Surgical research using national databases

Characteristics, trends, and management of Penile cancer in the United States: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare disease. HPV infection, smoking, phimosis, and lichen sclerosus represent well-known associated risk factors.

OBJECTIVES

Primary aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of PeCa and to outline the adopted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Secondary aim is to investigate risk factors associated with aggressive disease and to identify the complications arising from its surgical treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis using the PearlDiver™ Mariner database, from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021, identifying all patients diagnosed with PeCa and PeIN, evaluating comorbidities, risk factors, and social and economic conditions. We evaluated the imaging modalities employed for staging as well as the treatment strategies. Finally, we evaluated the most frequent complications associated with inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILND).

RESULTS

During the study period, 17,494 patients were diagnosed with PeCa and 5,965 with penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN). US was the most frequently utilized imaging modality, followed by PET and PET/CT. Use of CT and MRI was around 5%. Surgical treatment was the predominant strategy, utilized in 31.3% of PeCa and 22.9% of PeIN. Wide Local Excision/Glansectomy emerged as the most common surgical procedures. MLR analysis identified smoking as a risk factor for metastatic PeCa (OR; 95% CI = 1.49; 1.379-1.609), HPV infections were associated with a 35% decrease in risk (OR; 95% CI = 0.65; 0.562-0.744) (all P < 0.001). Lichen sclerosus and phimosis were associated with a doubled risk of demolitive surgery. Approximately 40% of patients experienced complications associated with ILND.

CONCLUSION

Despite advances in PeCa management, there's no significant move toward more conservative treatments. Surgical treatments are still marked by high rates of complications, potentially affect the sexual and psychosocial health of patients. These issues may foster a tendency toward avoidance behaviors, contributing to a delayed clinical presentation and treatment.

Inter-rater reliability of ACS-NSQIP colorectal procedure coding in Canada

BACKGROUND

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS-NSQIP) uses Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for risk-adjusted calculations. This study evaluates the inter-rater reliability of coding colorectal resections across Canada by ACS-NSQIP surgical clinical nurse reviewers (SCNR) and its impact on risk predictions.

METHODS

SCNRs in Canada were asked to code simulated operative reports. Percent agreement and free-marginal kappa correlation were calculated. The ACS-NSQIP risk calculator was utilized to illustrate its impact on risk prediction.

RESULTS

Responses from 44 of 150 (29.3 ​%) SCNRs revealed 3 to 6 different codes chosen per case, with agreement ranging from 6.7 ​% to 62.3 ​%. Free-marginal kappa correlation ranged from moderate agreement (0.53) to high disagreement (-0.17). ACS-NSQIP risk calculator predicted large absolute differences in risk for serious complications (0.2 ​%-13.7 ​%) and mortality (0.2 ​%-6.3 ​%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated low inter-rater reliability in coding ACS-NSQIP colorectal procedures in Canada among SCNRs, impacting risk predictions.

Lessons learnt from the construction and implementation of a prospective ventral hernia database

PURPOSE

The New England VA Hernia Registry was created in 2011 to prospectively collect relevant details of ventral hernia repairs, with the intention to assess and improve long term outcomes. The goal of this study is to assess registry compliance.

METHODS

All ventral hernia operations performed in five VA hospitals between 2011-2022 were obtained. We assessed compliance at the hospital and surgeon level.

RESULTS

3,516 cases were performed. Overall compliance with registry entry was 37.5%, ranging from 10.8% to 67.2% across hospitals. At the hospital level, there was a negative correlation between average yearly hernia volume per surgeon and registry compliance (r2 = 0.53). Surgeon compliance varied within hospitals and over time.

CONCLUSION

Registry compliance was low and highly variable. Lack of interest, incentives, oversight, and surgeon turnover are possible factors for noncompliance. Building a registry with these factors in mind, providing timely feedback, and conducting frequent audits may improve compliance.

Mortality and failure-to-rescue after esophagectomy in the procedure-targeted National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry

BACKGROUND

The association between procedural volume and esophagectomy outcomes has been established, but the relationship between higher levels of care and esophagectomy outcomes has not been explored. This study aims to investigate whether hospital participation in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) esophagectomy-targeted registry is associated with superior outcomes.

METHODS

The 2016-2020 ACS NSQIP standard and esophagectomy-targeted registries were queried. Esophagectomy outcomes were analyzed overall and stratified by esophagectomy type (Ivor Lewis vs. transhiatal vs. 3-field McKeown).

RESULTS

A total of 2181 and 5449 esophagectomy cases were identified in the standard and targeted databases (68% Ivor Lewis esophagectomy). The median age was 65 years and 80% were male. Preoperative characteristics were largely comparable. On univariate analysis, targeted hospitals were associated with lower mortality (2% vs. 4%, p < 0.01) and failure-to-rescue rates (11% vs. 17%, p < 0.01), higher likelihood of an optimal outcome (62% vs. 58%, p = 0.01), and shorter hospital stay (median 9 vs. 10 days, p < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, Ivor Lewis esophagectomy at targeted centers was associated with reduced odds of mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.57 and 95% confidence intervals 0.35-0.90] and failure-to-rescue [OR 0.54 (0.33-0.90)] with no difference in serious morbidity or optimal outcome. There was no statistically significant difference in odds of mortality or failure to rescue in targeted versus standard centers when performing transhiatal or McKeown esophagectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophagectomy performed at hospitals participating in the targeted ACS NSQIP is associated with roughly half the risk of mortality compared to the standard registry. The factors underlying this relationship may be valuable in quality improvement.

Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Who Have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Matched Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective surgical treatment for severe osteoarthritis of the hip. While THA is considered a reliable and safe procedure, outcome data on patients who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of postoperative complications after primary THA in patients who have EDS against matched controls.

METHODS

A large national database was searched to identify patients who underwent THA between 2009 and 2020. Patients younger than 18 years, who had a history of prior THA, and who were undergoing THA for a hip fracture were excluded from analysis. Propensity score matching was utilized to match patients who had EDS with patients who did not have EDS at a 1:4 ratio. Rates of medical and surgical complications at 90 days and 2 years were queried and compared between the cohorts using multivariable logistic regression. We identified 118 patients who had EDS and underwent primary THA, who were then matched with 418 controls.

RESULTS

At 90 days, the EDS cohort had greater rates of dislocation (8.5 versus 3.8%, P = 0.038). At 2 years, the EDS cohort had greater odds of dislocation (OR [odds ratio] 2.47, P = 0.018), aseptic loosening (OR 6.91, P = 0.002), and aseptic revision (OR 2.66, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Patients who have EDS possess significantly higher odds of complications after THA compared to matched controls, including dislocation, aseptic loosening, and aseptic revision. Careful surgical planning in these patients should be made to prevent dislocation and potentially minimize the risk of other prosthesis-related complications leading to revision.

Trends and Costs of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Kidney Cancer in the US: A Population-based Study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze temporal trends and costs associated with the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for kidney cancer in the US over the past decade. To examine the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on perioperative outcomes.

METHODS

The PearlDiver Mariner, a national database of insurance billing records, was queried for this retrospective observational cohort analysis. The MIS population was identified and stratified according to treatment modality, using International Classification of Diseases and current procedural terminology codes. SDOH were assessed using International Classification of Diseases codes. Negative binomial regression was used to evaluate the overall number of renal MIS and Cochran-Armitage tests to compare the utilization of different treatment modalities, over the study period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified predictors of perioperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 80,821 MIS for kidney cancer were included. Minimally invasive partial nephrectomy adoption as a fraction of total MIS increased significantly (slope of regression line, reg. = 0.026, P <.001). Minimally invasive radical nephrectomy ($26.9k ± 40.9k) and renal ablation ($18.9k ± 31.6k) were the most expensive and cheapest procedures, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of number of complications (P = .06) and presence of SDOH (P = .07) among the treatment groups. At multivariable analysis, patients with SDOH undergoing minimally invasive radical nephrectomy had higher odds of perioperative complications, while renal ablation had a significantly lower probability of perioperative complications.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the current management of kidney cancer in the US, offering a socioeconomic perspective on the impact of this disease in everyday clinical practice.

Provider's exposure to diversity contributes to socioeconomic disparities in lumbar and cervical fusion outcomes

Background

Studies report patient race, income, and education influence spinal fusion outcomes; fewer studies, however, examine the influence of provider factors such as exposure to diversity or cultural sensitivity.

Objective

To examine how providers' experience with diverse patient populations affects spinal fusion outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective review of 39,680 patients undergoing lumbar and cervical fusions, 2003-2021, in Clinformatics® Data Mart national database. We used the provider patient racial diversity index (pRDI)-a published metric of physician exposure to diverse patients-to divide patients into groups based their provider's category (I, II, III) where patients treated by category III providers had surgeons with the most diverse patient populations. Multivariate regression models on propensity score-matched cohorts examined the association between patient SES and provider category on post-operative outcomes.

Results

Black patients had decreased discharge home (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.54-0.83) compared to white patients. Patients treated by category III providers had increased length of stay (Coeff. 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.81), charge (Coeff. 36800; 95% CI 29,200-44,400), and decreased discharge home (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.83-0.97) compared to patients treated by category I providers. Asian patients treated by category II providers had decreased readmission (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.14-0.96), and Black patients treated by category III providers had increased discharge home (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.1-1.9) compared to those treated by category I providers.

Conclusion

While our study found two specific instances of improved spine surgery outcomes for minority patients treated by providers serving diverse patient populations, we present mixed findings overall. This study serves as the foundation for future research to better understand how provider pRDI affects outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar and cervical spine surgery.

Differences in total shoulder arthroplasty utilization and 30-day outcomes among White, Black, and Hispanic patients: do disparities exist in the outpatient setting?

BACKGROUND

In the United States, efforts to improve efficiency and reduce healthcare costs are shifting more total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) surgeries to the outpatient setting. However, whether racial and ethnic disparities in access to high-quality outpatient TSA care exist remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to assess racial/ethnic differences in relative outpatient TSA utilization and perioperative outcomes using a large national surgical database.

METHODS

White, Black, and Hispanic patients who underwent TSA between 2017 and 2021 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and rates of outpatient utilization, adverse events, readmission, reoperation, nonhome discharge, and mortality within 30 days of surgery were compared between racial/ethnic groups. Race/ethnicity-specific trends in utilization of outpatient TSA were assessed, and multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for baseline demographic factors and comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 21,186 patients were included, consisting of 19,135 (90.3%) White, 1093 (5.2%) Black, and 958 (4.5%) Hispanic patients and representing 17,649 (83.3%) inpatient and 3537 (16.7%) outpatient procedures. Black and Hispanic patients were generally younger and less healthy than White patients, yet incidences of complications, nonhome discharge, readmission, reoperation, and death within 30 days were similar across groups following outpatient TSA (P > .050 for all). Relative utilization of outpatient TSA increased by 28.7% among White patients, 29.5% among Black patients, and 38.6% among Hispanic patients (ptrend<0.001 for all). Hispanic patients were 64% more likely than White patients to undergo TSA as an outpatient procedure across the study period (OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.40-1.92, P < .001), whereas odds did not differ between Black and White patients (OR: 1.04, 95% CI 0.87-1.23, P = .673).

CONCLUSION

Relative utilization of outpatient TSA remains highest among Hispanic patients but has been significantly increasing across all racial and ethnic groups, now accounting for more than one-third of all TSA procedures. Considering outpatient TSA is associated with fewer complications and lower costs, increasing utilization may represent a promising avenue for reducing disparities in orthopedic shoulder surgery.

Fixation or Revision for Periprosthetic Fractures: Epidemiology, New Trends, and Projections in the United States

BACKGROUND

Periprosthetic fractures can be devastating complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The management of periprosthetic fractures is complex, spanning expertise in arthroplasty and trauma. The purpose of this study was to examine and project trends in the operative treatment of periprosthetic fractures in the United States.

METHODS

A large, public and private payer database was queried to capture all International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes for periprosthetic femoral and tibial fractures. Statistical models were created to assess trends in treatment for periprosthetic fractures and to predict future surgical rates. An alpha value of 0.05 was used to assess significance. A Bonferroni correction was applied where applicable to account for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

In this study, from 2016 to 2021, 121,298 patients underwent surgical treatment for periprosthetic fractures. There was a significant increase in the total number of periprosthetic fractures. The incidence of periprosthetic hip fractures rose by 38% and that for periprosthetic knee fractures rose by 73%. The number of periprosthetic fractures is predicted to rise 212% from 2016 to 2032. There was a relative increase in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) compared with revision arthroplasty for both periprosthetic hip fractures and periprosthetic knee fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Periprosthetic fractures are anticipated to impose a substantial health-care burden in the coming decades. Periprosthetic knee fractures are predominantly treated with ORIF rather than revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), whereas periprosthetic hip fractures are predominantly treated with revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) rather than ORIF. Both periprosthetic knee fractures and periprosthetic hip fractures demonstrated increasing trends in this study. The proportion of periprosthetic hip fractures treated with ORIF relative to revision THA has been increasing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Distinguishing Clinical From Statistical Significances in Contemporary Comparative Effectiveness Research

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of clinical significance reporting in contemporary comparative effectiveness research (CER).

BACKGROUND

In CER, a statistically significant difference between study groups may or may not be clinically significant. Misinterpreting statistically significant results could lead to inappropriate recommendations that increase health care costs and treatment toxicity.

METHODS

CER studies from 2022 issues of the Annals of Surgery , Journal of the American Medical Association , Journal of Clinical Oncology , Journal of Surgical Research , and Journal of the American College of Surgeons were systematically reviewed by 2 different investigators. The primary outcome of interest was whether the authors specified what they considered to be a clinically significant difference in the "Methods."

RESULTS

Of 307 reviewed studies, 162 were clinical trials and 145 were observational studies. Authors specified what they considered to be a clinically significant difference in 26 studies (8.5%). Clinical significance was defined using clinically validated standards in 25 studies and subjectively in 1 study. Seven studies (2.3%) recommended a change in clinical decision-making, all with primary outcomes achieving statistical significance. Five (71.4%) of these studies did not have clinical significance defined in their methods. In randomized controlled trials with statistically significant results, sample size was inversely correlated with effect size ( r = -0.30, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

In contemporary CER, most authors do not specify what they consider to be a clinically significant difference in study outcome. Most studies recommending a change in clinical decision-making did so based on statistical significance alone, and clinical significance was usually defined with clinically validated standards.

Body Mass Index Greater Than 46 Associated With Increased Risk of 30 Day Complications Following Adult Tonsillectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The study aimed to identify data-driven body mass index (BMI) thresholds that are associated with varying risk of 30 day complications following adult tonsillectomy. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was utilized to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing adult tonsillectomy from 2005 to 2019. Stratum-specific likelihood ratio (SSLR) analysis was conducted to determine data-driven BMI strata that maximized the likelihood of 30 day complications following adult tonsillectomy. Patient demographics and clinical comorbidities were compared using chi-squared analysis and student t tests, where appropriate, for each stratum. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to confirm association between identified data-driven strata with 30 day complication rates. Results: In total, 44,161 patients undergoing adult tonsillectomy were included in this study. SSLR analysis identified 2 BMI categories: 18 to 45 and 46+. Relative to the 18 to 45 BMI cohort, the 46+ BMI cohort was more likely to have 30 day all-cause complications after surgery [odds ratio (OR): 1.62, P = .007]. Specifically, the 46+ BMI cohort had significantly higher odds for 30 day major medical complications (OR: 2.86, P = .001), pulmonary domain complications (OR: 1.86, P = .041), unplanned reintubation (OR: 2.65, P = .033), and deep vein thrombosis (OR: 6.54, P = .026). Conclusions: We identified a BMI threshold of 46+ that was associated with a significantly increased risk of 30 day all-cause complications following adult tonsillectomy. These BMI strata can guide preoperative planning and risk-stratifying models for predicting 30 day complications in tonsillectomy surgery.

Frailty in inflammatory bowel disease: analysis of the National Inpatient Sample 2015-2019

AIM

Preoperative frailty has been associated with adverse postoperative outcomes in various populations, but of its use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains sparse. The present study aimed to characterize the impact of frailty, as measured by the modified frailty index (mFI), on postoperative clinical and resource utilization outcomes in patients with IBD.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based cohort study assessed patients from the National Inpatient Sample database from 1 September 2015 to 31 December 2019. Corresponding International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Clinical Modification codes were used to identify adult patients (>18 years of age) with IBD, undergoing either small bowel resection, colectomy or proctectomy. Patient demographics and institutional data were collected for each patient to calculate the 11-point mFI. Patients were categorized as either frail or robust using a cut-off of 0.27. Primary outcomes were postoperative in-hospital morbidity and mortality, whilst secondary outcomes included system-specific morbidity, length of stay, in-hospital healthcare costs and discharge disposition. Logistic and linear regression models were used for primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 7144 patients with IBD undergoing small bowel resection, colectomy or proctectomy were identified, 337 of whom were classified as frail (i.e., mFI < 0.27). Frail patients were more likely to be women, older, have lower income and a greater number of comorbidities. After adjusting for relevant covariates, frail patients were at greater odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.42, 95% CI 2.31-12.77, P < 0.001), overall morbidity (aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.30-2.28, P < 0.001), increased length of stay (adjusted mean difference 1.3 days, 95% CI 0.09-2.50, P = 0.035) and less likely to be discharged to home (aOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.45-0.77, P < 0.001) compared to their robust counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Frail IBD patients are at greater risk of postoperative mortality and morbidity, and reduced likelihood of discharge to home, following surgery. This has implications for clinicians designing care pathways for IBD patients following surgery.

Incidence and Management of Radiation Cystitis After Pelvic Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Analysis from a National Database

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of radiation cystitis on Prostate Cancer (PCa) patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy (RT), evaluating the most used management strategies, and identifying potential risk factors associated with the development of this condition.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the PearlDiver™ Mariner database, containing patient records compiled between 2011 and 2022. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were employed to identify population and outcomes. We evaluated patients who underwent RT for PCa and subsequently developed radiation cystitis. Primary objective was to determine the overall incidence of radiation cystitis. Furthermore, we investigated its associated risk factors and management.

RESULTS

A total of 274,865 PCa patients underwent RT during the study period. Of these, 48,713 (17.7%) experienced hematuria following RT, while 7,721 (2.8%) were diagnosed with radiation cystitis. After the diagnosis, 2,307 patients (29.9%) received diagnostic or therapeutic endoscopic interventions. Only 59 patients (0.76%) underwent endovascular embolization, while 151 patients (1.95%) required cystectomy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, administered to 1,287 patients (16.67%), was the only treatment that displayed a significant upward trend. Multivariate logistic regression identified obesity (OR 1.29; 95% C.I. 1.23 - 1.35), smoking (OR 1.27; 95% C.I. 1.22 - 1.33), and diabetes (OR 1.32; 95% C.I. 1.26 - 1.39), as significant risk factors for radiation cystitis (all p-values < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation cystitis represents a rare complication after pelvic RT with significant clinical impact. Its incidence has remained stable throughout the study period. The identified risk factors corroborate the pathophysiology of radiation cystitis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was the only treatment to show an upward trend during the study period.

Role of Age as a Predictor of Major Complications After Elective Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the elderly population is increasing. The aim of this study was to assess the degree to which age and other factors increase the risk of developing major complications in patients undergoing elective surgery for UC.

METHODS

Using the ACS-NSQIP database from 2016 to 2020, patients undergoing elective surgery for UC were divided into four categories: younger than 30, 30-49, 50-69, and 70 or older. A composite outcome was created including major complications and multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with composite major complications.

RESULTS

5946 patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis who underwent elective surgery were included in the analysis. 14.1% of all patients developed a major complication. For patients with UC, factors associated with the development of a major complication were age 50-69 (OR 1.31, P = .034), male sex (OR 1.38, P < .001), Black race (OR 1.47, P = .049), dependent status (OR 2.06, P = .028), hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.92, P < .001), preoperative steroid treatment (OR 1.27, P = .038), preoperative transfusion (OR 1.91, P < .001), open surgical approach (OR 1.44, P = .002), and partial colectomy (OR 1.51, P = .007). Specifically in patients aged 70 or older, hypoalbuminemia (OR 3.20, P < .001) and preoperative transfusion (OR 2.78, P = .019) were associated with a major complication.

CONCLUSION

Age is a risk factor for the development of a major complication in UC patients undergoing elective surgery. However, it is not the only risk factor nor is it the one that increases the risk the most.

The modified frailty index predicts postoperative morbidity in elective hernia repair patients: analysis of the national inpatient sample 2015-2019

PURPOSE

Frailty has shown promise in predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality following hernia surgery. This study aims to evaluate the predictive capacity of the 11-item modified frailty index (mFI) in estimating postoperative outcomes following elective hernia surgery using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the NIS from 2015 to 2019 was performed including adult patients who underwent elective hernia repair. The mFI was used to stratify patients as either frail (mFI ≥ 0.27) or robust (mFI < 0.27). The primary outcomes were in-hospital postoperative morbidity and mortality. The secondary outcomes were system-specific morbidity, length of stay (LOS), total in-hospital healthcare cost, and discharge disposition. Univariable and multivariable regressions were utilized.

RESULTS

In total, 14,125 robust patients and 1704 frail patients were included. Frailty was associated with an increased age (mean age 66.4 years vs. 52.6 years, p < 0.001) and prevalence of ventral hernias (51.9% vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001). Adjusted analyses demonstrated that frail patients had increased in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.89, 95% CI 1.50, 10.11, p = 0.005), postoperative overall morbidity (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.72, 2.29, p < 0.001), postoperative LOS (adjusted mean difference (aMD) 0.78 days, 95% CI 0.51, 1.06, p < 0.001), total in-hospital healthcare costs (aMD $7562 95% CI 3292, 11,832, p = 0.001), and were less likely to be discharged home (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53, 0.69, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The mFI may be a reliable predictor of postoperative morbidity and mortality in elective hernia surgery. Utilizing this tool can aid in patient education and identifying high-risk patients who may benefit from tailored prehabilitation.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection is associated with greater risk of pneumonia and readmission after cardiac surgery

Objective

Human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV+) is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Increasingly, patients who are HIV + are being evaluated to undergo cardiac surgery. Current risk-adjusted scoring systems, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score, fail to stratify HIV + risk. Unfortunately, there exists a paucity of cardiac surgery outcomes data in modern patients who are HIV+.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of PearlDiver, an all-payer claims administrative database. In total, 14,714,743 patients were captured between 2010 and 2020. Of these, 59,695 (0.4%) of patients had a history of HIV+, and 1759 (2.95%) of these patients underwent cardiac surgery. Patients who were HIV+ were younger, more often male, and had greater comorbidity, history of hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, and heart failure.

Results

Postoperatively, patients who were HIV + had significantly greater rates of pneumonia (relative risk, 1.70; P = .0003) and 30-day all-cause readmission (relative risk, 1.28, P < .0001). After linear regression analysis, these results remained significant. Data also show that a lesser proportion of patients with HIV + underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, and any cardiac surgery compared with controls.

Conclusions

Patients who are HIV + undergoing cardiac surgery are at greater risk of pneumonia and readmission. Moreover, we discovered lower rates of cardiac surgery in patients who are HIV+, which may reflect limited access to surgery when indicated. Today's risk-adjusted scoring systems in cardiac surgery need to better account for the modern patient who is HIV+.

An Updated Estimate of Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty Inpatient Case Volume During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Background

Inpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) practices were dramatically affected in the United States in 2020 as elective surgeries were paused in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to provide an updated estimate of inpatient total joint arthroplasty (TJA) case volumes in the United States in 2020.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed by identifying all adult patients who underwent primary, elective TJA from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2020, using the National Inpatient Sample. Monthly and annual case volumes were reported with descriptive statistics. Baseline case volumes were established by taking the average number of monthly cases performed in 2017, 2018, and 2019. These monthly averages were compared to 2020 values.

Results

From 2017 to 2019, the average case volume was 1,056,669 cases per year (41.0% THA, 59.0% TKA) and 88,055 cases per month. In 2020, 535,441 cases were identified (45.4% THA, 54.6% TKA), corresponding to a 49.3% reduction from the 2017-2019 annual average. Monthly cases decreased to 4515 in April during the "first wave" of COVID-19, corresponding to a 94.8% decrease from prior years. In June, cases rebounded to 55,520 before decreasing again in July to 50,100 during the "second wave" of COVID-19. During the "third wave," COVID-19 cases decreased month-over-month from October through December (56.5% decrease).

Conclusions

This updated estimate identified a 49.3% decrease in inpatient TJA cases in 2020 compared to prior years. This is similar to the 46.5-47.7% decrease in case volume previously reported.

Incidental Prostate Cancer in Patients Treated for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Analysis from a Contemporary National Dataset

(1) Background: Prostate Cancer (PCa) may be incidentally diagnosed during the microscopic evaluation of resected tissue from BPH surgeries, characterizing the clinical condition known as incidental PCa (iPCa). This study aims to assess the prevalence of iPCa following BPH surgery to evaluate the associated surgical procedures and to scrutinize preoperative and postoperative management. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the PearlDiver™ Mariner database, containing patient records compiled between 2011 and 2021. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were employed to identify the population and outcomes. Our primary objective was to assess the prevalence of iPCa, categorized by the type of procedures, and to evaluate the subsequent treatment strategies. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of prostate biopsy (PB) and prostate MRI on iPCa detection. (3) Results: The overall cohort, accounting for 231,626 patients who underwent BPH surgery, exhibited a 2.2% prevalence rate of iPCa. The highest rate was observed for TURP (2.32%), while the lowest was recorded for RASP (1.18%). Preoperative MRI and PB demonstrated opposing trends over the years. Of the 5090 patients identified with iPCa, nearly 68% did not receive active treatment. The most common treatments were RT and ADT; 34.6% underwent RT, 31.75% received ADT, and 21.75% were treated with RT+ADT. RP was administered to approximately 9% of patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed age and openSP as additional risk factors for iPCa. Conversely, PB and MRI before surgery were linked to a decreased risk. (4) Conclusions: The contemporary prevalence of iPCa after BPH surgery is <3%. The increase in the use of prostate MRI mirrors a decline in the PB biopsy prior to BPH surgery but without resulting in an increased detection rate of iPCa. In contemporary routine clinical practice, iPCa is mostly managed in a different way when compared to biopsy-detected PCa.

Rate and Risk Factors for Contralateral Slippage in Adolescents Treated for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Comprehensive Analysis of 3,528 Cases

BACKGROUND

After a unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), the contralateral hip is at risk for a subsequent SCFE. However, further information with regard to risk factors involved in the development of contralateral SCFE must be investigated. The purpose of this study was to report the rate and risk factors for subsequent contralateral SCFE in adolescents treated for unilateral SCFE by exploring a mix of known and potential risk factors.

METHODS

A case-control study utilizing aggregated multi-institutional electronic medical record data between January 2003 and March 2023 was conducted. Patients <18 years of age diagnosed with SCFE who underwent surgical management were included. Variables associated with contralateral SCFE were identified using multivariable logistic regression models that adjusted for patient characteristics and time of the surgical procedure, providing adjusted odds ratios (ORs). The false discovery rate was accounted for via the Benjamini-Hochberg method.

RESULTS

In this study, 15.3% of patients developed contralateral SCFE at a mean (and standard error) of 296.53 ± 17.23 days and a median of 190 days following the initial SCFE. Increased thyrotropin (OR, 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04 to 1.97]; p = 0.022), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.22 to 2.49]; p = 0.005), severe obesity (OR, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.56 to 2.57]; p < 0.001), history of human growth hormone use (OR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.10 to 3.38]; p = 0.032), low vitamin D (OR, 5.75 [95% CI, 2.23 to 13.83]; p < 0.001), younger age in boys (under 12 years of age: OR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.37 to 2.43]; p < 0.001) and in girls (under 11 years of age: OR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.05 to 2.02]; p = 0.026), and tobacco exposure (OR, 2.43 [95% CI, 1.49 to 3.87]; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased odds of developing contralateral SCFE.

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest study on this topic, we identified the rate, odds, and risk factors associated with development of contralateral SCFE. We found younger age, hypothyroidism, severe obesity, low vitamin D, diabetes mellitus, and a history of human growth hormone use to be independent risk factors. Our findings can aid clinical decision-making in at-risk patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Tissue-Based Genomic Testing in Prostate Cancer: 10-Year Analysis of National Trends on the Use of Prolaris, Decipher, ProMark, and Oncotype DX

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) management is moving towards patient-tailored strategies. Advances in molecular and genetic profiling of tumor tissues, integrated with clinical risk assessments, provide deeper insights into disease aggressiveness. This study aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the pivotal genomic tests supporting PCa treatment decisions, analyzing-through real-world data-trends in their use and the growth of supporting literature evidence.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the extensive PearlDiver™ Mariner database, which contains de-identified patient records, in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were employed to identify patients diagnosed with PCa during the study period-2011 to 2021. We determined the utilization of primary tissue-based genetic tests (Oncocyte DX®, Prolaris®, Decipher®, and ProMark®) across all patients diagnosed with PCa. Subsequently, within the overall PCa cohort, patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and received genetic testing postoperatively were identified. The yearly distribution of these tests and the corresponding trends were illustrated with graphs.

RESULTS

During the study period, 1,561,203 patients with a PCa diagnosis were recorded. Of these, 20,748 underwent tissue-based genetic testing following diagnosis, representing 1.3% of the total cohort. An increasing trend was observed in the use of all genetic tests. Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant increase over time in the use of individual tests (all p-values < 0.05). Among the patients who underwent RP, 3076 received genetic analysis following surgery, representing 1.27% of this group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis indicates a growing trend in the utilization of tissue-based genomic testing for PCa. Nevertheless, they are utilized in less than 2% of PCa patients, whether at initial diagnosis or after surgical treatment. Although it is anticipated that their use may increase as more scientific evidence becomes available, their role requires further elucidation.

From database to practice: the MBSAQIP in the surgical literature

BACKGROUND

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) has been a game changer for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), with continuous improvements in safety and outcomes throughout the years of its usage. It allows in-depth evaluations of MBS procedures, presenting practitioners and researchers with unparalleled opportunities for quality assessment, research and clinical advancement.

OBJECTIVES

To offer an updated overview of MBSAQIP-related publications.

SETTING

United States.

METHODS

PubMed was queried using keywords "MBSAQIP" and "Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program." Letters to editors, duplicates, commentaries, and retracted articles were excluded. Studies that mentioned MBSAQIP but did not use the data within were also excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 400 search items were returned as of August 2023. After exclusions, 289 studies were reviewed. Articles were published in a total of 28 unique journals, the majority of which were featured in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD), with 114 articles (39.4%). Sixty-one articles were focused on creating predictive models or risk calculators, 58 on investigating the safety of procedures, and 52 on exploring complications. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were the 2 most commonly discussed procedures, at 80.3% and 80% respectively. Forty-three studies included patients who underwent robotic-assisted MBS.

CONCLUSIONS

The MBSAQIP is a valuable resource that has generated a wealth of studies in the literature. It has allowed for intense analysis of clinical issues and fostered a culture of safety and quality improvement. Participating surgeons must pledge commitment to extended follow-up periods to maximize its effectiveness.

Visual and cognitive processes contribute to age-related improvements in visual selective attention

Children (N = 103, 4-9 years, 59 females, 84% White, c. 2019) completed visual processing, visual feature integration (color, luminance, motion), and visual search tasks. Contrast sensitivity and feature search improved with age similarly for luminance and color-defined targets. Incidental feature integration improved more with age for color-motion than luminance-motion. Individual differences in feature search (β  = .11) and incidental feature integration (β  = .06) mediated age-related changes in conjunction visual search, an index of visual selective attention. These findings suggest that visual selective attention is best conceptualized as a series of developmental trajectories, within an individual, that vary by an object's defining features. These data have implications for design of educational and interventional strategies intended to maximize attention for learning and memory.

Postoperative Complications After Sling Operations for Incontinence: Is Race a Factor?

IMPORTANCE

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in urogynecologic surgery; however, literature identifying specific disparities after sling operations for stress incontinence are limited.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in surgical complications within 30 days of midurethral sling operations.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study identified women who underwent an isolated midurethral sling operation between 2014 and 2021 using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Women were stratified by racial and ethnic category to assess the primary outcome, 30-day surgical complications, and the secondary outcome, comparison of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

RESULTS

There were 20,066 patients included. Mean age and body mass index were 53.9 years and 30.8, respectively. More Black or African American women had diabetes and hypertension, and more American Indian or Alaska Native women used tobacco. The only difference in 30-day complications was stroke/cerebrovascular accident, which occurred in only 1 Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander patient (0.1%, P < 0.0001). The most frequent complication was UTI (3.3%). Black or African American women were significantly less likely to have a diagnosis of UTI than non-Hispanic White (P = 0.04), Hispanic White (P = 0.03), and American Indian or Alaska Native women (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical complications within 30 days of sling operations are rare. No clinically significant racial and ethnic differences in serious complications were observed. Urinary tract infection diagnoses were lower among Black or African American women than in non-Hispanic White, Hispanic White, and American Indian or Alaska Native women despite a greater comorbidity burden. No known biologic reason exists to explain lower UTI rates in this population; therefore, this finding may represent a disparity in diagnosis and treatment.

A Road Map to Creating a High-Quality Clinical Database in Plastic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Detailed in-house databases are a staple of surgical research and a crucial source of data for many studies from which clinical guidelines are built. Despite the importance of generating a clear and thorough developmental design, the literature on database creation and management is limited. In this article, the authors present their stepwise single-institution process of developing a clinical facial fracture database.

METHODS

The authors outline the process of development of a large single-institution clinical pediatric facial fracture database. The authors highlight critical steps from conception, regulatory approval, data safety/integrity, human resource allocation, data collection, quality assurance, and error remediation. The authors recorded patient characteristics, comorbidities, details of the sustained fracture, associated injuries, hospitalization information, treatments, outcomes, and follow-up information on Research Electronic Data Capture. Protocols were created to ensure data quality assurance and control. Error identification analysis was subsequently performed on the database to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of the data.

RESULTS

A total of 4451 records from 3334 patients between 2006 and 2021 were identified and evaluated to generate a clinical database. Overall, there were 259 incorrect entries of 120,177 total entries, yielding a 99.8% completion rate and a 0.216% error rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of clinical research is intrinsically linked to the quality and accuracy of the data collection. Close attention must be paid to quality control at every stage of a database setup. More studies outlining the process of database design are needed to promote transparent, accurate, and replicable research practices.

Elevated HbA1c is not associated with reoperation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia is a known risk factor for tendon degeneration due to oxidative stresses from production of advanced glycosylation end products. In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), analysis of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) provides a 3-month window into a patient's glucose control. No guidelines exist for ideal preoperative HbA1c and glucose control prior to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This study evaluated if a critical HbA1c level is associated with reoperation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients with DM who underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from January 2014 to December 2018 at a single institution. Patients required a preoperative HbA1c within 3 months of surgery. Medical records were queried to evaluate for reoperation and identify the subsequent procedures performed. Univariate statistical analysis was performed to assess factors associated with reoperation (P < .05 considered significant). Threshold, area under the curve (AUC), analysis was performed to assess if a critical HbA1c value was associated with reoperation.

RESULTS

A total of 402 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients had an average age of 65.5 years (range 40-89) at time of surgery; 244 (60.6%) patients were male; and average body mass index was 32.96 ± 5.81. Mean HbA1c was 7.36 (range 5.2-12). Thirty-three patients (8.2%) underwent subsequent reoperation. Six patients (1.5%) underwent capsular release and lysis of adhesions, 20 patients (5.0%) underwent a revision rotator cuff surgery, combination revision rotator cuff repair and lysis of adhesions, graft-augmented revision repair, or superior capsular reconstruction, and 7 patients (1.7%) underwent revision to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (1.7%). There were no cases of reoperation for infection. On AUC analysis, no critical HbA1c value was identified to predispose to reoperation. Interestingly, elevated preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification score (2.8 vs. 2.28, P = .001) was associated with a higher reoperation rate.

DISCUSSION

In patients with DM, preoperative HbA1c is not a predictive factor for surgical failure requiring reoperation. Stable glycemic control is important to a patient's overall health and may play a role in minimizing postoperative medical complications, but an elevated preoperative HbA1c should not be a strict surgical contraindication for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. In patients with DM, an elevated ASA score is associated with an increased rate of subsequent reoperation; diabetic patients should be counseled accordingly.

Emergent Applications of Machine Learning for Diagnosing and Managing Appendicitis: A State-of-the-Art Review

Background: Appendicitis is an inflammatory condition that requires timely and effective intervention. Despite being one of the most common surgically treated diseases, the condition is difficult to diagnose because of atypical presentations. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) imaging improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses, yet these tools bear the drawbacks of high operator dependency and radiation exposure, respectively. However, new artificial intelligence tools (such as machine learning) may be able to address these shortcomings. Methods: We conducted a state-of-the-art review to delineate the various use cases of emerging machine learning algorithms for diagnosing and managing appendicitis in recent literature. The query ("Appendectomy" OR "Appendicitis") AND ("Machine Learning" OR "Artificial Intelligence") was searched across three databases for publications ranging from 2012 to 2022. Upon filtering for duplicates and based on our predefined inclusion criteria, 39 relevant studies were identified. Results: The algorithms used in these studies performed with an average accuracy of 86% (18/39), a sensitivity of 81% (16/39), a specificity of 75% (16/39), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of 0.82 (15/39) where reported. Based on accuracy alone, the optimal model was logistic regression in 18% of studies, an artificial neural network in 15%, a random forest in 13%, and a support vector machine in 10%. Conclusions: The identified studies suggest that machine learning may provide a novel solution for diagnosing appendicitis and preparing for patient-specific post-operative complications. However, further studies are warranted to assess the feasibility and advisability of implementing machine learning-based tools in clinical practice.

Environmental and financial impacts of perioperative paracetamol use: a multicentre international life-cycle analysis

BACKGROUND

Pharmaceuticals account for 19-32% of healthcare greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Paracetamol is a common perioperative analgesic agent. We estimated GHG emissions associated with i.v. and oral formulations of paracetamol used in the perioperative period.

METHODS

Life-cycle assessment of GHG emissions (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents CO2e) of i.v. and oral paracetamol preparations was performed. Perioperative paracetamol prescribing practices and costs for 26 hospitals in USA, UK, and Australia were retrospectively audited. For those surgical patients for whom oral formulations were indicated, CO2e and costs of actual prescribing practices for i.v. or oral doses were compared with optimal oral prescribing.

RESULTS

The carbon footprint for a 1 g dose was 38 g CO2e (oral tablet), 151 g CO2e (oral liquid), and 310-628 g CO2e (i.v. dependent on type of packaging and administration supplies). Of the eligible USA patients, 37% received paracetamol (67% was i.v.). Of the eligible UK patients, 85% received paracetamol (80% was i.v.). Of the eligible Australian patients, 66% received paracetamol (70% was i.v.). If the emissions mitigation opportunity from substituting oral tablets for i.v. paracetamol is extrapolated to USA, UK, and Australia elective surgical encounters in 2019, ∼5.7 kt CO2e could have been avoided and would save 98.3% of financial costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous paracetamol has 12-fold greater life-cycle carbon emissions than the oral tablet form. Glass vials have higher greenhouse gas emissions than plastic vials. Intravenous administration should be reserved for cases in which oral formulations are not feasible.

Complication Rates in Intertrochanteric Fractures: A Database Analysis Comparing Sliding Hip Screw and Cephalomedullary Nail

Objectives

In the treatment of closed intertrochanteric fractures, the two most common treatment options are intramedullary medullary nail (IMN) and dynamic hip screw (DHS), yet the best treatment method remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to determine the difference in mortality and morbidity between IMN and DHS. Secondarily, this study determines which pre-operative risk factors affect rates of morbidity and mortality.

Methods

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) 2006-2016 database was used to search for patients with a closed intertrochanteric hip fracture. Bivariate analysis was performed using Pearson's Chi Square test to determine pre-operative risk factors associated with complications in fixation with IMN and DHS. Significant variables in this analysis, as well as demographic data, were analyzed via binary logistic regression. The results were recorded as odds ratio (OR) and significant differences were based on a P<0.05.

Results

After adjusting for demographics and clinical covariates, patients who underwent fixation with IMN had higher 30-day mortality, reintubation, UTI, bleeding, prolonged length of stay, and non-home discharged destination rates compared to DHS. Mortality risk was increased by ascites, disseminated cancer, impaired functional status, history of congestive heart failure, and hypoalbuminemia. Bleeding risk was increased by previous percutaneous coronary (PCI) and transfusions and was decreased by impaired functional status. Myocardial infarction risk was increased by female gender.

Conclusion

Our study found that IMN fixation increased risk of mortality, UTI, reintubation, bleeding, prolonged length of stay, and a non-home discharge destination compared to DHS. This study also identified patient risk factors associated with several postoperative complications. These data may better inform orthopaedic surgeons treating closed intertrochanteric fractures.

Quantifying Risk Factors for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis and Postslip Osteonecrosis

BACKGROUND

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a disorder of the proximal femoral physis occurring in late childhood and adolescence. Previously postulated risk factors include obesity and endocrinopathies. The purpose of this investigation was to identify risk factors for developing SCFE, as well as postslip osteonecrosis (ON), among the United States pediatric population.

METHODS

A national database investigation was performed using PearlDiver Technologies, Inc., queried for SCFE and ON using International Classification of Disease codes (2010 to 2020). Regression analyses to determine the risk of developing a SCFE, and ON after a patient has already been diagnosed with a SCFE ("postslip"). Propensity matching between SCFE and control groups generated a pseudo-randomization model to compare the relative risk.

RESULTS

There were 11,465 patients with SCFE available in the database, matched with 134,680 controls. After matching, vitamin D deficiency, obesity, hypothyroidism, and growth hormone use were risk factors for developing SCFE [relative risk ranges from 1.42 (95% CI: 1.21-1.39, vitamin D deficiency) to 3.45 (95% CI: 3.33-3.57, obesity)]. ON risk factors were vitamin D deficiency [1.65 (1.26-2.14)] and hypothyroidism [1.49 (1.10-2.07)].

CONCLUSIONS

This United States national database study quantified risk factors of developing an SCFE and postslip ON. Obesity is the most significant risk factor for the development of a slip, but not ON. Growth hormone use, hypothyroidism, and vitamin D deficiency are also risk factors for SCFE development, whereas only the latter two were associated with ON. These findings demonstrate the public health implications of obesity and comorbid conditions in pediatric hip pathology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

MELD score predicts short-term outcomes after surgical management of proximal humerus fractures: a matched analysis

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the difference in 30-day outcomes after surgical management of proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) between patients with and without chronic liver disease as defined by a MELD score greater than 10.

Design

This was a retrospective database review.

Setting

All centers participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were included.

Patients/Participants

Patients with proximal humerus fractures who (1) underwent ORIF, HA, or SA and (2) had calculable MELD scores were included.

Intervention

Open reduction and internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, or shoulder arthroplasty was used for treatment.

Main outcome measurements

Thirty-day complications, mortality, readmission, and reoperation rates were measured.

Results

Of the total 1732 PHF patients identified, 300 had a MELD score higher than 10. After propensity matching by significant covariates, MELD score higher than 10 was found to be significantly associated with higher rates of 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, transfusion within 72 hours, and systemic complications. Among patients with a MELD score higher than 10, treatment with SA or HA instead of ORIF was associated with a higher rate of transfusion and longer operative time. There were no significant differences between treatment cohorts regarding mortality, reoperation, readmission, or complications.

Conclusions

A MELD score higher than 10 is associated with higher risk of surgical complications, transfusion, and death in patients undergoing surgery for proximal humerus fractures. Among patients with a MELD score higher than 10, ORIF was associated with a lower transfusion rate and shorter operative time than arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty.

Level of Evidence

Prognostic Level III.

Geographic variation in the rate and route of hysterectomy for benign disease in the USA: A retrospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To describe population rate of hysterectomy for benign disease in the USA, including geographic variation across states and Hospital Service Areas (HSAs; areas defined by common patient flows to healthcare facilities).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Four US states including 322 HSAs.

POPULATION

A total of 316 052 cases of hysterectomy from 2012 to 2016.

METHODS

We compiled annual hysterectomy cases, merged female populations, and adjusted for reported rates of previous hysterectomy. We assessed small-area variation and created multi-level Poisson regression models.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prior-hysterectomy-adjusted population rates of hysterectomy for benign disease.

RESULTS

The annual population rate of hysterectomy for benign disease was 49 per 10 000 hysterectomy-eligible residents, declining slightly over time, mostly among reproductive-age populations. Rates peaked among residents ages 40-49 years, and declined with increasing age, apart from an increase with universal coverage at age 65 years. We found large differences in age-standardised population rates of hysterectomy across states (range 42.2-69.0), and HSAs (range: overall 12.9-106.3; 25th-75th percentile 44.0-64.9). Among the non-elderly population, those with government-sponsored insurance had greater variation than those with private insurance (coefficient of variation 0.61 versus 0.32). Proportions of minimally invasive procedures were similar across states (71.0-74.8%) but varied greatly across HSAs (27-96%). In regression models, HSA population characteristics explained 31.8% of observed variation in annual rates. Higher local proportions of government-sponsored insurance and non-White race were associated with lower population rates.

CONCLUSIONS

We found substantial variation in rate and route of hysterectomy for benign disease in the USA. Local population characteristics explained less than one-third of observed variation.

Defining Cephalomedullary Nail Breakage Rates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To establish the background rate of breakage of cephalomedullary nails.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched on April 3, 2023.

STUDY SELECTION

All English-language studies that examined trochanteric with or without subtrochanteric fractures and identified cephalomedullary nail breakage as an outcome measure and a breakage rate could be derived were included. Implants captured were predominantly the TFNA, TFN, and PFN by DePuy Synthes, various versions of the Gamma nail by Stryker, the Zimmer Natural Nail by Zimmer Biomet, and the Intertan by Smith and Nephew.

DATA EXTRACTION

The author, year of publication, dates of implant insertion, study design, method of detection of breakages, implant used, number of implant breakages, number of implants inserted, breakage rate, and follow-up were extracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Meta-analysis of included studies used descriptive nonparametric statistics and a noncomparative proportion for the pooled result. Differences in results between study design types were compared using the mean breakage rate per study design.

CONCLUSIONS

Cephalomedullary nail breakage is a rare complication with a median reported rate of 0.6% and a pooled result rate of 0.4%. Ninety-five percent of studies had a breakage rate of 1.3% or less, which sets a benchmark from the reported literature for future studies. There is wide variability in rates of breakage reported between different types of study designs with single-center review studies reporting breakage rates nearly 4-fold greater than large-scale administrative database reviews. The rate of implant breakage should not be used in isolation to judge an implant's performance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Analysis of postoperative complications related to cannabis and tobacco usage in patients undergoing mandible facial fracture surgeries

BACKGROUND

Cannabis is the third most used controlled substance in the world. Despite its widespread use, minimal research investigates cannabis usage in patients undergoing facial fracture surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate patterns of postoperative complications related to cannabis and tobacco usage after mandible fracture surgeries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PearlDiver™, a commercially available healthcare database, was used to identify patients endorsing the use of cannabis, tobacco, or both who underwent mandible fracture surgeries for cross-sectional analysis. The study population was categorized into groups using the Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9), ICD-10, and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. A chi-square analysis was performed to assess the influence of cannabis and tobacco use on postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 8288 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 72 patients with cannabis-only usage, 914 patients with cannabis and tobacco usage, 3236 patients with tobacco-only usage, and 4066 in the control group. For patients using only cannabis, there was not an increased risk of developing postoperative complications compared with the control population. Patients with concurrent cannabis and tobacco usage and those with tobacco-only usage had an increased risk of surgical site infection, facial nonunion, facial abscess, debridement, and malocclusion after surgical repair of mandibular facial fracture.

CONCLUSION

Patients with tobacco-only as well as cannabis and tobacco usage had an increased risk of all postoperative complications, except malocclusion, compared with cannabis-only. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that healthcare providers consider a patient's history of tobacco use when planning and performing surgical treatment for traumatic mandible fractures.

A Decreasing National Trend in Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective National Database Study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the national trend of lumbar disc arthroplasty (LDA) utilization from 2005 to 2017.

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary LDA between 2005 and 2017 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Year of the procedure, demographic, socioeconomic, hospital, and cost parameters were analyzed. The data was weighted using provided weights from the NIS database to generate national estimates of LDA procedure incidence. Lastly, we assessed the incidence of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) between 2005 and 2017 to serve as a historical comparison.

RESULTS

An estimated 20 460 patients underwent primary LDA in the United States between 2005 and 2017. There was an initial decrease in LDA procedures between 2005 and 2006 and then a plateau between 2006 and 2009. From 2010 to 2013, there was a significant year-over-year decrease in annual LDA procedures performed, followed by a second plateau from 2014 to 2017. Overall, LDA procedures decreased 82% from 2005 to 2017. Over the same time, the annual incidence of CDA utilization increased 795% from approximately 474 procedures in 2005 to 4245 procedures in 2017 (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbar disc arthroplasty utilization decreased 82% from 2005 to 2017, with a significant decrease in the rate of utilization noted after 2010. The utilization of LDA to treat selected degenerative lumbar conditions has not paralleled the increasing popularity of CDA, and, in fact, has demonstrated a nearly opposite utilization trend.

Increased rate of complications following total knee arthroplasty in patients with systemic sclerosis

PURPOSE

Outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are poorly documented in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate SSc as a potential risk factor for increased rate of complications after TKA.

METHODS

Using the PearlDiver Mariner database, 2,002 patients with SSc undergoing primary TKA were identified and compared to matched controls of 19,892 patients without SSc. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done for medical complications up to 90 days and surgical complications up to two years. 90-day ED-visit and inpatient readmission were also documented.

RESULTS

Compared to the matched controls, patients with SSc demonstrated higher rates of medical complications such as cerebrovascular accident (1.5% vs 0.6%, p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (1.3% vs 0.3%, p < 0.001), and sepsis (1.1% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001). Additionally, patients with SSc displayed elevated rates of surgical complications, including wound complications (3.9% vs 2.2%, p < 0.001) and aseptic loosening at 90 days (0.2% vs 0.1%; OR 3.53 [1.13-9.28]), one year (0.7% vs 0.4%; OR 1.78 [0.96-3.05]), and two years (1.4% vs 0.9%; OR 1.68 [1.10-2.45]). Patients with SSc also had higher rates of emergency department visits (21.2% vs 11.4%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SSc are at higher risks of postoperative complications, encompassing both medical and surgical complications. Specifically, patients with SSc have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing wound complications, cerebrovascular accident, and myocardial infarction. It is crucial for orthopaedic surgeons and patients alike to consider the elevated risks when determining a course of TKA for patients with SSc.

Inpatient charges, complication, and revision rates for shoulder arthroplasty in Parkinson disease: a regional database study

BACKGROUND

Parkinson disease (PD) is an established risk factor for higher rates of complications and revision surgery following shoulder arthroplasty, yet the economic burden of PD remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study is to compare rates of complication and revisions as well as inpatient charges for shoulder arthroplasty procedures between PD and non-PD patients using an all-payer statewide database.

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty from 2010 to 2020 were identified from the New York (NY) Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database. Study groups were assigned based on concomitant diagnosis of PD at the time of index procedure. Baseline demographics, inpatient data, and medical comorbidities were collected. Primary outcomes measured were accommodation, ancillary, and total inpatient charges. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complication and reoperation rates. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate effect of PD on shoulder arthroplasty revision and complication rates. All statistical analysis was performed using R.

RESULTS

A total of 39,011 patients (429 PD vs. 38,582 non-PD) underwent 43,432 primary shoulder arthroplasties (477 PD vs. 42,955 non-PD) with mean follow-up duration of 2.9 ± 2.8 years. The PD cohort was older (72.3 ± 8.0 vs. 68.6 ± 10.4 years, P < .001), with greater male composition (50.8% vs. 43.0%, P = .001), and higher mean Elixhauser scores (1.0 ± 4.6 vs. 7.2 ± 4.3, P < .001). The PD cohort had significantly greater accommodation charges ($10,967 vs. $7,661, P < .001) and total inpatient charges ($62,000 vs. $56,000, P < .001). PD patients had significantly higher rates of revision surgery (7.7% vs. 4.2%, P = .002) and complications (14.1% vs. 10.5%, P = .040), as well as significantly higher incidences of readmission at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. After controlling for age and baseline comorbidities, PD patients had 1.64 times greater odds of reoperation compared to non-PD patients (95% CI 1.10, 2.37; P = .012) and a hazard ratio of 1.54 for reoperation when evaluating revision-free survival following primary shoulder arthroplasty (95% CI 1.07, 2.20; P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS

PD confers a longer length of stay, higher rates of postoperative complications and revisions, and greater inpatient charges in patients undergoing TSA. Knowledge of the associated risks and resource requirements of this population will aid surgeons in their decision making as they continue to provide care to a growing number of patients affected by PD.

The association between preoperative COVID-19-positivity and acute postoperative complication risk among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the risk of postoperative complications in COVID-19-positive patients undergoing common orthopaedic procedures.

Methods

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Programme (NSQIP) database, patients who underwent common orthopaedic surgery procedures from 1 January to 31 December 2021 were extracted. Patient preoperative COVID-19 status, demographics, comorbidities, type of surgery, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Propensity score matching was conducted between COVID-19-positive and -negative patients. Multivariable regression was then performed to identify both patient and provider risk factors independently associated with the occurrence of 30-day postoperative adverse events.

Results

Of 194,121 included patients, 740 (0.38%) were identified to be COVID-19-positive. Comparison of comorbidities demonstrated that COVID-19-positive patients had higher rates of diabetes, heart failure, and pulmonary disease. After propensity matching and controlling for all preoperative variables, multivariable analysis found that COVID-19-positive patients were at increased risk of several postoperative complications, including: any adverse event, major adverse event, minor adverse event, death, venous thromboembolism, and pneumonia. COVID-19-positive patients undergoing hip/knee arthroplasty and trauma surgery were at increased risk of 30-day adverse events.

Conclusion

COVID-19-positive patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery had increased odds of many 30-day postoperative complications, with hip/knee arthroplasty and trauma surgery being the most high-risk procedures. These data reinforce prior literature demonstrating increased risk of venous thromboembolic events in the acute postoperative period. Clinicians caring for patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures should be mindful of these increased risks, and attempt to improve patient care during the ongoing global pandemic.

Rising incidence of acute total hip arthroplasty for primary and adjunctive treatment of acetabular fracture in older and middle-aged adults

BACKGROUND

Acute total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be an alternative or an adjuvant to internal fixation for surgical treatment of acetabular fractures. We investigate recent trends in the operative management of acetabular fractures. We hypothesize that the incidence of acute THA for acetabular fractures has increased over time.

METHODS

4569 middle-aged (45-64 years) and older adults (≥ 65 years) who received acute operative management of an acetabular fracture within 3 weeks of admission between 2010 and 2020 were identified from the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Treatment was classified as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), THA, or combined ORIF and THA (ORIF + THA). Patients were stratified by age ≥ 65 years old. Associations between demographic factors and the incidence of each procedure over the study period were modeled using linear regression.

RESULTS

The relative incidence of treatments was 80.9% ORIF, 12.1% THA, and 7.0% ORIF + THA. Among patients aged 45-64 years old, THA increased 4.8% [R² = 0.62; β₁ = 0.6% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.2-0.9%)] and ORIF + THA increased 2.6% [R² = 0.73; β₁ = 0.3% (95% CI 0.2-0.4%)], while the use of ORIF decreased 7.4% [R² = 0.75; β₁ = -0.9% (95% CI -1.2 to -0.5%)]. Among patients ≥ 65 years old, THA increased 16.5% [R² = 0.87; β₁ = 1.7% (95% CI 1.2-2.2%)] and ORIF + THA increased 5.0% [R² = 0.38, β₁ = 0.6% (95% CI 0.0-1.3%)], while ORIF decreased 21.5% [R² = 0.75; β₁ = -2.4% (95% CI -3.45 to -1.3%)].

CONCLUSION

The treatment of acetabular fractures with acute THA has increased in the last decade, particularly among older adults.

Delayed vs early cardioversion in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a population-based study (2015-2020)

Aim: There is limited data on clinical outcomes of delayed cardioversion (DCV) compared with early cardioversion (ECV) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods: We utilized data from National Inpatient Sample (2015-2020) and propensity-score matched analysis to determine adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of major clinical outcomes, including 17,879 AF cases: 9725 and 8154 underwent ECV and DCV, respectively. Results: Compared with ECV, DCV was associated with higher odds of acute heart failure (AHF; aOR 1.79 [1.67-1.92]; p < 0.01), median length of stay (4 vs 2 days; p < 0.01) and cost of hospitalization ($33,410 vs $21,738; p < 0.01) with no significant difference in inpatient mortality and other cardiovascular and neurological outcomes. Conclusion: Compared with ECV, DCV was associated with more AHF and resource utilization.

National Databases for Assessment of Quality

With the rise in the availability of large health care datasets, database research has become an important tool for colorectal surgeon to assess health care quality and implement practice changes. In this chapter, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of database research for quality improvement, review common markers of quality for colorectal surgery, provide an overview of frequently used datasets (including Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program, National Surgical Quality Improvement Project, National Cancer Database, National Inpatient Sample, Medicare Data, and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results), and look ahead to the future of database research for the improvement of quality.

Breast Surgical Oncology Epidemiologic Research: A Guide and Comparison of Four National Databases

BACKGROUND

National databases are a rich source of epidemiologic data for breast surgical oncology research. However, these databases differ in the demographic, surgical, and oncologic variables provided. This study aimed to compare the strengths and limitations of four national databases in the context of breast surgical oncology research.

METHODS

The study comprised a descriptive analysis of four national databases (the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program [NSQIP], the Nationwide Inpatient Sample [NIS], the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results [SEER] program, and the National Cancer Database [NCDB]) to assess their strengths and limitations in the context of breast surgical oncology. The study assessed the data available in each database for female patients with a breast cancer diagnosis between 2007 and 2017, and compared patient age, ethnicity, and race distributions.

RESULTS

Data from 3.9 million female patients were examined, with most patients being between 60 and 69 years of age, non-Hispanic, and white. Age, ethnicity, and race distributions were similar in the databases. The NSQIP includes data on operative details, comorbidities, and postoperative outcomes. The NIS provides health services and inpatient utilization information, but does not evaluate outpatient procedures. The SEER program provides population-based oncologic detail including stage, histology, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment. The NCDB offers hospital-based oncologic information and the largest population in the study period, with approximately 2.5 million breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

Epidemiologic datasets offer tremendous potential for the examination of oncologic breast surgery, with each database providing unique data useful for addressing different epidemiologic questions. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each database creates a more efficient and productive research environment.

Association of Preoperative Blood Transfusion on Postoperative Outcomes in Emergency General Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Emergency general surgery (EGS) patients often present with anemia, in which preoperative transfusions are performed to mitigate anemia-associated risks. However, transfusions have also been noted to cause worse postoperative outcomes. This study examined how transfusion-associated outcomes vary at different levels of anemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2019 was used to identify patients who had undergone any of 12 major EGS procedures using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on receipt of preoperative transfusion. Cohorts were subdivided into anemia severity levels and propensity score-matched within each using patient demographic and comorbidity variables. We analyzed 30-day postoperative outcomes, including morbidity, mortality, and return to odds ratio (OR), using univariate Chi-squared tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

595,407 EGS cases were identified. Receiving preoperative transfusion were 44.45% (n = 3058) of severely anemic, 10.94% (n = 9076) of moderately anemic, 1.34% (n = 1370) of mildly anemic, and 0.174% (n = 704) of no anemia patients. Transfusion resulted in an increased overall morbidity in the severe (OR 1.54), moderate (OR 1.50), mild (OR 1.71), and no anemia (OR 1.85) groups. Mortality increased in the moderate (OR 1.27), mild (OR 1.61), and no anemia (OR 1.76) subgroups. In severe anemia, transfusion status and mortality were not significantly associated.

CONCLUSIONS

Transfusion is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates in those with higher hematocrit levels, even after controlling for pre-existing comorbidities. A restrictive transfusion strategy should be considered to avoid risks for those with a hematocrit level more than 24%.

Opioid prescription trends after ambulatory anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Opioid utilization has been well studied for inpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, the amount and type of opioids prescribed following ambulatory ACDF and the associated risk of persistent use are largely unknown.

PURPOSE

To characterize opioid prescription filling following single-level ambulatory ACDF compared with inpatient procedures.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Retrospective cohort study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Opioid-naive patients who underwent ambulatory (no overnight stay) or inpatient single-level ACDF from 2011 to 2019 were identified from a national insurance database.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Rate, amount, and type of perioperative opioid prescription.

METHODS

Opioid-naive patients who underwent ambulatory (no overnight stay) or inpatient single-level ACDF from 2011 to 2019 were identified from a national insurance database. Perioperative opioids were defined as opioid prescriptions 30 days before and 14 days after the procedure. Rate, amount, and type of opioid prescription were characterized. Multivariable analyses controlling for any differences in demographics and comorbidities between the two treatment groups were utilized to determine any association between surgical setting and persistent opioid use (defined as the patient still filling new opioid prescriptions >90 days postoperatively).

RESULTS

A total of 42,521 opioid-naive patients were identified, of which 2,850 were ambulatory and 39,671 were inpatient. Ambulatory ACDF was associated with slightly increased perioperative opioid prescription filling (52.7% vs 47.3% for inpatient procedures; p<.001). Among the 20,280 patients (47.7%) who filled perioperative opioid prescriptions, the average amount of opioids prescribed (in morphine milligram equivalents) was similar between ambulatory and inpatient procedures (550 vs 540, p=.413). There was no association between surgical setting and persistent opioid use in patients who filled a perioperative opioid prescription, even after controlling for comorbidities, (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15, p=.066).

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory ACDF patients who filled perioperative opioid prescriptions were prescribed a similar amount of opioids as those undergoing inpatient procedures. Further, ambulatory ACDF does not appear to be a risk factor for persistent opioid use. These findings are important for patient counseling as well as support the safety profile of this new surgical pathway.

A Nationwide Study Characterizing the Risk and Outcome Profiles of Multilevel Fusion Procedures in Neuromuscular Scoliosis Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

BACKGROUND

Spine abnormalities are a common manifestation of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1); however, the outcomes of surgical treatment for NF1-associated spinal deformity are not well explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome and risk profiles of multilevel fusion surgery for NF1 patients.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample was queried for NF1 and non-NF1 patient populations with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent multilevel fusion surgery involving eight or more vertebral levels between 2004 and 2017. Multivariate regression modeling was used to explore the relationship between perioperative variables and pertinent outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 55,485 patients with scoliosis, 533 patients (0.96%) had NF1. Patients with NF1 were more likely to have comorbid solid tumors (P < 0.0001), clinical depression (P < 0.0001), peripheral vascular disease (P < 0.0001), and hypertension (P < 0.001). Following surgery, NF1 patients had a higher incidence of hydrocephalus (0.6% vs. 1.9% P = 0.002), seizures (4.9% vs. 5.7% P = 0.006), and accidental vessel laceration (0.3% vs.1.9% P = 0.011). Although there were no differences in overall complication rates or in-hospital mortality, multivariate regression revealed NF1 patients had an increased probability of pulmonary (OR 0.5, 95%CI 0.3-0.8, P = 0.004) complications. There were no significant differences in utilization, including nonhome discharge or extended hospitalization; however, patients with NF1 had higher total hospital charges (mean -$18739, SE 3384, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that NF1 is associated with certain complications following multilevel fusion surgery but does not appear to be associated with differences in quality or cost outcomes. These results provide some guidance to surgeons and other healthcare professionals in their perioperative decision making by raising awareness about risk factors for NF1 patients undergoing multilevel fusion surgery. We intend for this study to set the national baseline for complications after multilevel fusion in the NF1 population.

Validation of the self-reported domains of the Edmonton Frail Scale in patients 65 years of age and older

INTRODUCTION

In the era of virtual care, self-reported tools are beneficial for preoperative assessments and facilitating postoperative planning. We have previously reported the use of the Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS) as a valid preoperative assessment tool.

OBJECTIVE

We wished to validate the self-reported domains of the EFS (srEFS) by examining its association with loss of independence (LOI) and mortality.

METHODS

This is a post-hoc analysis of a single-institution observational study of patients 65 years of age or older undergoing multi-specialty surgical procedures and assessed with the EFS in the preoperative setting. Exploratory data analysis was used to determine the threshold for identifying frailty using the srEFS. Procedures were classified using the Operative Stress Score (OSS) scored 1 to 5 (lowest to highest). Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) was utilized to risk-adjust. LOI was described as requiring more support at discharge and mortality was defined as death occurring up to 30 days following surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the ability of the srEFS to predict the outcomes of interest in relation to the EFS.

RESULTS

Five hundred thirty-five patients were included. Exploratory analysis confirmed best positive predictive value for srEFS was greater or equal to 5. Overall, 113 (21 percent) patients were considered high risk for frailty (HRF) and 179 (33 percent) patients had an OSS greater or equal to 5. LOI occurred in 7 percent (38 patients) and the mortality rate was 4 percent (21 patients). ROC analysis showed that the srEFS performed similar to the standard EFS with no difference in discriminatory thresholds for predicting LOI and mortality. Examination of the domains of the EFS not included in the srEFS demonstrated a lack of association between cognitive decline and the outcomes of interest. However, functional status assessed with either the Get up and Go (EFS only) or self-reported ADLs was independently associated with increased risk for LOI.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that self-reported EFS may be an optional preoperative tool that can be used in the virtual setting to identify patients at HRF. Early identification of patients at risk for LOI and mortality provides an opportunity to implement targeted strategies to improve patient care.

Same-Day Discharge Total Knee Arthroplasty in Octogenarians

BACKGROUND

One of the most important aspects of the transition to outpatient (OP) arthroplasty is patient selection, with guidance traditionally recommending that OP total knee arthroplasty (TKA) be reserved for patients <80 years old. However, there are limited data as to whether older age should really be considered a contraindication to OP-TKA. The purpose of this study is to assess the risk of complications and readmissions following OP-TKA in patients ≥80 years old.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2011 to 2019. Patients ≥80 years undergoing OP (same-day discharge) TKA were propensity matched to patients ≥80 years undergoing inpatient (IP) TKA based on age, gender, race, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, functional status, smoking status, anesthetic type, and medical comorbidities. There were 1,418 patients (709 IPs and 709 OPs) included. All baseline factors were successfully matched between IP-TKA versus OP-TKA (P ≥ .18 for all). Thirty-day complications, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality were subsequently analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-day readmission rates were identical between patients undergoing IP-TKA and OP-TKA (3.5% versus 3.5%, P = 1.0). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the incidence of major complications (2.7% versus 2.0%, P = .38), reoperations (1.3% versus 0.8%, P = .44), or mortalities (0.3% versus 0.3%, P = 1.0) within 30 days.

CONCLUSION

Octogenarians undergoing OP-TKA had comparable complication rates to similar patients undergoing IP-TKA. OP-TKA can be performed safely in select octogenarians and age ≥80 years likely does not need to be a uniform contraindication to OP-TKA.