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Background: To compare the effect of robot-assisted (RAPN) vs. open (OPN) partial nephrectomy on short-term postoperative outcomes and total hospital charges in frail patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC)., Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database we identified 2745 RCC patients treated with either RAPN or OPN between 2008 and 2015, who met the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty-defining indicator criteria. We examined the rates of RAPN vs. OPN over time. Moreover, we compared the effect of RAPN vs. OPN on short-term postoperative outcomes and total hospital charges. Time trends and multivariable logistic, Poisson and linear regression models were applied., Results: Overall, 1109 (40.4%) frail patients were treated with RAPN. Rates of RAPN increased over time, from 16.3% to 54.7% (p < 0.001). Frail RAPN patients exhibited lower rates (all p < 0.001) of overall complications (35.3 vs. 48.3%), major complications (12.4 vs. 20.4%), blood transfusions (8.0 vs. 13.5%), non-home-based discharge (9.6 vs. 15.2%), shorter length of stay (3 vs. 4 days), but higher total hospital charges ($50,060 vs. $45,699). Moreover, RAPN independently predicted (all p < 0.001) lower risk of overall complications (OR: 0.58), major complications (OR: 0.55), blood transfusions (OR: 0.60) and non-home-based discharge (OR: 0.51), as well as shorter LOS (RR: 0.77) but also higher total hospital charges (RR: +$7682), relative to OPN., Conclusions: In frail patients, RAPN is associated with lower rates of short-term postoperative complications, blood transfusions and non-home-based discharge, as well as with shorter LOS than OPN. However, RAPN use also results in higher total hospital charges., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components (high blood pressure, BMI≥30, altered fasting glucose, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides) may undermine early perioperative outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). We tested this hypothesis., Materials & Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015) we identified RP patients. The effect of MetS was tested in four separate univariable analyses, as well as in multivariable regression models predicting: 1) overall complications, 2) length of stay, 3) total hospital charges and 4) non-home based discharge. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics., Results: Of 91,618 patients: 1) 50.2% had high blood pressure, 2) 8.0% had BMI≥30, 3) 13.0% had altered fasting glucose, 4) 22.8% had high triglycerides and 5) 0.03% had low HDL cholesterol. Respectively, one vs. two vs. three vs. four MetS components were recorded in 36.2% vs. 19.0% vs. 5.5% vs. 0.8% patients. Of all patients, 6.3% exhibited ≥3 components and qualified for MetS diagnosis. The rates of MetS increased over time (EAPC:+9.8%; p < 0.001). All four tested MetS components (high blood pressure, BMI≥30, altered fasting glucose and high triglycerides) achieved independent predictor status in all four examined endpoints. Moreover, a highly statistically significant dose-response was also confirmed for all four tested endpoints., Conclusion: MetS and its components consistently and strongly predict early adverse outcomes after RP. Moreover, the strength of the effect was directly proportional to the number of MetS components exhibited by each individual patient, even if formal MetS diagnosis of ≥3 components has not been met., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To test contemporary rates and predictors of open conversion at minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MIPN: laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy)., Materials and Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015) we identified all MIPN patients and patients that underwent open conversion at MIPN. First, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) tested temporal trends of open conversion. Second, univariable and multivariable logistic regression models predicted open conversion at MIPN. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics., Results: Of 7649 MIPN patients, 287 (3.8%) underwent open conversion. The rates of open conversion decreased over time (from 12 to 2.4%; EAPC: 24.8%; p = 0.004). In multivariable logistic regression models predicting open conversion, patient obesity achieved independent predictor status (OR:1.80; p < 0.001). Moreover, compared to high volume hospitals, medium volume (OR:1.48; p = 0.02) and low volume hospitals (OR:2.11; p < 0.001) were associated with higher rates of open conversion. Last but not least, when the effect of obesity was tested according to hospital volume, the rates of open conversion ranged from 2.2 (non obese patients treated at high volume hospitals) to 9.8% (obese patients treated at low volume hospitals)., Conclusion: Overall contemporary (2008-2015) rate of open conversion at MIPN was 3.8% and it was strongly associated with patient obesity and hospital surgical volume. In consequence, these two parameters should be taken into account during preoperative patients counselling, as well as in clinical and administrative decision making., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Relatively few studies investigated the importance of frailty in radical cystectomy (RC) patients. We tested the ability of frailty, using the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups indicator, to predict early perioperative outcomes after RC., Methods: RC patients were identified within the National Inpatient Sample database (2000-2015). The effect of frailty, age and Charlson Comorbidity Index were tested in five separate multivariable models predicting: (1) complications, (2) failure to rescue (FTR), (3) in-hospital mortality, (4) length of stay (LOS) and (5) total hospital charges (THCs). All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics., Results: Of 23,967 RC patients, 5833 (24.3%) were frail, 7721 (32.2%) were aged ≥75 years and 2832 (11.8%) had CCI ≥2. Frailty, age ≥75 years and CCI ≥2 were non-overlapping in 86.3% of the cohort. Any two or three of these features were recorded in 12.4 and 1.3%, respectively. Frailty was an independent predictor of all five examined endpoints and the magnitude of its association was stronger or at least equal than that of age ≥75 years and CCI ≥2., Conclusion: Frailty, advanced age and comorbidities represent non-overlapping patients' characteristics. Of those, frailty represents the most consistent and strongest predictor of early adverse outcomes after RC. Ideally, all three indicators should be considered in retrospective, as well as prospective analyses. Pre-surgical recognition of frail patients should be ideally incorporate in clinical practice in order to address these patients to multimodal pre-habilitation programs that may potentially improve the perioperative prognosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All the authors declare no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)