Design and implementation of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC): improving value in hernia care

A systematic methodological review of reported perioperative variables, postoperative outcomes and hernia recurrence from randomised controlled trials of elective ventral hernia repair: clear definitions and standardised datasets are needed

BACKGROUND

This systematic review assesses the perioperative variables and post-operative outcomes reported by randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of VH repair. This review focuses particularly on definitions of hernia recurrence and techniques used for detection.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to identify and quantify the inconsistencies in perioperative variable and postoperative outcome reporting, so as to justify future development of clear definitions of hernia recurrence and a standardised dataset of such variables.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched for elective VH repair RCTs reported January 1995 to March 2016 inclusive. Three independent reviewers performed article screening, and two reviewers independently extracted data. Hernia recurrence, recurrence rate, timing and definitions of recurrence, and techniques used to detect recurrence were extracted. We also assessed reported post-operative complications, standardised operative outcomes, patient reported outcomes, pre-operative CT scan hernia dimensions, intra-operative variables, patient co-morbidity, and hernia morphology.

RESULTS

31 RCTs (3367 patients) were identified. Only 6 (19.3%) defined hernia recurrence and methods to detect recurrence were inconsistent. Sixty-four different clinical outcomes were reported across the RCTs, with wound infection (30 trials, 96.7%), hernia recurrence (30, 96.7%), seroma (29, 93.5%), length of hospital stay (22, 71%) and haematoma (21, 67.7%) reported most frequently. Fourteen (45%), 11 (35%) and 0 trials reported CT measurements of hernia defect area, width and loss of domain, respectively. No trial graded hernias using generally accepted scales.

CONCLUSION

VH RCTs report peri- and post-operative variables inconsistently, and with poor definitions. A standardised minimum dataset, including definitions of recurrence, is required.

Preoperative pain in patient with an inguinal hernia predicts long-term quality of life

BACKGROUND

Patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair report a wide range of pain. We hypothesized that patients presenting with less preoperative pain would experience a greater improvement in long-term quality of life after an inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

A total of 54 patients underwent either laparoscopic or open inguinal hernia repair and completed the Short Form 12 (SF-12) survey both preoperatively and 6 to 12 months after their repair. The physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS) were calculated from the SF-12. Patients also completed an analog surgical pain scale. t Tests and analyses of covariance were used. A preoperative surgical pain scale score of >12 was representative of moderate to severe pain.

RESULTS

Regardless of preoperative pain, there was improvement in long-term PCS quality of life (45.4 ± 11.3 vs 50.1 ± 9.1; P < .0001) that was not noted when assessing MCS quality of life (55.0 ± 8.3 vs 54.7 ± 9.4; P = .76). Patients who reported no or a low amount of preoperative pain experienced improved PCS quality of life compared with patients who reported moderate to severe preoperative pain (P = .048). This relationship was not noted with MCS (P = .16).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair with no or low pain are more likely to experience improved physical function quality of life as a result of the herniorrhaphy.

Drain Placement Does Not Increase Infectious Complications After Retromuscular Ventral Hernia Repair with Synthetic Mesh: an AHSQC Analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of surgical drains after ventral hernia repair (VHR) remains controversial. Some have concerns of increased infectious complications; others advocate that drains reduce fluid accumulation and surgical site occurrences (SSO). The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of retromuscular drains on SSO following retromuscular VHR with synthetic mesh.

METHODS

Utilizing the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative, patients between January 2013 and January 2016 undergoing retromuscular VHR with synthetic mesh were assessed for the presence of a drain. Propensity score matched patients (2 drains: 1 no drain) were evaluated for 30-day rates of SSO, surgical site infections (SSI) and SSO requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI).

RESULTS

Five hundred eighty-one patients were identified as having undergone open, retromuscular VHR with synthetic mesh. Four hundred eighty-one patients with drains and 100 without drains. After matching, 300 patients were compared, 200 with drain placement and 100 without. Retromuscular drains were less likely to develop a noninfectious SSO (OR, 0.33). Drain placement was not associated with SSI (OR, 1.30) or SSOPI (OR, 0.94).

CONCLUSION

Drain placement after retromuscular VHR with synthetic mesh is a common practice. Based on an analysis of early outcomes, surgical drains do not increase the risk of surgical infectious complications, and may be protective against some SSOs, such as seroma formation.

Online Surgeon Ratings and Outcomes in Hernia Surgery: An Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Online surgeon ratings are viewed as a measure of physician quality by some consumers. Nevertheless, the correlation between online surgeon ratings and surgeon quality metrics remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between online surgeon ratings and hernia-specific quality metrics.

STUDY DESIGN

The Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC) is recognized by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare as a Quality Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) that reports risk-adjusted quality metrics for hernia surgeons. All surgeons who input at least 10 patients into the AHSQC and had both a HealthGrades.com and Vitals.com rating were included in the analysis. The association of surgeons' average, risk-adjusted QCDR quality score with their online ratings was investigated using a linear regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 70 surgeons met inclusion criteria. The median number of evaluations each surgeon received on HealthGrades.com was 7; the median number of evaluations each surgeon received on Vitals.com was 3. There was a statistically significant correlation between the ratings surgeons received on HealthGrades.com and those that they received on Vitals.com (p < 0.0001). However, there was no correlation between surgeon ratings on either HealthGrades.com or Vitals.com and surgeon QCDR quality scores (p = 0.37 and p = 0.18, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Online physician rating systems correlate with one another, but they do not accurately reflect physician quality. The development of specialty-specific, risk-adjusted quality measures and appropriate public dissemination of this information may help patients make more informed decisions about their health care.

Early Wound Morbidity after Open Ventral Hernia Repair with Biosynthetic or Polypropylene Mesh

BACKGROUND

Recently introduced slow-resorbing biosynthetic and non-resorbing macroporous polypropylene meshes are being used in hernias with clean-contaminated and contaminated wounds. However, information about the use of biosynthetic meshes and their outcomes compared with polypropylene meshes in clean-contaminated and contaminated cases is lacking. Here we evaluate the use of biosynthetic mesh and polypropylene mesh in elective open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) and investigate differences in early wound morbidity after OVHR within clean-contaminated and contaminated cases.

STUDY DESIGN

All elective, OVHR with biosynthetic mesh or uncoated polypropylene mesh from January 2013 through October 2016 were identified within the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative. Association of mesh type with 30-day wound events in clean-contaminated or contaminated wounds was investigated using a 1:3 propensity-matched analysis.

RESULTS

Biosynthetic meshes were used in 8.5% (175 of 2,051) of elective OVHR, with the majority (57.1%) used in low-risk or comorbid clean cases. Propensity-matched analysis in clean-contaminated and contaminated cases showed no significant difference between biosynthetic mesh and polypropylene mesh groups for 30-day surgical site occurrences (20.7% vs 16.7%; p = 0.49) or unplanned readmission (13.8% vs 9.8%; p = 0.4). However, surgical site infections (22.4% vs 10.9%; p = 0.03), surgical site occurrences requiring procedural intervention (24.1% vs 13.2%; p = 0.049), and reoperation rates (13.8% vs 4.0%; p = 0.009) were significantly higher in the biosynthetic group.

CONCLUSIONS

Biosynthetic mesh appears to have higher rates of 30-day wound morbidity compared with polypropylene mesh in elective OVHR with clean-contaminated or contaminated wounds. Additional post-market analysis is needed to provide evidence defining best mesh choices, location, and surgical technique for repairing contaminated ventral hernias.

An Evaluation of Parastomal Hernia Repair Using the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative

The purpose of this review was to evaluate outcomes relating to parastomal hernia repair. Data from the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative were used to identify patients undergoing parastomal hernia repair from 2013 to 2016. Parastomal hernia repairs were compared with other repairs using Pearson's test and Wilcoxon test with a P value <0.05 considered significant. Parastomal hernia repairs were performed in 311 patients. Techniques of repair include open in 85 per cent and laparoscopic in 15 per cent. Mesh was used in 92 per cent with keyhole in 34 per cent, flat mesh in 33 per cent, and Sugarbaker in 25 per cent. Mesh types were permanent synthetic in 79 per cent, biologic in 13 per cent, absorbable synthetic in 6 per cent, and hybrid synthetic/biologic in 2 per cent. Most common location for mesh was sublay in 84 per cent followed by onlay in 14 per cent and inlay in 2 per cent with 59 per cent of patients undergoing a myofascial release. Ostomy disposition included ostomy left in situ (47%), moved to a new site (18%), taken down (22%), and rematured in same location in (13%). Outcomes related to parastomal hernia repair included 10 per cent surgical site infection, 24 per cent surgical site occurrence, and 12 per cent surgical site occurrences requiring procedural interventions with a 13 per cent readmission rate and 6 per cent reoperation rate. When comparing parastomal hernias with other ventral hernia repairs, parastomal hernias had a significantly higher surgical site infection, surgical site occurrence, surgical site occurrences requiring procedural intervention, readmission, reoperation rate, and length of stay, and were less commonly performed laparoscopically (P < 0.05). Most parastomal hernias are being repaired open with synthetic mesh in the sublay position. Less favorable outcomes of parastomal hernia repair when compared with other ventral hernia repairs are likely related to the complexity of parastomal hernia repair.

Explaining variation in ventral and inguinal hernia repair outcomes: A population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

No study has evaluated the relative importance of patient, surgeon, and hospital-level factors on surgeon and hospital variation in hernia reoperation rates. This population-based retrospective cohort study evaluated factors associated with variation in reoperation rates for recurrence after initial ventral hernia repair and inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System identified initial ventral hernia repairs and inguinal hernia repairs in New York state from 2003-2009. Mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed assessing factors associated with surgeon/hospital variation in 5-year reoperation rates for hernia recurrence.

RESULTS

Among 78,267 ventral hernia repairs and 124,416 inguinal hernia repairs, the proportion of total variation in reoperation rates attributable to individual surgeons compared with hospitals was 87% for ventral hernia repairs and 92% for inguinal hernia repairs. In explaining variation in ventral hernia repair reoperation between surgeons, 19% was attributable to patient-level factors, 4% attributable to mesh placement, and 10% attributable to surgeon volume and type of board certification. In explaining variation in inguinal hernia repair reoperation between surgeons, 1.1% was attributable to mesh placement and 10% was attributable to surgeon volume and years of experience. However, 67% of the variation between surgeons for ventral hernia repair and 89% of the variation between surgeons for inguinal hernia repair remained unexplained by factors in the models.

CONCLUSION

The majority of variation in hernia reoperation rates is attributable to surgeon-level variation. This suggests that hernia recurrence may be an appropriate surgeon quality metric. While modifiable factors such as mesh placement and surgeon characteristics play roles in surgeon variation, future research should focus on identifying additional surgeon attributes responsible for this variation.

Laparoscopic vs Robotic Intraperitoneal Mesh Repair for Incisional Hernia: An Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Robotic intraperitoneal mesh placement (rIPOM) has emerged recently as an alternative to laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh placement (LapIPOM) for minimally invasive incisional hernia repair. We aimed to compare LapIPOM with rIPOM in terms of hospital length of stay (LOS) and 30-day postoperative complications in patients undergoing incisional hernia repair within the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative.

STUDY DESIGN

Propensity score analysis was used to compare matched groups of patients within the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative undergoing LapIPOM vs rIPOM. The primary outcomes measure was hospital LOS and secondary outcomes were 30-day wound events.

RESULTS

Four hundred and fifty-four (71.9%) patients underwent LapIPOM and 177 (28.1%) underwent rIPOM. The laparoscopic group had an increased median LOS (1 vs 0 days; interquartile range 3.00; p < 0.001). The risk of surgical site occurrence was higher in the LapIPOM group vs the rIPOM group (14% vs 5%; p = 0.001); however, surgical site occurrence requiring procedural intervention was similar between the groups (1% vs 0%; p = 1). Operative time longer than 2 hours was more common in the rIPOM group (47% vs 31%; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite longer operative times using the rIPOM approach, patients undergoing rIPOM had a significantly shorter LOS than LapIPOM, without additional risk of wound morbidity requiring intervention. Additional studies are necessary to identify the best candidates for the rIPOM approach.

Primary fascial closure during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair does not reduce 30-day wound complications

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is associated with decreased wound morbidity compared to open repair. It remains unclear whether primary fascial closure (PFC) offers any benefit in reducing postoperative seroma compared to bridged repair. We hypothesized that PFC would have no effect on seroma formation following LVHR.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from the prospectively maintained Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative. All patients undergoing LVHR from 2013 to 2016 were included. The primary outcome was seroma formation, diagnosed either clinically or radiographically. Secondary outcomes included surgical site infections (SSI), surgical site occurrences (SSO), and SSO requiring intervention. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between groups with univariate analysis using Pearson's chi-squared or Wilcoxon tests. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for patient and hernia characteristics was then performed to investigate the independent effect of PFC on seroma formation.

RESULTS

1280 patients were included in the study. 69% (n = 887) underwent PFC. Patients undergoing bridged repairs had slightly larger defects and were more likely to have a recurrent hernia. The overall rate of seroma formation was 10.4% (n = 133). There was no association on univariate analysis between PFC and wound complications. Similarly, on multivariable analysis, PFC had no significant effect on the risk of seroma formation (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.58-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS

PFC does not decrease the risk of short-term wound complications. Given that prior studies have also suggested no difference in hernia recurrence, PFC does not appear to improve postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing LVHR.

Preoperative Chlorhexidine Gluconate Use Can Increase Risk for Surgical Site Infections after Ventral Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND

There is varying evidence about the use of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate to decrease surgical site infection for elective surgery. This intervention has never been studied in ventral hernia repair, the most common general surgery procedure in the US. We aimed to determine whether preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate decreases the risk of 30-day wound morbidity in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair.

STUDY DESIGN

All patients undergoing ventral hernia repair in the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative were separated into 2 groups: 1 group received preoperative chlorhexidine scrub and the other did not. The 2 groups were evaluated for 30-day wound morbidity, including surgical site occurrence (SSO), surgical site infection (SSI), and SSO requiring procedural intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate regression analysis and propensity score modeling. Multiple factors were controlled for statistical analysis, including patient-related factors and operative factors.

RESULTS

In total, 3,924 patients were included for comparison. After multivariate logistic regression modeling, the preoperative chlorhexidine scrub group had a higher incidence of SSOs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.61) and SSIs (OR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.07). After propensity score modeling, the increased risk of SSO and SSI persisted (SSO: OR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.70; SSI: OR = 1.45; 95% CI 1.011 to 2.072, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Prehospital chlorhexidine gluconate scrub appears to increase the risk of 30-day wound morbidity in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair. These findings suggest that the generalized use of prehospital chlorhexidine might not be desirable for all surgical populations.

Does Preoperative Bowel Preparation Reduce Surgical Site Infections During Elective Ventral Hernia Repair?

BACKGROUND

To date, little is known about the benefits of preoperative bowel preparation in patients undergoing elective ventral hernia repair (VHR). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative bowel preparation on 30-day wound events in patients undergoing elective VHR using the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC).

STUDY DESIGN

All patients undergoing elective VHR from January 2013 through January 2016 were identified within the AHSQC. Patients undergoing emergency VHR and those with a CDC wound class IV were excluded from our analysis. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Clean (CDC wound class I) and Contaminated (CDC wound classes II and III). The association of preoperative bowel preparation with 30-day wound events was investigated using logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 3,709 patients met inclusion criteria; 3,101 (83.6%) had CDC wound class I, and 608 (16.4%) had CDC wound classes II or III. Within the Clean group, patients who underwent preoperative bowel preparation were significantly more likely to experience a surgical site infection (SSI), surgical site occurrence (SSO), and surgical site occurrence requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI). Within the Contaminated group, patients who underwent preoperative bowel preparation were significantly more likely to experience an SSOPI.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of preoperative bowel preparation in patients undergoing elective VHR does not reduce the risk of 30-day wound events.

The effect of tobacco use on outcomes of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs: a review of the NSQIP dataset

INTRODUCTION

Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for complications after major surgical procedures. The full effect of tobacco use on these complications has not been studied over large populations for ventral hernia repairs. This effect is more important as the preoperative conditioning, and optimization of patients is adopted. We sought to use the prospectively collected ACS-NSQIP dataset to evaluate respiratory and infectious complications for patients undergoing both laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs.

METHODS

The ACS-NSQIP dataset was queried for patients who underwent open or laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs, by primary procedure CPT codes, between years 2009-2012. Smoking use was registered as defined by the ACS-NSQIP, as both a current smoker (within the prior 12 months) or as a history of smoking (having ever smoked). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate postoperative complications for 30-day morbidity and mortality by smoking status while adjusting for preoperative risk factors.

RESULTS

The majority of cases were open, 82 %, compared to laparoscopic 18 %. Sex was evenly distributed with 58 % female and 42 % male; however, there was a difference in the distribution of current smokers (p = 0.03). On analysis there were significantly more respiratory complications (p = 0.0003) and infectious complications (p < 0.0001). When controlling for sex, age, and type of surgery, using logistic regression, there were associations between smoking in the prior 12 months and respiratory complications, including pneumonia (p < 0.0001), and re-intubation (p < 0.0001). Similar associations were seen on logistic regression if a patient ever smoked; including pneumonia (p < 0.0001), re-intubation (p < 0.0001), and failure to wean (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Smoking tobacco, both current and historical use, leads to an increase in both respiratory and infectious complications. As more centers try to preoperatively condition patients for elective hernia repairs, it is important to note that patients may never return to the baseline outcomes of patients who never smoked.