Predictive factors of prolonged postoperative length of stay after anatomic pulmonary resection.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to create a predictive model of prolonged postoperative length of stay (PLOS) in patients undergoing anatomic lung resection, to validate it in an external series and to evaluate the influence of PLOS on readmission and 90-day mortality. METHODS: All patients registered in the GEVATS database discharged after the intervention were included. We define PLOS as the postoperative stay in days above the 75th percentile of stay for all patients in the series. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression and the model was validated in an external cohort. The possible association between PLOS and readmission and mortality at 90 days was analyzed. RESULTS: 3473 patients were included in the study. The median postoperative stay was 5 days (IQR: 4-7). 815 patients had PLOS (≥8 days), of which 79.9% had postoperative complications. The final model included as variables: age, BMI, male sex, ppoFEV1%, ppoDLCO% and thoracotomy; the AUC in the referral series was 0.684 (95% CI: 0.661-0.706) and in the validation series was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.681-0.78). A significant association was found between PLOS and readmission (p < .000) and 90-day mortality (p < .000). CONCLUSIONS: The variables age, BMI, male sex, ppoFEV1%, ppoDLCO% and thoracotomy affect PLOS. PLOS is associated with an increased risk of readmission and 90-day mortality. 20% of PLOS are not related to the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Mortality predictors in complicated patients after anatomical lung resection.

INTRODUCTION: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as the mortality rate among patients suffering from postoperative complications, is considered an indicator of the quality of surgical care. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with FTR after anatomical lung resections. METHOD: Patients undergoing anatomical lung resection at our center between 1994 and 2018 were included in the study. Postoperative complications were classified as minor (grade I and II) and major (grade IIIA to V), according to the standardized classification of postoperative morbidity. Patients who died after a major complication were considered FTR. A stepwise logistic regression model was created to identify FTR predictors. Independent variables included in the multivariate analysis were age, body mass index, cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular comorbidity, ppoFEV1%, VATS approach, extended resection, pneumonectomy, and reintervention. A non-parametric ROC curve was constructed to estimate the predictive capacity of the model. RESULTS: A total of 2.569 patients were included, of which 223 (8.9%) had major complications and 49 (22%) could not be rescued. Variables associated with FTR were: age (OR: 1.07), history of cerebrovascular accident (OR: 3.53), pneumonectomy (OR: 6.67), and reintervention (OR: 12.26). The area under the ROC curve was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.77-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 22% of patients with major complications following anatomical lung resection in this series did not survive until discharge. Pneumonectomy and reintervention are the most significant risk factors for FTR.

Changes in the Risk of Mortality and Morbidity After Lung Resection in the Last 20 Years. / Modificación del riesgo de mortalidad y morbilidad tras resección pulmonar en los últimos 20 años.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in the risk of cardiorespiratory mortality and morbidity calculated by Eurolung risk models 1 and 2 in the last 20 years, and to identify variations in patient selection or surgical practice that might have altered the risk of death and complications after anatomical lung resections. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of a series of 2,435 consecutive patients who underwent anatomical lung resection. The population was divided into three time periods: 1994-2006 (976 cases), 2007-2015 (945 cases), and 2016-2017 (420 cases). Eurolung models 1 and 2 were applied to the series, and the individual probability of adverse effects was calculated. We compared this mean probability, and the prevalence or means of each of the variables included in the models in each period and plotted the evolution of the risk. RESULTS: A progressive decrease was observed in both adverse effects over time. The prevalence of the binary variables, except for coronary heart disease, was higher in the last period. The percentage of pneumonectomies and extended resections fell in the last two periods and the number of cases treated with VATS increased substantially in 2016-2017. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in the number of pneumonectomies and the increase in the rate of minimally invasive procedures appear to be the variables most closely associated with decreased risk. Other changes in the clinical characteristics of the patients do not seem to have influenced the outcomes.

Mortality Predictors In Complicated Patients After Anatomical Lung Resection. / Variables predictivas de muerte en pacientes complicados tras resección pulmonar anatómica.

INTRODUCTION: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as the mortality rate among patients suffering from postoperative complications, is considered an indicator of the quality of surgical care. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with FTR after anatomical lung resections. METHOD: Patients undergoing anatomical lung resection at our center between 1994 and 2018 were included in the study. Postoperative complications were classified as minor (grade I and II) and major (grade IIIA to V), according to the standardized classification of postoperative morbidity. Patients who died after a major complication were considered FTR. A stepwise logistic regression model was created to identify FTR predictors. Independent variables included in the multivariate analysis were age, body mass index, cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular comorbidity, ppoFEV1%, VATS approach, extended resection, pneumonectomy, and reintervention. A non-parametric ROC curve was constructed to estimate the predictive capacity of the model. RESULTS: A total of 2,569 patients were included, of which 223 (8.9%) had major complications and 49 (22%) could not be rescued. Variables associated with FTR were: age (OR: 1.07), history of cerebrovascular accident (OR: 3.53), pneumonectomy (OR: 6.67), and reintervention (OR: 12.26). The area under the ROC curve was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.77-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 22% of patients with major complications following anatomical lung resection in this series did not survive until discharge. Pneumonectomy and reintervention are the most significant risk factors for FTR.

[Analysis of the current situation and outlook of thoracic surgery]. / Análisis de la situación actual y previsión de futuro de la especialidad de cirugía torácica.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this descriptive study was to analyze the current situation and forecast the future requirements for specialists in thoracic surgery, taking into account the number of doctors entering and those possibly leaving this specialty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data for this study were taken from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) (n=304), Thoracic Surgeons' Club (n=122), and the Spanish Council of Medical Associations (n=225). We also took into account the current number of resident surgeons (n=84). Other specialists were included who are not recorded in these databases but who are known to be practicing (n=10). The total number of practicing specialists obtained was 211. RESULTS: There are currently 52 working thoracic surgery departments and the highest number of practicing specialists was recorded in Madrid (n=44), Catalonia (n=33), and Andalusia (n=33). The forecast number of retirements (at age 65 years) and incorporations of new specialists means that there will be a surplus of 57 thoracic surgeons in the next 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic surgery needs to limit the intake of new trainee specialists for at least the next 5 years.

Benchmarking in Thoracic Surgery. Third Edition.

INTRODUCTION: Benchmarking entails continuous comparison of efficacy and quality among products and activities, with the primary objective of achieving excellence. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of benchmarking performed in 2013 on clinical practices undertaken in 2012 in 17 Spanish thoracic surgery units. METHODS: Study data were obtained from the basic minimum data set for hospitalization, registered in 2012. Data from hospital discharge reports were submitted by the participating groups, but staff from the corresponding departments did not intervene in data collection. Study cases all involved hospital discharges recorded in the participating sites. Episodes included were respiratory surgery (Major Diagnostic Category 04, Surgery), and those of the thoracic surgery unit. Cases were labelled using codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification. The refined diagnosis-related groups classification was used to evaluate differences in severity and complexity of cases. RESULTS: General parameters (number of cases, mean stay, complications, readmissions, mortality, and activity) varied widely among the participating groups. Specific interventions (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, atypical resections, and treatment of pneumothorax) also varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: As in previous editions, practices among participating groups varied considerably. Some areas for improvement emerge: admission processes need to be standardized to avoid urgent admissions and to improve pre-operative care; hospital discharges should be streamlined and discharge reports improved by including all procedures and complications. Some units have parameters which deviate excessively from the norm, and these sites need to review their processes in depth. Coding of diagnoses and comorbidities is another area where improvement is needed.

Executive summary of the SEPAR recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. / Sumario ejecutivo de las recomendaciones SEPAR de diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas.

The Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology groups of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) have backed the publication of a handbook on recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Due to the high incidence and mortality of this disease, the best scientific evidence must be constantly updated and made available for consultation by healthcare professionals. To draw up these recommendations, we called on a wide-ranging group of experts from the different specialties, who have prepared a comprehensive review, divided into 4 main sections. The first addresses disease prevention and screening, including risk factors, the role of smoking cessation, and screening programs for early diagnosis. The second section analyzes clinical presentation, imaging studies, and surgical risk, including cardiological risk and the evaluation of respiratory function. The third section addresses cytohistological confirmation and staging studies, and scrutinizes the TNM and histological classifications, non-invasive and minimally invasive sampling methods, and surgical techniques for diagnosis and staging. The fourth and final section looks at different therapeutic aspects, such as the role of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a multidisciplinary approach according to disease stage, and other specifically targeted treatments, concluding with recommendations on the follow-up of lung cancer patients and surgical and endoscopic palliative interventions in advanced stages.

An alternative method for predicting the risk of postoperative complications in lung resection.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to design a best fit linear regression model to estimate VO2max (estimated VO2) and to compare the ability of VO2 values (measured and estimated) predicting cardiorespiratory complications in a series of patients undergoing lung resection for lung cancer. METHOD: This was a prospective, observational study performed in 83 patients. Variables analyzed were: demographic characteristics, comorbidity, body mass index (BMI), FEV1%, FVC%, diffusion capacity (DLCO%), mean daily distance walked in kilometers, VO2max measured by cardio-pulmonary exercise test (CPET) and postoperative complications. Descriptive and comparative statistical analysis of the variables was performed using the Mann-Whitney test for categorical variables and the Student's t-test for continuous variables. A new linear regression model was designed, where the dependent variable (measured VO2max) was estimated by the distance, DLCO% and age, resulting in the estimated VO2. The predictive power of the measured and estimated consumption was analyzed using the Student's t-test, grouping by the occurrence or absence of cardiorespiratory complications. RESULTS: Both groups were homogeneous for age, sex, BMI, FEV1%, DLCO%, comorbidity, type of resection performed and mean distance walked per day. Estimated VO2 and measured VO2 were normally distributed (K-Smirnov test, P>.32). VO2 means estimated by the model (age, DLCO% and mean distance walked per day) were significantly different between patients with and without complications (Student's t test, P=.037) compared with measured VO2 values, which did not differentiate groups (Student's t test, P=.42). CONCLUSION: The VO2max estimated by the model is more predictive in this case series than the VO2max measured during a standard exercise test.

Prevalence of venous thromboembolism in elective thoracic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after elective thoracic surgery in patients receiving antithrombotic prophylaxis, and to evaluate the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) after lung resection. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was designed. A total of 6004 patients were included. All patients underwent elective thoracic surgery. Prophylactic antithrombotic therapy was standardised in all cases. Patients were divided into four groups (low, moderate, high and very high) according to their thrombotic risk. The prevalence of VTE, deep vein thrombosis and PE in each group was calculated. The odds of PE for pneumonectomy was also calculated and compared to lobectomy. RESULTS: Eleven patients (0.18%) had postoperative VTE. The mean age of this subset was 65.95 years; 90.9% were diagnosed with malignant neoplasm. Some 80.8% of patients in the series and all VTE cases were included in the high risk VTE group. VTE was more common in pneumonectomy (45.45% of VTE cases, odds ratio 4.6 compared to lobectomy). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of VTE in this series was 0.18% (1.31% in pneumonectomy patients). These figures could serve as reference values for thromboembolic disease in general thoracic surgery.

Comparison between clinical and pathologic staging in 2,994 cases of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of clinical staging in lung cancer may be evaluated by comparing it against the gold standard of pathologic staging. The objective of this paper is to compare these two staging methods in a series of 2,994 lung cancer cases operated on consecutively in Spain between 1993 and 1997. METHODS: The raw frequency of agreement was used to compare clinical against pathologic staging and to assess the agreement. Kappa's index was used to determine the random effect of agreement. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent of the entire population were men, with a mean age of 64 years (median, 66; SD, 9.6). The majority of cases were classified as squamous tumors (1,774; 59%), with complete resection (2,410; 80%), and with lobectomy or bilobectomy (1,490; 55%). The most frequently found pathologic stage was pIB (997; 37%), followed by pIIIA (524; 19%). Considering the 2,377 cases with clinical and pathologic staging data, a classification coincidence was observed in 1,108 cases (47%; Kappa's index 0.248 for stages IA through IIIB). Considering the pathologic staging as the gold standard, the agreement was 75% for stages IA-IB (Kappa's index 0.56). In general, downstaging is more frequent than upstaging. CONCLUSIONS: This recent series of lung cancer showed the low diagnostic accuracy of the clinical staging as compared with the pathologic staging. Diagnostic accuracy was found to be much higher in the initial IA-IB stages, as illustrated by Kappa's index.