Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction: A National Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study objectives were to characterize surgical outcomes for malignant small bowel obstruction (MaSBO) as compared to other small bowel obstructions (SBO) and to develop a prediction model for postoperative mortality for MaSBO. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: MaSBO is a morbid complication of advanced cancers for which the optimal management remains undefined. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for MaSBO or SBO were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005-2017). Outcomes [30-day morbidity, unplanned readmissions, mortality, postoperative length of stay (LOS)] were compared between propensity score-matched MaSBO and SBO patients. An internally validated prediction model for mortality in MaSBO patients was developed. RESULTS: Of 46,706 patients, 1612 (3.5%) had MaSBO. Although MaSBO patients were younger than those with SBO (median 63 vs 65 years, P < 0.001), they were otherwise more clinically complex, including a higher proportion with recent weight loss (22.0% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001), severe hypoalbuminemia (18.6% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001), and cytopenias. After matching (N = 1609/group), MaSBO was associated with increased morbidity [odds ratio (OR) 1.2, P = 0.004], but not readmission (OR 1.1, P = 0.48) or LOS (incidence rate ratio 1.0, P = 0.14). The odds of mortality were significantly higher for MaSBO than SBO (OR 3.3, P < 0.001). A risk-score model predicted postoperative mortality for MaSBO with an optimism-adjusted Brier score of 0.114 and area under the curve of 0.735. Patients in the highest-risk category (11.5% of MaSBO population) had a predicted mortality rate of 39.4%. CONCLUSION: Surgery for MaSBO is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, necessitating careful patient evaluation before operative intervention.

Ninety-day mortality after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is associated with significant 30-day mortality, but this endpoint may underestimate the short-term mortality of the procedure. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed using the National Cancer Database (2004-2015). Patients who underwent total gastrectomy for stage I to III gastric adenocarcinoma were identified and divided into cohorts based on 90-day mortality. Predictors of mortality were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, and annual trends in mortality rates were calculated by Joinpoint Regression. RESULTS: Of the 5,484 patients who underwent total gastrectomy, 90-day and 30-day mortality rates were 9.1% and 4.7%, respectively. Factors associated with 90-day mortality included increasing age (odds ratio 1.0, P < .001), income below the median (odds ratio 1.2, P = .039), Charlson-Deyo score ≥2 (odds ratio 1.4, P = .039), treatment at low-volume facilities (odds ratio 1.5, P < .001), N1 (odds ratio 2.0, P < .001), N2 (odds ratio 2.0, P < .001), or N3 (odds ratio 2.7, P < .001) stage disease, having <16 lymph nodes harvested (odds ratio 1.5, P < .001), and lack of treatment with chemotherapy (3.7, P < .001). Lack of health insurance (odds ratio 4.1, P = .080), and positive microscopic margins (odds ratio 1.3, P = .080) were correlated, but not significantly associated, with 90-day mortality. The 90-day mortality rate significantly declined from 14.3% in 2004 to 7.9% in 2015 (P = .006), and the 30-day mortality rate significantly declined from 7.7% in 2004 to 4.8% in 2015 (P = .009). CONCLUSION: Nearly half of the deaths within 90 days after total gastrectomy for cancer occur beyond 30 days postoperative. Ninety-day mortality has improved over time, but rates remain high, suggesting the need for improved out-of-hospital postoperative care beyond 30 days.

Opioid Use Disorder is Associated With Complications and Increased Length of Stay After Major Abdominal Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of opioid use disorder (OUD) on perioperative outcomes after major upper abdominal surgeries. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: OUD, defined as dependence/abuse, is a national health epidemic. Its impact on outcomes after major abdominal surgery has not been well characterized. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective esophagectomy, total/partial gastrectomy, major hepatectomy, and pancreatectomy were identified using the National Inpatient Sample (2003-2015). Propensity score matching by baseline characteristics was performed for patients with and without OUD. Outcomes measured were in-hospital complications, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Of 376,467 patients, 1096 (0.3%) had OUD. Patients with OUD were younger (mean 53 vs 61 years, P < 0.001) and more often male (55.1% vs 53.2%, P < 0.001), black (15.0% vs 7.6%, P < 0.001), Medicaid beneficiaries (22.0% vs 6.4%, P < 0.001), and in the lowest income quartile (32.6% vs 21.3%, P < 0.001). They also had a higher rate of alcohol (17.2% vs 2.8%, P < 0.001) and nonopioid drug (2.2% vs 0.2%, P = 0.023) dependence/abuse. After matching (N = 1077 OUD, N = 2164 no OUD), OUD was associated with a higher complication rate (52.9% vs 37.3%, P < 0.001), including increased pain [odds ratio (OR) 3.5, P < 0.001], delirium (OR 3.0, P = 0.004), and pulmonary complications (OR 2.0, P = 0.006). Additionally, OUD was associated with increased LOS (mean 12.4 vs 10.6 days, P = 0.015) and nonroutine discharge (OR 1.6, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality did not differ (OR 2.4, P = 0.10). CONCLUSION: Patients with OUD more frequently experienced complications and increased LOS. Close postoperative monitoring may mitigate adverse outcomes.

Defining postoperative weight change after pancreatectomy: Factors associated with distinct and dynamic weight trajectories.

BACKGROUND: Weight change offers the simplest indication of a patient's recovery after an operation. There have been no studies that have thoroughly investigated postoperative weight dynamics after pancreatectomy. The aim of this study was to define postoperative weight change after a pancreatectomy and determine factors associated with optimal and poor weight trajectories. METHODS: From 2004 to 2019, 1,090 proximal (65%) and distal (35%) pancreatectomies were performed in patients with adequate data in the medical records. Patient weights were acquired preoperatively and at postoperative months 1, 3, and 12. Optimal (top quartile, weight restoration) and poor (bottom quartile, persistent weight loss) postoperative weight cohorts were identified at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The median percentage weight change 1 year postpancreatectomy was -6.6% (interquartile range: -1.4% to -12.5%), -7.8% for proximal pancreatectomy, and -4.2% for distal pancreatectomy. For most patients (interquartile range cohort), the median percentage weight change at 1, 3, and 12 months was -6.2%, -7.2%, and -6.6%. The independent factors associated with weight restoration were age <65, nonobesity (body mass index <30kg/m2), receiving total parenteral nutrition/total enteral nutrition preoperatively, experiencing preoperative weight loss >10%, distal pancreatectomy, not undergoing vascular resection, and no readmission within 30 days. Conversely, persistent weight loss was associated with American Society of Anesthesiologists classes III to IV, obesity, malignancy, proximal pancreatectomy, blood loss ≥350mL, and experiencing readmission within 30 days. Focusing on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 372) patients, the factors associated with persistent weight loss were obesity, proximal pancreatectomy, and experiencing recurrence within 1 year; however, weight cohorts were not associated with overall survival for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients. CONCLUSION: These data define weight kinetics after pancreatectomy. Ultimately, postoperative weight trajectories appear to be largely predetermined but may be mitigated by limiting readmissions and complications. Clinicians should use these data to identify patients who continue to lose weight between the first and third month postoperatively with a high suspicion for the requirement of nutritional monitoring or other interventions.

Challenges in obesity and primary aldosteronism: Diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients may have unrecognized primary aldosteronism due to high rates of concomitant hypertension. We hypothesized that obesity impacts the diagnosis and management of patients with primary aldosteronism. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all primary aldosteronism patients (n = 418) who underwent adrenal vein sampling (1997-2017). Patients were classified by body mass index as obese (body mass index ≥35) or nonobese (body mass index <35) and diagnostic evaluation was compared between groups. Within the operative cohort (n = 285), primary outcomes were changes in both blood pressure and antihypertensive medications after adrenalectomy. Secondary outcome was clinical resolution by Primary Aldosteronism Surgery Outcomes criteria. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of patients were obese. Obese patients were more likely to be male (67.8% vs 56.1%, P = .025), somewhat younger (51.5 vs 54.4 years old, P < .012), and require more preoperative antihypertensive medications (6.7 vs 5.7, P = .04) than nonobese patients. Obese patients had lesser rates of radiologic evidence of adrenal tumors (68.4 vs 77.9%, P = .038) despite similar rates of lateralization on adrenal vein sampling. In the operative subset, obese patients had somewhat smaller tumors on final pathology (1.1 vs 1.5 cm, P = .014) but similar rates of complete and partial clinical resolution (P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: Obese primary aldosteronism patients have lesser rates of localization by imaging, likely due to smaller tumor size, however, experience similar benefit from adrenalectomy.

Decoding Grade B Pancreatic Fistula: A Clinical and Economical Analysis and Subclassification Proposal.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe characteristics and management approaches for grade B pancreatic fistula (B-POPF) and investigate whether it segregates into distinct subclasses. BACKGROUND: The 2016 ISGPS refined definition of B-POPF is predicated on various postoperative management approaches, ranging from prolonged drainage to interventional procedures, but the spectrum of clinical severity within this entity is yet undefined. METHODS: Pancreatectomies performed at 2 institutions from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed to identify B-POPFs and their treatment strategies. Subclassification of B-POPFs into 3 classes was modeled after the Fistula Accordion Severity Grading System (B1: prolonged drainage only; B2: pharmacologic management; B3: interventional procedures). Clinical and economic outcomes, unique from the ISGPS definition qualifiers, were analyzed across subclasses. RESULTS: B-POPF developed in 320 of 1949 patients (16.4%), and commonly required antibiotics (70.3%), prolonged drainage (67.8%), and enteral/parenteral nutrition (54.7%). Percutaneous drainage occurred in 79 patients (24.7%), always in combination with other strategies. Management of B-POPFs was widely heterogeneous with a median of 2 approaches/patient (range 1 to 6) and 38 various strategy combinations used. Subclasses B1-3 comprised 19.1%, 52.2%, and 28.8% of B-POPFs, respectively, and were associated with progressively worse clinical and economic outcomes. These results were confirmed by multivariable analysis adjusted for clinical and operative factors. Notably, distribution of the B-POPF subclasses was influenced by institution and type of resection (P < 0.001), while clinical/demographic predictors proved elusive. CONCLUSION: B-POPF is a heterogeneous entity, where 3 distinct subclasses with increasing clinical and economic burden can be identified. This classification framework has potential implications for accurate reporting, comparative research, and performance evaluation.

Identification of an Optimal Cut-off for Drain Fluid Amylase on Postoperative Day 1 for Predicting Clinically Relevant Fistula After Distal Pancreatectomy: A Multi-institutional Analysis and External Validation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between drain fluid amylase value on the first postoperative day (DFA1) and clinically relevant fistula (CR-POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP), and to identify the cut-off of DFA1 that optimizes CR-POPF prediction. BACKGROUND: DFA1 is a well-recognized predictor of CR-POPF after pancreatoduodenectomy, but its role in DP is largely unexplored. METHODS: DFA1 levels were correlated with CR-POPF in 2 independent multi-institutional sets of DP patients: developmental (n = 338; years 2012 to 2017) and validation cohort (n = 166; years 2006 to 2016). Cut-off choice was based on Youden index calculation, and its ability to predict CR-POPF occurrence was tested in a multivariable regression model adjusted for clinical, demographic, operative, and pathological variables. RESULTS: In the developmental set, median DFA1 was 1745 U/L and the CR-POPF rate was 21.9%. DFA1 correlated with CR-POPF with an area under the curve of 0.737 (P < 0.001). A DFA1 of 2000 U/L had the highest Youden index, with 74.3% sensitivity and 62.1% specificity. Patients in the validation cohort displayed different demographic and operative characteristics, lower values of DFA1 (784.5 U/L, P < 0.001), and reduced CR-POPF rate (10.2%, P < 0.001). However, a DFA1 of 2000 U/L had the highest Youden index in this cohort as well, with 64.7% sensitivity and 75.8% specificity. At multivariable analysis, DFA1 ≥2000 U/L was the only factor significantly associated with CR-POPF in both cohorts. CONCLUSION: A DFA1 of 2000 U/L optimizes CR-POPF prediction after DP. These results provide the substrate to define best practices and improve outcomes for patients receiving DP.

Implications of Lymph Node Staging on Selection of Adjuvant Therapy for Gastric Cancer in the United States: A Propensity Score-matched Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and chemotherapy alone (CA) in gastric adenocarcinoma patients undergoing gastrectomy in the United States (US). BACKGROUND: A majority of US gastric adenocarcinoma patients are inadequately staged (<15 nodes examined). Despite this, and limited data comparing adjuvant CRT with CA in US patients, national guidelines endorse CA in selected patients undergoing D2 lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Resected stage IB-III gastric adenocarcinoma patients receiving adjuvant CRT or CA (n = 3008) were identified in the National Cancer Database (1998-2006). Cox regression identified covariates associated with overall survival (OS). CRT and CA cohorts were matched (3:1) by propensity scores based on the likelihood of receiving CA. OS was compared by Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS: Adjuvant CA was associated with an increased risk of death (HR 1.29, P < 0.001) relative to CRT. Inadequate lymph node staging (LNS) and nodal positivity were strong predictors of risk-adjusted mortality (P < 0.001). After propensity score-matching, CRT demonstrated superior median OS compared with CA (36.1 vs 28.9 m; P < 0.0001), regardless of stage. CRT was superior to CA in inadequately staged patients (33.1 m vs 24.5 m; P < 0.001); this benefit was less pronounced with increasing nodal examination. CRT improved OS in node-positive disease (29.8 vs 22.2 m; P < 0.001), regardless of LNS adequacy. In node-negative disease, OS did not differ significantly between CRT and CA cohorts; however, node-negative patients undergoing inadequate LNS benefited from CRT. CONCLUSIONS: CRT is associated with improved stage-stratified OS compared with CA. Lymph node status and adequacy of surgical staging should influence adjuvant therapy selection in the United States.

Drain Management after Pancreatoduodenectomy: Reappraisal of a Prospective Randomized Trial Using Risk Stratification.

BACKGROUND: A recent randomized trial used the Fistula Risk Score (FRS) to develop guidelines for selective drainage based on clinically relevant fistula (CR-POPF) risk. Additionally, postoperative day (POD) 1 drain and serum amylase have been identified as accurate postoperative predictors of CR-POPF. This study sought to identify patients who may benefit from selective drainage, as well as the optimal timing for drain removal after pancreatoduodenectomy. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred six pancreatoduodenectomies from a previously reported RCT were assessed using risk-adjustment. The incidence of CR-POPF was compared between FRS risk cohorts. Drain and serum amylase values from POD 1 were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to establish cut-offs predictive of CR-POPF occurrence. A regression analysis compared drain removal randomizations (POD 3 vs POD 5). RESULTS: Three-quarters of patients had moderate/high CR-POPF risk. This group had a CR-POPF rate of 36.3% vs 7.7% among negligible/low risk patients (p = 0.005). The areas under the ROC curve for CR-POPF prediction using POD 1 drain and serum amylase values were 0.800 (p = 0.000001; 95% CI 0.70-0.90) and 0.655 (p = 0.012; 95% CI 0.55-0.77), respectively. No significant serum amylase cut-offs were identified. Moderate/high risk patients with POD 1 drain amylase ≤ 5,000 U/L had significantly lower rates of CR-POPF when randomized to POD 3 drain removal (4.2% vs 38.5%; p = 0.003); moreover, these patients experienced fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical care protocol is proposed whereby drains are recommended for moderate/high FRS risk patients, but may be omitted in patients with negligible/low risk. Drain amylase values in moderate/high risk patients should then be evaluated on POD 1 to determine the optimal timing for drain removal. Moderate/high risk patients with POD 1 drain amylase ≤ 5,000 U/L have lower rates of CR-POPF with POD 3 (vs POD ≥ 5) drain removal; early drain removal is recommended for these patients.

Morbidity and mortality after total gastrectomy for gastric malignancy using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

BACKGROUND: Frequent perioperative morbidity and mortality have been observed in randomized surgical studies for gastric cancer, but specific patient factors associated with morbidity and mortality after total gastrectomy have not been well characterized. METHODS: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005-2011) for all patients with a gastric neoplasm undergoing total gastrectomy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with an increased risk of morbidity or mortality. RESULTS: In 1,165 patients undergoing total gastrectomy, 416 patients (36%) experienced a complication, and 55 died (4.7%) within 30 days of operation. In a reduced multivariate model, age >70 years, preoperative weight loss, splenectomy, and pancreatectomy were associated with morbidity, whereas age >70 years, weight loss, albumin <3 g/dL, and pancreatectomy were associated with mortality (P < .05 each). The number of present preoperative risk factors stratified morbidity from 26 to 46%, with an adjacent organ resection (splenectomy, pancreatectomy) associated with 56% morbidity. Similarly, mortality rates ranged from 0.4% in those without risk factors to 5 of 9 patients with all three preoperative factors present. Patients undergoing pancreatectomy had a 13% mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Total gastrectomy for malignancy is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Identification of high-risk factors may allow more rational patient selection or sequencing of therapy.