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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services define laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) as outpatient procedure. We identified our institutional length of stay (LOS) to be above the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) benchmark of 1 day [interquartile range (IQR) 2 days]. This study was undertaken to investigate risk factors associated with prolonged hospital stay and design an intervention to decrease median LOS. This study analyzed institutional NSQIP data on patients who underwent elective LVHR from 2006 to 2011 to define factors associated with prolonged LOS, defined as LOS > 2 days. Modifiable factors identified in the initial analysis were included in a clinical care pathway to impact LOS. We repeated the NSQIP data analysis after implementation (4/2011–9/2012) to assess the effect of our intervention. Analysis was by univariate, ANOVA and logistic regression models. During the pre-implementation period, 80 patients with a median age of 54 years (31–84) stayed a median of 2 days (IQR 3). On univariate analysis, factors associated with prolonged LOS included operative time, mesh size, amount of narcotics used and female gender. In multivariate analysis, operative time and narcotics used were associated with a prolonged LOS, C statistic = 0.88. Introduction of a clinical pathway focusing on non-narcotic pain relief resulted in a decrease in mean narcotic usage from 223 to 63 mg morphine equivalents/patient (p

Reoperation for positive margins after lumpectomy for breast cancer is common. Intraoperative analysis of frozen-section (FS) margins permits immediate re-excision, avoiding reoperation. The aim of this study was to compare reoperation rates between an institution using routine FS analysis of all margins and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data.We designed a retrospective cohort analysis comparing the NSQIP data from a FS single institution with the national NSQIP data from 2006 to 2010. Women undergoing lumpectomy for cancer were identified (N = 24,217), and reoperation rates were compared by the use of χ(2) analyses and multivariable logistic regression. During this time period, NSQIP did not differentiate between reoperations for complications or oncologic reasons. Reoperation rates for mastectomy patients (N = 21,734) and lumpectomy patients without cancer (N = 2,777) over the same time period were analyzed as controls, because reoperations after these procedures likely would be for reasons other than positive margins.The 30-day reoperation rate after lumpectomy for cancer was greater nationally than at the FS institution (13.2% vs 3.6%, P.001). Multivariable analysis showed that patients in the national NSQIP data set were over four times as likely to undergo reoperation as those at the FS institution's (odds ratio 4.19). The reoperation rates were similar between the two, both for patients undergoing mastectomy (4.7% vs 4.5%, P = .84) and those undergoing lumpectomy for benign diagnosis (2.9% vs 5.9%, P = .39).Intraoperative FS margin analysis decreases the number of reoperations for patients undergoing breast conservation for breast cancer. This technique has important implications for patient satisfaction and cost of care.

Negative margins are associated with decreased local recurrence after lumpectomy for breast cancer. A 2nd operation for re-excision of positive margins is required with rates varying from 15 to 50%. At our institution we routinely use frozen-section analysis of all margins to minimize rates of 2nd operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost/benefit of routine frozen-section analysis.A decision tree was built to compare 2 strategies: (A) lumpectomy without frozen section and a 2nd operation for positive margin(s) versus (B) lumpectomy with intraoperative frozen-section analysis and a 2nd operation for positive margin(s). For strategy A the rate of positive margins and reoperation were varied from 15 to 50%. For strategy B, a 2nd operation rate of 3% was used. Review of our institutional experience demonstrates an intraoperative re-excision of at least 1 margin in 57% of cases performed with frozen-section support.The cost to provider (i.e., institution) per patient resected to negative margins for strategy A ranged from $4835 to $6306. Average weighted cost of strategy B was $5708. Strategy B was less expensive when the reoperation rate was above 36%. The cost to payor (i.e., Medicare) for strategy A ranged from $3577 to $4665. Average weighted cost for strategy B was $3913. Strategy B was less expensive when the re-excision rate was above 26%.Routine use of frozen-section analysis of lumpectomy margins decreases reoperation rates for margin control; therefore, the cost to provider and payor can be cost effective.

In August 2010, the Third Annual Mayo Clinic Conference on Systems Engineering and Operations Research in Health Care was held. The continuing mission of the conference is to gather a multidisciplinary group of systems engineers, clinicians, administrators, and academic professors to discuss the translation of systems engineering methods to more effective health care delivery. Education, research, and practice were enhanced via a mix of formal presentations, tutorials, and informal gatherings of participants with diverse backgrounds. Although the conference promotes a diversity of perspectives and methods, participants are united in their desire to find ways in which systems engineering can transform health care, especially in the context of health care reform and other significant changes affecting the delivery of health care.

Interval cholecystectomy (IC) after percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) placement is the definitive treatment for cholecystitis in patients who are operative candidates after optimization of medical comorbidities. It is not clear, however, which patients will be able to have a laparoscopic IC after PCT placement. We aimed to identify factors associated with successful laparoscopic IC in these patients.This is a retrospective review of patients who had a PCT from 2009 to 2011. Patient's baseline demographics, clinical data, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable comparisons were performed between patients who did and did not undergo IC. A subgroup analysis of patients who had laparoscopic IC and open IC was performed. Data are presented as percentages, medians with interquartile ranges (IQRs), or odds ratios with 95% confidence interval as appropriate.A total of 245 patients had PCT placement, with a median age of 71 years (IQR, 59-80 years); 63% were male, of whom 72 (29%) underwent IC. The median time from PCT placement to IC was 55 days (IQR, 42-75 days). IC patients had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (5 [4-6] vs. 6 [4-8], p = 0.005) at the time of PCT placement. When controlling for other factors, lower Charlson Comorbidity Index and fewer previous abdominal operations were associated with performance of IC. Laparoscopic surgery was planned for 89% of the patients and completed successfully in 78%. The only factor associated with successful laparoscopic IC was fewer previous abdominal operations.Patients who have been medically optimized following PCT can undergo laparoscopic IC with a high rate of success. The degree of illness at the time of PCT placement did not seem to influence the rate of success of laparoscopic IC.Therapeutic/care management study, level III.

Background and Objectives: The introduction of robotic surgery offers patients and surgeons new options for adrenalectomy. Whereas multiport adrenalectomies have been safely performed using the robot, we describe our experience with the novel technique of single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy. Methods: We performed a matched-cohort study comparing 16 single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomies with 16 patients from a pool of 148 laparoscopic adrenalectomies, matched for age, gender, operative side, pathology, and body mass index. All were operated on by 1 surgeon. Results: The pathology included aldosteronoma in 44% of patients, adrenocorticotropic hormone–dependent Cushing syndrome (bilateral adrenalectomy) in 19%, pheochromocytoma in 13%, and other pathology in 24%. The operative time was 183 ± 33 minutes for single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy and 173 ± 40 minutes for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (P = .58). The total time in the operating room was 246 ± 33 minutes for single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy and 240 ± 39 minutes for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (P = .57). There was 1 conversion to open adrenalectomy (6%) in each group, both because of bleeding on the right side during bilateral adrenalectomy. Two right-sided single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy patients required conversion to laparoscopic adrenalectomy, one because of poor visualization. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 2 patients in each group (intensive care unit admission, prolonged ileus). Both groups had similar pain scores (mean of 3.7 on a scale from 1 to 10) on postoperative day 1, and patients in the single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy group used less narcotic pain medication in the first 24 hours after surgery (43 mg vs 84 mg in laparoscopic adrenalectomy group, P < .001). The differences between the single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy group and laparoscopic adrenalectomy group in length of stay (2.3 ± 0.5 days vs 3.1 ± 0.9 days, P = .23), percentage of patients discharged on postoperative day 1 (56% vs 31%, P = .10), and hospital cost (16% lower in single-port robotic-assisted adrenalectomy group, P = .17) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Single-port robotic adrenalectomy is feasible; patients require less narcotic pain medication whereas costs appear equivalent compared with laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Objectives To review the need for operative intervention and critical care services for motocross truncal injuries in children. Design cohort Retrospective review of patients identified via the hospital trauma registry. Setting Our Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center serves five motocross tracks. These patients require frequent medical care for injuries. Participants All patients ≤17 years of age with truncal injuries sustained during motocross activities, between 2000 and 2011, were identified through the trauma registry. Primary and secondary outcome measures Operative intervention, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of stay, morbidity and demographics were reviewed. Results Motocross injured 162 children. Thirty (18.5%) were thoracic or abdominal injuries. Operative intervention was required in eight (27%) patients. Mean injury severity score (ISS) was 11.8. ICU admission was required in 50% and average hospital length of stay was 4.1 days. The most common injuries include pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, spleen and liver lacerations. 13% of subjects suffered truncal injury from motocross on more than one occasion. Conclusions Paediatric motocross-related truncal injuries are significant. Surgical intervention is required in 27% of patients. The lower ISS incurred from motocross combined with high surgical and ICU admission rates suggests focal high-impact injuries to the chest and abdomen. Despite significant injury, 13% of motocross patients suffer recurrent injuries. Parents and children need injury prevention education.