Surgeon volume and operative mortality in the United States

Market Factors, Not Quality, Influence Reimbursement for Pancreaticoduodenectomy in an Era of Price Transparency

BACKGROUND

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) price transparency rule tries to facilitate cost-conscious decision-making. For surgical services, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), factors mediating transparency and real-world reimbursement are not well described.

METHODS

The Leapfrog Survey was used to identify United States hospitals performing PD. Financial and operational data were obtained from Turquoise Health and CMS Cost Reports. Chi-square tests and modified Poisson regression evaluated associations with reimbursement disclosure. Two-part logistic and gamma regression models estimated effects of hospital factors on commercial, Medicare, and self-pay reimbursements for PD.

RESULTS

Of 452 Leapfrog hospitals, 295 (65%) disclosed PD hospital or procedure reimbursements. Disclosing hospitals were larger (beds > 200: 81.0% vs. 71.3%, p = 0.04), reported higher net margins (0.7% vs. - 2.1%, p = 0.04), more likely for-profit (26.1% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.001), and teaching-affiliated (82.0% vs. 65.6%, p < 0.001). Nonprofit status conferred hospitalization reimbursement increases of $8683-$12,329, while moderate market concentration predicted savings up to $5066. Teaching affiliation conferred reimbursement increases of $4589-$16,393 for hospitalizations and $644 for procedures. Top Leapfrog volume ratings predicted an increase of up to $7795 for only Medicare hospitalization reimbursement.

CONCLUSIONS

Nondisclosure of hospital and procedural reimbursements for PD remains a major issue. Transparency was noted in hospitals with higher margins, size, and academic affiliation. Factors associated with higher reimbursement were non-profit status, academic affiliation, and more equitable market share. Reimbursement inconsistently tracked with PD quality or volume measures. Policy changes may be required to incentivize reimbursement disclosure and translate transparency into increased value for patients.

Operative Times and Outcomes of Complex Endovascular Repairs of Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms

INTRODUCTION

Owing to the significant morbidity and mortality of open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, complex endovascular repairs (eTAAA) have become increasingly common, but still carry substantial risk. These repairs require large bore access, with resultant pelvic and lower extremity ischemia. We therefore hypothesized that operative timing would be associated with outcomes, as efficient surgery would limit the ischemic time as well as anesthesia time.

METHODS

We studied all eTAAA repairs (Crawford Types 1-3, 5) incorporating at least one branch vessel from 2014 to 2021 in the Vascular Quality Initiative, and categorized them into quartiles of total operating time. To account for variations in case complexity and intraoperative events, we performed a sub-analysis stratifying each surgeon by their median operating time. Multilevel logistic regression was employed to compare perioperative outcomes including mortality, thoracoabdominal life altering events (TALE:composite of perioperative death, stroke, permanent paralysis and/or dialysis), spinal cord ischemia (SCI), acute kidney injury (AKI), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), myocardial infarction, and dialysis.

RESULTS

There were 2,925 eTAAA repairs during the study period. Procedure times ranged from <204 minutes in the first quartile to >365 minutes in the fourth. Longer cases more commonly involved older patients who were more often female, and higher rates of prior stroke, and preoperative anemia. They involved larger, more extensive aneurysms, with higher rates of prior aortic surgery, and more commonly employed PMEGs or parallel grafting to incorporate more branch vessels. In addition, they were less often staged procedures, and used more spinal drains, femoral cutdowns, and upper extremity access. Operating time decreased as experience increased. In adjusted analyses, the odds of mortality and every morbidity studied increased stepwise with operating time, with 4 to 13-fold higher odds in the highest quartiles. Spinal cord ischemia had the strongest association with procedure times, with seven-fold higher odds (OR 7.2 [2.9-17.9], P<.001) of any SCI in the highest quartile compared to the lowest, and 13-fold higher odds of permanent SCI (OR 13.1 [3.9-44.7], P<.001). These results were consistent when surgeons were grouped into quartiles by their median operating times. Medium-term mortality was also higher in the upper quartile of operating time (HR 2.7 [1.4-5.1], P=.002).

CONCLUSION

Longer operating times for complex eTAAA repairs were associated with markedly higher rates of morbidity and mortality, especially spinal cord ischemia. These results emphasize the importance of expeditious repairs by experienced teams.

Caseload per Year in Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Narrative Review

Esophageal surgery is deemed one of the most complex visceral operations. There is a well-documented correlation between higher caseload and better outcomes, with hospitals that perform more surgeries experiencing significantly lower mortality rates. The approach to caseload per year varies across different countries within Europe. Germany increased the minimum annual required caseload of complex esophageal surgeries from 10 to 26 starting in 2023. Furthermore, the new regulations present challenges for surgical training and staff recruitment, risking the further fragmentation of training programs. Enhanced regional cooperation is proposed as a solution to ensure comprehensive training. This review explores the benefits of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) in improving surgical precision and patient outcomes and aims to evaluate how the caseload per year influences the quality of patient care and the efficacy of surgical training, especially with the integration of advanced robotic techniques.

Operative Trauma and Mortality: The Role of Volume

INTRODUCTION

Operative volume is associated with improved outcomes across many surgical specialties, but this relationship has not been illustrated clearly in trauma. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between operative trauma volume and mortality, hypothesizing that increased volume would be associated with improved survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for patients ≥18 y undergoing hemorrhage control surgery at level I or II trauma centers from 2017 to 2020. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between operative volume and in-hospital mortality, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

55,469 patients were included and treated at 516 centers. After adjustment, the operative volume was significantly associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.999, 95% CI 0.997-0.999, P = 0.018). However, there was considerable variability in volumes, with the busiest 5% of centers performing 90-294 operations per year, compared to 7-35 in the middle 50% of centers. To evaluate whether volume exhibited a uniform effect, the top 5% of trauma centers were excluded on subset analysis, with operative volume becoming nonsignificant in the remaining 491 centers (OR 0.999, 95% CI 0.996-1.001, P = 0.274).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher operative trauma volume is associated with reduced mortality for patients undergoing hemorrhage control surgery, but this mortality benefit appears to arise solely from very high-volume centers. The time-sensitive nature of hemorrhage control surgery makes centralization at this level impractical. Future efforts should focus on investigating the relationship between patient proximity to trauma centers and center volume as well as identifying modifiable factors common to high-volume centers that may be widely implemented.

Comparison of Outcomes for Patients Treated by Allopathic vs Osteopathic Surgeons

Importance

There are 2 degree programs for licensed physicians in the US: allopathic medical doctorate (MD) and osteopathic doctorate (DO). However, evidence is limited as to whether outcomes differ between patients treated by MD vs DO surgeons.

Objective

To evaluate differences in surgical outcomes and practice patterns by surgeon medical school training (MD vs DO).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used 100% Medicare claims data from inpatient hospitals providing surgical services from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019 among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 to 99 years who underwent 1 of the 14 most common surgical procedures. Data analysis was performed from January 17, 2023, to August 13, 2024.

Exposure

Medical school degree (MD vs DO).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, and the secondary outcomes were readmissions and length of stay. To assess differences between surgeons by medical school training, a multivariable linear probability model was used, which was adjusted for hospital fixed effects and patient, procedure, and surgeon characteristics.

Results

Of the 2 360 108 total surgical procedures analyzed, 2 154 562 (91.3%) were performed by MD surgeons, and 205 546 (8.7%) were performed by DO surgeons. Of 43 651 total surgeons, most surgeons were MDs (39 339 [90.1%]), the median (SD) age was 49.0 (9.8) years, and 6649 surgeons (15.2%) were female. The mean (SD) age of patients undergoing surgical procedures was 74.9 (6.7) years, 1 353 818 of 2 360 108 patients (57.4%) were female, and 2 110 611 patients (89.4%) self-reported as White. DO surgeons were significantly more likely to operate on older patients (DO patient mean [SD] age: 75.3 [7.1] years; MD patient mean [SD] age: 74.8 [6.6]), female patients (DO: 60.2% of patients; MD: 57.1% of patients), and Medicaid dual-eligible patients (DO: 10.3% of patients; MD: 8.6% of patients). DOs performed a lower proportion of elective operations (DO: 74.2% vs MD: 80.2%) and were more likely to work in public hospitals (DO: 10.3%; MD: 9.5%) and nonteaching hospitals (DO: 57.9%; MD: 68.1%). There was no evidence that 30-day mortality differed between MD and DO surgeons (adjusted mortality rate, DO: 1.61%; MD: 1.58%; absolute risk difference [aRD], -0.04 percentage points; 95% CI, -0.11 to 0.04; P = .37). On secondary analyses, no difference was found in 30-day readmissions or length of stay between MD and DO surgeons.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective cohort study using Medicare data, there was no evidence that patient outcomes differed between MD and DO surgeons for common operations after adjusting for patient factors and practice settings.

Supporting early-career military general surgeons: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Committee position paper

Early-career surgeons must be exposed to a sufficient number of surgical cases of varying complexity in a mentored environment to allow them to solidify, sustain and build on the skills gained in training. Decreased operative volumes at military treatment facilities and assignments that do not include strong mentoring environments can place military surgeons at a disadvantage relative to their civilian counterparts during this critical time following training. The challenge of lower operative volumes in the current interwar lull has been exacerbated by the decline in beneficiary care conducted within the Military Healthcare System. These challenges must be addressed by ensuring early-career surgeons maintain exposure to a large volume of complex surgical procedures and deliberate mentoring from senior surgeons. The purpose of this position statement is to provide actionable methods to support early-career military surgeons to effectively transition from training to independent practice.

Association Among Surgeon Volume, Surgical Approach, and Uterine Size for Hysterectomy for Benign Indications

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between surgeon volume and surgical approach for patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications among uteri of varying sizes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications from 2012 to 2021 within the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative registry. For each hysterectomy, the relative annual volume of the performing surgeon was assessed by calculating the proportion of hysterectomy cases contributed by the surgeon each calendar year relative to the total number of hysterectomies in the registry for that year. Hysterectomies were stratified into tertiles: those performed by low-volume surgeons, intermediate-volume surgeons, and high-volume surgeons. Uterine size was represented by the uterine specimen weight and categorized to facilitate clinical interpretation. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed incorporating interaction terms for surgeon volume and uterine size to explore potential effect modification.

RESULTS

A total of 54,150 hysterectomies were included. Hysterectomies performed by intermediate- and high-volume surgeons were more likely to be performed through a minimally invasive approach compared with those performed by low-volume surgeons (intermediate-volume: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.68, 95% CI, 1.47-1.92; high-volume: aOR 2.14, 95% CI, 1.87-2.46). Moreover, this likelihood increased with increasing uterine weight. For uteri weighing between 1,000 g and 1,999 g, the odds of minimally invasive approach was significantly higher among intermediate-volume surgeons (aOR 3.38, 95% CI, 2.04-5.12) and high-volume (aOR 9.26, 95% CI, 5.64-15.2) surgeons, compared with low-volume surgeons. After including an interaction term for uterine weight and surgeon volume, we identified effect modification of surgeon volume on the relationship between uterine size and choice of minimally invasive surgery.

CONCLUSION

For uteri up to 3,000 g in weight, hysterectomies performed by high-volume surgeons have a higher likelihood of being performed through a minimally invasive approach compared with those performed by low-volume surgeons.

Quality performance indicators for oesophageal and gastric cancer: ANZ expert Delphi consensus

BACKGROUND

Quality performance indicators for the management of oesophagogastric cancer can be used to objectively measure and compare the performance of individual units and capture key elements of patient care to improve patient outcomes.

METHODS

Two systematic reviews were completed to identify evidence-based quality performance indicators for the surgical management of oesophagogastric cancer. Based on the indicators identified, a two-round modified Delphi process with invitations was sent to all members of the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association. The expert working group discussed each suggested indicator and either removed, added, or adjusted the list of indicators of oesophagogastric cancer.

RESULTS

The final list of both OG cancer indicators included Specialized Multi-disciplinary team discussion, Endoscopy documentation, Staging Contrast CT Chest/Abdomen and Pelvis, Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy administered in accordance with the Local multi-disciplinary team, Pathological margin clearance (R0 Resection), Lymphadenectomy retrieving 15 or more nodes, Formal review of pathological findings and documentation, Postoperative complications, 30-day and 90-day postoperative mortality, clinical surveillance and Specialized Dietetic guidance. Indicators specific to gastric cancer included Preoperative biopsy for pathological diagnosis and Staging Laparoscopy. Indicators specific to oesophageal cancer include positron emission tomography scan if CT negative for metastasis, Perioperative Oesophagectomy Care Pathway, length of stay of 21 days or more, and Unplanned readmission within 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study present a core set of indicators for the surgical management of oesophagogastric cancer that can be used to measure quality and compare performance between different units.

Association between Endoscopist Volume and Interval Cancers after Colonoscopy: Results from the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Korea

PURPOSE

The rate of interval colorectal cancer (iCRC) is now accepted as a key performance indicator of organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs. We aimed to examine the association between endoscopist volumes and the rate of iCRC among individuals with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) within a nationwide population-based CRC screening program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Individuals aged ≥ 50 years who underwent colonoscopy after a positive FIT from January 1, 2019 until December 31, 2020 in the Korean National Cancer Screening Program (KNCSP) were enrolled. We converted the data into per-endoscopist screening results, calculated the iCRC rates per endoscopist, and compared them to the previous year's annual volume that was divided into five groups (V1, 1-9; V2, 10-29; V3, 30-59; V4, 60-119; V5, ≥ 120).

RESULTS

A total of 10,412 endoscopists performed 216,907 colonoscopies. Overall, the average rate of iCRC per endoscopist was 8.46 per 1,000 examinations. Compared with the group with the highest volume (V5 group), the rate of iCRC was 2.21 times higher in the V1 group. Similar trends were observed in the other groups (V2: relative risks [RR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57 to 2.94; V3: RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.13; V4: RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.67).

CONCLUSION

The findings emphasize that endoscopists with lower procedure volumes have higher risks of interval cancer being missed or undetected. To maximize the preventative impact of colonoscopy for CRC, this issue should be addressed by monitoring endoscopist volumes and variations in performances.

Identification of Surgeon Outliers to Improve Cost Efficiency: A Novel Use of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Quality Payment Program

BACKGROUND

Bundled payment programs for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have become popular among both private and public payers. Because these programs provide surgeons with financial incentives to decrease costs through reconciliation payments, there is an advantage to identifying and emulating cost-efficient surgeons. The objective of this study was to utilize the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Payment Program (QPP) in combination with institutional data to identify cost-efficient surgeons within our region and, subsequently, identify cost-saving practice patterns.

METHODS

Data was obtained from the CMS QPP for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgeons within a large metropolitan area from January 2019 to December 2021. A simple linear regression determined the relationship between surgical volume and cost-efficiency. Internal practice financial data determined whether patients of identified surgeons differed with respect to x-ray visits, physical therapy visits, out-of-pocket payments to the practice, and whether surgery was done in hospital or surgical center settings.

RESULTS

There were 4 TKA and 3 THA surgeons who were cost-efficiency outliers within our area. Outliers and nonoutlier surgeons had patients who had similar body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Score, and age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Patients of these surgeons had fewer x-ray visits for both TKA and THA (1.06 versus 1.11, P < .001; 0.94 versus 1.15, P < .001) and lower out-of-pocket costs ($86.10 versus $135.46, P < .001; $116.10 versus $177.40, P < .001). If all surgeons performing > 30 CMS cases annually within our practice achieved similar cost-efficiency, the savings to CMS would be $17.2 million for TKA alone ($75,802,705 versus $93,028,477).

CONCLUSIONS

The CMS QPP can be used to identify surgeons who perform cost-efficient surgeries. Practice patterns that result in cost savings can be emulated to decrease the cost curve, resulting in reconciliation payments to surgeons and institutions and cost savings to CMS.

Clinical Outcomes and Long-term Survivorship After Osteochondral Autologous Transfer Combined With Valgus High Tibial Osteotomy: An Analysis After 19 Years With 56 Patients

BACKGROUND

Osteochondral defects of the medial femoral condyle combined with varus malalignment in young and active patients are a debilitating condition, which can result in early osteoarthritis. Osteochondral autologous transfer (OAT) combined with valgus high tibial osteotomy (HTO) might therefore be a comprehensive solution to maintain long-term knee function.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this study was to report clinical results and survivorship after combined OAT and valgus HTO for symptomatic osteochondral defects of the medial femoral condyle in the setting of varus malalignment at a long-term follow-up. It was hypothesized that undergoing combined OAT and valgus HTO would produce favorable clinical results along with a low rate of conversion to arthroplasty.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

All patients treated between 1998 and 2008 with combined valgus HTO and OAT for deep osteochondral defects of the medial femoral condyle and concomitant varus malalignment >2° without meniscal repair/transplantation, osteoarthritis, or ligamentous instability/reconstruction were included. The survival rates of this combined procedure were evaluated. Failure was defined as conversion to knee joint arthroplasty during the follow-up period. Patient-reported outcomes were collected pre- and postoperatively, including the Lysholm score, visual analog scale score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner Activity Scale score, and subjective level of satisfaction (scale 0-10).

RESULTS

Of 74 patients who were included for 10-year follow-up, 3 had died. A total of 15 patients were lost to follow-up, so 56 patients could be reevaluated, for a follow-up rate of nearly 80%. The mean age at surgery was 38.8 ± 9.9 years (range, 19.9-62.4 years), and the mean follow-up time was 18.9 ± 3.0 years (median, 18.8 years; range, 14.1-24.8 years). The survival rates were 87% at 10 years, 86% at 15 years, and 77% at 19 years after surgery. At final follow-up, the Lysholm score showed a mean increase of 39 points (95% CI, 25.4-50.0 points; P < .001) from 40 points to 79 points, representing a significant improvement. Overall, 96% of patients surpassed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Lysholm score. The visual analog scale score decreased by a mean of 4.8 points (range, 5-10 points) from 7.5 points to 2.7 points (P < .001), and 80% of patients surpassed the MCID. The mean Tegner Activity Scale score was 4.5 ± 1.6, and the mean KOOS subscale scores at final follow-up were as follows: Pain: 81 ± 21 (range, 19-100), Symptoms: 80 ± 22 (range, 21-100), Activities of Daily Living: 85 ± 21 (range, 18-100), Sports: 68 ± 32 (range, 0-100), and Quality of Life: 67 ± 28 (range, 0-100). Overall, 78% of the patients were satisfied with the results of the operation.

CONCLUSION

The combination of OAT and valgus HTO presents a viable treatment option for patients affected by osteochondral defects of the medial femoral condyle and concurrent varus malalignment. A sustained and substantial improvement in clinical outcomes, significantly reduced pain severity, and a high rate of long-term survivorship can be anticipated in the long-term follow-up.

Is surgeon annual case volume related with intra and postoperative complications after ventral hernia repair? Uni- and multivariate analysis of prospective registry-based data

BACKGROUND

Literature on a potential relationship between surgeon case volume and intra- or postoperative complications after ventral hernia repair remains scarce.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ventral hernia repair between 2011 and 2023 were selected from the prospectively maintained French Hernia-Club Registry. Outcome variables were: intraoperative events, postoperative general complications, surgical site occurrences, surgical site infections, length of intensive care unit (ICU), and patient-reported scar bulging during follow-up. Surgeons' annual case volume was categorized as 1-5, 6-50, 51-100, 101-125, and > 125 cases, and its association with outcome volume was evaluated using uni- and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 199 titular or temporary members registered 15,332 ventral hernia repairs, including 7869 primary, 6173 incisional, and 212 parastomal hernia repairs. In univariate analysis, surgeons' annual case volume was significantly related with all the postoperative studied outcomes. After multivariate regression analysis, annual case volume remained significantly associated with intra-operative complications, postoperative general complications and length of ICU stay. A primary repair was independently associated with fewer intra- and post-operative complications.

CONCLUSION

In the present multivariable analysis of a large registry on ventral hernia repairs, higher surgeon annual case volume was significantly related with fewer postoperative general complications and a shorter length of stay, but not with fewer surgical site occurrences, nor with less patient-reported scar bulging. Factors in the surgeons' case mix such as the type of hernia have significant impact on complication rates.

Retroperitoneal vs transperitoneal approach for nonruptured open conversion after endovascular aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

Several studies comparing the transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (RP) approach for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair suggest that the RP approach may result in lower rates of perioperative mortality and morbidity. However, data comparing these approaches for open conversion are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the association between the type of approach and outcomes following open conversion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

METHODS

We included all patients who underwent open conversion after EVAR between 2010 and 2022 in the Vascular Quality Initiative. Patients presenting with rupture were excluded. The primary outcome was perioperative mortality. The secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and 5-year mortality. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for factors with statistical or clinical significance. Logistic regression was used to assess perioperative mortality and complications in the weighted cohort. The 5-year mortality was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression.

RESULTS

We identified 660 patients (39% RP) who underwent open conversion after EVAR. Compared with TP, RP patients were older (75 years [interquartile range, 70-79 years] vs 73.5 years [interquartile range, 68-79 years]; P < .001), and more frequently had prior myocardial infarction (33% vs 22%; P = .002). Compared with the TP approach, the RP approach was used less frequently in cases of associated iliac aneurysm (19% vs 27%; P = .026), but more frequently with associated renal bypass (7.8% vs 1.7%; P < .001) and by high-volume physicians (highest quintile, >7 AAA annually: 41% vs 17%; P < .001) and in high-volume centers (highest quintile, >35 AAA annually: 36% vs 20%; P < .001). RP patients, compared with TP patients, were less likely to have external iliac or femoral distal anastomosis (8.2% vs 21%; P < .001), and an infrarenal clamp (25% vs 36%; P < .001). Unadjusted perioperative mortality was not significantly different between approaches (RP vs TP: 3.8% vs 7.5%; P = .077). After risk adjustment, RP patients had similar odds of perioperative mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-1.10; P = .082), and lower odds of intestinal ischemia (aOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.86; P = .028) and in-hospital reintervention (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.85; P = .015). No significant differences were found in the other perioperative complications or 5-year mortality (aHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.47-1.32; P = .37).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the RP approach may be associated with a lower adjusted odds of perioperative complications compared with the TP approach. The RP approach should be considered for open conversion after EVAR when feasible.

Procedural volume is linearly associated with mortality, major complications, and readmissions in patients undergoing malignant brain tumor resection

PURPOSE

Improved outcomes have been noted in patients undergoing malignant brain tumor resection at high-volume centers. Studies have arbitrarily chosen high-volume dichotomous cutoffs and have not evaluated volume-outcome associations at specific institutional procedural volumes. We sought to establish the continuous association of volume with patient outcomes and identify cutoffs significantly associated with mortality, major complications, and readmissions. We hypothesized that a linear volume-outcome relationship can estimate likelihood of adverse outcomes when comparing any two volumes.

METHODS

The patient cohort was identified with ICD-10 coding in the Nationwide Readmissions Database(NRD). The association of volume and mortality, major complications, and 30-/90-day readmissions were evaluated in multivariate analyses. Volume was used as a continuous variable with two/three-piece splines, with various knot positions to reflect the best model performance, based on the Quasi Information Criterion(QIC).

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2018, 34,486 patients with malignant brain tumors underwent resection. When volume was analyzed as a continuous variable, mortality risk decreased at a steady rate of OR 0.988 per each additional procedure increase for hospitals with 1-65 cases/year(95% CI 0.982-0.993, p < 0.0001). Risk of major complications decreased from 1 to 41 cases/year(OR 0.983, 95% CI 0.979-0.988, p < 0.0001), 30-day readmissions from 1 to 24 cases/year(OR 0.987, 95% CI 0.979-0.995, p = 0.001) and 90-day readmissions from 1 to 23 cases/year(OR 0.989, 95% CI 0.983-0.995, p = 0.0003) and 24-349 cases/year(OR 0.9994, 95% CI 0.999-1, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In multivariate analyses, institutional procedural volume remains linearly associated with mortality, major complications, and 30-/90-day readmission up to specific cutoffs. The resulting linear association can be used to calculate relative likelihood of adverse outcomes between any two volumes.

Decreasing Utilization of Vaginal Hysterectomy in the United States: An Analysis by Candidacy for Vaginal Approach

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective was to assess trends in hysterectomy routes by patients who are likely and unlikely candidates for a vaginal approach.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent vaginal, abdominal, or laparoscopic/robotics-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy between 2017 and 2020 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients undergoing hysterectomy for a primary diagnosis of benign uterine pathology, dysplasia, abnormal uterine bleeding, or pelvic floor disorders were eligible for inclusion. Patients who were parous, had no history of pelvic or abdominal surgery, and had a uterine weight ≤ 280 g on pathology were considered likely candidates for vaginal hysterectomy based on an algorithm developed to guide the surgical approach. Average annual changes in the proportion of likely vaginal hysterectomy candidates and route of hysterectomy were assessed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 77,829 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 13,738 (17.6%) were likely vaginal hysterectomy candidates. Among likely vaginal hysterectomy candidates, the rate of vaginal hysterectomy was 34.5%, whereas among unlikely vaginal hysterectomy candidates, it was 14.1%. The overall vaginal hysterectomy rate decreased -1.2%/year (p < 0.01). This decreasing trend was nearly twice as rapid among likely vaginal hysterectomy candidates (-1.9%/year, p < .01) compared with unlikely vaginal hysterectomy candidates (-1.1%/year, P < 0.01); the difference in trends was statistically significant (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of vaginal hysterectomy performed for eligible indications decreased between 2017 and 2020 in a national surgical registry. This negative trend was more pronounced among patients who were likely candidates for vaginal hysterectomy based on favorable parity, surgical history, and uterine weight.

Association of Surgeon Self-Reported Gender and Surgical Outcomes in Current US Practice

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the association of surgeon self-reported gender on clinical outcomes in contemporary US surgical practice.

BACKGROUND

Previous research has suggested that there are potentially improved surgical outcomes for female surgeons, yet the underlying causal path for this association remains unclear.

METHODS

Using the Vizient Clinical Database(2016-2021), 39 operations categorized by the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network were analyzed. The surgeon self-reported gender as the primary exposure. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death, complications, and/or 30-day readmission. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching were used for risk adjustment.

RESULTS

The analysis included 4,882,784 patients operated on by 11,955 female surgeons (33% of surgeons performing 21% of procedures) and 23,799 male surgeons (67% of surgeons performing 79% of procedures). Female surgeons were younger (45±9 vs males-53±11 y; P <0.0001) and had lower operative volumes. Unadjusted incidence of the primary outcome was 13.6%(10.7%-female surgeons, 14.3%-male surgeons; P <0.0001). After propensity matching, the primary outcome occurred in 13.0% of patients [12.9%-female, 13.0%-male; OR (M vs. F)=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03; P =0.001), with female surgeons having small statistical associations with lower mortality and complication rates but not readmissions. Procedure-specific analyses revealed inconsistent or no surgeon-gender associations.

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest analysis to date, surgeon self-reported gender had a small statistical, clinically marginal correlation with postoperative outcomes. The variation across surgical specialties and procedures suggests that the association with surgeon gender is unlikely causal for the observed differences in outcomes. Patients should be reassured that surgeon gender alone does not have a clinically meaningful impact on their outcome.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Pancreatoduodenectomy for Periampullary Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) has emerged as an alternative to open technique in treating periampullary tumors. However, the safety and efficacy of LPD compared to open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) remain unclear. Thus, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LPD versus OPD in patients with periampullary tumors, with a particular focus on the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patient subgroup.

METHODS

According to PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library in December 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that directly compare LPD versus OPD in patients with periampullary tumors. Endpoints and sensitive analysis were conducted for short-term endpoints. All statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.3.1 with a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Five RCTs yielding 1018 patients with periampullary tumors were included, of whom 511 (50.2%) were randomized to the LPD group. Total follow-up time was 90 days. LPD was associated with a longer operation time (MD 66.75; 95% CI 26.59 to 106.92; p = 0.001; I2 = 87%; Fig. 1A), lower intraoperative blood loss (MD - 124.05; 95% CI - 178.56 to - 69.53; p < 0.001; I2 = 86%; Fig. 1B), and shorter length of stay (MD - 1.37; 95% IC - 2.31 to - 0.43; p = 0.004; I2 = 14%; Fig. 1C) as compared with OPD. In terms of 90-day mortality rates and number of lymph nodes yield, no significant differences were found between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis of RCTs suggests that LPD is an effective and safe alternative for patients with periampullary tumors, with lower intraoperative blood loss and shorter length of stay.

Does surgeon or hospital volume influence outcome in dedicated colorectal units?-A Viennese perspective

OBJECTIVE

A clear relationship between higher surgeon volume and improved outcomes has not been convincingly established in rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of individual surgeon's caseload and hospital volume on perioperative outcome.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 336 consecutive patients undergoing oncological resection for rectal cancer at two Viennese hospitals between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020. The effect of baseline characteristics as well as surgeons' caseloads (low volume: 0-5 cases per year, high volume > 5 cases per year) on postoperative complication rates (Clavien-Dindo Classification groups of < 3 and ≥ 3) were evaluated.

RESULTS

No differences in baseline characteristics were found between centers in terms of sex, smoking status, or comorbidities of patients. Interestingly, only 14.7% of surgeons met the criteria to be classified as high-volume surgeons, while accounting for 66.3% of all operations. There was a significant difference in outcomes depending on the treating center in univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis (odds ratio (OR) = 2.403, p = 0.008). Open surgery was associated with lower complication rates than minimally invasive approaches in univariate analysis (OR = 0.417, p = 0.003, 95%CI = 0.232-0.739) but not multivariate analysis. This indicated that the center's policy rather than surgeon volume or mode of surgery impact on postoperative outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Treating center standards impacted on outcome, while individual caseload of surgeons or mode of surgery did not independently affect complication rates in this analysis. The majority of rectal cancer resections are performed by a small number of surgeons in Viennese hospitals.

Putting the ready in readiness: A post hoc analysis of surgeon performance during a military mass casualty situation in Afghanistan

BACKGROUND

All military surgeons must maintain trauma capabilities for expeditionary care contexts, yet most are not trauma specialists. Maintaining clinical readiness for trauma and mass casualty care is a significant challenge for military and civilian surgeons. We examined the effect of a prescribed clinical readiness program for expeditionary trauma care on the surgical performance of 12 surgeons during a 60-patient mass-casualty situation (MASCAL).

METHODS

The sample included orthopedic (four) and general surgeons (eight) who cared for MASCAL victims at Hamad Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021. One orthopedic and two general surgeons had prior deployment experience. The prescribed program included three primary measures of clinical readiness: 1, expeditionary knowledge (examination score); 2, procedural skills competencies (performance assessment score); and 3, clinical activity (operative practice profile metric). Data were attained from program records for each surgeon in the sample. Each of the 60 patient cases was reviewed and rated (performance score) by the Joint Trauma System's Performance Improvement Branch, a military-wide performance improvement organization. All scores were normalized to facilitate direct comparisons using effect size calculations between each predeployment measure and MASCAL surgical care.

RESULTS

Predeployment knowledge and clinical activity measures met program benchmarks. Baseline predeployment procedural skills competency scores did not meet program benchmarks; however, those gaps were closed through retraining, ensuring all surgeons met or exceeded the program benchmarks predeployment. There were very large effect sizes (Cohen's d ) between all program measures and surgical care score, confirming the relationship between the program measures and MASCAL trauma care provided by the 12 surgeons.

CONCLUSION

The prescribed program measures ensured that all surgeons achieved predeployment performance benchmarks and provided high-quality trauma care to our nation's service members.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Practice Patterns and Outcomes Among Surgical Oncology Fellowship Graduates Performing Complex Cancer Surgery in the United States Across Different Career Stages

BACKGROUND

Practice patterns and potential quality differences among surgical oncology fellowship graduates relative to years of independent practice have not been defined.

METHODS

Medicare claims were used to identify patients who underwent esophagectomy, pancreatectomy, hepatectomy, or rectal resection for cancer between 2016 and 2021. Surgical oncology fellowship graduates were identified, and the association between years of independent practice, serious complications, and 90-day mortality was examined.

RESULTS

Overall, 11,746 cancer operations (pancreatectomy [61.2%], hepatectomy [19.5%], rectal resection [13.7%], esophagectomy [5.6%]) were performed by 676 surgical oncology fellowship graduates (females: 17.7%). The operations were performed for 4147 patients (35.3%) by early-career surgeons (1-7 years), for 4104 patients (34.9%) by mid-career surgeons (8-14 years), and for 3495 patients (29.8%) by late-career surgeons (>15 years). The patients who had surgery by early-career surgeons were treated more frequently at a Midwestern (24.9% vs. 14.2%) than at a Northeastern institution (20.6% vs. 26.9%) compared with individuals treated by late-career surgeons (p < 0.05). Surgical oncologists had comparable risk-adjusted serious complications and 90-day mortality rates irrespective of career stage (early career [13.0% and 7.2%], mid-career [12.6% and 6.3%], late career [12.8% and 6.5%], respectively; all p > 0.05). Surgeon case-specific volume independently predicted serious complications across all career stages (high vs. low volume: early career [odds ratio {OR}, 0.80; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.65-0.98]; mid-career [OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-0.99]; late career [OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.97]).

CONCLUSION

Among surgical oncology fellowship graduates performing complex cancer surgery, rates of serious complications and 90-day mortality were comparable between the early-career and mid/late-career stages. Individual surgeon case-specific volume was strongly associated with postoperative outcomes irrespective of years of independent practice or career stage.

Experience Curve With the Cone Procedure for Ebstein's Anomaly: Effect on Cost and Resource Utilization

Background

The volume-outcome relationship is well-known in health care. The Experience Curve, initially developed by the Boston Consulting Group for manufacturing, offers insight on this relationship and has never before been applied to health care.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of experience on cost and resource utilization for the Cone procedure.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent Cone reconstruction for Ebstein's anomaly at Boston Children's Hospital between October 2010 and October 2021. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamp time over time were evaluated using exponential regression to assess the surgeon-level learning curve. At the hospital level, length of stay and cost over time were assessed using exponential regression.

Results

There were 115 patients included in the study. Median hospital length of stay was 7.9 days (IQR: 6.4-10.2 days) with a decline of 3.3% per year. Median intensive care unit [ICU] length of stay was 3.2 days (IQR: 2-5.7 days) with a decline of 10.5% per year. Adjusted direct costs indexed to 2020 prices fell by 4% per year. There was no statistically significant change in cardiopulmonary bypass or aortic cross clamp time. In mediation analysis, the reduction in cost was completely accounted for in the decline in ICU length of stay. ICU length of stay was correlated with duration of intubation.

Conclusions

Increasing familiarity with Ebstein's anomaly and Cone reconstruction led to a reduction in resource utilization.

Establishing case volume benchmarks for ACGME-accredited orthopedic surgery of the spine fellowship training

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

There has been increasing scrutiny on the standardization of surgical training in the US.

PURPOSE

This study provides case volume benchmarks for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited orthopedic spine surgery fellowship training.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of fellows at ACGME-accredited orthopedic spine surgery fellowships (2017-2022).

PATIENT SAMPLE

N/A.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Reported case volume during fellowship training.

METHODS

Case volume percentiles were calculated across ACGME-defined case categories and temporal changes assessed via linear regression. Variability between the highest and lowest deciles by case volume was calculated as fold-differences (90th percentile/10th percentile). Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify potential targets for case minimum requirements.

RESULTS

A total of 163 spine surgery fellows were included in this study. Total mean reported spine surgery case volume increased from 313.2±122 in 2017 to 382.0±164 in 2022 (p=.19). Most cases were classified as adult (range, 97.2%-98.0%) over pediatric cases (range, 2.0%-2.8%). An average of 322.0 cases were reported and most were classified as laminectomy (32%), posterior arthrodesis (29%), and anterior arthrodesis (20%). Overall variability in total case volume was 2.4 and the greatest variability existed for posterior instrumentation (38.1), application of cage (34.6), anterior instrumentation (20.8), and fractures and dislocations (17.3). If case minimum requirements for total reported cases was assumed at 200 cases, then all spine fellows included in this study would achieve this requirement. However, if case minimum requirements were assumed at 250 total cases, then approximately thirty percent of fellows (n=49) would not achieve this requirement for graduation.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasingly, national societies and accrediting bodies for surgical education recognize the need for standardized training. This study provides benchmarks to inform potential case minimum requirements and help reduce variability during spine fellowship training. Future studies are needed to establish case minimum requirements for spine surgery fellowship training across comprehensive and granular case categories that cover the full gamut of orthopedic spine surgery.

Variation in Postoperative Outcomes Across Federally Designated Hospital Star Ratings

Importance

Despite widespread use to guide patients to hospitals providing the best care, it remains unknown whether Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital star ratings are a reliable measure of hospital surgical quality.

Objective

To examine the CMS hospital star ratings and hospital surgical quality measured by 30-day postoperative mortality, serious complications, and readmission rates for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing colectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and incisional hernia repair.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study evaluated 100% Medicare administrative claims for nonfederal acute care hospitals with a CMS hospital star rating for calendar years 2014-2018. Data analysis was performed from January 15, 2022, to April 30, 2023. Participants included fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 to 99 years who underwent colectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, or incisional hernia repair with continuous Medicare coverage for 3 months before and 6 months after surgery.

Exposure

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hospital star rating.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Risk- and reliability-adjusted hospital rates of 30-day postoperative mortality, serious complications, and 30-day readmissions were measured and compared across hospitals and star ratings.

Results

A total of 1 898 829 patients underwent colectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, or incisional hernia repair at 3240 hospitals with a CMS hospital star rating. Mean (SD) age was 74.8 (7.0) years, 50.6% of the patients were male, and 86.5% identified as White. Risk- and reliability-adjusted 30-day mortality rate decreased in a stepwise fashion from 6.80% (95% CI, 6.79%-6.81%) in 1-star hospitals to 4.93% (95% CI, 4.93%-4.94%) in 5-star hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.73-2.00). There was wide variation in the rates of hospital mortality (variation, 1.89%; range, 2.4%-16.2%), serious complications (variation, 1.97%; range, 5.5%-45.1%), and readmission (variation, 1.27%; range, 9.1%-22.5%) across all hospitals. After stratifying hospitals by their star rating, similar patterns of variation were observed within star rating groups for 30-day mortality: 1 star (variation, 1.91%; range, 3.6%-12.0%), 2 star (variation, 1.86%; range, 2.8%-16.2%), 3 star (variation, 1.84%; range, 2.9%-12.3%), 4 star (variation, 1.76%; range, 2.9%-11.5%), and 5 star (variation, 1.79%; range, 2.4%-9.1%). Similar patterns were observed for serious complications and readmissions.

Conclusion and Relevance

Although CMS hospital star rating was associated with postoperative mortality, serious complications, and readmissions, there was wide variation in surgical outcomes within each star rating group. These findings highlight the limitations of the CMS hospital star rating system as a measure of surgical quality and should be a call for continued improvement of publicly reported hospital grade measures.

Providers' and survivors' perspectives on the availability and accessibility of surgery in gastrointestinal cancer care

BACKGROUND

Surgery is essential for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer treatment. Many patients lack access to surgical care that optimizes outcomes. Scarce availability and/or low accessibility of appropriate resources may be the reason for this, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. This study aimed to investigate providers' and survivors' perspectives on barriers and facilitators to the availability and accessibility of surgical care.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews informed by surgical disparities and access-to-care conceptual frameworks with purposively selected GI cancer providers and survivors in Alabama and Mississippi were conducted. Survivors were within 3 years of diagnosis of stage I to III esophageal, pancreatic, or colorectal cancer. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic and content analysis techniques. Intercoder agreement was reached at 90 %.

RESULTS

The 27 providers included surgeons (n = 11), medical oncologists (n = 2), radiation oncologists (n = 2), a primary care physician (n = 1), nurses (n = 8), and patient navigators (n = 3). This study included 36 survivors with ages ranging from 44 to 87 years. Of the 36 survivors, 21 (58.3 %) were male, and 11 (30.6 %) identified as Black. Responses were grouped into 3 broad categories: (i) transportation/geographic location, (ii) specialized care/testing, and (iii) patient-/provider-related factors. The barriers included lack and cost of transportation, reluctance to travel because of uneasiness with urban centers, low availability of specialized care, overburdened referral centers, provider-related referral biases, and low health literacy. Facilitators included availability of charitable aid, centralizing multidisciplinary care, and efficient appointment scheduling.

CONCLUSION

In the Deep South, barriers and facilitators to the availability and accessibility of GI surgical cancer care were identified at the health system, provider, and patient levels, especially for rural residents. Our data suggest targets for improving the use of surgery in GI cancer care.

Association between hospital procedure volume, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and adverse events related to surgical abortion: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence exists on the influence of hospital procedure volume, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities on surgical abortion outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to assess the association between hospital procedure volume, individual and neighborhood deprivation, comorbidities, and abortion-related adverse events.

STUDY DESIGN

A nationwide population-based cohort study of all women hospitalized for surgical abortion was conducted from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 in France. Annual hospital procedure volume was categorized into 4 levels based on spline function visualization: very low (<80), low ([80-300]), high ([300-650]), and very high-volume (≥650) centers. The primary outcome was the occurrence of at least one surgical-related adverse event, including hemorrhage, retained products of conception, genital tract and pelvic infection, transfusion, fistulas and neighboring lesions, local hematoma, failure of abortion, and admission to an intensive care unit or death. These events were monitored during the index stay and during a subsequent hospitalization up to 90 days. The secondary outcome encompassed general adverse events not directly linked to surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 112,842 hospital stays, 4951 (4.39%) had surgical-related adverse events and 256 (0.23%) had general adverse events. The multivariate analysis showed a volume-outcome relationship, with lower rates of surgical-related adverse events in very high-volume (2.25%, aOR=0.34, 95% CI [0.29-0.39], P<.001), high-volume (4.24%, aOR=0.61, 95% CI [0.55-0.69], P<.001), and low-volume (4.69%, aOR=0.81, 95% CI [0.75-0.88], P<.001) wh en compared to very low-volume centers (6.65%). Individual socioeconomic status (aOR=1.69, 95% CI [1.47-1.94], P<.001), neighborhood deprivation (aOR=1.31, 95% CI [1.22-1.39], P<.001), and comorbidities (aOR=1.79, 95% CI [1.35-2.38], P<.001) were associated with surgical-related adverse events. Conversely, the multivariate analysis of general adverse events did not reveal any volume-outcome relationship.

CONCLUSION

The presence of a volume-outcome relationship underscores the need for enhanced safety standards in low-volume centers to ensure equity in women's safety during surgical abortions. However, our findings also highlight the complexity of this safety concern which involves multiple other factors including socioeconomic status and comorbidities that policymakers must consider.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Treated with Cervical Spine Fusion at High Volume Hospitals

BACKGROUND

High volume (HV) has been associated with improved outcomes in various neurosurgical procedures. The objective of this study was to explore the regional distribution of HV spine centers for cervical spine fusion and compare characteristics and outcomes for patients treated at HV centers versus lower volume centers.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample database 2016-2020 was queried for patients undergoing cervical spine fusion for degenerative pathology. HV was defined as case-loads greater than 2 standard deviations above the mean. Patient characteristics, procedures, and outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Of 3895 hospitals performing cervical spine fusion for degenerative pathology, 28 (0.76%) were HV. The Mid-Atlantic and West South Central regions had the highest number of HV hospitals. HV hospitals were more likely to perform open anterior fusion surgeries (P < 0.01). Patients treated at HV hospitals were less likely to have severe symptomatology or comorbidities (P < 0.01 for all). When controlling for severity and demographics on multivariate analysis, HV centers had higher odds of length of stay ≤1 day, favorable discharge, and decreased total charges.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent cervical spine fusion surgery at HV hospitals were less complex and had increased odds of length of stay ≤1, favorable discharge, and total charges in the lower 25th percentile than patients treated at non-HV hospitals. Physician comfort, patient selection, institutional infrastructure, and geographic characteristics likely play a role.

Surgeon Skill and Perioperative Outcomes in Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy

Importance

Technical skill in complex surgical procedures may affect clinical outcomes, and there is growing interest in understanding the clinical implications of surgeon proficiency levels.

Objectives

To determine whether surgeon scores representing technical skills of robot-assisted kidney surgery are associated with patient outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This quality improvement study included 10 urological surgeons participating in a surgical collaborative in Michigan from July 2021 to September 2022. Each surgeon submitted up to 7 videos of themselves performing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Videos were segmented into 6 key steps, yielding 127 video clips for analysis. Each video clip was deidentified and distributed to at least 3 of the 24 blinded peer surgeons from the collaborative who also perform robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Reviewers rated technical skill and provided written feedback. Statistical analysis was performed from May 2023 to January 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Reviewers scored each video clip using a validated instrument to assess technical skill for partial nephrectomy on a scale of 1 to 5 (higher scores indicating greater skill). For all submitting surgeons, outcomes from a clinical registry were assessed for length of stay (LOS) greater than 3 days, estimated blood loss (EBL) greater than 500 mL, warm ischemia time (WIT) greater than 30 minutes, positive surgical margin (PSM), 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, and 30-day readmission.

Results

Among the 27 unique surgeons who participated in this study as reviewers and/or individuals performing the procedures, 3 (11%) were female, and the median age was 47 (IQR, 39-52) years. Risk-adjusted outcomes were associated with scores representing surgeon skills. The overall performance score ranged from 3.5 to 4.7 points with a mean (SD) of 4.1 (0.4) points. Greater skill was correlated with significantly lower rates of LOS greater than 3 days (-6.8% [95% CI, -8.3% to -5.2%]), EBL greater than 500 mL (-2.6% [95% CI, -3.0% to -2.1%]), PSM (-8.2% [95% CI, -9.2% to -7.2%]), ED visits (-3.9% [95% CI, -5.0% to -2.8%]), and readmissions (-5.7% [95% CI, -6.9% to -4.6%]) (P < .001 for all). Higher overall score was also associated with higher partial nephrectomy volume (β coefficient, 11.4 [95% CI, 10.0-12.7]; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this quality improvement study on video-based evaluation of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, higher technical skill was associated with lower rates of adverse clinical outcomes. These findings suggest that video-based evaluation plays a role in assessing surgical skill and can be used in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care.

Surgeon volume and outcomes following thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury

OBJECTIVE

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) at high-volume hospitals has previously been associated with lower perioperative mortality, but the impact of annual surgeon volume on outcomes following TEVAR for BTAI remains unknown.

METHODS

We analyzed Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) data from patients with BTAI that underwent TEVAR between 2013 and 2023. Annual surgeon volumes were computed as the number of TEVARs (for any pathology) performed over a 1-year period preceding each procedure and were further categorized into quintiles. Surgeons in the first volume quintile were categorized as low volume (LV), the highest quintile as high volume (HV), and the middle three quintiles as medium volume (MV). TEVAR procedures performed by surgeons with less than 1-year enrollment in the VQI were excluded. Using multilevel logistic regression models, we evaluated associations between surgeon volume and perioperative outcomes, accounting for annual center volumes and adjusting for potential confounders, including aortic injury grade and severity of coexisting injuries. Multilevel models accounted for the nested clustering of patients and surgeons within the same center. Sensitivity analysis excluding patients with grade IV BTAI was performed.

RESULTS

We studied 1321 patients who underwent TEVAR for BTAI (28% by LV surgeons [0-1 procedures per year], 52% by MV surgeons [2-8 procedures per year], 20% by HV surgeons [≥9 procedures per year]). With higher surgeon volume, TEVAR was delayed more (in <4 hours: LV: 68%, MV: 54%, HV: 46%; P < .001; elective (>24 hours): LV: 5.1%; MV: 8.9%: HV: 14%), heparin administered more (LV: 80%, MV: 81%, HV: 87%; P = .007), perioperative mortality appears lower (LV: 11%, MV: 7.3%, HV: 6.5%; P = .095), and ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke was lower (LV: 6.5%, MV: 3.6%, HV: 1.5%; P = .006). After adjustment, compared with LV surgeons, higher volume surgeons had lower odds of perioperative mortality (MV: 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.97; P = .039; HV: 0.45; 95% CI, 0.16-1.22; P = .12; MV/HV: 0.50; 95% CI, 0.26-0.96; P = .038) and ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke (MV: 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18-0.81; P = .011; HV: 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.61; P = .008). Sensitivity analysis found lower adjusted odds for perioperative mortality (although not significant) and ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke for higher volume surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing TEVAR for BTAI, higher surgeon volume is independently associated with lower perioperative mortality and postoperative stroke, regardless of hospital volume. Future studies could elucidate if TEVAR for non-ruptured BTAI might be delayed and allow stabilization, heparinization, and involvement of a higher TEVAR volume surgeon.

Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities Affect Access to High-Volume Centers During Meningioma Treatment

BACKGROUND

Studies examining the relationship among hospital case volume, socioeconomic determinants of health, and patient outcomes are lacking. We sought to evaluate these associations in the surgical management of intracranial meningiomas.

METHODS

We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for patients who underwent craniotomy for the resection of meningioma in 2013. We categorized hospitals into high-volume centers (HVCs) or low-volume centers (LVCs). We compared outcomes in 2016 to assess the potential impact of the Affordable Care Act on health care equity. Primary outcome measures included hospital mortality, length of stay, complications, and disposition.

RESULTS

A total of 10,270 encounters were studied (LVC, n = 5730 [55.8%]; HVC, n = 4340 [44.2%]). Of LVC patients, 62.9% identified as white compared with 70.2% at HVCs (P < 0.01). A higher percentage of patients at LVCs came from the lower 2 quartiles of median household income than did patients at HVCs (49.9% vs. 44.2%; P < 0.001). Higher mortality (1.3% vs. 0.9%; P = 0.041) was found in LVCs. Multivariable regression analysis showed that LVCs were significantly associated with increased complication (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.426, P<0.001) and longer hospital length of stay (odds ratio, -0.05; 95% confidence interval, -0.92 to -0.45; P <0.001). There was a higher proportion of white patients at HVCs in 2016 compared with 2013 (67.9% vs. 72.3%). More patients from top income quartiles (24.2% vs. 40.5%) were treated at HVCs in 2016 compared with 2013.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found notable racial and socioeconomic disparities in LVCs as well as access to HVCs over time. Disparities in meningioma treatment may be persistent and require further study.

Association of Hospital Market Competition with Outcomes of Complex Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

The association of hospital market competition, financial costs, and quality of oncologic care has not been well-defined. This study sought to evaluate variations in patient outcomes and financial expenditures after complex cancer surgery across high- and low-competition markets.

METHODS

Medicare 100% Standard Analytic Files were used to identify patients with lung, esophageal, gastric, hepatopancreaticobiliary, or colorectal cancer who underwent surgical resection between 2018 and 2021. Data were merged with the annual hospital survey database, and the hospital market Herfindahl-Hirschman index was used to categorize hospitals into low- and high-concentration markets. Multi-level, multivariable regression models adjusting for patient characteristics (i.e., age, sex, comorbidities, and social vulnerability), year of procedure, and hospital factors (i.e., case volume, nurse-bed ratio, and teaching status) were used to assess the association between hospital market competition and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 117,641 beneficiaries who underwent complex oncologic surgery, the mean age was 73.8 ± 6.1 years, and approximately one-half of the cohort was male (n = 56,243, 47.8%). Overall, 63.8% (n = 75,041) of the patients underwent care within a high-competition market. Notably, there was marked geographic variation relative to market competition. High versus low market-competition hospitals were more likely to be in high social vulnerability areas (35.1 vs 27.5%; p < 0.001), as well as care for racial/ethnic minority individuals (13.8 vs 7.7%; p < 0.001), and patients with more comorbidities (≥ 2 Elixhauser comorbidities: 63.1 vs 61.1%; p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, treatment at hospitals in high- versus low-competition markets was associated with lower odds of achieving a textbook outcome (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.99; p = 0.009). Patients at high-competition hospitals had greater mean index hospitalization costs ($19,462.2 [16211.9] vs $18,844.7 [14994.7]) and 90-day post-discharge costs ($7807.8 [15431.3] vs $7332.8 [14038.2]) (both p < 0.001) than individuals at low-competition hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital market competition was associated with poor achievement of an optimal postoperative outcome and greater hospitalization costs.

Hospital volume-outcome relationships for robot-assisted surgeries: a population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Associations between procedure volumes and outcomes can inform minimum volume standards and the regionalization of health services. Robot-assisted surgery continues to expand globally; however, data are limited regarding which hospitals should be using the technology.

STUDY DESIGN

Using administrative health data for all residents of Ontario, Canada, this retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), total robotic hysterectomy (TRH), robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), or robotic portal lobectomy using 4 arms (RPL-4) between January 2010 and September 2021. Associations between yearly hospital volumes and 90-day major complications were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for patient characteristics and clustering at the level of the hospital.

RESULTS

A total of 10,879 patients were included, with 7567, 1776, 724, and 812 undergoing a RARP, TRH, RAPN, and RPL-4, respectively. Yearly hospital volume was not associated with 90-day complications for any procedure. Doubling of yearly volume was associated with a 17-min decrease in operative time for RARP (95% confidence interval [CI] - 23 to - 10), 8-min decrease for RAPN (95% CI - 14 to - 2), 24-min decrease for RPL-4 (95% CI - 29 to - 19), and no significant change for TRH (- 7 min; 95% CI - 17 to 3).

CONCLUSION

The risk of 90-day major complications does not appear to be higher in low volume hospitals; however, they may not be as efficient with operating room utilization. Careful case selection may have contributed to the lack of an observed association between volumes and complications.

The Impact of Neuroanesthesia Fellowship Training and Anesthesiologist-Surgeon Dyad Volume on Patient Outcomes in Adult Spine Surgery: A Population-Based Study

INTRODUCTION

Extensive research has explored the impact of surgeons' characteristics on patient outcomes; however, the influence of anesthesiologists remains understudied. We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study to investigate the impact of anesthesiologists' characteristics on in-hospital morbidity after spine surgery.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent spine surgery at the London Health Science Centre, Ontario, Canada between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2023 were included in this study. Data was extracted from the local administrative database. Five anesthesiologists' characteristics (neuroanesthesia fellowship and residency training backgrounds, surgeon familiarity, annual case volume, and sex) were examined as primary exposures. The primary outcome was composite in-hospital morbidity, encompassing 141 complications. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the association between anesthesiologists' characteristics and postoperative morbidity with adjustment of patients' sex, Charlson Comorbidities Index, surgical complexity, and surgeon characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 7692 spine surgeries were included in the analysis. Being a neuroanesthesia fellowship-trained anesthesiologist and high anesthesiologist-surgeon annual dyad volume were associated with reduction in in-hospital comorbidity; adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of 0.58 (0.49-0.69; P<0.001) and 0.93 (0.91-0.95; P<0.001), respectively. Conversely, anesthesiologist annual case volume, characteristics of residency training and anesthesiologist sex showed only nuanced associations with outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroanesthesia fellowship training and high surgeon-anesthesiologist dyad familiarity was associated with a reduction in in-hospital morbidity following spine surgery. These findings underscore the superiority of structured fellowship education over case exposure experience alone, advocate for dedicated neuroanesthesia teams with high surgeon-anesthesiologist dyad volume and recognize neuroanesthesia as a crucial subspecialty in spine surgery.

Status quo of operative training in emergency surgery in Germany - results of a survey

BACKGROUND

Emergencies and emergency surgeries are a central part of everyday surgical care in Germany. However, it is unclear how emergency surgery is practically trained in clinics on a daily basis and what training concept is underlying. Therefore, the aim of this survey study was to capture the status quo of emergency surgical training of German general and visceral surgeons.

METHODS

The members of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery were surveyed online (n = 5281). The questionnaire included demographic data and expertise in surgery and assistance in emergency surgery regarding common emergency surgical operations. In addition, further training measures in emergency surgery and their support by employers were queried.

RESULTS

Only complete questionnaires (n = 184, response rate 3.5%) were included in the analysis. Most participants were in training (n = 69; 38%), followed by senior physicians (n = 52; 29%), specialists (n = 31; 17%) and chief physicians (n = 30; 17%). 64% of the participants were employed at university hospitals or maximum care hospitals. Regarding further training opportunities, in-clinic shock room training was most frequently used. Outside of their own clinic, the ATLS course was most frequently mentioned. Operations for cholecystitis and appendicitis as well as emergency stoma procedures are the most common emergency procedures. There was a strong difference in the frequency of operated cases depending on the level of training. For operations to treat acute abdominal traumas (hemostasis of liver and spleen, packing) as well as outside of visceral surgery, only low competence was reported. Over 90% of survey participants consider emergency surgery to be an indispensable core competence. Neither in the old (76%) nor in the new training regulations (47%) is emergency surgery adequately represented according to the participants' assessment. There was a significantly lower prevalence of the "sub-steps concept" in emergency surgery at 38% compared to elective surgery (44%). Important elements of imparting skills in emergency surgery are simulation and courses as well as operative sub-steps, according to the majority of survey participants.

CONCLUSION

The results show that general and visceral surgeons in Germany are introduced to emergency surgery too little structured during further training and at specialist level. The survey participants had, as expected, hardly any experience in emergency surgery outside of visceral surgery but surprisingly also little experience in visceral surgical trauma care. There is a need to discuss the future organization of emergency surgical training. Adequate simulation structures and extracurricular courses could contribute to an improvement in this respect.

Higher stroke risk after carotid endarterectomy and transcarotid artery revascularization is associated with relative surgeon volume ratio

OBJECTIVE

Adoption of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) by surgeons has been variable, with some still performing traditional carotid endarterectomy (CEA), whereas others have shifted to mostly TCAR. Our goal was to evaluate the association of relative surgeon volume of CEA to TCAR with perioperative outcomes.

METHODS

The Vascular Quality Initiative CEA and carotid artery stent registries were analyzed from 2021 to 2023 for symptomatic and asymptomatic interventions. Surgeons participating in both registries were categorized in the following CEA to CEA+TCAR volume percentage ratios: 0.25 (majority TCAR), 0.26 to 0.50 (more TCAR), 0.51 to 0.75 (more CEA), and 0.76 to 1.00 (majority CEA). Primary outcomes were rates of perioperative ipsilateral stroke, death, cranial nerve injury, and return to the operating room for bleeding.

RESULTS

There were 50,189 patients who underwent primary carotid revascularization (64.3% CEA and 35.7% TCAR). CEA patients were younger (71.1 vs 73.5 years, P < .001), with more symptomatic cases, less coronary artery disease, diabetes, and lower antiplatelet and statin use (all P < .001). TCAR patients had lower rates of smoking, obesity, and dialysis or renal transplant (all P < .001). Postoperative stroke after CEA was significantly impacted by the operator CEA to TCAR volume ratio (P = .04), with surgeons who perform majority TCAR and more TCAR having higher postoperative ipsilateral stroke (majority TCAR odds ratio [OR]: 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-3.96, P = .01; more TCAR OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02-1.96, P = .04), as compared with those who perform majority CEA. Similarly, postoperative stroke after TCAR was significantly impacted by the CEA to TCAR volume ratio (P = .02), with surgeons who perform majority CEA and more CEA having higher stroke (majority CEA OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.00-2.27, P = .05; more CEA OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.14-2.00, P = .004), as compared with those who perform majority TCAR. There was no association between surgeon ratio and perioperative death, cranial nerve injury, and return to the operating room for bleeding for either procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative surgeon CEA to TCAR ratio is significantly associated with perioperative stroke rate. Surgeons who perform a majority of one procedure have a higher stroke rate in the other. Surgeons offering both operations should maintain a balanced practice and have a low threshold to collaborate as needed.

Care fragmentation in hepatopancreatic surgery and postoperative outcomes

BACKGROUND

Practice fragmentation in surgery may be associated with poor quality of care. We sought to define the association between fragmented practice and outcomes in hepatopancreatic surgery relative to surgeon volume and sex.

METHODS

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent hepatopancreatic surgery between 2016 and 2021 were identified. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine provider sex-based differences in the rate of fragmented practice relative to the achievement of a textbook outcome and health care expenditures after adjusting for procedure-specific case volume.

RESULTS

Among 37,416 patients, almost one-half were female (n = 18,333, 49.0%) with the majority treated by male surgeons (n = 33,697, 90.8%). Female surgeons were more likely to have a greater rate of fragmented practice (females: n = 242, 84.9% vs males: n = 1,487, 78.4%, P = .003; odds ratio 2.66, 95% confidence interval 2.33-3.03, P < .001). Patients treated by high rate of fragmented practice surgeons had increased odds of postoperative complications (odds ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.54), extended length-of-stay (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.38-1.68), 90-day-mortality (odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.72), and lower odds of achieving a textbook outcome (odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.83). This association persisted independent of surgeon-specific volume (textbook outcome, high vs low rate of fragmented practice: high-volume surgeon, odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.91, P = .021 vs. low-volume surgeon, odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.82, P < .001). Among patients treated by male surgeons, a high rate of fragmented practice was associated with reduced odds of achieving a textbook outcome (male surgeons: odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.70-0.82, P < .001; female surgeons: odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.05, P = .110). Treatment by surgeons with higher fragmented practice was associated with higher expenditures (index expenditure: percentage difference 9.87, 95% confidence interval, 7.42-12.36; P < .05).

CONCLUSION

A high rate of fragmented practice adversely affected postoperative outcomes and healthcare expenditures even among high-volume surgeons with the impact varying based on surgeon sex.

Race, neighborhood disadvantage, and survival of Medicare beneficiaries after aortic valve replacement and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

Race, neighborhood disadvantage, and the interaction between these 2 social determinants of health remain poorly understood with regards to survival after aortic valve replacement with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (AVR+CABG).

METHODS

Weighted Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to evaluate the association between race, neighborhood disadvantage, and long-term survival in 205,408 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing AVR+CABG from 1999 to 2015. Neighborhood disadvantage was measured using the Area Deprivation Index, a broadly validated ranking of socioeconomic contextual disadvantage.

RESULTS

Self-identified race was 93.9% White and 3.2% Black. Residents of the most disadvantaged quintile of neighborhoods included 12.6% of all White beneficiaries and 40.0% of all Black beneficiaries. Black beneficiaries and residents of the most disadvantaged quintile of neighborhoods had more comorbidities compared with White beneficiaries and residents of the least disadvantaged quintile of neighborhoods, respectively. Increasing neighborhood disadvantage linearly increased the hazard for mortality for Medicare beneficiaries of White but not Black race. Residents of the most and least disadvantaged neighborhood quintiles had weighted median overall survival of 93.0 and 82.1 months, respectively, a significant difference (P < .001 by Cox test for equality of survival curves). Black and White beneficiaries had weighted median overall survival of 93.4 and 90.6 months, respectively, a nonsignificant difference (P = .29 by Cox test for equality of survival curves). A statistically significant interaction between race and neighborhood disadvantage was noted (likelihood ratio test P = .0215) and had implications on whether Black race was associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing neighborhood disadvantage was linearly associated with worse survival after combined AVR+CABG in White but not Black Medicare beneficiaries; race, however, was not independently associated with postoperative survival.

Upper gastrointestinal and hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery in New Zealand: Balancing the volume-outcome relationship with accessibility in a surgically low volume country

INTRODUCTION

New Zealand has a population of only 5.5 million meaning that for many surgical procedures the country qualifies as a "low-volume center." However, the health system is well developed and required to provide complex surgical procedures that benchmark internationally against comparable countries. This investigation was undertaken to review regional variation and volumes of complex resection and palliative upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgical procedures within New Zealand.

METHODS

Data pertaining to patients undergoing complex resectional UGI procedures (esophagectomy, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, and hepatectomies) and palliative UGI procedures (esophageal stenting, enteroenterostomy, biliary enteric anastomosis, and liver ablation) in a New Zealand hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2019 were obtained from the National Minimum Dataset.

RESULTS

New Zealand is a low-volume center for UGI surgery (229 hepatectomies, 250 gastrectomies, 126 pancreatectomies, and 74 esophagectomies annually). Over 80% of patients undergoing hepatic resection/ablation, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, and pancreatectomy are treated in one of the six national cancer centers (Auckland, Waikato, Mid-Central, Capital Coast, Canterbury, or Southern). There is evidence of the decreasing frequency of these procedures in small centers with increasing frequency in large centers suggesting that some regionalization is occurring. Palliative procedures were more widely performed. Indigenous Māori were less likely to be treated in a nationally designated cancer center than non-Māori.

CONCLUSIONS

The challenge for New Zealand and similarly sized countries is to develop and implement a system that optimizes the skills and pathways that come from a frequent performance of complex surgery while maintaining system resilience and ensuring equitable access for all patients.

Centralization of Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review and Spline Regression Analysis to Recommend Minimum Volume for a Specialist Pancreas Service

OBJECTIVE

Through a systematic review and spline curve analysis, to better define the minimum volume threshold for hospitals to perform (pancreaticoduodenectomy) and the high-volume center.

BACKGROUND

The pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a resource-intensive procedure, with high morbidity and long hospital stays resulting in centralization towards high-volume hospitals; the published definition of high volume remains variable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following a systematic review of studies comparing PD outcomes across volume groups, semiparametric regression modeling of morbidity (%), mortality (%), length of stay (days), lymph node harvest (number of nodes), and cost ($USD) as continuous variables were performed and fitted as a smoothed function of splines. If this showed a nonlinear association, then a "zero-crossing" technique was used, which produced "first and second derivatives" to identify volume thresholds.

RESULTS

Our analysis of 33 cohort studies (198,377 patients) showed 55 PDs/year and 43 PDs/year were the threshold value required to achieve the lowest morbidity and highest lymph node harvest, with model estimated df 5.154 ( P <0.001) and 8.254 ( P <0.001), respectively. The threshold value for mortality was ~45 PDs/year (model 9.219 ( P <0.001)), with the lowest mortality value (the optimum value) at ~70 PDs/year (ie, a high-volume center). No significant association was observed for cost ( edf =2, P =0.989) and length of stay ( edf =2.04, P =0.099).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant benefit from the centralization of PD, with 55 PDs/year and 43 PDs/year as the threshold value required to achieve the lowest morbidity and highest lymph node harvest, respectively. To achieve mortality benefit, the minimum procedure threshold is 45 PDs/year, with the lowest and optimum mortality value (ie, a high-volume center) at approximately 70 PDs/year.

Analysis of UNOS: Pediatric Heart Transplantation Over 36 Years and Contemporary Volume-Outcome Relationship

BACKGROUND

This study examines 36 years of national pediatric heart transplantation data to (1) identify trends in transplant volume, centers, and 1-year graft survival and (2) assess how center transplant volume affects outcomes over a contemporary 11-year period.

METHODS

Study investigators utilized the United Network for Organ Sharing database and performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients (aged <18 years) who underwent heart transplantation between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2022, inclusive. Trend analyses included the whole cohort, whereas volume-outcome analyses included a contemporary cohort (January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2022) to account for the temporal changes observed in transplant survival. Highest-volume centers were defined by the number of heart transplantations performed per center per year.

RESULTS

Over 36 years, 11,828 pediatric heart transplantations were performed. Transplant volume steadily rose, the number of centers remained stable, and 1-year graft survival improved significantly. In the contemporary era (2012-2022), 89 centers conducted 4959 pediatric heart transplantations. The top 15% high-volume centers (13 centers) accounted for 48.3% (n = 2393) of transplantations, with an average of 16.7 ± 3.8 transplantations per center annually, compared with 3.9 ± 3.1 for lower-volume centers (P < .001). Despite performing transplantations in higher-risk patients, high-volume centers achieved similar postoperative outcomes and improved long-term survival compared with low-volume centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of US pediatric heart transplant centers has remained stable, pediatric heart transplant volume has steadily increased, as has 1-year graft survival. In a contemporary cohort, the top 15th percentile highest-volume centers accounted for 48.3% of US pediatric heart transplants and performed transplantations in higher-risk patients with similar postoperative outcomes and improved longitudinal survival.

Updating the Military Unique Curriculum for a Ready Medical Force

INTRODUCTION

Previous conflicts have demonstrated the impact of physician readiness on early battlefield mortality rates. To prepare for the lethal nature of today's threat environment and the rapid speed with which conflict develops, our medical force needs to sustain a high level of readiness in order to be ready to "fight tonight." Previous approaches that have relied on on-the-job training, just-in-time predeployment training, or follow-on courses after residency are unlikely to satisfy these readiness requirements. Sustaining the successes in battlefield care achieved in Iraq and Afghanistan requires the introduction of effective combat casualty care earlier and more often in physician training. This needs assessment seeks to better understand the requirements, challenges, and opportunities to include the Military Unique Curriculum (MUC) during graduate medical education.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This needs assessment used a multifaceted methodology. First, a literature review was performed to assess how Military Unique Curricula have evolved since their initial conception in 1988. Next, to determine their current state, a needs-based assessment survey was designed for trainees and program directors (PDs), each consisting of 18 questions with a mixture of multiple choice, ranking, Likert scale, and free-text questions. Cognitive interviewing and expert review were employed to refine the survey before distribution. The Housestaff Survey was administered using an online format and deployed to Internal Medicine trainees at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). The Program Director Survey was sent to all Army and Navy Internal Medicine Program Directors. This project was deemed to not meet the definition of research in accordance with 32 Code of Federal Regulation 219.102 and Department of Defense Instruction 3216.02 and was therefore registered with the WRNMMC Quality Management Division.

RESULTS

Out of 64 Walter Reed Internal Medicine trainees who received the survey, 32 responses were received. Seven of nine PDs completed their survey. Only 12.5% of trainees felt significantly confident that they would be adequately prepared for a combat deployment upon graduation from residency with the current curriculum. Similarly, only 14.29% of PDs felt that no additional training was needed. A majority of trainees were not satisfied with the amount of training being received on any MUC topic. When incorporating additional training on MUC topics, respondents largely agreed that simulation and small group exercises were the most effective modalities to employ, with greater than 50% of both trainees and PDs rating these as most or second most preferred among seven options. Additionally, there was a consensus that training should be integrated into the existing curriculum/rotations as much as possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Current Military Unique Curricula do not meet the expected requirements of future battlefields. Several solutions to incorporate more robust military unique training without creating any significant additional time burdens for trainees do exist. Despite the limitation of these results being limited to a single institution, this needs assessment provides a starting point for improvement to help ensure that we limit the impact of any "peacetime effect."

Income Disparities in Survival and Receipt of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Background: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a potentially fatal disease, especially in the setting of locally advanced or node-positive disease. Adverse outcomes have also primarily been associated with low-income status, as has been reported in other cancers. While the adoption of neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) has improved outcomes, these standard-of-care treatments may be underutilized in lower-income patients. We sought to investigate the economic disparities in NAC and PLND receipt and survival outcomes in MIBC. Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database, a retrospective cohort analysis of cT2-4N0-3M0 BCa patients with urothelial histology who underwent RC was conducted. The impact of income level on overall survival (OS) and the likelihood of receiving NAC and PLND was evaluated. Results: A total of 25,823 patients were included. This study found that lower-income patients were less likely to receive NAC and adequate PLND (≥15 LNs). Moreover, lower-income patients exhibited worse OS (Median OS 55.9 months vs. 68.2 months, p < 0.001). Our findings also demonstrated that higher income, treatment at academic facilities, and recent years of diagnosis were associated with an increased likelihood of receiving standard-of-care modalities and improved survival. Conclusions: Even after controlling for clinicodemographic variables, income independently influenced the receipt of standard MIBC treatments and survival. Our findings identify an opportunity to improve the quality of care for lower-income MIBC patients through concerted efforts to regionalize multi-modal urologic oncology care.

Impact of center volume on outcomes after ventricular assist device implantation in pediatric patients: An analysis of the STS-Pedimacs database

BACKGROUND

To date, no pediatric studies have highlighted the impact of center's ventricular assist device (VAD) volumes on post implant outcomes.

METHODS

Children (age <19) enrolled in Pedimacs undergoing initial left ventricular assist device implantation from 2012 to 2020 were included. Center volume was analyzed as a continuous and categorical variable. For categorical analysis, center volumes were divided as: low volume (1-15 implants), medium volume (15-30 implants), and high volume (>30 implants) during our study period. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared by center's VAD volumes.

RESULTS

Of 44 centers, 16 (36.4%) were low, 11 (25%) were medium, and 17 (38.6%) were high-volume centers. Children at high-volume centers were least likely intubated, sedated, or paralyzed, and most likely ambulating preimplant (p < 0.05 for all). Center's VAD volumes were not a significant risk factor for mortality post implant when treated as a continuous or a categorical variable (p > 0.05). Compared to low volume, children at high-volume centers had fewer early neurological events. Compared to medium volume, those at high-volume centers had fewer late bleeding events (p < 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in survival after an adverse event by hospital volumes (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although hospital volume does not affect post-VAD implant mortality, pediatric centers with higher VAD volumes have fewer patients intubated, sedated, paralyzed pre implant, and have lower adverse events. Failure to rescue was not significantly different between low, medium, and high-volume VAD centers.

ASSESSMENT OF SIMULATED SURGICAL DEXTERITY AFTER MODIFIABLE EXTERNAL EXPOSURES AMONG NOVICE VERSUS EXPERIENCED VITREORETINAL SURGEONS

PURPOSE

To evaluate novice and senior vitreoretinal surgeons after various exposures. Multiple comparisons ranked the importance of these exposures for surgical dexterity based on experience.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 15 novice and 11 senior vitreoretinal surgeons (<2 and >10 years' practice, respectively). Eyesi-simulator tasks were performed after each exposure. Day 1, placebo, 2.5 mg/kg caffeine, and 5.0 mg/kg caffeine; day 2, placebo, 0.2 mg/kg propranolol, and 0.6 mg/kg propranolol; day 3, baseline simulation, breathalyzer readings of 0.06% to 0.10% and 0.11% to 0.15% blood alcohol concentrations; day 4, baseline simulation, push-up sets with 50% and 85% repetitions maximum; and day 5, 3-hour sleep deprivation. Eyesi-generated score (0-700, worst-best), out-of-tolerance tremor (0-100, best-worst), task completion time (minutes), and intraocular pathway (in millimeters) were measured.

RESULTS

Novice surgeons performed worse after caffeine (-29.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -57.80 to -1.27, P = 0.041) and alcohol (-51.33, 95% CI: -80.49 to -22.16, P = 0.001) consumption. Alcohol caused longer intraocular instrument movement pathways (212.84 mm, 95% CI: 34.03-391.65 mm, P = 0.02) and greater tremor (7.72, 95% CI: 0.74-14.70, P = 0.003) among novices. Sleep deprivation negatively affected novice performance time (2.57 minutes, 95% CI: 1.09-4.05 minutes, P = 0.001) and tremor (8.62, 95% CI: 0.80-16.45, P = 0.03); however, their speed increased after propranolol (-1.43 minutes, 95% CI: -2.71 to -0.15 minutes, P = 0.029). Senior surgeons' scores deteriorated only following alcohol consumption (-47.36, 95% CI: -80.37 to -14.36, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Alcohol compromised all participants despite their expertise level. Experience negated the effects of caffeine, propranolol, exercise, and sleep deprivation on surgical skills.

Hospital volume-mortality association after esophagectomy for cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative mortality plays an important role in evaluating the surgical safety of esophagectomy. Although postoperative mortality after esophagectomy is partly influenced by the yearly hospital surgical case volume (hospital volume), this association remains unclear.

METHODS

Studies assessing the association between hospital volume and postoperative mortality in patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer were searched for eligibility. Odds ratios were pooled for the highest versus lowest categories of hospital volume using a random effects model. The dose-response association between hospital volume and the risk of postoperative mortality was analyzed. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO.

RESULTS

Fifty-six studies including 385 469 participants were included. A higher-volume hospital significantly reduced the risk of postesophagectomy mortality by 53% compared with their lower-volume counterparts (odds ratio, 0.47; 95% CI: 0.42-0.53). Similar results were found in subgroup analyses. Volume-outcome analysis suggested that postesophagectomy mortality rates remained roughly stable after the hospital volume reached a plateau of 45 esophagectomies per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher-volume hospitals had significantly lower postesophagectomy mortality rates in patients with esophageal cancer, with a threshold of 45 esophagectomies per year for a high-volume hospital. This remarkable negative correlation showed the benefit of a better safety in centralization of esophagectomy to a high-volume hospital.

Influence of Procedural Volume on the Outcome of Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Nationwide Population-Based Study Using Administrative Data

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-established treatment modality for gastric neoplasms. We aimed to investigate the effect of procedural volume on the outcome of ESD for gastric cancer or adenoma.

METHODS

In this population-based cohort study, patients who underwent ESD for gastric cancer or adenoma from November 2011 to December 2017 were identified using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Operational definitions to identify the target population and post-procedural complications were created using diagnosis and procedure codes and were validated using hospital medical record data. Outcomes included hemorrhage, perforation, pneumonia, 30-day mortality, a composite outcome comprising all of these adverse outcomes, and additional resection. Hospital volume was categorized into 3 groups based on the results of the threshold analysis: high-, medium-, low-volume centers (HVCs, MVCs, and LVCs, respectively). Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis was applied to enhance comparability across the volume groups.

RESULTS

There were 94,246 procedures performed in 88,687 patients during the study period. There were 5886 composite events including 4925 hemorrhage, 447 perforation, and 703 pneumonia cases. There were significant differences in ESD-related adverse outcomes among the 3 hospital volume categories, showing that HVCs and MVCs were associated with a lower risk of a composite outcome than LVCs (inverse probability of treatment-weighted odds ratio [OR], 0.651; 95% CI, 0.521-0.814; inverse probability of treatment-weighted OR, 0.641; 95% CI, 0.534-0.769). Similar tendencies were also shown for hemorrhage, perforation, and pneumonia; however, these were not evident for additional resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Procedural volume was closely associated with clinical outcome in patients undergoing ESD for gastric cancer or adenoma.