Postoperative mortality and need for transitional care following liver resection for metastatic disease in elderly patients: a population-level analysis of 4026 patients

Octogenarians unable to return home by postoperative-day 30

BACKGROUND

For older adults undergoing surgery, returning home is instrumental for functional independence. We quantified octogenarians unable to return home by POD-30, assessed geriatric factors in a predictive model, and identified risk factors to inform decision-making and quality improvement.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined patients ≥80 years old from the ACS NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot, using sequential logistic regression modelling. The primary outcome was non-home living location at POD-30.

RESULTS

Of 4946 patients, 19.8 ​% lived in non-home facilities at POD-30. Increased odds of non-home living location were seen in patients with preoperative fall history (OR 2.92, 95%CI 2.06-4.14) and new postoperative pressure ulcer (OR 2.66, 95%CI 1.50-4.71) Other significant geriatric-specific risk factors included mobility aid use, surrogate-signed consent, and postoperative delirium, with odds ratios ranging from 1.42 (1.19-1.68) to 1.97 (1.53-2.53).

CONCLUSIONS

These geriatric-specific risk factors highlight the importance of preoperative vulnerability screening and intervention to inform surgical decision-making.

Application of WeChat-Utilized Mobile Health in Transitional Care Among Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy: A Pilot Study

This study aimed to investigate whether mobile health (mHealth)-based transitional care, which utilized WeChat, could benefit patients undergoing hepatectomy. From January 2019 to December 2020, 807 patients who underwent hepatectomy in a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Patients were divided into a transitional care group (TC group) (n = 238) and a control group (n = 569) based on whether they participated in mHealth-based transitional care, which utilized the WeChat application. Depending on the type of variables, t-tests, χ² tests, and other statistical methods were used to compare differences between groups. Propensity score matching analysis was conducted for factors that differed in basic characteristics. After 1:1 matching, 238 patients were included in each group. Less readmission within 90 days of discharge, better quality of life, and higher satisfaction were found in the TC group both before and after matching (p < .05). This study showed the potential of applying mHealth-based transitional care among post-hepatectomy patients.

How to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Elderly Patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary tumour of the liver with the greatest incidence, particularly in the elderly. Additionally, improvements in the treatments for chronic liver diseases have increased the number of elderly patients who might be affected by HCC. Little evidence exists regarding HCC in old patients, and the elderly are still underrepresented and undertreated in clinical trials. In fact, this population represents a complex subgroup of patients who are hard to manage, especially due to the presence of multiple comorbidities. Therefore, the choice of treatment is mainly decided by the physician in the clinical practice, who often tend not to treat elderly patients in order to avoid the possibility of adverse events, which may alter their unstable equilibrium. In this context, the clarification of the optimal treatment strategy for elderly patients affected by HCC has become an urgent necessity. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the available data regarding the treatment of HCC in elderly patients, starting from the definition of "elderly" and the geriatric assessment and scales. We explain the possible treatment choices according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) scale and their feasibility in the elderly population.

Short-term autonomy and survival after hepatectomy in the elderly

AIM

To study morbi-mortality, survival after hepatectomy in elderly patients, and influence on their short-term autonomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study conducted between 2002 and 2017 comparing patients less than 65 years old (controls) to those more than 65 years old (cases) from a prospective database, with retrospective collection of geriatric data. Cases were divided into three sub-groups (65-70 years, 70-80 years and>80 years).

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighty-two patients were included. There was no age difference in number of major hepatectomies (P=0.5506), length of stay (P=0.3215), mortality at 90 days (P=0.3915), and surgical complications (P=0.1467). There were more Grade 1 Clavien medical complications among the patients aged over 65 years (P=0.1737). There was no difference in overall survival (P=0.460) or disease-free survival (P=0.108) according to age after adjustment for type of disease and hepatectomy. One-third of patients had geriatric complications. The "home discharge" rate decreased significantly with age from 92% to 68% (P=0.0001). Early loss of autonomy after hospitalization increased with age, 16% between 65 and 70 years, 23% between 70 and 80 years and 36% after 80 years (P=0.10). We identified four independent predictors of loss of autonomy: age>70 years, cholangiocarcinoma, length of stay>10 days, and metachronous colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients had the same management as young patients, with no difference in surgery or survival, but with an increase in early loss of autonomy.

The impact of age on post-operative liver function following right hepatectomy: a retrospective, single centre experience

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of patients undergoing liver resection are of advancing age. The impact of ageing on liver regeneration and post-operative outcomes following a major resection are uncertain. We aimed to investigate risk factors for patients who developed Post Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PHLF) following right hepatectomy with age as the primary risk-factor.

METHOD

Patients undergoing right hepatectomy between July 2004-July 2018 were included. ROC analysis was performed to identify at which age PHLF development-risk increased. Secondary endpoints were length of stay (LOS), complications, and cost.

RESULTS

332-patients were included. ROC demonstrated a cut-off age of 75-years in which PHLF risk increased. >75 there was an increased risk of PHLF (35% >75yrs vs. 7% <75yrs (p = <0.001), OR = 8.8 (95% CI = 3.6-21)) There was no difference between the age groups for any other PHLF risk factor. Patients >75yrs had longer LOS (11-days vs. 7-days (p = 0.04). Patients who developed PHLF had increased hospital costs: £10,987.50 (£6175-£46,050) vs. £2575 (£900-£46,050 p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients >75yrs have increased risk of developing PHLF after right hepatectomy, contributing to increased mortality and economic burden. Pre-operatively identifying patients at-risk of PHLF is important to consider liver volume optimization strategies and improve outcomes.

Preoperative Risk Assessment for Loss of Independence Following Hepatic Resection in Elderly Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE

To establish a preoperative risk assessment method for loss of independence after hepatic resection.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Hepatic resection often results in loss of independence in preoperatively self-sufficient elderly people. Elderly patients should therefore be carefully selected for surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective, multicenter study, 347 independently-living patients aged ≥65 years, scheduled for hepatic resection, were divided into study (n = 232) and validation (n = 115) cohorts. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative loss of independence in the study cohort and verified our findings with the validation cohort. Loss of independence was defined as transfer to a rehabilitation facility, discharge to residence with home-based healthcare, 30-day readmission for poor functionality, and 90-day mortality (except for cancer-related deaths).

RESULTS

In the study cohort, univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that frailty, age ≥ 76 years, and open surgery were independent risk factors for postoperative loss of independence. Proportions of patients with postoperative loss of independence in the study and validation cohorts were respectively 3.0% and 0% among those with no applicable risk factors, 8.1% and 12.5% among those with 1 applicable risk factor, 25.5% and 25.0% among those with 2 applicable risk factors, and 56.3% and 50.0% among those with all 3 factors applicable (P < 0.001 for both cohorts). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the study and validation groups were 0.777 and 0.783, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative risk assessments using these 3 factors may be effective in predicting and planning for postoperative loss of independence after hepatic resection in elderly patients.

Case Report: Laparoscopic hepatectomy in an elderly patient with major comorbidities

Surgeons have been hesitant to proceed to hepatectomy in elderly patients, due to the higher rate of comorbidities and the reduced reserves. An 81-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma in the segment VI of the liver and several major cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic comorbid illnesses was referred to our department for treatment. He underwent transarterial chemoembolization of the liver tumor and afterwards he underwent laparoscopic resection of the hepatic segment VI, with an uneventful postoperative course. This case indicates that laparoscopic liver resections could be applied even to elderly patients with major comorbidities after optimization of their medical status.

Case Report: Laparoscopic hepatectomy in an elderly patient with major comorbidities

Surgeons have been hesitant to proceed to hepatectomy in elderly patients, due to the higher rate of comorbidities and the reduced reserves. An 81-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma in the segment VI of the liver and several major cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic comorbid illnesses was referred to our department for treatment. He underwent transarterial chemoembolization of the liver tumor and afterwards he underwent laparoscopic resection of the hepatic segment VI, with an uneventful postoperative course. This case indicates that laparoscopic liver resections could be applied even to elderly patients with major comorbidities after optimization of their medical status.

Patterns of Care for Colorectal Liver Metastasis Within an Integrated Health System: Secular Trends and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Utilization of evidence-based treatments for patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRC-LM) outside high-volume centers is not well-characterized. We sought to describe trends in treatment and outcomes, and identify predictors of therapy within a nationwide integrated health system.

METHODS

Observational cohort study of patients with CRC-LM treated within the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system (1998-2012). Secular trends and outcomes were compared on the basis of treatment type. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of no treatment (chemotherapy or surgery).

RESULTS

Among 3270 patients, 57.3 % received treatment (chemotherapy and/or surgery) during the study period. The proportion receiving treatment doubled (38 % in 1998 vs. 68 % in 2012; trend test, p < 0.001), primarily driven by increased use of chemotherapy (26 vs. 57 %; trend test, p < 0.001). Among patients having surgery (16 %), the proportion having ablation (10 vs. 61.9 %; trend test, p < 0.001) and multimodality therapy (15 vs. 67 %; trend test, p < 0.001) increased significantly over time. Older patients [65-75 years: odds ratio (OR) 1.65, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.39-1.97; >75 years: OR 3.84, 95 % CI 3.13-4.69] and those with high comorbidity index (Charlson ≥3: OR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.16-1.85) were more likely to be untreated. Overall survival was significantly different based on treatment strategy (log-rank p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of CRC-LM patients receiving treatment within the largest integrated health system in the US (VA health system) has increased substantially over time; however, one in three patients still does not receive any treatment. Future initiatives should focus on increasing treatment among older patients as well as on evaluating reasons leading to the no-treatment approach and increased use of ablation procedures.

Permanent Loss of Preoperative Independence in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy: Key Factor in the Informed Consent Process

PURPOSE

Major (>3 segments of the liver) or minor hepatectomy has been demonstrated to provide the most definitive chance for long-term remission and disease-free survival in hepatic malignancies. However, concerns remain in regards to the ability of the elderly (>70 years old) and older (>80 years old) patients to "tolerate" this type of resection. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term effects of hepatectomies in the elderly patient population.

METHODS

An Institutional Review Board approved a prospectively maintained, single-institution HPB database with 663 consecutive hepatectomies from 2003 to 2013 was reviewed. Patients were separated into elderly (>70 years old) and older. Short-term effects were defined as a 30-day morbidity/mortality, and long-term effects were defined as a 90-day morbidity/mortality and the ability to regain preoperative functional independence. Comorbidities were compared using the Charleston Comorbidity Index (CCI). The log-rank and Wilcoxon tests were used to evaluate postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 663 patients were reviewed, 480 < 70y/o, 183 were 70 or older, 104 were 75 or older, and 41 were 80 or older. Patients over 70, 75, and 80 years of age showed a higher incidence of preoperative comorbidities than younger patients when compared using CCI (P < 0.05). Non-elderly patients had more liver lesions than elderly patients (median numbers only 3 vs. 1, P = 0.005). Patients over 70, 75, and 80 years old showed a higher 90-day mortality rate patients (11, 13, 17 %, respectively) to patients less than 70, 75 and 80 (3, 5, 5 %, respectively, P < 0.05) (Table). Patients over 70, 75, and 80 years old showed increased morbidity (53, 57, 66 %, respectively) than patients less than 70, 75, and 80 (39, 34, 41 %, respectively, P < 0.05). The severity of complication in elderly patients was similar to younger patients. Patients older than 70, 75, and 80 years showed an increased incidence of discharge to rehabilitation facilities (13, 15, 17 %, respectively) than patients less than 70, 75, and 80 (2, 3, 5 %, respectively, P = <0.001). Logistic regression demonstrated a significant risk of morbidity with an inability to return to preoperative function with a CCI > 5, major hepatectomy, and >75 years of age (HR 3.8, CI 2.1-5.6) CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an increased rate of a 30- and 90-day postoperative mortality in >75-year old patients. Permanent loss of preoperative function (i.e., ability to live independently or alone) remains a significant risk and a subset of older patients. Communicating this loss of function as well as morbidity/mortality is key to the informed consent process for older patients as well as their families.