Biliary Enteric Reconstruction After Biliary Injury: Delayed Repair Is More Costly Than Early Repair.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy requiring biliary enteric reconstruction (BER) is associated with increased risk of postoperative mortality and substantive increases in costs of care. The impact of the timing of repair on overall costs of care is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Florida State databases (2006-2015) were queried to identify patients undergoing BER within 1-y of cholecystectomy performed for benign biliary disease. Patients were then categorized by the time interval between cholecystectomy to BER: early (≤3 d), intermediate (4 d to 6 wk), or delayed (>6 wk). By repair timing strategy, 1-y outcomes were aggregated, including charges, inpatient costs, aggregate length of stay, and inpatient mortality. RESULTS: Of 563,887 patients undergoing cholecystectomy, 1168 required a BER (0.21%) within 1-y of cholecystectomy. Early BER was performed in 560 patients (47.9%), intermediate BER in 439 patients (37.6%), and delayed BER in 169 (14.5%) patients. On multivariable analysis adjusting for patient, procedure, and facility factors, intermediate BER demonstrated an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-3.56) and increased aggregate inpatient cost (+$12,472; 95% CI: $6421-$18,524) relative to early BER. There was no notable difference in adjusted risk of inpatient mortality between the early and delayed BER cohorts (odds ratio 0.90; 95% CI: 0.32-1.25), but delayed BER was associated with increased aggregate inpatient costs (+$45,111; 95% CI: $36,813-$53,409). CONCLUSIONS: When compared with delayed BER, early repair was associated with shorter aggregate inpatient hospitalization without increased postoperative mortality. Intermediate timing of repair is associated with increased costs and risk of mortality.

Disparities in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Progression: Predictors of Presentation to the Emergency Department in Urinary Retention.

PURPOSE: This retrospective cohort study evaluates the characteristics of patients who presented to the emergency department with acute urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Emergency Department Databases we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to emergency departments in Florida between 2005 and 2015. Male patients age 45 years or older who presented with diagnosis codes for acute urinary retention and lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia were considered. Information was collected on age, race/ethnicity, primary insurance and rural-urban commuting area codes. RESULTS: The mean age for males presenting with acute urinary retention was 72.2 years, which was 10.6 years older than those presenting for nonurological complaints (p <0.001). Multivariable analysis adjusted for measured confounders found all covariates to be significant. The risk of presenting to the emergency department for acute urinary retention from lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia increased with age, with the 75 to less than 85-year-old age group at the highest risk (OR 15.96, p <0.001). Other factors associated acute urinary retention included African American (OR 1.15, p <0.001) or Hispanic (OR 1.75, p <0.001) race, Medicare (OR 1.27, p <0.001) or private (OR 1.33, p <0.001) insurance, and urban rural-urban commuting area codes (OR 1.31, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Male patients who presented to the emergency department for acute urinary retention with benign prostatic hyperplasia were more likely to be older, of nonwhite race, have Medicare or private insurance, and live in more urban areas. These data suggest that African American and Hispanic patients may be untreated or under treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia in the outpatient setting, resulting in an increased risk of presentation to the emergency department with acute urinary retention.

Use of Surgery for Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence.

PURPOSE: Stress urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy is common and potentially debilitating. Surgical therapy with a urethral sling or an artificial urinary sphincter is an effective option with high patient satisfaction in men in whom conservative measures fail to treat post-prostatectomy incontinence. We sought to characterize the contemporary utilization of surgical therapy of post-prostatectomy incontinence using an all payer database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project databases for Florida from 2006 to 2015 and identified men who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2006 and 2012 using ICD procedure codes. Patients were tracked longitudinally for placement of an ambulatory or inpatient urethral sling, or an artificial urinary sphincter between 2006 and 2015. Patient and clinical data were extracted and analyzed with descriptive statistics. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to determine risk adjusted predictors of subsequent incontinence surgery. RESULTS: During the study period 29,287 men underwent radical prostatectomy, of whom 1,068 (3.6%) were treated with subsequent incontinence surgery a median of 23.5 months after prostatectomy. On multivariate analysis risk factors for incontinence surgery included age groups 61 to 70 years (OR 1.25, p=0.008) and 71 to 80 years (OR 1.34, p=0.022), Medicare insurance (OR 1.33, p <0.005) and an increased Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.13 per unit increase, p <0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy 3.6% subsequently underwent stress urinary incontinence surgery. Post-prostatectomy incontinence surgery is likely under performed and delayed in performance based on the previously reported prevalence of severe post-prostatectomy incontinence and the natural history of symptoms. Efforts to increase prompt repair of refractory or severe incontinence can greatly improve patient quality of life after radical prostatectomy.

Penile Prosthesis Implantation and Timing Disparities After Radical Prostatectomy: Results From a Statewide Claims Database.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP) improve with conservative therapy but some do not; penile prosthesis implantation rates have been sparsely reported, and have used nonrepresentative data sets. AIM: To characterize rates and timing of penile prosthesis implantation after RP and to identify predictors of implantation using a more representative data set. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient and State Ambulatory Surgery databases for Florida from 2006 to 2015 were used. Patients undergoing RP (2006-2012) were tracked longitudinally for penile prosthesis implantation. Patient and clinical data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was risk-adjusted predictors of prosthesis implantation, and the secondary outcome was predictors of the highest quartile of time between RP and penile prosthesis. RESULTS: Of 29,288 men who had RP, 1,449 (4.9%) patients underwent subsequent prosthesis. The mean time from RP to prosthesis was 2.6 years (median: 2.1; interquartile range [IQR]: 1.2-3.5). Adjusted predictors of prosthesis implantation included open RP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.5, P < .01), African American race (OR: 1.7, P < .01) or Hispanic ethnicity (OR: 3.2, P < .01), and Medicare (OR: 1.4, P < .01) insurance. Oler patients (age >70 years; OR: 0.7, P < .01) and those from the highest income quartile relative to the lowest (OR: 0.8, P < .05) were less likely to be implanted. Adjusted predictors of longer RP-to-implantation time (highest quartile: median: 4.7 years; IQR: 3.9-6.0 years) included open RP (OR: 1.78, P < .01), laparoscopic RP (OR: 4.67, P < .01), Medicaid (OR: 3.03, P < .05), private insurance (OR: 2.57, P < .01), and being in the highest income quartile (OR: 2.52, P < .01). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest ED treatment healthcare disparities meriting further investigation; upfront counseling on all ED treatment modalities and close monitoring for conservative treatment failure may reduce lost quality of life years. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its use of administrative data, which relies on accurate coding and lacks data on ED questionnaires/prior treatments, patient-level cost, and oncologic outcomes. Quartile-based analysis of income and time between RP and prosthesis limits the conclusions that can be drawn. CONCLUSION: Less than 5% of post-RP patients undergo penile prosthesis implantation, with open RP, Medicare, African American race, and Hispanic ethnicity predicting post-RP implantation; living in the wealthiest residential areas predicts lower likelihood of implantation compared to the least wealthy areas. Patients with the longest time between RP and prosthesis are more likely to live in the wealthiest areas or have undergone open/laparoscopic RP relative to robotic RP. Bajic P, Patel PM, Nelson MH, et al. Penile Prosthesis Implantation and Timing Disparities After Radical Prostatectomy: Results From a Statewide Claims Database. J Sex Med 2020;17:1175-1181.

Post-hospital syndrome predicts poor postoperative outcomes and increased cost following transvaginal midurethral sling placement.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Post-hospital syndrome (PHS), a 90-day period of health vulnerability related to physiologic stressors following recent inpatient admission, has been observed in surgical and non-surgical patients. We aim to explore its effects on readmission and complication rates in patients undergoing elective female mid-urethral sling placement for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database, State Emergency Department Database, and State Ambulatory Surgery Database for Florida between 2009 and 2014 were linked and utilized. Patients were identified as having undergone an outpatient mid-urethral sling placement with or without cystoscopy by CPT code. The primary exposure was PHS, defined as any inpatient admission within 90 days of mid-urethral sling placement. Patients with inpatient hospitalizations within 1 year of sling procedure were categorized based on timing of prior admission and analyzed. The primary outcomes were 30-day hospital readmission, rates of postoperative ED visits, minor/major complications rates, and overall 30-day cost. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit to assess independent predictors of adverse surgical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 17,081 female patients who underwent mid-urethral sling procedures were identified. Patients with PHS were at higher risk for 30-day readmission [OR: 5.36 (IQR: 3.61-7.93); p < 0.005], 30-day ED visits [OR: 2.38 (IQR: 1.75-3.25); p < 0.005], major complications [OR: 6.22 (IQR: 4.67-8.29); p < 0.005], and minor complications [OR: 4.62 (IQR: 3.77-5.67); p < 0.005]. This risk was time dependent in nature with a decreasing risk profile the further surgery was from index hospitalization. Furthermore, PHS patients were more likely to incur an increased cost burden with an average 30-day increased cost of $705.80. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization within 90 days prior to mid-urethral sling placement is a risk-adjusted, independent predictor of increased rates of 30-day readmission rates, 30-day ED visits, 30-day minor/major complications, and increased hospital-related cost. Clinical and surgical outcomes may be improved with consideration of prior hospitalizations in determining the timing of mid-urethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence.

Impact of Post-Hospital Syndrome on Penile Prosthesis Outcomes: A Period of Global Health Risk.

PURPOSE: Post-hospital syndrome is an acquired transient period of health vulnerability following inpatient admission. We assessed the impact of a preoperative hospitalization on outcomes following penile prosthesis surgery and sought to optimize surgical timing after inpatient admission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery Database for California from 2007 to 2011 and for Florida from 2009 to 2014. Patients were identified as having undergone prosthesis placement by ICD-9 and CPT codes. The primary exposure was post-hospital syndrome, defined as any inpatient admission 90 days or less before prosthesis placement. Patients were further categorized by how recently the inpatient hospitalization occurred. The primary study outcome was 30-day hospital readmission. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, and device and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We identified 16,923 patients who received a penile prosthesis, of whom 477 (3%) had post-hospital syndrome exposure 90 days or less before prosthesis placement. After risk adjustment patients with post-hospital syndrome had higher odds of 30-day readmission (OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.2-4.1), length of stay 2 days or longer (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3) and device complications (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). When categorizing patients by 30-day intervals, we found a linear decrease in the risk of 30-day readmission as the interval increased between post-hospital syndrome exposure and prosthesis surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Post-hospital syndrome exposure is a risk adjusted predictor of 30-day readmissions, prolonged length of stay and device complications. Medical optimization and delayed surgery can help combat the adverse effects associated with post-hospital syndrome exposure and may improve surgical outcomes.

Socioeconomic and patient-related factors for the management of male urethral stricture disease.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the socioeconomic and patient factors that influence the utilization of urethroplasty and location of management in the treatment of male urethral stricture disease. METHODS: A retrospective review using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient and Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases for California and Florida was performed. Adult men with a diagnosis of urethral stricture who underwent treatment with urethroplasty or endoscopic dilation/urethrotomy between 2007 and 2011 in California and 2009 and 2014 in Florida were identified by ICD-9 or CPT codes. Patients were categorized based on whether they had a urethroplasty or serial dilations/urethrotomies. Patients were assessed for age, insurance provider, median household income by zip code, Charlson Comorbidity Index, race, prior stricture management, and location of the index procedure. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit to assess factors influencing treatment modality (urethroplasty vs endoscopic management) and location (teaching hospital vs non-teaching hospital). RESULTS: Twenty seven thousand, five hundred and sixty-eight patients were identified that underwent treatment for USD. 25,864 (93.8%) treated via endoscopic approaches and 1704 (6.2%) treated with urethroplasty. Factors favoring utilization of urethroplasty include younger age, lower Charlson Comorbidity score, higher zip code median income quartile, private insurance, prior endoscopic treatment, and management at a teaching hospital. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic predictors of urethroplasty utilization include higher income status and private insurance. Patient-specific factors influencing urethroplasty were younger age and fewer medical comorbidities. A primary driver of urethroplasty utilization was treatment at a teaching hospital. Older and Hispanic patients were less likely to seek care at these facilities.

Comparison of Renal Cell Carcinoma Surveillance Guidelines: Competing Trade-Offs.

PURPOSE: We estimated the differences in intensity, cost, radiation exposure and cancer control of published surveillance guidelines screening for secondary renal cell carcinoma in patients treated with partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to contrast the existing guidelines in terms of cost, radiation exposure and cancer control. Model inputs were extrapolated from the existing literature. Surveillance guidelines were analyzed from the AUA, CUA, EAU and NCCN®. Risk stratification among patients treated with partial nephrectomy was based on tumor characteristics. RESULTS: Expected costs during the 5 years after partial nephrectomy were $587 (CUA), $1,076 (AUA), $1,705 (EAU) and $1,768 (NCCN) for low risk patients, and $903 (CUA), $2,525 (EAU) and $3,904 (AUA and NCCN) for high risk patients. Radiation exposure ranged from 31.41 mSv (CUA) to 104.34 mSv (NCCN) for low risk patients and 46.88 mSv (CUA) to 231.61 mSv (AUA and NCCN) for high risk patients. The EAU and CUA guidelines led to the diagnosis of the highest percentage of low risk patients (more than 95%) while all guidelines diagnosed more than 92% of high risk patients with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Renal cell carcinoma surveillance guidelines differ greatly in terms of intensity, cost and radiation exposure. It is important for clinicians to adopt standardized surveillance strategies that limit unnecessary cost and radiation exposure without compromising cancer control.

India Ink Tattooing of Ureteroenteric Anastomoses.

While upper tract access through the insensate conduit following urinary diversion takes less time and incurs fewer costs than percutaneous kidney access does for the treatment of ureter and kidney pathology, endoscopic ureteroenteric anastomoses (UEA) identification can be difficult. We injected India Ink into the bowel mucosa near the UEA during ileal conduit diversion (IC) to determine the safety and feasibility of ink tattooing. Patients undergoing IC were prospectively randomized to receive ink or normal saline (NS) injections. The injections were placed 1 cm from UEA in a triangular configuration, and loopogram exams and looposcopy were performed to identify reflux (UR), UEA, the tattooing site and strictures in 10 and 11 patients randomized with respect to ink and NS injections, respectively. Ink patients were older (72 vs. 61 years old, p = 0.04) and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (5 vs. 2, p = 0.01). Looposcopy was performed in three ink and four NS patients. Visualization of UEA was achieved in 100% of the ink and 75% of the NS patients (p = 0.26). The ink ureteroenteric anastomotic stricture (UEAS) rate was higher (N = 3 vs. N = 1) and six patients vs. one patients underwent surgery, respectively, for UEAS (p = 0.31). The study was halted early due to safety concerns. Our pilot study demonstrates that ink can be well visualized following injection near UEA during IC. However, the ink cohort had more UEAS than previously cited in the literature and our prior institutional UEAS rate of 6%. While this study sample is small, the higher incidence of UEAS after ink injection led us to question the utility and safety of ink injection following IC.

Multiple congenital anomalies and developmental delay in a boy associated with a de novo 16p13.3 deletion.

We describe a patient with multiple congenital anomalies including tracheobronchomalacia, CT-proven metopic craniosynostosis, glandular hypospadias and severe ventral chordee, torticollis, esotropia, strabismus, fifth finger clinodactyly, hallux valgus, and global developmental delay. Using high resolution chromosomal microarray analysis, we identified a de novo deletion of 555 kb on chromosome 16p13.3, 444 kb telomeric to the CREBBP gene and 623 kb centromeric of PKD1. Review of the literature revealed numerous reports of individuals with deletions involving adjacent regions including CREBBP, but only one overlapping with this isolated region of 16p13.3. Haploinsufficiency for one or more of the 25 candidate genes in the deleted genomic region may be responsible for these clinical features. No copy number variants (CNVs) span the entire region, but several small CNVs within the 555 kb genomic region reduce the likelihood for effects due to haploinsufficiency to 18 genes.

Campomelic dysplasia: airway management in two patients and an update on clinical-molecular correlations in the head and neck.

Campomelic dysplasia is a rare and historically lethal skeletal dysplasia with a variable but recognizable phenotype; it affects the long bones and is associated with a variety of head and neck anomalies. Mutations in or around the SOX9 gene have been identified as the molecular origin in most patients. We briefly present 2 children who meet the diagnostic criteria for campomelic dysplasia to illustrate the various clinical manifestations. Many patients with campomelic dysplasia have airway obstruction at multiple levels. We describe our approach to managing the airway in these patients, and review recent advances in understanding how SOX9 mutations lead to the spectrum of abnormalities seen in the head and neck.

Synchronous Artificial Urinary Sphincter and Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation: Short-Term Outcomes from a Statewide Claims Database.

PURPOSE: The 2 most common adverse effects of radical prostatectomy are erectile dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence which often require surgical management with penile prosthesis (PP) and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation, respectively. There are conflicting reports regarding whether these procedures should be combined into 1 surgical setting or staged. We sought to evaluate the safety of performing these procedures in the same operative setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP) State Inpatient Database (SID) and State Ambulatory Surgery Database (SASD) for the states of California (2007-2011) and Florida (2009-2014). ICD-9-CM diagnosis and CPT codes were used to identify adult males who underwent both PP and AUS implantation and outcomes regarding readmissions, emergency room (ER) presentations, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients undergoing synchronous PP-AUS implantation had significantly higher 90-day readmission rates (13.9% vs 7.2%, p <0.001), suffered higher rates of device complications (6.1% vs 3.4%, p=0.021), and were more likely to have minor complications (8.89% vs 2.35%, p <0.001) compared to nonsynchronous device placement. No differences in major complications or 90-day ER visits were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous PP and AUS implantation is feasible but may be associated with higher readmission rates, device complications and postoperative complications compared to a staged approach. This further validates findings from prior studies.

Initial Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy versus Ureteroscopy: A Re-treatment and Cost Analysis Using a Longitudinal, Population-Based Database.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to compare re-treatment rates between shockwave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy to evaluate the effectiveness of these modalities. Additionally, we aimed to compare costs associated with re-treatment. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Ambulatory Surgery Database for Florida from 2009 to 2015 was used to identify patients who underwent shockwave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. Patients were tracked for subsequent stone surgeries within 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Costs of care were estimated and descriptive analyses were performed. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine predictors of a second procedure. RESULTS: A total of 98,011 patients underwent initial shockwave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. Of those who underwent initial shockwave lithotripsy 21.2% had a second surgery (shockwave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy) within 3 months compared to 10% of patients who underwent initial ureteroscopy (p <0.01). On multivariable analysis, patients who underwent initial shockwave lithotripsy were more than twice as likely (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.3-2.5) to undergo a second procedure within 3 months. Older patients were also more likely to undergo a second surgery, while African Americans, Hispanics, uninsured patients and patients with more comorbidities had decreased odds of undergoing a second surgery (all p <0.05). The per patient cost of the initial procedure plus re-treatment at the 3-month mark was $6,239 for initial shockwave lithotripsy and $5,319 for initial ureteroscopy (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy are more likely than those undergoing ureteroscopy to have additional stone procedures, making shockwave lithotripsy a more expensive intervention.

Optimal Cystectomy Outcome: A Composite Measurement Evaluating Quality of Care and Mortality Benefit.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and impact of an "optimal cystectomy outcome" (OCO), a simplified performance metric that encompasses multiple patient-centered outcomes. METHODS: We identified patients in the National Cancer Center Database undergoing radical cystectomy for stage cT2-cT3 urothelial carcinoma (2006-2014). OCO was defined as negative resection margin, adequate lymphadenectomy (>10 nodes), no prolonged length-of-stay (<75th percentile), no 30-day-readmission, and no 30-day-mortality. We used multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards models to identify factors associated with OCO and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 12,997 patients who fit the inclusion criteria, individual OCO components were attained at a relatively high rate; however, only 37.6% of patients met all 5 OCO criteria. Patients who underwent surgery at a high-volume (OR 2.45) academic facility (OR 1.60) using a minimally-invasive approach (OR 1.32) were more likely to receive an OCO. Patients were less likely to receive an OCO if they were older (OR 0.98), African American (OR 0.71), had Medicaid insurance (OR 0.66), or more comorbidities (OR 0.48) (all P <0.05). Patients who received an OCO were found to have a significantly lower risk of overall mortality (HR 0.69, P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Various patient- and hospital-specific factors affect a system's ability to achieve OCO in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. OCO is directly associated with improved OS and has the potential to function as a composite performance metric for the quality of care in bladder cancer.

Total gastrectomy in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma: Is there an advantage to the minimally invasive approach?

BACKGROUND: Previous evaluations of the oncologic efficacy of minimally invasive approaches to total gastrectomy in gastric adenocarcinoma have been limited by sample size and duration of follow-up. METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database to identify patients undergoing robotic and laparoscopic or open total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2015. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for patient, tumor, and treating facility factors. Kaplan-Meier survival functions were used to compare overall survival. Secondary outcomes included margin status, lymph node sampling, mortality, readmission, and length of stay. RESULTS: In the study, 3,213 (72.2%) patients underwent open total gastrectomy; 1,238 (27.8%) minimally invasive total gastrectomy. Patients undergoing minimally invasive total gastrectomy were more likely to be treated at academic (49.5% vs 57.8%, P < .05) and high-volume centers (21.6% vs 28.4%, P < .05). Propensity score matching yielded 1,238 open and 1,238 minimally invasive well-matched total gastrectomies. Minimally invasive was associated with a decreased median length of stay (10 vs 9 days; P < .01). Rates of positive surgical margins, 30-day readmission, 90-day mortality and overall survival were identical between matched cohorts (P > .1). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive approaches to total gastrectomy provide perioperative oncologic outcomes and overall survival rates that are identical to those for open total gastrectomy but are associated with reduced length of stay.

Do prolonged operative times obviate the benefits associated with minimally invasive colectomy?

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive colectomy is associated with improved length of stay and decreased postoperative morbidity. Little is known regarding the impact of prolonged operative time on the benefits afforded by minimally invasive colectomy. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program procedure targeted colectomy dataset was queried to identify elective right and left colectomies performed between 2011 and 2017. Multivariable modeling was used to compare rates of composite 30-day death or serious morbidity, overall morbidity, mortality, anastomotic leak, surgical site infection, and length of stay for prolonged minimally invasive cases to those for average duration open cases. RESULTS: A total of 16,602 right colectomies and 36,557 left colectomies were identified. Median operative times for open and minimally invasive right colectomies were 107 min and 129 min (P < .01), while that for open left colectomies was 128 min and 156 min for minimally invasive left colectomies (P < .01). Cohorts were stratified by quartiles of operative time with the highest (fourth) quartile defined as a prolonged operating time. When compared with an average duration open colectomy, prolonged minimally invasive right colectomies and left colectomies were associated with decreased risk-adjusted rates of overall morbidity, surgical site infection, and with lesser lengths of stay (P < .05). Prolonged minimally invasive left colectomies were also associated with improved rates of composite 30-day death or serious morbidity relative to average open left colectomies (odds ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.79). CONCLUSION: Prolonged operating times of an minimally invasive approach do not obviate the benefits of an minimally invasive approach to colectomy.

The laparoscopic approach to distal pancreatectomy is a value-added proposition for patients undergoing care in moderate-volume and high-volume centers.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the impact of the minimally invasive approach to distal pancreatectomy on the aggregate costs of care for patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: We queried the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database to identify patients undergoing elective laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy or open distal pancreatectomy between 2012 and 2014. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate postoperative outcomes including readmissions to 90 days after distal pancreatectomy. RESULTS: A total of 267 (11%) patients underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, and a total of 2,214 (89%) underwent open distal pancreatectomy. On multivariable regression, patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy had a decreased odds risk of having any severe adverse outcome (odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval [0.54-0.97]), prolonged length of stay (odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval [0.30-0.79]), and of being in the highest quartile for aggregate costs of care (odds ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval [0.32-0.66]) relative to those undergoing open distal pancreatectomy. Patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy had a lower average 90-day aggregate cost of care than those undergoing open distal pancreatectomy when procedures were performed in high-volume (-$16,153, 95% CI: [-$23,342 to -$8,964]) centers. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy have a lower risk of severe adverse outcomes, prolonged overall length of stay, and lower associated costs of care relative to those undergoing open distal pancreatectomy. This association is independent of hospital volume.

Genitourinary Foreign Body in United States: Incidence, Patient Characteristics, Treatments and Economic Burden.

INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary foreign bodies are uncommon, have only been reported in single center case reports or series and little is known about national incidence. Commonly cited risk factors include psychiatric disorders, drug or alcohol intoxication, or autoerotic stimulation. A population study was performed to characterize the incidence, treatments and economic burden of the genitourinary foreign body. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2012 to 2014 and the Florida State Emergency Department Database and State Inpatient Database for the years 2012 to 2014 were used. Patients were identified as having a diagnosis of genitourinary foreign body by ICD-9 diagnosis codes (939.0, 939.3, 939.9). Patients included in state databases were tracked longitudinally to characterize recurrent visits. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2014, 1,125 patients were admitted to United States hospitals with a primary diagnosis of genitourinary foreign body. Patients were predominately male (83.6%) and white race (68.4%). Compared to all other inpatients those with genitourinary foreign body were more likely to have a diagnosis of mental health disease (56.9% vs 30.0%, p <0.005) or substance abuse (11.1% vs 5.9%, p <0.005). Overall 64.9% of patients required operative intervention. Mean adjusted cost per admission was $6,835 (SD $360), resulting in $2.61 million in annual national economic burden. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to our knowledge to use population level data to characterize the national incidence and patient characteristics of genitourinary foreign bodies, a condition that costs payers $2.6 million annually.