Posterior mesh inguinal hernia repairs: a propensity score matched analysis of laparoscopic and robotic versus open approaches.

PURPOSE: International guidelines suggest the use of lapro-endoscopic technique for primary unilateral inguinal hernia (IHR) because of lower postoperative pain and reduction in chronic pain. It is unclear if the primary benefit is due to the minimally invasive approach, the posterior mesh position or both. Further research evaluating posterior mesh placement using open preperitoneal techniques is recommended. A potential benefit of open preperitoneal repair is the avoidance of general anesthesia, as these repairs can be performed under local anesthesia. This study compares clinical and patient-reported outcomes after unilateral laparo-endoscopic, robotic, and open posterior mesh IHRs. METHODS: We performed a propensity score matched analysis of patients undergoing IHR between 2012 and 2021 in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative registry. 10,409 patients underwent a unilateral IHR via a posterior approach. Hernia repairs were performed via minimally invasive surgery (MIS) which includes laparoscopic and robotic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP), or open transrectus preperitoneal/open preperitoneal (TREPP/OPP) approaches. Propensity score matching (PSM) utilizing nearest neighbor matching accounted for differences in baseline characteristics and possible confounding variables between groups. We matched 816 patients in the MIS cohort with 816 patients in the TREPP/OPP group. Outcomes included patient reported quality of life, hernia recurrence, and postoperative opioid use. RESULTS: Improvement was seen after TREPP/OPP as compared to MIS IHR in EuraHS at 30 days (Median(IQR) 7.0 (2.0-16.64) vs 10 (2.0-24.0); OR 0.69 [0.55-0.85]; p = 0.001) and 6 months (1.0 (0.0-4.0) vs 2.0 (0.0-4.0); OR 0.63 [0.46-85]; p = 0.002), patient-reported opioid use at 30-day follow-up (18% vs 45% OR 0.26 [0.19-0.35]; p < 0.001), and rates of surgical site occurrences (0.8% vs 4.9% OR 0.16 [0.06-0.35]; p < 0.001). There were no differences in EuraHS scores and recurrences at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a potential benefit of open posterior mesh placement over MIS repair in short-term quality of life and seroma formation with equivalent rates of hernia recurrence. Further study is needed to better understand these differences and determine the reproducibility of these findings outside of high-volume specialty centers.

Predictors of low and high opioid tablet consumption after inguinal hernia repair: an ACHQC opioid reduction task force analysis.

PURPOSE: Prescribing and consumption of opioids remain highly variable. Using a national hernia registry, we aimed to identify patient and surgery specific factors associated with low and high opioid tablet consumption after inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study evaluating patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair with 30-day follow-up and patient-reported opioid consumption from March 2019 to March 2021 using the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. Clinically significant patient demographics, comorbidities, operative details, quality-of-life measurements, and surgeon prescribing data were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify statistically significant predictors of patients who took no opioid tablets or >10 tablets. RESULTS: A total of 1937 patients were analyzed. Operations included 59% laparoscopic or robotic, 35% open mesh, and 6% open non-mesh repairs. Of these patients, 50% reported taking zero, 42% took 1-10, and 8% took ≥10 opioid tablets at 30-day follow-up. Patients who were older (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.34-1.79, p-value <0.001), ASA ≤ 2 (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.2-2.01, p-value <0.001), had no preoperative opioid use at baseline (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.31-4.03, p-value = 0.004), had local anesthetic with general anesthesia (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.0.5-1.85, p-value = 0.022), or prescribed <7 opioid tablets (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.96-2.62, p-value <0.001) were more likely to take no opioid tablets. CONCLUSION: Older, healthier, opioid naïve patients with local anesthetic administered during elective inguinal hernia repair are most likely to not require opioids. Surgeon prescribing-arguably the most modifiable factor-independently correlates with both low and high opioid consumption.

The opioid reduction task force: using the ACHQC Data Registry to combat an epidemic in hernia patients.

PURPOSE: Post-operative opioid prescriptions contribute to prolonged opioid misuse and abuse. Using a national hernia registry, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a data-driven educational intervention on surgeon prescribing behavior. METHODS: After collecting opioid prescribing and patient consumption data from March 2019-December 2019 in inguinal and umbilical hernia repair, the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) Opioid Reduction Task Force presented data at a Quality Improvement (QI) Summit to educate surgeons on strategies to minimize opioid prescribing. Surgeons were asked to implement a multimodal pain management approach and were supported with educational tools created by the task force. Prescribing and consumption data after the summit, December 2019-March 2021, were then collected to assess the effectiveness of the QI effort. RESULTS: Registry participation before and after the QI summit increased from 52 to 91 surgeons, with an increase of 353-830 umbilical hernia patients and 976-2447 inguinal hernia patients. After the summit, high (> 10 tablets) surgeon prescribers shifted toward low (≤ 10 tablets) prescribing. Yet, patients consumed less than what was prescribed, with a significant increase in patients consuming ≤ 10 tablets before and after the summit: 79-88% in umbilical hernia (p = 0.01) and 85-94% in inguinal hernia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Following an educational QI summit by the ACHQC Opioid Reduction Task Force, high opioid prescribing has shifted toward low. However, patients consume less than prescribed, highlighting the importance of continuing this effort to reduce opioid prescribing.

Utilization of a National Registry to influence opioid prescribing behavior after hernia repair.

PURPOSE: Despite progress toward curtailing opioid prescribing, physicians are often slow to adopt new prescribing practices. Using the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC), we aimed to demonstrate the ability of a national, disease-specific, personalized registry to impact opioid prescribing. METHODS: Using a collaborative and iterative process, a module was developed to capture surgeon opioid prescribing, patient-reported consumption, and risk factors for opioid use. Study reported according to the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) 2.0 guidelines. RESULTS: Six months after implementation of the ACHQC opioid module, we assessed participation, prescribing and patient consumption patterns. For ventral hernia repair (VHR; n = 398), 23 surgeons reported prescribing > 20 pills (43%), 11-20 (40%), and < 10 (18%). In contrast, patients (n = 217) reported taking < 10 pills in 65% and only 20% reported taking > 15. For inguinal hernia repair (IHR; n = 443) 37 surgeons reported prescribing > 20 tablets (22%), 11-20 (32%), and < 10 (44%). Patients (n = 277) reported taking < 10 pills in 81% of cases, including 50% reporting zero, and only 13% taking > 15. We identified barriers to practice change and developed a strategy for education, provision of individualized data, and encouraging participation. Surgeon participation has since increased significantly (n = 65 for VHR; n = 53 for IHR), and analysis of the impact of this process is ongoing. CONCLUSION: Quality improvement requires physician engagement, which can be facilitated by meaningful and actionable data. The specificity of the ACHQC and the ability to provide surgeons with individualized data is a model method to incite change in physician behavior and improve patient outcomes.

Penetrating thoracic trauma in a pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating thoracic trauma in the pediatric population is increasing at an alarming rate. We sought to describe this population and to define prognostic factors that might be of benefit in the management of these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and trauma registry records of 65 patients 18 years of age and younger admitted to an urban level I trauma center with the diagnosis of penetrating thoracic trauma. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were adolescent boys. Injury severity score greater than 25 and a corrected admission pH less than 7.3 were associated with higher mortality and increased need for surgical intervention. Isolated thoracic injury was found to be associated with a high mortality rate. Autotransfused blood was used in 9 of the 65 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Injury severity score and corrected admission pH are independent predictors of mortality and need for operation in the pediatric population with penetrating chest injuries. Penetrating thoracic wounds demand special attention by the trauma team. The use of autotransfusion may be beneficial in pediatric trauma victims.