Amanda L. Walters

Comparison of generic versus specific quality-of-life scales for mesh hernia repairs.

BACKGROUND With the use of mesh shown to considerably reduce recurrence rates for hernia repair and the subsequent improvement in clinical outcomes, focus has now been placed on quality-of-life outcomes in patients undergoing these repairs, specifically, as they relate to the mesh prosthesis. Traditionally, quality of life after hernia surgery, like many other medical conditions, has been tested using the generic SF-36 survey. The SF-36 quality-of-life survey, although well studied and validated, may not be ideal for patients undergoing hernia repairs. We propose a new quality-of-life survey, the Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS), pertaining specifically to patients undergoing hernia repair with mesh; our goal was to test the validity and reliability of this survey. STUDY DESIGN The CCS questionnaire was mailed to 1,048 patients to assess its acceptability, responsiveness, and psychometric properties. The survey sample included patients who were at least 6 months out after hernia repair with mesh. Patients were asked to fill out the CCS and the generic SF-36 questionnaires, four questions comparing the two surveys, and their overall satisfaction relating to their hernia repair and mesh. RESULTS The reliability of the CCS was confirmed by Cronbachs alpha coefficient (0.97). Test-retest validity was supported by the correlation found between two different administrations of the CCS; both Spearmans correlation coefficient and the kappa coefficient were important for each question of the CCS. Assessment of its discriminant validity showed that both the mean and median scores for satisfied patients were considerably lower than those for dissatisfied patients. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by the marked correlations found between the CCS and SF-36 questionnaire scales. When comparing the two surveys, 72% of patients preferred the CCS questionnaire, 80% believed it was easier to understand, 66% thought it was more reflective of their condition, and 69% said they would rather fill it out over the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS The CCS better assesses quality of life and satisfaction of patients who have undergone surgical hernia repair than the generic SF-36.

Prospective, Long-Term Comparison of Quality of Life in Laparoscopic Versus Open Ventral Hernia Repair

Objectives:To compare laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) versus open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) for quality of life (QOL), complications, and recurrence in a large, prospective, multinational study. Introduction:As recurrence rates have decreased for LVHR and OVHR, QOL has become an extremely important differentiating outcomes measure. Methods:A prospective, international database was queried from September 2007 to July 2011 for LVHR and OVHR. Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) was utilized to quantify QOL (pain, movement limitation, and mesh sensation) preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results:A total of 710 repairs included 402 OVHR and 308 LVHR. Demographics were mean age 57.1 ± 13.3 years, 49.6% male, 21.7% recurrent hernias, mean body mass index of 30.3 ± 6.6, and mean defect size of 89.4 ± 130.8. Preoperatively, 56.9% had pain, and 53.2% experienced movement limitation. At 1-month follow-up, 587 (82.7%) patients were provided CCS scores; more LVHR patients experienced pain (P < 0.001) and movement limitations (P < 0.001). At 6 and 12 months, there were no differences in QOL with 466 (65.6%) and 478 (67.3%) patients responding, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, LVHR was independently associated with more frequent discomfort [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, confidence interval (CI): 1.2–3.1], movement limitation (OR = 1.6, CI: 1.0–2.7), and overall symptoms (OR = 1.6, CI: 1.0–2.6) at 1 month. LVHR resulted in a shorter length of stay (LOS) (P < 0.001) and fewer infections (P = 0.004), but overall complication rates were equal. Recurrence rates were also equal (P = 0.66). Conclusion:In the largest, prospective QOL study comparing LVHR and OVHR, LVHR is associated with a decrease in QOL in the short term. LOS and infection rates are decreased in LVHR, but overall complication and recurrence rates are equal.

Prospective, comparative study of postoperative quality of life in TEP, TAPP, and modified Lichtenstein repairs.

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP), transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), or modified Lichtenstein (ML) hernia repairs. Methods:The International Hernia Mesh Registry (2007–2010) was interrogated. 2086 patients who underwent 2499 inguinal hernia repairs were identified. A Carolinas Comfort Score was self-reported at 1-, 6-, 12-months and results were compared. Subgroups analysis and logistic regression were used to identify confounders and to control for significant variables. Results:One hundred seventy-two patients met the exclusion criteria. The distribution of unilateral procedures was TEP (n = 217), TAPP (n = 331), and ML (n = 953). Average follow-up was 12 months. Use of >10 tacks, lack of prostate pathology, recurrent hernia repairs, and bilateral hernia repairs were significant predictors of postoperative pain. One month after surgery 8.9%, 16.6%, and 16.5% were symptomatic for TEP (P = 0.038 vs. ML), TAPP and ML, respectively. At 6 months and 1 year no differences were observed. The number of tacks used varied significantly, with 18.1% of TAPP and 2.3% of TEP with >10 tacks (P = 0.005). The incidence of hernia recurrences were equivalent: TEP (0.42%), TAPP (1.34%), and ML (1.27%). The number or type of tacks utilized did not impact recurrence rates. Conclusion:Use of >10 tacks doubles the incidence of early postoperative pain while having no effect on rates of recurrence. There was no difference in chronic postoperative pain comparing ML, TEP, and TAPP including when controlled for tack use.

A review of factors that affect mortality following colectomy.

BACKGROUND The tightening focus on optimizing surgical outcomes has pushed tracking perioperative mortality to the forefront of interest. The goal of this study is to analyze factors affecting mortality after colorectal resection at a single tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected from a prospective database for all patients undergoing a colorectal resection at our institution over a 12-y period. Data points included patient demographics, comorbidities, operative details, clinical presentation, postoperative complications, and mortality. RESULTS A total of 1245 patients were evaluated with 41 deaths (3.3%). Our population was 51% male with an average age of 60.1 ± 15.2 y, mean BMI of 27.5 ± 6.4 kg/m(2), average ASA score of 2.6 ± 0.9, and average of 2.2 ± 1.9 comorbidities. Preoperative factors associated with increased mortality included age, high ASA score, emergent surgery, and the presence of bowel perforation or obstruction (P < 0.05). Intra- and postoperative factors including the transfusion of blood products, length of resection, subtotal colectomy, open versus laparoscopic procedures, the need for reoperation, diagnosis and postoperative complications negatively impact survival (P < 0.05). Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that high ASA score, emergent procedure, subtotal colectomy, age, obstruction, and open resection as the independent predictors of mortality in a stepwise logistic regression model (P < 0.10). CONCLUSION Preoperative ASA, emergent procedure, age, open procedure, subtotal colectomy, and obstruction were the independent predictors of mortality in our review. Preoperative optimization and counseling of elderly patients with a high ASA score and/or those requiring an emergency operation should be utilized by surgeons in an effort to improve surgical mortality and patient education.

Erratum to: Tacks, staples, or suture: method of peritoneal closure in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair effects early quality of life

Introduction TAPP inguinal hernia repair (IHR) entails the development of a peritoneal flap (PF) in order to reduce the hernia sac and create a preperitoneal space in which to place mesh. Many methods for closure of the PF exist including sutures, tacks, and staples. We hypothesized that patients who had PF closure with suture would have better short-term QOL outcomes.

Medical malpractice and hernia repair: An analysis of case law

BACKGROUND Litigation analysis and clinician education are essential to reduce the number and cost of malpractice claims. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics and legal outcomes of medical malpractice litigation initiated by patients having undergone a hernia repair operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Published civil suits were obtained from a legal database for state and federal decisions constituting case law. The published material includes information on defendants, plaintiffs, allegations, outcomes, and a variety of legal issues. A retrospective review of 44 published cases from 25 states was performed. RESULTS Complications were present in 20 of 44 (45%) suits, four (9%) of which were because of infection. Death occurred in five (11%) cases, and failure to obtain informed consent was alleged in seven (16%) of the suits. Retained foreign bodies were present in 7 of the 44 (16%) suits. Other allegations included incorrect surgical technique, insufficient need for surgery, and emotional distress. Most (64%) patients initiating malpractice litigation were male, and inguinal, hiatal, and ventral hernia repairs account for 39%, 27%, and 14% of cases, respectively. Most suits (40%) were initiated in Southern states. Surgical mesh was indicated in 5 of 44 (11%) suits but four of five were unrelated to the suit. One patient initiated litigation because of the fact that the surgeon did not use mesh during surgery, which was discussed preoperatively during the informed consent. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in 12 of 44 (27%) suits, with compensation ranging from roughly

Nationwide inpatient sample: have antireflux procedures undergone regionalization?

19,000 to

Carolinas Comfort Scale as a Measure of Hernia Repair Quality of Life: A Reappraisal Utilizing 3788 International Patients.

8,000,000. Louisiana and New York had six and seven suits each, which appears disproportionate given their respective populations. CONCLUSION Complications and death resulting from alleged clinical negligence play a significant role in both the initiation and the outcome of malpractice litigation. Retained foreign bodies and lack of informed consent account for roughly one-third of malpractice litigation associated with hernia repairs. Many of these suits may be avoided with proper patient education and documentation of such along with standard operative preventative measures.

Mortality in hepatectomy: Model for End-Stage Liver Disease as a predictor of death using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

The Nissen fundoplication was introduced in 1956 by Rudolph Nissen and is a proven, effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The laparoscopic technique was first described in 1991 by Bernard Dallemagne and has also been shown to be safe and effective in treatment of GERD. From 1990 to 1997, antireflux surgery rates almost tripled and peaked in 1999, which was followed by a steady decline through 2006. The decline in surgical volume has been partially attributed to a question of the longterm effectiveness of antireflux surgery, where re-operation can often become required, and many patients require acid suppression medications post-operatively. –11 The decline of operative intervention has also been attributed to the availability of over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors, new endoscopic therapies for treating GERD, and the rise of bariatric surgery. 7 Increasing outpatient antireflux procedures has also been examined as a potential cause for the decrease of inpatient cases. However, analysis of outpatient data in several states has revealed that the decrease in inpatient procedures in not nearly matched by the volume of outpatient procedures. The effect of hospital volume on mortality has been demonstrated since the 1970s, but the literature describing this effect rapidly increased in the late 1990s. –17 This lead to a call for regionalization of many procedures on a national level by the year 2000. Regionalization has been demonstrated for many complex procedures, oncologic and otherwise. 20 The timing of the national call for regionalization coincided closely with the peak of antireflux surgery. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in antireflux surgery to determine the extent of regionalization, if any at all, in the decade following the zenith of antireflux surgery.

Impact of common crystalloid solutions on resuscitation markers following Class I hemorrhage: A randomized control trial.

Objective: The goal of the present study was to reaffirm the psychometric properties of the CCS using an expansive, multinational cohort. Background: The Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) is a validated, disease-specific, quality of life (QOL) questionnaire developed for patients undergoing hernia repair. Methods: The data were obtained from the International Hernia Mesh Registry, an American, European, and Australian prospective, hernia repair database designed to capture information delineating patient demographics, surgical findings, and QOL using the CCS at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Results: A total of 3788 patients performed 11,060 postoperative surveys. Patient response rates exceeded 80% at 1 year postoperatively. Acceptability was demonstrated by an average of less than 2 missing items per survey. The formal test of reliability revealed a global Cronbachs alpha exceeding 0.95 for all hernia types. Test-retest validity was supported by the correlation found between 2 different administrations of the CCS using the kappa coefficient. Principal component analysis identified 2 components with a good distribution of variance, with the first component explaining approximately 60% of the variance, regardless of hernia type. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing survey responses and use of pain medication at 1 month postoperatively and analysis revealed that symptomatic patients demonstrated significantly higher odds of requiring pain medication in all activity domains and for all hernia types. Conclusions: The present study confirms that the CCS questionnaire is a validated, sensitive, and robust instrument for assessing QOL after hernia repair, which has become a predominant outcome measure in this discipline of surgery.