[Economic consequences of complications in abdominal and thoracic surgery in the German DRG payment system]. / Betriebswirtschaftliche Bedeutung von Komplikationen in der Viszeral- und Thoraxchirurgie im DRG-System.

BACKGROUND: The Surgical Department of the University Hospital Grosshadern has been making a systematic record of complications since 2005. With respect to the ongoing problem of under-financing from DRG reimbursements, an analysis of the relationship between surgical cases with severe complications and insufficient reimbursement warranted a detailed analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of 16 762 in-house patients during 2005-2007 we assigned 6707 cases into four divisions - hepato-pancreato-biliary, colorectal, minimal invasive and general abdominal surgery as well as 1469 cases of thoracic surgery, for costs and reimbursement. In all groups patients with mandatory treament of complications were compared to the remaining cases without complications. Within these, further subgroups were analysed: patients with a need for artificial ventilation (partition A of the G-DRG system), cases with excessive loss (underfunding above 10 000 Euro) and their intersections. RESULTS: With the exception of minimal invasive surgery, each division featured 10-15 % of serious complications. Losses for these cases ranged from 159 % (thoracic surgery) to 102 % (other abdominal surgery) of the overall loss in each division. Cases with excessive losses, representing 1.5 % of all patients, caused 80 % to 100 % of this deficit. Complicated cases alloted to DRGs for artificial ventilation still represented 50 % of the under-fund-ing. CONCLUSION: Cases with mandatory complication treatment can be discerned as separate economic entities. They are considerably overlapping cases with excessive underfunding, so further analysis might lead to an improved reimbursement policy. In addition, the connection between quality management and economic efficiency is highlighted.

[Visceral and thoracic surgical interventions in patients over 80 years old. Evaluation of cost coverage]. / Viszeral- und thoraxchirurgische Eingriffe bei über 80-Jährigen : Bewertung der Kostendeckung.

Due to the higher incidence of malignant tumours with increasing age, cancer is the second most common cause of death among those aged over 65 years old. Consequently, demographic changes in Germany have resulted in a rising demand for oncological operations in elderly patients which is more cost-intensive. Objective of the present study in the setting of a university surgical department is whether oncological operations on patients over 80 years old is cost-effective in the era of diagnosis-related groups. The revenue and expenditure of 116 cases of patients over 80 years old documented for the years 2005-2007 were collated and evaluated. The calculated average proceeds were compared with cases of patients under 80 years old.The average return was -1493.50 EUR/case for over 80-year olds and was not cost-effective. The presence or absence of complications had a significant impact on proceeds, because the mean return/case without complications was profitable (1297.30 EUR). Medical care of patients over 80 years old was on average cost-effective and generated a profit. Oncological operations in patients under 80 years old were not sufficiently remunerated by the current DRG system. Therefore, there is an economical risk associated with oncological operations in elderly patients.

The dark side of the moon: impact of moon phases on long-term survival, mortality and morbidity of surgery for lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Superstition is common and causes discomfiture or fear, especially in patients who have to undergo surgery for cancer. One superstition is, that moon phases influence surgical outcome. This study was performed to analyse lunar impact on the outcome following lung cancer surgery. METHODS: 2411 patients underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer in the past 30 years at our institution. Intra- and postoperative complications as well as long-term follow-up data were entered in our lung-cancer database. Factors influencing mortality, morbidity and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Rate of intra-operative complications as well as rate of post-operative morbidity and mortality was not significantly affected by moon phases. Furthermore, there was no significant impact of the lunar cycle on long-term survival. CONCLUSION: In this study there was no evidence that outcome of surgery for lung cancer is affected by the moon. These results may help the physician to quiet the mind of patients who are somewhat afraid of wrong timing of surgery with respect to the moon phases. However, patients who strongly believe in the impact of moon phase should be taken seriously and correct timing of operations should be conceded to them as long as key-date scheduling doesn't constrict evidence based treatment regimens.

The University of Munich lung cancer group database: design, profile of cohort and outcome analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in therapeutic concepts can only be justified by a significant improvement of outcome parameters. Furthermore, detailed statistics of complications are needed to guarantee high quality of treatment. This study describes the new University of Munich Lung Cancer Group Database. METHODS: The MLCG-Database contains all patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer at the Department of Surgery, University of Munich Medical Centre since 1978. Data were database recorded on the patient's ward, or directly imported from other departments performing medical examinations on the patient. Data could be entered online at the time of surgery in the operating room. Relevant information from the Munich Tumour Registry was imported via encrypted data communication. Both epidemiological background and influence of preoperative risk factors on morbidity and mortality as well as on long-term survival were analysed. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 45 months (1-295 months). Overall 5- and 10-year survival was 36% and 28% respectively. Preoperative risk factors were arterial hypertension in 43% of patients, COPD in 34%, abuse of nicotine in 26% and therapy with corticosteroids in 25%. Surgical procedure consist of lobectomy or bilobectomy in 69%, pneumonectomy in 16% and lesser resections in 15%. Intra- and postoperative complications occurred in 1.4% and 32% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides an overview of our MLCG-Database, which allows performing statistics for outcome analysis and quality management reports as well as medical assessment on a huge collection of patient data on a day-to-day basis. In addition, impact analysis of risk factors on postoperative morbidity and mortality as well as investigation of long-term survival underlines results reported internationally.

Gender differences in long-term survival of patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Significant differences exist in the immunological response to surgery. This raises the possibility that gender differences exist concerning the outcome after curative colorectal cancer resection. METHODS: To study this hypothesis, a database of patients with colorectal cancer was analysed prospectively. RESULTS: Some 894 patients were included, 500 (55.9 per cent) were men and 394 (44.1 per cent) were women. Median follow-up was 54.5 months for the entire group and 63.3 months for survivors. The mean(s.e.m.) patient age was 65.3(0.4) years (women 66.1(0.6), men 64.7(0.5) years; P < 0.05). Women lived significantly longer after cancer resection than men (57.8(1.5) versus 52.0(1.3) months; P < 0.05, log rank 0.009). Disease-free survival was significantly longer in women than in men (51.6(1.7) versus 46.0(1.4) months; P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed significant gender differences in Union Internacional Contra la Cancrum (UICC) stages I (n = 195, log rank 0.01) and UICC IV (n = 38, log rank 0.021). Survival analysis after rectal cancer resection revealed significant advantages for women (log rank 0.02), while no gender differences were detected when comparing patients after resection for colonic cancer. Moreover, patients older than 50 years (n = 635) showed significant gender-related survival differences (log rank 0.015). CONCLUSION: Significant gender differences following curative rectal cancer resection were observed. In women disease-free and overall survival were significantly longer. Whether or not these gender differences are related to gender-specific immune functions or to other gender-related local or systemic factors remains to be determined.

The role of carcinoembryonic antigen for the detection of recurrent disease following curative resection of large-bowel cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: During recent years, a discussion about cost-effectiveness and importance of follow-up evaluation after curative resection of large-bowel cancer has developed. It is not known whether the determination of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) plays a crucial role in the early detection of recurrent disease. PATIENTS/METHODS: We conducted an analysis of the prospective follow-up database of 1321 patients after curative resection of colorectal cancer in our institution between 1990 and 1998 to evaluate the role of CEA in the early detection of recurrent disease. RESULTS: Of the 1321 patients included in our study, 306 developed recurrent disease following curative resection (23.2%). These patients with recurrent disease were divided into: Group I. No pre-operative CEA determination/insufficient follow-up (n=47; 15.4%). Group II. No elevation of CEA with primary cancer (n=156; 51.0%): (IIa) elevation with recurrent disease (n=62); (IIb) no elevation at any time point (n=53); and (IIc) role of CEA not completely elucidated (n=41). Thirteen patients of group II underwent curative relapse surgery (8.3%). Group III. Elevated CEA with primary cancer (n=103; 33.7%): (IlIa) no increase with recurrent disease (n=21); (IIIb) increase with other symptoms of recurrent disease (n=45); and (IIIc) increased values as an early symptom of recurrent disease (n=37). Sixteen patients of group III underwent curative relapse surgery (15.5%). In patients after relapse surgery, recurrent disease developed again after a median time of 12 months (mean 17.9+/-3.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that 2.8% of all patients (12.1% of patients with recurrent disease) who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer profit from follow-up CEA determinations. With careful observation of CEA kinetics, 6.2% (n=82) of all patients or 26.8% of patients with recurrent disease could profit from routine follow-up CEA determinations. In 9.5% of patients with recurrent disease, curative resection of relapse was achieved and these patients remained disease free for a median time of 12 months. Regular CEA measurements remain an important part of routine patient care after curative resection of colorectal cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen for the detection of recurrent disease following curative resection of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: During recent years a discussion about cost-effectiveness and importance of follow-up determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) after curative resection of large bowel cancer has developed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1998 follow-up CEA levels of 1,321 patients after curative colorectal cancer resection were prospectively collected in cooperation with family physicians, CEA determinations were made with different assays by various laboratories. The reported findings were adjusted for the different methods used. RESULTS: 306 patients developed recurrent disease following curative cancer resection (23.2% of all patients). Regarding the role of follow-up CEA determination, they were divided into: I. no preoperative CEA determination/insufficient follow-up (N = 47); II. no elevation of CEA with primary cancer, a) elevation with recurrent disease (N = 62), b) no elevation at any time point (N = 53), c) role of CEA not completely elucidated (N = 41); III. elevated CEA levels with primary cancer, a) no increase with recurrent disease (N = 21), b) increase with other symptoms of recurrent disease (N = 45), c) increased levels as early symptom of recurrent disease (N = 37). 30 patients (9.8% of all patients with recurrent disease; 2.3% of all patients) with increased CEA levels at the time of recurrent disease underwent surgical resection with curative intention (R0 resection). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that up to 47% of the patients with recurrent disease and 11% of all patients (N = 144, groups IIa + IIIb + IIIc) could benefit from routine follow-up CEA determinations after curative colorectal cancer resection. Nonetheless, only 2.3% of all patients with elevated CEA levels underwent R0 resection of recurrent disease. Despite these detection and R0 resectability rates, CEA plays a crucial role in the early detection of recurrent disease and remains an important part of routine patient care after curative resection of colorectal cancer.