Perioperative stroke as a predictor of mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing CABG.

Perioperative stroke is a devastating neurological complication of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surgery (CABG). It results in significantly increased rates of mortality and morbidity and presents a significant financial burden to our healthcare system. It has not, however, been studied in a large population based sample. We aim to investigate the role of perioperative stroke as an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality and morbidity following CABG, and to review trends in the early outcomes of CABG from the years 1999 to 2011. We hypothesize that perioperative stroke is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality and morbidity following CABG. We analyzed data from the 1999-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, identifying patients who underwent CABG using ICD-9 and CCS codes. We excluded patients below the age of 18 and above the age of 100, and patients undergoing concomitant heart and/or vascular procedures. Analysis on our sample of 668,627 patients yielded an overall rate of perioperative stroke, mortality, and morbidity of 1.87%, 2.13%, and 49.07%, respectively. Along with age, risk category, gender, and other postoperative outcomes, perioperative stroke was found to be a strong predictor of mortality and morbidity, leading to more than a 5-fold risk of death and morbidity. From our study, we conclude that perioperative stroke remains a serious adverse outcome of CABG and is an independent predictor of mortality and morbidity. While rates of stroke and mortality are decreasing, morbidity continues to trend upwards. This study emphasizes the importance of prevention and early intervention in patients at risk for perioperative stroke.

Hand Shape and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The literature evaluating external anatomical measurements and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to compare hand- shape measurements of patients with and without (CTS). A retrospective case - control study of participants with suspected CTS (male/female ratio of 0.69) was performed. Nerve conduction tests (NCT) defined 65 involved hands (CTS) and 73 control hands. The relationship between 3 different hand index ratios (measuring palm length and width) and CTS (defined by NCT) was evaluated using Generalized Estimating Equations model (GEE) with the binary outcome of CTS. Palmar Length/Palmar Width index had the strongest and negative association with CTS with greatest sensitivity and specificity to detect CTS. Hands with more square shape had increased tendency to be diagnosed with CTS. Hand indices that include the shape of the palm may help identify patients with greater likelihood of developing CTS for early screening and prevention.

Adoption of robotic sacrocolpopexy at an academic institution.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the introduction of robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) in a urogynecology fellowship program, including operative times and patient outcomes. METHODS: Data were retrospectively extracted from all women who underwent RSC between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011 by a single urogynecologist with fellow and resident assistance. Patient demographics, operative times, intraoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and postoperative course were analyzed. Cases were grouped chronologically in blocks of 10 for analysis. Trend analysis of operative time was done with linear and negative binomial regression. Fisher's exact test was used to compare complications among blocks. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (mean age 58.5±8.4 years) underwent RSC. The majority (75%) had stage III prolapse. Forty-one patients (79%) had concomitant procedures, including supracervical hysterectomy (44%), bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (9.6%), midurethral sling (9.6%), and lysis of adhesions (40.4%). There was no trend toward decreased operative time with increased surgical experience (linear regression P=.453, negative binomial regression P=.998). Mean operative time was 301.1±53.1 minutes (range 205-440). Overall complication rate was not associated with number of robotic cases performed (P=.771). Nine cases (17.3%) were converted to laparotomy. Five of these occurred in the first 15 cases. There were 2 bladder injuries (3.8%) and no bowel injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Although a learning curve was not demonstrated, the adoption of RSC into a urogynecology fellowship program yields similar rates of bladder/bowel injuries, postoperative complications, and operative times when compared with other published studies.

Introduction of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy to a fellowship training program.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Minimally invasive sacral colpopexy has increased over the past decade, with many senior physicians adopting this new skill set. However, skill acquisition at an academic institution in the presence of postgraduate learners is not well described. This manuscript outlines the introduction of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy to an academic urogynecology service that was not performing minimally invasive sacral colpopexies, and it also defines a surgical learning curve. METHODS: The first 180 laparoscopic sacral colpopexies done by four attending urogynecologists from January 2009 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was operative time. Secondary outcomes included conversion to laparotomy, estimated blood loss, and intra- and postoperative complications. Linear regression was used to analyze trends in operative times. Fisher's exact test compared surgical complications and counts of categorical variables. RESULTS: Mean total operative time was 250 ± 52 min (range 146-452) with hysterectomy and 222 ± 45 (range 146-353) for sacral colpopexy alone. When compared with the first ten cases performed by each surgeon, operative times in subsequent groups decreased significantly, with a 6-16.3% reduction in overall times. There was no significant difference in the rate of overall complications regardless of the number of prior procedures performed (p = 0.262). CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy in a training program is safe and efficient. Reduction in operative time is similar to published learning curves in teaching and nonteaching settings. Introducing this technique does not add additional surgical risk as these skills are acquired.

A clinical prediction rule for perioperative mortality and major morbidity after laparoscopic giant paraesophageal hernia repair.

OBJECTIVE: In the current era, giant paraesophageal hernia repair by experienced minimally invasive surgeons has excellent perioperative outcomes when performed electively. However, nonelective repair is associated with significantly greater morbidity and mortality, even when performed laparoscopically. We hypothesized that clinical prediction tools using pretreatment variables could be developed that would predict patient-specific risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We assessed 980 patients who underwent giant paraesophageal hernia repair (1997-2010; 80% elective and 97% laparoscopic). We assessed the association between clinical predictor covariates, including demographics, comorbidity, and urgency of operation, and risk for in-hospital or 30-day mortality and major morbidity. By using forward stepwise logistic regression, clinical prediction models for mortality and major morbidity were developed. RESULTS: Urgency of operation was a significant predictor of mortality (elective 1.1% [9/778] vs nonelective 8% [16/199]; P < .001) and major morbidity (elective 18% [143/781] vs nonelective 41% [81/199]; P < .001). The most common adverse outcomes were pulmonary complications (n = 199; 20%). A 4-covariate prediction model consisting of age 80 years or more, urgency of operation, and 2 Charlson comorbidity index variables (congestive heart failure and pulmonary disease) provided discriminatory accuracy for postoperative mortality of 88%. A 5-covariate model (sex, age by decade, urgency of operation, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary disease) for major postoperative morbidity was 68% predictive. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive models using pretreatment patient characteristics can accurately predict mortality and major morbidity after giant paraesophageal hernia repair. After prospective validation, these models could provide patient-specific risk prediction, tailored for individual patient characteristics, and contribute to decision-making regarding surgical intervention.