Factors Influencing Time-to-diagnosis of Biliary Atresia.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosing biliary atresia (BA) quickly is critical, because earlier treatment correlates with delayed or reduced need for liver transplantation. However, diagnosing BA quickly is also difficult, with infants usually treated after 60 days of life. In this study, we aim to accelerate BA diagnosis and treatment, by better understanding factors influencing the diagnostic timeline. METHODS: Infants born between 2007 and 2014 and diagnosed with BA at our institution were included (n = 65). Two periods were examined retrospectively: P1, the time from birth to specialist referral, and P2, the time from specialist referral to treatment. How sociodemographic factors associate with P1 and P2 were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models. In addition, to better characterize P2, laboratory results and early tissue histology were studied. RESULTS: P1 associated with race/ethnicity, with shorter times in non-Hispanic white infants compared to non-Hispanic black and Hispanic infants (P = 0.007 and P = 0.004, respectively). P2 associated with referral age, with shorter times in infants referred after 30, 45, or 60 days of life (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). One potential reason for longer P2 in infants referred ≤30 days is that aminotransferase levels were normal or near-normal. However, despite reassuring laboratory values, tissue histology in early cases showed key features of BA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest 2 opportunities to accelerate BA diagnosis and treatment. First, to achieve prompt referrals for all races/ethnicities, universal screening strategies should be considered. Second, to ensure efficient evaluations independent of age, algorithms designed to detect early features of BA can be developed.

Three-dimensional Laparoscopy: Does Improved Visualization Decrease the Learning Curve Among Trainees in Advanced Procedures?

PURPOSE: Complex laparoscopy is difficult to master because it involves 3-dimensional (3D) interpretation on a 2-dimensional (2D) viewing screen. The use of 3D technology has an uncertain effect on training surgeons. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of 3D on learning and performing laparoscopic tasks. METHODS: Medical students without laparoscopic experience (novices) were evaluated doing inanimate object transfer and laparoscopic suturing. Tasks were repeated using 2D and 3D cameras with standard instruments. Time and error rates (missed attempts, dropped objects, and failure to complete the task) were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-nine novice medical students experienced a 45.5% decrease in the time to complete PEG transfer using 3D (mean 207 s with 2D vs. 113 s with 3D). Error rate was reduced to 50% (2D, 4 errors vs. 3D, 2 errors) and mean drop rate was reduced to 0. Similar decreases in suture time (46.5%) were seen (mean 403 s with 2D vs. 220 s with 3D). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that 3D significantly improved visualization and ability to perform complex tasks in the skills laboratory setting. This technology may be very effective in teaching advanced laparoscopic skills in the era of work-hour restrictions.

Use of the American College of Surgeons NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator for Laparoscopic Colectomy: how good is it and how can we improve it?

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons NSQIP risk calculator was developed from multi-institutional clinical data to estimate preoperative risk. The impact of outliers has the potential to greatly affect predictions. Although the effect of outliers is minimized in large series, their impact on the individual provider or institution could be profound. No previous study has assessed the risk calculator for a single institution or provider, including outliers. Our goal was to evaluate the accuracy of the predicted outcomes at a single institution. STUDY DESIGN: Laparoscopic colectomies performed by two colorectal surgeons at a tertiary referral center were prospectively evaluated using the risk calculator. Predicted outcomes were compared with actual outcomes for length of stay (LOS), complications, return to the operating room, and death. Main outcomes measures were differences in actual vs predicted outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients were included. Actual LOS was higher than predicted (mean ± SD 4.22 ± 5.49 days vs predicted 4.11 ± 1.18 days; p = 0.0001). Four outliers with multiple complications had an LOS >3 SDs from the mean. After removing these, observed LOS was significantly shorter than predicted (adjusted LOS mean ± SD 3.31 ± 2.30 days vs predicted 4.05 ± 1.14 days; p = 0.002). Occurrence of any complication was significantly lower than predicted (17.3% vs 19.4%; p = 0.05). Rates of major complications (13.2% vs 19.4%; p = 0.009) and surgical site infections (9.8% vs 11.8%; p = 0.006) were also significantly lower than predicted. There were no significant differences in death, urinary tract infection, renal failure, and reoperation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Although the risk calculator was effective for evaluating average surgical-risk patients, it does not accurately predict outcomes in a small percentage of patients when one or more serious complications occur. Addition of surgeon- and patient-specific data via the American College of Surgeons case-logging system could better adjust for these areas.

Exacerbation of symptom severity of pelvic floor disorders in women who report a history of sexual abuse.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of previous sexual abuse or assault (SAA) on symptom severity, quality of life, and physiologic measures in women with fecal incontinence or constipation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of a prospectively maintained clinical database. SETTING: A tertiary referral center for evaluation and physiologic testing for pelvic floor disorders. PATIENTS: Women with fecal incontinence or constipation examined during a 6-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptom severity and quality of life were measured with the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI), Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL), Constipation Severity Instrument (CSI), Constipation-Related Quality of Life measure (CR-QOL), and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Physiologic variables were ascertained with anorectal manometry, electromyography, and endoanal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Of the 1781 women included, 213 (12.0%) reported SAA. These women were more likely to be white, to report a psychiatric illness, and to have a prior hysterectomy or episiotomy. On bivariate analysis, women with prior SAA had increased symptom severity on the FISI (P = .002) and CSI (P < .001) and diminished quality of life on the FIQL (P < .001), CR-QOL (P = .009), and SF-12 (P = .002 to P = .004). Physiologic variables did not differ significantly between patients with and without prior SAA. CONCLUSIONS: A history of SAA significantly alters disease perception in fecal incontinence and constipation, but the disorders do not result from increased physiologic alterations. We must elicit a history of SAA in these patients, because the history may play a role in the discrepancy between symptom reporting and objective measurements and may modify treatment recommendations.