Depression Scores Decrease After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical depression scores and functional outcomes following arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome in patients with elevated preoperative depressive symptoms as defined by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System for Depression (PROMIS-D). Methods: Patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome completed the PROMIS-D Computer Adaptive Test and additional patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures preoperatively and at the time of postoperative visits. Patients were categorized into preoperative clinically depressed (CD) and nonclinically depressed (NCD) groups based on preoperative PROMIS-D scores. Scores ≥55 correlate to mild clinical depression, and this cutoff was used to determine preoperative depression status. PROMIS-D scores and functional outcome scores were assessed at 6 months and a minimum of 1-year postoperatively. Results: In total, 100 patients were included with complete PROs at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Of those included, 21 (21%) were categorized with preoperative CD. There were no differences in demographic or radiographic variables between the preoperative CD and NCD groups. At 6 months and 12 months postoperatively, the percentage of patients in the preoperative CD group with continued depression was 33.3% and 23.8%, respectively. Overall, 1-year change in PROMIS-D score for the CD group was -9.1 versus -0.8 in the NCD group (P = .001). There was no significant difference in rates of patients achieving patient acceptable symptom state between the preoperative CD and NCD groups. Conclusions: Patients with symptoms of preoperative CD, as defined by the PROMIS-D score, demonstrated significant improvement in depressive symptoms following hip arthroscopy. In addition, patients with CD preoperatively did not show decreased rates of achieving minimum clinically important difference or patient acceptable symptom state on postoperative PROs compared with patients with NCD. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Shoulder Anteroinferior Glenoid Labrum Reconstruction With the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon Restores Glenohumeral Stability: A Cadaveric Biomechanical Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this cadaveric study was to determine feasibility and assess biomechanical stability of glenoid labral reconstruction utilizing the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) as a local autograft for labral deficient shoulders. METHODS: Ten cadaveric shoulders underwent resection of all soft tissue structures except the labrum and LHBT. The scapula and humerus were separately attached to a custom shoulder testing apparatus allowing for 22.5 N of compressive isotonic force across the joint. An Instron (Electroplus 1000) measured the peak force (N) as the humeral head was translated over the anteroinferior glenoid rim through 10 cycles. Shoulders were tested in 3 separate scenarios: intact labrum, resected labrum from 3- to 6-o'clock (for a right shoulder), and labral reconstruction with the LHBT. Reconstruction was performed by performing LHBT tenotomy at the level of the pectoralis major insertion. The proximal LHBT tendon, left attached to the supraglenoid tubercle, was then attached to the anteroinferior glenoid rim with suture anchors. RESULTS: Mean (SD) length of the LHBT was 76.1 (12.9 mm) and the diameter was 5.9 (1.6) mm. Peak force for intact labrum was significantly greater than the deficient labrum state (14.06 vs 11.78 N; P = .012). Peak force for labral reconstruction (16.67 N) was significantly greater than both intact and deficient labral states (P < .001 and P = .011, respectively). In all specimens, the length for the LHBT to the pectoralis major insertion was sufficient for reconstruction of the labrum to the 6-o'clock position. CONCLUSIONS: Glenoid labrum reconstruction with the LHBT is a feasible option to restore glenohumeral stability, with peak force to displacement significantly greater than the labral-intact and labral-deficient states. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This reconstruction may be an option for augmentation in the labral-deficient shoulder.

Treatment of Coxa Profunda With Open Surgical Hip Dislocation, Rim Resection, Cam Resection, and Labral Reconstruction.

Coxa profunda presents a unique challenge in surgical treatment approach given global acetabular overcoverage. Arthroscopic treatment can be fraught with difficulty obtaining hip distraction for safe arthroscopic instrumentation, and limited arthroscopic access may prevent sufficient osseous resection of the excess acetabular rim. Although hip arthroscopy use has increased markedly over the past decades for all types of hip pathology, coxa profunda may represent one unique indication for surgical hip dislocation. This technique describes open surgical hip dislocation, rim resection, femoral osteoplasty, and labral reconstruction using anterior tibialis allograft for coxa profunda with combined-type femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and labral ossification.

Avascular Necrosis of the Talus Following Subchondroplasty: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

CASE: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus in a 45-year-old female following subchondroplasty with calcium phosphate bone filler for treatment of anterolateral and posteromedial talar dome bone marrow lesions (BMLs). The patient subsequently presented as consultation, 18 months postoperatively, with AVN of the talus. After failing conservative management, the patient underwent a total ankle arthroplasty at 46 months after subchondroplasty with resolution of pain. CONCLUSION: There are few studies that have reported on the safety of subchondroplasty of the talus. Given the tenuous blood supply to the talar body and poor patient outcomes associated with AVN, caution should be taken before extrapolating the generally positive results of subchondroplasty in the knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Patient-reported outcome scores following patellar instability surgery-high prevalence does not equal high responsiveness: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization and responsiveness of common patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients undergoing surgery for patellar instability. METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of studies reporting outcomes following surgical intervention for patellar instability was conducted using Pubmed, Cochrane, OVID Medline, and Google Scholar. Subgroup analysis of articles reporting at least two PROs with baseline and follow-up data were used to evaluate responsiveness of instruments using relative efficiency and effect size. RESULTS: From the search, 2,848 unique articles were found, of which 178 were included in final analysis (7,122 patients, mean age 22.6, 63.6% female). The most commonly used PRO was the Kujala score (79.2%), followed by the Lysholm (34.8%), and Tegner (30.9%). Seventy-nine articles were eligible for subgroup analysis. The Kujala had a higher relative efficiency than ten of the 14 instruments to which it was compared but had lower relative efficiency compared to the IKDC and Lysholm scores. The Banff Patella Instability Instrument (BPII) and the Norwich score, condition-specific tools, were unable to be fully assessed due to rarity of use and lack of comparisons. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that the Kujala score is the most commonly used PRO for patellar instability, although other instruments offer greater efficiency was supported by our results. The IKDC and Lysholm scores had similar effect sizes but higher relative efficiencies than the Kujala, thus suggesting better responsiveness. This analysis adds useful information for surgeons on the effectiveness of the most common PRO's for evaluating patellofemoral instability outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Association Between Pitch Break on the 4-Seam Fastball and Slider and Shoulder Injury in Major League Baseball Pitchers: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Few specific risk factors are known for shoulder injury in professional pitchers. New pitch-tracking data allow for risk stratification based on advanced metrics. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between shoulder injury, pitch frequency, and pitch metrics (velocity, total break, break angle, and spin rate) for the 4-seam fastball, curveball, and slider. We hypothesized that more frequent use of the 4-seam fastball would be associated with shoulder injury. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The Major League Baseball (MLB) database was queried for pitchers who had been placed on the injury list (IL) with a shoulder injury between 2015 and 2019. Injured pitchers were matched 1:1 with controls (pitchers not on the IL with a shoulder injury during the study period), based on age (±1 year), history of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, position (starter vs reliever), and pitches thrown during the injury season (±500). Pitch frequency, velocity, horizontal break, vertical break, total break, and spin rate for the season were collected from the Baseball Savant website for the 4-seam fastball, curveball, and slider. Univariate analysis was used to determine group differences for individual variables. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine odds ratios (ORs) for shoulder injury associated with pitch frequency, velocity, total break, break angle, and spin rate. Covariates included age, position, ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction status, expected weighted on-base average, and total pitches thrown. RESULTS: Overall, 233 injured pitchers were evaluated. The most common reason for IL placement was inflammation (78/233; 33.5%) followed by strain or sprain (61/233; 26.2%). Increased total pitch break was associated with an increased risk of shoulder injury for the 4-seam fastball (OR, 1.340 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.199-1.509]; P < .001) and slider (OR, 1.360 [95% CI, 1.206-1.554]; P < .001). For the slider, a decreased spin rate (OR = 0.998 [95% CI, 0.997-0.999]; P = .026) and a more vertical break angle (OR = 1.170 [95% CI: 1.073-1.278]; P = .004) were associated with increased risk of injury. CONCLUSION: Increased pitch break of the 4-seam fastball and slider was associated positively with shoulder injury in MLB pitchers. These findings add to the understanding of throwing injury and ability to detect risk using ball-tracking technology.

Psychological Healthcare Burden Lessens After Hip Arthroscopy for Those With Comorbid Depression or Anxiety.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated whether patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment of femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) seek health care for treatment of comorbid depression and anxiety in the year following hip arthroscopy. METHODS: Using the Truven Health Marketscan database, FAIS patients who underwent hip arthroscopy between January 2009 and December 2016 were identified. Claims related to depression or anxiety filed during the year before surgery were required for inclusion. Using claims for pharmaceutical and psychological therapy treatments for mental health disorders, four groups of patients were analyzed on the basis of preoperative anxiety/depression treatment: medication only, therapy only, medication + therapy, and no treatment. Number of opioid pain prescriptions within 180 days prior to surgery and >90 days after hip arthroscopy were also compared. RESULTS: Depression and anxiety claims were identified in 5,208/14,830 (35.1%) patients. Preoperative treatment for depression and anxiety included medication only (n = 648, 12.4%), therapy only (n = 899, 17.3%), medication + therapy (n = 252, 4.8%), and no treatment (n = 3,409, 65.5%). Of the 900 patients who filled an anxiety/depression-related prescription prior to surgery, 422 (46.9%) patients did not fill a similar prescription in the postoperative year. Of the 1,151 patients receiving anxiety/depression-related therapy prior to surgery, 549 (47.7%) did not receive therapy in the postoperative year. Preoperative opioid prescriptions were filled for 393 patients (60.6%) in medication-only group, 275 (30.6%) in therapy-only group, 156 (61.9%) in medication + therapy group, and 1,059 (31.1%) in the group receiving no treatment. Opioid prescriptions >90 days postoperatively were filled for 330 (50.9%), 225 (25.0%), 120 (47.6%), and 861 (25.3%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hip arthroscopy for FAIS is associated with a decreased postoperative use of health care resources for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Clinicians should also be aware of the potential interplay between preoperative psychotropic medication use and prolonged opioid use when counseling patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, therapeutic case series.

Age at the Time of Surgery Is Not Predictive of Early Patient-Reported Outcomes After Periacetabular Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: The clinical success of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for the treatment of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia is well-documented. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the correlation of age with clinical outcomes. Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score - global (HOOSglobal) is a recently validated patient-reported outcome measure following PAO. The purpose of this study is to asses HOOSglobal and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores at early follow-up based on age at the time of PAO. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort of 391 patients undergoing PAO with minimum 2-year follow-up (average 4.71 years) were identified. Patients were categorized into 4 age groups: <20 years (N = 131), 20-29 (N = 102), 30-39 (N = 65), and ≥40 (N = 34). A 4 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance (Age Group × Time) was used to compare preoperative and postoperative HOOSglobal and WOMAC scores between age groups. A multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of postoperative HOOSglobal scores. RESULTS: HOOSglobal and WOMAC scores increased across all age groups; however, a statistically greater increase in preoperative to postoperative HOOSglobal and WOMAC scores was found in those ≥40 years compared to those <20 (P< .002), 20-29 (P = .01), and 30-39 years (P = .02). Higher preoperative HOOSglobal scores were predictive of greater postoperative HOOSglobal scores (P < .001) but age (P = .65), gender (P = .80), body mass index (P = .50), and Tönnis Classification (P = .07) were not independent predictors of 1-year outcomes. CONCLUSION: The absence of differences in early postoperative patient-reported outcomes across multiple age ranges emphasizes that PAO in the setting of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia can be successful regardless of patient age alone. Therefore, age alone might not be an appropriate selection criterion when evaluating surgical candidates for PAO. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Pitch break and performance metrics remain unchanged in pitchers who returned to the same level of play after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in Major League Baseball pitchers.

BACKGROUND: The ulnar collateral ligament is commonly injured in overhead-throwing athletes, particularly baseball pitchers. Pitch movement (break) is a critical aspect to pitching performance. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the changes in pitch velocity, pitch break, angle of break, and pitch performance metrics before and after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. The secondary purpose was to determine changes in pitch performance metrics before and after UCLR. We hypothesized that pitch break and pitch performance metrics would be unchanged following UCLR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case-series study of pitchers who had undergone primary UCLR between 2008 and 2014. Velocity, horizontal movement (Hmov), and vertical movement (Vmov) of each pitch were collected from the PITCHf/x system for each pitcher 12-24 months before surgery, 12-24 months after surgery, and 24-36 months after surgery. Overall break was calculated by taking the Pythagorean sum of Hmov and Vmov. Angle of break was determined by taking the inverse tangent of Vmov divided by Hmov. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance was performed to determine differences in pitch velocity, movement, angle of movement, and performance metrics between preoperative and postoperative time frames. Performance metrics included balls, strikes, swings, fouls, swings and misses, ground balls, line drives, pop-ups, fly balls, and home runs. Covariates included age at surgery, time from MLB debut to surgery, innings pitched as a starter, innings pitched as a reliever, and total pitches thrown. RESULTS: In a cohort of 46 pitchers who underwent UCLR between 2008 and 2014, pitch velocity, movement, and angle were not significantly changed with respect to preoperative or postoperative time frames. In addition, postoperative time frames had clinically insignificant differences in pitch performance metrics. CONCLUSION: Pitch break and performance metrics are not significantly affected in pitchers who return after UCLR.

Injury Rates in Major League Baseball During the 2020 COVID-19 Season.

BACKGROUND: The 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season was drastically altered because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes included an extended layoff between March and July as well as a shortened preseason. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the incidence and epidemiology of MLB injuries in the abbreviated 2020 season compared with prior seasons. We hypothesized that there was an increase in the overall injury rate in the 2020 season compared with the 2018-2019 seasons and that it equally affected all body regions. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: The MLB transactions database was queried to find players who had been placed on the injury list between 2018 and 2020. Injuries were categorized into upper extremity, lower extremity, spine/core, and other injuries. Incidence per 1000 athlete-exposures was calculated for the prior 2 seasons (2018-2019) and for the 2020 season separately. Incidence for each category was also calculated separately for pitchers and fielders. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and confidence intervals were used to compare injury rates in 2018-2019 versus 2020. The z test for proportions was used to determine significant differences between injury incidences. RESULTS: In 2020, the overall incidence rate per 1000 athlete-exposures was almost twice the rate compared with the 2 seasons before COVID-19 (8.66 vs 5.13; IRR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.53-1.87]; P < .001). Injury incidence increased similarly in 2020 for both pitchers (IRR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.47-1.91]; P < .001) and fielders (IRR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.45-1.96]; P < .001). Increases in injury incidence were seen in the upper extremity, spine/core, and other injury categories; however, the incidence of the lower extremity did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in injury incidence for both pitchers and fielders in 2020. Injury rates increased in anatomic zones of the upper extremity and spine/core but were not significantly changed in the lower extremity. The overall increase in injury rate suggests that irregular or insufficient sport-specific preparation prior to the start of the season placed athletes at a greater risk of injury when play resumed.

Making Sense of Hip Preservation Procedural Coding-Getting Paid for Your Work!

Hip preservation and peri-trochanteric procedures are becoming more commonplace for the arthroplasty surgeon. Understanding the reimbursement for these procedures remains a challenge for those looking to expand this portion of their practice. In order to financially maximize the surgeon's efforts, we present recommendations for hip preservation procedural coding.

Are there racial differences between patients undergoing surgery for shoulder instability? Data from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability Group.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify differences related to race in preoperative and intraoperative findings of patients undergoing operative treatment for shoulder instability. METHODS: Data from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability cohort were used. Of 1010 patients, 995 provided race and ethnicity information and were included in the analyses. Demographic characteristics, injury history, radiographic and intraoperative findings, and preoperative patient-reported instability, pain, and function were compared (1) between white and minority patients and (2) in a subgroup analysis between white patients and the 3 largest minority groups. The Distressed Communities Index (DCI) score was recorded for each patient's home ZIP code. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine whether models consisting of race/ethnicity, insurance carrier, and/or DCI score were predictive of bone and cartilage loss at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Compared with white patients, a greater percentage of US minority patients had ≥2 dislocations (68.0% vs. 57.1%, P = .01), which corresponded with more frequent articular cartilage lesions (62.2% vs. 51.0%, P = .007) and increased frequencies of glenoid bone loss > 10% (16.2% vs. 8.7%, P = .03) and Hill-Sachs lesions (68.6% vs. 56.0%, P = .004). Specifically, when compared with white patients, African American and Asian patients showed significantly increased frequencies of glenoid bone loss > 10% (19.7% of African American patients, 18.4% of Asian patients, and 8.9% of white patients; P = .01) and Hill-Sachs lesions (65.6%, 71.7%, and 52.4%, respectively; P = .02). Race was an independent predictor of articular cartilage lesions (P = .04) and the presence of Hill-Sachs lesions (P = .01). A higher DCI score (P = .03) and race (P = .04) were both predictive of having glenoid bone loss > 10%. CONCLUSION: We found that minority race was associated with increased number of preoperative dislocations and increased frequency of articular cartilage and Hill-Sachs lesions at the time of surgery, and both minority race and an increased DCI score were associated with glenoid bone loss > 10%. Further research is needed to understand the underlying reason for these differences and to optimize care for all patients with shoulder instability.

Secondary Injuries After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review With Quantitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In the skeletally mature anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction population, patients aged <25 years are at significantly increased risk of graft failure and injury to the contralateral ACL. Skeletal immaturity often affects graft selection and reconstruction technique. PURPOSE: To examine the incidence of ipsilateral graft failure and contralateral ACL injury in the skeletally immature patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we reviewed all literature that involved ACL reconstruction performed on skeletally immature patients between May 1976 and May 2019. Patient demographics, surgical technique, and the prevalence of ipsilateral graft failure or subsequent contralateral ACL injury were recorded. Ipsilateral, contralateral, and secondary ACL injuries were then compared between sexes via chi-square tests. RESULTS: A total of 24 articles (1254 children; 1258 knees) met inclusion criteria for analysis. Ipsilateral graft failures occurred in 105 of 1258 patients (8.3%), and there were no statistically significant sex differences in the prevalence of graft failures (female, 9.7%; male patients, 7.1%; P = .14). The prevalence of contralateral ACL injury was significantly greater in female (29/129; 22.5%) than male (18/206; 8.7%; P = .0004) patients in the 9 studies that reported contralateral injury. Skeletally immature female patients were at significantly increased risk of contralateral ACL injury (odds ratio = 3.0; P = .0006) when compared with their male counterparts. CONCLUSION: In the literature to date, 1 in 3 female skeletally immature patients experienced an ipsilateral graft failure or contralateral ACL injury. Regardless of sex, the 24% prevalence of secondary injury after pediatric ACL reconstruction is almost identical to previously published secondary injury rates in skeletally mature patients <25 years old. As such, skeletal maturity alone does not seem to be a determinant of secondary injury; however, there is a clear need to improve postoperative rehabilitation, activity progression, and return-to-play testing to allow a safe return to sports that protects the long-term health of the reconstructed and contralateral limbs, especially for female patients.

Comparative Effectiveness of Hepatic Artery Based Therapies for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases (CRLM) are increasingly being managed using Hepatic Artery Based Therapies (HAT), including Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI), Radioembolization (RE), and Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE). Limited data is available on the comparative effectiveness of these options. We hypothesized that outcomes in terms of survival and toxicity were equivalent across the three strategies. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using a prospectively registered search strategy at PROSPERO (CRD42013003861) that utilized studies from PubMed (2003-2013). Primary outcome was median overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were treatment toxicity, tumor response, and conversion of the tumor to resectable. Additional covariates included prior or concurrent systemic therapy. RESULTS: Of 491 studies screened, 90 were selected for analyses-52 (n = 3,000 patients) HAI, 24 (n = 1,268) RE, 14 (n = 1,038) TACE. The median OS (95% CI) for patients receiving HAT in the first-line were RE 29.4 vs. HAI 21.4 vs. TACE 15.2 months (p = 0.97, 0.69 respectively). For patients failing at least one line of prior systemic therapy, the survival outcomes were TACE 21.3 (20.6-22.4) months vs. HAI 13.2 (12.2-14.2) months vs. RE 10.7 (9.5-12.0). Grade 3-4 toxicity for HAT alone was 40% in the HAI group, 19% in the RE group, and 18% in the TACE groups, which was increased with the addition of systemic chemotherapy. Level 1 evidence was available in 5 studies for HAI, 2 studies for RE and 1 for TACE. CONCLUSION: HAI, RE, and TACE are equally effective in patients with unresectable CRLM with marginal differences in survival.

Incorporation of diagnostic laparoscopy in the management algorithm for patients with peritoneal metastases: A multi-institutional analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL), which can predict complete cytoreduction (CC), is often considered unfeasible in patients with Peritoneal metastases (PM) due to a hostile abdomen, prior surgeries, incomplete assessment or risk of port site recurrence. We hypothesized that DL can be successfully incorporated into the management of patients with PM. METHODS: Retrospective review and data analysis of prospectively maintained databases from two high volume institutions was performed between 2007 and 2013. RESULTS: DL was successfully completed in 211/217 (92.6%) patients with PM. The technique for entry was the Hasson in 57%, optical trocar in 38% and Veress needle in 5%. Serosal injury from DL occurred in one patient (0.4%). Predominant histology included appendiceal (40%) and colorectal primaries (34%). Exclusion from cytoreduction by DL occurred in 68 (31.3%). Among those excluded, 7 (of 68, 10.3%) subsequently underwent CRS + HIPEC after receiving systemic chemotherapy. Overall survival (from laparoscopy) for those that underwent CRS + HIPEC at the original operation was 36 versus 12.7 months among those who were excluded by laparoscopy. There were no cases of port site recurrence. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic laparoscopy can be safely incorporated in the management of patients with peritoneal metastases, and can be especially beneficial in excluding patients from attempted incomplete cytoreduction.

Comparative effectiveness of hepatic artery based therapies for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery based therapies (HAT) are offered for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). We aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of HAT -hepatic arterial infusion (HAI), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE), and Yttrium(90) radioembolization (Y-90) for unresectable ICC. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using a prospectively registered search strategy at PROSPERO (CRD42013004830) that utilized PubMed (2003-2013). Primary outcome was median overall survival (OS), and secondary outcomes were tumor response to therapy and toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 20 articles (of 793, n=657 patients) were selected for data extraction. Highest Median OS was observed for HAI (22.8, 95% CI 9.8-35.8) months versus Y90 (13.9, 9.5-18.3) months versus TACE (12.4, 10.9-13.9) months versus DEB-TACE (12.3, 11-13.5) months. Response to therapy (complete and partial) was highest for HAI (56.9%, 95%CI 41.0-72.8) versus Y90 (27.4%, 17.4-37.5) versus TACE (17.3%, 6.8-27.8). The grade III/IV toxicity (Events per patient) was highest for HAI (0.35, 95% CI 0.22-0.48) versus TACE (0.26, 0.21-0.32) versus DEB-TACE (0.32, 0.17-0.48). CONCLUSION: For patients with unresectable ICC treated with HAT, HAI offered the best outcomes in terms of tumor response and survival but may be limited by toxicity.

Effect of the experience of surgical chairpersons on departmental National Institutes of Health funding.

BACKGROUND: Experience and application of recruitment packages can be critical in leadership efforts of surgical chairpersons in promoting research, although attrition of these efforts can happen over time due to lack of new resources. We aimed to examine the impact of experience of surgical chairpersons on departmental National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. METHODS: Experience as a chairperson defined as the number of years spent as an interim or permanent chair was abstracted from the department Web site (US medical schools only). The NIH funding (US dollars) of the departments were obtained from the Blue Ridge Medical Institute (www.brimr.org). The change in NIH funding from the immediate previous financial year (2010-2009 and 2011-2010) was used to classify chairpersons into four groups: group 1 (-/-), group 2 (-/+), group 3 (+/+), and group 4 (+/-) for analysis. RESULTS: Median NIH funding were $1.9 (0.7-6) million, $1.8 (0.6-5) million, and $1.7 (0.7-5) million for 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, and the median experience as a surgical chairperson was 6 y (3-10). Recent chairpersons (<1 y) inherited departments that usually lost NIH funding (62%) and were frequently unable to develop a positive trend for growth over the next fiscal year ([-/-] n = 4 and [+/-] n = 2, 75%). Chairpersons who held their positions for 4-6 y were most likely to be associated with trends of positive funding growth, whereas chairpersons >10 y were most likely to have lost funding (66%, P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Provision of new development dollars later in their tenure and retention of chairpersons might lead to more positive trends in increase in NIH funding.

Role of laparoscopy in patients with peritoneal metastases considered for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) was feasible for the evaluation of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC). METHODS: A retrospective review of PC patients treated from January 2010 to April 2013 was conducted. Data on tumor characteristics, treatment details and survival outcomes were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 101 PC patients (mean age 52.9 ± 14.1 years), 73 diagnostic laparoscopies DL (61 concurrent with CRS + HIPEC) were performed in 70 patients whereas 31 patients underwent direct exploratory laparotomy (EL). Complete laparoscopic assessment was possible in 63 cases (86.3%), resulting in 18 exclusions (27.7%) while 10 cases were converted to open due to inadequate laparoscopic visualization. Subsequently, CRS + HIPEC was performed in 85.4% (of 55 selected for HIPEC, DL) versus 74.2% (EL, P value = 0.20). Among those excluded from HIPEC at the initial operation, delayed HIPEC after conversion chemotherapy was achieved in 6 (of 11 with extensive disease, DL). The incidence of grade 3 to 5 complications was 0% DL versus 10% EL (P value = 0.2). There were no port site recurrences at mean follow up of 9.1 ± 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a feasible technique for selecting patients with PC for CRS + HIPEC, and can help select patients for conversion chemotherapy in the setting of high peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score.

Cost effectiveness of routine laparoscopic ultrasound for assessment of resectability of gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: In addition to a diagnostic laparoscopy (DL), a routine laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) has been proposed to identify undetected hepatic metastases and/or anatomically advanced disease in patients with T2 or higher gall bladder cancer (GBC) patients planned for surgical resection. It was hypothesized that a routine LUS is not a cost-effective strategy for these patients. METHODS: Decision tree modeling was undertaken to compare DL-LUS vs. DL at the time of definitive resection of GBC (with no prior cholecystectomy). Costs in US dollars (payer's perspective), quality-adjusted life weeks (QALWs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated (horizon: 6 weeks, willingness-to-pay: $1,000/QALW or $50,000/QALY). RESULTS: DL-LUS was cost effective at the base case scenario (costs: $30,838 for DL vs. $30,791 for DL-LUS and effectiveness 3.81 QALWs DL vs. 3.82 QALW DL-LUS), resulting in a cost reduction of $9,220 per quality-adjusted life week gained (or $479,469 per QALY). DL-LUS became less cost effective as the cost of ultrasound increased or the probability of exclusion from resection decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Routine LUS with DL for the assessment of resectability and exclusion of metastases is cost effective for patients with GBC. Until improvements in preoperative imaging occur to decrease the probability of exclusion, this appears to be a feasible strategy.