Influence of hospital-level and surgeon factors on the outcomes after ileo-anal pouch surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis ('pouch surgery') provides a chance to avoid permanent ileostomy after proctocolectomy, but can be associated with poor outcomes. The relationship between hospital-level/surgeon factors (including volume) and outcomes after pouch surgery is of increasing interest given arguments for increasing centralization of these complex procedures. The aim of this systematic review was to appraise the literature describing the influence of hospital-level and surgeon factors on outcomes after pouch surgery for inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: A systematic review was performed of studies reporting outcomes after pouch surgery for inflammatory bowel disease. The MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched (1978-2022). Data on outcomes, including mortality, morbidity, readmission, operative approach, reconstruction, postoperative parameters, and pouch-specific outcomes (failure), were extracted. Associations between hospital-level/surgeon factors and these outcomes were summarized. This systematic review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42022352851). RESULTS: A total of 29 studies, describing 41 344 patients who underwent a pouch procedure, were included; 3 studies demonstrated higher rates of pouch failure in lower-volume centres, 4 studies demonstrated higher reconstruction rates in higher-volume centres, 2 studies reported an inverse association between annual hospital pouch volume and readmission rates, and 4 studies reported a significant association between complication rates and surgeon experience. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes the growing body of evidence that supports centralization of pouch surgery to specialist high-volume inflammatory bowel disease units. Centralization of this technically demanding surgery that requires dedicated perioperative medical and nursing support should facilitate improved patient outcomes and help train the next generation of pouch surgeons.

Optimizing theatre utilization for abscess drainage: going beyond priority categories.

BACKGROUND: Day-only emergency surgery for abscess drainage is poorly implemented in Australia. This study assessed the feasibility, outcomes, cost, and impact of an acute day-only surgery (ADOS) program. METHOD: A retrospective pre-post implementation study of patients requiring abscess drainage in theatre was performed. Following implementation of an ADOS program for abscess management, eligible patients were discharged from the emergency department and prioritized first on the following day's emergency list. Outcomes from the first 12 months of the ADOS era were compared with those of the preceding 6 months (pre-ADOS). Primary outcome was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included 30-day complications, admission costs, and impact on overall emergency theatre workflow (measured by emergency appendicectomy metrics). RESULTS: Overall, 266 patients during the ADOS era (including 95 eligible for the ADOS pathway) were compared with 115 patients during the pre-ADOS era. Baseline characteristics were comparable. Median LOS was shorter during the ADOS era (21.9 h (IQR 11.8-43.3) vs. 30.1 h (IQR 24.7-48.8), P < 0.001). Median LOS was 10.2 h (IQR 8.9-13.1) for patients on the ADOS pathway. There were no significant differences in 30-day complications (9.3% vs. 9.5%), emergency department re-presentations (7.4% vs. 5.1%), or abscess recurrence (5.6% vs. 5.7%). Average cost per patient was lower during the ADOS era ($4155 vs. $4916, p = 0.005). ADOS did not appear to materially impact other emergency procedures. CONCLUSION: ADOS for abscess drainage is feasible, safe, and produces cost savings, while being implemented without significant additional resources.

Impact of obesity on patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer in Australia and New Zealand.

PURPOSE: Patients with obesity undergoing rectal cancer surgery may have an increased risk of developing complications, though evidence is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the direct impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes using data from a large clinical registry. METHOD: The Binational Colorectal Cancer Audit registry was used to identify patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery in Australia and New Zealand from 2007-2021. Primary outcomes were inpatient surgical and medical complications. Logistic regression models were developed to describe the association between body-mass index (BMI) and outcomes. RESULTS: Among 3,708 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 56.75-75], 65.0% male), 2.0% had a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, 35.4% had a BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, 37.6% had a BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, 16.7% had a BMI of 30.0-34.9 kg/m2, and 8.2% had a BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m2. Surgical complications occurred in 27.7% of patients with a BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, 26.6% of patients with a BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.76-1.10), 28.5% with a BMI of 30.0-34.9 kg/m2 (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.76-1.21), and 33.2% with a BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m2 (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.94-1.71). Modelling BMI as a continuous variable confirmed a J-shaped relationship. The association between BMI and medical complications was more linear. CONCLUSION: Risk of postoperative complications is increased in patients with obesity undergoing rectal cancer surgery.

Robotic colorectal surgery and ergonomics.

Improved ergonomics for the operating surgeon may be an advantage of robotic colorectal surgery. Perceived robotic ergonomic advantages in visualisation include better exposure, three-dimensional vision, surgeon camera control, and line of sight screen location. Postural advantages include seated position and freedom from the constraints of the sterile operating field. Manipulation benefits include articulated instruments with seven degrees of freedom movement, elimination of fulcrum effect, tremor filtration, and scaling of movement. Potential ergonomic detriments of robotic surgery include lack of haptic feedback, visual, and mental strain from increased operating time and interruptions to workflow from crowding.

Outcomes of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the axilla: a multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the axilla is uncommon, with limited data to guide management. We sought to assess the outcomes of patients with this condition after surgery and radiotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients treated at two Australian hospitals from 1994 through 2016 was performed. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were identified, including 48 treated curatively with surgery-plus-radiotherapy and 15 with surgery alone. Compared with patients treated with surgery alone, a higher proportion of patients treated with surgery-plus-radiotherapy had lymph nodes larger than 6 cm (53% versus 8%, P = 0.012) and multiple adverse histopathological features (75% versus 47%, P = 0.04). The groups had similar 5-year disease-free survival (45% versus 46%) and overall survival (51% versus 48%). Presence of multiple positive lymph nodes was associated with reduced disease-free survival (hazard ratio 4.57, P = 0.01) and overall survival (hazard ratio 3.53, P = 0.02). Regional recurrence was higher in patients treated with surgery alone (38% versus 22%, P = 0.22) and patients with lymph nodes larger than 6 cm (34% versus 10%, P = 0.03). All recurrences occurred within 2 years following treatment. CONCLUSION: Combined-modality therapy for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the axilla is recommended for high-risk patients, although outcomes remain modest. The key period for recurrence is within 2 years following treatment.

Outcomes of an acute care surgery model: a 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Many hospitals across Australia and New Zealand have implemented acute care surgery (ACS) models over the past decade, often with improved outcomes such as reductions in wait time to surgery, complications and length of stay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent non-elective appendicectomy and cholecystectomy and compare these with the results observed shortly after the implementation of an ACS model at our institution 10 years earlier. METHODS: A retrospective review of contemporary patients who underwent non-elective appendicectomy and cholecystectomy compared with historical data was performed. Primary outcomes were wait time to surgery, surgical complications and length of stay. RESULTS: In the contemporary cohort, 263 patients underwent non-elective appendicectomy over a 1-year period compared with 226 patients in the historical cohort. The median wait time to surgery had increased (17.7 versus 9.6 h, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in a composite end-point of complications and readmissions (8.0% versus 9.3%, P = 0.61). The length of stay was unchanged. There was greater use of preoperative imaging and reduced overnight operating. For non-elective cholecystectomies, 132 patients underwent this procedure in the contemporary cohort over a 2-year period compared with 115 patients in the historical cohort. There were no significant differences in wait time to surgery (2 versus 1 day, P = 0.13) or complications (9.8% versus 8.7%, P = 0.75). The length of stay was unchanged. CONCLUSION: The majority of improvements seen shortly following the implementation of an ACS model have been sustained after 10 years.

Anesthetic Considerations for Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy in a Patient With Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: A Case Report.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), also known as familial spastic paraparesis or Strümpell-Lorrain disease, is a rare group of inherited disorders characterized by progressive spastic weakness in the lower limbs due to axonal degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. We describe the anesthetic management of a 52-year-old man with HSP who underwent an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal adenocarcinoma. This is the first report in the literature describing the anesthetic management of a patient with HSP successfully undergoing complex thoracoabdominal surgery. Key to the provision of postoperative analgesia was the intraoperative placement of catheters in the right thoracic paravertebral space and retro-rectus plane for continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% for 3 days, as well as a fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia for 7 days.

Comparative Validation of Abdominal CT Models that Predict Need for Surgery in Adhesion-Related Small-Bowel Obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Adhesion-related small-bowel obstruction (ASBO) can be managed without surgery in selected patients. The aim of this study was to validate three previously published computed tomography (CT) models that predict need for surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with ASBO admitted to a tertiary referral hospital between November 2009 and April 2015 was conducted. Data on clinical variables were extracted from medical records. CT signs were assessed by a radiologist who was blinded to whether or not the patients required surgery. Three previously published models were validated by testing their ability to predict need for surgery. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 233 patients with ASBO (mean age 69.7 years, 47.6% male), of whom 73 (31.3%) required surgery. A predictive model using a combination of mesenteric oedema, free intraperitoneal fluid and absence of small-bowel faecalisation had a sensitivity of 38% [95% CI 27-50%], specificity of 88% [81-92%], positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 3.1 [1.6-5.1] and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.7 [0.6-0.8]. Only the results of one previously published model (which used a combination of obstipation, free intraperitoneal fluid and high-grade or complete obstruction) could be reproduced. This model had a potentially clinically useful LR+ of 2.9 [1.1-7.4] and LR- of 0.9 [0.8-1.0]. The poor performances of the other two models may be partially explained by measurement bias. CONCLUSION: The performances of the previously published predictive models in this validation study were varied. Future attempts to develop models should use clearly defined, standardised and reproducible predictors wherever possible.

Adenoma Detection Rate in Colonoscopy: Is Indication a Predictor?

PURPOSE: To describe factors that may influence adenoma detection rate (ADR), with an emphasis on the indication for colonoscopy. METHODS: Consecutive colonoscopies performed by a single endoscopist between January 2008 and December 2014 were reviewed. Indications for colonoscopy were tested for association with ADR after adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 2648 colonoscopies were analyzed. Adenomas were detected in 630 patients (23.8%). Overall ADR was 22.9% in patients undergoing screening colonoscopy. ADR was higher in fecal occult blood test-triggered screening colonoscopies (32%) than colonoscopies performed for patients with a family history of colorectal cancer (21.7%) or asymptomatic average-risk individuals (20.4%) (P=0.05). ADR was 36.1% in patients undergoing surveillance colonoscopy and ranged from 12% to 30% in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: ADR differs depending on whether the indication is screening, surveillance, or diagnosis. Within screening colonoscopies, ADR seems to be higher in patients with a positive fecal occult blood test.

Laparoscopic versus open reversal of Hartmann's procedure: a retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of bowel continuity following Hartmann's procedure may be performed using a laparoscopic or open technique. This study is the first of its kind comparing laparoscopic with open reversal of Hartmann's procedure in Australasia. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 107 patients who underwent either a laparoscopic (n = 43) or open (n = 64) reversal of Hartmann's procedure between 2001 and 2012. Outcome measures were perioperative clinical outcomes and post-operative complications. RESULTS: Patients in the two groups were comparable in age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and number of previous operations. The most common indication for the original Hartmann's operation in both groups was diverticular disease. Total theatre time was longer for the laparoscopic group (276.4 versus 242.0 min; P = 0.02). Three patients in the laparoscopic group required conversion to laparotomy (7%). Laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure was associated with shorter time to passage of flatus (2.8 versus 4.0 days; P < 0.001) and faeces (4.2 versus 5.6 days; P = 0.002), and shorter overall length of hospital stay (6.7 versus 10.8 days; P < 0.001). There were fewer patients in the laparoscopic group who had post-operative complications (14% versus 31%; P = 0.04), including fewer cases of post-operative ileus (2% versus 17%; P = 0.02). There were no cases of anastomotic leak or in-hospital mortality in either group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure is a safe and feasible alternative to open Hartmann's reversal and may be associated with significantly faster recovery time and fewer post-operative complications.