Risk factors for readmission with dehydration after ileostomy formation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

How to dramatically reduce dehydration-related readmission in patients undergoing restorative surgery with diverting ileostomy for ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Patients affected by ulcerative colitis (UC) often require surgery, involving two or three-stage procedures, including ileostomy creation. While ileostomy has some advantages, it can lead to complications, such as dehydration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a new individualized stoma-therapeutic-care-pathway (STCP) on dehydration-related readmissions. Secondary endpoints were stoma-related complications.

METHODS

The study compares two series of consecutive patients with UC undergoing diverting ileostomy during restorative ileo-pouch-anal-anastomosis. The STCP group consists of patients enrolled from January 2020 to December 2021 who followed the pathway. The older group was selected from 2015 to 2017 (control group). Clinical data were collected, including patient characteristics, hospital stay, complications, and readmissions. The study was approved by the local institutional review board.

RESULTS

Overall, 30-day dehydration-related readmission occurred in one (1.4%) versus nine (15.3%) patients in the STCP group versus control group, respectively (p = 0.005). In-hospital peristomal skin complications were significantly lower in STCP group (6 patients, 8.5%) versus control (35, 59.3%), as well as ostomy complications that occurred in 5 (7%) patients in the STCP group versus 8 (13.5%) in the control group (both p < 0.001). Ostomy complications reduced significantly in the STCP group after discharge (two patients, 2.8% versus eight, 13.5%), p = 0.001, and after 30-days (three patients, 4.2% versus five, 8.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the effectiveness of STCP in reducing dehydration-related readmissions and stoma-related complications in patients with UC undergoing stoma creation. It emphasizes the significance of patient education, close follow-up, and multidisciplinary care. Further research and standardized stoma education are essential.

Patient-centred stoma care support: ileostomy patients

Stoma patients require continuous support throughout their entire journey with a stoma. Although many Stoma Care Services across the UK offer patient follow-up pathways, there is not one unified pathway. Patients may not be prepared for life with a stoma because, depending on their stoma type, they will have specific needs, and if patients and healthcare professionals are not prepared to manage these stoma-specific needs, complications and hospital readmissions may occur, worsening patients' outcomes and quality of life. Ileostomy patients are known to be more likely to experience complications, including hospital readmissions, and therefore, special care should be taken when preparing these patients for life with a stoma. They should be informed and educated to prevent complications, and if this is not always possible, thye should at least be able to recognise and manage early signs and symptoms of complications. This will empower them to self-care and know when to seek medical attention.

High risk populations for unplanned healthcare utilization following ostomy construction

BACKGROUND

Patients with a new ostomy have high rates of unplanned healthcare utilization (UPHU). We used machine learning to assess which factors contributed the most to UPHU after ostomy construction.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied new ostomy patients between 2018 and 2021 ​at a single institution. The primary outcome was UPHU within 60 days of discharge. Factors that contributed the most to UPHU were assessed using a classification tree machine learning method.

RESULTS

Among 318 patients, 30.8 ​% of patients had an UPHU event. The classification tree identified diabetes mellitus as the most important factor associated with UPHU: 56 ​% of diabetics had UPHU. Smoking history was the next most important factor: 77 ​% of diabetics who smoked had UPHU. Patients who had diabetes, smoked, and had chronic kidney disease had the highest UPHU rate at 86 ​%.

DISCUSSION

Unplanned healthcare utilization after ostomy construction is highest among patients with diabetes, smoking history, and chronic kidney disease.

Management of the Difficult Stoma

Fecal ostomy creation is a commonly performed procedure with many indications. Better outcomes occur when preoperative patient education and stoma site marking are provided. Despite a seemingly simple operation, ostomy creation is often difficult and complications are common. Certain risk factors, particularly obesity, are strongly associated with stoma-related complications. The ability to optimize the ostomy and stoma in the operating room and to troubleshoot frequently encountered post-operative stoma-related issues are critical skills for surgeons and ostomy nurses alike.

Preoperative use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers and diuretics increases the risk of dehydration after ileostomy formation: population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Readmission rates following ileostomy formation are high. Dehydration and consecutive renal failure are common causes of readmission, potentially pronounced by drugs affecting the homeostasis. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of dehydration after ileostomy formation in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) or diuretics.

METHOD

This nationwide population-based cohort study used data derived from the Colorectal Cancer Data Base of several Swedish healthcare registers. The study included all patients operated on with elective anterior resection and temporary ileostomy for rectal cancer clinically staged I-III in Sweden in 2007-2016. Exposure was at least two dispensations of ACEI, ARB or diuretics within 1 year prior to surgery. Outcome was 90-day readmission due to dehydration including acute renal failure.

RESULTS

In total, 3252 patients were included with 1173 (36.1%) exposed to ACEI, ARB or diuretics. The cumulative incidence for 90-day readmission due to dehydration was 29.0% (151 of 520) for exposed versus 13.8% (98 of 712) for unexposed. The proportion of readmissions due to any reason was 44.3% (520 of 1173) for exposed compared to 34.2% (712 of 2079) for unexposed. The incidence rate ratio for readmission due to dehydration was 2.83 (95% c.i. 2.21 to 3.63, P < 0.001). The hazard rate ratio was 2.45 (95% c.i. 1.83 to 3.27, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, gender and comorbidity.

CONCLUSION

Medication with ACEI, ARB or diuretics defines a vulnerable patient group with increased risk of readmission due to dehydration after ileostomy formation.

[Morphological predictors of water-electrolyte disorders in patients with preventive ileostomy after rectal resection for cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze morphological changes in wall of functioning and non-functioning small intestine in patients with preventive ileostomy and to determine histological predictors of water-electrolyte disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 57 patients >18 years old who underwent rectal resection with preventive ileostomy between January 2022 and November 2023. Anthropometric data included gender, age, body mass index, ECOG and ASA classes. Complications associated with large losses through ileostomy were water-electrolyte disorders, dehydration and acute renal failure with repeated hospitalization. Morphological analysis implied intraoperative full-layer biopsy of small intestine on anterior abdominal wall (ileostomy). Intraoperative biopsy of efferent and afferent loops was also carried out. Tissue samples were examined by light microscopy. We analyzed mean height of mucous membrane villi and depth of crypts, as well as their ratio. Fibrosis and swelling of submucosa were evaluated too. The results were analyzed in the SPSS Statistics 20 software.

RESULTS

Mean height of intestinal villi <465 microns (p=0.028), ratio of their height to crypt depth <4.38 (p=0.034) and submucosal fibrosis (p=0.031) significantly affected malabsorption and readmission of patients. The risk of readmission was 11.5 and 5.5 times higher in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed in-hospital dehydration with resumption of infusion therapy as a predictor of readmission (p=0.046).

CONCLUSION

Ileostomy is a certain stress for the patient's body. Not every patient is able for adaptation. One of the adaptation mechanisms is hypertrophy of mucous membrane villi involved in digestion. This mechanism is less pronounced in patients with repeated hospitalizations. Preoperative morphological examination of ileum mucosa may be an additional objective predictor of possible complications of preventive ileostomy.

Defining the safety of early ileostomy closure after ileal pouch anal anastomosis

PURPOSE

The safety of early ileostomy reversal after ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) has not been established. Our hypothesis was that ileostomy reversal before 8 weeks is associated with negative outcomes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Patients who underwent primary IPAA with ileostomy reversal between 2000 and 2021 from a Pouch Registry were stratified on the basis of timing of reversal. Those reversed before 8 weeks (early) and those reversed from 8 weeks to 116 days (routine) were compared. The primary outcome was overall complications according to timing and reason for closure.

RESULTS

Ileostomy reversal was performed early in 92 patients and routinely in 1908. Median time to closure was 49 days in the early group and 93 days in the routine group. Reasons for early reversal were stoma-related morbidity in 43.3% (n = 39) and scheduled closure in 56.7% (n = 51). The complication rate in the early group was 17.4% versus 11% in the routine group (p = 0.085). When early patients were stratified according to reason for reversal, those reversed early for stoma-related morbidity had an increased complication rate compared to the routine group (25.6% vs. 11%, p = 0.006). Patients undergoing scheduled reversal in the early group did not have increased complications (11.8% vs. 11%, p = 0.9). There was a higher likelihood of pouch anastomotic leak when reversal was performed early for stoma complications compared to routinely (OR 5.13, 95% CI 1.01-16.57, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Early closure is safe but could be delayed in stoma morbidity as patients may experience increased complications.

Cost associated with diverting ostomy after rectal cancer surgery: a transnational analysis

BACKGROUND

Diverting ileostomy and colostomy after total mesorectal excision reduces the risk of complications related to anastomotic leakages but is associated with a reduction in health-related quality of life and long-term economic consequences that are unknown. Our objective was to estimate the lifetime costs of stoma placement after rectal cancer resection in the U.S., England, and Germany.

METHODS

Input parameters were derived from quasi-systematic literature searches. Decision-analytic models with survival from colorectal cancer-adjusted life tables and country-specific stoma reversal proportions were created for the three countries to calculate lifetime costs. Main cost items were stoma maintenance costs and reimbursement for reversal procedures. Discounting was applied according to respective national guidelines. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the impact of parameter uncertainty onto the results.

RESULTS

The cohort starting ages and median survival were 63 and 11.5 years for the U.S., 69 years and 8.5 years for England, and 71 and 6.5 years for Germany. Lifetime discounted stoma-related costs were $26,311, £9512, and €10,021, respectively. All three models were most sensitive to the proportion of ostomy reversal, age at baseline, and discount rate applied.

CONCLUSION

Conservative model-based projections suggest that stoma care leads to significant long-term costs. Efforts to reduce the number of patients who need to undergo a diverting ostomy could result in meaningful cost savings.

Short- and long-term direct and indirect costs of illness after ostomy creation - a Swedish nationwide registry study

BACKGROUND

Despite advance in care of people with an ostomy, related complications remain prevalent. The objective of this study was to examine short- and long-term healthcare resource utilization and associated costs after ostomy creation.

METHODS

This observational study was based on retrospectively collected data from national and regional Swedish registries. The population consisted of people living in Sweden, who had an ostomy created. The earliest index date was 1 January 2006, and people were followed for ten years, until death, reversal of temporary ostomy, termination of purchases of ostomy products, or end of study, which was 31 December 2019. Each person with an ostomy was matched with two controls from the general population based on age, gender, and region.

RESULTS

In total, 40,988 persons were included: 19,645 with colostomy, 16,408 with ileostomy, and 4,935 with urostomy. The underlying diseases for colostomy and ileostomy creations were primarily bowel cancer, 50.0% and 55.8% respectively, and additionally inflammatory bowel disease for 20.6% of ileostomies. The underlying cause for urostomy creation was mainly bladder cancer (85.0%). In the first year after ostomy creation (excl. index admission), the total mean healthcare cost was 329,200 SEK per person with colostomy, 330,800 SEK for ileostomy, and 254,100 SEK for urostomy (100 SEK was equivalent to 9.58 EUR). Although the annual mean healthcare cost decreased over time, it remained significantly elevated compared to controls, even after 10 years, with hospitalization being the main cost driver. The artificial opening was responsible for 19.3-22.8% of 30-day readmissions after ostomy creation and for 19.7-21.4% of hospitalizations during the entire study period. For the ileostomy group, dehydration was responsible for 13.0% of 30-day readmissions and 4.5% of hospitalization during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported a high disease burden for persons with an ostomy. This had a substantial impact on the healthcare cost for at least ten years after ostomy creation. Working ability seemed to be negatively impacted, indicated by increased cost of sickness absence and early retirement. This calls for improved management and support of ostomy care for the benefit of the affected persons and for the cost of society.

Navigating nutrition and hydration care in the adult patient with short bowel syndrome

Attending diligently to the nutrition and hydration needs of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a key tenet of their care, both postoperatively and in the years that follow. For, without each, patients are left to themselves to navigate the nutrition consequences of SBS, including malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, renal compromise, osteoporosis, fatigue, depression, and impaired quality of life. The intent of this review is to discuss the initial nutrition assessment, oral diet, hydration, and home nutrition support for the patient with SBS.

A Cost Overview of Minimally Invasive Total Mesorectal Excision in Rectal Cancer Patients: A Population-based Cohort in Experienced Centres

Background

Total mesorectal excision has been the gold standard for the operative management of rectal cancer. The most frequently used minimally invasive techniques for surgical resection of rectal cancer are laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and transanal total mesorectal excision. As studies comparing the costs of the techniques are lacking, this study aims to provide a cost overview.

Method

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent total mesorectal resection between 2015 and 2017 at 11 dedicated centers, which completed the learning curve of the specific technique. The primary outcome was total in-hospital costs of each technique up to 30 days after surgery including all major surgical cost drivers, while taking into account different team approaches in the transanal approach. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization and complication rates. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariable linear regression analysis.

Results

In total, 949 patients were included, consisting of 446 laparoscopic (47%), 306 (32%) robot-assisted, and 197 (21%) transanal total mesorectal excisions. Total costs were significantly higher for transanal and robot-assisted techniques compared to the laparoscopic technique, with median (interquartile range) for laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and transanal at €10,556 (8,642;13,829), €12,918 (11,196;16,223), and € 13,052 (11,330;16,358), respectively (P < 0.001). Also, the one-team transanal approach showed significant higher operation time and higher costs compared to the two-team approach. Length of stay and postoperative complications did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Transanal and robot-assisted approaches show higher costs during 30-day follow-up compared to laparoscopy with comparable short-term clinical outcomes. Two-team transanal approach is associated with lower total costs compared to the transanal one-team approach.

Readmission with acute kidney injury following ileostomy: patterns and predictors of a common phenomenon

PURPOSE

Ileostomy is associated with various complications, often necessitating rehospitalization. High-output ileostomy is common and may lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). Here we describe the temporal pattern of readmission with AKI following ileostomy formation and identify risk factors.

METHODS

Patients that underwent formation of ileostomy between 2008 and 2021 were included in this study. Readmission with AKI with high output ileostomy was defined as readmission with serum creatinine > 1.5-fold compared to the level at discharge or latest baseline (at least stage-1 AKI according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria), accompanied by ileostomy output > 1000 ml in 24 h. Patient characteristics and perioperative course were assessed to identify predictors for readmission with AKI.

RESULTS

Of 1191 patients who underwent ileostomy, 198 (16.6%) were readmitted with a high output stoma and AKI. The mean time to readmission with AKI was 98.97 ± 156.36 days. Eighty-six patients (43.4%) had early readmission (within 30 days), and 66 (33%) were readmitted after more than 90 days. Over 90% of patients had more than one readmission, and 110 patients (55%) had 5 or more. Patient-related predictors for readmission with AKI were age > 65, body mass index > 30 kg/m2, and hypertension. Factors related to the postoperative course were AKI with creatinine > 2 mg/dl, postoperative hemoglobin < 8 g/dl or blood transfusion, albumin < 20 g/dl, high output stoma and need for loperamide, and length of hospital stay > 20 days. Factors related to early versus late readmissions and multiple readmissions were also analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Readmission with AKI following ileostomy formation is a consequential event with distinct risk factors. Acknowledging these risk factors is the foundation for designing interventions aiming to reduce frequency of AKI readmissions in predisposed patient populations.

Protective ileostomy creation after anterior resection of the rectum: Shared decision-making or still subjective?

AIM

The choice of whether to perform protective ileostomy (PI) after anterior resection (AR) is mainly guided by risk factors (RFs) responsible for the development of anastomotic leakage (AL). However, clear guidelines about PI creation are still lacking in the literature and this is often decided according to the surgeon's preferences, experiences or feelings. This qualitative study aims to investigate, by an open-ended question survey, the individual surgeon's decision-making process regarding PI creation after elective AR.

METHOD

Fifty four colorectal surgeons took part in an electronic survey to answer the questions and describe what usually led their decision to perform PI. A content analysis was used to code the answers. To classify answers, five dichotomous categories (In favour/Against PI, Listed/Unlisted RFs, Typical/Atypical, Emotions/Non-emotions, Personal experience/No personal experience) have been developed.

RESULTS

Overall, 76% of surgeons were in favour of PI creation and 88% considered listed RFs in the question of whether to perform PI. Atypical answers were reported in 10% of cases. Emotions and personal experience influenced surgeons' decision-making process in 22% and 49% of cases, respectively. The most frequently considered RFs were the distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge (96%), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (88%), a positive intraoperative leak test (65%), blood loss (37%) and immunosuppression therapy (35%).

CONCLUSION

The indications to perform PI following rectal cancer surgery lack standardization and evidence-based guidelines are required to inform practice. Until then, expert opinion can be helpful to assist the decision-making process in patients who have undergone AR for adenocarcinoma.

Risk factors associated with readmission within 30 days following stoma surgery: Development of a 'traffic light' prediction model

AIM

Patients undergoing stoma surgery have a higher risk for early readmission. Some patients may benefit from closer postdischarge surveillance to provide early detection of complications and timely intervention. However, there is a paucity of validated tools to identify those at higher risk of readmission. Here, we aim to determine the independent risk factors associated with readmission within 30 days of discharge following stoma surgery, attempt to validate previous predictive models and develop a novel prediction tool.

METHOD

A retrospective review of 423 patients who underwent ileostomy or colostomy stoma formation at a UK tertiary colorectal centre between 2019 and 2021. Univariate, multivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to analyse a large number of demographics and risk factors and the association with readmission.

RESULTS

This study cohort included 220 ileostomy and 203 colostomy patients. Of these, 87 (20.6%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge following index surgery. A large number of demographics were evaluated for association with readmission. Readmission was associated with chronic heart failure (p < 0.05), postoperative stoma-specific complications (bleeding, p = 0.02; high-output stoma, p = 0.01) and those with a loop ileostomy (34.0% vs. 18.6%; p = 0.01). A previous predictive model was ineffective in this cohort, therefore a simplified 'traffic light' risk scoring system was developed and found to have improved discrimination.

CONCLUSION

Readmission following stoma formation is associated with key variables that could provide the means to triage, risk score and potentially predict readmissions. We found that a novel and simplified scoring system may provide improved prediction.

Development and Validation of Machine Learning Models to Predict Readmission After Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Readmission after colorectal surgery is common and often implies complications for patients and costs for hospitals. Previous works have created predictive models using logistic regression for this outcome but have shown limited accuracy. Machine learning has shown promise in improving predictions by identifying non-linear patterns in data. We sought to create a more accurate predictive model for readmission after colorectal surgery using machine learning.

METHODS

Patients who underwent colorectal surgery were identified in the National Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database including years 2012-2019 and split into training, validation, and test sets. The primary outcome was readmission within 30 days of surgery. Three types of machine learning models were created, including random forest (RF), gradient boosting (XGB), and neural network (NN). A logistic regression (LR) model was also created for comparison. Model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

The dataset included 213,827 patients after application of exclusion criteria. A total of 23,083 (10.8%) of patients experienced readmission. NN obtained an AUROC of 0.751 (95% CI 0.743-0.759), compared with 0.684 (95% CI 0.676-0.693) for LR. RF and XGB performed similarly with AUROCs of 0.749 (95% CI 0.741-0.757) and 0.745 (95% CI 0.737-0.753) respectively. Ileus, index admission length of stay, organ-space surgical site infection present at time of surgery, and ostomy placement were identified as the most contributory variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Machine learning approaches outperformed traditional statistical methods in the prediction of readmission after colorectal surgery. After external validation, this improved prediction model could be used to target interventions to reduce readmission rate.

Nutritional and Educational Intervention to Recover a Healthy Eating Pattern Reducing Clinical Ileostomy-Related Complications

The aim of this study was to evaluate a diet intervention implemented by our hospital in order to determinate its capacity to improve the eating pattern of patients with an ileostomy, facilitating the implementation new eating-related behaviors, reducing doubt and dissatisfaction and other complications. The study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design in a tertiary level hospital. The elaboration and implementation of a nutritional intervention consisting of a Mediterranean-diet-based set of menus duly modified that was reinforced by specific counseling at the reintroduction of oral diet, hospital discharge and first follow-up appointment. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The protocol was approved by the competent Ethics Committee. The patients of the intervention group considered that the diet facilitated eating five or more meals a day and diminished doubt and concerns related to eating pattern. Most patients (86%) had a favorable experience regarding weight recovery and a significant reduction of all-cause readmissions and readmission with dehydration (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). The intervention helped an effective self-management of eating pattern by patients who had a physical improvement related to hydration status, which, together with an improvement in weight regain, decreased the probability of readmissions.

Decreasing Readmissions After Ileostomy Creation Through a Perioperative Quality Improvement Program

BACKGROUND

Readmission after ileostomy creation in patients undergoing colorectal surgery creates a significant burden on health care cost and patient quality of care, with a 30-day readmission rate of 40%.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of our perioperative quality improvement program, Decreasing Readmissions After Ileostomy Creation.

DESIGN

Perioperative interventions were administered to patients who underwent ileostomy creation.

SETTINGS

A single tertiary care academic center.

PATIENTS

Eighty patients participated in this program from February 2020 to January 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were 30-day readmission rates and causes of readmission, which were compared to a historical national database. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the effectiveness of this quality improvement program.

RESULTS

Eighty patients were enrolled in this prospective quality improvement program. The mean age was 52 (±15.06) years. The most common indication for patients undergoing creation of an ileostomy was colorectal cancer (40%; n = 32). The overall 30-day readmission rate was 8.75% (n = 7) throughout the study period, which was significantly lower than historical cohort data (20.10%; p = 0.01). Among the 7 readmitted patients, 3 (3.75%) were readmitted due to dehydration. The most significant associated risk factor for all-cause readmission was urgent/emergent operative status, which was associated with an increased risk of readmission ( p = 0.01). The 3 readmitted patients with dehydration had a mean Dehydration Readmission After Ileostomy Prediction risk score of 11.71 points, compared to 9.59 points in nondehydrated patients, who did not require readmission ( p = 0.38).

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by its small sample size (N = 80).

CONCLUSIONS

The Decreasing Readmissions After Ileostomy Creation program has been successful in reducing both the all-cause readmission rate and readmission due to dehydration both within an academic tertiary care referral center and in comparison with historical readmission rates. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B894 .

DISMINUCIN DE LA READMISIN DESPUS DE LA CREACIN DE UNA ILEOSTOMA MEDIANTE UN PROGRAMA DE MEJORA DE LA CALIDAD PERIOPERATORIA

ANTECEDENTES:La readmisión después de la creación de una ileostomía en pacientes de cirugía colorrectal crea una carga significativa sobre el costo de la atención médica y la calidad de la atención del paciente, con una tasa de readmisión a los 30 días que llega al 40%.OBJETIVO:Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la implementación de nuestro programa de mejora de la calidad perioperatoria que disminuyen los reingresos después de la creación de ileostomía.DISEÑO:Se administraron intervenciones perioperatorias a pacientes que se sometieron a la creación de una ileostomía.AJUSTE:Se trataba de un único centro académico de atención terciaria.PACIENTES:Participaron 80 pacientes en este programa desde febrero de 2020 hasta enero de 2021.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Los principales resultados medidos fueron las tasas de reingreso a los 30 días y las causas de reingreso, que se compararon con una base de datos histórica nacional. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas para evaluar la eficacia de este programa de mejora de la calidad.RESULTADOS:Ochenta pacientes se inscribieron en este programa prospectivo de mejora de la calidad. La edad media fue de 52 (± 15,06) años. La indicación más común para los pacientes que se sometieron a la creación de una ileostomía fue el cáncer colorrectal (40%, n = 32). La tasa general de reingreso a los 30 días fue del 8,75% (n = 7) durante todo el período de estudio, lo que fue significativamente más bajo que los datos históricos de la cohorte (20,10%, p = 0,01). Entre los 7 pacientes readmitidos, tres (3,75%) fueron readmitidos por deshidratación. El factor de riesgo asociado más significativo para la readmisión por todas las causas fue el estado operatorio urgente / emergencia, que se asoció con un mayor riesgo de readmisión (p = 0,01). Los tres pacientes readmitidos con deshidratación tuvieron una puntuación de riesgo promedio de readmisión por deshidratación después de la predicción de ileostomía de 11,71 puntos, en comparación con los pacientes no deshidratados, que no requirieron readmisión (media, 9,59 puntos, p = 0,38).LIMITACIONES:Este estudio está limitado por su pequeño tamaño de muestra (n = 80).CONCLUSIONES:El programa de disminución de las readmisiones después de la creación de una ileostomía ha logrado reducir tanto la tasa de readmisión por todas las causas como la readmisión por deshidratación, tanto dentro de un centro académico de referencia de atención terciaria como en comparación con las tasas históricas de readmisión. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B894 . (Traducción-Dr Yolanda Colorado ).

A close adherence to a stoma-therapeutic pathway improves immediate stoma-related outcomes and reduces the length of hospital stay

PURPOSE

New stoma creation is related to a wide range of implications and stoma-related complications could occur frequently. The aim was to assess the impact of a close stoma-therapeutic-care pathway (STCP) in terms of length of stay, autonomy in the management of the pouch, readmission rate, and stoma-related complications.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgery for colorectal disease and first stoma creation from January 2017 to December 2020 were analyzed. All patients enrolled had joined the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocol.

RESULTS

Among 143 enrolled, 56 (40%) did not completely follow the STCP (group A), whereas 87 (60%) demonstrated strict compliance (group B). The hospital stay lasted 8 days in group B and 11.5 in group A (p = 0.001). The first look at the stoma needed 1 day in group B and 3 days in group A (p < 0.001), emptying the pouch 2 days in group B and 5 days in group A (p < 0.001). Finally, the ability to change the pouch was 3 days in group B and 6 days in group A (p < 0.001). Nine (16.1%) stoma-related complications were counted in group A and 16 (18.4%) in group B, and 30-day readmission was 10.1% in group B and 11.5% in group A (p = 0.82 and p = 1, respectively, not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

The STCP has been shown to reduce the hospital stay and to have a protective role making the patient autonomous in the management of the stoma.

Ostomy closure rate during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian multicentre observational study

During the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most of the surgical procedures were performed for emergencies or oncologic reasons to the detriment of the remaining elective procedures for benign conditions. Ileostomy or colostomy creation are sequelae of oncologic or emergency colorectal surgery, but their closure does not fall within the definition of oncologic or emergency surgery. The aim of this retrospective multicentre observational study is to report the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the ostomy closure rate in Italy. Data regarding ileostomy and colostomy creation and closure from 24 Italian centres, during the study period (March 2020–February 2021) and during the control period (March 2019–February 2020) were collected. Three hospitals (12.5%) were COVID free. The number of colostomies and ileostomies created and closed in the same period was lower ( -18.8% and -30%, respectively) in the study period in comparison to the control period (p = 0.1915 and p = 0.0001, respectively), such as the ostomies closed in the analysed periods but created before (colostomy -36.2% and ileostomy -7.4%, p = 0.2211 and p = 0.1319, respectively). Overall, a 19.5% reduction in ostomies closed occurred in the study period. Based on the present study, a reduction in ostomy closure rate occurred in Italy between March 2020 and February 2021. During the pandemic, the need to change the clinical practice probably prolonged deterioration of quality of life in patients with ostomies, increasing number of stomas that will never be closed, and related management costs, even if these issues have not been investigated in this study.

Comprehensive testing of colorectal anastomosis: results of prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leakage remains one of the most threatening complications in colorectal surgery. Intraoperative testing of anastomosis may reduce the postoperative anastomotic leakage rates. This study aimed to investigate a novel comprehensive intraoperative colorectal anastomosis testing technique to detect the failure of the anastomosis construction and to reduce the risk of postoperative leak.

METHODS

This multi-centre prospective cohort pilot study included 60 patients who underwent colorectal resection with an anastomosis at or below 15 cm from the anal verge. Comprehensive trimodal testing consisted of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, tension testing, air-leak, and methylene blue leak tests to evaluate the perfusion, tension, and mechanical integrity of the anastomosis.

RESULTS

Ten (16.7%) patients developed an anastomotic leakage. Trimodal test was positive in 16 (26.6%) patients and the operative plan was changed for all of them. Diverting ileostomy was performed in 14 (87.5%) patients. However, two (12.5%) patients still developed clinically significant anastomotic leakage (Grade B). Forty-four (73.4%) patients had a negative trimodal test, preventive ileostomy was performed in 19 (43.2%), and five (11.4%) patients had clinically significant anastomotic leakage (Grade B and C).

CONCLUSION

Trimodal testing identifies anastomoses with initial technical failure where reinforcement of anastomosis or diversion can lead to an acceptable rate of anastomotic leakage. Identification of well-performed anastomosis could allow a reduction of ileostomy rate by two-fold. However, anastomotic leakage rate remains high in technically well-performed anastomoses.

Acute kidney injury is a common and significant complication following ileostomy formation

AIM

The aim was to characterize the incidence and short-term prognostic value of an acute kidney injury (AKI) during the admission where an ileostomy is formed.

METHODS

Adults with a baseline serum creatinine measurement discharged alive after ileostomy formation from 2014 to 2016 were included. All patients had daily basic metabolic panels and the Kidney Diseases Improving Global Outcomes criteria were used to determine the presence and severity of any AKI. Dehydration was defined by a single urine abnormality or clinical criteria combined with an objective abnormality in vitals or basic metabolic panels.

RESULTS

Of 262 patients, 19.4% sustained an AKI (74.5% Stage I, 15.7% Stage II, 9.8% Stage III) during the index admission. Predictors of incident AKI were increasing age, male sex, higher baseline creatinine and open surgery. Patients with AKI had significantly longer length of stay and 45% had creatinine <1.0 mg/dl at discharge. Of the total cohort, 11% were readmitted with dehydration and the independent predictors were AKI during the index admission, high ileostomy output, age >65 years, male sex and prior ileostomy. Of those readmitted with dehydration, 79% had AKI at readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 20% of patients with ileostomies develop an AKI during the index admission with almost half resolving by discharge. Patients with AKIs are at high risk for 30-day dehydration-related readmission and AKI is present in nearly 80% of those readmitted with dehydration. Since AKI is objective, based on routine laboratory measures, and has known prognostic value it is probably a more robust outcome than dehydration for researchers, surgeons and patients.