short and long-term results. Method: Single-center retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients undergoing abdominal and anorectal surgery between January 2000 and December 2020. The care burden, clinical data and results were analyzed according to distribution by decades. Results: 128 patients, 37% female, underwent 376 surgical interventions (296 intestinal procedures and 80 anorectal). Mean follow-up for the cohort was 106±64 months. Timing from diagnosis to first surgery was under 5 years in 53.3%. In the second decade of the study there were fewer operated patients (73 vs. 48) as well as the total number of interventions per patient (2.7 vs. 2.0). The proportion between elective and urgent surgery was reversed in the second decade, observing an increase in laparoscopic surgery (70% vs. 8%) together with a decrease in major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). 80 patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, with a failure of 5% at 1 year but 23.7% in the long term. 37 patients required anorectal surgery, of which 26 (71%) were serial interventions, most due to septic complications of the pouches. Conclusions: The number of colectomies and interventions per patient decreased in the last decade, while there were improvements in morbidity and surgical approach. The need for sequential surgeries and long-term active instrumental surveillance for possible functional deterioration constitutes a significant clinical burden. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar la carga quirúrgica asistencial por CU en 20 años, analizando las características de los pacientes, indicaciones quirúrgicas y resultados a corto y largo plazo. Método: Análisis retrospectivo unicéntrico de pacientes intervenidos de enero del 2000 a diciembre del 2020. La carga asistencial, los datos clínicos y los resultados se analizaron según distribución por décadas. Resultados: Ciento veintiocho pacientes, 37% mujeres, con 376 intervenciones quirúrgicas (296 procedimientos intestinales y 80 anorrectales). El seguimiento medio de la cohorte fue de 106±64 meses. El lapso entre el diagnóstico y la primera cirugía fue <5 años en el 53,3%. En la segunda década del estudio hubo menos pacientes operados (73 frente a 48) y un menor número de intervenciones por paciente (2,7 frente a 2,0). La proporción entre cirugía electiva y urgente se revirtió en la segunda década, observándose un aumento de la cirugía laparoscópica (70% vs. 8%) junto con una disminución de la morbilidad postoperatoria mayor (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). Se realizó una proctocolectomía restauradora a 80 pacientes, con un fracaso al año del 5% pero del 23,7% a largo plazo. Treinta y siete pacientes requirieron cirugía anorrectal, de los cuales 26 (71%) fueron intervenciones seriadas, la mayoría por complicaciones sépticas de los reservorios. Conclusiones: El número de colectomías y de intervenciones por paciente disminuyó en la última década, a la vez que hubo mejorías en la morbilidad y el abordaje quirúrgico. La necesidad de cirugías secuenciales y de una vigilancia instrumental activa a largo plazo por el posible deterioro funcional constituye una importante carga clínica. (AU)

Care burden and outcome of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of the last 20 years in a tertiary hospital in Spain.

AIM: To analyze the surgical burden of UC care in the last two decades, analyzing the characteristics of the patients, surgical indications along with the short and long-term results. METHOD: Single-center retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients undergoing abdominal and anorectal surgery between January 2000 and December 2020. The care burden, clinical data and results were analyzed according to distribution by decades. RESULTS: 128 patients, 37% female, underwent 376 surgical interventions (296 intestinal procedures and 80 anorectal). Mean follow-up for the cohort was 106±64 months. Timing from diagnosis to first surgery was under 5 years in 53.3%. In the second decade of the study there were fewer operated patients (73 vs. 48) as well as the total number of interventions per patient (2.7 vs. 2.0). The proportion between elective and urgent surgery was reversed in the second decade, observing an increase in laparoscopic surgery (70% vs. 8%) together with a decrease in major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). 80 patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, with a failure of 5% at 1 year but 23.7% in the long term. 37 patients required anorectal surgery, of which 26 (71%) were serial interventions, most due to septic complications of the pouches. CONCLUSIONS: The number of colectomies and interventions per patient decreased in the last decade, while there were improvements in morbidity and surgical approach. The need for sequential surgeries and long-term active instrumental surveillance for possible functional deterioration constitutes a significant clinical burden.

The surgical burden of sebaceous naevus excision in childhood.

Prophylactic excision of sebaceous naevi during childhood has been common practice due to the risk of malignant transformation into basal cell carcinoma (BCC). With incidence of BCC now recognised as 0.8%, a more conservative approach to management is being advocated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical burden produced by the traditional approach of prophylactic excision in childhood. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all sebaceous naevi excised in a tertiary-referral paediatric hospital between January 2007 and December 2017 was conducted. RESULTS: No malignancy was identified in this consecutive series of 189 patients. General anaesthetic was required in 99% of cases with 23% (n = 43) requiring more than one general anaesthetic. Staged-excision was performed in 17% (n = 33), with tissue expanders used in 2% (n = 3) and rotation flap in 1.6% (n = 3). Post-operative sequelae requiring re-operative intervention occurred in 7% (n = 13). CONCLUSIONS: Routine excision of sebaceous naevi during childhood carries a high burden of care and is not necessary for cancer prevention. Excision can be safely delayed until patients are old enough to participate in decision-making about their surgery.

Care burden and outcome of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of the last 20 years in a tertiary hospital in Spain.

AIM: To analyze the surgical burden of UC care in the last two decades, analyzing the characteristics of the patients, surgical indications along with the short and long-term results. METHOD: Single-center retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients undergoing abdominal and anorectal surgery between January 2000 and December 2020. The care burden, clinical data and results were analyzed according to distribution by decades. RESULTS: 128 patients, 37% female, underwent 376 surgical interventions (296 intestinal procedures and 80 anorectal). Mean follow-up for the cohort was 106±64 months. Timing from diagnosis to first surgery was under 5 years in 53.3%. In the second decade of the study there were fewer operated patients (73 vs. 48) as well as the total number of interventions per patient (2.7 vs. 2.0). The proportion between elective and urgent surgery was reversed in the second decade, observing an increase in laparoscopic surgery (70% vs. 8%) together with a decrease in major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa) (20% vs 8.4%). 80 patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy, with a failure of 5% at 1 year but 23.7% in the long term. 37 patients required anorectal surgery, of which 26 (71%) were serial interventions, most due to septic complications of the pouches. CONCLUSIONS: The number of colectomies and interventions per patient decreased in the last decade, while there were improvements in morbidity and surgical approach. The need for sequential surgeries and long-term active instrumental surveillance for possible functional deterioration constitutes a significant clinical burden.

Factors influencing post-surgical variability in StepWatch data in youth with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Over the past several years, activity monitors have become very popular in the general population, and due to their low cost and ease of use, are starting to be seen as clinical tools for the assessment of interventions. This presents researchers with the opportunity to better understand how activity, or lack thereof, is related to the recovery of patients. However, even in individuals without disabilities, there is a high degree of variability in activity monitor data which must be better understood in order to produce clinically meaningful interpretation of such data. RESEARCH QUESTION: What sources of variability contribute the most to the daily scatter in activity data as measured by StepWatches in youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP)? In particular, do non-clinical factors such as weather and location contribute to this variability significantly? METHODS: This was a retrospective study making use of data from our activity monitoring protocol of youths with CP who obtain single event multi-level surgeries. Before and after these surgeries, 57 such youths aged 4.2-21.3 years were issued StepWatches to monitor daily activity for 8 day periods over 24 months duration. Weather data and walk scores for the patients' home locations were collected from online databases. Steps per hour were predicted from clinical and environmental data using bootstrapped regression to determine the stability of regression coefficients and the percent variability explained by each variable. RESULTS: Time since surgery, age, season, GMFCS level, and surgical burden were significant variables in the model. Of them, GMFCS level was most important and explained nearly 16% of the variability in the data. Temperature, precipitation, and walk score had small effects on step count variance. SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding sources of variability in step-counts is important if such a measure is to be used as a clinical measure of recovery, and may be important in the consideration of future surgical planning.

A profile of surgical burden and anaesthesia services at Mozambique's Central Hospital: A review.

BACKGROUND: Surgical and anaesthesia data, including outcomes, remain limited in low-income countries (LIC). This study reviews the surgical burden and anaesthesia services at a tertiary care hospital in Mozambique. METHODS: Information on activities within the department of anaesthesia at Maputo Central Hospital for 2014-15 was collected from its annual report and verified by the Chairman of Anaesthesia. Personnel information and health care metrics for the hospital in 2015 were collected and verified by hospital leadership. RESULTS: Maputo Central Hospital has 1423 beds with 50.1% allocated to primary surgical services. 39.7% of total admissions were to surgical services, and in 2015 the hospital performed 10,049 major operations requiring anaesthesia. The OB/GYN service had the most operations with 2894 (28.8%), followed by general surgery (1665, 16.6%). Inpatient surgical mortality was 4.1% and surgical-related diagnoses comprised two of the top 9 causes of death, with malignant neoplasms and hemorrhage from trauma causing the highest mortality. In 2014-15, Maputo Central Hospital employed 15 anesthesiologists, with 4 advanced and 23 basic mid-level anaesthesia providers. Of 10,897 total anaesthesia cases in 2014, 6954 were general anaesthesia and 3925 were neuraxial anaesthesia. Other anaesthesia services included chronic pain and intensive care consultation. Anaesthesia department leadership noted a strong desire to improve data collection and analysis for anaesthesia outcomes and complications, requested an additional administrator for statistical analysis. DISCUSSION: This profile of anaesthesia services at a large tertiary hospital in Mozambique highlights several features of anaesthesia care and surgical burden in LICs, including challenges of resource limitations, patient comorbidity, and social dynamics present in Mozambique that contribute to prolonged hospital stays. As noted, enhanced data collection and analysis within the department and the hospital may be useful in identifying strategies to improve outcomes and patient safety.

RISK FACTORS FOR READMISSION AND LENGTH OF INPATIENT STAY IN RURAL GHANA FOLLOWING EXPLORATORY LAPAROTOMY.

BACKGROUND: Increased inpatient length of stay (LOS) and readmission represent significant economic burden on patients and families faced with surgical disease in low-middle income countries given limited surgical access, infrastructure, and variable insurance status. STUDY AIM: Identify risk factors for readmission and inpatient LOS in postoperative care in the Eastern Regional Hospital, Ghana. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua, Ghana. METHODS: Data for exploratory laparotomy procedures were obtained from surgical case logs collected at the regional referral hospital in Koforidua, Eastern Region, Ghana from July 2017 to June 2018. This information was combined with the hospital electronic medical records to collect demographic data, laboratory values, and outcomes. Multivariable analyses were used to model LOS and readmission. RESULTS: The study included 346 exploratory laparotomy procedures (286 adult, 60 pediatric) for various surgical diseases. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 9.2%. Average LOS was 12.0±20.4 days for readmitted patients and 6.7±5.5 days for patients without readmission. Readmitted patients were more likely to have had preoperative anemia (p=0.009), surgical site infection (P=0.001), or a re-laparotomy (p=0.005). Preoperative anemia (OR=3.5 [95% CI 1.54-7.96], p=0.003) and surgical site infection (OR=3.68 [95% CI 1.36-10.00], p=0.011) were associated with increased odds of readmission. Preoperative anemia was also associated with about 3.0 additional inpatient days (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anemia and surgical site infections represent risk factors for readmission in rural Ghana. Anemia is also associated with longer LOS. Future interventions aimed at treating anemia and preventing surgical site infections may reduce some of the post-operative burden placed on patients and their families.

Surgical capacity building in Timor-Leste: a review of the first 15 years of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons-led Australian Aid programme.

BACKGROUND: Timor-Leste suffered a destructive withdrawal by the Indonesian military in 1999, leaving only 20 Timorese-based doctors and no practising specialists for a population of 700 000 that has now grown to 1.2 million. METHODS: This article assesses the outcomes and impact of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) specialist medical support from 2001 to 2015. Three programmes were designed collaboratively with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and Australian Aid. The RACS team began to provide 24/7 resident surgical and anaesthesia services in the capital, Dili, from July 2001. The arrival of the Chinese and Cuban Medical Teams provided a medical workforce, and the Cubans initiated undergraduate medical training for about 1000 nationals both in Cuba and in Timor-Leste, whilst RACS focused on specialist medical training. RESULTS: Australian Aid provided AUD$20 million through three continuous programmes over 15 years. In the first 10 years over 10 000 operations were performed. Initially only 10% of operations were done by trainees but this reached 77% by 2010. Twenty-one nurse anaesthetists were trained in-country, sufficient to cover the needs of each hospital. Seven Timorese doctors gained specialist qualifications (five surgery, one ophthalmology and one anaesthesia) from regional medical schools in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia. They introduced local specialist and family medicine diploma programmes for the Cuban graduates. CONCLUSIONS: Timor-Leste has developed increasing levels of surgical and anaesthetic self-sufficiency through multi-level collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Universidade Nacional de Timor Lorosa'e, and sustained, consistent support from external donors including Australian Aid, Cuba and RACS.

Perioperative inflammatory response in major fracture: do geriatric patients behave differently?

PURPOSE: Interleukin-6 is a mainly proinflammatory interleukin and an indicator for the magnitude of surgery. The IL-6 serum concentration correlates with injury severity, the extent of tissue trauma and has negative impact on prognosis. To date it is unclear whether the immunologic changes assessed are age dependent. The aim of this study is to compare the surgical inflammatory response in different age groups. METHODS: Data were collected at a level-1 university trauma center in a prospective, consecutive cohort study. IL-6 levels were analyzed via ELISA from venous blood samples of cohorts of injuries with typical peak incidence: patients with unstable fractures of the spine (SP) for a middle-aged group and patients with fractures of the proximal femur (PF) for a geriatric group. Surgical treatment was performed using minimal-invasive instrumentation. RESULTS: 25 patients in group SP (age: 51 years ± 20) and 16 patients in the group PF (age: 73 years ± 16) were analysed. Group PF showed higher baseline IL-6 concentrations. Surgical treatment was followed by a significant increase of IL-6 levels in both groups 4 and 24 h postoperatively. Concentration profiles were similar, but increase was significantly higher in the PF group 4 h after surgery. CONCLUSION: Both the operative treatment of fractures in a middle-aged (SP) and a geriatric group (PF) lead to significant increasing of IL-6 levels. In view of a comparative surgical burden, these data suggest that age may be a confounding factor for a surgery induced pro-inflammatory response in the early postoperative stage.

Surgical and anaesthetic capacity of hospitals in Malawi: key insights.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is increasingly recognized as an important driver for health systems strengthening, especially in developing countries. To facilitate quality improvement initiatives, baseline knowledge of capacity for surgical, anaesthetic, emergency and obstetric care is critical. In partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Health, we quantified government hospitals' surgical capacity through workforce, infrastructure and health service delivery components. METHODS: From November 2012 to January 2013, we surveyed district and mission hospital administrators and clinical staff onsite using a modified version of the Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedures, Equipment and Supplies (PIPES) tool from Surgeons OverSeas. We calculated percentage of facilities demonstrating adequacy of the assessed components, surgical case rates, operating theatre density and surgical workforce density. RESULTS: Twenty-seven government hospitals were surveyed (90% of the district hospitals, all central hospitals). Of the surgical workforce surveyed (n = 370), 92.7% were non-surgeons and 77% were clinical officers (COs). Of the 109 anaesthesia providers, 95.4% were non-physician anaesthetists (anaesthesia COs or ACOs). Non-surgeons and ACOs were the only providers of surgical services and anaesthetic services in 85% and 88.9% of hospitals, respectively. No specialists served the district hospitals. All of the hospitals experienced periods without external electricity. Most did not always have a functioning generator (78.3% district, 25% central) or running water (82.6%, 50%). None of the district hospitals had an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Cricothyroidotomy, bowel resection and cholecystectomy were not done in over two-thirds of hospitals. Every hospital provided general anaesthesia but some did not always have a functioning anaesthesia machine (52.2%, 50%). Surgical rate, operating theatre density and surgical workforce density per 100 000 population was 289.48-747.38 procedures, 0.98 and 5.41 and 3.68 surgical providers, respectively. CONCLUSION: COs form the backbone of Malawi's surgical and anaesthetic workforce and should be supported with improvements in infrastructure as well as training and mentorship by specialist surgeons and anaesthetists.

Magnitude of surgical burden associated with pediatric intestinal failure: a multicenter cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric intestinal failure (IF) patients require many surgical procedures over the course of their illness. The number and variety of surgical procedures, as well as patient characteristics associated with this burden of surgical procedures, remain largely unknown. METHODS: Data from a large, multicenter retrospective study of pediatric intestinal failure (PIFCON) were reviewed. Infants from 14 multidisciplinary IF programs were enrolled, with study entry defined as PN dependence for >60days. RESULTS: A total of 272 infants were followed for a median (IQR) of 33.5 (16.2, 51.5) months, during which time they underwent 4.0 (3.0, 6.0) abdominal surgical procedures. Intestinal resections were performed in 88/97 (92%) necrotizing enterocolitis patients versus 138/175 (80%) in non-NEC patients (P<0.05). Patients who underwent ≥5 operations had more septic events, compared to those who underwent ≤2 operations (3 (1, 6) versus 1 (0, 3), respectively, P<0.01). Patients treated at centers with transplantation capability had lower odds of undergoing >2 abdominal operations [OR 0.37 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.65)] after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Individual and center-specific characteristics may help determine surgical practices experienced by infants with IF. Further study may delineate additional details about the nature of these characteristics, with the goal of optimizing patient care and minimizing individual and overall healthcare burden.

Acid violence in Cambodia: the human, medical and surgical implications.

INTRODUCTION: Acid violence is the deliberate use of acid to attack another human being. Such attacks leave a terrible human, medical and surgical legacy. This study, from one of the largest cohorts of acid attack victims to date, provides insights into Cambodia's unique demographics of such attacks, as well as the human cost and necessary surgical interventions. METHODS: A retrospective cohort consisting of all patients presenting to the Children's Surgical Centre, Phnom Penh with acid burns from 1 January 2000 to 1 January 2013 was identified and information retrieved from their hospital records. RESULTS: 254 patients were identified. Males and females were almost equally likely to be victims of an acid attack (48.4% and 51.6% respectively). There was no significant association between victim and assailant gender (p=0.475). The face (78.0%), neck (51.5%) and chest (49.0%) were the most frequently affected body areas. The median total surface body area affected by acid burns was 7.0%. The mortality rate from acid assault was 2.0%. Patients required an average of 2.0 operations, ranging from 0 to 18. CONCLUSIONS: Acid violence in Cambodia has a complex demographic which is different to many other developing countries and requires more investigation. Tougher legislation is required to reduce the incidence of these horrific crimes.