Carl Rosati

Comparing outcomes of laparoscopic versus open bariatric surgery.

Objective:The objective of this study was to use nationally representative data to compare outcomes of open gastric bypass (OGB) versus laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) surgery. Background:The number of bariatric procedures continues to grow. Increasingly, these surgeries are being performed laparoscopically. However, few population-based studies have examined differences in outcomes between LGB and OGB surgeries. Population-based studies can provide further insight into differences in outcomes between open and laparoscopic bariatric procedures. Methods:Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified adults undergoing LGB or OGB surgery during 2005 (n = 19,156). Following preliminary descriptive statistics, multiple logistic and linear regressions were used to obtain risk-adjusted outcomes, including postoperative in-hospital complications, reoperation, length of stay, and total charges. Results:The majority of patients in the study sample (74.5%) underwent laparoscopic bypass surgery in 2005. After adjusting for patient and hospital level factors, patients undergoing OGB surgery were more likely to experience reoperation as well as the following complications: pulmonary (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92 (1.54–2.38), P < 0.001); cardiovascular (OR = 1.54 [1.07–2.23], P = 0.02); procedural (OR = 1.29 [1.06–1.57], P < 0.01); sepsis (OR = 2.18 [1.50–3.16], P < 0.001); and anastomotic leak (OR = 1.32 [1.02–1.71], P = 0.03). After risk adjustment, LGB was associated with a shorter length of stay but higher total charges. Conclusion:Overall, LGB patients are less likely to experience reoperation and postoperative complications in the hospital and have a shorter length of stay but incur higher total charges than OGB patients.

Impact of preinjury warfarin and antiplatelet agents on outcomes of trauma patients

BACKGROUND Warfarin and antiplatelet agents (WAA) are prevalent among trauma patients, but the impact of these agents on patient outcomes has not been clearly defined. In this study, we examined the impact of preinjury WAA on outcomes in trauma patients. METHODS A 40-month (September 2004 to December 2007) retrospective review of data in the trauma registry at a New York State level 1 trauma center was performed. Patients on WAA were compared to those not on these medications. The primary outcome of interest was mortality, and the secondary outcomes of interest were as length of stay (LOS) and disposition on discharge. A separate analysis was done for patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The chi-square test, the Student t test, and the modified Poisson regression analysis were used to estimate the incident risk ratios for the outcomes. RESULTS A total of 3,436 trauma patients were identified, of whom 456 were taking anticoagulants (warfarin, n = 91 patients; aspirin, n = 228; clopidogrel, n = 43; and various combinations, n = 94). Patients on warfarin were 3.1 times more likely to die (relative risk [RR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-6.6), after adjusting for potential confounders. Aspirin and clopidogrel were not associated with increased mortality, but WAA were associated with increased risk of ICH (49.8% vs 30.5%; RR, -1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). WAA did not affect LOS or disposition. Among patients with ICH, only warfarin increased mortality (28.9% vs 5.8%; RR, -3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.2). CONCLUSION Preinjury warfarin treatment was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality. WAA agents increased risk of ICH. Among those patients with ICH, only warfarin was associated with increased mortality. Antiplatelet agents did not affect mortality or LOS.

Management of splenic trauma: a single institution’s 8-year experience

BACKGROUND Management of splenic trauma has evolved, with current practice favoring selective angiographic embolization and non-operative treatment over immediate splenectomy. Defining the optimal selection criteria for the appropriate management strategy remains an important question. METHODS This retrospective registry review was conducted at a Level I trauma center. The patient population consisted of 20,561 patients in the State Trauma Registry from April 2004 to May 2012. Splenectomy, angiography, splenic embolization, nonoperative, and noninterventional (NI) observation were the management strategies under study. Morbidity and mortality were the outcome measures. Morbidity and mortality by management strategy. RESULTS During the 8-year study period, 926 (4.5%) patients sustained splenic injury. Observational management increased over time despite the similar distribution of splenic injury grade over the study period: grade I/II (50%), grade III (24.2%), and grade IV/V (25.8%). Mortality rates associated with each management strategy were the following: immediate splenectomy (IS; 25%), splenic embolization (SE; 3.9%), and angiography only or observation, that is, NI (6.5%) management. Injury severity score (ISS) was highest in IS (36.1 ± 1.3) compared with SE (29.1 ± 1.0, P = .001) and NI (21.6, P < .001). Splenectomy was required in 5 of the 129 (3.9%) patients managed with SE and 9 of the 677 (1.3%) patients managed by NI. Mortality was significantly lower among those managed by SE (odds ratio .12, 95% confidence interval: .05 to .32) or NI (odds ratio .21, 95% confidence interval: .12 to .35). This survival benefit was explained by the association of IS with systolic blood pressure <90, high ISS, low GCS at presentation, ISS, development of shock, need for transfusion, and multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS In this large 8-year single institution study, we observed an increase in nonoperative management by an increased application of angiography and embolization. An aggressive utilization of SE in patients with appropriate indications will result in low failure rates and improved mortality.

Predictors of In-Hospital Postoperative Complications among Adults Undergoing Bariatric Procedures in New York State, 2003

Background: Our aim was to determine the relationship between patient level characteristics and in-hospital postoperative complications among obese adults who underwent a bariatric procedure in New York state in 2003. Understanding patient level factors that predict or are associated with adverse outcomes among bariatric surgery patients can help to identify patients who need to be monitored particularly carefully. Methods: Using New Yorks inpatient discharge database, we identified adults who underwent a bariatric operation between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 (n=7,868). Following preliminary descriptive analyses, a stepwise logistic regression model was constructed to identify significant patient level predictors of postoperative complications. Patient level risk factors included age, gender, race/ethnicity, and 24 co-morbid conditions. Results: 6.8% of adults undergoing a bariatric procedure in New York in 2003 experienced one or more of the postoperative complications included in the study. Respiratory complications were the most common type of complication, with >2% of patients experiencing pneumonia, collapsed lung, and/or respiratory complications secondary to the operation. Multivariate analyses by stepwise logistic regression identified age ≥50 years, male gender, Hispanic ethnicity, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, other neurological disorders, and peptic ulcer as predictors of complications. Conclusions: Certain subpopulations of persons undergoing bariatric procedures may be at increased risk for adverse events and will need to be monitored carefully.

Gastro-Broncho-Pleural Fistula after Laparoscopic Gastric Band Placement

Laparoscopic gastric band placement is a common procedure for morbid obesity. Common complications include gastric perforation, band erosion, and band slippage. We present the first report in the literature of gastro-bronchial-pleural fistula after laparoscopic gastric band placement.

Effect of Comorbidities and Medications on Left Ventricular Mass Regression After Bariatric Surgery

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:223–227. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sharps and Needlestick Injuries Among Medical Students, Surgical Residents, Faculty, and Operating Room Staff at a Single Academic Institution

BACKGROUND The hospital is a place of high risk for sharps and needlestick injuries (SNI) and such injuries are historically underreported. METHODS This institutional review board approved study compares the incidence of SNI among all surgical personnel at a single academic institution via an anonymous electronic survey distributed to medical students, surgical residents, general surgery attendings, surgical technicians, and operating room nurses. RESULTS The overall survey response rate was 37% (195/528). Among all respondents, 55% (107/195) had a history of a SNI in the workplace. The overall report rate following an initial SNI was 64%. Surgical staff reported SNIs more frequently, with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.33 (p = 0.085) when compared with attendings. When compared with surgical attendings, medical students (IRR of 2.86, p = 0.008) and residents (IRR of 2.21, p = 0.04) were more likely to cite fear as a reason for not reporting SNIs. Approximately 65% of respondents did not report their exposure either because of the time consuming process or the patient involved was perceived to be low-risk or both. CONCLUSIONS The 2 most common reasons for not reporting SNIs at our institution are because of the inability to complete the time consuming reporting process and fear of embarrassment or punitive response because of admitting an injury. Further research is necessary to mitigate these factors.

Regional Variations in Gastric Bypass Surgery: Results from the 2005 Nationwide Inpatient Sample

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to use nationally representative data to examine regional variations in the use and outcomes of gastric bypass surgery.MethodsUsing data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), we identified adults undergoing gastric bypass surgery (n = 92,910) in 2005. Following descriptive analyses, multiple logistic regression models were constructed to examine regional variations in the likelihood of laparoscopic vs. open approaches and in the likelihood of complications while controlling for patient and hospital characteristics.ResultsAfter indirectly adjusting for age and sex, the gastric bypass rates per 100,000 were as follows: Northeast, 70; Midwest, 39; South, 37; and West, 61. After adjusting for both patient and hospital characteristics, the odds of receiving laparoscopic surgery for patients living in the West were 1.79 times the mean [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.67–1.92], while the odds of receiving laparoscopic surgery for patients in the Midwest were 0.66 of the mean (95% CI: 0.62–0.70) and those of the Northeast were 0.88 of the mean (95% CI: 0.83–0.94). When adjusting for both patient and hospital characteristics, the odds of one or more postoperative complications among patients living in the South were greater than the mean (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.26).ConclusionsFindings from this study suggest that gastric bypass surgery is more common in the Northeast and West. There is a greater likelihood of gastric bypass being performed laparoscopically in the West; it is less likely to be performed in the Northeast and Midwest. Postoperative complications are more likely to occur in the South.