Amy E. Glasgow

Safety of Overlapping Surgery at a High-volume Referral Center

Objective: To compare safety profiles of overlapping and nonoverlapping surgical procedures at a large tertiary-referral center where overlapping surgery is performed. Background: Surgical procedures are frequently performed as overlapping, wherein one surgeon is responsible for 2 procedures occurring at the same time, but critical portions are not coincident. The safety of this practice has not been characterized. Methods: Primary analyses included elective, adult, inpatient surgical procedures from January 2013 to September 2015 available through University HealthSystem Consortium. Overlapping and nonoverlapping procedures were matched in an unbalanced manner (m:n) by procedure type. Confirmatory analyses from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program investigated elective surgical procedures from January 2011 to December 2014. We compared outcomes mortality and length of stay after adjustment for registry-predicted risk, case-mix, and surgeon using mixed models. Results: The University HealthSystem Consortium sample included 10,765 overlapping cases, of which 10,614 (98.6%) were matched to 16,111 nonoverlapping procedures. Adjusted odds ratio for inpatient mortality was greater for nonoverlapping procedures (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 2.14 vs overlapping procedures; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.23–3.73; P = 0.007) and length of stay was no different (+1% for nonoverlapping cases; 95% CI, −1% to +2%; P = 0.50). In confirmatory analyses, 93.7% (3712/3961) of overlapping procedures matched to 5,637 nonoverlapping procedures. The 30-day mortality (adjusted OR = 0.69 nonoverlapping vs overlapping procedures; 95% CI, 0.13–3.57; P = 0.65), morbidity (adjusted OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.92–1.35; P = 0.27) and length of stay (−4% for nonoverlapping; 95% CI, −4% to −3%; P < 0.001) were not clinically different. Conclusions: These findings from administrative and clinical registries support the safety of overlapping surgical procedures at this center but may not extrapolate to other centers.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus

Background. The safety, efficacy, and prognostic implications of resection of adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus are poorly described. Methods. A retrospective review was performed during a 30‐year period on patients who underwent resection of locally advanced, nonmetastatic adrenocortical carcinoma. We compared patients with and without inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, examining perioperative characteristics, completeness of resection, mortality, and survival. Results. We identified 65 patients who underwent resection of locally advanced (T4N0 and T4N1) adrenocortical carcinoma (28 patients with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, 37 noninferior vena cava tumor thrombus). Rate of complete resection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and short‐term postoperative morbidity was similar between groups. Overall survival was similar at 12‐months. At 24 months overall survival was less in the inferior vena cava tumor thrombus group (59% vs 30%, P = .04). Differential survival through 60‐month follow‐up favored the noninferior vena cava tumor thrombus group (36% vs 0%, P = .001). Subgroup analysis including only patients with complete resection demonstrates similar survival at 24‐months but at 36‐months survival favored the noninferior vena cava tumor thrombus patients (65% vs 29%, P = .047) and this continued through 60 months (40% vs 0%, P = .049). Conclusion. Attempt at complete resection of adrenocortical carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus seems justified particularly as short‐term safety and survival are similar to patients without inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. However, survival beyond 36‐months is limited in patients with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. Patients being evaluated for resection in the setting of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus should be selected carefully.

Racial differences in vestibular schwannoma

To estimate the impact of race on disease presentation and treatment of vestibular schwannoma (VS) in the United States.

Analysis of postoperative venous thromboembolism in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis: Is it the disease or the operation?

BACKGROUND: Patients with IBD have a higher baseline risk of venous thromboembolism, which further increases with surgery. Therefore, extended venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis has been suggested in certain high-risk cohorts. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the underlying diagnosis, operative procedure, or both influence the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review. SETTINGS: The American College of Surgeons–National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was analyzed. PATIENTS: The NSQIP database was queried for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and non-IBD undergoing colorectal resections using surgical Current Procedural Terminology codes modeled after the 3 stages used for the surgical management of chronic ulcerative colitis from 2005 to 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured 30-day postoperative venous thromboembolism risk in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis based on operative stage and risk factors for development of venous thromboembolism. RESULTS: A total of 18,833 patients met inclusion criteria, with an overall rate of venous thromboembolism of 3.8. Among procedure risk groups, venous thromboembolism rates were high risk, 4.4%; intermediate risk, 1.6%; and low risk, 0.7% (across risk groups, p < 0.01). Emergent case subjects exhibited a higher rate of venous thromboembolism than their elective counterparts (6.9% vs 3.1%). Factors significantly associated with venous thromboembolism on adjusted analysis included emergent risk case (adjusted OR = 7.85), high-risk elective case (adjusted OR = 5.07), intermediate-risk elective case (adjusted OR = 2.69), steroid use (adjusted OR = 1.54), and preoperative albumin <3.5 g/dL (adjusted OR = 1.45). LIMITATIONS: Because of its retrospective nature, correlation between procedures and venous thromboembolism risk can be demonstrated, but causation cannot be proven. In addition, data on inpatient and extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis use are not available. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent status and operative procedure are the 2 highest risk factors for postoperative venous thromboembolism. Extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis might be appropriate for patients undergoing these high-risk procedures or any emergent colorectal procedures. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A339.

Factors Associated With Positive Margins in Women Undergoing Breast Conservation Surgery

Objective: To identify factors predicting positive margins at lumpectomy prompting intraoperative reexcision in patients with breast cancer treated at a large referral center. Patients and Methods: We reviewed all breast cancer lumpectomy cases managed at our institution from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2013. Associations between rates of positive margin and patient and tumor factors were assessed using χ2 tests and univariate and adjusted multivariate logistic regression, stratified by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive cancer. Results: We identified 382 patients who underwent lumpectomy for definitive surgical resection of breast cancer, 102 for DCIS and 280 for invasive cancer. Overall, 234 patients (61.3%) required intraoperative reexcision for positive margins. The reexcision rate was higher in patients with DCIS than in those with invasive disease (78.4% [80 of 102] vs 56.4% [158 of 280]; univariate odds ratio, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.66‐4.76; P<.001). Positive margin rates did not vary by patient age, surgeon, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or ERBB2 status of the tumor. Among the 280 cases of invasive breast cancer, the only factor independently associated with lower odds of margin positivity was seed localization vs no localization (P=.03). Conclusion: Ductal carcinoma in situ was associated with a higher rate of positive margins at lumpectomy than invasive breast cancer on univariate analysis. Within invasive disease, seed localization was associated with lower rates of margin positivity.

Rates and risk factors of unplanned 30-day readmission following general and thoracic pediatric surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Postoperative unplanned readmissions are costly and decrease patient satisfaction; however, little is known about this complication in pediatric surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine rates and predictors of unplanned readmission in a multi-institutional cohort of pediatric surgical patients. METHODS Unplanned 30-day readmissions following general and thoracic surgical procedures in children <18 were identified from the 2012-2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program- Pediatric. Time-dependent rates of readmission per 30 person-days were determined to account for varied postoperative length of stay (pLOS). Patients were randomly divided into 70% derivation and 30% validation cohorts which were used for creation and validation of a risk model for readmission. RESULTS Readmission occurred in 1948 (3.6%) of 54,870 children for a rate of 4.3% per 30 person-days. Adjusted predictors of readmission included hepatobiliary procedures, increased wound class, operative duration, complications, and pLOS. The predictive model discriminated well in the derivation and validation cohorts (AUROC 0.710 and 0.701) with good calibration between observed and expected readmission events in both cohorts (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS Unplanned readmission occurs less frequently in pediatric surgery than what is described in adults, calling into question its use as a quality indicator in this population. Factors that predict readmission including type of procedure, complications, and pLOS can be used to identify at-risk children and develop prevention strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.

Readmission and Reoperation After Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Objectives We aimed to determine the rates of readmission and reoperation for patients undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File was used to select all surgeries performed for POP from 2012 through 2014. The cohort was then reviewed for unplanned readmissions and unplanned reoperations within 30 days of POP surgery. Patient and procedural factors associated with readmission or reoperation were compared using &khgr;2 analyses and Student t test. Multivariable logistic regression determined independent risk factors for both readmission and reoperation. Results A total of 23,419 patients underwent surgery for POP. Of these, there were 435 (1.9%) readmissions and 341 (1.5%) reoperations within 30 days. Median numbers of days from index procedure to readmission or reoperation were 9 and 8 days, respectively. Those who were readmitted had higher American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) scores, longer operative times, and longer lengths of stay than those who were not readmitted (all P < 0.001). Patients who underwent unplanned reoperation also had higher ASA scores, longer operative times, and longer lengths of stay than those who did not undergo reoperation (all P < 0.01). The most common reasons for readmission were surgical site infection (SSI) (19.3%) and non-SSI (15.9%). The most common reason for reoperation was urologic (27.6%) such as cystoscopy or stent placement. Conclusions Readmission and reoperation rates are relatively low for patients undergoing surgery for POP. Infection, both SSI and non-SSI, accounted for 35.2% of readmissions. Identification of ASA score of 3 or higher, longer total operating time, and increased length of stay is associated with unplanned readmission and reoperation.

UPDATE ON A QUALITY INITIATIVE TO OVERCOME CLINICAL INERTIA IN THE POSTOPERATIVE CARE OF INPATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

Abbreviations: DM = diabetes mellitus HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c POC-BG = point-of-care blood glucose

Minimal cosmetic revision required after minimally invasive pectus repair

BackgroundDespite surgical correction procedures for pectus deformities, remaining cosmetic asymmetry may have significant psychological effects. We sought to evaluate factors associated with plastic surgery (PS) consultation and procedures for these deformities at an academic institution.MethodsWe reviewed patients aged 0–21 diagnosed with a pectus excavatum or carinatum deformity at our institution between January 2001 and October 2016. Pectus diagnoses were identified by ICD-9/ICD-10 codes and surgical repair by CPT codes; patients receiving PS consultation were identified by clinical note service codes. Student’s t tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and Chi-squared tests were utilized.Results2158 patients were diagnosed with a pectus deformity; 442 (20.4%) underwent surgical correction. 19/442 (4.3%) sought PS consultation, either for pectus excavatum [14/19 (73.7%)], carinatum [4/19 (21.0%)], and both [1/19 (5.3%)], (p = 0.02). Patients seeking PS consultation were more likely to be female (p < 0.01), have scoliosis (p = 0.02), or undergo an open repair (p < 0.01). The need for PS consultation did not correlate with Haller index, p = 0.78.ConclusionPS consultation associated with pectus deformity repair was rare, occurring in < 5% of patients undergoing repair. Patients who consulted PS more commonly included females, patients with scoliosis, and those undergoing open repair. These patients would likely benefit most from multidisciplinary pre-operative discussions regarding repair of the global deformity.

Safety on the slopes: ski versus snowboard injuries in children treated at United States trauma centers

PURPOSE Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in injury patterns and severity between children participating in these sports treated at trauma centers in the United States. METHODS Ski and snowboard injuries in children <15 identified from the 2011-2015 National Trauma Data Bank were compared using t tests, chi squared tests, and multivariable analyses. Time trends were evaluated using the Cochran Armitage trend test. RESULTS We identified 1613 injured snowboarders and 1655 skiers. Snowboarders were older (12 vs. 11years, p<.001) and more likely to be male (84 vs. 68%, p<.001). The proportion of ski to snowboard injuries increased over time (p<.001). Skiers had greater median ISS than snowboarders (5 vs. 4, p<.001) but similar severe injuries ISS ≥16 (9 vs. 8%, p=.31). Head injuries were more frequent among snowboarders (26 vs. 23%, p=.013). Helmet use was greater in skiers (46 vs. 34%, p<.001). Skiers were more likely to sustain face, chest, and lower extremity injuries. Snowboarders had more abdominal and upper extremity injuries (p<.05). Snowboarders were more likely to undergo CT (20 vs. 16%, p=.008), and skiers were more likely to undergo surgery (25 vs. 22% p=.021). Need for intensive care (12 vs. 13%, p=.43) and mortality (0.3 vs. 0.3%, p=.75) were similar. Median length of stay was greater for skiers (2 days vs. 1day, p<.001). CONCLUSION Many children are treated at United States trauma centers for ski and snowboard injuries. One in 10 is severely injured. Different injury patterns between sports can be used to tailor prevention efforts. However, avoiding head injury and improving helmet use should be a priority for all children on the slopes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III TYPE OF STUDY: Prognostic.