Differences in Surgical Cancer Care Delivery and Outcomes Between Safety-Net and Non-Safety-Net Hospitals in the United States: A Comprehensive Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the association of safety-net hospitals (SNHs) with outcomes of surgical care in cancer patients have demonstrated mixed results. We sought to systematically investigate the association of SNH status with measures of surgical cancer care delivery and outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature identified from the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tool. The findings were synthesized qualitatively. RESULTS: Of the 1749 records identified, 33 retrospective studies were included, 79% of which investigated national databases. Risk of bias assessment revealed average score of 78%. Among studies assessing each outcome, lower likelihood of receiving appropriate surgical interventions in SNH patients was reported by 85%; longer intervals to surgery by 100%; and prolonged hospital stays by 73%. Most studies reported no differences in survival (65%) or readmission (67%). Results were mixed regarding complications and mortality. Patient characteristics and shortage of resources and interdisciplinary teams were frequently proposed factors for observed disparities. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients at SNHs may be less likely to undergo some surgical treatments and experience longer intervals to treatment but achieve largely comparable short- and long-term outcomes to non-SNH patients.

Ultrasound as a standalone tool for the management of pediatric calvarial dermoid cysts.

PURPOSE: Calvarial dermoid and epidermoid cysts are benign lesions common in pediatric neurosurgery. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, with frequent but inconsistent use of imaging. Dermoids have been shown to possess distinct sonographic features, but ultrasound (US) remains underutilized in their management. The purpose of this study is to investigate the independent reliability of US in managing pediatric calvarial dermoids and distinguishing them from other calvarial lesions. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients ≤ 21 years of age with surgically resected calvarial masses between 2017-2024 was performed. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were analyzed. Pearson chi-squared tests were used for comparison of categorical variables and a binomial linear model was generated controlling for age, lesion tenderness, growth, and suture location. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients with 61 lesions (31 in females; median age 13 months) were included. Dermoids were more common in younger patients (median age 12 months), along suture lines, and were less likely to present with tenderness (p < 0.001) or rapid growth (p = 0.003). Ultrasound was used in 83% of cases and was the sole imaging modality in 33%. On multivariate analysis, suture location was a significant positive predictor of a dermoid diagnosis (OR = 8.08, 95% CI = 1.67-44.18), while rapid growth was a significant negative predictor (OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.003-0.80). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound presents a sensitive and reliable method for the evaluation of most pediatric calvarial lesions, especially dermoid cysts, and warrants being part of standard workup. With appropriate patient selection, US obviates the need for additional imaging in pediatric patients.

Infection rate correlated with time to repair of open neural tube defects (myelomeningoceles): an institutional and national study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal time to closure of a newborn with an open neural tube defect (NTD-myelomeningocele) has been the subject of a number of investigations. One aspect of timing that has received attention is its relationship to repair site and central nervous system (CNS) infection that can lead to irreversible deficits and prolonged hospital stays. No studies have evaluated infection as a function of surgical timing at a national level. We hypothesized an increase in wound infection in those patients with delays in myelomeningocele repair when evaluated in both a single-center and national database. METHODS: Treatment outcomes following documented times to transfer and closure were evaluated at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) for the years 2004 to 2014. Data of newborns with a myelomeningocele with varying time to repair were also obtained from non-overlapping abstracts of the 2000-2010 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Poisson multivariable regression analyses were used to assess the effect of time to repair on infection and time to discharge. RESULTS: At CHLA, 95 neonates who underwent myelomeningocele repair were identified, with a median time from birth to treatment of 1 day. Six (6 %) patients were noted to have postrepair complications. CHLA data was not sufficiently powered to detect a difference in infection following delay in closure. In the NIS, we identified 3775 neonates with repaired myelomeningocele of whom infection was reported in 681 (18 %) patients. There was no significant difference in rates of infection between same-day and 1-day wait times (p = 0.22). Wait times of two (RR = 1.65 [1.23, 2.22], p < 0.01) or more days (RR = 1.88 [1.39, 2.54], p < 0.01), respectively, experienced a 65 % and 88 increase in rates of infection compared to same-day procedures. Prolonged wait time was 32 % less likely at facilities with increased myelomeningocele repair volume (RR = 0.68 [0.56 0.83], p < 0.01). The presence of infection was associated with a 54 % (RR = 1.54 [1.36, 1.74], p < 0.01) increase in the length of stay when compared to neonates without infection. CONCLUSION: Myelomeningocele closure, when delayed more than 1 day after birth, is associated with an increased rate of infection and length of stay in the national cohort. High-volume centers are associated with fewer delays to repair. Though constrained by limitations of a national coded database, these results suggest that early myelomeningocele repair decreases the rate of infection.

Risk factors associated with the surgical management of craniopharyngiomas in pediatric patients: analysis of 1961 patients from a national registry database.

OBJECTIVE Patient demographic characteristics, hospital volume, and admission status have been shown to impact surgical outcomes of sellar region tumors in adults; however, the data available following the resection of craniopharyngiomas in the pediatric population remain limited. The authors sought to identify potential risk factors associated with outcomes following surgical management of pediatric craniopharyngiomas. METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database and Kids' Inpatient Database were analyzed to include admissions for pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent a transcranial or transsphenoidal craniotomy for resection of a craniopharyngioma. Patient-level factors, including age, race, comorbidities, and insurance type, as well as hospital factors were collected. Outcomes analyzed included mortality rate, endocrine and nonendocrine complications, hospital charges, and length of stay. A multivariate model controlling for variables analyzed was constructed to examine significant independent risk factors. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2011, 1961 pediatric patients were identified who underwent a transcranial (71.2%) or a transsphenoidal (28.8%) craniotomy for resection of a craniopharyngioma. A major predilection for age was observed with the selection of a transcranial (23.4% in < 7-year-olds, 28.1% in 7- to 12-year-olds, and 19.7% in 13- to 18-year-olds) versus transphenoidal (2.9% in < 7-year-olds, 7.4% in 7- to 12-year-olds, and 18.4% in 13- to 18-year-olds) approach. No significant outcomes were associated with a particular surgical approach, except that 7- to 12-year-old patients had a higher risk of nonendocrine complications (relative risk [RR] 2.42, 95% CI 1.04-5.65, p = 0.04) with the transsphenoidal approach when compared with 13- to 18-year-old patients. The overall inpatient mortality rate was 0.5% and the most common postoperative complication was diabetes insipidus (64.2%). There were no independent factors associated with inpatient mortality rates and no significant differences in outcomes among groups based on sex and race. The average length of stay was 11.8 days, and the mean hospital charge was $116,5 22. Hospitals with medium and large bed capacity were protective against nonendocrine complications (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.3-0.93, p = 0.03 [medium]; RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.8, p < 0.01 [large]) and total complications (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.97, p = 0.03 [medium]; RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.9, p < 0.01 [large]) when compared with hospitals with small bed capacity (< 200 beds). Patients admitted to rural hospitals had an increased risk for nonendocrine complications (RR 2.56, 95% CI 1.11-5.9, p = 0.03). The presence of one or more medical comorbidities increased the risk of higher total complications (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.68), p < 0.01 [1 comorbidity]; RR 2.37, 95% CI 1.98-2.84, p < 0.01 [≥ 2 comorbidities]) and higher total hospital charges (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.08-7.81, p = 0.04 [1 comorbidity]; RR 9.1, 95% CI 3.74-22.12, p < 0.01 [≥ 2 comorbidities]). CONCLUSIONS This analysis identified patient age, comorbidities, insurance type, hospital bed capacity, and rural or nonteaching hospital status as independent risk factors for postoperative complications and/or increased hospital charges in pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma. Transsphenoidal surgery in younger patients with craniopharyngioma was a risk factor for nonendocrine complications.

Intracranial hypertension after surgical correction for craniosynostosis: a systematic review.

OBJECT The authors' aim was perform a systematic review on the incidence of intracranial hypertension (IH) after surgery for craniosynostosis. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed to assess the rate of postoperative IH in studies published between 1985 and 2014. Inclusion criteria were 1) English-language literature; 2) human subjects; 3) pediatric cases; and 4) postoperative IH confirmed with invasive intracranial pressure monitoring. RESULTS Seven studies met inclusion criteria. IH was reported to be present in 5% of patients postoperatively with sagittal synostosis and 4% of patients with all forms of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. Inadequate numbers were available to determine the incidence of postoperative IH for syndromic and individual nonsyndromic sutural synostosis based on the inclusion criteria. Surgical groups were subdivided into cranial remodeling procedures without orbital advancement and craniofacial procedures with orbital advancement. IH was reported to be present in 5% of patients with all forms of nonsyndromic sutural stenosis after cranial remodeling procedures and 1% after craniofacial advancement. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative development of elevated intracranial pressure has been described by multiple institutions, but the variation in how IH is determined and the multiple surgical procedures to correct craniosynostosis has limited the number of studies subject to a meta-analysis. Nonetheless, this entity deserves special attention, and further studies are required to determine the true incidence of postoperative IH, including the role of various surgical procedures on its incidence. The long-term consequences of chronic IH in this group of patients also need to be evaluated.

Ventriculopleural shunts in a pediatric population: a review of 170 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine the outcome of using the pleural space as the terminus for ventricular CSF-diverting shunts in a pediatric population. METHODS: All ventriculopleural (VPl) shunt insertions or revisions done between 1978 and 2018 in patients at Children's Hospital Los Angeles were identified. Data recorded for analysis were age, sex, weight, etiology of hydrocephalus, previous shunt history, reason for VPl shunt insertion or conversion from a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) or ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt, valve type, nature of malfunction, presence of shunt infection or pleural effusion, and conversion to a different distal site. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients (mean age 14 ± 4 years) with a VPl shunt who were followed up for a mean of 57 ± 53 months were identified. The reasons for conversion to a VPl shunt for 167 patients were previous shunt infection in 57 (34%), multiple abdominal procedures in 44 (26%), inadequate absorption of CSF in 34 (20%), abdominal pseudocyst in 25 (15%), and obesity in 7 (4%). No VPl revisions were required in 97 (57%) patients. Of the 73 (43%) patients who did require revision, the most common reason was proximal obstruction in 32 (44%). The next most frequent complication was pleural effusion in 22 (30%) and included 3 patients with shunt infection. All 22 patients with a clinically significant pleural effusion required changing the distal end of the shunt from the pleural space. Pleural effusion was more likely to occur in VPl shunts without an antisiphon valve. Of the 29 children < 10 years old, 7 (24%) developed a pleural effusion requiring a revision of the distal catheter to outside the pleural space compared with 15 (11%) who were older (p = 0.049). There were 14 shunt infections with a rate of 4.2% per procedure and 8.2% per patient. CONCLUSIONS: VPl shunts in children younger than 10 years of age have a significantly higher rate of symptomatic pleural effusion, requiring revision of the shunt's terminus to a different location. VPl shunt complication rates are similar to those of VP shunts. The technical difficulty of inserting a VPl shunt is comparable to that of a VP shunt. In a patient older than 10 years, all else being equal, the authors recommend that the distal end of a shunt be placed into the pleural space rather than the right atrium if the peritoneal cavity is not suitable.

Risk Factors for Preoperative Developmental Delay in Patients with Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis have demonstrated mild neurodevelopmental delays. This study examined potential preoperative risk factors for developmental delay. METHODS: Patients completed preoperative Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, and medical records were reviewed. Multivariate analyses of covariance and correlations were calculated. RESULTS: Participants (n = 77) were predominantly male (77.9 percent) and were aged 2 to 12 months (mean, 5.1 ± 2.3 months). Patients were classified with no delays [n = 63 (82 percent)] or delays [n = 14 (18 percent)] in one or more developmental area(s). There were no group sociodemographic differences. Prenatally, patients with delays versus no delays had lower mean gestational age in weeks (36.9 ± 2.8 weeks versus 39.1 ± 1.7 weeks; p = 0.001) with higher rates of gestational diabetes (36 percent versus 5 percent; p = 0.006) and premature rupture of membranes (14 percent versus 2 percent; p = 0.026). At birth, patients with delays had lower mean birth weight (2982 ± 714 g versus 3374 ± 544 g; p = 0.053), higher rates of respiratory distress (29 percent versus 5 percent; p = 0.005), additional medical diagnoses (57 percent versus 13 percent; p = 0.001), and longer mean neonatal intensive care unit stays (1.4 ± 1.8 weeks versus 0.2 ± 0.9 week; p = 0.002). Variables differing by group had moderate correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis that had delays in development had lower gestational age and birth weight, with more prenatal and birth complications. These factors can help identify patients who might be at risk for delay and need close monitoring. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Utility of depth electrode placement in the neurosurgical management of bottom-of-sulcus lesions: technical note.

OBJECTIVE: Small lesions at the depth of the sulcus, such as with bottom-of-sulcus focal cortical dysplasia, are not visible from the surface of the brain and can therefore be technically challenging to resect. In this technical note, the authors describe their method of using depth electrodes as landmarks for the subsequent resection of these exacting lesions. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on pediatric patients who had undergone invasive electroencephalography with depth electrodes that were subsequently used as guides for resection in the period between July 2015 and June 2017. RESULTS: Ten patients (3-15 years old) met the criteria for this study. At the same time as invasive subdural grid and/or strip insertion, between 2 and 4 depth electrodes were placed using a hand-held frameless neuronavigation technique. Of the total 28 depth electrodes inserted, all were found within the targeted locations on postoperative imaging. There was 1 patient in whom an asymptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage was demonstrated on postprocedural imaging. Depth electrodes aided in target identification in all 10 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Depth electrodes placed at the time of invasive intracranial electrode implantation can be used to help localize, target, and resect primary zones of epileptogenesis caused by bottom-of-sulcus lesions.

Perfusion-based human cadaveric specimen as a simulation training model in repairing cerebrospinal fluid leaks during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE Competency in endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) to repair high-flow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks is an essential component of the neurosurgical training process. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a simulation model for EEA repair of anterior skull base CSF leaks. METHODS Human cadaveric specimens were utilized with a perfusion system to simulate a high-flow CSF leak. Neurological surgery residents (postgraduate year 3 or greater) performed a standard EEA to repair a CSF leak using a combination of fat, fascia lata, and pedicled nasoseptal flaps. A standardized 5-point Likert questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge gained, techniques learned, degree of safety, benefit of CSF perfusion during repair, and pre- and posttraining confidence scores. RESULTS Intrathecal perfusion of fluorescein-infused saline into the ventricular/subarachnoid space was successful in 9 of 9 cases. The addition of CSF reconstitution offered the residents visual feedback for confirmation of intraoperative CSF leak repair. Residents gained new knowledge and a realistic simulation experience by rehearsing the psychomotor skills and techniques required to repair a CSF leak with fat and fascial grafts, as well as to prepare and rotate vascularized nasoseptal flaps. All trainees reported feeling safer with the procedure in a clinical setting and higher average posttraining confidence scores (pretraining 2.22 ± 0.83, posttraining 4.22 ± 0.44, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Perfusion-based human cadaveric models can be utilized as a simulation training model for repairing CSF leaks during EEA.

Surgical management of hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage in the preterm infant.

OBJECT Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) in the preterm infant remains a major neurological complication of prematurity. The authors first described insertion of a specially designed low-profile subcutaneous ventricular catheter reservoir for temporary management of hydrocephalus in 1983. This report presents the follow-up experience with the surgical management of PHH in this population and describes outcomes both in infants who were stable for permanent shunt insertion and those initially temporized with a ventricular reservoir (VR) prior to permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP)/ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt placement. METHODS A retrospective review was undertaken of the medical records of all premature infants surgically treated for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) between 1997 and 2012 at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. RESULTS Over 14 years, 91 preterm infants with PHH were identified. Fifty neonates received temporizing measures via a VR that was serially tapped for varying time periods. For the remaining 41 premature infants, VP/VA shunt placement was the first procedure. Patients with a temporizing measure as their initial procedure had undergone CSF diversion significantly earlier in life than those who had permanent shunting as the initial procedure (29 vs 56 days after birth, p < 0.01). Of the infants with a VR as their initial procedure, 5/50 (10%) did not undergo subsequent VP/VA shunt placement. The number of shunt revisions and the rates of loculated hydrocephalus and shunt infection did not statistically differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients with initial VR insertion as a temporizing measure received a CSF diversion procedure significantly earlier than those who received a permanent shunt as their initial procedure. Otherwise, the outcomes with regard to shunt revisions, loculated hydrocephalus, and shunt infection were not different for the 2 groups.

Trends in hospitalization of preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus in the United States, 2000-2010.

OBJECT Even with improved prenatal and neonatal care, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs in approximately 25%-30% of preterm infants, with a subset of these patients developing hydrocephalus. This study was undertaken to describe current trends in hospitalization of preterm infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). METHODS The KID and NIS were combined to generate data for the years 2000-2010. All neonatal discharges with ICD-9-CM codes for preterm birth with IVH alone or with IVH and hydrocephalus were included. RESULTS There were 147,823 preterm neonates with IVH, and 9% of this group developed hydrocephalus during the same admission. Of patients with Grade 3 and 4 IVH, 25% and 28%, respectively, developed hydrocephalus in comparison with 1% and 4% of patients with Grade 1 and 2 IVH, respectively. Thirty-eight percent of patients with PHH had permanent ventricular shunts inserted. Mortality rates were 4%, 10%, 18%, and 40%, respectively, for Grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 IVH during initial hospitalization. Length of stay has been trending upward for both groups of IVH (49 days in 2000, 56 days in 2010) and PHH (59 days in 2000, 70 days in 2010). The average hospital cost per patient (adjusted for inflation) has also increased, from $201,578 to $353,554 (for IVH) and $260,077 to $495,697 (for PHH) over 11 years. CONCLUSIONS The number of neonates admitted with IVH has increased despite a decrease in the number of preterm births. Rates of hydrocephalus and mortality correlated closely with IVH grade. The incidence of hydrocephalus in preterm infants with IVH remained stable between 8% and 10%. Over an 11-year period, there was a progressive increase in hospital cost and length of stay for preterm neonates with IVH and PHH that may be explained by a concurrent increase in the proportion of patients with congenital cardiac anomalies.

Cross-Sectional Analysis on Racial and Economic Disparities Affecting Mortality in Preterm Infants with Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Despite major advances in medicine, racial and socioeconomic disparities continue to affect health care outcomes. Higher overall infant mortality has been reported for black neonates compared with their Hispanic and white counterparts. The underlying basis for these differences remains unclear. A potential influencing factor is the management of premature neurologic complications in this disadvantaged group. This study examines racial and socioeconomic disparities on mortality in preterm infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). METHODS: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Kids Inpatient Database were combined from 2000 to 2010. Discharges with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for preterm births with intraventricular hemorrhage and PHH were included. Relative risk (RR) ratios for mortality, complications, length of stay, and hospital costs were obtained with multivariate analysis after controlling for patient-level, hospital-level, and admission-level factors. RESULTS: When controlling for patient and hospital factors, black neonates had increased mortality compared with whites and Hispanics (RR = 1.47; P < 0.01). This association existed despite lower rates of congenital cardiac defects (RR = 0.84; P < 0.01), gastrointestinal complications (RR = 0.84; P < 0.01), and general complications of prematurity (RR = 0.95; P = 0.04) in the black cohort. Preterm infants insured by Medicaid had increased mortality compared with those with private insurance (RR = 1.2; P = 0.04) after adjusting for patient and hospital factors. CONCLUSIONS: Among preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage and resultant PHH, black infants and those insured by Medicaid have significantly increased mortality but these 2 effects are independent. Further studies are needed to fully understand the factors affecting these racial and socioeconomic disparities.