-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: With the aging population and increasing incidence of hepatic malignancies in elderly patients, establishing the safety of hepatic resections is crucial. The present study investigates early postoperative morbidity and mortality in elderly patients undergoing hepatic resection using a nationally validated database. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User Files (NSQIP-PUF) for 2005-2009 were used for the retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing hepatic resection. The primary outcome measures were 30-day postoperative mortality, overall complication rate, and serious complication rate. The primary predictor variable was patient age, which was treated as a dichotomous variable (age ≤70 years, age ≥70 years). RESULTS: Five thousand seven hundred six patients were included in the final analysis, 1,280 of which were ≥70 years of age. Thirty-day postoperative mortality (≤70 years 1.9% vs. ≥70 years 4.5%, P < 0.0001), serious complications (≤70 years 15.2% vs. ≥ 70 years 18.4%, P < 0.006) and overall complications (≤70 years 23.1% vs. ≥70 years 26.6%, P < 0.01) were more common in the elderly group. Elderly patients had significantly more wound infections, pneumonia, prolonged ventilator support, unplanned re-intubations, renal failure, strokes, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrests, and septic shock. The median length of hospitalization was also significantly longer in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows significantly higher complication rates and mortality following hepatic resections in elderly patients. These findings should be taken into account when considering hepatectomy in this population. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Journal of Surgical Oncology 04/2013; · 2.10 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: There are very few data currently published on risk factors for early failure of lower extremity amputation procedures.
All patients from the 2005-2010 American College of Surgeons NSQIP database who underwent isolated lower extremity amputation were included for analysis (excluding patients with earlier operation within 30 days, patients undergoing an open amputation, and patients undergoing another procedure during amputation). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of early amputation failure (defined as need for reoperation within 30 days postoperatively) after adjustment for a number of preoperative and intraoperative variables.
A total of 8,878 patients were included for analysis (4,258 below-knee amputations [BKA]; 3,415 above-knee amputations; and 1,205 transmetatarsal amputations). Overall rate of early amputation failure was 12.7% (12.6% for BKA, 8.1% for above-knee amputations, and 26.4% for transmetatarsal amputations; p < 0.0001). Several pre- and intraoperative variables appeared to be independently associated with early amputation failure, including emergency operation, transmetatarsal amputation (reference = BKA), sepsis (reference = no sepsis), septic shock (reference = no sepsis), end-stage renal disease, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (reference = no sepsis), intraoperative surgical trainee participation, body mass index ≥30, and ongoing tobacco use. Characteristics associated with decreased early amputation failure include age 80 years or older (reference = younger than 65 years), locoregional anesthesia, above-knee amputation (reference = BKA), operative time 40 to 59 minutes (reference = <40 minutes), operative time ≥80 minutes (reference = <40 minutes), and operative time 60 to 79 minutes (reference = <40 minutes).
Increased operative time and heightened supervision of participating surgical trainees can decrease the risk of early amputation failure. In addition, specific clinical situations, such as sepsis or emergency procedures, should prompt vascular surgeons to consider either an open amputation procedure or a more proximal closed amputation.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 04/2013; 216(4):836-42. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The objective of our analysis was to determine the optimal timing of cholecystectomy during admission for acute cholecystitis.
All patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User Files from 2005 through 2010 who underwent emergency cholecystectomy within 7 days of hospital admission for acute cholecystitis were included for analysis. The association between timing of cholecystectomy and postoperative outcomes was determined using multivariate logistic regression analyses after adjustment for patient demographics, acute and chronic comorbid medical conditions, preoperative sepsis classification, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and preoperative liver function tests.
A total of 5,268 patients were included for analysis. The timing of operation was day of admission for 49.7% of these patients, 1 day after admission for 33.4%, 2 days after admission for 9.5%, 3 days after admission for 3.9%, and 4 days to 7 days after admission for 3.6%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed no significant association between timing of operation and 30-day postoperative mortality or overall morbidity. Patients who underwent operation later in the course of admission were more likely to require an open procedure and sustained significantly longer postoperative and overall lengths of hospitalization. Similar findings were demonstrated for a subgroup of patients who exhibited characteristics that placed them at higher risk for surgical intervention.
Immediate cholecystectomy is preferred for patients who require hospitalization for acute cholecystitis.
Economic/decision analysis, level III.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 01/2013; 74(1):167-74.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE To describe the outcomes and the expected postoperative course for patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders (DNR patients) who undergo emergency surgical management of bowel obstruction. DESIGN We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent emergency surgical management of intestinal obstruction and who were classified previously as DNR using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Participant Use Data File for 2005 through 2009. We constructed a forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression model to determine predictors of postoperative mortality. We used propensity score analysis to determine the effect of DNR status on postoperative outcomes. SETTING Institutions participating in the NSQIP. PATIENTS All patients entered in the NSQIP database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Thirty-day postoperative mortality and complication rates. RESULTS We identified 242 patients who met the study criteria. Mean age was 80.9 years. Thirty-day mortality was 29.8%, with 47.1% of patients experiencing a postoperative complication. The presence of a postoperative complication was an independent predictor of postoperative mortality. Comparison of matched cohorts revealed a significantly higher postoperative mortality in DNR patients even after adjusting for comorbidities and overall complication rate. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes are poor after emergency surgical intervention for bowel obstruction in elderly DNR patients, with high postoperative complication and mortality rates. The presence of a DNR order is an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality. Patients, their families, and their physicians must be counseled on surgical expectations preoperatively and made aware of the significantly higher risks involved when a DNR order exists in the setting of emergency surgical management of bowel obstruction.
JAMA surgery. 01/2013; 148(1):23-8.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although a concomitant diaphragm resection might be required at the time of hepatectomy to achieve tumor-free surgical margins, studies addressing its effect on postoperative morbidity and mortality have been inconclusive. The objective of this study was to determine whether the need for diaphragm resection at the time of hepatectomy truly increases 30-day morbidity or mortality using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. STUDY DESIGN: Data were obtained from the 2005-2010 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User Files based on CPT coding. All patients undergoing a simultaneous liver and diaphragm resection were propensity-matched to a subset of liver resection patients not undergoing a diaphragm resection. The main outcomes measures were 30-day mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two patients who underwent combined liver and diaphragm resection were matched to 192 patients treated with liver resection alone. The need for concomitant diaphragm resection was associated with a higher overall complication rate (38.54% vs 28.65%; p = 0.048), major complication rate (33.33% vs 23.44%; p = 0.030), and respiratory complication rate (14.06% vs 7.81%; p = 0.058). Postoperative mortality was similar between groups. Combined diaphragm and liver resection was also associated with longer operative times (median 311 minutes vs 247.5 minutes; p < 0.001), higher rates of intraoperative packed RBC transfusion (33.33% vs 23.44%; p = 0.037), and a longer length of hospitalization (median 7 vs 6 days; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study, when taken into account with those reported previously, suggest that the need for diaphragm resection at time of hepatectomy increases postoperative morbidity but not mortality.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 12/2012; · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE To assess trends in the frequency of concomitant vascular reconstructions (VRs) from 2000 through 2009 among patients who underwent pancreatectomy, as well as to compare the short-term outcomes between patients who underwent pancreatic resection with and without VR. DESIGN Single-center series have been conducted to evaluate the short-term and long-term outcomes of VR during pancreatic resection. However, its effectiveness from a population-based perspective is still unknown. Unadjusted, multivariable, and propensity score-adjusted generalized linear models were performed. SETTING Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 through 2009. PATIENTS A total of 10 206 patients were involved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of VR during pancreatic resection, perioperative in-hospital complications, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS Overall, 10 206 patients were included in this analysis. Of these, 412 patients (4.0%) underwent VR, with the rate increasing from 0.7% in 2000 to 6.0% in 2009 (P < .001). Patients who underwent pancreatic resection with VR were at a higher risk for intraoperative (propensity score-adjusted odds ratio, 1.94; P = .001) and postoperative (propensity score-adjusted odds ratio, 1.36; P = .008) complications, while the mortality and median length of hospital stay were similar to those of patients without VR. Among the 25% of hospitals with the highest surgical volume, patients who underwent pancreatic surgery with VR had significantly higher rates of postoperative complications and mortality than patients without VR. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of VR during pancreatic surgery is increasing in the United States. In contrast with most single-center analyses, this population-based study demonstrated that patients who underwent VR during pancreatic surgery had higher rates of adverse postoperative outcomes than their counterparts who underwent pancreatic resection only. Prospective studies incorporating long-term outcomes are warranted to further define which patients benefit from VR.
Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill.: 1960) 12/2012; · 4.32 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: An endovascular approach is increasingly used for the treatment of peripheral arterial trauma (PAT), but evidence supporting this approach is lacking. The objective of our study was to assess outcomes for endovascular repair (ER) versus operative repair (OR) in PAT. METHODS: We used the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2009 for our analysis, comparing in-hospital morbidity and mortality for all adult patients undergoing ER versus OR for PAT of the upper and lower extremities. Unadjusted and risk-adjusted generalized linear models were performed, with multiple imputation techniques being used to replace missing values. RESULTS: Of 8,977 patients, 531 (5.9%) underwent ER. Most patients were male (77.1%) and Caucasian (42.6%), with a mean age of 34.7 years (standard deviation: 14.8). ER was performed more commonly for lower- (n = 370, 10.4%) than upper-extremity lesions (n = 161, 3.0%, P < 0.001). Risk-adjusted analysis showed that ER patients had significantly greater injury severity scores (P < 0.001), were more likely to suffer a blunt (vs. penetrating) mechanism of injury (P < 0.001), and were more likely to have multiple comorbid illnesses (P < 0.001) than OR patients. Overall, risk-adjusted complications were less frequent after ER than OR (risk-adjusted OR: 0.79, P = 0.05), whereas in-hospital mortality between the two groups did not differ (risk-adjusted OR: 1.10, P = 0.59). Length of hospital stay was shorter among ER patients (adjusted mean difference: 0.78 days, P < 0.001), whereas length of intensive care unit stay did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: ER appears to be a viable option for patients with PAT. Further research is needed to identify potential subgroups of PAT patients in whom ER may be superior to OR.
Annals of Vascular Surgery 09/2012; · 1.03 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Several single-center reports suggest that vascular resection (VR) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is feasible without affecting early postoperative mortality or morbidity. Our objective is to review the outcomes associated with VR during PD using a large multicenter data source. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User Files for 2005-2009. All patients undergoing PD for a postoperative diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the pancreas were included. Forward stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association between VR during PD and 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity after adjustment for patient demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: 3,582 patients were included for analysis, 281 (7.8 %) of whom underwent VR during PD. VR during PD was associated with significantly greater risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative mortality [5.7 % with VR versus 2.9 % without VR, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.1, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.22-3.73, P = 0.008] and overall morbidity (39.9 % with VR versus 33.3 % without VR, AOR 1.36, 95 % CI 1.05-1.75, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in risk-adjusted postoperative mortality or morbidity between those patients undergoing VR by the primary surgical team versus those patients undergoing VR by a vascular surgical team. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the findings of several previously published single-center analyses, the current study demonstrates increased 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality in PD with VR when compared with PD alone.
Annals of Surgical Oncology 08/2012; · 4.17 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To describe the outcomes of elderly patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status who undergo emergency general surgery and to improve understanding of the relationship between preoperative DNR status and postoperative mortality.
Preoperative DNR status has previously been shown to predict increased postoperative mortality, although the reasons for this association are not well understood.
Patients 65 years or older undergoing emergency operation for 1 of 10 common general surgical diagnoses were extracted from the 2005-2010 National Surgical Quality Improvement database. Propensity score techniques were used to match patients with and without preoperative DNR orders on indication for procedure, patient demographics, comorbid disease burden, acute physical status at the time of operation, and procedure complexity. The postoperative outcomes of this matched cohort were then compared.
A total of 25,558 patients were included for analysis (DNR, n =1061; non-DNR, n =24,497). DNR patients seemed to be more acutely and chronically ill than non-DNR patients in the overall study sample but did not seem to be treated less aggressively before or during their operations. Propensity-matching techniques resulted in the creation of a cohort of DNR and non-DNR patients who were well matched for all preoperative and intraoperative variables. DNR patients from the matched cohort had a significantly higher postoperative mortality rate than non-DNR patients (36.9% vs 22.3%, P < 0.0001) despite having a similar rate of major postoperative complications (42.1% vs 40.2%, P = 0.38). DNR patients in the propensity-matched cohort were much less likely to undergo reoperation (8.3% vs 12.0%, P = 0.006) than non-DNR patients and were significantly more likely to die in the setting of a major postoperative complication (56.7% vs 41.4%, P = 0.001).
Emergency general surgery in elderly patients with preoperative DNR orders is associated with significant rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. One reason for the excess mortality in these patients, relative to otherwise similar patients who do not have preoperative DNR orders, may be their greater reluctance to pursue aggressive management of major complications in the postoperative period.
Annals of surgery 08/2012; 256(3):453-61. · 7.90 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Our objective was to study outcomes associated with open inguinal herniorrhaphy performed under locoregional (LR) versus general anesthesia (GA). National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data from 2005 to 2009 was queried to capture patients undergoing initial unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. We excluded patients with incarcerated/strangulated hernia or those undergoing a concomitant procedure. Outcomes were anesthesia and operative times, postoperative admission, and 30-day morbidity. Using the entire NSQIP sample, forward stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to compare outcomes between patients receiving LR versus GA after adjustment for patient demographics and comorbid diagnoses. Outcomes were also compared for a smaller subgroup of patients propensity-matched for receiving LR anesthesia. A total of 25,213 patients were analyzed (16,282 GA and 8,931 LR). Patients in the LR group had a higher incidence of comorbid illnesses and were more likely to have an American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ 3. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that LR anesthetic is associated with shorter anesthetic and operative times and a lower hospital admission rate. Comparison using a propensity-matched cohort for undergoing LR anesthesia confirms that these patients had significantly shorter anesthesia (32 vs 38 min, P < 0.0001) and operative times (53.3 vs 57.2 min, P < 0.0001), as well as a significantly reduced rate of postoperative admission (5.9% vs 10.9%, P < 0.0001) and 30-day morbidity (0.9% vs 1.3%, P < 0.05). Our analysis of NSQIP suggests that, compared with general anesthesia, the locoregional technique is associated with shorter anesthesia and operative times, reduced need for postoperative hospital admission, and a small but significant reduction in postoperative morbidity.
The American surgeon 07/2012; 78(7):798-802. · 1.28 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The routine use of venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis after hepatic surgery remains controversial due to the relatively low incidence of this complication and the significant risk of perioperative bleeding. The objective of our analysis was to identify perioperative predictors of postoperative VTE in patients undergoing resection.
All patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File from 2005 to 2009 who underwent hepatic resection were included for analysis. Forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine perioperative variables that are significantly associated with VTE after hepatic surgery.
The overall incidence of VTE after hepatic resection was 2.9 %. Significant predictors of VTE after hepatic resection included preoperative mechanical ventilation, male gender, operative time > 3 h, age ≥ 70 years, intraoperative transfusion, and extended hepatectomy. Several non-VTE postoperative complications were also associated with subsequent VTE, including prolonged mechanical ventilation, need for early reoperation, and postoperative bleeding.
Many perioperative factors, including extended hepatectomy as well as several postoperative non-VTE complications, are associated with an increased risk of VTE after hepatic resection. Knowledge of these factors may assist surgeons in deciding which patients merit more aggressive prophylaxis against this complication.
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 06/2012; 16(9):1705-14. · 2.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The ideal anesthetic technique for carotid endarterectomy remains a matter of debate. This study used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program to evaluate the influence of anesthesia modality on outcomes after carotid endarterectomy.
Postoperative outcomes were compared for American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy between 2005 and 2009 with either general or regional anesthesia. A separate analysis was performed on a subset of patients matched on propensity for undergoing carotid endarterectomy with regional anesthesia.
For the entire sample of 24,716 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and the propensity-matched cohort of 8,050 patients, there was no difference in the 30-day postoperative composite stroke/myocardial infarction/death rate based on anesthetic type. Within the matched cohort, the rate of other complications did not differ (2.8% regional vs. 3.6% general anesthesia; P = .07), but patients receiving regional anesthesia had shorter operative (99 ± 36 minutes vs 119 ± 53 minutes; P < .0001) and anesthesia times (52 ± 29 minutes vs. 64 ± 37 minutes; P < .0001) and were more likely to be discharged the next day (77.0% vs 64.4%; P < .0001).
Anesthesia technique does not impact patient outcomes after carotid endarterectomy, but may influence overall cost of care.
Surgery 06/2012; 152(3):309-14. · 3.10 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To determine whether resident participation impacts complication rates after appendectomy.
The effect of resident participation on postoperative outcomes has not been well defined.
Data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File from 2005 through 2009 were used to assess the association between resident participation during appendectomy and postoperative complication rates. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for patient comorbidity, surgical approach, and severity of appendiceal disease. Similar analyses were performed to determine whether outcomes after appendectomy are influenced by the postgraduate training level of the participating surgical resident.
A total of 54,467 appendectomy procedures were included in our analysis. Resident participation was an independent risk factor for major complications [adjusted odds ratio 1.27 (95% CI 1.14-1.42), P < 0.0001] after appendectomy. Increasing seniority of the participating resident was associated with longer operative time and higher postoperative complications rates.
Resident participation represents an independent risk factor for postoperative complications after appendectomy.
Annals of surgery 03/2012; 255(3):577-82. · 7.90 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although the overall incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after open aortic surgery is low, it is not known whether specific factors can place patients at increased risk for this complication. The goal of our study was to identify patient and procedure characteristics that are associated with increased VTE risk after aortic surgery and that might therefore merit aggressive prophylaxis against this complication.
All patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005-2009 Participant Use Data Files who underwent open aortic surgery for aneurysmal disease were included for analysis. Forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify patient and procedure characteristics associated with an increased risk of postoperative VTE events. Separate multivariate models were also used to predict which of 18 non-VTE postoperative complications might also be associated with an increased incidence of subsequent VTE, with adjustment for multiple comparisons.
Postoperative VTE developed in 147 of 6,035 patients (2.4%) and in 60.5%, this complication developed after a non-VTE complication. Nine perioperative variables were found to be significantly associated with subsequent VTE on multivariate regression analysis. Patients with ≥3 of these risk factors were found to have a 3- to 4-fold higher incidence of postoperative VTE.
Our analysis identifies a group of patients who are at increased risk of postoperative VTE complications developing after open aortic surgery. Aggressive postoperative chemical or mechanical prophylaxis should be considered in these patients when appropriate.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 02/2012; 214(4):620-6; discussion 627-8. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
G Chad Hughes,
Yue Zhao,
J Scott Rankin, John E Scarborough,
Sean O'Brien,
Joseph E Bavaria,
Walter G Wolfe,
Jeffrey G Gaca,
James S Gammie,
David M Shahian,
Peter K Smith
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: Hospital procedure volume has been strongly associated with postoperative mortality for a number of complex cardiovascular procedures. Although not yet described, a similar relationship might be expected for surgical procedures involving the aortic root and/or ascending aorta. The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between the volume of aortic root replacement procedures and the operative results for centers in North America. METHODS: Patient-level data for 13,358 elective aortic root and aortic valve-ascending aortic procedures performed from 2004 through 2007 were obtained from 741 North American hospitals participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Marginal logistic regression modeling was used for risk adjustment. The hospital procedure volume was the primary predictor variable. Patient demographics, comorbid conditions, and operative characteristics were included as the predictor variables for risk adjustment. The primary outcome measures included unadjusted operative mortality and adjusted odds ratio for mortality. RESULTS: The preoperative patient risk profiles were similar at all center volume levels, and the overall unadjusted operative mortality was 4.5%. The unadjusted operative mortality increased with decreasing case volume, from 3.4% in the highest volume centers to 5.8% in the lowest volume centers. Whether hospital volume was assessed as a categorical or continuous variable, its relationship with the adjusted odds ratio for mortality was nonlinear. A negative association was seen between the hospital procedural volume and adjusted odds ratio for mortality (P < .001) that was most pronounced among hospitals performing fewer than 30 to 40 procedures annually. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing elective aortic root or combined aortic valve-ascending aortic surgery at North American hospitals that performed fewer than 30 to 40 of such procedures annually have greater risk-adjusted mortality than those undergoing surgery in higher volume hospitals. Causative factors for this inverse association between hospital volume and mortality deserve additional analysis.
The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery 02/2012; · 3.41 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although black patients with acute appendicitis have been shown to be less likely than whites to undergo laparoscopic appendectomy, it is unknown whether they suffer increased complications after surgical management of acute appendicitis.
A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis from 2005 through 2009, using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, was conducted. Rates of serious and overall morbidity were compared between blacks and whites, with adjustment for preoperative risk factors, the severity of appendicitis, and surgical approach.
Blacks were more likely than whites to suffer serious postoperative complications (4.8% vs 3.3%; adjusted odds ratio vs whites, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.67; P = .0002) or any complication (8.4% vs 6.0%; adjusted odds ratio vs whites, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.50; P = .0007).
Racial disparities in postoperative outcomes exist for even a procedure as ubiquitous as appendectomy. More research is needed to determine the underlying reasons for these disparities.
American journal of surgery 12/2011; 204(1):11-7. · 2.36 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Conflicting data exist regarding the safety of pancreatic resections in elderly patients. In this study we compared early complication and mortality rates between patients younger and older than 80 years of age who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy using a validated national database.
The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for 2005-2009 was used for this retrospective analysis. The primary outcome measures for our analysis were 30-day postoperative mortality, major complication rate and overall complication rate.
A total of 6293 patients who underwent PD for any cause were included in the analysis. Of these, 9.4% were aged ≥80 years. The incidence of 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients aged ≥80 years (6.3%) than in those aged <80 years (2.7%). Older patients were also noted to have higher rates of overall complications and serious complications. On multivariate analysis, age, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification, reduced functional status, history of dyspnoea, and need for intraoperative transfusion were risk factors associated with the occurrence of overall complications, serious complications and postoperative mortality.
This study shows that age among other factors is a determinant of postoperative morbidity and mortality following PD.
HPB 12/2011; 13(12):887-92. · 1.60 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the potential effect of surgical trainee participation during infrainguinal bypass procedures on postoperative graft patency rates.
Data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Participant User Files from 2005 through 2009 were retrospectively reviewed, using propensity score matching, to identify all patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass grafting procedures, excluding those who had prior operation ≤30 days of the index procedure. A separate analysis was performed on a subset of procedures from the entire NSQIP sample that was matched on propensity for intraoperative surgical trainee participation. The primary predictor variable was intraoperative surgical trainee participation. The main outcome measure was the 30-day postoperative graft failure rate.
For the entire sample of 14,723 NSQIP patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass grafting, 30-day graft failure rates were significantly higher when a surgical trainee participated (5.8%) vs without participation (3.9%; P < .0001). For the cohort of 9234 patients matched on their propensity for intraoperative trainee participation, this difference in graft failure rate remained significant (5.0% with participation vs 4.0% without participation; P = .02).
Surgical trainee participation is an independent risk factor for technical failure after infrainguinal bypass grafting. Prospective evaluation is needed to determine the cause of this increase in graft failure rates for procedures that involve surgical trainees.
Journal of vascular surgery: official publication, the Society for Vascular Surgery [and] International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter 11/2011; 55(3):715-20. · 3.52 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We sought to determine which demographic and practice characteristics are associated with both a surgeon's willingness to provide any charity care as well as the amount of charity care provided.
Although it is known that surgeons tend to provide a greater amount of charity care than other physicians, no studies have attempted to look within the surgeon population to identify which factors lead some surgeons to provide more charity care than others.
Using 4 rounds of data from the Community Tracking Study, we employ a 2-part multivariate regression model with fixed effects.
A greater amount of charity care is provided by surgeons who are male, practice owners, employed in academic medical centers, or earn a greater proportion of their revenue from Medicaid. Surgeons who work in a group HMO are significantly less likely to provide any charity care. Personal resources (eg, time and money) had a minimal association with charity care provision.
Surgeons whose characteristics are associated with a greater propensity for charity care provision as suggested by this study, should be considered as a potential source for building the volunteer workforce.
Annals of surgery 07/2011; 254(1):169-73. · 7.90 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Previous studies of the center volume-outcomes relationship for severe trauma care have yielded conflicting findings regarding the presence or nature of such a relationship. Few studies have confined their analysis to Level I centers.
We performed a retrospective analysis of severely injured adults treated from 2001 through 2006 in United States Level I trauma centers using data from the National Trauma Data Bank version 7.1. The post-injury in-hospital mortality rates for patients treated at high- or medium-volume Level I trauma centers were compared with the rates for patients treated at low-volume Level I centers before and after adjustment for patient demographic and injury characteristics. Subgroup comparisons were performed for those Level I centers with and without American College of Surgeons (ACS) verification of Level I designation.
Overall, medium-volume Level I trauma centers had significantly lower mortality than low-volume centers (14.3% versus 15.6%), both before and after adjustment for patient demographic and injury characteristics. Of those trauma centers without ACS verification of Level I designation, high-volume centers had significantly greater mortality than low-volume centers.
Our findings support the current utilization by the American College of Surgeons of minimum annual volume requirements for the verification of Level I trauma center designation, and suggest that the presence of such verification may enable Level I centers to effectively manage high volume of severely injured adult patients.
Journal of Surgical Research 05/2011; 167(1):19-23. · 2.25 Impact Factor
