Patient race and racial composition of delivery unit associated with disparities in severe maternal morbidity: a multistate analysis 2007–2014

BackgroundHigh Black-serving delivery units and high hospital safety-net burden have been associated with poorer patient outcomes. We examine these hospital-level factors and their association with severe maternal morbidity (SMM), independently and as effect modifiers of patient-level factors.MethodsUsing the 2007–2014 State Inpatient Databases (Florida, New York, California, Maryland, Kentucky), we analyzed delivery hospitalizations. We constructed generalized linear mixed models with patient- and hospital-level variables (Black-serving delivery units: high: top 5th percentile; medium: 5th-25th percentile; low: bottom 75th percentile; hospital safety-net burden status defined by insurance status) and report adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 99% confidence intervals (CI). We repeated our mixed models with stratification and interaction analysis.Results6 879 332 delivery hospitalizations were included in the analysis. Deliveries at high (aOR 1.83; 99% CI 1.34 to2.50) or medium (aOR 1.27; 99% CI 1.10 to 1.46) Black-serving delivery units were more likely to have SMM than deliveries at low Black-serving delivery units. Hospital safety-net burden was not significantly associated with SMM. In stratified models by hospital category, deliveries of Black women were associated with an increase in SMM compared with deliveries of White women in all hospital categories. In interaction models, Black women giving birth in high Black-serving delivery units had more than twice the odds of White women in low Black-serving delivery units of experiencing SMM (aOR 2.42; 99% CI 1.90 to 3.08).ConclusionThe patient racial/ethnic composition of the delivery unit is associated with adjusted-odds of SMM, both independently and interactively with individual patient race.     

Racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity and anesthetic techniques for obstetric deliveries: A multi-state analysis, 2007–2014

Study objectiveTo evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and administered anesthesia techniques.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingAdministrative database study using 2007–2014 data from California, Florida, New York, Maryland, and Kentucky from the State Inpatient Databases (SID), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).Patients6,879,332 parturients aged ≥18 years old who underwent deliveries were identified by International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes: V27.0 and V27.1 for singleton deliveries, and V27.2 through V27.8 for multiple births.InterventionsPatients who had a singleton or multiple delivery.MeasurementsPatients were cohorted by race/ethnicity: white (reference category), black, Hispanic, other, or missing. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities were compared. Adjusted odds ratios with generalized linear mixed modeling were calculated for SMM. We also conducted additional exploratory analyses of racial/ethnic disparities in the anesthesia technique used for cesarean deliveries, as well as the use of analgesia in vaginal deliveries.Main resultsWhen controlling for patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics, black women were more likely than white women to experience any SMM (adjusted odds ratio: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.35–1.41). This finding was consistent in stratified analyses. Black women were also more likely than white women to receive general anesthesia for cesarean delivery (aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.39–1.49) and to receive no analgesia for vaginal delivery (aOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.43–1.47).ConclusionsOur findings highlight the differences in outcomes and care for black as compared to white parturients related to SMM and administered anesthesia techniques.     

Complications and frequency of redo antireflux surgery in Denmark: a nationwide study, 1997–2005

Background Outcomes after redo fundoplication (RF) in recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are debatable, and they may include lower success rates with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality than outcomes after primary fundoplication (PF). However, data from large, nationwide studies are not available. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate nationwide Danish data on RF in a nine-year period. Method Data in the period from 1997 through 2005 were extracted from the National Patient Register. The following information was procured: frequency of RF, rate of conversion to open surgery, rate of complications requiring reoperation, and 30-day mortality. Data for RF were compared to PF. Results A total of 2589 fundoplications were performed in 2465 patients. Thus, 113 patients underwent a total of 124 RF (RF rate = 5.0%). Most RF (84.7%) were performed at high-volume departments. Patients who underwent RF were converted to open surgery more often (16.1% vs. 6.1% in PF) (P < 0.0001). The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days after RF and 2 days after PF (P = 0.96). Following RF 1.6% of the patients had complications requiring surgery compared with 1.3% after PF (P = 0.79), and 30-day mortality was 0.81% after RF compared with 0.45% after PF (P = 0.57). Conclusion This nationwide Danish study showed a low rate of redo fundoplication and a similar morbidity and mortality rate after redo surgery compared with that of primary surgery.     

Association between “loco-check” and EuroQol,a comprehensive instrument for assessing health-related quality of life: a study of the Japanese general population

Background The concept of “locomotive syndrome” (LS) was proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) in 2007 to refer to the risk of elderly individuals becoming bedridden because of reduced function of locomotive organs, for example muscles, bones, and joints. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between LS screening results based on “loco-check” and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by use of EuroQol.Materials and methods Four-hundred and forty-two Japanese subjects (183 males and 259 females) were evaluated for LS and HRQoL by use of “loco-check,” EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), and EuroQol-VAS (EQ-VAS). If the subjects answered “yes” to one or more of the seven items of “loco-check,” they were assigned to a locomotive syndrome suspected group (L group). If they answered “no” to all seven items, they were assigned to a locomotive syndrome not suspected group (NL group). We investigated the association between the screening LS results obtained by use of “loco-check” and HRQoL status determined by use of EQ-5D utility value and EQ-VAS score.Results LS was suspected among 39.6 % of the subjects on the basis of “loco-check.” In univariate analysis, significantly higher age, higher female-to-male ratio, and more reduced HRQoL were observed in the L group than in the NL group, according to EQ-5D and EQ-VAS. Logistic regression analysis showed that EQ-5D utility value and EQ-VAS score were associated with LS and the difference was statistically significant. Furthermore, correlations were found between the number of items with a “yes” answer on “loco-check”, EQ-5D, or EQ-VAS. That is, a larger number of items with a “yes” answer on “loco-check” was associated with reduced HRQoL assessed by use of EQ-5D and EQ-VAS.Conclusions We demonstrated that a finding of LS on the basis of “loco-check” is significantly associated with EQ-5D utility value and EQ-VAS score, and that a population identified as having LS by use of “loco-check” also had reduced HRQoL. Furthermore, it is speculated that the severity of reduced HRQoL because of locomotive dysfunction can be determined by use of “loco-check”.     

The surgical trends and time-frame comparison of primary surgery for stress urinary incontinence, 2006–2010 vs 1997–2005: a population-based nation-wide follow-up descriptive study

Introduction and hypothesis

The purpose of our study was to describe the surgical trends for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during 2006–2010, and a time-frame comparison with 1997–2005, based upon the National Health Insurance (NHI) claims data in Taiwan.

Methods

Women who underwent various primary surgeries for SUI during 2006–2010 were identified, with a total of 15,099 inpatients. The variables included surgical types, patient age, surgeon age and gender, specialty, and hospital accreditation levels. Chi-squared tests and SAS version 9.3.1 were used for statistical analysis.

Results

During the follow-up study, midurethral sling (MUS) application increased significantly from 53.09 % in 2006 to 78.74 % in 2010. It was associated concomitantly with a decrease in retropubic urethropexy (RPU) from 29.68 % to 12.99 %, and pubovaginal sling treatment (PVS) from 9.33 % to 3.46 %. MUS was most commonly used among all patients’ and surgeons’ age groups, and different accreditation hospital levels. MUS was more commonly used by gynecologists (71.38 %) than urologists (57.91 %); while PVS and periurethral injection were more commonly performed by urologists than gynecologists. Similar surgical trends were found during time-frame comparison, 2006–2010 vs 1997–2005. SUI surgeries increased in patients aged ≥60, surgeons aged?≥?50, and in regional hospitals.

Conclusion

This follow-up study depicts the increase in popularity of MUS and offers evidence of surgical trends and a paradigm shift for female SUI surgery. More older women were willing to seek healthcare and undergo surgery. The surgical skills and knowledge spread from medical centers into regional hospitals. The time-frame shift may have a profound impact on patients, as well as the healthcare providers.     

Incidence of upper urinary tract stone during 15 years in Tajima area,Japan: a hospital-based study

Time trend of incidence of upper urinary tract stone during 15 years was evaluated by hospital-based cohort study in Tajima area, northern part of Hyogo prefecture, Japan, which has only two general hospitals with Department of Urology. Due to isolation in terms of traffic network and geographic circumstances, almost all patients with urinary stone in Tajima area are referred to the two hospitals. During the period 2005–2007, patients of the two hospitals with radiologically proven upper urinary tract stone were included in this study. The survey included the age and gender, location of stones, history of urinary stone, treatment received, and stone composition, if available. Annual incidence of upper urinary tract stone was estimated using the data of population census of Japan 2005 and compared with the data of Tajima during 1991–1993. 1,305 patients were included in this study. Age-adjusted incidence (±95% CI) was 157 (±22.4) for men, and 57 (±12.6) for women, compared with 141 (±20.7) for men, and 63 (±13.4) for women during 1991–1993. In total, 30.7% of patients received interventional treatment including shock wave lithotripsy, endoscopic lithotripsy and open surgery, whereas 25.3% in 1991–1993. Calcium oxalate/phosphate stone was 89.6%, struvite stone was 4.5%, cystine stone was 1.0%, uric acid stone was 4.0%, and others were 1.0%. In Tajima area, incidence of upper urinary tract stone has not changed during 15 years.     

Health care cost consequences of using robot technology for hysterectomy: a register-based study of consecutive patients during 2006–2013

The objective of this study is to examine the costs attributable to robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy from a broad healthcare sector perspective in a register-based longitudinal study. The population in this study were 7670 consecutive women undergoing hysterectomy between January 2006 and August 2013 in public hospitals in Denmark. The interventions in the study were total and radical hysterectomy performed robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy (RALH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), or open abdominal hysterectomy (OAH). Service use in the healthcare sector was evaluated 1 year before to 1 year after the surgery. Tariffs of the activity-based remuneration system and the diagnosis-related grouping case-mix system were used for valuation of primary and secondary care, respectively. Costs attributable to RALH were estimated using a difference-in-difference analytical approach and adjusted using multivariate linear regression. The main outcome measure was costs attributable to OAH, TLH, and RALH. For benign conditions RALH generated cost savings of € 2460 (95% CI 845; 4075) per patient compared to OAH and non-significant cost savings of € 1045 (95% CI ?200; 2291) when compared with TLH. In cancer patients RALH generated cost savings of 3445 (95% CI 415; 6474) per patient when compared to OAH and increased costs of € 3345 (95% CI 2348; 4342) when compared to TLH. In cancer patients undergoing radical hysterectomy, RALH generated non-significant extra costs compared to OAH. Cost consequences were primarily due to differences in the use of inpatient service. There is a cost argument for using robot technology in patients with benign disease. In patients with malignant disease, the cost argument is dependent on comparator.     

Association between admission serum phosphate and risk of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with rhabdomyolysis: A retrospective study based on MIMIC-Ⅲ

BackgroundThe incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is high in critically ill patients with rhabdomyolysis. Limited evidence was proved of the association between serum phosphate levels at intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the subsequent risk of AKI. Our study aims to assess if serum phosphate levels at admission were independently associated with AKI risk in these patients.MethodsThis study extracted and analyzed data from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-Ⅲ (MIMIC-Ⅲ, version1.4). Rhabdomyolysis was defined as a peak creatine kinase (CK) level higher than 1000 U/L. Serum phosphate was measured within the first day into the ICU and was categorized to 4 groups (<2.6, 2.6-3.4, 3.5-4.5, >4.5mg/dl). AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) guidelines. Adjusted smoothing spline plots and multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to explode the association between serum phosphate and risk of AKI. Subgroup analyse was applied to verify the consistency of the association.ResultsThree hundred and twenty-one patients (68% male) diagnosed as rhabdomyolysis were eligible for this analysis. AKI occurred in 204 (64%) patients of total. Incidence of AKI with admission serum phosphate groups<2.6, 2.6-3.4, 3.5-4.5 and>4.5mg/dl were 53%, 57%, 68% and 76%, respectively. Smoothing spline curve showed that there was a positive curve between the elevated phosphate values and increasing risk of AKI, and there was no threshold saturation effect. In multivariable logistic regression, OR was 1.2 (95%CI 1.0-1.5, P=0.035, P trend=0.041) after adjusting confounders. Subgroup analyses proved the consistency of the relationship in these patients, possibly, except in the strata of potassium.ConclusionIn rhabdomyolysis patients admitted to ICU, serum phosphate levels at admission were independently associated with an increased risk of AKI. As phosphate levels rise, the risk of AKI increased.     

Association between post-transplant donor-specific antibodies and recipient outcomes in simultaneous liver–kidney transplant recipients: single-center,cohort study

There is a dearth of published data regarding the presence of post-transplant donor-specific antibodies (DSA), especially C1q-binding DSA (C1q+DSA), and patient and kidney allograft outcomes in simultaneous liver–kidney transplant (SLKT) recipients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisted of 85 consecutive SLKT patients between 2009 and 2018 in our center. Associations between presence of post-transplant DSA, including persistent and/or newly developed DSA and C1q+DSA, and all-cause mortality and the composite outcome of mortality, allograft kidney loss, and antibody-mediated rejection were examined using unadjusted and age and sex-adjusted Cox proportional hazards and time-dependent regression models. The mean age at SLKT was 56 years and 60% of the patients were male. Twelve patients (14%) had post-transplant DSA and seven patients (8%) had C1q+DSA. The presence of post-transplant DSA was significantly associated with increased risk of mortality (unadjusted model: Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–6.98 and adjusted model: HR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.11–9.22) and the composite outcome (unadjusted model: HR = 3.18, 95% CI: 1.31–7.68 and adjusted model: HR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.39–11.10). There was also higher risk for outcomes in recipients with C1q+DSA compared the ones without C1q+DSA. Post-transplant DSA is significantly associated with worse patient and kidney allograft outcomes in SLKT. Further prospective and large cohort studies are warranted to better assess these associations.     

Utility of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope and Macintosh laryngoscope for airway management during chest compressions in 27° left-lateral tilt: a manikin simulation study of maternal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Purpose

American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines recommend high-quality chest compressions (minimum interruption, a pace >100 compressions/min, and a depth more than 5 cm). They propose minor changes for pregnant women: manual left deviation of the uterus or a left-lateral incline of 27°–30° to alleviate pressure on the inferior vena cava. We examined the performance of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS) and Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) for airway management during chest compressions on a 27° left-lateral tilt (27 LLT) operating table.

Methods

The study included 18 novice doctors in our anesthesia department. They performed tracheal intubation on a manikin positioned on a 27 LLT operating table using the AWS or McL with or without chest compressions. We measured the intubation time and success rate for tracheal intubation.

Results

Intubation success rate with the McL decreased with chest compressions compared to without chest compressions (12/18 vs. 18/18, P < 0.05). Intubation time with the McL was lengthened with chest compressions compared to without chest compressions (18.9 ± 4.0 s vs. 11.1 ± 1.0 s, P < 0.05). Intubation success rate was the same for the AWS with and without chest compressions (18/18 in both cases), and intubation time did not increase significantly without compressions compared to with compressions (11.6 ± 1.4 s vs. 12.6 ± 1.2 s, NS).

Conclusions

The AWS is an effective tool for airway management during chest compressions in 27 LLT in a manikin, suggesting that the AWS may be a useful device for airway management during maternal resuscitation.     

No differences in short-term morbidity and mortality after robot-assisted laparoscopic versus laparoscopic resection for colonic cancer: a case–control study of 263 patients

Background

Robot-assisted laparoscopy has been reported to be a safe and feasible alternative to traditional laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare short-term results in patients with colonic cancer who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic colonic resection (RC) or laparoscopic colonic resection (LC).

Methods

The study was a retrospective case control study of all patients with colonic cancer who underwent RC from March 2010 to March 2012 or LC from January 2009 to December 2011 at a tertiary-care university hospital. Data were retrieved from the national chart database and patient journals. Biochemical markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and thrombocyte count] were recorded before surgery and for the first 3 days after surgery.

Results

A total of 101 patients underwent RC and 162 patients underwent LC. There were no significant differences in the rate of conversion to open surgery, number of permanent enterostomies, number of intraoperative complications, level of postoperative cellular stress response, number of postoperative complications, length of postoperative hospital stay, or 30-day mortality between the two groups. There was a significantly longer setup time for RC (77.1 vs. 69.7 min, P = 0.000), but surgical time was significantly shorter for RC (165.8 vs. 183.4 min, P = 0.006) and there was no difference in the overall procedure time (254.0 vs. 243.6 min, P = 0.086).

Conclusion

We found RC to be a safe and feasible alternative to LC for colonic cancer. We found that for RC surgical time was shorter and overall procedure time was comparable to that for LC; however, these results should be confirmed in future randomized clinical trials.     

Reference values for the locomotive syndrome risk test quantifying mobility of 8681 adults aged 20–89 years: A cross-sectional nationwide study in Japan

BackgroundThe locomotive syndrome risk test was developed to quantify the decrease in mobility among adults, which could eventually lead to disability. The purpose of this study was to establish reference values for the locomotive syndrome risk test for adults and investigate the influence of age and sex.MethodsWe analyzed 8681 independent community dwellers (3607 men, 5074 women). Data pertaining to locomotive syndrome risk test (the two-step test, the stand-up test, and the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale [GLFS-25]) scores were collected from seven administrative areas of Japan.ResultsThe reference values of the three test scores were generated and all three test scores gradually decreased among young-to-middle-aged individuals and rapidly decreased in individuals aged over 60 years. The stand-up test score began decreasing significantly from the age of 30 years. The trajectories of decrease in the two-step test score with age was slightly different between men and women especially among the middle-aged individuals. The two physical test scores were more sensitive to aging than the self-reported test score.ConclusionThe reference values generated in this study could be employed to determine whether an individual has mobility comparable to independent community dwellers of the same age and sex.     

Elevated risk of early reoperation in total hip replacement during the stage of unit closure: A population-based registry study of total hip and knee replacements in -Finland, 1998–2011

Background and purpose — The effects of launch or closure of an entire arthroplasty unit on the first or last patients treated in these units have not been studied. Using a 3-year follow-up, we investigated whether patients who were treated at the launch or closure stage of an arthroplasty unit of a hospital would have a higher risk of reoperation than patients treated in-between at the same units.

Patients and methods — From the Finnish Arthroplasty Register, we identified all the units that had performed total joint arthroplasty and the units that were launched or closed in Finland between 1998 and 2011. The risks of reoperation within 3 years for the 41,748 total hip and knee replacements performed due to osteoarthritis in these units were modeled with Cox proportional-hazards regression, separately for hip and knee and for the launch and the closure stage.

Results — The unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for total hip and knee replacements performed in the initial stage of activity of the units that were launched were similar to the reoperation risks in patients who were operated in these units after the early stage of activity. The unadjusted and risk-adjusted HRs for early reoperation after total hip replacement (THR) were increased at the closure stage (adjusted HR?=?1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.8). The reoperation risk at the closure stage after total knee replacement (TKR) was not increased.

Interpretation — The results indicate that closure of units performing total hip replacements poses an increased risk of reoperation. Closures need to be managed carefully to prevent the quality from deteriorating when performing the final arthroplasties.     

Epidemiological study for personal risk factors and quality of life related to Dupuytren’s disease in a mountain village of Japan

Background

This study investigated the etiology, personal risk factors, and quality of life related to Dupuytren’s disease among residents of a mountain village in Japan.

Methods

Medical examinations were conducted of 401 adult residents (163 men, 238 women; average age of 66.7 years, range 40–92) of a mountain village in Japan. All had completed a self-administered questionnaire including items for gender, weight, height, dominant hand, occupation, history of diabetes mellitus, and frequency of smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, in addition to EuroQol-5-Dimensions-3-level Japanese version. Blood samples were collected and assessed for biochemical markers related to Dupuytren’s disease. The Dupuytren’s disease diagnosis was based on clinical signs. Meyerding’s classification was used to ascertain the disease severity. After examining background data and physical examination data related to Dupuytren’s disease, we evaluated the association of Dupuytren’s disease with those factors using univariate and logistic regression analysis.

Results

Dupuytren’s disease was diagnosed in 28 subjects (7.0 %). Univariate analysis revealed associations of age, male gender, occupation, history of diabetes mellitus, and alcohol intake with Dupuytren’s disease. Logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age revealed a significant association between Dupuytren’s disease and male gender, occupation, and history of alcohol intake. No significant difference was found between Dupuytren’s disease patients and participants without this disease in the scoring and visual analog scale of EuroQol. No relation was found in scoring, the visual analog scale of EuroQol, or grading of Meyerding’s classification in participants with Dupuytren’s disease.

Conclusion

This cross-sectional study revealed Dupuytren’s disease in 7.0 % of 401 subjects among the general population of a mountain village in Japan. The prevalence is higher with age and is apparently associated with male gender, occupation and alcohol intake. Risk factors associated with Dupuytren’s disease were identified as age, male gender, occupation, and alcohol consumption habits.     

Association of macroalbuminuria with oxidized LDL and TGF-β in type 2 diabetic patients: a case–control study

The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, mainly characterized by macroalbuminuria, is still poorly understood, but it is reported that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a key role. In vitro evidence suggests that administration of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) can lead to upregulation of TGF-β by human glomerular mesangial cells. This study aimed to evaluate the association between macroalbuminuria, ox-LDL, and TGF-β in diabetic patients. A total of 77 type 2 diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria (albumin excretion rate: AER ≥ 300 mg/24 h) and 66 patients with normoalbuminuria (AER ≤ 30 mg/24 h) were recruited. Fasting blood samples were obtained and serum levels of ox-LDL and TGF-β were determined. Ox-LDL and TGF-β were significantly higher in patients with macroalbuminuria than in those with normoalbuminuria (98.93 ± 3.99 vs. 72.45 ± 2.48 U/l; P < 0.001 and 6.46 ± 0.74 vs. 2.49 ± 0.39 ng/ml; P < 0.001, respectively). In patients with macroalbuminuria, there was a significant correlation between Ox-LDL and TGF-β (r = 0.376; P < 0.01). AER was significantly correlated to ox-LDL (r = 0.302; P < 0.05) and TGF-β (r = 0.306; P < 0.05) in macroalbuminuric patients. This association remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Adjustment for TGF-β (ox-LDL), attenuated the association of ox-LDL (TGF-β) with AER. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the association of TGF-β and ox-LDL with albuminuria in macroalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients, and suggested that this relationship is highly mediated through the correlation between TGF-β and ox-LDL.     

The outcomes of transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung’s disease according to the mucosectomy-commencing points: A study based on the results of a nationwide survey in Japan

Background/AimAlthough the mucosectomy-commencing points on transanal endorectal pull-through (TAEPT) differ among reports, the optimal point is unclear. This study assessed the outcomes among different mucosectomy-commencing points.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide survey from 2008 to 2012. The data of 1,087 Hirschsprung’s disease patients were collected, and data on those who underwent TAEPT were extracted. The patients were divided according to the mucosectomy-commencing points into two groups: in Group A, mucosectomy was started ≥ 5 mm from the dentate line (DL), and in Group B, mucosectomy was started < 5 mm from the DL. The extent of the aganglionic segment and postoperative complications in the month after TAEPT were compared.ResultsThe data of 327 patients were extracted (Group A, n = 155; B, n = 172). Aganglionosis extending to the sigmoid colon was the most frequent in both groups. Regarding postoperative complications, the patients of each group experienced enterocolitis (Group A: 8.4%; B: 7.6%) and incontinence (A: 3.9%; B: 2.9%). The incidence of rectal mucosal prolapse was significantly greater in Group B (4.1%); (A: 0%, p = 0.02).ConclusionsAlthough the outcomes of TAEPT were comparable in both groups, rectal mucosal prolapse was significantly frequent in patients in whom the commencing point was < 5 mm from the DL.Type of studyRetrospective studyLevel of evidenceLevel III