Adam C. Fields

Discharge Destination After Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of Postdischarge Outcomes, Placement Risk Factors, and Recent Trends

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare risk of postdischarge adverse events in elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients by discharge destination, identify risk factors for inpatient discharge placement and postdischarge adverse events, and stratify TJA patients based on these risk factors to identify the most appropriate discharge destination. METHODS Patients who underwent elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty from 2011 to 2013 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were assessed using perioperative variables. RESULTS A total of 106,360 TJA patients were analyzed. The most common discharge destinations included home (70%), skilled nursing facility (SNF) (19%), and inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF; 11%). Bivariate analysis revealed that rates of postdischarge adverse events were higher in SNF and IRF patients (all P ≤ .001). In multivariate analysis controlling for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and incidence of complication predischarge, SNF and IRF patients were more likely to have postdischarge severe adverse events (SNF: odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, P ≤ .001; IRF: OR: 1.59, P ≤ .001) and unplanned readmission (SNF: OR: 1.42, P ≤ .001; IRF: OR: 1.38, P ≤ .001). After stratifying patients by strongest independent risk factors (OR: ≥1.15, P ≤ .05) for adverse outcomes after discharge, we found that home discharge is the optimal strategy for minimizing rate of severe 30-day adverse events after discharge (P ≤ .05 for 5 out of 6 risk levels) and unplanned 30-day readmissions (P ≤ .05 for 6 out of 7 risk levels). Multivariate analysis revealed incidence of severe adverse events predischarge, female gender, functional status, body mass index >40, smoking, diabetes, pulmonary disease, hypertension, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3/4 as independent predictors of nonhome discharge (all P ≤ .001). CONCLUSION SNF or IRF discharge increases the risk of postdischarge adverse events compared to home. Modifiable risk factors for nonhome discharge and postdischarge adverse events should be addressed preoperatively to improve patient outcomes across discharge settings.

Short-term complications in hip fracture surgery using spinal versus general anaesthesia

BACKGROUND Spinal anaesthesia when compared to general anaesthesia has been shown to decrease postoperative morbidity in orthopaedic surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in thirty-day morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery with spinal versus general anaesthesia. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality and Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to identify patients who underwent hip fracture surgery with general or spinal anaesthesia between 2010 and 2012 using CPT codes 27245 and 27244. Patient characteristics, complications, and mortality rates were compared. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of thirty-day complications. Stratified propensity scores were employed to adjust for potential selection bias between cohorts. RESULTS 6133 patients underwent hip fracture surgery with spinal or general anaesthesia; 4318 (72.6%) patients underwent fracture repair with general anaesthesia and 1815 (27.4%) underwent fracture repair with spinal anaesthesia. The spinal anaesthesia group had a lower unadjusted frequency of blood transfusions (39.34% versus 45.49%; p<0.0001), deep vein thrombosis (0.72% versus 1.64%; p=0.004), urinary tract infection (8.87% versus 5.76%; p<0.0001), and overall complications (45.75% versus 48.97%; p=0.001). The length of surgery was shorter in the spinal anaesthesia group (55.81 versus 65.36 min; p<0.0001). After multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders, general anaesthesia (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.47; p=0.0002) was significantly associated with increased risk for complication after hip fracture surgery. Age, female sex, body mass index, hypertension, transfusion, emergency procedure, operation time, and ASA score were risk factors for complications after hip fracture repair (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients who underwent hip fracture surgery with general anaesthesia had a higher risk of thirty-day complications as compared to patients who underwent hip fracture repair with spinal anaesthesia. Surgeons should consider using spinal anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery.

Heart rate variability as a potential indicator of positive valence system disturbance: A proof of concept investigation

One promising avenue toward a better understanding of the pathophysiology of positive emotional disturbances is to examine high-frequency heart rate variability (HRV-HF), which has been implicated as a potential physiological index of disturbances in positive emotional functioning. To date, only a few psychopathology relevant studies have systematically quantified HRV-HF profiles using more ecologically valid methods in everyday life. Using an experience-sampling approach, the present study examined both mean levels and intra-individual variability of HRV-HF - as well as comparison measures of cardiovascular arousal, sympathetic activity, and gross somatic movement - in everyday life, using ambulatory psychophysiological measurement across a six-day consecutive period among a spectrum of community adult participants with varying degrees of positive valence system disturbance, including adults with bipolar I disorder (BD; n=21), major depressive disorder (MDD; n=17), and healthy non-psychiatric controls (CTL; n=28). Groups did not differ in mean HRV-HF, but greater HRV-HF instability (i.e., intra-individual variation in HRV-HF) was found in the BD compared to both MDD and CTL groups. Subsequent analyses suggested that group differences in HRV-HF variability were largely accounted for by variations in clinician-rated manic symptoms. However, no association was found between HRV-HF variability and dimensional measures of positive affectivity. This work provides evidence consistent with a quadratic relationship between HRV-HF and positive emotional disturbance and represents a valuable step toward developing a more ecologically valid model of positive valence system disturbances and their underlying psychophysiological mechanisms within an RDoC framework.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Pain Control in Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is associated with considerable postoperative pain. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have proven effective in controlling postoperative pain in a variety of laparoscopic abdominal operations. To date, no studies have focused on TAP blocks in LVHR. Our goal was to assess whether TAP blocks reduce opioid requirements and pain scores after LVHR. STUDY DESIGN Patients undergoing LVHR were randomly assigned to receive a TAP block or placebo injection. The primary end points were cumulative opioid use at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours postoperatively and pain scores recorded at 1 and 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS Patients in the experimental TAP group (n = 52) and control group (n = 48) were comparable with respect to patient demographics and clinical characteristics. In the postanesthesia care unit, the TAP group had significantly lower pain scores than the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in the TAP group used less opioids than the control group at each time point assessed after 6 hours postoperatively (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in pain scores at 24 hours postoperatively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Transversus abdominis plane blocks given during LVHR significantly decrease both short-term postoperative opioid use and pain experienced by patients.

Surgical outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing abdominal operations: An analysis of 331,425 patients

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects >15 million individuals in the United States and is a common comorbidity in patients undergoing surgery; therefore, the association between COPD in patients and postoperative surgical outcomes was investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between COPD and postoperative morbidity, mortality, and hospital duration of stay. METHODS Patients who underwent cholecystectomy, appendectomy, small bowel resection, partial colectomy, hepatic resection, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, and ventral hernia repair with and without COPD (n = 331,425) in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2007 to 2010 were studied. The primary outcomes were 30-day morbidity, mortality, and hospital duration of stay; secondary outcomes were specific postoperative complications. RESULTS COPD was present in 12,491 patients (3.8%) undergoing the abdominal operations surveyed. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates and hospital duration of stay for patients undergoing all abdominal procedures reviewed was greater for patients with COPD compared with patients without COPD (all P < .0001, except hepatic resection). Multivariate analysis controlling for comorbidities revealed that COPD was associated independently with increased postoperative morbidity in all abdominal procedures reviewed, increased postoperative mortality after cholecystectomy, appendectomy, small bowel resection, and ventral hernia repair, and increased duration of stay after cholecystectomy, small bowel resection, partial colectomy, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, and ventral hernia repair (all P < .05). CONCLUSION Patients with COPD undergoing operative procedures in the abdomen have increased morbidity, mortality, and duration of stay. This study highlights the importance of studying potential preoperative optimization of pulmonary status in patients with COPD before operation.

Short Term Outcomes of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Few studies have assessed postoperative complications in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). The aim of this study was to assess which preoperative factors are associated with postoperative complications in rTKA. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement (NSQIP) database, we identified patients undergoing rTKA from 2010 to 2012. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and complications within thirty days of surgery were analyzed. A total of 3421 patients underwent rTKA. After adjusted analysis, dialysis (P = 0.016) was associated with minor complications. Male gender (P = 0.03), older age (P = 0.029), ASA class >2 (P = 0.017), wound class >2 (P < 0.0001), emergency operation (P = 0.038), and pulmonary comorbidity (P = 0.047) were associated with major complications.

Comparison of Short-Term Outcomes of Geriatric Distal Femur and Femoral Neck Fractures: Results From the NSQIP Database.

Purpose: To compare and contrast postoperative complications in the geriatric population following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for (DF) fractures relative to femoral neck (FN) fractures. Methods: Patients aged 65 years and older in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who underwent ORIF for FN fractures or DF fractures from 2005 to 2012 were identified. Differences in rates of any adverse events (AAEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), infectious complications, and mortality between groups were explored using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The DF cohort had a higher proportion of females (81.95% vs 71.35%, P < .001), were younger (79.41 ± 7.93 vs 82.11 ± 7.26 years old, P < .001), and had a lower age adjusted modified Charlson comorbidity index score (4.22 ± 1.32 vs 4.49 ± 1.35, P = .02). Cases with DF and FN did not differ in AAE (20.05% vs 20.20%, P = .94), SAE (12.03% vs 13.19%, P = .51), infectious complication (4.26% vs 4.22%, P = .97), hospital length of stay (7.32 ± 6.73 days vs 7.02 ± 10.67 days, P = .59), or mortality rates (4.51% vs 5.99%, P = .23). Multivariate analyses revealed that fracture type did not impact AAE (P = .28), SAE (P = .58), infectious complications (P = .83), or mortality (P = .85) rates. Conclusion: Postoperative morbidity and mortality of geriatric patients who sustain DF and FN fractures treated operatively were comparable. This information can be used when risk stratifying and prognosticating for elderly patients undergoing these procedures.

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis of unplanned reoperation in patients undergoing low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer

Background: The rate of unplanned reoperation for rectal cancer can provide information about surgical quality. We sought to determine factors associated with unplanned reoperation after low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for patients with rectal cancer and outcomes after these reoperations. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to conduct this retrospective study. Patients who underwent elective low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer from 2012–2014 were identified. The primary outcomes were 30‐day reoperation rates and postoperative complications. Results: A total of 454 low anterior resection patients (5.9%) and 289 abdominoperineal resection patients (8.1%) required reoperation within 30 days of their index operation. The most common reasons for reoperation were infection, bleeding, and bowel obstruction. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio: 1.5, P = .001), poor functional status (odds ratio: 2.2, P = .04), operative time (odds ratio: 1.001, P = .01), low preoperative albumin (odds ratio: 0.79, P = .04), and lack of ostomy (odds ratio, 0.66, P = .005) were independent risk factors for reoperation after low anterior resection. Smoking (odds ratio: 1.7, P = .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio: 1.8, P = .03), poor functional status (odds ratio: 2.1, P = .032), operative time (odds ratio: 1.003, P < .001), low preoperative albumin (odds ratio: 0.69, P = .007), and open approach (odds ratio: 1.5, P = .02) were independent risk factors for reoperation after abdominoperineal resection. Postoperative complication rates are high for those undergoing reoperation, often leading to non‐home discharge (P < .001) after reoperation. Conclusion: Reoperation after low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer is not uncommon. This study highlights the indications for reoperation, potentially modifiable preoperative risk factors for reoperation, and the morbidity associated with such operations.

Medical Prophylaxis of Post-Surgical Crohn’s Disease Recurrence: Towards Timely Anti-TNF Therapy

Crohn’s disease typically affects the terminal ileum and proximal colon; approximately 50% of patients will require bowel resection due to penetrating disease or stricture within 10 years of disease diagnosis [1]. Intestinal resection for these patients is not curative with up to 90% of patients demonstrating endoscopic evidence of recurrence 1 year postoperatively [1]. Risk factors for Crohn’s disease recurrence after surgical therapy include cigarette smoking, younger age, penetrating disease, shorter duration of disease prior to resection, prior surgical resections, and ileocolic disease [2]. Antibiotics, thiopurines, and steroids all have variable efficacy in reducing postoperative recurrence. In 2009, Regueiro et al. [3] provided the first evidence that infliximab administered as a postoperative prophylactic therapy could reduce endoscopic, clinical, and histologic Crohn’s disease recurrence published as a proof-of-concept randomized trial. Although only 24 patients were included in this study, 9.1% of patients receiving infliximab within 4 weeks of surgery compared to 84.6% of patients receiving placebo had endoscopic recurrence at 1 year postoperatively. Subsequent trials have shown that the administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents several weeks postoperatively effectively reduces Crohn’s recurrence and anti-TNF agents are often superior to thiopurines [4, 5]. In 2017, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) published its guidelines on the management of Crohn’s disease after surgery [2] recommending anti-TNF therapy and/or thiopurines within 8 weeks of surgery as first-line pharmacological prophylaxis for disease recurrence. To date, there have been no studies assessing the percentage of high-risk Crohn’s patients actually receiving timely postoperative anti-TNF therapy and evaluating and analyzing the factors associated with delayed administration. In this issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, CohenMekelburg et al. [6] set out to determine the percentage of high-risk Crohn’s disease patients receiving postoperative prophylactic anti-TNF agents as well as the risk factors associated with delays in initiation of such medications. The authors hypothesized that specific patient factors, prior anti-TNF therapy, and the type of treatment center would impact the timing of postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy. To validate this hypothesis, a retrospective cohort study was carried out in 84 patients who were deemed by two independent reviewers at high risk for disease recurrence and were likely to benefit from postoperative biologic therapy. The authors found that 69% of patients had greater than a 4-week delay and 56% of patients had greater than an 8-week delay in starting postoperative biologic prophylaxis. Moreover, the authors found that patients with public insurance were more likely to have delays in initiating biologic therapy, whereas patients receiving preoperative biologic therapy or who received care at an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center were more likely to have timely therapy. Two specific methodological strengths of the study are the assessment of high risk of recurrence Crohn’s patients by two independent reviewers and a sensitivity analysis including immunomodulators and biologics. This is the first study to highlight the significant percentage of high-risk Crohn’s disease patients that have delayed postoperative biologic therapy. It is important to note, however, that the AGA Crohn’s disease postsurgical management guidelines were not published until 2017, after the current investigation’s completion (2016). Therefore, although the results of the Regueiro study examining the efficacy of postoperative biologic prophylaxis were published in 2009, the impetus to start biologics postoperatively may have been provider-specific as there were no formal published guidelines available prior to 2017. Therefore, an updated analysis * Nelya Melnitchouk nmelnitchouk@bwh.harvard.edu