Perception of Treatment Success and Impact on Function with Antibiotics or Appendectomy for Appendicitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial with an Observational Cohort

OBJECTIVE

To compare secondary patient reported outcomes of perceptions of treatment success and function for patients treated for appendicitis with appendectomy vs. antibiotics at 30 days.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The Comparison of Outcomes of antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy trial found antibiotics noninferior to appendectomy based on 30-day health status. To address questions about outcomes among participants with lower socioeconomic status, we explored the relationship of sociodemographic and clinical factors and outcomes.

METHODS

We focused on 4 patient reported outcomes at 30 days: high decisional regret, dissatisfaction with treatment, problems performing usual activities, and missing >10 days of work. The randomized (RCT) and observational cohorts were pooled for exploration of baseline factors. The RCT cohort alone was used for comparison of treatments. Logistic regression was used to assess associations.

RESULTS

The pooled cohort contained 2062 participants; 1552 from the RCT. Overall, regret and dissatisfaction were low whereas problems with usual activities and prolonged missed work occurred more frequently. In the RCT, those assigned to antibiotics had more regret (Odd ratios (OR) 2.97, 95% Confidence intervals (CI) 2.05-4.31) and dissatisfaction (OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.25-3.12), and reported less missed work (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.27-0.56). Factors associated with function outcomes included sociodemographic and clinical variables for both treatment arms. Fewer factors were associated with dissatisfaction and regret.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, participants reported high satisfaction, low regret, and were frequently able to resume usual activities and return to work. When comparing treatments for appendicitis, no single measure defines success or failure for all people. The reported data may inform discussions regarding the most appropriate treatment for individuals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02800785.

Mitigating disparities in breast cancer treatment at an academic safety-net hospital

PURPOSE

Among women with non-metastatic breast cancer, marked disparities in stage at presentation, receipt of guideline-concordant treatment and stage-specific survival have been shown in national cohorts based on race, ethnicity, insurance and language. Little is published on the performance of safety-net hospitals to achieve equitable care. We evaluate differences in treatment and survival by race, ethnicity, language and insurance status among women with non-metastatic invasive breast cancer at a single, urban academic safety-net hospital.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with invasive ductal or lobular breast cancer, diagnosed and treated between 2009 and 2014 at an urban, academic safety-net hospital. Demographic, tumor and treatment characteristics were obtained. Stage at presentation, stage-specific overall survival, and receipt of guideline-concordant surgical and adjuvant therapies were analyzed. Chi-square analysis and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Unadjusted survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier method using log-rank test; adjusted 5 year survival analysis was completed stratified by early and late stage, using flexible parametric survival models incorporating age, race, primary language and insurance status.

RESULTS

520 women with stage 1-3 invasive breast cancer were identified. Median age was 58.5 years, 56.1% were non-white, 31.7% were non-English-speaking, 16.4% were Hispanic, and 50.1% were Medicaid/uninsured patients. There were no statistically significant differences in stage at presentation between age group, race, ethnicity, language or insurance. The rate of breast conserving surgery (BCS) among stage 1-2 patients did not vary by race, insurance or language. Among patients indicated for adjuvant therapies, the rates of recommendation and completion of therapy did not vary by race, ethnicity, insurance or language. Unadjusted survival at 5 years was 93.7% for stage 1-2 and 73.5% for stage 3. Adjusting for age, race, insurance status and primary language, overall survival at 5 years was 93.8% (95% CI 86.3-97.2%) for stage 1-2 and 83.4% (95% CI 35.5-96.9%) for stage 3 disease. Independently, for patients with early- and late-stage disease, age, race, language and insurance were not associated with survival at 5-years.

CONCLUSION

Among patients diagnosed and treated at an academic safety-net hospital, there were no differences in the stage at presentation or receipt of guideline-concordant treatment by race, ethnicity, insurance or language. Overall survival did not vary by race, insurance or language. Additional research is needed to assess how hospitals and healthcare systems mitigate breast cancer disparities.

Disparities in Time to Surgeon Evaluation Among Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

A majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are not referred for surgical evaluation. We hypothesized that disparities in the rate of surgeon evaluation by language, race and ethnicity, and insurance contribute to this deficit.

METHODS

We queried our institutional electronic health record registry for patients with first-incident hypercalcemia between 2010 and 2018 and subsequent biochemical diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. We used the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards modeling to investigate estimated time to surgeon evaluation by language, race and ethnicity, and insurance status.

RESULTS

Of 1,333 patients with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism, 74% were female, 67% were White, 44% were privately insured, and 88% preferred English. Fewer than one third (n = 377; 28%) were evaluated by a surgeon. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, Asian (hazard ratio = 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.84; P = .016) and Black or African American patients (hazard ratio = 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.90; P = .014) had a lower rate of surgeon evaluation compared to White patients. Although patients with Medicaid had a lower rate of surgeon evaluation compared to privately insured patients (hazard ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.77; P = .001), there was no difference in rate for those with Medicare or who were uninsured. Patients with non-English and non-Spanish language had a lower rate of evaluation compared to those who preferred English (hazard ratio = 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.98; P = .043).

CONCLUSION

Rates of surgeon evaluation vary by race and ethnicity, insurance status, and preferred language. Evaluation of factors contributing to these disparities is needed to improve access to surgeon referral.

Association of Patient Belief About Success of Antibiotics for Appendicitis and Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of the CODA Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

A patient's belief in the likely success of a treatment may influence outcomes, but this has been understudied in surgical trials.

Objective

To examine the association between patients' baseline beliefs about the likelihood of treatment success with outcomes of antibiotics for appendicitis in the Comparison of Outcomes of Antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) trial.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a secondary analysis of the CODA randomized clinical trial. Participants from 25 US medical centers were enrolled between May 3, 2016, and February 5, 2020. Included in the analysis were participants with appendicitis who were randomly assigned to receive antibiotics in the CODA trial. After informed consent but before randomization, participants who were assigned to receive antibiotics responded to a baseline survey including a question about how successful they believed antibiotics could be in treating their appendicitis.

Interventions

Participants were categorized based on baseline survey responses into 1 of 3 belief groups: unsuccessful/unsure, intermediate, and completely successful.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Three outcomes were assigned at 30 days: (1) appendectomy, (2) high decisional regret or dissatisfaction with treatment, and (3) persistent signs and symptoms (abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, or chills). Outcomes were compared across groups using adjusted risk differences (aRDs), with propensity score adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Results

Of the 776 study participants who were assigned antibiotic treatment in CODA, a total of 425 (mean [SD] age, 38.5 [13.6] years; 277 male [65%]) completed the baseline belief survey before knowing their treatment assignment. Baseline beliefs were as follows: 22% of participants (92 of 415) had an unsuccessful/unsure response, 51% (212 of 415) had an intermediate response, and 27% (111 of 415) had a completely successful response. Compared with the unsuccessful/unsure group, those who believed antibiotics could be completely successful had a 13-percentage point lower risk of appendectomy (aRD, -13.49; 95% CI, -24.57 to -2.40). The aRD between those with intermediate vs unsuccessful/unsure beliefs was -5.68 (95% CI, -16.57 to 5.20). Compared with the unsuccessful/unsure group, those with intermediate beliefs had a lower risk of persistent signs and symptoms (aRD, -15.72; 95% CI, -29.71 to -1.72), with directionally similar results for the completely successful group (aRD, -15.14; 95% CI, -30.56 to 0.28).

Conclusions and Relevance

Positive patient beliefs about the likely success of antibiotics for appendicitis were associated with a lower risk of appendectomy and with resolution of signs and symptoms by 30 days. Pathways relating beliefs to outcomes and the potential modifiability of beliefs to improve outcomes merit further investigation.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02800785.

Self-selection vs Randomized Assignment of Treatment for Appendicitis

Importance

For adults with appendicitis, several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that antibiotics are an effective alternative to appendectomy. However, it remains unknown how the characteristics of patients in such trials compare with those of patients who select their treatment and whether outcomes differ.

Objective

To compare participants in the Comparison of Outcomes of Antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) randomized clinical trial (RCT) with a parallel cohort study of participants who declined randomization and self-selected treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The CODA trial was conducted in 25 US medical centers. Participants were enrolled between May 3, 2016, and February 5, 2020; all participants were eligible for at least 1 year of follow-up, with all follow-up ending in 2021. The randomized cohort included 1094 adults with appendicitis; the self-selection cohort included patients who declined participation in the randomized group, of whom 253 selected appendectomy and 257 selected antibiotics. In this secondary analysis, characteristics and outcomes in both self-selection and randomized cohorts are described with an exploratory analysis of cohort status and receipt of appendectomy.

Interventions

Appendectomy vs antibiotics.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Characteristics among participants randomized to either appendectomy or antibiotics were compared with those of participants who selected their own treatment.

Results

Clinical characteristics were similar across the self-selection cohort (510 patients; mean age, 35.8 years [95% CI, 34.5-37.1]; 218 female [43%; 95% CI, 39%-47%]) and the randomized group (1094 patients; mean age, 38.2 years [95% CI, 37.4-39.0]; 386 female [35%; 95% CI, 33%-38%]). Compared with the randomized group, those in the self-selection cohort were less often Spanish speaking (n = 99 [19%; 95% CI, 16%-23%] vs n = 336 [31%; 95% CI, 28%-34%]), reported more formal education (some college or more, n = 355 [72%; 95% CI, 68%-76%] vs n = 674 [63%; 95% CI, 60%-65%]), and more often had commercial insurance (n = 259 [53%; 95% CI, 48%-57%] vs n = 486 [45%; 95% CI, 42%-48%]). Most outcomes were similar between the self-selection and randomized cohorts. The number of patients undergoing appendectomy by 30 days was 38 (15.3%; 95% CI, 10.7%-19.7%) among those selecting antibiotics and 155 (19.2%; 95% CI, 15.9%-22.5%) in those who were randomized to antibiotics (difference, 3.9%; 95% CI, -1.7% to 9.5%). Differences in the rate of appendectomy were primarily observed in the non-appendicolith subgroup.

Conclusions and Relevance

This secondary analysis of the CODA RCT found substantially similar outcomes across the randomized and self-selection cohorts, suggesting that the randomized trial results are generalizable to the community at large.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02800785.

Patient Factors Associated With Appendectomy Within 30 Days of Initiating Antibiotic Treatment for Appendicitis

IMPORTANCE

Use of antibiotics for the treatment of appendicitis is safe and has been found to be noninferior to appendectomy based on self-reported health status at 30 days. Identifying patient characteristics associated with a greater likelihood of appendectomy within 30 days in those who initiate antibiotics could support more individualized decision-making.

OBJECTIVE

To assess patient factors associated with undergoing appendectomy within 30 days of initiating antibiotics for appendicitis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this cohort study using data from the Comparison of Outcomes of Antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) randomized clinical trial, characteristics among patients who initiated antibiotics were compared between those who did and did not undergo appendectomy within 30 days. The study was conducted at 25 US medical centers; participants were enrolled between May 3, 2016, and February 5, 2020. A total of 1552 participants with acute appendicitis were randomized to antibiotics (776 participants) or appendectomy (776 participants). Data were analyzed from September 2020 to July 2021.

EXPOSURES

Appendectomy vs antibiotics.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Conditional logistic regression models were fit to estimate associations between specific patient factors and the odds of undergoing appendectomy within 30 days after initiating antibiotics. A sensitivity analysis was performed excluding participants who underwent appendectomy within 30 days for nonclinical reasons.

RESULTS

Of 776 participants initiating antibiotics (mean [SD] age, 38.3 [13.4] years; 286 [37%] women and 490 [63%] men), 735 participants had 30-day outcomes, including 154 participants (21%) who underwent appendectomy within 30 days. After adjustment for other factors, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01-2.31), radiographic finding of wider appendiceal diameter (OR per 1-mm increase, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.18), and presence of appendicolith (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.28-3.10) were associated with increased odds of undergoing appendectomy within 30 days. Characteristics that are often associated with increased risk of complications (eg, advanced age, comorbid conditions) and those clinicians often use to describe appendicitis severity (eg, fever: OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.82-1.98) were not associated with odds of 30-day appendectomy. The sensitivity analysis limited to appendectomies performed for clinical reasons provided similar results regarding appendicolith (adjusted OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.49-3.91).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study found that presence of an appendicolith was associated with a nearly 2-fold increased risk of undergoing appendectomy within 30 days of initiating antibiotics. Clinical characteristics often used to describe severity of appendicitis were not associated with odds of 30-day appendectomy. This information may help guide more individualized decision-making for people with appendicitis.

Lymphadenectomy in gallbladder adenocarcinoma: Are we doing enough?

BACKGROUND

Current AJCC guidelines recommend evaluating ≥6 lymph nodes during gallbladder cancer resection but real world data suggest this is rarely achieved. We evaluated the extent of lymphadenectomy and survival among patients with gallbladder adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with resected pT1b-T3 gallbladder adenocarcinoma were identified from the NCDB (2004-2017). Propensity scores were created for the odds of sufficient lymphadenectomy (≥6 nodes), patients were matched 1:1 and survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Overall, 4760 patients were identified: 16.7% underwent sufficient lymphadenectomy, which was predictive of nodal disease (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.51-2.08) and demonstrated a survival benefit in N0 (median OS 140.8 versus 44.4 months; p < 0.0001) and N1-2 disease (median OS 27.7 versus 17.7 months; p < 0.0001) after matching.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with gallbladder adenocarcinoma do not undergo the recommended nodal dissection, resulting in a survival disadvantage, likely due to understaging, decisions regarding adjuvant therapy and local tumor recurrence.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of endocrine surgery

Background

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on endocrine surgeons.

Methods

A survey on the professional, educational, and clinical impact was sent to active and corresponding members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) in September 2020. Chi-square and paired t-test were used for analysis.

Results

77 surgeons responded (14.8 %). All reported suspension of elective surgeries; 37.7 % were reassigned to other duties during this time. The median number of cases backlogged was 30 (IQR 15–50). Most surgeons reported decreased clinical volume (74.6 %). The use of virtual platforms for clinical and educational purposes increased from pre-COVID-19 levels (all p < 0.001). Use of in-office procedures (p < 0.001) and length of observation prior to discharge for thyroid surgery (p < 0.05) decreased.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic led to suspension of operations and decreased practice volume for endocrine surgeons. Surgeons increased use of virtual platforms, decreased in-office procedures, and decreased duration of observation for thyroid surgery in response.

Patient-Level Factors Influencing Palliative Care Consultation at a Safety-Net Urban Hospital

The influence of patient-level factors on palliative and hospice care is unclear. We conducted a retrospective review of 2321 patients aged ≥18 that died within 6 months of admission to our institution between 2012 and 2017. Patients were included for analysis if their chart was complete, their length of stay was ≥48 hours, and if based on their diagnoses, they would have benefited from palliative care consultation (PCC). Bayesian regression with a weakly informative prior was used to find the odds ratio (OR) and 99% credible interval (CrI) of receiving PCC based on race/ethnicity, education, language, insurance status, and income. 730 patients fit our inclusion criteria and 30% (n = 211) received PCC. The OR of receiving PCC was 1.26 (99% CrI, 0.73-2.12) for Blacks, 0.81 (99% CrI, 0.31-1.86) for Hispanics, and 0.69 (99% CrI, 0.19-2.46) for other minorities. Less than high school education was associated with greater odds of PCC (OR 2.28, 99% CrI, 1.09-4.93) compared to no schooling. Compared to English speakers, non-English speakers had higher odds of receiving PCC when cared for by medical services (OR 3.01 [99% CrI, 1.44-5.32]) but lower odds of PCC when cared for by surgical services (0.22 [99% CrI, <0.01-3.42]). Insurance status and income were not associated with differences in PCC. At our institution, we found no evidence of racial/ethnic, insurance, or income status affecting PCC while primary language spoken and educational status did. Further investigation is warranted to examine the system and provider-level factors influencing PCC's low utilization by medical and surgical specialties.

Where did the patients go? Changes in acute appendicitis presentation and severity of illness during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic restricted movement of individuals and altered provision of health care, abruptly transforming health care-use behaviors. It serves as a natural experiment to explore changes in presentations for surgical diseases including acute appendicitis. The objective was to determine if the pandemic was associated with changes in incidence of acute appendicitis compared to a historical control and to determine if there were associated changes in disease severity.

METHODS

The study is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of adults (N = 956) presenting with appendicitis in nonpandemic versus pandemic time periods (December 1, 2019-March 10, 2020 versus March 11, 2020-May 16, 2020). Corresponding time periods in 2018 and 2019 composed the historical control. Primary outcome was mean biweekly counts of all appendicitis presentations, then stratified by complicated (n = 209) and uncomplicated (n = 747) disease. Trends in presentations were compared using difference-in-differences methodology. Changes in odds of presenting with complicated disease were assessed via clustered multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

There was a 29% decrease in mean biweekly appendicitis presentations from 5.4 to 3.8 (rate ratio = 0.71 [0.51, 0.98]) after the pandemic declaration, with a significant difference in differences compared with historical control (P = .003). Stratified by severity, the decrease was significant for uncomplicated appendicitis (rate ratio = 0.65 [95% confidence interval 0.47-0.91]) when compared with historical control (P = .03) but not for complicated appendicitis (rate ratio = 0.89 [95% confidence interval 0.52-1.52]); (P = .49). The odds of presenting with complicated disease did not change (adjusted odds ratio 1.36 [95% confidence interval 0.83-2.25]).

CONCLUSION

The pandemic was associated with decreased incidence of uncomplicated appendicitis without an accompanying increase in complicated disease. Changes in individual health care-use behaviors may underlie these differences, suggesting that some cases of uncomplicated appendicitis may resolve without progression to complicated disease.

Geographic Association Between Incidence of Acute Appendicitis and Socioeconomic Status

Importance

Some studies based on proportions of patients with perforated appendicitis (PA) among all patients with acute appendicitis (AA) have found an association between socioeconomic status (SES) and risk of perforation. A potential limitation is their use of proportions, which assumes that incidence of AA is evenly distributed across populations at risk. This assumption may be invalid, and SES may have a more complex association with both AA and PA.

Objective

To generate population-based incidences of AA and PA and to examine geographic patterns of incidence alongside geographic patterns of SES.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective study of data from Washington's Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System and the 2010 US census. Geographic methods were used to identify patterns of age- and sex-standardized incidence in Washington State between 2008 and 2012. The study included all patients discharged with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for AA or PA. Data were analyzed between November 2016 and December 2018.

Exposures

Location of primary residence.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Age- and sex-standardized incidence for AA and PA was generated for each census tract (CT). Global spatial autocorrelation was examined using Moran index (0.0 = completely random incidence; 1.0 = fully dependent on location). Clusters of low-incidence CTs (cold spots) and high-incidence CTs (hot spots) were identified for AA. Census-based SES data were aggregated for hot spots and cold spots and then compared.

Results

Statewide, over the 5-year study period, there were 35 730 patients with AA (including 9780 cases of PA), of whom 16 574 were women (46.4%). Median age of the cohort was 29 years (IQR, 16-48 years). Statewide incidence of AA and PA was 106 and 29 per 100 000 person-years (PY), respectively. Crude incidence was higher within the male population and peaked at age 10 to 19 years. Age- and sex-standardized incidence of AA demonstrated significant positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran index, 0.30; P < .001), but autocorrelation for PA was only half as strong (0.16; P < .001). Median incidence of AA was 118.1 per 100 000 PY among hot spots vs 86.2 per 100 000 PY among cold spots (P < .001). Socioeconomic status was higher in cold spots vs hot spots: mean proportion of college-educated adults was 56% vs 26% (P < .001), and mean per capita income was $44 691 vs $30 027 (P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

Age- and sex-standardized incidence of appendicitis is not randomly distributed across geographic subunits, and geographic clustering of AA is twice as strong as PA. Socioeconomic advantages, such as higher income and secondary education, are strongly associated with lower incidence of AA. These findings challenge conventional views that AA occurs randomly and has no predisposing characteristics beyond age/sex. Socioeconomic status, and likely other geographically circumscribed factors, are associated with incidence of AA.

A Randomized Trial Comparing Antibiotics with Appendectomy for Appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic therapy has been proposed as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of appendicitis.

METHODS

We conducted a pragmatic, nonblinded, noninferiority, randomized trial comparing antibiotic therapy (10-day course) with appendectomy in patients with appendicitis at 25 U.S. centers. The primary outcome was 30-day health status, as assessed with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire (scores range from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating better health status; noninferiority margin, 0.05 points). Secondary outcomes included appendectomy in the antibiotics group and complications through 90 days; analyses were prespecified in subgroups defined according to the presence or absence of an appendicolith.

RESULTS

In total, 1552 adults (414 with an appendicolith) underwent randomization; 776 were assigned to receive antibiotics (47% of whom were not hospitalized for the index treatment) and 776 to undergo appendectomy (96% of whom underwent a laparoscopic procedure). Antibiotics were noninferior to appendectomy on the basis of 30-day EQ-5D scores (mean difference, 0.01 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.001 to 0.03). In the antibiotics group, 29% had undergone appendectomy by 90 days, including 41% of those with an appendicolith and 25% of those without an appendicolith. Complications were more common in the antibiotics group than in the appendectomy group (8.1 vs. 3.5 per 100 participants; rate ratio, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.30 to 3.98); the higher rate in the antibiotics group could be attributed to those with an appendicolith (20.2 vs. 3.6 per 100 participants; rate ratio, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.11 to 15.38) and not to those without an appendicolith (3.7 vs. 3.5 per 100 participants; rate ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.45 to 2.43). The rate of serious adverse events was 4.0 per 100 participants in the antibiotics group and 3.0 per 100 participants in the appendectomy group (rate ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.50).

CONCLUSIONS

For the treatment of appendicitis, antibiotics were noninferior to appendectomy on the basis of results of a standard health-status measure. In the antibiotics group, nearly 3 in 10 participants had undergone appendectomy by 90 days. Participants with an appendicolith were at a higher risk for appendectomy and for complications than those without an appendicolith. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute; CODA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02800785.).

The Boston Medical Center Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Procedure Team: Optimizing the surgeon's role in pandemic care at a safety-net hospital

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has claimed many lives and strained the US health care system. At Boston Medical Center, a regional safety-net hospital, the Department of Surgery created a dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 Procedure Team to ease the burden on other providers coping with the surge of infected patients. As restrictions on social distancing are lifted, health systems are bracing for additional surges in coronavirus disease 2019 cases. Our objective is to quantify the volume and types of procedures performed, review outcomes, and highlight lessons for other institutions that may need to establish similar teams.

Methods

Procedures were tracked prospectively along with patient demographics, immediate complications, and time from donning to doffing of the personal protective equipment. Retrospective chart review was conducted to obtain patient outcomes and delayed adverse events. We hypothesized that a dedicated surgeon-led team would perform invasive bedside procedures expeditiously and with few complications.

Results

From March 30, 2020 to April 30, 2020, there were 1,196 coronavirus disease 2019 admissions. The Procedure Team performed 272 procedures on 125 patients, including placement of 135 arterial catheters, 107 central venous catheters, 25 hemodialysis catheters, and 4 thoracostomy tubes. Specific to central venous access, the average procedural time was 47 minutes, and the rate of immediate complications was 1.5%, including 1 arterial cannulation and 1 pneumothorax.

Conclusion

Procedural complication rate was less than rates reported in the literature. The team saved approximately 192 hours of work that could be redirected to other patient care needs. In times of crisis, redeployment of surgeons (who arguably have the most procedural experience) into procedural teams is a practical approach to optimize outcomes and preserve resources.

Differential Utilization of Palliative Care Consultation Between Medical and Surgical Services

There is a paucity of data regarding the utilization of palliative care consultation (PCC) in surgical specialties. We conducted a retrospective review of 2321 adult patients (age ≥18) who died within 6 months of admission to Boston Medical Center from 2012 to 2017. Patients were included for analysis if their length of stay was more than 48 hours and if, based on their diagnoses as determined by literature review and expert consensus, they would have benefited from PCC. Bayesian regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 99% credible intervals (CrI) of receiving PCC adjusted for age, sex, race, insurance status, median income, and comorbidity status. Among the 739 patients who fit the inclusion criteria, only 30% (n = 222) received PCC even though 664 (90%) and 75 (10%) of these patients were identified as warranting PCC on medical and surgical services, respectively. Of the 222 patients who received PCC, 214 (96%) were cared for by medical services and 8 (4%) were cared for by surgical services. Patients cared for primarily by surgical were significantly less likely to receive PCC than primary patients of medical service providers (OR, 0.19, 99% CrI, 0.056-0.48). At our institution, many surgical patients appropriate for PCC are unable to benefit from this service due to low consultation numbers. Further investigation is warranted to examine if this phenomenon is observed at other institutions, elucidate the reasons for this disparity, and develop interventions to increase the appropriate use of PCC throughout all medical specialties.

Clinical Outcomes After Unilateral Adrenalectomy for Primary Aldosteronism

Importance

In addition to biochemical cure, clinical benefits after surgery for primary aldosteronism depend on the magnitude of decrease in blood pressure (BP) and use of antihypertensive medications with a subsequent decreased risk of cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular morbidity and drug-induced adverse effects.

Objective

To evaluate the change in BP and use of antihypertensive medications within an international cohort of patients who recently underwent surgery for primary aldosteronism.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study was conducted across 16 referral medical centers in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism between January 2010 and December 2016 were included. Data analysis was performed from August 2017 to June 2018. Unilateral disease was confirmed using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or adrenal venous sampling. Patients with missing or incomplete preoperative or follow-up data regarding BP or corresponding number of antihypertensive medications were excluded.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Clinical success was defined based on postoperative BP and number of antihypertensive medications. Cure was defined as normotension without antihypertensive medications, and clear improvement as normotension with lower or equal use of antihypertensive medications. In patients with preoperative normotensivity, improvement was defined as postoperative normotension with lower antihypertensive use. All other patients were stratified as no clear success because the benefits of surgery were less obvious, mainly owing to postoperative, persistent hypertension. Clinical outcomes were assessed at follow-up closest to 6 months after surgery.

Results

On the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 435 patients (84.6%) from a cohort of 514 patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy were eligible. Of these patients, 186 (42.3%) were women; mean (SD) age at the time of surgery was 50.7 (11.4) years. Cure was achieved in 118 patients (27.1%), clear improvement in 135 (31.0%), and no clear success in 182 (41.8%). In the subgroup classified as no clear success, 166 patients (91.2%) had postoperative hypertension. However, within this subgroup, the mean (SD) systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly by 9 (22) mm Hg (P < .001) and 3 (15) mm Hg (P = .04), respectively. Also, the number of antihypertensive medications used decreased from 3 (range, 0-7) to 2 (range, 0-6) (P < .001). Moreover, in 75 of 182 patients (41.2%) within this subgroup, the decrease in systolic BP was 10 mm Hg or greater.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, for most patients, adrenalectomy was associated with a postoperative normotensive state and reduction of antihypertensive medications. Furthermore, a significant proportion of patients with postoperative, persistent hypertension may benefit from adrenalectomy given the observed clinically relevant and significant reduction of BP and antihypertensive medications.

Retrospective Analysis of Post-Operative Antibiotics in Complicated Appendicitis

Background: There is no consensus regarding the ideal post-operative antibiotic strategy for surgically managed complicated appendicitis. The goal of this study was to investigate different antibiotic regimens used for this purpose at our institution and their association with post-operative outcomes. Methods: The 1,102 patients underwent appendectomy from 2012 to 2016. A detailed chart review was performed on the 188 with complicated appendicitis based on standardized definitions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze post-operative antibiotic use and complications. Results: Of the 188 cases of complicated appendicitis, 143 (76%) were classified as perforated by the operative surgeon. These patients were significantly more likely to be started on antibiotics after appendectomy (83.9% versus 33.3%; p < 0.001) and have a greater length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.006). The development of a surgical site infection (SSI) was significantly associated with a clinical diagnosis of diabetes (p = 0.04); the presence of free fluid, abscess, or perforation on pre-operative imaging (p = 0.002, 0.039, and 0.012, respectively); and a decision by the surgeon to leave a drain (p = 0.001). On multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for free fluid on pre-operative imaging and an intra-operative decision to leave a drain, patients receiving one day or three or more days of antibiotics had higher odds of developing an SSI than patients who did not receive any post-operative antibiotics. Conclusions: In this cohort, operative surgeons accurately identified patients with complicated appendicitis who did not require post-operative antibiotics. For patients deemed to require them, two days of treatment was associated with reduced odds of SSI compared with shorter or longer antibiotic courses. The optimal course of antibiotics remains to be identified, but these findings suggest that longer post-operative courses do not avert SSI compared with two days of antibiotics. A prospective trial could clarify the optimal duration and route of antibiotic therapy in the setting of surgical complicated appendicitis.

Narrowing of the surgical resident operative experience: A 27-year analysis of national ACGME case logs

BACKGROUND

Although overall operative volume has remained stable since the implementation of duty hours, more detailed analyses suggest shifts in the resident operative experience. Understanding these differences allows educators to better appreciate the impact of the current training environment on resident preparation for practice.

METHODS

National Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs from 1990 to 2016 were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Over the study period there was no change in total major cases. Subcategory analysis revealed an increase in skin and soft tissue, alimentary tract, abdomen, and endocrine with a concurrent decrease in breast, pediatrics, and trauma. During this time, residents completed fewer cases during their chief year, operated more during non-chief years, taught fewer operations, and assisted in minimal cases. Finally, a decrease in the variability of overall operative volume for total major cases was found as a result of 90th and 10th percentiles converging toward the median.

CONCLUSION

Although total major cases logged by residents have remained stable, the operative experience of general surgery residents has narrowed significantly. Residents are operating earlier and performing fewer teaching and first assistant cases. Surgical educators must look beyond total case numbers and be aware of these changes to ensure all residents achieve technical competency on graduation.

A national review of the frequency of minimally invasive surgery among general surgery residents: assessment of ACGME case logs during 2 decades of general surgery resident training

IMPORTANCE

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has created a shift in how many surgical diseases are treated. Examining the effect on resident operative experience provides valuable insight into trends that may be useful for restructuring the requirements of resident training.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in general surgery resident operative experience regarding MIS.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective review of the frequency of MIS relative to open operations among general surgery residents using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs for academic years 1993-1994 through 2011-2012.

EXPOSURES

General surgery residency training among accredited programs in the United States.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We analyzed the difference in the mean number of MIS techniques and corresponding open procedures across training periods using 2-tailed t tests with statistical significance set at P < .05.

RESULTS

Of 6,467,708 operations with the option of MIS, 2,393,030 (37.0%) were performed with the MIS approach. Of all MIS operations performed, the 5 most common were cholecystectomy (48.5%), appendectomy (16.2%), groin hernia repair (10.0%), abdominal exploration (nontrauma) (4.4%), and antireflux procedures (3.6%). During the study period, there was a transition from a predominantly open to MIS approach for appendectomy, antireflux procedures, thoracic wedge resection, and partial gastric resection. Cholecystectomy is the only procedure for which MIS was more common than the open technique throughout the study period (P < .001). The open approach is more common for all other procedures, including splenectomy (0.7% MIS), common bile duct exploration (24.9% MIS), gastrostomy (25.9% MIS), abdominal exploration (33.1% MIS), hernia (20.3% MIS), lung resection (22.3% MIS), partial or total colectomy (39.1%), enterolysis (19.0% MIS), ileostomy (9.0% MIS), enterectomy (5.2% MIS), vagotomy (1.8% MIS), and pediatric antireflux procedures (35.9% MIS); P < .001.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Minimally invasive surgery has an increasingly prominent role in contemporary surgical therapy for many common diseases. The open approach, however, still predominates in all but 5 procedures. Residents today must become efficient at performing multiple techniques for a single procedure, which demands a broader skill set than in the past.

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case log: general surgery resident thoracic surgery experience

BACKGROUND

General surgery resident training has changed dramatically over the past 2 decades, with likely impact on specialty exposure. We sought to assess trends in general surgery resident exposure to thoracic surgery using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case logs over time.

METHODS

The ACGME case logs for graduating general surgery residents were reviewed from academic year (AY) 1989-1990 to 2011-2012 for defined thoracic surgery cases. Data were divided into 5 eras of training for comparison: I, AY89 to 93; II, AY93 to 98; III, AY98 to 03; IV, AY03 to 08; V, AY08 to 12. We analyzed quantity and types of cases per time period. Student t tests compared averages among the time periods with significance at a p values less than 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 21,803,843 general surgery cases were reviewed over the 23-year period. Residents averaged 33.6 thoracic cases each in period I and 39.7 in period V. Thoracic cases accounted for nearly 4% of total cases performed annually (period I 3.7% [134,550 of 3,598,574]; period V 4.1% [167,957 of 4,077,939]). For the 3 most frequently performed procedures there was a statistically significant increase in thoracoscopic approach from period II to period V.

CONCLUSIONS

General surgery trainees today have the same volume of thoracic surgery exposure as their counterparts over the last 2 decades. This maintenance in caseload has occurred in spite of work-hour restrictions. However, general surgery graduates have a different thoracic surgery skill set at the end of their training, due to the predominance of minimally invasive techniques. Thoracic surgery educators should take into account these differences when training future cardiothoracic surgeons.

The ACGME case log: general surgery resident experience in pediatric surgery

BACKGROUND

General surgery (GS) residents in ACGME programs log cases performed during their residency. We reviewed designated pediatric surgery (PS) cases to assess for changes in performed cases over time.

METHODS

The ACGME case logs for graduating GS residents were reviewed from academic year (AY) 1989-1990 to 2010-2011 for designated pediatric cases. Overall and designated PS cases were analyzed. Data were combined into five blocks: Period I (AY1989-90 to AY1993-94), Period II (AY1994-95 to AY1998-99), Period III (AY1999-00 to AY2002-03), Period IV (AY2003-04 to AY2006-07), and Period V (AY2007-08 to AY2010-11). Periods IV and V were delineated by implementation of duty hour restrictions. Student t-tests compared averages among the time periods with significance at P < .05.

RESULTS

Overall GS case load remained relatively stable. Of total cases, PS cases accounted for 5.4% in Period I and 3.7% in Period V. Designated pediatric cases declined for each period from an average of 47.7 in Period I to 33.8 in Period V. These changes are due to a decline in hernia repairs, which account for half of cases. All other cases contributed only minimally to the pediatric cases. The only laparoscopic cases in the database were anti-reflux procedures, which increased over time.

CONCLUSIONS

GS residents perform a diminishing number of designated PS cases. This decline occurred before the onset of work-hour restrictions. These changes have implications on the capabilities of the current graduating workforce. However, the case log does not reflect all cases trainees may be exposed to, so revision of this list is recommended.

Cementation of a polyethylene liner into a metal acetabular shell: a biomechanical study

Cementation of a liner into a well-fixed acetabular shell is common in revision hip arthroplasty. We compare the biomechanical strengths of cemented liners with standard locked liners. Fifty polyethylene liners were inserted into acetabular shells using the standard locking mechanism or 1 of 2 cement types then loaded to failure by torsion or lever-out testing. Lever-out testing showed that all cemented liners failed at similar loads to standard locked liners. With torsion testing, cemented liners failed at significantly higher loads than standard locked liners; roughening the liner increased load to failure. Cementation of an acetabular liner into a metal shell is safe and strong and a good alternative to metal shell replacement. Saw roughening of the polyethylene liner strengthens the poly-cement interface.