Laparoscopic Extracorporeal Appendectomy in Overweight and Obese Children

Methods:This single-center retrospective chart review included patients 21 years of age and younger with a preoperative diagnosis of appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from January 2010 through December 2015. Cases of gangrenous and perforated appendicitis were excluded. Subgroup analyses of patients with acute appendicitis were performed. Operative time (OT), length of stay (LOS), and cost were compared between groups stratified by body mass index (BMI) and operative technique.Results:A total of 625 appendectomies were performed—457 for acute appendicitis. Sixty-eight patients were overweight. The SP technique (n = 30) had shorter OT (median minutes, 41 vs 68; P < .001), lower cost (median , $5741 vs $8530; P < .001), and shorter LOS (median hours, 16 vs 19; P = .045) than the TP technique had (n = 38). Seventy patients were obese: 19 were treated with SP and 51 with TP. LOS did not differ significantly between the SP and TP groups, but subjects treated with SP had shorter OT (median minutes, 39 vs 63; P < .001) and lower cost (median, $6401 vs $8205; P = .043).Conclusions:The SP technique for acute appendicitis was found to have a significantly shorter OT and lower cost in all weight groups. There were minimal differences in LOS. SP should be considered in patients with acute appendicitis, regardless of their weight.     

The Society for Vascular Surgery Wound,Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) classification system correlates with cost of care for diabetic foot ulcers treated in a multidisciplinary setting

ObjectiveWe have previously demonstrated that the Society for Vascular Surgery Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) classification correlates with wound healing time in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) treated in a multidisciplinary setting. Our aim was to assess whether the charges and costs associated with DFU care increase with higher WIfI stages.MethodsAll patients presenting to our multidisciplinary diabetic limb preservation service from June 2012 to June 2016 were enrolled in a prospective database. Inpatient and outpatient charges, costs, and total revenue from initial visit until complete wound healing were compared for wounds stratified by WIfI classification.ResultsA total of 319 wound episodes in 248 patients were captured, including 31% WIfI stage 1, 16% stage 2, 30% stage 3, and 24% stage 4 wounds. Limb salvage at 1 year was 95% ± 2%, and wound healing was achieved in 85% ± 2%. The mean number of overall inpatient admissions (stage 1, 2.07 ± 0.48 vs stage 4, 3.40 ± 0.27; P < .001), procedure-related admissions (stage 1, 1.86 ± 0.45 vs stage 4, 2.28 ± 0.24; P < .001), and inpatient vascular interventions (stage 1, 0.14 ± 0.10 vs stage 4, 0.80 ± 0.12; P < .001) increased significantly with increasing WIfI stage. There were no significant differences in mean number of inpatient podiatric interventions or outpatient procedures between groups (P ≥ .10). The total cost of care per wound episode increased progressively from stage 1 ($3995 ± $1047) to stage 4 ($50,546 ± $4887) wounds (P < .001). Inpatient costs were significantly higher for advanced stage wounds (stage 1, $21,296 ± $4445 vs stage 4, $54,513 ± $5001; P < .001), whereas outpatient procedure costs were not significantly different between groups (P = .72). Overall, hospital total revenue increased with increasing WIfI stage (stage 1, $4182 ± $1185 vs stage 4, $55,790 ± $5540; P < .002).ConclusionsIncreasing WIfI stage is associated with a prolonged wound healing time, a higher number of surgical procedures, and an increased cost of care. While limb salvage outcomes are excellent, the overall cost of DFU care from presentation to healing is substantial, especially for patients with advanced (WIfI stage 3/4) disease treated in a multidisciplinary setting.     

Outcomes of Interventional Management of Coronary Artery Disease in Kidney Transplant Recipients

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Trials routinely exclude patients with end-stage renal disease when assessing the effect of coronary artery revascularization. We looked to compare long-term outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before KT with those managed medically.MethodsWe identified all patients who underwent coronary artery catheterization before KT from January 2008 to November 2019 at the Cleveland Clinic. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.ResultsA total of 272 patients were included, of whom 52 (19.11%) underwent PCI, and the remaining 220 patients were managed medically. The median age in the PCI group was 57.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 46.9-61.2 years), whereas it was 53.9 years (IQR, 44.6-61 years) in the group medically managed. Baseline characteristics including sex, race, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia were comparable in both groups. The median time to KT was 2.4 years (IQR, 1-5 years) in the PCI group vs 1.2 years (IQR, 0.6-3.3 years) in the medically managed group (P = .001). Among patients who underwent PCI, 40.4% had single vessel disease and 59.6% had multivessel disease compared with 16.8% and 28.6%, respectively, in the medically managed group (P < .001). Overall, there was no difference in mortality in the PCI group compared with the medically managed group after 10 years of follow-up (P = .416).ConclusionsPatients with coronary artery disease can be safely treated with PCI before KT and have comparable outcomes to those who are managed medically.     

Hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease and for benign atoxic multinodular goitre

Purpose

Postoperative hypocalcaemia has been reported to be more common after total thyroidectomy (TT) for Graves' disease than after TT for benign atoxic multinodular goitre (MNG). The reasons for this potential association are not clear. In the present study, the frequency and risk factors of hypocalcaemia after TT for Graves' vs MNG were compared.

Methods

Between January 1999 and October 2009, patients with first-time surgery for Graves' disease or MNG treated with a TT were included in the study. Postoperative hypocalcaemia was defined by symptoms, calcium levels and treatment with calcium and/or vitamin D analogues during postoperative hospital stay, at discharge, and at the 6-week and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared with Mann–Whitney, chi² and Fishers' exact test where appropriate and by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

There were 128 patients with Graves' disease and 81 patients with MNG. Patients with Graves' disease were younger than patients with MNG (median age, 35 vs 51?years, p?<?0.001). Symptoms of hypocalcaemia were more common in patients with Graves' disease (p?<?0.001; OR, 95?% CI 3.26, 1.48–7.14), but the frequency of biochemical hypocalcaemia, postoperative levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and treatment with calcium and vitamin D did not differ between groups of patients.

Conclusion

Apart from more frequent symptoms of hypocalcaemia in patients with Graves' disease, there was no difference in the overall frequency of biochemical hypocalcaemia, low levels of PTH and/or treatment with calcium and vitamin D.     

The Benefit in Patient-Reported Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty was Comparable Across Income Quartiles

BackgroundFew studies have assessed how socioeconomic status (SES) influences patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study evaluated the impact of patient median ZIP code income levels on PROMs after TKA.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients at our institution undergoing primary, unilateral TKA from 2017 to 2020. Patients who did not have one-year postoperative PROMs were excluded. Patients were stratified based on the quartile of their home ZIP code median income from United States Census Bureau data. There were 1,267 patients included: 98 in quartile 1 (median income ≤ $46,308) (7.7%); 126 in quartile 2 (median income $46,309-$57,848) (10.0%); 194 in quartile 3 (median income $57,849-$74,011) (15.7%); and 849 in quartile 4 (median income ≥ $74,012) (66.4%). We collected baseline demographic data, 2-year outcomes, and PROMs preoperatively, as well as at 12 weeks and one year, postoperatively.ResultsThe Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement was significantly higher in quartile 4 preoperatively (P < .001), 12 weeks postoperatively (P < .001), and one year postoperatively (P < .001). There were no significant differences in delta improvements of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement from preoperative to 12 weeks or one year postoperatively. There were no significant differences in lengths of stay, discharge dispositions, readmissions, or revisions.ConclusionPatients from lower income areas have slightly worse knee function preoperatively and worse outcomes following TKA. However, improvements in PROMs throughout the first year postoperatively are similar across income quartiles, suggesting that patients from lower income quartiles achieve comparable therapeutic benefits from TKA.Level III EvidenceRetrospective Cohort Study.     

Disparities in utilization of laparoscopic colectomies in pediatric Crohn's disease✰

PurposePediatric patients with Crohn's disease often require colectomies. The laparoscopic approach is considered safe, but there is little national data on outcomes and readmissions in this population.MethodsThe Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried from 2010 to 2014 for patients ≤ 18 years who underwent colectomy for Crohn's disease during index admission. Patients were stratified by operative approach: laparoscopic versus open. Outcomes were compared with standard statistical methods.ResultsThere were 2833 patients (47% female) who underwent a colectomy via laparoscopic (58%) vs. open (42%) approach. Index admissions were elective 55% of the time. Most operations were right hemicolectomy (86%), followed by total colectomy (8%). Of the study population, 489 (17%) were diverted with an ostomy. Readmission rates at 30 days and 1 year were 9% and 18%, respectively. The most common diagnoses at readmission were intra-abdominal infection (16%), small bowel obstruction (16%), and surgical site infection (9%).Laparoscopy was more commonly performed during elective admissions (63% vs. 44%), for patient with private insurance (72% vs. 39%), and for patients in the highest income quartile (66% vs. 48% in the lowest income quartile), all p<0.001. Length of stay was longer on index admission for open colectomy (8[5–12] days vs. 6[4–11] days, p<0.001), while cost was similar ($17,754[$12,375-$30,625] vs. $17,017[$11,219-$27,336], p = 0.104). There were no differences in readmission rate, intraabdominal infection or small bowel obstruction.ConclusionIn pediatric patients, laparoscopic colectomy for Crohn's disease is safe and is associated with shorter hospitalization and equivalent hospital costs compared to the open procedure. Socioeconomic disparities in laparoscopic utilization exist and warrant future investigation.Level of Evidence: Level III     

Contemporary outcomes of infrapopliteal atherectomy with angioplasty versus balloon angioplasty alone for critical limb ischemia

ObjectiveLimited data exist comparing atherectomy (At) with balloon angioplasty for infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of infrapopliteal At with angioplasty vs angioplasty alone in patients with critical limb ischemia.MethodsThis is a retrospective, single-center, longitudinal study comparing patients undergoing either infrapopliteal At with angioplasty or angioplasty alone for critical limb ischemia, between January 2014 and October 2017. The primary outcome was primary patency rates. Secondary outcomes were reintervention rates, assisted primary patency, secondary patency, major adverse cardiac events, major adverse limb events, amputation-free survival, overall survival, and wound healing rates. Data were analyzed in multivariate generalized linear models with log rank tests to determine survival in Kaplan-Meier curves.ResultsThere were 342 infrapopliteal interventions, 183 percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA; 54%), and 159 atherectomies (At) with PTA (46%) performed on 290 patients, with a mean age of 67 ± 12 years; 61% of the patients were male. The PTA and At/PTA groups had similar demographics, tissue loss (79% vs 84%; P = .26), ischemic rest pain (21% vs 16%; P = .51), mean follow-up (19 ± 9 vs 20 ± 9 months; P = .32), mean number of vessels treated (1.7 ± 0.8 vs 1.9 ± 0.8; P = .08) and the mean lesion length treated (6.55 ± 5.00 cm vs 6.02 ± 4.00 cm; P = .08), respectively. Similar 3-month (96 ± 1% vs 94 ± 1%), 6-month (85 ± 2% vs 86 ± 3%), 12-month (68 ± 3% vs 69 ± 4%), and 18-month (57 ± 4% vs 62 ± 4%) primary patency rates were seen in the two groups (P = .87). At/PTA patients had significantly higher reintervention rates as compared with the PTA patients (28% vs 16%; P = .02). Similar assisted primary patency rates (67 ± 4% vs 69 ± 4%; P = .78) and secondary patency rates (61 ± 4% vs 66 ± 4%; P = .98) were seen in the PTA and At/PTA groups at 18 months. The 30-days major adverse cardiac event rates (3% vs 2%; P = .13) and 30-day major adverse limb event rates (5% vs 4%; P = .2) were similar in both groups. Wound healing rates (72 ± 3% vs 75 ± 2%; P = .12), 1-year amputation-free survival (68 ± 4.1% vs 70 ± 2%; P = .5), and 1-year overall survival (76 ± 4% vs 78 ± 4%; P = .39) rates did not differ in the PTA and At/PTA groups. THE At/PTA group had higher local complication rates (7 [4%] vs 1 [0.5%]; P = .03)ConclusionsAt with angioplasty provides similar patency rates compared with angioplasty alone for infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease, but associated with higher reintervention and local complication rates. Further appropriately designed studies are required to determine the exact role of At in this subset of patients.     

Pyriform sinus fistula in children: A comparison of endoscopic-assisted surgery and endoscopic radiofrequency ablation

BackgroundPyriform sinus fistula (PSF) is a rare congenital anomaly, and the preferred definitive treatment is yet to be verified. In this study, we investigated the treatment outcomes of PSF specifically comparing endoscopic-assisted surgery and endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RA).MethodsThe medical records of patients treated for PSF at the Shanghai Children's Hospital between October 2016 and September 2019 were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsThere were 93 girls and 98 boys. The median age at onset and operation was 3 years and 5 years, respectively. Endoscopic-assisted surgery was performed in 143 patients. During the same period, RA was performed in 48 patients, and 10 of them concurrently underwent incision and drainage of neck abscesses. Longer hospital stay was found in the endoscopic-assisted surgery group than in the RA group (10.50 ± 3.93 vs. 5.02 ± 3.30 days, P < 0.001). Postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups, except for neck infection (0 vs. 8.3%, P = 0.004). After a median follow-up period of 21 months, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of recurrence (1.4% vs. 0, P = 0.560).ConclusionPatients treated with RA had a significantly shorter hospital stay than those treated with endoscopic-assisted surgery. Outcomes of endoscopic-assisted surgery and RA were not significantly different for the management of PSF and treatment method should be tailored to the patient.Level of evidenceIV.     

Use of neuraxial anesthesia for hybrid lower extremity revascularization is associated with reduced perioperative morbidity

ObjectiveRecent advances in endovascular technology have allowed complex peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to be treated with less invasive hybrid procedures under neuraxial anesthesia. This study investigates the perioperative outcomes of hybrid lower extremity revascularization (LER) performed under neuraxial anesthesia (NAA) vs general anesthesia (GA). We hypothesize that the use of NAA is associated with improved outcomes.MethodsThe 2005-2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset was used to identify patients who underwent hybrid LER for PAD. Based on the primary anesthetic technique, patients were divided into two groups: GA and NAA, which included spinal or epidural anesthesia. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were compared. A group of patients treated under GA were matched (2:1) to patients in the NAA group based on gender, age, race, functional status, transfer status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, wound infection, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, emergent surgery, preoperative sepsis, indication, and type of hybrid procedure. Patient characteristics and 30-day outcomes were compared.ResultsOf 9430 patients who underwent hybrid LER, only 452 (4.8%) received NAA. Patients who received NAA were older (mean age, 68 ± 8.4 vs 72.3 ± 9.2; P = .004) and were more likely to be white (70.9% vs 85.6%; P < .0001), have dependent functional status (7.6% vs 13.1%; P < .0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (24.3% vs 17.5%; P = .001), and a diagnosis of wound infection (15% vs 23.5%; P < .0001). After propensity matching, 904 patients in the GA group were compared with 452 patients in the NAA group with no difference in baseline characteristics. NAA was associated with reduced rate of more than 48 hours' ventilator requirement (2.4% vs 0.2%; P = .0014), bleeding requiring transfusion (17.5% vs 8%; P < .0001), and overall morbidity (29.3% vs 19%; P < .0001), as well as shorter length of hospital stay (6.8 ± 9.3 vs 5.3 ± 6.1 days; P = .0026) and total operating time (237.8 ± 109 vs 202.4 ± 113 minutes; P < .0001) compared with GA.ConclusionsNAA is an infrequently used anesthesia technique during hybrid LER and is primarily used for older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NAA is associated with decreased perioperative morbidity and length of hospital stay compared with GA and may be considered in this sicker patient population.     

Insurance status is associated with urgent carotid endarterectomy and worse postoperative outcomes

ObjectiveUnderinsured patients can experience worse preoperative medical optimization. We aimed to determine whether insurance status was associated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) urgency and postoperative outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative Carotid Endarterectomy dataset from January 2012 to January 2021. Univariable and multivariable methods were used to analyze the differences across the insurance types for the primary outcome variable: CEA urgency. The analyses were limited to patients aged <65 years to minimize age confounding across insurers. We also examined differences in preoperative medical optimization and symptomatic disease and postoperative outcomes. A secondary analysis was performed to examine the effect of CEA urgency on the postoperative outcomes.ResultsA total of 27,331 patients had undergone first-time CEA. Of these patients, 4600 (17%) had Medicare, 3440 (13%) had Medicaid, 17,917 (65%) had commercial insurance, and 1374 (5%) were uninsured. The Medicaid and uninsured patients had higher rates of urgent operation compared with Medicare (20.0% and 34.7% vs 14.4%; P < .001), with no differences in the commercial group vs the Medicare group. Additionally, Medicaid and uninsured patients had lower rates of aspirin, statin, and/or antiplatelet use (93.6% and 93.5% vs 95.8%; P < .001) and higher rates of symptomatic disease (42.1% and 57.6% vs 36.2%; P < .001) compared with Medicare patients. The rate of perioperative stroke/death was higher for the Medicaid and uninsured patients than for the Medicare patients (1.63% and 1.89% vs 1.02%; P = .017 and P = .01, respectively), with no differences in the commercial group. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that compared with Medicare, Medicaid and uninsured status were associated with increased odds of an urgent operation (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.5; and OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 2.0-2.7, respectively), symptomatic disease (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4; and OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.9-2.5, respectively), and perioperative stroke/death (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4; and OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0, respectively) and a decreased odds of aspirin, statin, and/or antiplatelet use (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9; and OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.6-0.99, respectively). Additionally, the rates of perioperative stroke/death were higher for patients who had required urgent surgery compared with elective surgery (2.8% vs 1.0%; P < .001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated increased odds of perioperative stroke/death for patients who had required urgent surgery (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9-3.1).ConclusionsMedicaid and uninsured patients were more likely to require urgent CEA, in part because of poor preoperative medical optimization. Additionally, urgent operation was independently associated with worse postoperative outcomes. These results highlight the need for improved preoperative follow-up for underinsured populations.     

Treatment of perforated appendicitis in children: what is the cost?

Background/PurposeWe compared direct hospital costs and indirect costs to the family associated with immediate appendectomy or initial nonoperative management for perforated appendicitis in children.MethodsFrom June 2009 through May 2010, 61 prospectively identified families completed a cost diary, documenting the numbers of missed school days for the child and missed employment days for the adult caregiver(s) over the treatment course. Hospital costs were obtained from hospital financial databases. Mann-Whitney U tests and Fisher exact tests were used to compare outcome measures for each treatment strategy.ResultsPatients treated by initial nonoperative management had a significantly longer median length of stay (9 days vs 7 days, P = .02) and a significantly greater median total hospital cost per patient ($31,349 vs $21,323, P = .01) when compared with those treated by immediate appendectomy. There was no significant difference in median number of missed school days (9 days vs 10 days, P = .23) or missed employment days for adult caregiver(s) (5 days vs 7 days, P = .18) between treatment strategies.ConclusionsPatients with perforated appendicitis treated by initial nonoperative management had a greater length of stay and a significantly greater total hospital cost but were not burdened by significantly greater indirect costs compared with those treated by immediate appendectomy.     

MR imaging features and long-term evolution of benign focal liver lesions in Budd-Chiari syndrome and Fontan-associated liver disease

PurposeTo compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of benign liver lesions developed on Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with those on Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) and to describe their long-term progression.Materials and methodsPatients with BCS or FALD who underwent MRI between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively included. MRI features of nodules (≥ 5 mm) at baseline and at final follow-up were reviewed. The final diagnosis of benign lesion was based on a combination of clinical and biological data and findings at follow-up MRI examination.ResultsTwo-hundred and thirty benign liver lesions in 39 patients with BCS (10 men, 29 women; mean age, 36 ± 11 [SD] years; age range: 15–66 years) and 84 benign lesions in 14 patients with FALD (2 men, 12 women; mean age, 31 ± 10 [SD] years; age range: 20–48 years) were evaluated. On baseline MRI, BCS nodules were more frequently hyperintense on T1-weighted (183/230, 80%) and hypointense on T2-weighted (142/230; 62%) images, while FALD nodules were usually isointense on both T1- (70/84; 83%) and T2-weighted (64/84; 76%) images (all P< 0.01). Most lesions showed arterial phase hyperenhancement (222/230 [97%] vs. 80/84 [95%] in BCS and FALD, respectively; P = 0.28) but wash-out was more common in BCS (64/230 [28%] vs. 9/84 [11%]; P < 0.01). At follow-up, changes were more frequent in BCS nodules with more frequent disappearance (P < 0.01), changes in size, signal intensity on T2-weighted, portal, and delayed phase, and in the depiction of washout and capsule (all P ≤ 0.03).ConclusionMRI features of benign lesions are different at diagnosis and during the course of the disease between BCS and FALD. Changes in size and MRI features are more frequent in benign lesions developed in BCS.     

Outcomes in octogenarians after thoracoabdominal and juxtarenal aortic aneurysm repair using fenestrated-branched devices justifies treatment

ObjectiveTo compare outcomes between octogenarians and nonoctogenarians undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair and juxtarenal aortic aneurysm repair using branched and/or fenestrated endovascular devices (F/BEVAR) and compare octogenarian survival to population survival statistics from Ontario, Canada.MethodsPatients who underwent F/BEVAR at a single institution between 2007 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed with a median follow-up of 3.3 years (interquartile range, 1.6-5.3). The median survival of an average 84-year-old Ontarian from Canada, adjusted for a male:female ratio of 4:1, was retrieved from publicly available Statistics Canada data.ResultsIn total, 68 octogenarians (25.8%) and 196 nonoctogenarians (74.2%) were included (mean age, 83.5 ± 3.0 vs 71.9 ± 5.8 years; P ≤ .001). The maximum aneurysm size was significantly larger in octogenarians (68.9 ± 11.4 mm vs 65.4 ± 10.0 mm; P = .017). No differences in the number of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs (29.4% vs 38.3%; P = .19) or operative technical success (92.6% vs 85.7%; P = .136) were observed between the two cohorts. Postoperatively, no significant differences in overall in-hospital mortality (7.3% vs 5.1%; P = .49), elective in-hospital mortality (6.1% vs 4.4%; P = .49), stroke (1.5% vs 3.6%; P = .384), or spinal cord ischemia (2.9% vs 9.2%; P = .094) were seen between octogenarians and nonoctogenarians. There was no difference in survival at 4 years between the two cohorts (62.9% vs 71.1%; P = .22), however, survival at 6 years was significantly lower for octogenarians (44.5% vs 64.1%; hazard ratio, 1.96; P = .02). The cumulative rate of reintervention (44.1% vs 41.3%; P = .84) and freedom from branch instability (67.6% vs 73.5%; P = .33) at 6 years were not different between the two groups. When comparing octogenarians who survived to discharge from index hospitalization after F/BEVAR with 84-year-old Ontarians unmatched for comorbidities, a survival difference of 4.8% and 11.1% was noted at 4 and 6 years, respectively.ConclusionsF/BEVAR in octogenarians is associated with no differences in technical success or postoperative adverse outcomes when compared with their younger counterparts. Octogenarians had increased mortality after 4 years and their survival at 4 years was comparable with that of an 84-year-old Ontarian. F/BEVAR was safe and effective in octogenarians deemed fit for intervention. Further research into preoperative patient selection and improving perioperative outcomes is needed.     

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair with stent grafts alone or with a composite device design in patients with acute type B aortic dissection in the setting of malperfusion

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare short-term outcomes in patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with stent grafts alone or with a composite device design (stent graft plus bare-metal aortic stent) for acute type B aortic dissection in the setting of malperfusion.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included patients with acute (≤14 days of symptom onset) complicated type B dissection in the setting of malperfusion who were treated with stent grafts alone (TEVAR cohort) at two European institutions vs those who underwent TEVAR with a composite device design (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) in the investigational STABLE I feasibility study and STABLE II pivotal study (STABLE cohort). Preoperative characteristics and 30-day outcomes (including mortality, malperfusion-related mortality, morbidity, and secondary interventions) were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe TEVAR cohort (41 patients; mean age, 58.8 ± 12.7 years; 78.0% male) and the STABLE cohort (84 patients; mean age, 57.8 ± 11.7 years; 71.4% male) were largely similar in preoperative medical characteristics, with more STABLE patients presenting with a history of hypertension (79.8% vs 58.5%; P = .018). The TEVAR and STABLE groups had similar lengths of dissection (451.8 ± 112.7 mm vs 411.8 ± 116.4 mm; P = .10) and similar proximal and distal extent of dissection. At presentation, the two groups exhibited comparable organ system involvement in malperfusion: renal (53.7% TEVAR, 57.1% STABLE), gastrointestinal (41.5% TEVAR, 44.0% STABLE), lower extremities (34.1% TEVAR, 52.4% STABLE), and spinal cord (9.8% TEVAR, 2.4% STABLE). The 30-day rate of all-cause mortality was 17.1% (7/41) in the TEVAR group and 8.3% (7/84) in the STABLE group (P = .22). The 30-day rate of malperfusion-related mortality (deaths from bowel/mesenteric ischemia or multiple organ failure) was 12% (5/41) in the TEVAR group and 2.4% (2/84) in the STABLE group (P = .038). The 30-day morbidity, for the TEVAR and STABLE groups, respectively, included bowel ischemia (9.8% [4/41] vs 2.4% [2/84]; P = .09), renal failure requiring dialysis (7.3% [3/41] vs 9.5% [8/84]; P > .99), paraplegia or paraparesis (4.9% [2/41] vs 3.6% [3/84]; P = .66), and stroke (2.4% [1/41] vs 10.7% [9/84]; P = .16). The occurrence of 30-day secondary intervention was similar in the TEVAR and STABLE groups (7.3% [3/41] vs 7.1% [6/84]; P > .99). True lumen expansion in the abdominal aorta was significantly greater in the STABLE group.ConclusionsIn patients with acute type B aortic dissection in the setting of branch vessel malperfusion, the use of a composite device with proximal stent grafts and distal bare aortic stent appeared to result in lower malperfusion-related mortality than the use of stent grafts alone. The 30-day rates of morbidity and secondary interventions were similar between the groups.     

Comparative study of surgical orchidectomy and medical castration in treatment efficacy,adverse effects and cost based on a large prospective metastatic prostate cancer registry

IntroductionAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the mainstay of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) but is associated with significant morbidities. Comparisons of medical castration (MC) and surgical orchidectomy (SO) have yielded varied results. We aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes, adverse effect (AE) profiles and costs of MC and SO in patients with mPCa.Methods and materialsWe reviewed 523 patients who presented with de novo mPCa from a prospectively maintained prostate cancer database over 15 years (2001–2015). All patients received ADT (either MC or SO) within 3 months of diagnosis. The data were analyzed with chi-square, binary and logistics regression models.ResultsOne hundred and fifty one (28.9%) patients received SO while 372 (71.1%) patients had MC. The median age of presentation was 73 [67 –79] years old. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 280ng/ml [82.4–958]. Three hundred and thirty one patients (66.3%) had high volume bone metastasis and 57 patients (10.9%) had visceral metastasis. Clinical demographics and clinicopathological were similar across both groups. Similar oncological outcomes were observed in both groups. The proportion of PSA response (PSA <1ng/ml) was 65.6% for SO and 67.2% for MC (P = 0.212). Both therapies achieve >95% of effective androgen suppression (testosterone <50ng/dL). Time to castrate-resistance was similar (18 vs 16 months, P = 0.097), with comparative overall survival (42 vs. 38.5 months, P = 0.058) and prostate cancer mortality (80.1 vs. 75.9%, P = 0.328).Similarly, no difference was observed for the 4 AE profiles between SO and MC respectively; change in Haemoglobin (-0.75 vs. -1.0g/dL, P = 0.302), newly diagnosed Diabetes mellitus (4.6 vs. 2.9%, P = 0.281), control measured by HbA1c (0.2 vs. 0.25%, P = 0.769), coronary artery disease events (9.9 vs. 12.9%, P = 0.376) and skeletal-related fractures (9.3 vs. 7.3%, P = 0.476).After adjusting for varying governmental subsidies and inflation rates, the median cost of SO was $5275, compared to MC of $9185.80.ConclusionBoth SO and MC have similar oncological outcomes and AE profiles. However, SO remains a much more cost-effective form of ADT for the long-term treatment of mPCa patients.     

Real-world cost analysis of endovascular repair versus open repair in patients with nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to provide a nationwide, all-payer, real-world cost analysis of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) versus open aortic aneurysm repair (OAR) in patients with nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (non-rAAA).MethodsAll non-rAAA patients registered between July 2009 and March 2015 in the Premier Healthcare Database were analyzed. The Student t-test and the χ² test were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively; median value comparisons were done with the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. The in-hospital absolute mean total cost (sum of fixed cost and variable cost) and subcategories were analyzed after adjustment for inflation at July 2015. Fixed costs included all overhead costs while variables costs included in-hospital services including procedures, room and board, services provided by hospital staff, and pharmacy costs. Total cost was stratified based on admission type (emergency vs nonemergency), 75th percentile of length of hospital stay among individual procedures (expected vs extended stay), mortality, and complications. Student t-test and Fisher's analysis of variance were used for comparing mean cost. Year-wise comparison of mean cost was done with analysis of variance to look for a trend over time.ResultsOur study cohort included 38,809 non-rAAA patients (33,171 EVAR and 5638 OAR). The mean total cost of index admission was lower in EVAR in comparison with OAR ($32,052 vs $36,091; P < .001), with lower fixed costs ($11,309 vs $16,818; P < .001) and higher variable costs ($20,743 vs $19,272; P < .001). Cost of pharmacy, labor, operating room, room and board and other costs were significantly higher with OAR, whereas the supply cost was higher with EVAR. The expected hospital length of stay of patients who underwent EVAR was associated with a higher total cost ($27,271 vs $25,680; P < .001) and a higher variable cost ($18,186 vs $13,671; P < .001) than OAR patients. However, the extended hospital stay of patients who underwent EVAR had lower costs in all categories compared with the extended length of stay of those who underwent OAR. Mortality associated with EVAR was costlier than OAR associated mortality (mean $72,483 vs $59,804; P = .017). From 2009 to 2014, the mean total cost of EVAR increased significantly by 18.5% ($28,745 vs $34,049; P < .001) owing to a 7.8% increase in fixed costs ($10,931 vs $11,789; P < .001) and a 25.0% increase in variable costs ($17,804 vs $22,257; P < .001). The mean total cost OAR remained stable over time.ConclusionsOverall hospitalization costs associated with EVAR of non-rAAA was lower than the hospitalization cost of OAR. Interestingly, we found that, among patients who had an expected hospital length of stay, the hospitalization cost after OAR was significantly lower than after EVAR. The average hospitalization cost of OAR was stable during the 5 years study period, whereas the hospitalization cost of EVAR increased significantly over time. Further studies are required to identify reasons for increased costs associated with EVAR.     

Are We at the Bottom? BPCI Programs Now Disincentivize Providers Who Maintain Quality Despite Caring for Increasingly Complex Patients

BackgroundThe Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative has been successful at reducing Medicare costs after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Target pricing is based on each institution's historical performance and is periodically reset. The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of our BPCI program accounting for patient complexity, quality, and resource utilization.MethodsWe reviewed a consecutive series of 9195 Medicare patients undergoing primary TJA from 2015 to 2018. Demographics, comorbidities, and readmissions by year were compared. We then examined 90-day episode-of-care costs, changes in target price, and financial margins during the duration of the BPCI program using Medicare claims data.ResultsPatients undergoing TJA in 2018 had a higher prevalence of diabetes and cardiac disease (all P < .001) as compared with those in 2015. From 2015 to 2018, there was a decrease in the rate of discharge to rehabilitation facilities (23% vs 14%, P < .001) and length of stay (2.1 vs 1.7 days, P < .001) with no difference in readmissions (6% vs 6%, P = .945). There was a reduction in postacute care costs ($6076 vs $4,890, P < .001) and 90-day episode-of-care costs ($19,954 vs $18,449, P < .001). However, the target price also decreased ($22,280 vs $18,971, P < .001), and the per-patient margin diminished ($2683 vs $522, P < .001).ConclusionSurgeons have maintained quality of care at a reduced cost despite increasing patient complexity. The target price adjustments resulted in declining margins during the course of our BPCI experience. Policy makers should consider changes to target price methodology to encourage participation in these successful cost-saving programs.     

Impact of COVID-19 on volume of elective and nonelective ventral hernia repair

BackgroundThe significant decrease in elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted fears that there would be an increase in emergency or urgent operations for certain disease states. The impact of COVID-19 on ventral hernia repair is unknown. This study aimed to compare volumes of elective and nonelective ventral hernia repairs performed pre–COVID-19 with those performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn analysis of a prospective database from 8 hospitals capturing patient admissions with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision Procedure Coding System for ventral hernia repair from January 2017 through June 2021 were included. During, COVID-19 was defined as on or after March 2020.ResultsComparing 3,558 ventral hernia repairs pre–COVID-19 with 1,228 during COVID-19, there was a significant decrease in the mean number of elective ventral hernia repairs per month during COVID-19 (pre–COVID-19: 61 ± 5 vs during COVID-19 19: 39 ± 11; P < .001), and this persisted after excluding the initial 3-month COVID-19 surge (61 ± 5 vs 42 ± 9; P < .001). There were fewer nonelective cases during the initial 3-month COVID-19 surge (32 ± 9 vs 24 ± 4; P = .031), but, excluding the initial surge, there was no difference in nonelective volume (32 ± 9 vs 33 ± 8; P = .560).During COVID-19, patients had lower rates of congestive heart failure (elective: 9.0% vs 6.6%; P = .0047; nonelective: 17.7% vs 11.6%; P < .001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (elective: 13.7% vs 10.2%; P = .017; nonelective: 17.9% vs 12.0%; P < .001) and underwent fewer component separations (10.2% vs 6.4%; P ≤ .001). Intensive care unit admissions decreased for elective ventral hernia repairs (7.7% vs 5.0%; P = .016). Length of stay, cost, and readmission were similar between groups.ConclusionElective ventral hernia repair volume decreased during COVID-19 whereas nonelective ventral hernia repairs transiently decreased before returning to baseline. During COVID-19, patients appeared to be lower risk and less complex. The possible impact of the more complex patients delaying surgery is yet to be seen.     

Routine bladder cancer treatment dictates divergence from trial-derived regimens: Results of treatment at 44 radiotherapy centers

Purpose

To assess characteristics and outcome of patients treated with radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer at 44 community-based radiotherapy centers and compare these to those on clinical trials.