The effect of Hispanic ethnicity on surgical outcomes: An analysis of the NSQIP database

Impact of lung allocation policy change on Hispanic lung transplant outcomes: Addressing disparities and improving access

Objective

Racial disparities in organ allocation may result in differential survival for marginalized groups. This study aims to examine the impact of the November 2017 lung allocation policy change (LAPC) on trends and outcomes of Hispanic lung transplant (LT) recipients.

Methods

The United Network for Organ Sharing database was used to identify adult (older than age 18 years) LT recipients between January 2010 and March 2023. Recipients were categorized into 3 self-identified racial groups (Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and non-Hispanic other). The Mann-Kendall trend test was used to assess the trend in rates of Hispanic LT over 5 years pre- and 5 years post-LAPC. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality.

Results

A total of 28,495 recipients from 80 centers were included, with 15,343 (53.8%) prepolicy change and 13,152 (46.2%) postpolicy change. The racial distribution of LT recipients was pre-LAPC: Hispanic: 1013 (6.6%), White: 12,601 (82.1%), Other: 1729 (11.3%) and post-LAPC: Hispanic: 1522 (11.6%), White: 9873 (75.0%), Other: 1757 (13.4%) (P < .001). Between 2013 and 2017, the proportion of Hispanic LT recipients increased from 6.0% to 7.6% (P = .221). Post-LAPC, the proportion increased from 8.5% in 2018 to 14.4% in 2022 (P < .027). Unadjusted 1-year survival rates were pre-LAPC: Hispanic: 88.8%, White: 87.6%, Other: 86.8% (log-rank P = .260) and post-LAPC: Hispanic: 90.6%, White: 88.2%, Other: 86.1% (log-rank P < .001).

Conclusions

The LAPC has led to increased access to LT and improved 1-year survival rates among Hispanic patients. However, efforts should continue to address disparities among other racial groups and ensure equitable outcomes for all recipients of LT.

Disparities in Access to Bariatric Surgery in North Carolina

BACKGROUND

This study sought to identify factors that contribute to disparities in access to bariatric surgery in North Carolina (NC).

METHODS

Using the rate of bariatric surgery in the county with the best health outcome as the reference, we calculated the Surgical Equity Index (SEI) in the remaining counties in NC.

RESULTS

Approximately 2.95 million individuals (29%) were obese in NC. There were 992 (.5%) bariatric procedures performed on a population of 194 209 individuals with obesity in the Reference County (RC). The mean SEI for bariatric surgery in NC was .47 (SD .17, range .15-.95). A statistically significant difference was observed in 89 counties. Univariable analyses identified the following variables to be significantly associated with the SEI: percent of population living in rural areas (% rural) (relative rate change in SEI [RR] = .994, 95% CI .92-.997; <.0001), median household income (RR = 1.0, 95% CI = 1.0-1.0; P = .0002), prevalence of diabetes (RR = .947, 95% CI .917-.977; .0006), the primary care physician ratio (RR = .995, 95% CI .991-.998; P = .006), and percent uninsured adults (RR = .955, 95% CI .927-.985; P = .003). By multivariable hierarchical regression analysis, only the % rural remained statistically associated with a low SEI (RR = .995 per 1% increase in % rural, 95% CI = .992, .998; P = .0002).

DISCUSSION

The percent rural is the most significant predictor of disparities in access to bariatric surgery. For every 1% increase in % rural, the rate of surgery decreased by .5%. Understanding the characteristics of rurality that are barriers to access is crucial to mitigate disparities in bariatric surgical access in NC.

Surgical Outcomes and Sociodemographic Disparities Across All Races: An ACS-NSQIP and NHIS Multi-Institutional Analysis of Over 7.5 Million Patients

Background

This study aims to fill the gap in large-scale, registry-based assessments by examining postoperative outcomes across diverse races/ethnicities. The focus is on identifying disparities and comparing them with socioeconomic demographics.

Methods

In a registry-based cohort study using the 2008 to 2020 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, we evaluated 24 postoperative outcomes through multivariable analysis, incorporating 28 preoperative risk factors. In a separate, independent analysis of the 2019 to 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) database, we examined sociodemographic racial/ethnic normative data.

Results

Among 7,504,734 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Improvement Database patients specifying race, 83.8% were White (WT), 11.8% Black or African American (B/AA), 3.3% Asian (AS), 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN), 0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NH/PI), 7.3% Hispanic. Reoperation trends reveal favorable outcomes for WT, AS, and NH/PI patients compared with B/AA and AI/AN patients. AI/AN patients exhibit higher rates of wound healing issues, while AS patients experience lower rates. AS and B/AA patients are more prone to transfusions, with B/AA patients showing elevated rates of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, renal failure, and insufficiency. Disparities in discharge destinations exist. Hispanic patients fare better than non-WT Hispanic patients, contingent on race. Racial groups (excluding Hispanic patients) with superior surgical outcomes from the NSQIP analysis were found in the NHIS analysis to report higher wealth, better healthcare access, improved food security, greater functional and societal independence, and lower frailty.

Conclusions

Our study underscores racial disparities in surgical outcomes. Focused investigations into these complications could reveal underlying causes, informing healthcare policies to enhance surgical care universally.

Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity and Loss of Post-Surgery Independent Living: A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Bronx Hospital Network

BACKGROUND

Black race is associated with postoperative adverse discharge to a nursing facility, but the effects of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity are unclear. We explored the Hispanic paradox , described as improved health outcomes among Hispanic/Latino patients on postoperative adverse discharge to nursing facility.

METHODS

A total of 93,356 adults who underwent surgery and were admitted from home to Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, between January 2016 and June 2021 were included. The association between self-identified Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and the primary outcome, postoperative adverse discharge to a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, was investigated. Interaction analysis was used to examine the impact of socioeconomic status, determined by estimated median household income and insurance status, on the primary association. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the proportion of variance attributed to the patient's residential area defined by zip code and self-identified ethnicity.

RESULTS

Approximately 45.9% (42,832) of patients identified as Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and 9.7% (9074) patients experienced postoperative adverse discharge. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity was associated with lower risk of adverse discharge (relative risk [RR adj ] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 00.82-0.94; P < .001), indicating a Hispanic Paradox . This effect was modified by the patient's socioeconomic status ( P -for-interaction <.001). Among patients with a high socioeconomic status, the Hispanic paradox was abolished (RR adj 1.10; 95% CI, 11.00-1.20; P = .035). Furthermore, within patients of low socioeconomic status, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity was associated with a higher likelihood of postoperative discharge home with health services compared to non-Hispanic/Latino patients (RR adj 1.06; 95% CI, 11.01-1.12; P = .017).

CONCLUSIONS

Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is a protective factor for postoperative adverse discharge, but this association is modified by socioeconomic status. Future studies should focus on postoperative discharge disposition and socioeconomic barriers in patients with Hispanic/Latino ethnicity.

Race and Ethnicity Independently Predict Adverse Outcomes Following Head and Neck Autograft Surgery

OBJECTIVE

There is growing attention toward the implications of race and ethnicity on health disparities within otolaryngology. While race is an established predictor of adverse head and neck oncologic outcomes, there is paucity in the literature on studies employing national, multi-institutional data to assess the impact of race and ethnicity on head and neck autograft surgery.

METHODS

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, trends in 30 days outcomes were assessed. Patients with ICD-10 codes for malignant head and neck neoplasms were isolated. Autograft surgeries were selected using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for free flap and pedicled flap reconstruction. Primary outcomes included surgical complications, reoperation, readmission, extended length of stay and operation time. Each binary categorical variable was compared to racial/ethnic identity via binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 2447 patients who underwent head and neck autograft surgery (80.71% free flap reconstruction and 19.39% pedicled flap reconstruction). Black patients had significantly higher odds of overall surgical complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.583, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.091, 2.298, p = 0.016) with much higher odds of perioperative blood transfusions (OR 2.291, 95% CI 1.532, 3.426, p = <.001). Hispanic patients were more likely to undergo reoperation within 30 days after surgery and were more likely to be hospitalized for more than 30 days post-operatively (OR 1.566, 95% CI 1.015, 2.418, p = 0.043 and OR 12.224, 95% CI 2.698, 55.377, p = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Race and ethnicity serve as independent predictors of complications in the post-operative period following head and neck autograft surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:3595-3603, 2024.

Racial disparities in the attainment of textbook oncologic outcomes following colectomy for colon cancer: a national cancer database cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Textbook oncologic outcome (TOO) is attained when all desired short-term quality metrics are met following an oncologic operation. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of race on TOO attainment following colectomy for colon cancer.

METHODS

The 2004-2017 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with non-metastatic colon cancer who underwent colectomy. TOO was defined as: negative margins (R0), adequate lymphadenectomy (LAD) (n ≥ 12), no prolonged length of stay (LOS), no 30-day readmission or mortality, and initiation of systemic therapy in ≤ 12 weeks. Racial groups were defined as White, Black, or Hispanic.

RESULTS

508,312 patients were identified of which 34% achieved TOO. Blacks attained the least TOO (31.4%) as well as the TOO criteria of adequate LAD (81.1%), no prolonged LOS (52.3%), and no 30-day readmission (89.7%). Hispanics were least likely to have met the criteria of R0 resection (94.3%), no 30-day mortality (87.3%), and initiation of systemic therapy in ≤ 12 weeks (81.8%). Patients who attained TOO had a higher median overall survival (OS) than those without TOO (148.2 vs. 84.2 months; P < 0.001). Hispanic TOO patients had the highest median OS (181.2 months), while White non-TOO patients experienced the lowest (80.2 months, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression models suggest that Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to achieve TOO than their White counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial disparities exist in the achievement of TOO, with Blacks and Hispanics being less likely to attain TOO compared to their White counterparts.

A National Analysis of Racial and Sex Disparities Among Interhospital Transfers for Emergency General Surgery Patients and Associated Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Studies focusing on Emergency General Surgery (EGS) and Interhospital Transfer (IHT) and the association of race and sex and morbidity and mortality are yet to be conducted. We aim to investigate the association of race and sex and outcomes among IHT patients who underwent emergency general surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of adult patients who were transferred prior to EGS procedures using the National Surgery Quality Improvement Project from 2014 to 2020. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare outcomes (readmission, major and minor postoperative complications, and reoperation) between interhospital transfer and direct admit patients and to investigate the association of race and sex for adverse outcomes for all EGS procedures. A secondary analysis was performed for each individual EGS procedure.

RESULTS

Compared to patients transferred directly from home, IHT patients (n = 28,517) had higher odds of readmission [odds ratio (OR): 1.004, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.002-1.006), P < 0.001], major complication [adjusted OR: 1.119, 95% CI (1.117-1.121), P < 0.001), minor complication [OR: 1.078, 95% CI (1.075-1.080), P < 0.001], and reoperation [OR: 1.014, 95% CI (1.013-1.015), P < 0.001]. In all EGS procedures, Black patients had greater odds of minor complication [OR 1.041, 95% CI (1.023-1.060), P < 0.001], Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander patients had greater odds of readmission [OR 1.081, 95% CI (1.008-1.160), P = 0.030], while Asian and Hispanic patients had lower odds of adverse outcome, and female patients had greater odds of minor complication [OR 1.017, 95% CI (1.008-1.027), P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

Procedure-specific racial and sex-related disparities exist in emergency general surgery patients who underwent interhospital transfer. Specific interventions should be implemented to address these disparities to improve the safety of emergency procedures.

Does Failure to Rescue Drive Race/Ethnicity-based Disparities in Survival After Heart Transplantation?

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to assess whether race/ethnicity is an independent predictor of failure to rescue (FTR) after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Outcomes following OHT vary by patient level factors; for example, non-White patients have worse outcomes than White patients after OHT. Failure to rescue is an important factor associated with cardiac surgery outcomes, but its relationship to demographic factors is unknown.

METHODS

Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we included all adult patients who underwent primary isolated OHT between 1/1/2006 snd 6/30/2021. FTR was defined as the inability to prevent mortality after at least one of the UNOS-designated postoperative complications. Donor, recipient, and transplant characteristics, including complications and FTR, were compared across race/ethnicity. Logistic regression models were created to identify factors associated with complications and FTR. Kaplan Meier and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the association between race/ethnicity and posttransplant survival.

RESULTS

There were 33,244 adult, isolated heart transplant recipients included: the distribution of race/ethnicity was 66% (n=21,937) White, 21.2% (7,062) Black, 8.3% (2,768) Hispanic, and 3.3% (1,096) Asian. The frequency of complications and FTR differed significantly by race/ethnicity. After adjustment, Hispanic recipients were more likely to experience FTR than White recipients (OR 1.327, 95% CI[1.075-1.639], P =0.02). Black recipients had lower 5-year survival compared with other races/ethnicities (HR 1.276, 95% CI[1.207-1.348], P <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the US, Black recipients have an increased risk of mortality after OHT compared with White recipients, without associated differences in FTR. In contrast, Hispanic recipients have an increased likelihood of FTR, but no significant mortality difference compared with White recipients. These findings highlight the need for tailored approaches to addressing race/ethnicity-based health inequities in the practice of heart transplantation.

Post-operative outcomes in Indigenous patients in North America and Oceania: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Indigenous Peoples across North America and Oceania experience worse health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous people, including increased post-operative mortality. Several gaps in data exist regarding global differences in surgical morbidity and mortality for Indigenous populations based on geographic locations and across surgical specialties. The aim of this study is to evaluate disparities in post-operative outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Eight electronic databases were searched with no language restriction. Studies reporting on Indigenous populations outside of Canada, the USA, New Zealand, or Australia, or on interventional procedures were excluded. Primary outcomes were post-operative morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes included reoperations, readmission rates, and length of hospital stay. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. Eighty-four unique observational studies were included in this review. Of these, 67 studies were included in the meta-analysis (Oceania n = 31, North America n = 36). Extensive heterogeneity existed among studies and 50% were of poor quality. Indigenous patients had 1.26 times odds of post-operative morbidity (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.10-1.44, p<0.01) and 1.34 times odds of post-operative infection (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.12-1.59, p<0.01) than non-Indigenous patients. Indigenous patients also had 1.33 times odds of reoperation (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.74, p = 0.04). In conclusion, we found that Indigenous patients in North American and Oceania experience significantly poorer surgical outcomes than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Additionally, there is a low proportion of high-quality research focusing on assessing surgical equity for Indigenous patients in these regions, despite multiple international and national calls to action for reconciliation and decolonization to improve quality surgical care for Indigenous populations.

Racial Disparities in General Surgery Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

While disparities in Black and Hispanic and Latino patients undergoing general surgeries are well described, most analyses leave out Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native (AIAN), and native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander patients. This study identified general surgery outcomes for each racial group in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

METHODS

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried to identify all procedures conducted by a general surgeon from 2017 to 2020 (n = 2,664,197). Multivariable regression models were used to investigate the impact of race and ethnicity on 30-day mortality, readmission, reoperation, major and minor medical complications, and non-home discharge destinations. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Compared to non-Hispanic White patients, Black patients had higher odds of readmission and reoperation, and Hispanic and Latino patients had higher odds of major and minor complications. AIAN patients had higher odds of mortality (AOR: 1.003 (1.002-1.005), P < 0.001), major complication (AOR: 1.013 (1.006-1.020), P < 0.001), reoperation (AOR: 1.009, (1.005-1.013), P < 0.001), and non-home discharge destination (AOR: 1.006 (1.001-1.012), P = 0.025), while native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander patients had lower odds of readmission (AOR: 0.991 (0.983-0.999), P = 0.035) and non-home discharge destination (AOR: 0.983 (0.975-0.990), P < 0.001) compared to non-Hispanic White patients. Asian patients had lower odds of each adverse outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Black, Hispanic and Latino, and AIAN patients are at higher odds for poor postoperative results than non-Hispanic White patients. AIANs had some of the highest odds of mortality, major complications, reoperation, and non-home discharge. Social health determinants and policy adjustments must be targeted to ensure optimal operative results for all patients.

A comparison of statistical methods for modeling count data with an application to hospital length of stay

Background

Hospital length of stay (LOS) is a key indicator of hospital care management efficiency, cost of care, and hospital planning. Hospital LOS is often used as a measure of a post-medical procedure outcome, as a guide to the benefit of a treatment of interest, or as an important risk factor for adverse events. Therefore, understanding hospital LOS variability is always an important healthcare focus. Hospital LOS data can be treated as count data, with discrete and non-negative values, typically right skewed, and often exhibiting excessive zeros. In this study, we compared the performance of the Poisson, negative binomial (NB), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression models using simulated and empirical data.

Methods

Data were generated under different simulation scenarios with varying sample sizes, proportions of zeros, and levels of overdispersion. Analysis of hospital LOS was conducted using empirical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database.

Results

Results showed that Poisson and ZIP models performed poorly in overdispersed data. ZIP outperformed the rest of the regression models when the overdispersion is due to zero-inflation only. NB and ZINB regression models faced substantial convergence issues when incorrectly used to model equidispersed data. NB model provided the best fit in overdispersed data and outperformed the ZINB model in many simulation scenarios with combinations of zero-inflation and overdispersion, regardless of the sample size. In the empirical data analysis, we demonstrated that fitting incorrect models to overdispersed data leaded to incorrect regression coefficients estimates and overstated significance of some of the predictors.

Conclusions

Based on this study, we recommend to the researchers that they consider the ZIP models for count data with zero-inflation only and NB models for overdispersed data or data with combinations of zero-inflation and overdispersion. If the researcher believes there are two different data generating mechanisms producing zeros, then the ZINB regression model may provide greater flexibility when modeling the zero-inflation and overdispersion.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infection

Necrotizing soft-tissue infection (NSTI) is a medical emergency. We investigated the impact of racial, socioeconomic disparities, and comorbidities on mortality, complications, length of stay, and charges in patients with NSTI.

Data were acquired from the National Inpatient Sample from Q4 2015 to 2017. ICD-10, Clinical Modification codes were utilized to identify relevant cases. Logistic regression was used to assess socioeconomic, racial, and health risk factors for adverse outcomes in NSTI patients.

Of 16,071,053 cases identified during the study period, 15,078 (0.094%) NSTI cases were recognized. Black patients had increased odds of amputation (OR 1.40 95% CI 1.24-1.58, p < 0.001), prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.40 95% CI 1.24-1.58, p < 0.001), excessive charges (OR 1.22 95% CI 1.03-1.43, p = 0.019), and adverse discharge disposition (OR 1.32 95% CI 1.19-1.46, p < 0.001) compared to white patients. Hispanic patients had increased odds of mortality (OR 1.30 95% CI 1.05-1.60, p = 0.014) and amputation (OR 1.21 95% CI 1.04-1.42, p = 0.016) compared to white patients. Medicare patients had increased odds of mortality (OR 1.35 95% CI 1.09-1.67, p = 0.006), Medicaid patients had increased odd of amputation (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.17-1.51, p < 0.001) and prolonged LOS (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.17-1.51, p < 0.001). Patients in the lower income quartiles had decreased odds of amputation compared to the highest income quartile, including the 26^th to 50^th income quartile (OR 0.84 95% CI 0.73-0.98, p = 0.022) and 51^st to 75^th income quartile (OR 0.84 95% CI 0.73-0.98, p = 0.022).

Racial and socioeconomic disparities exist for patients being treated for NSTIs.

Inaccurate Ethnicity and Race Classification of Hispanics Following Trauma Admission

BACKGROUND

Race and ethnicity are associated with disparate trauma outcomes. This study seeks to characterize accuracy of trauma registry classification of patient race and ethnicity and to identify factors associated with misclassification.

METHODS

A prospective observational study of patients admitted to an urban Level 1 trauma center was conducted over a 6-mo period. Race and ethnicity data recorded in the trauma registry were compared to patients' self-identifying data obtained through in-person interviews. Logistic regression determined rates of discordant race and ethnicity between trauma registry and patient self-identification processes, and identified factors independently associated with misclassification.

RESULTS

A total of 444 patients were recruited. 98 (22%) self-identified as Hispanic/Latino. 45 patients self-identifying as Hispanic (45.9%) had inaccurately recorded ethnicity in the trauma registry. There was an increased odds of ethnicity misclassification in younger patients (OR 0.97, P < 0.01) and Spanish-only speakers (OR 11.80, P < 0.001). A decreased odds was found in males (OR 0.43, P < 0.05). No factors increased odds of racial misclassification, while dual English/Spanish speakers (OR 0.05, P < 0.01) wereas found to have decreased odds. Neither ethnicity nor race misclassification was associated with clinical variables. New racial self-identification was observed with 75% of patients who self-identified ethnically as Hispanic also self-identifying racially as Hispanic.

CONCLUSIONS

Hispanic trauma patients have racial and ethnic misclassifications regardless of clinical status. Racial and ethnic identification is not sufficiently captured by current standardized questionnaires. Accuracy of hospital level racial data is important for local and national policies to address trauma disparities.

Ethnic Disparities and Incidence of Postoperative Complications in Obese Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: Analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data Set

INTRODUCTION

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is common but complex operation. A paucity of literature exists on differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics with TKA. Our study aims to investigate the association between Hispanic ethnicity and complications in obese patients undergoing TKA.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for patients with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 who underwent TKA. Exposure in this study was ethnicity (Hispanic versus non-Hispanic), and the primary outcome was postoperative complications. Associations between ethnicity and baseline characteristics and between covariates and the outcome were assessed via bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression was done to determine associations between Hispanic ethnicity and complications while controlling for confounders.

RESULTS

Thirty five thousand twenty-seven patients were included in our study, of which 6.3% were Hispanic. Among obese adults, Hispanics had a 1.24 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.39) times greater odds of having a postoperative complication after TKA than non-Hispanics. This increased to 1.36 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.54) after adjusting for confounders. Hispanics were notably more likely to receive transfusion (2.62% vs. 1.59%, P < 0.001) and have prolonged length of stay (13.29% vs. 11.12%, P = 0.002) but were less likely to have wound disruption (0.05% vs. 0.27%, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

In a national database, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with greater odds of postoperative complication in obese patients undergoing TKA compared with non-Hispanics. Future studies focusing on a wide range metrics of social determinants of health are needed to further investigate barriers and intervention to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in surgical patients.

Mortality After Elective Surgery: The Potential Role for Preoperative Palliative Care

BACKGROUND

Preoperative optimization is increasingly emphasized for high-risk surgical patients. One critical component of this includes preoperative advanced care planning to promote goal-concordant care. We aimed to define a subset of patients that might benefit from preoperative palliative care consult for advanced care planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined adult patients admitted from January 2016 to December 2018 to a university health system for elective surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with death within 1 y, and presence of palliative care consults preoperatively. Chi-square analysis evaluated the impact of a palliative care consult on advanced care planning variables.

RESULTS

Of the 29,132 inpatient elective procedures performed, there was a 2.0% mortality rate at 6 mo and 3.5% at 1 y. Those who died were more likely to be older, male, underweight (BMI <18), or have undergone an otolaryngology, neurosurgery or thoracic procedure type (all P-values < 0.05). At the time of admission, 29% had an advance directive, 90% had a documented code status, and 0.3% had a preoperative palliative care consult. Patients were more likely to have an advanced directive, a power of attorney, a documented code status, and have a do not resuscitate order if they had a palliative care consult (all P-values <0.05). The mortality rates and preoperative palliative care rates per procedure type did not follow similar trends.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative palliative care consultation before elective admissions for surgery had a significant impact on advanced care planning.

Differences in outcomes after emergency general surgery between Hispanic subgroups in the New Jersey State Inpatient Database (2009-2014): The Hispanic population is not monolithic

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to examine differences in clinical outcomes between Hispanic subgroups who underwent emergency general surgery (EGS).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of the HCUP State Inpatient Database from New Jersey (2009-2014), including Hispanic and non-Hispanic White (NHW) adult patients who underwent EGS. Multivariable analyses were performed on outcomes including 7-day readmission and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

125,874 patients underwent EGS operations. 22,971 were Hispanic (15,488 with subgroup defined: 7,331 - Central/South American; 4,254 - Puerto Rican; 3,170 - Mexican; 733 - Cuban). On multivariable analysis, patients in the Central/South American subgroup were more likely to be readmitted compared to the Mexican subgroup (OR 2.02; p < 0.001, respectively). Puerto Rican and Central/South American subgroups had significantly shorter LOS than Mexican patients (Puerto Rico -0.58 days; p < 0.001; Central/South American -0.30 days; p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences in EGS outcomes between Hispanic subgroups. These differences could be missed when data are aggregated at Hispanic ethnicity.

Association of race and ethnicity in the receipt of regional anesthesia following mastectomy

BACKGROUND

Regional anesthetic techniques have become increasingly used for the purpose of pain management following mastectomy. Although a variety of beneficial techniques have been described, the delivery of regional anesthesia following mastectomy has yet to be examined for racial or ethnic disparities. We aimed to examine the association of race and ethnicity on the delivery of regional anesthesia in patients undergoing surgical mastectomy using a large national database.

METHODS

We used the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify adult patients aged ≥18 years old who underwent mastectomy from 2014 to 2016. We reported unadjusted estimates of regional anesthesia accordingly to race and ethnicity and examined differences in sociodemographic characteristics and health status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to report the association of race and ethnicity with use of regional anesthesia.

RESULTS

A total of 81 345 patients who underwent mastectomy were included, 14 887 (18.3%) of whom underwent regional anesthesia. The unadjusted rate of use of regional anesthesia was 18.9% for white patients, 16.8% for black patients, 15.6% for Asian patients, 16.5% for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients, 17.8% for American Indian or Alaska Native and 17.4% for unknown race (p<0.001). With respect to ethnicity, the unadjusted rate of regional anesthesia use was 18.4% for non-Hispanic patients vs 16.1% for Hispanic patients vs 18.6% for the unknown ethnicity cohort (p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds of receipt of regional anesthesia was 12% lower in black patients and 21% lower in Asian patients compared with white patients (p<0.001). The odds of regional anesthesia use were 13% lower in Hispanic compared with non-Hispanic patients (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Black and Asian patients had lower odds of undergoing regional anesthesia following mastectomy compared with white counterparts. In addition, Hispanic patients had lower odds of undergoing regional anesthesia than non-Hispanic counterparts. These differences underlie the importance of working to deliver equitable healthcare irrespective of race or ethnicity.

Racial Disparities in Complications, Length of Stay, and Costs Among Patients Receiving Orthognathic Surgery in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Black and Hispanic/Latino patients in the United States often experience poorer health outcomes in comparison to White patients. We aimed to assess the impact of race on complications, length of stay, and costs after orthognathic surgery.

METHODS

Pediatric and young adult orthognathic surgeries (age <21) were isolated from the Kids Inpatient Database from 2000-2012. Procedures were grouped into cohorts based on the preoperative diagnosis: apnea, malocclusion, or congenital anomaly. T tests and χ² analyses were employed to compare complications, length of stay (LOS), and costs among Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and other patients in comparison to White patients. Multivariable regression was performed to identify associations between sociodemographic variables and the primary outcomes. Post-hoc χ² analyses were performed to compare proportions of patients of a given race/ethnicity across the 3 surgical cohorts.

RESULTS

There were 8,809 patients identified in the KID database (mean age of 16.3 years). Compared to White patients, complication rates were increased among Hispanic patients (2.1 vs 1.3%, P = .037) and other patients treated for apnea (8.7 vs 0.83%, P = .002). Hospital LOS was increased in both Black (3.3 vs 2.1 days, P < .001) and Hispanic (2.9 days, P < .001) patients. Costs were higher than Whites ($35,633.47) among Hispanic ($48,029.15, P < .001), Black ($47,034.41, P < .001), and Asian/Pacific-Islander ($44,192.49, P < .001) patients. White patients comprised a larger proportion of the malocclusion group (77.8%) than apnea (66.9%, P < .001) or congenital anomaly (59.1%, P < .001), while the opposite was true for Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific-Islander patients.

CONCLUSION

There are significant differences in complications, LOS, and costs after orthognathic surgery among patients of different race/ethnicity. Further studies are needed to better understand the causes of disparity and their clinical manifestations.