Optimizing Surgical Quality Datasets to Care for Older Adults: Lessons from the American College of Surgeons NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot

Clin-STAR corner: Practice-changing advances at the interface of surgery and geriatrics

Older adults who undergo major operations are at high risk for complications, disability, and death. The physio-social compromises unique to older adults are not routinely assessed and managed in the perioperative setting. Currently, the most practice-changing topic nationally in geriatric surgery is the implementation of comprehensive, multidisciplinary geriatric care pathways to provide age-friendly care for older adults throughout their perioperative course. This review presents three recently published articles focused on defining evidence-based outcomes associated with implementation of a comprehensive geriatric surgery program for older adults undergoing major inpatient operations. These studies serve as the initial evidence evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of comprehensive perioperative geriatric surgery programs. Each study was chosen due to their high potential for meaningful impact for both clinicians and healthcare systems looking to improve their surgical care of older adults.

Prevalence of preoperative depression and adverse outcomes in older patients undergoing elective surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Depression is a common cause of long-lasting disability and preoperative mental health state that has important implications for optimizing recovery in the perioperative period. In older elective surgical patients, the prevalence of preoperative depression and associated adverse pre- and postoperative outcomes are unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of preoperative depression and the associated adverse outcomes in the older surgical population.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

MEDLINE, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print and In-Process, In-Data-Review & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Embase/Embase Classic, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ClinicalTrials.Gov, the WHO ICTRP (International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) for relevant articles from 2000 to present.

PATIENTS

Patients aged ≥65 years old undergoing non-cardiac elective surgery with preoperative depression assessed by tools validated in older adults. These validated tools include the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD).

INTERVENTIONS

Preoperative assessment.

MEASUREMENT

The primary outcome was the prevalence of preoperative depression. Additional outcomes included preoperative cognitive impairment, and postoperative outcomes such as delirium, functional decline, discharge disposition, readmission, length of stay, and postoperative complications.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirteen studies (n = 2824) were included. Preoperative depression was most assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) (n = 12). The overall prevalence of preoperative depression was 23% (95% CI: 15%, 30%). Within non-cancer non-cardiac mixed surgery, the pooled prevalence was 19% (95% CI: 11%, 27%). The prevalence in orthopedic surgery was 17% (95% CI: 9%, 24%). In spine surgery, the prevalence was higher at 46% (95% CI: 28%, 64%). Meta-analysis showed that preoperative depression was associated with a two-fold increased risk of postoperative delirium than those without depression (32% vs 23%, OR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.67, 3.03; I2: 0%; P ≤0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of older surgical patients who suffered from depression was 23%. Preoperative depression was associated with a two-fold higher risk of postoperative delirium. Further work is needed to determine the need for depression screening and treatment preoperatively.

The impact of geriatric-specific variables on long-term outcomes in patients with hepatopancreatobiliary and colorectal cancer selected for resection

BACKGROUND

Preoperative geriatric-specific variables (GSV) influence short-term morbidity in surgical patients, but their impact on long-term survival in elderly patients with cancer remains undefined.

STUDY DESIGN

This observational cohort study included patients ≥65 years who underwent hepatopancreatobiliary or colorectal operations for malignancy between 2014 and 2020. Individual patient data included merged ACS NSQIP data, Procedure Targeted, and Geriatric Surgery Research variables. Patients were stratified by age: 65-74, 75-84, and ≥85 and presence of these GSVs: mobility aid, preoperative falls, surrogate signed consent, and living alone. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate 1-year mortality and postoperative discharge to facility.

RESULTS

577 patients were included: 62.6 % were 65-74 years old, 31.7 % 75-84, and 5.7 % ≥ 85. 96 patients were discharged to a facility with frequency increasing with age group (11.4 % vs 22.4 % vs 42.4 %, respectively, p < 0.001). 73 patients (12.7 %) died during 1-year follow-up, 32.9 % from cancer recurrence. One-year mortality was associated with undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary operations (p = 0.017), discharge to a facility (p = 0.047), and a surrogate signing consent (p = 0.035). Increasing age (p < 0.001), hepatopancreatobiliary resection (p = 0.002), living home alone (p < 0.001), and mobility aid use (p < 0.001) were associated with discharge to a facility.

CONCLUSION

Geriatric-specific variables, living alone and use of a mobility aid, were associated with discharge to a facility. A surrogate signing consent and discharge to a facility were associated with 1-year mortality. These findings underscore the importance of preoperative patient selection and optimization, efficacious discharge planning, and informed decision-making in the care of elderly cancer patients.

Association of risk analysis index with 90-day failure to rescue following major abdominal surgery in geriatric patients

BACKGROUND

Failure to rescue (FTR) is a quality metric defined as mortality after potentially preventable complications after surgery. Predicting patients who are at the highest risk of mortality after a complication may aid in preventing deaths. Thirty-day follow-up period inadequately captures postoperative deaths; alternatively, a 90-day follow-up period has been advocated. This study aimed to examine the association of a validated frailty metric, the risk analysis index (RAI), with 90-day FTR (FTR-90).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥65 years who underwent a major abdominal operation between 2014 and 2020 at a quaternary care center were abstracted. Institutional data were merged with the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) and Geriatric Surgery Research File variables. The association between RAI and FTR-90 was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 398 patients with postoperative complications were included. Fifty-two patients (13.1%) died during the 90-day follow-up. The FTR-90 group was older (median age: 76 vs 73 years, respectively; P = .002), had a greater preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists classification score (P < .001), and had a higher ACS NSQIP estimated risk of morbidity (0.33% vs 0.20%, P < .001) and mortality (0.067% vs 0.012%, P < .001). The FTR-90 group had a greater median RAI score (23 vs 19; P = .002). The RAI score was independently associated with FTR-90 (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.0042-1.0770; P = .028) but not with FTR-30 (P = .13).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative frailty, as defined by RAI, is independently associated with FTR at 90-day follow-up. FTR-90 captured nearly 60% more deaths than did FTR-30. Frailty has major implications beyond the typical 30-day follow-up period, and a longer follow-up period must be considered.

Medical Informatics Operating Room Vitals and Events Repository (MOVER): a public-access operating room database

Objectives

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise for transforming the healthcare industry. However, despite its potential, AI is yet to see widespread deployment in clinical settings in significant part due to the lack of publicly available clinical data and the lack of transparency in the published AI algorithms. There are few clinical data repositories publicly accessible to researchers to train and test AI algorithms, and even fewer that contain specialized data from the perioperative setting. To address this gap, we present and release the Medical Informatics Operating Room Vitals and Events Repository (MOVER).

Materials and Methods

This first release of MOVER includes adult patients who underwent surgery at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center from 2015 to 2022. Data for patients who underwent surgery were captured from 2 different sources: High-fidelity physiological waveforms from all of the operating rooms were captured in real time and matched with electronic medical record data.

Results

MOVER includes data from 58 799 unique patients and 83 468 surgeries. MOVER is available for download at https://doi.org/10.24432/C5VS5G, it can be downloaded by anyone who signs a data usage agreement (DUA), to restrict traffic to legitimate researchers.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge MOVER is the only freely available public data repository that contains electronic health record and high-fidelity physiological waveforms data for patients undergoing surgery.

Conclusion

MOVER is freely available to all researchers who sign a DUA, and we hope that it will accelerate the integration of AI into healthcare settings, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

Multisite Implementation of an American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Quality Improvement Initiative

BACKGROUND

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Coalition for Quality in Geriatric Surgery (CQGS) identified standards of surgical care for the growing, vulnerable population of aging adults in the US. The aims of this study were to determine implementation feasibility for 30 selected standards, identify barriers and best practices in their implementation, and further refine these geriatric standards and verification process.

STUDY DESIGN

The CQGS requested participation from hospitals involved in the ACS NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot Project, previous CQGS feasibility analyses, and hospitals affiliated with a core development team member. Thirty standards were selected for implementation. After implementation, site visits were conducted, and postvisit surveys were distributed.

RESULTS

Eight hospitals were chosen to participate. Program management (55%), immediate preoperative and intraoperative clinical care (62.5%), and postoperative clinical care (58%) had the highest mean percentage of "fully compliant" standards. Goals and decision-making (30%), preoperative optimization (28%), and transitions of care (12.5%) had the lowest mean percentage of fully compliant standards. Best practices and barriers to implementation were identified across 13 of the 30 standards. More than 80% of the institutions reported that participation changed the surgical care provided for older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the first national implementation assessment undertaken by the ACS for one of its quality programs. The CQGS pilot testing was able to demonstrate implementation feasibility for 30 standards, identify challenges and best practices, and further inform dissemination of the ACS Geriatric Surgery Verification Program.

What If We Do Not Operate? Outcomes of Nonoperatively Managed Emergency General Surgery Patients

INTRODUCTION

Although two-thirds of patients with emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions are managed nonoperatively, their long-term outcomes are not well described. We describe outcomes of nonoperative management in a cohort of older EGS patients and estimate the projected risk of operative management using the NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator (SRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied single-center inpatients aged 65 y and more with an EGS consult who did not undergo an operation (January 2019-December 2020). For each patient, we recorded the surgeon's recommendation as either an operation was "Not Needed" (medical management preferred) or "Not Recommended" (risk outweighed benefits). Our main outcome of interest was mortality at 30 d and 1 y. Our secondary outcome of interest was SRC-projected 30-day postoperative mortality risk (median % [interquartile range]), calculated using hypothetical low-risk and high-risk operations.

RESULTS

We included 204 patients (60% female, median age 75 y), for whom an operation was "Not Needed" in 81% and "Not Recommended" in 19%. In this cohort, 11% died at 30 d and 23% died at 1 y. Mortality was higher for the "Not Recommended" cohort (37% versus 5% at 30 d and 53% versus 16% at 1 y, P < 0.05). The SRC-projected 30-day postoperative mortality risk was 3.7% (1.3-8.7) for low-risk and 5.8% (2-11.8) for high-risk operations.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonoperative management in older EGS patients is associated with very high risk of short-term and long-term mortality, particularly if a surgeon advised that risks of surgery outweighed benefits. The SRC may underestimate risk in the highest-risk patients.

Geriatric assessment and treatment decision-making in surgical oncology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Present an approach for surgical decision-making in cancer that incorporates geriatric assessment by building upon the common categories of tumor, technical, and patient factors to enable dual assessment of disease and geriatric factors.

RECENT FINDINGS

Conventional preoperative assessment is insufficient for older adults missing important modifiable deficits, and inaccurately estimating treatment intolerance, complications, functional impairment and disability, and death. Including geriatric-focused assessment into routine perioperative care facilitates improved communications between clinicians and patients and among interdisciplinary teams. In addition, it facilitates the detection of geriatric-specific deficits that are amenable to treatment. We propose a framework for embedding geriatric assessment into surgical oncology practice to allow more accurate risk stratification, identify and manage geriatric deficits, support decision-making, and plan proactively for both cancer-directed and non-cancer-directed therapies. This patient-centered approach can reduce adverse outcomes such as functional decline, delirium, prolonged hospitalization, discharge to long-term care, immediate postoperative complications, and death.

SUMMARY

Geriatric assessment and management has substantial benefits over conventional preoperative assessment alone. This article highlights these advantages and outlines a feasible strategy to incorporate both disease-based and geriatric-specific assessment and treatment when caring for older surgical patients with cancer.

Surrogate consent for surgery among older adult patients

BACKGROUND

Surrogate consent for surgery is sought when a patient lacks capacity to consent for their own operation. The purpose of this study is to describe older adults who underwent surgical interventions with surrogate consent.

METHODS

A descriptive analysis was performed using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Geriatric Surgery Pilot collected from 2014 to 2018. All patients included were ≥65 years old and underwent a surgical procedure. Demographic and preoperative health characteristics were evaluated to examine differences between those with and without surrogate consent.

RESULTS

In total, 51,618 patients were included in this study, and 6.6% underwent an operation with surrogate consent. Surrogate consent was more common among older patients (median age 83 vs 73, P < .001), female patients (7.7% vs 5.3%, P < .001), patients undergoing emergency as opposed to elective procedures (21.9% vs 1.6%, P < .001), patients with cognitive impairment (50.5% vs 2.4%, P < .001), and patients who were dependent on others for activities of daily living (41.9% vs 4.1%, P < .001). Nearly half of patients with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment signed their own consent.

CONCLUSION

Surrogate consent was more common among patients who were older, female, had a higher comorbidity burden, and had preoperative disability. Nearly half of patients with documented cognitive impairment signed their own consent. These results indicate that further research is needed to understand how surgeons determine which patients require surrogate consent.

A proposal for virtual, telephone-based preoperative cognitive assessment in older adults undergoing elective surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of administering the MoCA 5-minute test/Telephone (T-MoCA), an abbreviated version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to older adults perioperatively DESIGN: A feasibility study including patients aged ≥ 70 years scheduled for surgery from December 2020 to March 2021 SETTING: Preoperative virtual clinic PATIENTS: Patients ≥70 years undergoing major elective surgery INTERVENTION: A study investigator called eligible patients prior to surgery, obtained consent, and completed the preoperative cognitive assessment. Follow-up assessment was completed 1-month postoperatively, and participating clinicians were surveyed at the completion of the study.

MEASUREMENTS

An attention test, T-MoCA, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) MAIN RESULTS: Overall, 37/40 (92.5%) patients completed the pre- and post-operative assessments. The cohort was 50% female, white (97.5%), with a median age of 76 years (interquartile range (IQR) 73-79), and education level was higher than high school in 82.5% of patients. Preoperatively, the median number of medications was 8 (IQR 7-11), 27/40 (67.5%) had medications with anticholinergic effects, and 6/40 (15%) had benzodiazepines. Median completion time of the phone assessment was 10 min (IQR 8.25-12) and 4 min (IQR 3-5) for the T-MoCA with a median T-MoCA score of 13 (IQR 12-14). Most patients (37/40) completed the post-operative assessment, and 6/37 (16.2%) reported they had experienced a change in memory or attention post-operatively. Clinician's survey reported ease and feasibility in performing T-MoCA as a preoperative cognitive evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative cognitive assessment of older adults using T-MoCA over the phone is easy to perform by clinicians and had a high completion rate by patients. This test is feasible for virtual assessments. Further research is needed to better define validity and correlation with postoperative outcomes.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment for older orthopedic patients and analysis of risk factors for postoperative complications

Background

The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been proposed as a supplementary tool to reduce perioperative complications of geriatric patients, however there is no universally accepted standardization of CGA for orthopedic surgery. In this study, a novel CGA strategy was applied to evaluate the conditions of older patients undergoing orthopedic surgery from a broad view and to identify potential risk factors for postoperative complications.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted from March 2019 to December 2020.The study enrolled patients (age > 75 years) for elective or confined orthopedic surgery. All patients were treated by a multidisciplinary team. A structured CGA was conducted to identify high-risk older patients and to facilitate coordinated multidisciplinary team care by a geriatric team. The basic patient characteristics, CGA results, postoperative complication and mortality rates were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 214 patients with an age of 81.07 ± 4.78 (range, 75–100) years were prospectively enrolled in this study. In total, 66 (30.8%) complications were registered, including one death from myocardial infarction (mortality rate, 0.5%). Poor Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were accompanied by frailty, worse perioperative risk, pain, and nutritional status. Poor ADL was also associated with higher risks of falling, polypharmacy, and cardiac and respiration complications. Poor IADL was associated with a higher risk of cardiac and respiration complications. Higher stroke risk was accompanied by higher risks of cardiac complications, delirium, and hemorrhage. Worse American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was associated with worse ADL, IADL, frailty, and higher delirium risk. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that spinal fusion (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65 to 0.83; p = 0.0214), blood loss(OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.31 to 2.01; p = 0.0168), ADL (severe dysfunction or worse) (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.81; p = 0.0413), IADL (serious dependence) (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.33 to 1.63; p = 0.0436), renal function (chronic kidney disease (CKD) ≥ stage 3a) (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.55; p = 0.0133), and malnutrition(OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.74 to 2.56; p = 0.0101) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications.

Conclusion

The CGA process reduces patient mortality and increases safety in older orthopedic surgery patients. Spinal fusion, blood loss, ADL (severe dysfunction or worse), IADL (serious dependence), renal function (CKD ≥ stage 3a) and nutrition mini nutritional assessment (MNA) (malnourished) were independent risk factors of postoperative complications following orthopaedic surgery in older patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03328-5.

Specialty-Specific Readmission Risk Models Outperform General Models in Estimating Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Readmission Risk

BACKGROUND

Readmissions are costly and inconvenient for patients, and occur frequently in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery practice. Readmission prediction tools exist, but most have not been designed or tested in the HPB patient population.

METHODS

Pancreatectomy and hepatectomy operation-specific readmission models defined as subspecialty readmission risk assessments (SRRA) were developed using clinically relevant data from merged 2014-15 ACS NSQIP Participant Use Data Files and Procedure Targeted datasets. The two derived procedure-specific models were tested along with 6 other readmission models in institutional validation cohorts in patients who had pancreatectomy or hepatectomy, respectively, between 2013 and 2017. Models were compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC).

RESULTS

A total of 16,884 patients (9169 pancreatectomy and 7715 hepatectomy) were included in the derivation models. A total of 665 patients (383 pancreatectomy and 282 hepatectomy) were included in the validation models. Specialty-specific readmission models outperformed general models. AUC characteristics of the derived pancreatectomy and hepatectomy SRRA (pancreatectomy AUC=0.66, hepatectomy AUC=0.74), modified Readmission After Pancreatectomy (AUC=0.76), and modified Readmission Risk Score for hepatectomy (AUC=0.78) outperformed general models for readmission risk: LOS/2 + ASA integer-based score (pancreatectomy AUC=0.58, hepatectomy AUC=0.66), LACE Index (pancreatectomy AUC=0.54, hepatectomy AUC=0.62), Unplanned Readmission Nomogram (pancreatectomy AUC=0.52, hepatectomy AUC=0.55), and institutional ARIA (pancreatectomy AUC=0.46, hepatectomy AUC=0.58).

CONCLUSION

HPB readmission risk models using 30-day subspecialty-specific data outperform general readmission risk tools. Hospitals and practices aiming to decrease readmissions in HPB surgery patient populations should use specialty-specific readmission reduction strategies.

Understanding the role of informal caregivers in postoperative care transitions for older patients

BACKGROUND

Older adults may have new care needs and functional limitations after surgery. Many rely on informal caregivers (unpaid family or friends) after discharge but the extent of informal support is unknown. We sought to examine the role of informal postoperative caregiving on transitions of care for older adults undergoing routine surgical procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using ACS NSQIP Geriatric Pilot Project data, 2014-2018. Patients were ≥65 years and underwent an inpatient surgical procedure. Patients who lived at home alone were compared with those who lived with support from informal caregivers (family and/or friends). Primary outcomes were discharge destination (home vs. post-acute care) and readmission within 30 days. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between support at home, discharge destination, and readmission.

RESULTS

Of 18,494 patients, 25% lived alone before surgery. There was no difference in loss of independence (decline in functional status or new use of mobility aid) after surgery between patients who lived alone or with others (18.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.24). Nevertheless, twice as many patients who lived alone were discharged to a non-home location (10.2% vs. 5.1%; OR: 2.24, CI: 1.93-2.56). Patients who lived alone and were discharged home with new informal caregivers had increased odds of readmission (OR: 1.43, CI: 1.09-1.86).

CONCLUSION

Living alone independently predicts discharge to post-acute care, and patients who received new informal caregiver support at home have higher odds of readmission. These findings highlight opportunities to improve discharge planning and care.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes Based on Decision-Making Capacity

Background

Long‐term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) based on patients’ decision‐making ability have not been studied. Our objective was to assess long‐term outcomes after PCI in patients who provided individual versus surrogate consent.

Methods and Results

Data were collected retrospectively for patients who underwent PCI at Cleveland Clinic between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016. Inclusion criteria consisted of hospitalized patients aged ≥20 years who had PCI. Patients with outpatient PCI, or major surgery 30 days before or 90 days after PCI, were excluded. Patients who underwent PCI with surrogate consent versus individual consent were matched using the propensity analysis. Kaplan–Meier, log rank, t‐statistic, and χ² tests were used for statistical analysis. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Of 3136 patients who underwent PCI during the study period, 183 had surrogate consent. Propensity matching yielded 149 patients from each group. Two‐year all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the surrogate consent group (38 [25.5%] versus 16 [10.7%] deaths, log‐rank χ²=10.16, P<0.001). The 2‐year major adverse cardiac events rate was also significantly higher in the surrogate consent group (60 versus 36 events, log‐rank χ²=8.36, P=0.003).

Conclusions

Patients with surrogate consent had significantly higher all‐cause mortality and higher major adverse cardiac events when compared with patients with individual consent. This study emphasizes the fact that patients with an inability to give consent are at high risk and may need special attention in postprocedural and postdischarge care.

Paradigm shift in gastrointestinal surgery − combating sarcopenia with prehabilitation: Multimodal review of clinical and scientific data

A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the prognostic significance of sarcopenia in surgical patients as an independent predictor of postoperative complications and outcomes. These included an increased risk of total complications, major complications, re-admissions, infections, severe infections, 30 d mortality, longer hospital stay and increased hospitalization expenditures. A program to enhance recovery after surgery was meant to address these complications; however, compliance to the program since its introduction has been less than ideal. Over the last decade, the concept of prehabilitation, or “pre-surgery rehabilitation”, has been discussed. The presurgical period represents a window of opportunity to boost and optimize the health of an individual, providing a compensatory “buffer” for the imminent reduction in physiological reserve post-surgery. Initial results have been promising. We review the literature to critically review the utility of prehabilitation, not just in the clinical realm, but also in the scientific realm, with a resource management point-of-view.

Patients over 65 years with Acute Complicated Calculous Biliary Disease are Treated Differently-Results and Insights from the ESTES Snapshot Audit

BACKGROUND

Accrued comorbidities are perceived to increase operative risk. Surgeons may offer operative treatments less often to their older patients with acute complicated calculous biliary disease (ACCBD). We set out to capture ACCBD incidence in older patients across Europe and the currently used treatment algorithms.

METHODS

The European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) undertook a snapshot audit of patients undergoing emergency hospital admission for ACCBD between October 1 and 31 2018, comparing patients under and ≥ 65 years. Mortality, postoperative complications, time to operative intervention, post-acute disposition, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were compared between groups. Within the ≥ 65 cohort, comorbidity burden, mortality, LOS, and disposition outcomes were further compared between patients undergoing operative and non-operative management.

RESULTS

The median age of the 338 admitted patients was 67 years; 185 patients (54.7%) of these were the age of 65 or over. Significantly fewer patients ≥ 65 underwent surgical treatment (37.8% vs. 64.7%, p < 0.001). Surgical complications were more frequent in the ≥ 65 cohort than younger patients, and the mean postoperative LOS was significantly longer. Postoperative mortality was seen in 2.2% of patients ≥ 65 (vs. 0.7%, p = 0.253). However, operated elderly patients did not differ from non-operated in terms of comorbidity burden, mortality, LOS, or post-discharge rehabilitation need.

CONCLUSIONS

Few elderly patients receive surgical treatment for ACCBD. Expectedly, postoperative morbidity, LOS, and the requirement for post-discharge rehabilitation are higher in the elderly than younger patients but do not differ from elderly patients managed non-operatively. With multidisciplinary perioperative optimization, elderly patients may be safely offered optimal treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (Trial # NCT03610308).

A Prediction Model for Severe Complications after Elective Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Patients of 70 Years and Older

Introduction Older patients have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Existing CRC surgical prediction models have not incorporated geriatric predictors, limiting applicability for preoperative decision-making. The objective was to develop and internally validate a predictive model based on preoperative predictors, including geriatric characteristics, for severe postoperative complications after elective surgery for stage I-III CRC in patients ≥70 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospectively collected database contained 1088 consecutive patients from five Dutch hospitals (2014-2017) with 171 severe complications (16%). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used for predictor selection and prediction model building. Internal validation was done using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

A geriatric model that included gender, previous DVT or pulmonary embolism, COPD/asthma/emphysema, rectal cancer, the use of a mobility aid, ADL assistance, previous delirium and polypharmacy showed satisfactory discrimination with an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI 0.73-0.64); the AUC for the optimism corrected model was 0.65. Based on these predictors, the eight-item colorectal geriatric model (GerCRC) was developed.

CONCLUSION

The GerCRC is the first prediction model specifically developed for older patients expected to undergo CRC surgery. Combining tumour- and patient-specific predictors, including geriatric predictors, improves outcome prediction in the heterogeneous older population.

Older Adult Perspectives on Medical Decision Making and Emergency General Surgery: "It had to be Done."

CONTEXT

Optimal surgical care for older adults with life-threatening conditions, with high risk of poor perioperative outcomes and morality in the months after surgery, should incorporate an understanding of the patient's treatment goals and preferences. However, little research has explored the patient perspective of decision making and advanced care planning during an emergency surgery episode.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to better understand older patients' lived experience making decisions to undergo emergency general surgery (EGS) and perceptions of perioperative advance care planning (ACP).

METHODS

Adults aged 65 and older who underwent one of seven common EGS procedures with lengths of stay more than five days at three Boston-area hospitals were included. Semistructured phone interviews were conducted three months postdischarge. Transcripts were reviewed and coded independently by surgeons and palliative care physicians to identify themes.

RESULTS

About 31 patients were interviewed. Patients viewed the decision for surgery as a choice of life over death and valued prolonging life. They felt there was no choice but to proceed with surgery but reported that participation in decision making was limited because of severe symptoms, time constraints, and confused thinking. Despite recently surviving a life-threatening illness, patients had not reconsidered their wishes for the future and preferred to avoid future ACP.

CONCLUSION

Older patients who survived a life-threatening illness and EGS report receiving goal-concordant care in the moment that relieved symptoms and prolonged life but had not considered future care. Interventions to facilitate postoperative ACP should be targeted to this vulnerable group of older adults.

Preliminary data demonstrate the Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces postoperative length of stay

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND

The Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program promotes clinical standards aimed to optimize the quality of surgical care delivered to older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if preliminary implementation of the GSV Program standards improves surgical outcomes.

DESIGN

Prospective study with cohort matching.

SETTING

Data from a single institution compared with a national data set cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients aged ≥75 years undergoing inpatient operations between January 2018 and December 2019 were included. Cohort matching by age and procedure code was performed using a national data set.

MEASUREMENTS

Baseline pre- and intraoperative characteristics prospectively recorded using Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) variable definitions. Postoperative outcomes were recorded including complications as defined by VASQIP, 30-day mortality, and length of stay.

RESULTS

A total of 162 patients participated in the GSV program, and 308 patients comprised the matched comparison group. There was no difference in postoperative occurrence of one or more complications (p = 0.81) or 30-day mortality (p = 0.61). Patients cared for by the GSV Program had a reduced postoperative length of stay (median 4 days [range 1,31] vs. 5 days [range 1,86]; p < 0.01; and mean 5.4 ± 4.8 vs. 8.8 ± 11.8 days; p < 0.01) compared with the matched cohort. In a multivariable regression model, the GSV Program's reduced length of stay was independent of other associated covariates including age, operative time, and comorbidities (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Preliminary implementation of the GSV Program standards reduces length of stay in older adults undergoing inpatient operations. This finding demonstrates both the clinical and financial value of the GSV Program.

A Fall Within 3 Months Before Total Joint Arthroplasty is Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND

Falls are associated with morbidity and death in the elderly. The consequences of falls after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are known, but the consequences of preoperative falls are unclear. We assessed associations between preoperative fall history and hospital readmission rates and discharge disposition after primary TJA.

METHODS

We queried the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Geriatric Pilot Project for cases of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) (n = 3671) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (n = 6194) performed between 2014 and 2018 for patients aged ≥65 years. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, functional status indicators, and 30-day outcomes were compared among patients with falls occurring within 3 months, from >3 to 6 months, and from >6 to 12 months before surgery, and patients with no falls in the year before surgery. The timing of falls was assessed for independent associations with hospital readmission and discharge to a skilled care facility (SCF). Alpha = 0.05.

RESULTS

Patients who fell within 3 months before surgery had greater odds of SCF discharge (for THA, odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-3.4; for TKA, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.3) and hospital readmission (for THA, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0; for TKA, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.5) compared with the no-fall cohort. No such associations were observed for the other two fall cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Falls within 3 months before primary TJA are associated with SCF discharge and readmission for patients aged ≥65 years. Fall history screening should be included in preoperative evaluation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Significance of frailty in prognosis after surgery in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background

Frailty is an important consideration for older patients undergoing surgery. We aimed to investigate whether frailty could be a prognostic factor in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent pancreatic resection.

Methods

One hundred and twenty patients who underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Frailty was defined as a clinical frailty scale score ≥4. Patients were divided into frailty (n = 29) and non-frailty (n=91) groups, and clinicopathological factors were compared between the two groups.

Results

The frailty group showed an older age, lower serum albumin concentration, lower prognostic nutritional index, larger tumor diameter, and higher rate of lymph node metastasis than the non-frailty group (p < 0.05). Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and modified Glasgow prognostic score tended to be higher in the frailty group. Cancer-specific and disease-free survival rates were significantly poor in the frailty group (p < 0.05). With a multivariate analysis, frailty was an independent prognostic factor of cancer-specific survival.

Conclusions

Frailty can predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who undergo pancreatic resection.

Incorporating Outcomes that Matter to Older Adults into Surgical Research

This editorial comments on the article by Thillainadesan et al. in this issue.

Evaluation of Postoperative Functional Health Status Decline Among Older Adults

Importance

Functional outcomes have value for older adults who undergo surgical procedures. Preventing postoperative functional decline in this patient population necessitates the identification of the factors associated with this outcome and minimizing their implications.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence of functional decline 30 days after a surgical procedure among older adults 80 years or older, examine the risk factors of this decline, and identify ways to minimize this decline by addressing its mutable factors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used patient data from the Geriatric Surgery Pilot Project, a multi-institutional data registry of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Inclusion criteria were patients 80 years or older who underwent a surgical procedure that required an inpatient stay at 1 of 23 hospitals enrolled in the Geriatric Surgery Pilot Project from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018, and had preoperative and postoperative functional health status data. Data analysis was performed from January 7, 2019, to December 2, 2019.

Exposures

Adults 80 years or older who underwent an inpatient surgical procedure.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative functional decline defined by a change in functional health status from admission or before the surgical procedure (ie, from independent to partially or totally dependent, or from partially dependent to totally dependent). Functional health status was measured by a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living. Secondary outcomes were hospital readmission and 30-day postoperative living location.

Results

Of the 2013 patients analyzed in this study, 1128 were women (56.0%) and the mean (SD) age was 84.9 (3.9) years. Functional decline at 30 days after the surgical procedure was present in 406 patients (20.2%). Prevalence of this outcome increased with age, with 337 of 1751 patients aged 80 to 89 years (19.2%) experiencing decline compared with 69 of 262 patients 90 years or older (26.3%). In a risk-adjusted model, the geriatric-specific risk factors statistically significantly associated with this outcome included preoperative mobility aid use (odds ratio [OR] 1.76; 95% CI, 1.39-2.22; P < .001) and malnutrition (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.04-3.43; P = .04) as well as postoperative delirium (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.60-3.02; P < .001), pressure ulcer (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.02-3.30; P = .04), and mobility aid at discharge (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.72-3.59; P < .001). Among patients with a 30-day functional decline, 106 (26.1%) required hospital readmission and only 219 (53.9%) were living at home compared with 388 patients (95.6%) living at home before the procedure.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, 1 in 5 older adults experienced a functional decline that persisted 30 days after a surgical procedure, an outcome that appeared to be associated with several geriatric-specific risk factors. Future trials are needed to evaluate whether the prevention or mitigation of these factors can decrease the rates of postoperative functional decline in this patient population.

Predicting treatment toxicity in older adults with cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an overview of the recent advancements in predicting toxicity associated with cancer treatment in older patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Various screening tools and validated risk calculators have been shown to help predict toxicity from surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy has been more challenging to select the appropriate tool to reliably predict patients at risk for toxicity and noncompliance. Ongoing work on electronic geriatric assessment tools is showing promise in making comprehensive assessment more feasible.

SUMMARY

Selecting appropriate cancer therapy is particularly important in older patients, and validated tools have been developed to guide clinicians for surgery and chemotherapy; however, radiotherapy toxicity remains an area for further development, as does the uptake of existing tools into routine oncology practice.

Association of Geriatric Events With Perioperative Outcomes After Elective Inpatient Surgery

BACKGROUND

Older adults undergoing surgery are at risk for geriatric events (GEs: delirium, dehydration, falls or fractures, failure to thrive, and pressure ulcers). The prevalence and association of GEs with clinical outcomes after elective surgery is unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the 2013-2014 National Inpatient Sample, we analyzed hospital admissions for the five most common elective procedures (total knee arthroplasty, right hemicolectomy, carotid endarterectomy, aortic valve replacement, and radical prostatectomy) in older adults (age ≥ 65). Our primary variable of interest was presence of any GE. Logistic regression estimated the association of GEs with (1) age group and (2) perioperative outcomes (mortality, postoperative complications, prolonged length of stay, and discharge to skilled nursing facility).

RESULTS

Of 1,255,120 admissions, 66.5% were aged ≥65. The overall rate of any GE was 2.4% and increased with age (55-64 y: 1.5%; 65-74: 2.2%; ≥75: 4.1%; P < 0.001). After adjustment, the probability of any GE increased with age (P < 0.001). Rates of GEs varied by procedure (P < 0.001). In comparison with admissions with no GEs, one or more GE was associated with higher probability of worse outcomes including mortality, postoperative complications, prolonged length of stay, and discharge to skilled nursing facility (all P < 0.001). In addition, there was a dose-dependent relationship between GEs and these poor perioperative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

GEs are strongly associated with poor perioperative outcomes. Efforts should focus on mutable factors responsible for GEs to optimize surgical care for older adults.

Preoperative Depressive Symptoms Associated with Poor Functional Recovery after Surgery

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Depression screening and treatment for older adults are recommended in Age-Friendly Health Systems. Few studies have evaluated the association between depressive symptoms and postoperative functioning. We aimed to determine the association between varying levels of depressive symptoms in the preoperative setting with postoperative functional recovery.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two academic hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts.

PARTICIPANTS

Surgical patients aged 70 and older (N = 560).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants were assessed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Preoperative evaluation included the 15-item short-form Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results were categorized as low (GDS = 0-1), moderate (2-5), or high (6-15) symptom burden. Primary outcome was 1-year instrumental activities of daily living functional decline. Secondary outcomes included hospital stay longer than 5 days, discharge to post-acute care (PAC) facility, and readmission within 30 days.

RESULTS

Mean participant age was 76.6 ± 5 years, 58% were women, 81% underwent an orthopedic operation, 13% gastrointestinal, 6% vascular; 13% had functional decline at 1 year after their operation (by symptom burden: low = 5.5%; moderate = 14.8%, and high = 38.6%). After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity, those with moderate or high depressive symptoms demonstrated greater odds of functional decline at 1 year compared with those with a low symptom burden (moderate: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-5.3; high: AOR = 9.3; 95% CI = 4.2-20.6), discharge to PAC facility (moderate: AOR = 1.7; 95%CI = 1.2-2.6; high: AOR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.4-5.1) but demonstrated no significant association with 30-day readmission or hospital length of stay longer than 5 days.

CONCLUSION

Greater burden of preoperative depressive symptoms is associated with increased likelihood of functional decline at 1 year after surgery and of discharge to PAC facility. Preoperative assessment of the burden of depressive symptoms in older adults undergoing elective surgery may be helpful in identifying patients at high risk of poor outcomes.

Geriatric Risk Prediction Models for Major Gastroenterological Surgery using the National Clinical Database in Japan: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of geriatric variables on five newly added outcomes and create risk models for predicting these outcomes.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Because there is a current lack of geriatric research focusing on geriatric outcomes using a national surgical database in Japan, there is a need to investigate outcomes associated with major gastroenterological surgery using these data.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted at 26 surgery departments across 21 institutions in Japan using the National Clinical Database (NCD) surgical registry. In total, 22 new geriatric variables were imported from the ACS NSQIP geriatric pilot study. The following five geriatric outcomes were defined: 1) postoperative delirium, 2) physical function on postoperative day 30, 3) fall risk on discharge, 4) discharge other than home with social service, and 5) functional decline on discharge, and geriatric risk prediction models for major gastroenterological surgery were created.

RESULTS

Between January 2018 and December 2018, data on 3,981 procedures from seven major gastroenterological surgeries were collected and analyzed. Older age and preoperative geriatric variables (Origin status from home, History of dementia, Use of mobility aid, Fall history, and Not competent on admission) were strongly associated with postoperative outcomes. Geriatric risk prediction models for these outcomes were created, with C-statistic values ranging from 0.74 to 0.90, demonstrating model validity and sufficiency of fit.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk models for the newly defined five geriatric outcomes that we created can be used in the decision-making process or provision of care in geriatric patients.

The American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification Program and the Practicing Colorectal Surgeon

The population is aging and older adults are increasingly undergoing surgery. Colorectal surgeons need to understand the risks inherent in the care of older adults and identify concrete ways to improve the quality of care for this vulnerable population. Goals for the practicing colorectal surgeon include: 1) introduce the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program and understand the intersection with colorectal surgery, 2) examine the 30 evidence-based GSV standards and how they can achieve better outcomes after colorectal surgery, and 3) outline the value and benefits for colorectal surgeons of implementing such a program.

Perioperative Care Strategy for Older Adults

Geriatric patients are not just older adult patients. Aging brings about unique physiologic, psychological, and sociologic changes within individuals. Recognition of these unique characteristics and measuring for their impact; instituting mitigating strategies; using age-specific anesthetic measures; and performing a systematic, algorithmic care model in the postoperative period overseen by a multidisciplinary team brings about enhanced outcomes and improved quality of care for this expanding group of patients.

Perioperative Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management for Noncardiac Surgery: A Review

IMPORTANCE

Perioperative cardiovascular complications occur in 3% of hospitalizations for noncardiac surgery in the US. This review summarizes evidence regarding cardiovascular risk assessment prior to noncardiac surgery.

OBSERVATIONS

Preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment requires a focused history and physical examination to identify signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and severe valvular disease. Risk calculators, such as the Revised Cardiac Risk Index, identify individuals with low risk (<1%) and higher risk (≥1%) for perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events during the surgical hospital admission or within 30 days of surgery. Cardiovascular testing is rarely indicated in patients at low risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. Stress testing may be considered in patients at higher risk (determined by the inability to climb ≥2 flights of stairs, which is <4 metabolic equivalent tasks) if the results from the testing would change the perioperative medical, anesthesia, or surgical approaches. Routine coronary revascularization does not reduce perioperative risk and should not be performed without specific indications independent of planned surgery. Routine perioperative use of low-dose aspirin (100 mg/d) does not decrease cardiovascular events but does increase surgical bleeding. Statins are associated with fewer postoperative cardiovascular complications and lower mortality (1.8% vs 2.3% without statin use; P < .001) in observational studies, and should be considered preoperatively in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease undergoing vascular surgery. High-dose β-blockers (eg, 100 mg of metoprolol succinate) administered 2 to 4 hours prior to surgery are associated with a higher risk of stroke (1.0% vs 0.5% without β-blocker use; P = .005) and mortality (3.1% vs 2.3% without β-blocker use; P = .03) and should not be routinely used. There is a greater risk of perioperative myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular events in adults aged 75 years or older (9.5% vs 4.8% for younger adults; P < .001) and in patients with coronary stents (8.9% vs 1.5% for those without stents; P < .001) and these patients warrant careful preoperative consideration.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Comprehensive history, physical examination, and assessment of functional capacity during daily life should be performed prior to noncardiac surgery to assess cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular testing is rarely indicated in patients with a low risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, but may be useful in patients with poor functional capacity (<4 metabolic equivalent tasks) undergoing high-risk surgery if test results would change therapy independent of the planned surgery. Perioperative medical therapy should be prescribed based on patient-specific risk.

Surgery for the Very Old: Are Nonagenarians Different?

Octogenarians and nonagenarians are considered the “very old” and are often viewed as one group. Americans are aging, with the proportion of the very old expected to increase from 1.9 per cent of the population to 4.3 per cent in 2050. This study aimed to underscore the differences in surgical trends, demographics, and outcomes between octogenarians and nonagenarians. The ACS-NSQIP database (2007–2012) was used to derive the type of surgeries, demographics, and outcomes of octogenarian and nonagenarians undergoing nonemergent vascular, orthopedic, and general surgery procedures. Between 2007 and 2012, nonagenarians accounted for an increasing percentage of surgeries (85 to 121 per 10,000 surgeries, relative risk = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.30–1.54) across surgical specialties, including vascular, general, and orthopedic surgery, whereas the percentage of octogenarians undergoing surgery remained unchanged. Nonagenarians had a higher 30-day perioperative mortality and a longer hospital stay than octogenarians after vascular, orthopedic, and general surgery procedures. Nonagenarians are a rapidly growing group of surgical patients with significantly higher perioperative mortality and longer postoperative hospital stay. The impact of surgery on the quality of life of nonagenarians needs to be studied to justify the increasing healthcare costs.

Association of Functional, Cognitive, and Psychological Measures With 1-Year Mortality in Patients Undergoing Major Surgery

Importance

More older adults are undergoing major surgery despite the greater risk of postoperative mortality. Although measures, such as functional, cognitive, and psychological status, are known to be crucial components of health in older persons, they are not often used in assessing the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes in older adults.

Objective

To determine the association between measures of physical, cognitive, and psychological function and 1-year mortality in older adults after major surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study of participants 66 years or older who were enrolled in the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study and underwent 1 of 3 types of major surgery.

Exposures

Major surgery, including abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass graft, and colectomy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Our outcome was mortality within 1 year of major surgery. Our primary associated factors included functional, cognitive, and psychological factors: dependence in activities of daily living (ADL), dependence in instrumental ADL, inability to walk several blocks, cognitive status, and presence of depression. We adjusted for other demographic and clinical predictors.

Results

Of 1341 participants, the mean (SD) participant age was 76 (6) years, 737 (55%) were women, 99 (7%) underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, 686 (51%) coronary artery bypass graft, and 556 (42%) colectomy; 223 (17%) died within 1 year of their operation. After adjusting for age, comorbidity burden, surgical type, sex, race/ethnicity, wealth, income, and education, the following measures were significantly associated with 1-year mortality: more than 1 ADL dependence (29% vs 13%; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.76; P = .001), more than 1 instrumental ADL dependence (21% vs 14%; aHR, 1.32; P = .05), the inability to walk several blocks (17% vs 11%; aHR, 1.64; P = .01), dementia (21% vs 12%; aHR, 1.91; P = .03), and depression (19% vs 12%; aHR, 1.72; P = .01). The risk of 1-year mortality increased within the increasing risk factors present (0 factors: 10.0%; 1 factor: 16.2%; 2 factors: 27.8%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this older adult cohort, 223 participants (17%) who underwent major surgery died within 1 year and poor function, cognition, and psychological well-being were significantly associated with mortality. Measures in function, cognition, and psychological well-being need to be incorporated into the preoperative assessment to enhance surgical decision-making and patient counseling.

Safety of Major Abdominal Operations in the Elderly: A Study of Geriatric-Specific Determinants of Health

BACKGROUND

Preoperative assessment of geriatric-specific determinants of health may enhance perioperative risk stratification among elderly patients. This study examines effects of geriatric-specific variables on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective major abdominal operations.

METHODS

Patients included in the ACS NSQIP pilot Geriatric Surgery Research File program who underwent elective pancreatic, liver, and colorectal operations between 2014 and 2016 were examined. Multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate associations between patient-specific geriatric variables and risk of death, morbidity, readmission, and discharge destination.

RESULTS

A total of 4165 patients were included. Patients ≥85 years were more likely to die, experience postoperative morbidity, and be discharged to a facility (all p ≤ 0.039) than younger patients. Preoperatively, patients ≥85 years were more likely to use a mobility aid, have a prior fall, have consent signed by a surrogate, and to live alone at home prior to operation (all p < 0.001). After adjustment for ACS NSQIP-estimated probabilities of morbidity or mortality, no geriatric-specific preoperative risk factors were significantly associated with increased risk of death or complications in any age group (all p > 0.055). Patients 75-84 and ≥85 years were more likely to be discharged to facility (OR 2.33 and 4.75, respectively, both p < 0.001) compared to patients 65-74 years. All geriatric-specific variables: use of mobility aid, living alone, consent signed by a surrogate, and fall history, were significantly associated with discharge to a facility (all p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for comorbid conditions, geriatric-specific variables are not associated with postoperative mortality and morbidity among elderly patients; however, geriatric-specific variables are significantly associated with discharge to a facility.

Does Postoperative Cognitive Decline Result in New Disability After Surgery?

OBJECTIVE

Establish whether POCD is associated with new disability after surgery, which would inform whether POCD impacts patient-centered outcomes.

BACKGROUND

POCD is a decline in neuropsychiatric tests scores from presurgical baseline which occurs in approximately 15% of older patients 3 months after surgery. POCD is a research construct meant to investigate patient and family reports of older adults who were "never the same after surgery." However, many patients with POCD do not perceive difficulty with thinking and memory, and the question remains whether POCD impacts patient function.

METHODS

We performed a prospective cohort study of 167 older adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery (requiring at least a 2-day hospital stay). Exclusion criteria were: history of dementia, cardiac or intracranial procedure, inability to consent for themselves, or emergency surgery. We administered formal neuropsychiatric testing (Alzheimer Disease Research Center UDS battery), basic and instrumental activities of daily living (Alzheimer Disease Research Center IADLs), pain (geriatric pain measure), and depression screening (hospital depression and anxiety scale) before and 3 months after surgery. We recorded all patient refined diagnostic related groups codes, blood pressure, anesthetics and narcotics administered, surgical and anesthesia duration, and measured complications and severity, length of stay, and readmissions.

RESULTS

Patients with POCD (21/167, 14.1%) had twice the proportion of new impairment in IADL as compared to those without POCD (57% vs 27%, P = .01). The most common areas of decline were social activities, ability to find items around the house, remember appointments, shop and pay for items, do laundry, drive a car/use public transport, and do housework. Predictors of IADL change after surgery included POCD, presurgical cognition, presurgical function, postoperative depression, and the development of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with POCD experience a much higher incidence of new disability after surgery. Baseline cognitive or functional limitations are also risk factors for new disability. Many patients are not aware of their limitations before surgery. Future study is needed to identify practical ways to routinely screen patients and reduce risk. Patients need to be informed of their risk for new disability after surgery to inform their medical decision making.

Defining Serious Illness Among Adult Surgical Patients

CONTEXT

Palliative care (PC) for seriously ill surgical patients, including aligning treatments with patients' goals and managing symptoms, is associated with improved patient-oriented outcomes and decreased health care utilization. However, efforts to integrate PC alongside restorative surgical care are limited by the lack of a consensus definition for serious illness in the perioperative context.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to develop a serious illness definition for surgical patients and identify a denominator for quality measurement efforts.

METHODS

We developed a preliminary definition including a set of criteria for 11 conditions and health states. Using the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method, a 12-member expert advisory panel rated the criteria for each condition and health state twice, once after an in-person moderated discussion, for validity (primary outcome) and feasibility of measurement.

RESULTS

All panelists completed both rounds of rating. All 11 conditions and health states defining serious illness for surgical patients were rated as valid. During the in-person discussion, panelists refined and narrowed criteria for two conditions (vulnerable elder, heart failure). The final definition included the following 11 conditions and health states: vulnerable elder, heart failure, advanced cancer, oxygen-dependent pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease, dementia, critical trauma, frailty, nursing home residency, and American Society of Anesthesiology Risk Score IV-V.

CONCLUSION

We identified a consensus definition for serious illness in surgery. Opportunities remain in measuring the prevalence, identifying health trajectories, and developing screening criteria to integrate PC with restorative surgical care.

Surgical quality improvement programs in Japan and USA: Report from the collaborative projects between Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery (JSGS) and the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) have collaboratively developed several clinical projects since 2011 using two nationwide clinical registries with the goal of achieving further improvement of surgical quality in both countries. In this review, the historical viewpoints and the collaboration between JSGS and ACS and their use of nationwide registries [National Clinical Database (NCD) and NSQIP] for research are reviewed. We have carried out a joint project, the 30-day Mortality Risk Model Study and, currently, we are working on several joint projects such as the Morbidity-Mortality Study, Japan-USA Calibration Study, Geriatric Study, and Safety Culture Study as well as Auditing in JSGS/NCD with reference to the NSQIP method. These joint projects will continue to provide us with important information and data to drive improvements in surgical care in both countries. This will also help us to identify any unknown weaknesses in the health-care systems of the USA and Japan.

Association between frailty syndrome and survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a syndrome characterized by weakness, slow gait, weight loss, exhaustion, and low activity. We sought to determine whether frailty was associated with age or stage in newly diagnosed patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and determine its association with survival.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PDAC of all stages underwent baseline assessment. Frailty (per Fried criteria) was defined as having three or more abnormalities in: grip strength, gait speed, weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, or self-reported physical activity. Baseline clinicodemographic characteristics, anatomic stage, performance status, and laboratory markers of prognosis were included. The association between baseline characteristics, frailty, and survival was determined. The associations of individual frailty measures with age, stage, comorbidities, and performance status were examined. Body composition was measured from computed tomographic images using SliceOMatic software.

RESULTS

Of 150 patients enrolled, 8 were excluded because they did not have PDAC on final diagnosis. The median age was 65 years (range, 32-89). Seventy-nine patients (55.6%) were sarcopenic, and 36 (25.4%) were frail. Frailty was associated with increasing comorbidities (P = 0.03) and worse performance status (P < 0.01). During follow-up, 79 patients (56%) died. Frailty was significantly associated with death during the follow-up period (P < 0.001) for the entire cohort, including patients with curative (P = 0.038) and palliative (P = 0.003) treatment plans.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty was seen frequently in patients with newly diagnosed PDAC and was not associated with increasing age or more advanced stage. Frailty was a predictor of survival, including patients treated with curative intent.

Hospital Operative Volume as a Quality Indicator for General Surgery Operations Performed Emergently in Geriatric Patients

BACKGROUND

Within the growing geriatric population, there is an increasing need for emergency operations. Optimizing outcomes can require a structured system of surgical care based on key quality indicators. To investigate this, the current study sought to answer 2 questions. First, to what degree does hospital emergency operative volume impact mortality for geriatric patients undergoing emergency general surgery (EGS) operations? Second, at what procedure-specific hospital volume will geriatric patients undergoing an emergency operation achieve at or better than average mortality risk?

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of geriatric patients (aged 65 years and older) who underwent 1 of 10 EGS operations identified from the California State Inpatient Database (2010 to 2011). β-Logistic generalized linear regression was used, with the hospital as the unit of analysis, to investigate the relationship between hospital operative volume and in-hospital riskv-adjusted mortality. Hospital operative volume thresholds to optimize probability of survival were defined.

RESULTS

There were 41,860 operations evaluated at 299 hospitals. For each operation, mortality decreased as hospital emergency operative volume increased (p < 0.001 for each operation); for every standardized increase in volume (meaning +1 natural logarithm of volume), the reduction in mortality ranged from 14% for colectomy to 61% for appendectomy. Hospital volume thresholds, which optimize to 95% probability of survival, varied by procedure, with a mean of 14 operations over 2 years. More than 50% of hospitals did not meet the threshold benchmarks, representing 22% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival rates for geriatric patients were improved substantially when emergency operations were performed at hospitals with higher operative volumes. Consistent with all active Quality Programs of the American College of Surgeons, hospital operative volume appears to be an important metric of surgical quality for older patients undergoing emergency operations.