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AIM We aimed to evaluate long-term changes in patient-reported bowel function from presentation of anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) successfully treated with the modified Nigro protocol using a patient-reported outcome measure for bowel function. METHOD This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes for bowel function. We included patients that were successfully treated with the modified Nigro protocol for anal SCC and had completed the Colorectal Functional Outcomes (COREFO) questionnaire at presentation, following the modified Nigro treatment (post-Nigro), and at subsequent surveillance visits (medium and long term). We compared the differences in mean domain and total COREFO scores using a paired t test for each paired time point. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Time from completion of the modified Nigro was post-Nigro at 3-6 months, medium-length follow-up at 8-12 months and long-term follow-up at 12-18 months. There was significant improvement in the stool-related aspects domain (pain, bleeding and anal skin irritation) from presentation to our short- and medium-length follow-up (42.5 to 23.7, P = 0.01). There was worsening in the frequency domain in the medium term (7.23 to 14.5, P = 0.02). There were no differences in any other domain or time point. CONCLUSION Global bowel function does not appear to change following successful treatment of anal canal SCC with the modified Nigro protocol in the long term. There are some improvements in stool-related aspects and worsening in bowel movement frequency at medium-length follow-up. These findings should help surgeons counsel patients with regard to bowel function expectations for those with anal canal SCC in the long term.

Background Colon cancer patients often ask how surgery will affect bowel function. Current understanding is informed by conflicting data, making preoperative patient counseling difficult. We aimed to evaluate patient-reported bowel function changes after colectomy for colon malignancy. Material and methods This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected institutional database from July 2015 to June 2019. The included patients underwent colectomy for adenocarcinoma of the colon, and completed the Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire at preoperative presentation and postoperative followup. Preoperative and postoperative scores were compared using paired t-tests. Multivariable analysis was performed using domains demonstrating statistical significance on bivariate analysis, assessing the factors that were associated with symptomatic bowel function. Results We identified 117 patients with a mean age of 64 ± 13 y. The median time between preoperative and postoperative questionnaire completion was 52 d (interquartile range 45-70). Bowel movement frequency increased significantly from a mean preoperative score of 9.72 to a mean postoperative score of 14.2 (P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the remaining four domains of bowel function or global function. Multivariable analysis demonstrated higher likelihood of symptomatic postoperative frequency scores in male patients (OR 3.85, 95% CI 1.44-11.11, P = 0.007) and patients with symptomatic preoperative frequency (OR 5.56, 95% CI 1.62-19.02, P = 0.006). Conclusions Patient-reported bowel movement frequency worsens at postoperative follow-up after colectomy for colon cancer, while overall bowel function does not change. Men and patients with preoperative symptomatic frequency have an increased likelihood of reporting symptomatic postoperative frequency. These findings should guide more personalized and evidence-based preoperative patient counseling.

Fecal incontinence is a prevalent health problem that affects over 20% of healthy women. Many surgical treatment options exist for fecal incontinence after attempts at non-operative management. In this article, the authors discuss surgical treatment options for fecal incontinence other than sacral neuromodulation.

Background Patients often desire restorative reconstruction following total mesorectal excision. Reconstruction has become synonymous with providing high-quality rectal cancer care. However, the bowel functional outcomes of restoration from presentation are unknown. We aimed to evaluate the bowel functional effects of rectal cancer treatment from presentation through surveillance. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study from 2014 to 2019 using prospectively collected data. Patients underwent treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma including restorative reconstruction. Patients completed the validated Colorectal Functional Outcome questionnaire during clinic visits (1) at presentation, (2) after neoadjuvant therapy, (3) after restoration of continuity, and (4) at surveillance. Scores range from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating worse bowel function. Results Sixty-eight patients (age: 62 ± 12 years, 40% female) were included. The mean tumor height was 7 ± 4 cm with 85% symptomatic. Bowel function did not worsen from presentation to after neoadjuvant therapy in Total Colorectal Functional Outcome and most domain scores; there was improvement in frequency and stool-related aspects. Bowel function worsened in all scores from after neoadjuvant to restoration of continuity (mean anastomotic height: 5 ± 2 cm); there were similar findings between presentation and restoration of continuity. At surveillance, there was improvement in most domains compared with restoration of continuity. There remained significant worsening of incontinence, social impact, and need for medication scores at surveillance compared with presentation. Conclusion Restorative reconstruction after total mesorectal excision is associated with significant bowel dysfunction. For some patients, restorative reconstruction may not be high-quality rectal cancer care.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols have demonstrated decreased complication rates and length of stay. However, the influence of mental health on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery success is unknown.A retrospective study of patient-reported outcomes for physical and mental health. We included patients who underwent elective minimally invasive colon resections, who completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 10 questionnaire preoperatively, and who had successful implementation of perioperative Enhanced Recovery After Surgery components. We evaluated the predictors of having successful expected Enhanced Recovery After Surgery outcomes using a multiple logistic regression, controlling for baseline patient characteristics, history of a mental health diagnosis, inpatient opiate use, and preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 10 scores.In total, 163 patients met inclusion criteria, with 23% failing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, and 32% having a preoperative mental health diagnosis. The most common reason for failure of expected Enhanced Recovery After Surgery outcomes was length of stay (55.3%) followed by postoperative ileus (31.6%). Age, sex, the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 10 scores were not significantly different between those who failed or succeeded, whereas length of stay was typically longer for those who failed Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (5.7 days failure vs 2.2 days success, P.001). Patients with a previous mental health diagnosis, where depression and anxiety were most common, had significantly lower odds of successfully meeting expected Enhanced Recovery After Surgery outcomes (odds ratio of 0.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.09-0.55, P = .001).Patients with a mental health diagnosis have a lower likelihood of successfully meeting expected Enhanced Recovery After Surgery outcomes. The majority of these patients self-report normal mental and physical health preoperatively, indicating that even well-controlled mental health diagnoses have a negative impact on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery success.

Purpose. The primary aim of the study was to review the existing literature about patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in colorectal cancer and IBD. The secondary aim was to present a road map to develop a core outcome set via opinion gathering using social media. Method. This study is the first step of a three-step project aimed at constructing simple, applicable PROMs in colorectal surgery. This article was written in a collaborative manner with authors invited both through Twitter via the #OpenSourceResearch hashtag. The 5 most used PROMs were presented and discussed as slides/images on Twitter. Inputs from a wide spectrum of participants including researchers, surgeons, physicians, nurses, patients, and patients’ organizations were collected and analyzed. The final draft was emailed to all contributors and 6 patients’ representatives for proofreading and approval. Results. Five PROM sets were identified and discussed: EORTC QLQ-CR29, IBDQ short health questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30, ED-Q5-5L, and Short Form-36. There were 315 tweets posted by 50 tweeters with 1458 retweets. Awareness about PROMs was generally limited. The general psycho-physical well-being score (GPP) was suggested and discussed, and then a survey was conducted in which more than 2/3 of voters agreed that GPP covers the most important aspects in PROMs. Conclusion. Despite the limitations of this exploratory study, it offered a new method to conduct clinical research with opportunity to engage patients. The general psycho-physical well-being score suggested as simple, applicable PROMs to be eventually combined procedure-specific, disease-specific, or symptom-specific PROMs if needed.

OBJECTIVE To assess the current barriers in robotic surgery training for general surgery residents. DESIGN Multi-institutional web-based survey. SETTING 9 academic medical centers with a general surgery residency. PARTICIPANTS General surgery residents of at least PGY-3 training level. RESULTS 163 general surgery residents were contacted with 80 responses (49.1%). The most common responders were PGY-3s (38.8%) followed by PGY-5s (27.5%). The Northeast represented 42.5% of responses. Colorectal cases were the most common robotic case residents were involved in (51.3%). Residents’ typical roles were assisting at the bedside (31.3%) and splitting time between assisting at the bedside and operating at the surgeon console (31.3%). 43% report to be either extremely or somewhat dissatisfied with their robotic surgery experience. 62.5% report they do not intend to integrate robotic surgery into their future practice. 93.8% of residents have a standardized robotic curriculum. 47.5% report using the simulator only during required didactic time with 52.5% having the robotic simulator conveniently located. The majority of residents report that the presence of dual consoles and first-assists in robotic cases enhance their robotic training (93% - 62%, respectively). 72.5% felt like they had more autonomy during laparoscopic cases and 96.8% of residents felt that an attendings’ lack of experience impacted their time operating at the surgeon console. CONCLUSIONS General surgery residents report lack of effective OR teaching, real clinical experience, and simulated experience as main barriers in their robotic surgery training. Dual consoles and first-assistants are favorably looked upon. Lack of attending experience and comfort were universally negatively associated with resident participation. For residents interested in robotic surgery, advocating for more robust investment in dual consoles, first-assistants, and faculty development would likely improve their robotic surgery training experience. However, residency programs should consider whether robotic surgery should be a core competency of an already time restricted training paradigm.

Postoperative bowel function is a common concern for patients undergoing a sigmoidectomy. We have previously demonstrated that patients with symptomatic bowel function preoperatively have substantial improvement at long-term follow-up. However, the effect of the operative approach on patient-reported bowel function is largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the differences in long-term patient-reported bowel function after robotic or laparoscopic sigmoid colectomies for benign and malignant disease.A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected institutional database from July 2015 to July 2020. Patients included underwent a sigmoid colectomy for benign or malignant disease and completed the Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire at preoperative presentation, postoperatively, and long-term follow-up. Differences between preoperative and postoperative scores, as well as differences between the robotic and laparoscopic cohorts, were compared using paired t-tests.A total of 169 patients met inclusion criteria with a median age of 61 y, and 55% of the patients underwent robotic sigmoid colectomy, with the most common diagnosis being diverticular disease (62%). There was no significant difference between the presentation, short-term, or long-term follow-up total COREFO scores or subdomains based on the surgical technique. Patients that present asymptomatic remain asymptomatic, while those that are symptomatic demonstrate improvements for both the robotic and laparoscopic groups.Patient-reported long-term global bowel function does not appear to differ between patients who underwent elective robotic or laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for benign or malignant disease. Patients that present asymptomatic remain asymptomatic, while those that are symptomatic demonstrate improvements, regardless of surgical technique.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Clinical trials in oncology evaluating the effects of patient reported outcomes (PRO) collection have found that monitoring of symptoms with PROs is associated with improved clinical care through reduced acute care utilization and decreased patient symptom burden. This educational review will evaluate strategies for systematic PRO integration into everyday oncology clinical practice. METHODS: We outline key considerations for using PROs in clinical practice, highlighting evidence from published studies. We also discuss the benefits and challenges of PRO implementation in oncology. RESULTS: Implementing PRO collection in clinical practice can improve care delivery and facilitate patient-centered clinical research. Considerations for using PROs in clinical practice include choice of instrument, method of delivery, and frequency of query. Challenges with implementing systematic PRO collection include the costs and resources needed for implementation, impact on clinical workflow, and controlling/monitoring physician burnout. DISCUSSION: While challenges exist in terms of financial resources and staff participation/burnout, patient reported outcomes in clinical practice provide a number of benefits including symptom monitoring, clinical research, and potential real-time personalized clinical decision support.

Poor sleep leads to poor health outcomes. Inpatient sleep disturbance has been studied primarily in the ICU. Minimal research exists on sleep in surgical populations.We recruited patients undergoing elective, inpatient general surgery procedures. Participants wore Fitbit trackers while inpatient to measure total sleep time (CDC recommendation is 7 or more hours per night). At discharge, patients completed the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) to measure inpatient sleep quality. The RCSQ combines 5 domains into a cumulative score (0 to 100); a higher score means better sleep quality. Patients also completed the outpatient Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index preoperatively and postoperatively. The primary end point was percentage of patients with total sleep score ≥ 50. Secondary outcomes included mean RCSQ domain scores, Fitbit total sleep time, and percentage with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Score indicating poor sleep.We included 64 patients (mean ± SD age 55.0 ± 14.1 years). Mean ± SD RCSQ total sleep score was 49 ± 20.5 and 53.1% with total sleep score50. Mean ± SD RCSQ domain scores were Awakenings: 40.4 ± 22.8, Sleep Quality: 49.1 ± 27.9, Sleep Latency: 49.2 ± 25.3, Sleep Depth: 50.2 ± 26.5, Returning to Sleep: 55.9 ± 28.1, and Noise Disturbance: 59.1 ± 27.9. On night one, 25 devices (40%) had recorded sleep data due to enough sleep. Mean ± SD total sleep time on night 1 was 4.7 ± 2.8 hours. Mean total sleep time for nights 2, 3, and 4 remained fewer than 7 hours. Percentages for each night that achieved the CDC goal of 7 or more hours were as follows: night one 10.9%, night two 32.8%, night three 35.3%, and night four 27.6%. Per the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 88.1% of patients were poor sleepers preoperatively and 84.5% were poor sleepers at follow-up (p = 0.6).Elective general surgery patients experience a severe inpatient sleep disturbance, worse than in similarly studied ICU cohorts. This disturbance is driven primarily by nighttime awakenings.

A quality metric for centers performing rectal cancer surgery is a high percentage of sphincter sparing procedures. These procedures often involve temporary bowel diversion to minimize the complications of an anastomotic leak. The most common strategy is a diverting loop ileostomy which is then closed after completion of adjuvant therapy or the patient recovers from surgery. Loop ileostomy is not without complications and the closure is complicated by a one in three chance of incisional hernia development. Strategies to prevent this problem have been designed using a variety of techniques with and without mesh placement. This proposed pilot study will test the safety and efficacy of a novel stoma closure technique involving permanent mesh in the retro rectus position during ileostomy closure. The study will prospectively follow 20 patients undergoing ileostomy closure using this technique and evaluate for safety of the procedure, quality of life, and feasibility for a larger randomized controlled trial. Patients will be followed post procedurally and evaluated for 30-day complications, as well as followed up with routine cancer surveillance computed tomography every 6 months in which the presence of stoma site incisional hernias will be evaluated. The results of this pilot study will inform the design of a multiple center, blinded randomized controlled trial to evaluate the utility of permanent mesh placement to decrease the incidence of prior stoma site incisional hernias.

Background Surgery for anorectal disease is thought to cause significant postoperative pain. Our previous work demonstrated that most opioids prescribed after anorectal surgery are not used. We aimed to evaluate a standardized protocol for pain control after anorectal surgery. Methods We prospectively evaluated a standardized opioid reduction protocol over a 13-mo period for all patients undergoing elective anorectal surgery at our institution. Protocol components include preoperative query, procedural local-anesthetic blocks, first-line nonopioid analgesic use ± opioid prescription of five pills, and standardized postoperative instructions. Patients completed questionnaires at postoperative follow-up. Patients with history of opioid abuse or use within 30 d of operation, loss to follow-up, or surgical complications were excluded. Primary outcome was quality of pain control on a five-point scale. Secondary outcomes included use of nonopioid analgesics, opioids used, and need for refill. Results A total of 55 patients were included. Mean age was 47 ± 17 y with 23 women (42%). Anorectal abscess/fistula procedures were the most common (69%) followed by pilonidal procedures (11%) and hemorrhoidectomy (7%). Most had general anesthesia (60%) with the remainder local anesthesia ± sedation. Fifty-four (98%) had procedural local-anesthetic blocks. Twenty-six patients (47%) were prescribed opioids with a median of five pills. Forty-seven patients (85%) reported the use of nonopioid analgesics. Forty-six patients (84%) reported excellent to very good pain control. About 220 opioid pills were prescribed, and 122 were reported to be used. One patient (2%) received an opioid refill. Conclusions Satisfactory pain control after anorectal surgery can be achieved with multimodality therapy with little to no opioid use for most patients.

Background Surgery for anorectal diseases is thought to cause significant pain postoperatively. There is little known regarding standardized opioid-prescribing trends and patient use following surgery for anorectal diseases. We aimed to evaluate and analyze opioid-prescribing trends and patient use for outpatient anorectal operations. Materials and methods All patients who underwent outpatient anorectal surgery performed over a 1-y period at a single institution were eligible. Procedures included hemorrhoidectomy, anal fistula repair/seton, anal fissure treatment with sphincterotomy, and transanal excision of rectal tumors. Demographic, operative, and postoperative data were obtained. Patients were given a survey to determine postoperative pain control with opioid and non-narcotic analgesia use; respondents were included in analysis. Results Forty-two outpatient anorectal surgery patients were included: 13 had hemorrhoidectomy, 22 had anal fistula repair/seton, one had sphincterotomy, and six had transanal excisions. All patients had multimodality treatment with either an anal block and/or postoperative nonopioid analgesics. Ninety percent were prescribed opioids postoperatively with a median of 20 pills (range: 0-120 pills). Forty-three percent (18/42) did not fill their prescription. For those who used opioids, the median number of pills taken was four. Eighty percent of pills prescribed were not used. One patient required a refill. Greater than 60% of respondents reported good to excellent pain control on a five-point scale. Conclusions Most patients had adequate pain control after anorectal surgery with little to no use of opioids and that more than 80% of opioid pills prescribed were not consumed. We intend to standardize our prescribing opioid quantities for outpatient anorectal operations to reflect this reduced use.

Background To optimize responsible opioid prescribing after inpatient operation, we implemented a clinical trial with the following objectives: prospectively validate patient-centered opioid prescription guidelines and increase the FDA-compliant disposal rate of leftover opioid pills to higher than currently reported rates of 20% to 30%. Study Design We prospectively enrolled 229 patients admitted for 48 hours or longer after elective general, colorectal, urologic, gynecologic, or thoracic operation. At discharge, patients received a prescription for both nonopioid analgesics and opioids based on their opioid usage the day before discharge: if 0 oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were used, then five 5-mg oxycodone pill-equivalents were prescribed; if 1 to 29 MME were used, then fifteen 5-mg oxycodone pill-equivalents were prescribed; if 30 or more MME were used, then thirty 5-mg oxycodone pill-equivalents were prescribed. We considered patients’ opioid pain medication needs to be satisfied if no opioid refills were obtained. To improve FDA-compliant disposal of leftover pills, we implemented patient education, convenient drop-box, reminder phone call, and questionnaire. Results Our opioid guideline satisfied 93% (213 of 229) of patients. Satisfaction was significantly higher in lower opioid usage groups (p = 0.001): 99% (99 of 100) in the 0 MME group, 90% (91 of 101) in the 1 to 29 MME group, and 82% (23 of 28) in the 30 or more MME group. Overall, 95% (217 of 229) of patients used nonopioid analgesics. Sixty percent (138 of 229) had leftover pills; 83% (114 of 138) disposed of them using an FDA-compliant method and 51% (58 of 114) used the convenient drop-box. Of 2,604 prescribed pills, only 187 (7%) were kept by patients. Conclusions This clinical trial prospectively validated a patient-centered opioid discharge prescription guideline that satisfied 93% of patients. FDA-compliant disposal of excess pills was achieved in 83% of patients with easily actionable interventions.

Introduction Diverticular disease is common worldwide. A subset of these patients will choose to undergo elective surgical resection because of symptoms or complicated disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in bowel function after elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed patients seen at our institution from May 2015 to July 2018 who underwent elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. We used the Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire, a validated questionnaire that assesses bowel function in five domains and a global function score (scores 0-100, with higher score indicating worse function). We obtained questionnaire data at baseline, as well as at postoperative follow-up, and a paired t-test was used to compare. Results Forty-nine patients met criteria for inclusion in this study. The median time between questionnaire completion was 70 days (interquartile range: 56 to 85). The mean age was 60 ± 12 years, with 57% female patients. Thirty-six (73%) patients underwent sigmoidectomy alone and 13 (27%) underwent sigmoidectomy with fistula repair. Six patients (12%) had a diverting loop ileostomy in addition to sigmoidectomy and underwent a subsequent reversal. Overall, there were no differences in any of the five domains or the total Colorectal Functional Outcome score from baseline to postintervention. Conclusions In our cohort, bowel function did not significantly change in the early postoperative period after elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. Surgeons should counsel patients, especially symptomatic ones, that bowel function will likely be no different at time of postoperative follow-up.

PURPOSE: Stoma reversal sites are a common location for incisional hernias. We aim to evaluate fascial defects at previous stoma sites in patients with a history of colorectal cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study from a single center. We included adult patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, who underwent stoma reversal from 2011 to 2018 with at least one postoperative computed tomography scan. RESULTS: Of 92 patients, 40 (43%) were female, with a mean age of 58 years. Fascial defects were noted in 45 (49%) patients, with stoma-site hernias present in 24 (26%) patients. Posterior sheath defects were not associated with subsequent hernia development, and most hernias occurred within 2 years. Body mass index >30 was associated with increased risk of stoma-site hernia (odds ratio 11.9, P = 0.002), but smoking, hypertension, stoma type, pathologic stage, and chemotherapy within 90 days were not found to be significant. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of stoma-site hernias is high. Obesity appears to be a significant risk factor for the development of these hernias and most hernias occur quickly following surgery.

IMPORTANCE: Increasing regionalization of cancer surgery has the inadvertent potential to lead to fragmentation of care if readmissions occur at a facility other than the index hospital. The magnitude and adverse effects of readmission to a facility other than the one where the surgery was performed are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess rates of readmission to nonindex hospitals after major cancer surgery and to compare outcomes between index and nonindex hospital readmissions. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this multicenter, population-based, nationally representative study of adult patients undergoing a major cancer operation (defined as esophagectomies or gastrectomies, hepaticobiliary resections, pancreatectomies, colorectal resections, or cystectomies), retrospective analyses were performed using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (admissions from January 1 through September 30, 2013). Descriptive analyses were performed to determine 90-day readmission characteristics, including timing, cost, and outcomes. Adjusting for clustering by facility, the study used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with nonindex vs index readmissions. The study also used regression models to identify differences in mortality, major complications, and subsequent readmissions between the 2 groups. Data analysis was performed from January 1 through December 31, 2013. EXPOSURES: Readmission to index vs nonindex hospitals (defined as any hospital other than the hospital where the major cancer operation was performed). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Proportion of 90-day readmissions and nonindex readmissions after major cancer surgery, factors associated with nonindex readmissions, and difference between in-hospital mortality, hospital costs, and subsequent readmissions for patients admitted to index vs nonindex hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 60 970 patients were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 67 [13] years; 7619 [55.6%] male and 6075 [44.4%] female). The 90-day readmission rate was 23.0%. Of the 13 695 first readmissions, 20.1% were to a nonindex hospital. Independent factors associated with readmission to a nonindex hospital included type of procedure, comorbidities (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.15-1.70), elective admission (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06-1.37), discharge to a nursing facility (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.36), and surgery at a teaching hospital (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.34) (all P

Complicated diverticulitis is associated with a postoperative mortality rate of 20%. We hypothesized that age ≥80 was an independent risk factor for mortality after Hartmann's procedure for diverticular disease when controlling for baseline comorbidities.Patients who underwent an urgent or emergent Hartmann's procedure (Current Procedural Terminology codes 44143 and 44206) for diverticular disease (International Classification of Diseases-9:562.xx) were identified using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project 2005-2013 user file. Using propensity score matching to control for baseline comorbidities, a group of patients ≥80 years old was matched to a group of those80 years old. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed. A P value0.05 was considered statistically significant with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.From a total of 2986 patients, 464 patients (15.5%) were ≥80 years old. Two groups of 284 patients in each study arm were matched using propensity-matching. The mean age of the ≥80 group and80 group was 84.4 ± 3.3 versus 63.77 ± 911.8; P 0.0001, respectively. There was no statistical difference in baseline comorbidities or operative time between the groups. There was a significant difference in mortality with 19% and 9.2% in the80 group versus80 groups, respectively (P = 0.001). Factors associated with mortality included ascites (odds ratio [OR] 4.95, confidence interval [CI] 1.64-14.93, P = 0.005), previous cardiac surgery (OR 3.68, CI 1.46-9.26, P = 0.006), partially dependent or fully dependent functional status (OR 2.51, CI 1.12-5.56, P = 0.02), albumin3 (OR 2.49, CI 1.18-5.29, P = 0.01), and American Society of Anesthesiologist class3 (OR 2.10, CI 1.10-4.46, P = 0.05).Octogenarians presenting with complicated diverticulitis requiring an emergent Hartmann's procedure have a higher mortality rate compared to those80, even after controlling for baseline comorbidities.This is a retrospective, descriptive study.

Background Colostomy creation is a common procedure performed in colon and rectal surgery. Outcomes by technique have not been well studied. Objective This study evaluated outcomes related to open versus laparoscopic colostomy creation. Design This was a retrospective review of patients undergoing colostomy creation using univariate and multivariate propensity score analyses. Settings Hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were included. Patients Data on patients were obtained from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005-2011 Participant Use Data Files. Main outcome measures We measured 30-day mortality, 30-day complications, and predictors of 30-day mortality. Results A total of 2179 subjects were in the open group and 1132 in the laparoscopic group. The open group had increased age (open, 64 years vs laparoscopic, 60 years), admission from facility (17.0% vs 14.9%), and disseminated cancer (26.1% vs 21.4%). All were statistically significant. The open group had a significantly higher percentage of emergency operations (24.9% vs 7.9%). Operative time was statistically different (81 vs 86 minutes). Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in the open group (8.7% vs 3.5%), as was any 30-day complication (25.4% vs 17.0%). Propensity-matching analysis on elective patients only revealed that postoperative length of stay and rate of any wound complication were statistically higher in the open group. Multivariate analysis for mortality was performed on the full, elective, and propensity-matched cohorts; age >65 years and dependent functional status were associated with an increased risk of mortality in all of the models. Limitations This study has the potential for selection bias and limited generalizability. Conclusions Colostomy creation at American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program hospitals is more commonly performed open rather than laparoscopically. Patient age >65 years and dependent functional status are associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality.

This study indicates that patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy have discernable characteristics that can contribute in a major way to postoperative length of stay., Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder disease is a common surgical procedure performed in hospitals throughout the world. This study evaluates the major factors that contribute to postoperative length of stay for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: We analyzed data for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a 5-hospital community health system from December 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009. The natural logarithm of postoperative length of stay was modeled to evaluate significant factors and contributions. Results: Included in the analysis were 232 patients. Three preoperative patient factors were significant contributors: body mass index was associated with decreased postoperative length of stay, while white blood cell count and the presence of biliary pancreatitis were associated with increased postoperative length of stay. The operative factors of fluids administered and ASA class were significant contributors to increased postoperative length of stay, with an increasing contribution with a higher ASA class. The utilization factor of nonelective status was a significant contributor to increased postoperative length of stay. Conclusion: Several factors were major contributors to postoperative length of stay, with ASA class and nonelective status having the most significant increased contribution. Efforts to optimize efficient elective care delivery for patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease may demonstrate a benefit of decreased hospital utilization.

Early in the 21st century, postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) continue to plague roughly 2.5– 10 % of abdominopelvic cancer patients. Cancer patients are an especially high-risk group, and VTE is the most common cause of early postoperative mortality, accounting for half of all deaths within 30 days after abdominopelvic cancer surgery. Given that half of all VTE events occur after hospital discharge, there has been long-standing interest in extended chemoprophylaxis (ECP), typically for 28 days postoperatively. The hypothesis that ECP is more efficacious in preventing VTE than traditional hospital-only based prophylaxis has proven true; ECP also has been proven safe. Both randomized and large observation studies have shown that ECP after abdominopelvic cancer surgery significantly decreases VTE events but does not significantly increasing the risk of bleeding. Moreover, major organizations, such as the American Society of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), have published practice guidelines that recommend ECP. Despite this unified expert consensus regarding the benefit of ECP nationally, these recommendations have not been embraced and adoption of ECP has been poor. For example, Merkow et al. examined the adherence to postdischarge VTE prophylaxis in Medicare beneficiaries undergoing colorectal cancer surgery and found a compliance rate of a paltry 1.5 % overall. In this issue of Annals of Surgical Oncology, we are presented with two studies examining issues integral to the implementation of ECP into clinical practice. The first, by Fagarasanu et al., is a meta-analysis reexamining the efficacy and potential risk of ECP and represents the highestquality level of evidence supporting ECP to date. The second, by Krell et al., examines the operationalization of ECP using a Michigan statewide registry, highlighting that ECP has not been widely adopted. Fagarasanu et al. reported the results of a well-performed systematic review and meta-analysis examining the efficacy of ECP. The authors, not surprisingly, found a significant reduction of proximal DVT, and all VTE, with ECP, with no increased rate of major bleeding. The three randomized control trials referenced in the Fagarasanu et al. meta-analysis are summarized below. The ENOXACAN-II study, by Bergqvist et al., randomized patients to ECP with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), enoxaparin, or standard duration LMWH prophylaxis and found a lower rate of VTE in the ECP group of 4.8 versus 12.0 % in controls. Of note, there was persistence of the protective effect at 3 months. In the European multinational CANBESURE study by Kakkar et al., patients were randomized to ECP with bemiparin, an ultraLMWH associated with a lower risk of bleeding than LMWH, or standard duration bemiparin prophylaxis, and similarly found a lower rate of major VTE in the ECP group of 0.8 versus 4.6 % in controls; however, there was no difference in a composite outcome of DVT, nonfatal PE, and all-cause mortality. Finally, in Vedovati et al., patients Society of Surgical Oncology 2016

Background Virtual reality (VR) and physical model (PM) simulators differ in terms of whether the trainee is manipulating actual 3-dimensional objects (PM) or computer-generated 3-dimensional objects (VR). Much like video games (VG), VR simulators utilize computer-generated graphics. These differences may have profound effects on the utility of VR and PM training platforms. In this study, we aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between VR, PM, and VG platforms. Methods VR and PM simulators for laparoscopic camera navigation ([LCN], experiment 1) and flexible endoscopy ([FE] experiment 2) were used in this study. In experiment 1, 20 laparoscopic novices played VG and performed 0° and 30° LCN exercises on VR and PM simulators. In experiment 2, 20 FE novices played VG and performed colonoscopy exercises on VR and PM simulators. Results In both experiments, VG performance was correlated with VR performance but not with PM performance. Performance on VR simulators did not correlate with performance on respective PM models. Conclusions VR environments may be more like VG than previously thought.