The Risk of Early Postoperative Complications Associated With Preoperative Immunosuppression in Patients Undergoing Total Elbow Arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Patients considering total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) may be receiving immunosuppressive therapy; however, the relationship between immunosuppressive medications and postoperative complications is not well defined. Our purpose was to assess the relationship between preoperative immunosuppression and short-term complications following TEA. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was reviewed from 2005 to 2020 to identify patients undergoing TEA. Procedures indicated for malignancy or infection were excluded. Patients were grouped according to preoperative chronic immunosuppressive status. Demographic and operative characteristics were compared between groups. The 30-day incidence of complications and reoperations were compared between groups. Multiple logistic regression models, inverse-weighted by propensity scores, were used to calculate odds ratio (OR) of experiencing any complication or return to the operating room based on immunosuppression status and other demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 769 patients undergoing TEA were included, of whom 142 (18.5%) received chronic immunosuppression. Distribution of age, sex, race, body mass index, diabetes, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification differed significantly between groups. Most procedures were performed on an inpatient basis, and the median operative duration was 148 minutes. Most procedures were indicated for fracture in the nonimmunosuppressed group and rheumatoid arthritis in the immunosuppressed group. Overall complication rates were 7.0% for immunosuppressed patients and 10.2% for nonimmunosuppressed patients. The incidence of complications and reoperations did not significantly differ between groups. After controlling for confounding and adjusting for patient characteristics, immunosuppressed patients were 0.52 times less likely to experience a complication. Additionally, there was no association between immunosuppression status and odds of return to the operating room. CONCLUSION: Similar rates of complications were observed following TEA, regardless of preoperative immunosuppression status. Chronic immunosuppression does not appear to increase the rates of postoperative complications for patients undergoing TEA. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program surgical risk calculator is not reliable in predicting complications and length of stay after primary total hip arthroplasty at an institution implementing clinical pathways.

INTRODUCTION: The authors aimed to: (1) determine how length of stay (LOS) and complication rates changed over the past 10 years, in comparison to values estimated by the ACS-NSQIP surgical risk calculator, at a single private institution open to external surgeons; and (2) determine preoperative patient factors associated with complications. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 1018 consecutive patients who underwent primary elective THA over 10 years. We excluded 87 with tumours and 52 with incomplete records. Clinical data of the remaining 879 were used to determine real LOS and rate of 9 adverse events over time, as well as to estimate these values using the risk calculator. Its predictive reliability was represented on receiver operating characteristic curves. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine associations of complications with age, sex, ASA score, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, smoking and BMI. RESULTS: Over the 10-year period, real LOS and real complication rates decreased considerably, while LOS and complication rates estimated by the surgical risk calculator had little or no change. The difference between real and estimated LOS decreased over time. The overall estimated and real rates of any complication were respectively 3.3% and 2.8%. The risk calculator had fair reliability for predicting any complications (AUC 0.72). Overall estimated LOS was shorter than the real LOS in 764 (86.9%) patients. Multivariable analysis revealed risks of any complication to be greater in patients aged ⩾75 (OR = 4.36, p = 0.002), and with hypertension (OR = 3.13, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Since the implementation of clinical pathways at our institution, real LOS and complication rates decreased considerably, while LOS and complication rates estimated by the surgical risk calculator had little or no change. The difference between real and estimated LOS decreased over time, which could lead some clinicians to reconsider their discharge criteria, knowing that advanced age and hypertension increased risks of encountering complications.

Application and validation of a surgical risk calculator in a liver surgery cohort of patients in Veracruz, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple models have tried to predict the morbidity and mortality of liver resections (HR). This study aims to determine the efficacy and validity of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) surgical risk calculator in a cohort of patients undergoing HR in Veracruz, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing HR between 2005 and 2019. To estimate the performance of the calculator, the observed results were compared with the average risk predicted by the calculator, using ROC curve, Brier score and Z test. RESULTS: 67 patients were evaluated, mean age 51.9 years of age, 50.7% female. The majority of resections (56.7%) were for malignancy and 62.1% were partial hepatectomies (up to 3 liver segments). The morbidity was 25.4% and the mortality 4.5%. There was a good prediction in the complications (serious complication: C = 0.725 statistic, Brier score 0.26, p = 0.006 and any statistical complication C = 0.731, Brier score 0.33, p = 0.005) and mortality (C = 0.922 statistic, Brier score 0.005, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The application of the ACS-NSQIP calculator in patients undergoing HR has good discrimination power and good predictive ability. Prediction of postoperative risks achieves a preoperative planning of the appropriate procedure.

OBJETIVO: Múltiples modelos han intentado predecir la morbilidad y mortalidad de las resecciones hepáticas (RH). Este estudio tiene por objetivo determinar la eficacia y validez de la calculadora de riesgo quirúrgico del American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) en una cohorte de pacientes sometidos a RH en Veracruz, México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a RH entre 2005 y 2019. Se compararon los resultados observados con la media del riesgo previsto por la calculadora, mediante Curva ROC, score de Brier y prueba Z. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 67 pacientes, con 51.9 años de edad media, un 50.7% de sexo femenino. La mayoría de las resecciones (56.7%) fueron por patología maligna y el 62.1% fueron hepatectomías parciales. La morbilidad fue del 25.4% y la mortalidad del 4.5%. Hubo una predicción buena en las complicaciones (complicación seria, estadística: C: 0.725, score Brier: 0.26, p = 0.006 y cualquier complicación, estadística: C: 0.731, score Brier: 0.33, p = 0.005) y la mortalidad (estadística C: 0.922, score Brier: 0.005, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación de la calculadora ACS-NSQIP en pacientes sometidos a RH tiene buen poder de discriminación y buena habilidad predictiva. Predecir riesgos postoperatorios logra una adecuada planeación preoperatoria del procedimiento.

Performance of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement calculator for early postoperative outcomes following bile duct repair hepaticojejunostomy.

PURPOSE: A Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the preferred method for repairing bile duct injuries (BDIs). The American College of Surgeons (ACS) established the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) online risk calculator to predict risks for morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study is to assess the use of the ACS NSQIP calculator for patients undergoing HJ for BDI repairs outside the NSQIP cohort. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective study of Bismuth-Strasberg type E BDI HJ (2008-2020) was performed. Clinical data was introduced in the NSQIP calculator, and morbidity and mortality were determined. Perioperative risk factors were obtained. Comparisons of postoperative complications and NSQIP-predicted complication rate were carried out. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were included (age: 42.2 ± 15.7 years; 81% female; BMI 27.1 ± 4.4 kg/m2). The most common injury was E4 (36.3%). A total of 40.2% patients had a 30-day complication. Mortality was 2.4%. Preoperative sepsis and high body mass index (p = 0.01) were significantly related to complications (p = 0.01) (univariate analysis). Older age (p = 0.01) and higher ASA class (p = 0.02) were significantly related to mortality (univariate analysis). None was statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Comparison between morbidity and mortality and the calculated NSQIP was not statistically significant. Postoperative mortality had a statistically significant trend (C-value = 0.72, p = 0.055). CONCLUSION: Preoperative sepsis, high body mass index, age, and ASA classification were associated with worse outcomes in HJ BDI repair. The ACS NSQIP calculator did not have a good performance in a population outside the NSQIP data. Further larger studies will need to corroborate these results.

Mortality and Complications in Patients with Metastatic Disease after Primary Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Although palliative therapies such as radiation are usually performed to improve quality of life in patients with metastatic disease, arthroplasty for joint pain may be indicated in some cases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the 30-day mortality risk, the risk of complications including infection and venous thromboembolic events, and the rate of 30-day reoperations and readmissions in patients with metastatic disease undergoing primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). METHODS: We reviewed the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2008 to 2018 to evaluate rates of postoperative complications after elective primary THA/TKA in patients with disseminated cancer. After exclusions, 205,007 patients undergoing primary THA and 352,337 undergoing primary TKA were retained for analysis: 942 (0.2%) with disseminated cancer. Chi-square was used to compare proportions between groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to model the odds ratio of patients with disseminated cancer compared with those without disseminated cancer. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, patients with disseminated cancer had a higher risk of death (OR: 5.25, 95% CI: 2.47-11.17), any complication (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.63-2.33), deep venous thrombosis (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.32-4.35), pulmonary embolism (OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.52-6.17), cardiovascular complications (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.47-6.04), transfusion (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.82-2.69), reoperations (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.28-2.78), readmissions (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.95-3.23), and longer length of stay (4.3 vs 2.7 days). CONCLUSION: Patients with disseminated cancer have significantly elevated risk of complications after elective primary THA/TKA. Understanding the severity of complications is critical to the risk-benefit analysis that confronts patients and surgeons considering surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Predictive value of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program - Pediatrics risk calculator in neonatal patients. A retrospective correlational study.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the predictive value of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric calculator as a prognosis for complications in neonatal patients undergoing surgery. METHOD: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out. The files of the surgical neonates of the neonatology unit of the General Hospital of Puebla Dr. Eduardo Vázquez Navarro in the period between January 2014 and May 2017. The data was emptied into the platform yielding percentages of risk estimation. The patients were followed up through the files observing their evolution to determine which complications developed. The data obtained in the platform was correlated with the data obtained in the file and the predictive value of the scale was determined. RESULTS: According to the classification of presence or absence of complication, they stand out for correlations without statistical significance. Presenting positive correlation in 78 cases (10.19%), negative correlation in 279 cases (36.47%) and null correlation in 408 cases (53.34%). CONCLUSION: It was shown that the scale has a low predictive value with a tendency to overestimate, however, its usefulness was corroborated as part of the informed consent process in surgical neonates.

OBJETIVO: Comprobar el valor predictivo del calculador American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) como pronóstico de complicaciones en pacientes neonatos sometidos a cirugía. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo, transversal y correlacional. Se recopilaron los expedientes de los neonatos quirúrgicos de la unidad de neonatología del Hospital General de Puebla Dr. Eduardo Vázquez Navarro en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2014 y mayo de 2017. Los datos se vaciaron en la plataforma arrojando porcentajes de estimación de riesgo. Se dio seguimiento a los pacientes por medio de los expedientes, observando su evolución para determinar qué complicaciones desarrollaron. Se correlacionaron los datos obtenidos en la plataforma con los hallados en el expediente y se determinó el valor predictivo de la escala. RESULTADOS: De acuerdo con la clasificación de presencia o no de complicación, destacan por correlaciones sin significancia estadística. Presentan correlación positiva 78 casos (10.19%), correlación negativa 279 casos (36.47%) y correlación nula 408 casos (53.34%). CONCLUSIÓN: Se demostró que la escala tiene un bajo valor predictivo con tendencia a la sobrestimación; sin embargo, se corroboró su utilidad como parte del proceso de consentimiento informado en los neonatos quirúrgicos.

Short-term outcomes in children undergoing restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and ulcerative colitis (UC) commonly undergo restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (RP-IPAA). We sought to describe patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes in this patient population. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric Participant Use Files from 2012 to 2015, children who were 6-18years old who underwent RP-IPAA for FAP or UC were identified. Postoperative morbidity, including reoperation and readmission were quantified. Associations between preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 260 children met the inclusion criteria, of which 56.2% had UC. Most cases were performed laparoscopically (58.1%), and the operative time was longer with a laparoscopic versus open approach (326 [257-408] versus 281 [216-391] minutes, p=0.02). The overall morbidity was 11.5%, and there were high reoperation and readmission rates (12.7% and 21.5%, respectively). On bivariate analysis, preoperative steroid use was associated with reoperation (22.5% versus 10.9%, p=0.04). On multivariable regression analysis, obesity was independently associated with reoperation (odds ratio: 3.34 [95% confidence intervals: 1.08-10.38], p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Children who undergo RP-IPAA have high rates of overall morbidity, reoperation, and readmission. Obesity was independently associated with reoperation. This data can be used by practitioners in the preoperative setting to better counsel families and establish expectations for the postoperative setting. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Comparative Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Predicting Mortality or Intestinal Failure in Infants with Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare existing outcome prediction models and create a novel model to predict death or intestinal failure (IF) in infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective, observational cohort study conducted in a 2-campus health system in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 2009 to May 2015. Participants included all infants ≤37 weeks of gestation with surgical NEC. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of death or IF, as a composite outcome, using preoperative variables defined by specifications from 3 existing prediction models: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension, and Vermont Oxford Risk Adjustment Tool. A novel preoperative hybrid prediction model was also derived and validated against a patient cohort from a separate campus. RESULTS: Among 147 patients with surgical NEC, discrimination in predicting death or IF was greatest with American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.91) when compared with the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension II (AUC, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.72) and Vermont Oxford Risk Adjustment Tool (AUC, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65-0.83). A hybrid model was developed using 4 preoperative variables: the 1-minute Apgar score, inotrope use, mean blood pressure, and sepsis. The hybrid model AUC was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.78-0.92) in the derivation cohort and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.66-0.86) in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative prediction of death or IF among infants with surgical NEC is possible using existing prediction tools and, to a greater extent, using a newly proposed 4-variable hybrid model.

Race and postoperative complications following urologic cancer surgery: An ACS-NSQIP analysis.

PURPOSE: Racial disparities in complication rates have been demonstrated for a variety of surgical procedures. We hypothesized that African American (AA) patients experience higher postoperative complication rates than whites following urologic oncology procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC) between 2005 and 2013 were included. Complications were grouped as minor (Clavien I-II), major (Clavien III-IV), or death (Clavien V). A 30-day complication rates and disparities in preoperative comorbidity burden were compared by race. After adjustment for comorbidity burden, multivariable logistic regression was performed to test the association between race and risk of complication. RESULTS: Of 38,642 patients included in the analysis, 90% were white and 10% were AA. In unadjusted analysis, there were no significant differences in complication rates between AA and white patients for any Clavien grade in the procedures queried (RP: P = 0.07; RN/PN: P = 0.70; RC: P = 0.12). After controlling for a higher comorbidity burden among AA patients, AA race was again not independently associated with 30-day postoperative complications for RP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.92-1.29), RN/PN (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.84-1.13), or RC (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.84-1.43). CONCLUSION: Despite a higher comorbidity burden, AA patients in American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program are not at increased risk of 30-day postoperative complications following major urologic cancer surgery. These findings suggest that comorbidity burden, as opposed to race, is most strongly associated with the risk of postoperative complications. To minimize perioperative risk, clinicians should strive to preoperatively optimize medical comorbidities in all patients undergoing urologic cancer surgery.

Mortality and Morbidity after Laparoscopic Surgery in Children with and without Congenital Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk of morbidity and mortality after laparoscopic surgery among children with congenital heart disease (CHD). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study using the 2013-2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics, which prospectively collected data at 56 and 64 hospitals in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Primary exposure was CHD. Primary outcome was overall in-hospital postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality and 30-day morbidity (any nondeath adverse event). Among 34?543 children who underwent laparoscopic surgery, 1349, 1106, and 266 had minor, major, and severe CHD, respectively. After propensity score matching within each stratum of CHD severity, morbidity and mortality were compared between children with and without CHD. RESULTS: Children with severe CHD had higher overall mortality and 30-day morbidity (OR 12.31, 95% CI 1.59-95.01; OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.57-4.01, respectively), compared with matched controls. Overall mortality and 30-day morbidity were also higher among children with major CHD compared with children without CHD (OR 3.46, 95% CI 1.49-8.06; OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.65-2.61, respectively). Children with minor CHD had similar mortality outcomes, but had higher 30-day morbidity compared with children without CHD (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.37-2.13). CONCLUSIONS: Children with major or severe CHD have higher morbidity and mortality after laparoscopic surgery. Clinicians should consider the increased risks of laparoscopic surgery for these children during medical decision making.

30-day readmission after pediatric upper extremity surgery: Analysis of the NSQIP database.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of complications, reoperations and 30-day unplanned readmission after pediatric upper extremity surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the 2013 National Surgery Quality Improvement Program pediatric database to identify procedures that met the CPT code of a primary upper extremity procedure. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify patient- and surgery-related risk factors for complications, reoperations and 30-day unplanned readmissions. RESULTS: Upper extremity pediatric surgeries have low complication (1.70%), reoperation (0.5%) and readmission rates (0.78%). Procedures requiring reoperation, inpatient procedures, and those complicated by surgical site infection were more likely to be readmitted. Patients with complex medical histories such as cardiac disease, gastrointestinal disease, pulmonary disease, or a central nervous system disorder were more likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric upper extremity surgery is safe and associated with low complication and readmission rates. Algorithms focusing on decreasing surgical site infection and optimizing complex pediatric medical problems may limit or further decrease complication and readmission rates. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic III.

Resident participation in laparoscopic hysterectomy: impact of trainee involvement on operative times and surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of resident involvement on morbidity after total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database of total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease that was performed with resident involvement vs attending alone between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2011. Surgical operative times and morbidity and mortality rates were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to control for covariates that were significant on univariate analysis (P < .05). RESULTS: A total of 3441 patients were identified as having undergone a total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease. The mean age of patients was 47.4 ± 11.1 years; the mean body mass index was 30.6 ± 7.9 kg/m(2). A resident participated in 1591 of cases (46.2%); 1850 of the procedures (53.8%) were done by an attending physician alone. Cases with resident involvement had higher mean age, Charlson morbidity scoring, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification and were more likely to be inpatient cases. With resident involvement, the mean operative time was increased (179.29 vs 135.46 minutes; P < .0001). There were no differences in the rates of experiencing at least 1 complication (6.8% for resident involvement vs 5.4% for attending alone; P = .5), composite severe morbidity (1.3% resident vs 1.0% attending alone), or 30-day mortality rate (0% resident vs 0.1% attending alone). Additionally, there were no differences between groups in the infectious, wound, neurorenal, thromboembolic, septic, and cardiopulmonary complications. Cases with resident involvement had significantly increased rates of postoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (2% vs 0.4%; P < .0001), reoperation (2.2% vs 1.3%; P = .048), and a 30-day readmission (5.5% vs 2.9%; P = .015). In models that were adjusted for factors that differed between the 2 groups, cases with resident involvement had increased odds of receiving postoperative blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR], 4.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.18-11.33), reoperation (OR, 1.7, 95% CI, 1.01-2.89) and readmission (OR, 1.93, 95% CI, 1.09-3.42). CONCLUSION: Resident involvement in total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease was associated with clinically appreciable longer surgical time and small differences in the rates of postoperative transfusions, reoperation, and readmission. However, the rates of overall complications, severe complications, and 30-day mortality rate remain comparable.