Impact of Anaesthetist Volume on Radical Cystectomy Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (RC) is a gold standard treatment for aggressive bladder cancer. Higher surgical volumes through centralisation are associated with improved RC outcomes. The impact of anaesthetist experience and RC volume on outcomes is less clear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine RC outcomes stratified by anaesthetist volume using a contemporary homogenous series. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected, single-surgeon database of RC patients over a 10-yr period. INTERVENTION: Four hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients underwent RC, including 430 (95%) with anaesthetist annotation. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Anaesthetists were stratified into low- (<10 cases) and high-volume (≥10 cases) classes. Primary outcomes were blood loss, transfusion rates, length of stay (LOS), and postoperative mortality. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In total, 63 anaesthetists were included for analysis (median two RCs per anaesthetist). Of 63 anaesthetists, 56 (88.9%) and seven (11.1%) were classified, respectively, into low and high volume, and these provided cover for 110 (25.6%) and 320 (74.4%) patients, respectively. When comparing high- versus low-volume anaesthetists, there were shorter LOS (median [interquartile range {IQR}]: 10 [6-14] vs 12 [7-19] d, p = 0.008), lower blood loss (median [IQR]: 600 [384-1000] vs 800 [500-1275] ml, p<0.001), and lower transfusion rate (23/320, 7.2% vs 22/110, 20%; p < 0.001). There was no difference in disease-specific mortality, overall mortality, or readmission rates. In multivariable analysis, a high anaesthetist volume was independently associated with transfusion rate (odds ratio 0.24 [0.07-0.83], p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Higher-volume anaesthetists have lower transfusion rates for RC patients. Whilst LOS and blood loss may also differ with experience, there is no difference in mortality after RC. PATIENT SUMMARY: Radical cystectomy is a major operation. Experienced anaesthetists give fewer blood products to patients undergoing this operation. They may also help reduce blood loss and speed recovery. However, all other recovery measures were similar.

Prospective Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols to Radical Cystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) regimens have improved outcomes from colorectal surgery. OBJECTIVE: We report the application of ERAS to patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective collection of outcomes from consecutive patients undergoing RC at a single institution. INTERVENTION: Twenty-six components including prehabilitation exercise, same day admission, carbohydrate fluid loading, targeted intraoperative fluid resuscitation, regional local anaesthesia, cessation of nasogastric tubes, omitting oral bowel preparation, avoiding drain use, early mobilisation, chewing gum use, and audit. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Primary outcomes were length of stay and readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rates, survival, and histopathological findings. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Four hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients underwent RC, including 393 (87%) with ERAS. Length of stay was shorter with ERAS (median [interquartile range]: 8 [6-13] d) than without (18 [13-25], p<0.001). Patients with ERAS had lower blood loss (ERAS: 600 [383-969] ml vs 1050 [900-1575] ml for non-ERAS, p<0.001), lower transfusion rates (ERAS: 8.1% vs 25%, chi-square test, p<0.001), and fewer readmissions (ERAS: 15% vs 25%, chi-square test, p=0.04) than those without. Histopathological parameters (eg, tumour stage, node count, and margin state) and survival outcomes did not differ with ERAS use (all p>0.1). Multivariable analysis revealed ERAS use was (p=0.002) independently associated with length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ERAS pathways was associated with lower intraoperative blood loss and faster discharge for patients undergoing RC. These changes did not increase readmission rates or alter oncological outcomes. PATIENT SUMMARY: Recovery after major bladder surgery can be improved by using enhanced recovery pathways. Patients managed by these pathways have shorter length of stays, lower blood loss, and lower transfusion rates. Their adoption should be encouraged.

Congenital anomalies are commonly associated with exomphalos minor.

AIM: The objective of this study is to define the incidence of chromosomal and congenital anomalies in neonates with exomphalos major and minor. BACKGROUND: Incidence of major congenital anomalies varies from 35% to 81% in exomphalos. It is unclear whether these malformations are more common with exomphalos major. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The case notes of 82 antenatal diagnoses of exomphalos, made between January 1998 and December 2004, were retrospectively reviewed. Exomphalos major was defined as a defect 5 cm or greater and exomphalos minor a defect less than 5 cm in diameter. RESULTS: There were 72 live births, 6 still births, and 4 terminations of pregnancy. There was no statistical significance between exomphalos major and minor regarding mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, birth weight, major cardiac anomalies (21% vs 23%), and renal and external genitalia abnormalities (11% vs 18%). Chromosomal anomalies, syndromes, and dysmorphism were common in exomphalos minor 17 (39%, P = .0001). Congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract (14% vs 27%), central nervous system (0 vs 21%), and Wilms' tumor (0 vs 5%) occurred commonly in exomphalos minor. Limb abnormalities (25% vs 5%), ectopia cordis (11% vs 0), and bladder exstrophy (7% vs 0) occurred predominantly in exomphalos major. Mean follow-up was 34 months. Three neonates with exomphalos major died. Overall mortality was 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Chromosomal anomalies and syndromes occur more commonly in exomphalos minor. Exomphalos minor and major seem to have a predilection for associated anomalies of specific organ systems. This predisposition may help in counseling parents, planning investigations, and organization of multidisciplinary management strategy.