Peri-operative allogeneic blood transfusion and outcomes after radical cystectomy: a population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: To describe factors associated with peri-operative blood transfusion (PBT) at radical cystectomy (RC) for patients with bladder cancer and evaluate its association on both early and late outcomes. METHODS: Electronic records of treatment and surgical pathology reports were linked to the population-based Ontario Cancer Registry to identify all patients who underwent RC between 2000 and 2008. Modified Poisson regression model was used to determine the factors associated with PBT. A Cox-proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the association between PBT and overall (OS) and cancer-specific (CSS) survival. RESULTS: Among 2593 patients identified, 62% received an allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. The frequency of PBT decreased over the study period (from 68 to 54%, p < 0.001). Factors associated with PBT included age, sex, greater co-morbidity, stage, and surgeon volume. PBT was associated with inferior outcomes, including median length of stay (11 vs. 9 days, p < 0.001), 90-day re-admission rate (38 vs. 29%, p < 0.001), and mortality (11 vs. 4%, p < 0.001). OS and CSS at 5 years were lower among patients with PBT on multivariate analysis (OS HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.20-1.48; CSS HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.23-1.56). CONCLUSIONS: Although rates are decreasing, these data suggest a very high utilization rate of PBT at time of RC in routine clinical practice. PBT is associated with substantially worse early outcomes and long-term survival. This association persists despite adjustment for disease-, patient-, and provider-related factors, suggesting that PBT is an important indicator of surgical care of RC.

Association Between Anesthesiology Volumes and Early and Late Outcomes After Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Hospital and surgeon volume are related to postoperative complications and long-term survival after radical cystectomy. Here, we describe the relationships between these provider characteristics and anesthesiologist volumes on early and late outcomes after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. METHODS: Records of treatment and surgical pathology reports were linked to the population-based Ontario Cancer Registry to identify all patients with radical cystectomy in Ontario during 1994 to 2008. Volume was divided into quartiles and determined on the basis of mean annual number of hospital/surgeon/anesthesiologist radical cystectomy cases during a 5-year study period. A composite anesthesiologist volume also was used and defined as major colorectal procedures in addition to radical cystectomy given the similar complexity of these cases. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to explore the associations between volume and outcomes while adjusting for potential patient-, disease-, and system-related confounders. The primary outcomes were postoperative readmission rates, postoperative mortality, and 5-year survival. RESULTS: The study included 3585 patients with radical cystectomy between 1994 and 2008. Median annual anesthesiologist radical cystectomy volume was 1 (maximum 8.8 cases/year); lowest volume quartile (Q1) <0.6 cases/year and highest volume quartile (Q4) >1.4 cases/year. The median annual composite anesthesiologist volume was 9 radical cystectomy and colorectal cases (Q1 [range 0.2-6.4 cases/year], Q4 [range 11.8-29.2 cases/year]); subsequent analyses used this composite volume. Anesthesiologist volume was associated with readmission rates at 30 days (P = .02, Q1 mean = 27% vs Q4 mean = 21%) and at 90 days (P = .01, Q1 mean = 39% vs Q4 mean = 31%). In multivariable analysis, including the adjustment for surgeon and hospital volume, the cohort of anesthesiologists who performed the lowest volume of cases annually (Q1) was associated with greater rates of readmission at 30 days (OR 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.71, P = .04) and at 90 days (OR 1.36, 95% CI, 1.11-1.66, P = .03). Anesthesiologist volumes were not associated with postoperative mortality or long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologist case volume for radical cystectomy was low, reflecting the lack of subspecialization in urologic procedures in routine clinical practice. Lower volume anesthesia providers were associated with higher readmission rates after radical cystectomy. Further studies are needed to validate this finding and to identify the processes that may explain an association between provider volume and patient outcome.

Parameters affecting urologic complications after major joint replacement surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Peri-operative bladder management after major arthroplasty procedures remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of urological complications in those patients undergoing hip or knee joint replacement. As well, we identified those factors that may affect the likelihood of developing complications. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-one consecutive patients receiving a total knee or hip arthroplasty were reviewed. The outcomes measured were prolonged urinary retention, as well as urinary tract infections and the development of a septic prosthesis. Statistical significance of any predisposing factors identified was determined using a two-tailed Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Urological complications in the cohort were common at 47%, with patients having hip arthroplasty being at higher risk (p < 0.03). Despite this there was a low incidence of documented infections. Increased rates of urinary retention were identified in those who received intrathecal narcotics (p < 0.02), as well as those who suffered from hypertension (p < 0.05). Gender and anesthetic techniques (general or regional) did not affect the rate of complications. There was a decrease in urological complications when bladder management included peri-operative catheterization rather than expectant management. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder management is a significant problem for patients after hip and knee arthroplasty as urinary retention was identified in almost half of the patients. Parameters that may identify those with higher risks include patients with hypertension and those who receive intrathecal narcotics. In high-risk patients, the practice of utilizing a catheter peri-operatively may decrease the risk of multiple post-operative catheterizations without increasing the rate of infections.