Surgeon Characteristics Supersede Hospital Characteristics in Mortality After Urgent Colectomy

Der erfahrene Chirurg als unabhängiger Risikofaktor für die Morbidität nach Cholezystektomie. Eine multivariate Analyse von 710 Patienten

Einleitung Bei komplexeren chirurgischen Eingriffen wie der Kolonresektion, herzchirurgischen Eingriffen, arteriellen Rekonstruktionen oder Leberresektionen ist der Einfluss des Chirurgen auf die postoperative Morbidität nachgewiesen. Bei Routineeingriffen wie der Cholezystektomie liegen bislang keine Erkenntnisse zum Zusammenhang von Operateur und Morbidität vor. Insbesondere Untersuchungen bei erfahrenen Chirurgen fehlen.

Methoden Es wurden 710 konsekutive Patienten, die zwischen Januar 2014 und Dezember 2018 von erfahrenen Chirurgen (über n = 300 Cholezystektomien vor Beginn der Untersuchung, über 5 Jahre nach bestandener Facharztprüfung) cholezystektomiert wurden, untersucht. In einer univariaten Analyse wurde der Einfluss von Patientenmerkmalen, Laborparametern, chirurgischen Parametern und des Operateurs auf die postoperative Morbidität analysiert. Die Variablen mit statistischer Signifikanzen wurden dann einer multivariaten logistischen Regressionsanalyse unterzogen.

Ergebnisse Die Mortalität lag bei 5 von 710 (0,7%), die Morbidität bei 58 von 710 (8,2%). 37 von 710 Patienten erlitten eine chirurgische Komplikation, 21 von 710 Patienten eine nicht chirurgische Komplikation. Hinsichtlich der Gesamtmorbidität waren in multivariater Analyse der Kreatininwert (OR 1,29; KI 1,01–1,648; p = 0,042), GOT (OR 1,0405; KI 1–1,01; p = 0,03), offene und Konversions-Cholezystektomie (OR 4,134; KI 1,587–10,768; p = 0,004) und der individuelle Chirurg (OR bis 40,675; p = 0,001) ein unabhängiger Risikofaktor. Bei Analyse der chirurgischen Komplikationen blieben offene und Konversions-Cholezystektomie (OR 8,104; KI 3,03–21,68; p < 0,001) sowie der individuelle Chirurg (OR bis 79,69; p = 0,005) ein statistisch signifikanter unabhängiger Risikofaktor.

Schlussfolgerung Der individuelle Chirurg ist auch bei einem Routineeingriff wie der Cholezystektomie ein unabhängiger Risikofaktor für die Morbidität. Dies gilt auch für erfahrene Chirurgen mit Facharztstatus und hoher Caseload. Im Hinblick auf die Patientensicherheit und Verbesserungen der Ergebnisqualität muss daher diskutiert werden, ob eine routinemäßige risikoadjustierte Messung der individuellen Ergebnisse eines jeden Chirurgen als Basis eines gezielten Qualifizierungprogramms sinnvoll ist.

Hepatopancreatic Surgery in the Rural United States: Variation in Outcomes at Critical Access Hospitals

BACKGROUND

Sixty million Americans live in rural America, with roughly 17.5% of the rural population being 65 y or older. Outcomes and costs of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery at critical access hospitals (CAHs) are not known.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medicare files were used to identify patients who underwent hepatopancreatic resection. Outcomes were compared (CAHs versus non-CAHs).

RESULTS

Patients undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery at non-CAHs versus CAHs had a similar comorbidity score (4 versus 5, P = 0.53). After adjusting for patient-level factors and procedure-specific volume, there was no difference in complication rate (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52-1.24). The median cost of hospitalization was roughly $4000 less at CAHs than that at non-CAHs (P < 0.001). However, compared with patients undergoing surgery at non-CAHs, beneficiaries operated at CAHs had more than two times the odds of dying within 30 (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.42-4.2) and 90 d (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.4-3.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Only a small subset of Medicare beneficiaries underwent hepatic or pancreatic resection at a CAH. Despite similar complication rate, Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgery at a CAH had more than two times the odds of dying within 30 and 90 d after surgery.

An audit of process and outcome for emergency colectomy in England and Wales

AIM

The aim of this work was to describe process and outcome for patients undergoing emergency colectomy for colitis in England and Wales.

METHOD

The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) is a national audit including patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and laparoscopic resectional procedures. Data from adult patients under 65 years of age who underwent emergency subtotal colectomy or panproctocolectomy for colitis between 2013 and 2016 were analysed.

RESULTS

In total 1204 patients were included. Although approximately a third of patients underwent a colectomy within 5 days of admission [37% (440/1204)], 32% (383/1204) were admitted for more than 10 days prior to surgery. Colorectal surgeons were present at operation in 72% (869/1204) of cases and consultant surgeons attended 94% (1137/1204) of procedures. Laparoscopy was attempted in 32% (390/1204) of operations with wide institutional variation in its use (0-100% of cases). The overall 30-day inpatient mortality was 2.9% (35/1204). On multivariable regression analysis, age > 55 years [OR 3.59 (1.05-12.21), P = 0.041], female gender [OR 2.88 (1.27-6.52), P = 0.011] and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 5 [OR 37.43 (2.72-514.52), P = 0.007] were associated with increased mortality.

CONCLUSION

There is a consultant-driven service that is largely delivered by specialist colorectal surgeons. Laparoscopy rates were high although there was wide variation in use across institutions. Preoperative delays were evident, and further work is necessary to determine the underlying reasons for these.

Emergent laparoscopic sigmoid resection for perforated diverticulitis: can it be safely performed by residents?

AIM

Outcomes after resident involvement in emergent colectomies have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for Hinchey III diverticulitis performed by residents.

METHOD

This study was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis. The sample was divided into two groups: patients operated on by a supervised resident (SR) or a senior surgeon (SS). Supervising surgeons and SSs could be general surgeons (GSs) or colorectal surgeons (CSs). A SR was considered the first surgeon if he/she completed at least three of five defined steps of the procedure. The primary end-points included length of hospital stay (LOS), morbidity and 30-day mortality. A sub-analysis of patients operated on by a SR assisted by either a CS or GS was performed.

RESULTS

Supervised residents and SSs operated on 59 and 42 patients, respectively. The presence of a CS was more frequent in the SS group (SR 41% vs SS 81%, P < 0.001). LOS (SR 9.4 days vs SS 6.4 days, P = 0.04) was higher in the SR group. Overall morbidity (SR 39% vs SS 43%, P = 0.69) and 30-day mortality (SR 5% vs SS 5%, P = 0.94) were also comparable among the groups. Procedures performed by SRs and supervised by a CS were associated with lower morbidity (GS 48% vs CS 25%, P = 0.06) and mortality (GS 8% vs CS 0%, P = 0.26).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for Hinchey III diverticulitis has comparable outcomes when performed by a supervised SR or a SS. Procedures performed by residents assisted by a CS seem to have better outcomes than those assisted by a GS.

Emergent Colon Resections: Does Surgeon Specialization Influence Outcomes?

BACKGROUND

Relationships between high-volume surgeons and improved postoperative outcomes have been well documented. Colorectal procedures are often performed by general surgeons, particularly in emergent settings, and may form a large component of their practice. The influence of subspecialized training on outcomes after emergent colon surgery, however, is not well described.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether subspecialty training in colorectal surgery is associated with differences in postoperative outcomes after emergency colectomy.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS

Three tertiary care hospitals participating in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project were included.

PATIENTS

Patients undergoing emergent colon resections were identified at each institution and stratified by involvement of either a colorectal surgeon or a general or acute care surgeon.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Propensity score matching was used to isolate the effect of surgeon specialty on the primary outcomes, including postoperative morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and the need for unplanned major reoperation, in comparable cohorts of patients.

RESULTS

A total of 889 cases were identified, including 592 by colorectal and 297 by general/acute care surgeons. After propensity score matching, cases performed by colorectal surgeons were associated with significantly lower rates of 30-day mortality (6.7% vs 16.4%; p = 0.001), postoperative morbidity (45.0% vs 56.7%; p = 0.009), and unplanned major reoperation (9.7% vs 16.4%; p = 0.04). In addition, length of stay was ≈4.4 days longer among patients undergoing surgery by general/acute care surgeons (p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its retrospective design, with potential selection bias attributed to referral patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

After controlling for underlying disease states and illness severity, emergent colon resections performed by colorectal surgeons were associated with significantly lower rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality when compared with noncolorectal surgeons. These findings may have implications for referral patterns for institutions. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A767.

Acute Surgical Decision-Making in Abdominal Trauma Is Not Altered by Race or Socioeconomic Status

Two main procedures are performed on patients suffering from colonic perforation, diverting colostomy and primary tissue repair. We investigated patient race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) that predicted surgical outcomes after blunt or penetrating trauma. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the National Trauma Data Bank for three years (2013–2015). We identified patients who presented with primary colonic injury and subsequent colon operation (n = 5431). Operations were grouped into three classes: colostomy, ileostomy, and nonostomy. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to assess how race and insurance status are associated with the primary outcome of interest (ostomy formation) and secondary outcomes such as length of stay, time spent in ICU, and surgical site infection. Neither race/ethnicity nor insurance status proved to be reliable predictors for the formation of an ostomy. Patients who received either a colostomy or ileostomy were likely to have longer stays (OR [odds ratio]: 5.28; 95% CI [confidence interval]: 3.88–6.69) (OR: 11.24; 95% CI: 8.53–13.95), more time spent in ICU (2.73; 1.70–3.76) (7.98; 6.10–9.87), and increased risk for surgical site infection (1.32; 1.03–1.68) (2.54; 1.71–3.78). Race/ethnicity and SES were not reliable predictors for surgical decision-making on the formation of an ostomy after blunt and penetrating colonic injury. However, the severity of the injury as calculated by Injury Severity Score and the number of abdominal injuries were both associated with higher rates of colostomy and ileostomy. These data suggest that surgical decision-making is dependent on perioperative patient presentation and, not on race, ethnicity, or SES.

Weekend Surgical Care and Postoperative Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

BACKGROUND

An association between weekend health care delivery and poor outcomes has become known as the "weekend effect." Evidence for such an association among surgery patients has not previously been synthesized.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review associations between weekend surgical care and postoperative mortality.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and references of relevant articles for studies that compared postoperative mortality either; (1) according to the day of the week of surgery for elective operations, or (2) according to weekend versus weekday admission for urgent/emergent operations. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative mortality (≤90 d or inpatient mortality) were pooled using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Among 4027 citations identified, 10 elective surgery studies and 19 urgent/emergent surgery studies with a total of >6,685,970 and >1,424,316 patients, respectively, met the inclusion criteria. Pooled odds of mortality following elective surgery rose in a graded manner as the day of the week of surgery approached the weekend [Monday OR=1 (reference); Tuesday OR=1.04 (95% CI=0.97-1.11); Wednesday OR=1.08 (95% CI=0.98-1.19); Thursday OR=1.12 (95% CI=1.03-1.22); Friday OR=1.24 (95% CI=1.10-1.38)]. Mortality was also higher among patients who underwent urgent/emergent surgery after admission on the weekend relative to admission on weekdays (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.08-1.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative mortality rises as the day of the week of elective surgery approaches the weekend, and is higher after admission for urgent/emergent surgery on the weekend compared with weekdays. Future research should focus on clarifying underlying causes of this association and potentially mitigating its impact.