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Background Water-soluble contrast agent (WSCA) administration is commonly used to evaluate adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) either via a challenge or follow-through study. This analysis aimed to determine optimal timing to first abdominal radiograph after WSCA administration. Materials and methods A post hoc review of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma SBO database was used to compare data from two institutions using different methodologies, either the small bowel follow through method or the challenge method, from March 2015-January 2018. The primary outcome was timing of contrast into the colon. Outcomes were also analyzed. A multivariate regression analysis controlled for age, sex, body mass index, previous SBO admissions, and abdominal surgeries. Results A total of 236 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria (A, 119; B, 117). There were minor demographic differences between cohorts and no significant differences between institutions regarding the confirmed presence of WSCA in the colon, rates of operative intervention, length of operation, hospital length of stay, or 30-d readmission rates.Institution A, where the challenge method was practiced, had 95 (80%) patients with contrast to colon overall; four of 95 (4%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon at or before 7 h, and 89 of 95 (94%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon between 7.1 and 10 h. Institution B, where the small bowel follow through method was practiced, had 94 (80%) patients with contrast to colon overall; 73 of 94 (78%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon at or before 7 h, and 15 of 94 (16%) patients had confirmed contrast to colon between 7.1 and 10 h. Conclusions Either method is effective for evaluation of SBO. Adding a radiograph at 4 h is feasible, could promote earlier disposition, be conducted as part of an emergency department protocol, and possibly allow for the selection of patients who are candidates for outpatient treatment.

Background The incidence of underlying malignancy in appendicitis ranges between 0.5% and 1.7%. We sought to identify the subset of patients with appendicitis who are at increased risk of appendiceal malignancy. Methods Using the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multicenter Study of the Treatment of Appendicitis in America: Acute, Perforated, and Gangrenous database, we included all patients from 28 centers undergoing immediate, delayed, or interval appendectomy between 2017 and 2018. Univariate then multivariable analyses were performed to compare patients with and without malignancy and to identify independent demographic, clinical, laboratory, and/or radiological predictors of malignancy. Akaike information criteria for regression models were used to evaluate goodness of fit. Results A total of 3,293 patients were included. The median age was 38 (27–53) years, and 46.5% were female patients. On pathology, 48 (1.5%) had an underlying malignancy (adenocarcinoma [60.4%], neuroendocrine [37.5%], and lymphoma [2.1%]). Patients with malignancy were older (56 [34.5–67] vs 37 [27–52] years, P 40 years with an appendiceal diameter >10 mm on computed tomography was 2.95% compared with 0.97% in patients ≤40 years old with appendiceal diameter ≤10 mm. The corresponding risk ratio for that population was 3.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.24–7.42; P = .02). Conclusion The combination of age >40 and an appendiceal diameter >10 mm is associated with a greater than 3-fold increased risk of malignancy in patients presenting with appendicitis.

Objective Length of hospital stay for patients following radical cystectomy is an important determinant for improved quality of care. We sought to develop and validate a predictive model for length of hospital stay following radical cystectomy. Methods Patients aged 66 to 90 years diagnosed with clinical stage T2-4a muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy were included from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2011 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data. Linear regression analyses were used to develop and validate a predictive model for length of hospital stay. Results A total of 2,448 patients met inclusion criteria. After random assignment, 1,224 patients were included in the discovery cohort and 1,224 patients included in the validation cohort. The cohorts were well balanced with no significant difference in any of the preoperative variables. A best model was developed using marital status, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) region, clinical stage, Charlson comorbidity index, logarithm of hospital cystectomy volume, and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a backward selection to predict the length of stay. There was robust internal validation (sum square error (SSE): 258.1 vs. predicted sum of squares (PRESS): 264.0 at SLS = 0.10), consistent with the external validation (average square error (ASE): discovery (0.248) vs. validation (0.258)) cohort. The strength of the model in predicting length of stay for the entire cohort was (R2 = 0.048). Conclusion In this large population-based study, we developed and validated a model to predict length of hospital stay following radical cystectomy. Identification of at-risk patients for prolonged hospital stay may aid in targeted interventions to reduce length of stay, improve quality of care, and decrease healthcare costs.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) has proposed a grading system for anatomic severity of 16 Emergency General Surgery conditions, including appendicitis. This is the first prospective, multicenter clinical study evaluating the AAST Appendicitis grading scale.The EAST Appendicitis study utilized data collected prospectively from 27 centers, between January 2017 to June 2018. An overall grade was assigned as the highest grade of the subscales: clinical, radiographic, operative, and pathologic. Grade 1-3 of the clinical subscale was assigned as Grade 1. Patients with a final diagnosis other than appendicitis were excluded. The cohort was divided into two groups: simple appendicitis (Grades 1 and 2), and complicated appendicitis (Grades 3, 4, and 5).Fisher's exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine association between the overall AAST grade and the following outcomes: infectious complications, Clavien-Dindo complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day emergency department visits, readmissions, and secondary interventions.A total of 2,909 cases were analyzed: 1,656 (57%) were Grade 1; 181 (6%), Grade 2; 399 (14%) Grade 4; and 549 (19%) Grade 5; 94% of patients underwent appendectomy. Index hospitalization LOS increased significantly with increasing grade: 1, [1,1], 1 [1,2], 1 [1,2], 2 [1,3], and 32,5 (p0.001). Infectious complications, Clavien-Dindo complications, hospital LOS, and secondary interventions were significantly associated with increasing AAST severity grade during index hospitalization. For 30-day outcomes, similar trends were noted for readmission, 30-day infections complications, 30-day cumulative infectious complications, 30-day Clavien-Dindo complications, 30-day cumulative Clavien-Dindo complications, 30-day secondary interventions, and 30-day cumulative secondary interventions.The AAST emergency general surgery grade for appendicitis is a valid predictor of clinical outcomes such as infectious complications, overall complications, and the need for secondary intervention.Prognostic, level III.

Hospital discharge instructions provide critical information necessary for patients to manage their own care; however, often they are written at a substantially higher readability level than recommended (ie, 6th-grade level) by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health. We hypothesize that improving the reading level of discharge instructions will decrease the number of patient telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting.We conducted a prospective observational study. Patient discharge instructions were edited and incorporated to enhance the readability level in August 2015. Return telephone call and readmissions of patients admitted before the intervention from August 1, 2014, to January 31, 2015, were compared with the prospective cohort studied from September 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016.A total of 1,072 patients were included (preintervention: n = 493, postintervention: n = 579). Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and education level were similar among both groups. The median discharge instruction readability level in the postintervention group was significantly lower (10.0, 95% CI 10.0-10.2 vs 8.6, 95% CI 8.8-8.9; P.0001). The proportion of patients calling after hospital discharge was significantly reduced after the intervention (21.9% vs 9.0%; P.0001). Monthly hospital readmissions were decreased by 50% for every 100 patients discharged after the intervention (1.9% vs 0.9%; P = .002). The proportion of patients calling and readmissions for poor pain control significantly decreased after the intervention (7.1% vs 2.59%; P = .0005 and 2.8% vs 1.0%; P = .029, respectively).Enhanced readability of discharge instructions was associated with a decrease in the number of telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting, enhancing health literacy and simultaneously reducing the burden on providers. Improved patient instructions written to an appropriate level may also allow for better pain control in the posthospital setting.

Context Despite established guidelines for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, it has been reported that radical cystectomy (RC) is markedly underused, especially among patients of advanced age and those with higher comorbidity burden and lower access to care. Understanding the interactions between patient, provider, and hospital factors may inform targeted interventions to optimize RC utilization. Objective To systematically review the literature regarding factors associated with RC utilization. Evidence acquisition A systematic search was conducted using Ovid and Medline according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify studies between 1970 and 2017 reporting on RC utilization. Prospective and retrospective studies were included. Evidence synthesis There are no published randomized control trials on RC utilization. Variations in study quality and design precluded a formal statistical meta-analysis. RC receipt significantly depended on patient, provider, and hospital factors. Patient factors associated with lower RC use included advanced age, African American and Hispanic race/ethnicity, higher comorbidity burden, unmarried marital status, higher tumor stage and grade, and lower socioeconomic status. Provider factors associated with underutilization included lower surgeon volume and a metropolitan location. Finally, hospital factors associated with lower RC use included low hospital volume, nonacademic affiliation, and hospital location in the Midwest. Conclusions RC is reportedly underutilized. We found that age, race, marital status, socioeconomic factors, cancer severity, comorbidity burden, surgeon volume, and facility type and location significantly determined RC receipt. Improved understanding of the varying contributions of the risk factors according to patient, provider, and hospital determinants may assist in developing targeted interventions to improve RC utilization. Patient summary In this review we explored the clinical evidence for factors predicting the utilization of radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Many factors related to the patient, provider, and hospital determine whether patients receive this guideline-recommended treatment. However, there remains a lack of understanding on characterization and targeted interventions according to these levels, which may improve use.

Background Gastrografin (GG)-based nonoperative approach is both diagnostic and therapeutic for partial small bowel obstruction (SBO). Absence of X-ray evidence of GG in the colon after 8 h is predictive of the need for operation, and a recent trial used 48 h to prompt operation. We hypothesize that a significant number of patients receiving the GG challenge require >48 h before an effect is seen. Methods A post hoc analysis of an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional SBO database was performed including only those receiving GG challenge. Successful nonoperative management (NOM) was defined as passage of flatus or nasogastric tube (NGT) removal. NOM was considered a failure if operative intervention was required. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of delayed (>48 h) GG challenge effect and expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results Of 286 patients receiving GG, 208 patients (73%) were successfully managed nonoperatively. A total of 60 (29%) NOM patients had NGT decompression for >48 h (n = 54) or required >48 h to pass flatus (n = 34), with some requiring both (n = 28). Prior abdominal operations and SBO admission were protective of delayed GG effect (0.411 [0.169-1.00], P Conclusions A significant proportion of patients at 48 h (29%) “failed” the GG challenge as they had yet to pass flatus or still required NGT but were nonetheless successfully managed nonoperatively. Extending the GG challenge beyond 48 h may help avoid unnecessary operations. Level of evidence Level II.

Screening for blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) in asymptomatic high-risk patients has become routine. To date, the length of this asymptomatic period has not been defined. Determining the time to stroke could impact therapy including earlier initiation of antithrombotics in multiply injured patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the time to stroke in patients with a BCVI-related stroke. We hypothesized that the majority of patients suffer stroke between 24 hours and 72 hours after injury.Patients with a BCVI-related stroke from January 2007 to January 2017 from 37 trauma centers were reviewed.During the 10-year study, 492 patients had a BCVI-related stroke; the majority were men (61%), with a median age of 39 years and ISS of 29. Stroke was present at admission in 182 patients (37%) and occurred during an Interventional Radiology procedure in six patients. In the remaining 304 patients, stroke was identified a median of 48 hours after admission: 53 hours in the 144 patients identified by neurologic symptoms and 42 hours in the 160 patients without a neurologic examination and an incidental stroke identified on imaging. Of those patients with neurologic symptoms, 88 (61%) had a stroke within 72 hours, whereas 56 had a stroke after 72 hours; there was a sequential decline in stroke occurrence over the first week. Of the 304 patients who had a stroke after admission, 64 patients (22%) were being treated with antithrombotics when the stroke occurred.The majority of patients suffer BCVI-related stroke in the first 72 hours after injury. Time to stroke can help inform clinicians about initiation of treatment in the multiply injured patient.Prognostic/Epidemiologic, level III.

Introduction Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) present with variable severity. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) developed an emergency general surgery (EGS) grading system for several diseases. We aimed to determine whether the AAST EGS grade corresponds with key clinical outcomes. Methods Single-institution retrospective review of patients (≥18 years) admitted with SSTI during 2012 to 2016 was performed. Patients with surgical site infections or younger than 18 years were excluded. Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score and AAST EGS grade were assigned. The primary outcome was association of AAST EGS grade with complication development, duration of stay, and interventions. Secondary predictors of severity included tissue cultures, cross-sectional imaging, and duration of inpatient antibiotic therapy. Summary and univariate analyses were performed. Results A total of 223 patients were included (mean ± SD age of 55.1 ± 17.0 years, 55% male). The majority of patients received cross sectional imaging (169, 76%) or an operative procedure (155, 70%). Skin and soft tissue infection tissue culture results included no growth (51, 24.5%), monomicrobial (83, 39.9%), and polymicrobial (74, 35.6%). Increased AAST EGS grade was associated with operative interventions, intensive care unit utilization, complication severity (Clavien-Dindo index), duration of hospital stay, inpatient antibiotic therapy, mortality, and hospital readmission. Conclusion The AAST EGS grade for SSTI demonstrates the ability to correspond with several important outcomes. Prospective multi-institutional study is required to determine its broad generalizability in several populations. Level of evidence Prognostic, level IV.

The AAST recently developed an emergency general surgery (EGS) disease grading system to measure anatomic severity. We aimed to validate this grading system for acute pancreatitis and compare cross sectional imaging-based AAST EGS grade and compare with several clinical prediction models. We hypothesize that increased AAST EGS grade would be associated with important physiological and clinical outcomes and is comparable to other severity grading methods. Single institution retrospective review of adult patients admitted with acute pancreatitis during 10/2014–1/2016 was performed. Patients without imaging were excluded. Imaging, operative, and pathological AAST grades were assigned by two reviewers. Summary and univariate analyses were performed. AUROC analysis was performed comparing AAST EGS grade with other severity scoring systems. There were 297 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 55 ± 17 years; 60% were male. Gallstone pancreatitis was the most common etiology (28%). The overall complication, mortality, and ICU admission rates were 51, 1.3, and 25%, respectively. The AAST EGS imaging grade was comparable to other severity scoring systems that required multifactorial data for readmission, mortality, and length of stay. The AAST EGS grade for acute pancreatitis demonstrates initial validity; patients with increasing AAST EGS grade demonstrated longer hospital and ICU stays, and increased rates of readmission. AAST EGS grades assigned using cross sectional imaging findings were comparable to other severity scoring systems. Further studies should determine the generalizability of the AAST system. Level of Evidence: IV Study Type: Single institutional retrospective review

Objective We sought to describe contemporary presentation, treatment, and outcomes of patients presenting with acute (A), perforated (P), and gangrenous (G) appendicitis in the United States. Summary background data Recent European trials have reported that medical (antibiotics only) treatment of acute appendicitis is an acceptable alternative to surgical appendectomy. However, the type of operation (open appendectomy) and average duration of stay are not consistent with current American practice and therefore their conclusions do not apply to modern American surgeons. Methods This multicenter prospective observational study enrolled adults with appendicitis from January 2017 to June 2018. Descriptive statistics were performed. P and G were combined into a "complicated" outcome variable and risk factors were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results A total 3597 subjects were enrolled across 28 sites: median age was 37 (27-52) years, 1918 (53%) were male, 90% underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging, 91% were initially treated by appendectomy (98% laparoscopic), and median hospital stay was 1 (1-2) day. The 30-day rates of Emergency Department (ED) visit and readmission were 10% and 6%. Of 219 initially treated with antibiotics, 35 (16%) required appendectomy during index hospitalization and 12 (5%) underwent appendectomy within 30 days, for a cumulative failure rate of 21%. Overall, 2403 (77%) patients had A, whereas 487 (16%) and 218 (7%) patients had P and G, respectively. On regression analysis, age, symptoms >48 hours, temperature, WBC, Alvarado score, and appendicolith were predictive of "complicated" appendicitis, whereas co-morbidities, smoking, and ED triage to appendectomy >6 hours or >12 hours were not. Conclusion In the United States, the majority of patients presenting with appendicitis receive CT imaging, undergo laparoscopic appendectomy, and stay in the hospital for 1 day. One in five patients selected for initial non-operative management required appendectomy within 30 days. In-hospital delay to appendectomy is not a risk factor for "complicated" appendicitis.

Introduction Over the last 5 years, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma has developed grading scales for emergency general surgery (EGS) diseases. In a previous validation study using diverticulitis, the grading scales were predictive of complications and length of stay. As EGS encompasses diverse diseases, the purpose of this study was to validate the grading scale concept against a different disease process with a higher associated mortality. We hypothesized that the grading scale would be predictive of complications, length of stay, and mortality in skin and soft-tissue infections (STIs). Methods This multi-institutional trial encompassed 12 centers. Data collected included demographic variables, disease characteristics, and outcomes such as mortality, overall complications, and hospital and ICU length of stay. The EGS scale for STI was used to grade each infection and two surgeons graded each case to evaluate inter-rater reliability. Results 1170 patients were included in this study. Inter-rater reliability was moderate (kappa coefficient 0.472-0.642, with 64-76% agreement). Higher grades (IV and V) corresponded to significantly higher Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis scores when compared with lower EGS grades. Patients with grade IV and V STI had significantly increased odds of all complications, as well as ICU and overall length of stay. These associations remained significant in logistic regression controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, mental status, and hospital-level volume. Grade V disease was significantly associated with mortality as well. Conclusion This validation effort demonstrates that grade IV and V STI are significantly predictive of complications, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Though predictive ability does not improve linearly with STI grade, this is consistent with the clinical disease process in which lower grades represent cellulitis and abscess and higher grades are invasive infections. This second validation study confirms the EGS grading scale as predictive, and easily used, in disparate disease processes. Level of evidence Prognostic/Epidemiologic retrospective multicenter trial, level III.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Exposure to benzene and aromatic amines are risk factors for bladder cancer.Incidence rates according to proximity to oil refineries are largely unknown. We sought to de...

We sought to compare the effectiveness of narrow- versus broad-spectrum antibiotics (abx) in preventing infectious complications in adults with acute appendicitis treated with appendectomy.In this post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter observational study of appendicitis in adults (≥18 y) conducted from January 2017 to June 2018, we included only patients with simple appendicitis. Subjects were grouped based on receipt of broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum abx before and/or after appendectomy. Outcomes compared were surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, secondary interventions (percutaneous drainage or operation), emergency department (ED) visits, 30-d readmission, and hospital length of stay.A total of 2336 subjects were analyzed. In comparing narrow (n = 778) versus broad (n = 1558) groups, there were no differences in male sex (53% versus 54%, P = 0.704), white blood cell (13.0 ± 3.9 versus 13.4 ± 4.5, P = 0.05), Alvarado score (6 [5-7] versus 6 [5-7], P = 0.25), or Charlson comorbidity index (0 [0-1] versus 0 [0-1], P = 0.09). A total of 688 (29%) received postoperative abx, [184 (24%) narrow and 504 (32%) broad, P 0.001] for a median 5 [2-7] d [42 (23%) narrow and 235 (47%) broad, P 0.001]. There were no significant differences between narrow and broad groups in surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, secondary interventions, ED visits, or hospital readmissions.Significant practice variation in duration and spectrum of antibiotic adjunct for surgical treatment of simple acute appendicitis treatment is evident, and broad-spectrum abx did not offer clinical advantages over narrow-spectrum abx. Restriction of antibiotic spectrum should be considered, although randomized trials are required to overcome selection bias.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is underutilized in bladder cancer patients who undergo radical cystectomy. However, the quality of regimens used in this setting remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine utilization treatment patterns and survival outcomes according to regimens administered. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database to identify patients diagnosed with clinical stage TII–IV bladder cancer from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2011. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Temporal trends were assessed using the Cochran-Armitage test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors for neoadjuvant chemotherapy use. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare overall survival according to regimens administered. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of 2738 patients treated with radical cystectomy, 344 (12.6%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The agents most commonly used were gemcitabine (72.3%), cisplatin (55.2%), and carboplatin (31.1%). The regimens most commonly used were gemcitabine-cisplatin (45.3%), gemcitabine-carboplatin (24.1%), and methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC; 6.7%). Use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy more than tripled during the study period, from 5.7% in 2001 to 17.3% in 2011 (p < 0.001). The quality of the regimen administered impacted survival outcomes, as M-VAC use was significantly associated with better overall survival among patients diagnosed with stage II bladder cancer (hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.86; p = 0.030]. Limitations include the limited ability of retrospective analysis to control for selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was underused, and the quality of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens administered for bladder cancer was inconsistent with guideline recommendations. These findings are important when interpreting population-based data on the use of chemotherapy and extrapolating survival outcomes. PATIENT SUMMARY: In a large population-based study, 12.6% of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, half of whom received guideline-recommended regimens. The quality of the regimen impacted survival outcomes, as use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy was significantly associated with better overall survival among patients diagnosed with stage II bladder cancer. However

Context The centralization of cancer care is associated with better clinical outcomes and may be a method for optimizing value-based health care systems. Objective To systematically review the literature regarding the impact of centralization of care on clinical outcomes for genitourinary malignancies. Evidence acquisition A systematic review was conducted using Ovid and MEDLINE to identify studies between 1970 and 2018 reporting on the centralization of care for genitourinary malignancies. Prospective and retrospective studies were screened. Evidence synthesis There were no published randomized control trials (RCTs) on the centralization of care for genitourinary malignancies. Twenty-two retrospective studies met inclusion criteria. Centralization of radical cystectomy was the most studied. Care for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, penile cancer, testicular cancer, and renal cancer was reportedly associated with better morbidity and survival outcomes for patients treated at high-volume centers. However, evidence of better outcomes for centralization of care remains limited for penile, renal, and testicular cancers owing to the paucity of data and/or the lower incidence of these genitourinary malignancies. Conclusions Care for genitourinary malignancies by high-volume providers was associated with greater utilization of cancer surgery, lower morbidity, and better survival outcomes. Centralization of care was most appropriate for complex procedures such as radical cystectomy when interpreted in the context of survival outcomes. Further research is needed to address the impact of centralizing care for all urologic malignancies with consideration of the associated costs and patient-reported measures, including quality of life and patient experience. Patient summary We explored the evidence for moving major operations into larger centers. We focused on surgery for cancers of the bladder, prostate, testicle, penis, and kidney, and found that larger-volume hospitals had better survival outcomes and fewer complications when compared to smaller hospitals. The difference may be greatest for complex major surgeries such as radical cystectomy.

Management of small bowel obstruction (SBO) has become more conservative, especially in those patients with previous abdominal surgery (PAS). However, surgical dogma continues to recommend operative exploration for SBO with no PAS. With the increased use of computed tomography imaging resulting in more SBO diagnoses, it is important to reevaluate the role of mandatory operative exploration. Gastrografin (GG) administration decreases the need for operative exploration and may be an option for SBO without PAS. We hypothesized that the use of GG for SBO without PAS will be equally effective in reducing the operative exploration rate compared with that for SBO with PAS.A post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted for patients with SBO from February 2015 through December 2016. Patients younger than 18 years, pregnant patients, and patients with evidence of hypotension, bowel strangulation, peritonitis, closed loop obstruction or pneumatosis intestinalis were excluded. The primary outcome was operative exploration rate for SBO with or without PAS. Rate adjustment was accomplished through multivariate logistic regression.Overall, 601 patients with SBO were included in the study, 500 with PAS and 101 patients without PAS. The two groups were similar except for age, sex, prior abdominal surgery including colon surgery, prior SBO admission, and history of cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that PAS (odds ratio [OR], 0.47; p = 0.03) and the use of GG (OR, 0.11; p0.01) were independent predictors of successful nonoperative management, whereas intensive care unit admission (OR, 16.0; p0.01) was associated with a higher likelihood of need for operation. The use of GG significantly decreased the need for operation in patients with and without PAS.Patients with and without PAS who received GG had lower rates of operative exploration for SBO compared with those who did not receive GG. Patients with a diagnosis of SBO without PAS should be considered for the nonoperative management approach using GG.Therapeutic, level IV.

Context Current guidelines remain ill-defined regarding the optimal intravesical chemotherapy type and regimen for the treatment of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Although maintenance therapy is a standard part of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, its role in the context of chemotherapy remains debatable. Objective We reviewed the literature regarding the utilization of intravesical maintenance chemotherapy in the treatment of NMIBC to determine its impact on recurrence, progression, and survival. Evidence acquisition A systematic search was conducted using Ovid and Medline according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify studies between 1970 and 2018 reporting on the utilization of maintenance intravesical chemotherapy. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included a comparison between an induction regimen and an induction plus maintenance regimen were included. Evidence synthesis Sixteen RCTs were included in the final analysis. The most commonly studied intravesical chemotherapy agents used in maintenance regimens were epirubicin, doxorubicin, and mitomycin C. Several maintenance schedules were utilized, some as short as 3 mo and others as long as 3 yr, while the most common maintenance regimen utilized was monthly instillation for 1 yr. Of the 16 trials, 13 reported no significant improvement in recurrence for patients receiving maintenance compared with no maintenance, and none of the trials demonstrated a significant impact on progression or survival. Conclusions Intermediate length maintenance regimens lasting 7–12 mo were the most common maintenance regimens utilized. There was considerable heterogeneity between trial design and duration of follow-up, making direct comparisons for recurrence, progression, and survival outcomes between trials challenging. Although maintenance intravesical chemotherapy is suggested as a treatment option for patients with NMIBC by some guidelines, the majority of evidence suggested that it provided no significant advantage over induction therapy alone with respect to recurrence, progression, or survival. Patient summary In this review, we reviewed prior clinical trials to determine whether prolonged intravesical chemotherapy (“maintenance therapy”) improved the rates of recurrence, progression, and survival. Where differences were found in favor of maintenance therapy, there was no statistical significance demonstrated, possibly due to the underpowered nature of the study design. While there was no consensus on an optimal agent or maintenance schedule, we found no evidence to suggest that maintenance therapy would improve recurrence, progression, or survival.

Approximately 15% of general surgeons practicing in the United States face a medical malpractice lawsuit each year. This study aimed to determine the reasons for litigation for breast cancer care during the past 17 years by reviewing a public legal database. The LexisNexis legal database was queried using a comprehensive list of terms related to breast cancer, identifying all cases from 2000 to 2017. Data were abstracted, and descriptive analyses were performed. The study identified 264 cases of litigation pertaining to breast cancer care. Delay in breast cancer diagnosis was the most common reason for litigation (n = 156, 59.1%), followed by improperly performed procedures (n = 26, 9.8%). The medical specialties most frequently named in lawsuits as primary defendants were radiology (n = 76, 28.8%), general surgery (n = 74, 28%), and primary care (n = 52, 19.7%). The verdict favored the defendant in 145 cases (54.9%) and the plantiff in 60 cases (22.7%). In 59 cases (22.3%), a settlement was reached out of court. The median plaintiff verdict payouts ($1,485,000) were greater than the settlement payouts ($862,500) (p = 0.04). Failure to diagnose breast cancer in a timely manner was the most common reason for litigation related to breast cancer care in the United States. General surgery was the second most common specialty named in the malpractice cases studied. Most cases were decided in favor of the defendant, but when the plaintiff received a payout, the amount often was substantial. Identifying the most common reasons for litigation may help decrease this rate and improve the patient experience.

Postoperative prescribing following acute care surgery must be optimized to limit excess opioids in circulation as misuse and diversion are frequently preceded by a prescription for acute pain. This study aimed to identify patient characteristics associated with higher opioid prescribing following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).Among patients aged 18 years or older who underwent LC at a single institution in 2014 to 2016, opioids prescribed at discharge were converted to oral morphine equivalents (OME) and compared with developing state guidelines (maximum, 200 OME). Preoperative opioid use was defined as any opioid prescription 1 month to 3 months before LC or a prescription unrelated to gallbladder disease less than 1 month before LC. Univariate and multivariable methods determined characteristics associated with top quartile opioid prescriptions among opioid-naive patients.Of 1,606 LC patients, 34% had emergent procedures, and 14% were preoperative opioid users. Nonemergent LC patients were more likely to use opioids preoperatively (16% vs. 11%, p = 0.006), but median OME did not differ by preoperative opioid use (225 vs. 219, p = 0.40). Among 1,376 opioid-naive patients, 96% received opioids at discharge. Median OME was 225 (interquartile range, 150-300), and 52% were prescribed greater than 200 OME. Top quartile prescriptions (≥300 OME) were associated with gallstone pancreatitis diagnosis, younger age, higher pain scores, and longer length of stay (all p0.05). While median OME did not differ by emergent status (median, 225; interquartile range, 150-300 for both, p = 0.15), emergent had more top quartile prescriptions (32% vs. 25%, p = 0.005). After adjusting for diagnosis, age, and sex, emergent status showed evidence of being associated with top quartile prescription (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.8). Thirty-day refill rate was 5%.Over half of opioid-naive patients undergoing LC were prescribed opioids exceeding draft state guidelines. Variation in prescribing patterns was not fully explained by patient factors. Acute care surgeons have an opportunity to optimize prescribing practices with the ultimate goal of reducing opioid misuse.Therapeutic study, level IV; Epidemiologic study, level III.

Coagulopathy can delay or complicate surgical diseases that require emergent surgical treatment. Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) provide concentrated coagulation factors which may reverse coagulopathy more quickly than plasma (FFP) alone. We aimed to determine the time to operative intervention in coagulopathic emergency general surgery patients receiving either PCC or FFP. We hypothesize that PCC administration more rapidly normalizes coagulopathy and that the time to operation is diminished compared to FFP alone. Single institution retrospective review was performed for coagulopathic EGS patients during 2/1/2008 to 8/1/2016. Patients were divided into three groups (1) PCC alone (2) FFP alone and (3) PCC and FFP. The primary outcome was the duration from clinical decision to operate to the time of incision. Summary and univariate analyses were performed. Coagulopathic EGS patients (n = 183) received the following blood products: PCC (n = 20, 11%), FFP alone (n = 119, 65%) and PCC/FFP (n = 44, 24%). The mean (± SD) patient age was 71 ± 13 years; 60% were male. The median (IQR) Charlson comorbidity index was similar in all three groups (PCC = 5(4–6), FFP = 5(4–7), PCC/FFP = 5(4–6), p = 0.33). The mean (± SD) dose of PCC administered was similar in the PCC/FFP group and the PCC alone group (2539 ± 1454 units vs. 3232 ± 1684, p = .09). The mean (±SD) time to incision in the PCC alone group was significantly lower than the FFP alone group (6.0 ± 3.6 vs. 8.8 ± 5.0 h, p = 0.01). The mean time to incision in the PCC + FFP group was also significantly lower than the FFP alone group (7.1 ± 3.6 vs. 8.8 ± 5.0, p = 0.03). The incidence of thromboembolic complications was similar in all three groups. PCC, alone or in combination with FFP, reduced INR and time to surgery effectively and safely in coagulopathic EGS patients without an apparent increased risk of thromboembolic events, when compared to FFP use alone. IV single institutional retrospective review.

6576 Background: Only one out of five muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients receive radical cystectomy, a guideline-recommended treatment. Prior studies evaluated patient characteristics associated with radical cystectomy use. We aimed to determine bladder cancer diagnosing physician and hospital characteristics associated with the use of radical cystectomy. Methods: This cohort study used linked SEER-Medicare Data from 2002 to 2011. We included older adults (age>65 years) diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. For each patient, a urologist who performed transurethral resection of bladder tumor was assigned as a diagnosing physician. The diagnosing physician was assigned to one hospital based on where he/she performed more than half of all urologic surgeries. Two-level hierarchical model (patients nested within hospitals) were constructed to determine the association of patient, physician and hospital characteristics with radical cystectomy use. Results: A total of 7,097 patients were diagnosed by 4601 physicians who were affiliated with 822 hospitals. Overall, the radical cystectomy utilization rate was 26.5%. Only 4.8% of the variation in radical cystectomy was attributed to the hospital level. In the two-level hierarchical model, patients diagnosed by female physicians were more likely to undergo radical cystectomy (32.8% vs. 25.8%; OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.31-2.02). Higher radical cystectomy volume by diagnosing physicians and hospitals increased the radical cystectomy use (Table). Diagnosing physician characteristics (age, years in practice, employment status), and hospital characteristics (teaching states, location, type of hospital) were not associated with radical cystectomy use. Patient characteristics such as age, male, higher comorbidity burden were associated with lower likelihood of radical cystectomy use. Conclusions: Physician and hospital factors do not largely contribute to the receipt of radical cystectomy. Radical cystectomy volume by diagnosing physicians and hospital drives radical cystectomy use.[Table: see text]

e16029 Background: Radical cystectomy is the guideline-recommended treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer; however, use of trimodal therapy, which utilizes a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, has increased in recent years with conflicting survival outcomes. Methods: Utilizing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, a total of 2,963 patients aged 66 years or older diagnosed with clinical stage T2-4a bladder cancer from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2011 were analyzed. Conventional regression, propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to compare radical cystectomy and trimodal therapy for overall and cancer-specific survival, and cost. Results: Patients who underwent TMT had significantly decreased overall (conventional regression: Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.54, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.39-1.71; PSM: HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.31-1.69; IPTW: HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.39-1.71) and cancer-specific (conventional regression: HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.40-1.63; PSM: HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.32-1.83; IPTW: HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.40-1.63) survival. Median total costs were significantly higher with trimodal therapy than with radical cystectomy at 6-month ($171,401 vs. $99,890, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Using population-based data and different analytic methods to control for imbalance between study groups, we found that trimodal therapy was associated with decreased overall and cancer-specific survival at increased costs compared to radical cystectomy.

373 Background: Treatment guidelines for muscle-invasive bladder cancer recommend radical cystectomy. However, use of trimodal therapy has increased in recent years with conflicting survival outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare radical cystectomy and trimodal therapy in terms of survival outcomes and cost of treatment according to varying statistical methodology in order to interpret findings using observational data. Methods: Patients aged 66 years or older diagnosed with clinical stage T2-4a bladder cancer from January 1, 2002-December 31, 2011 were included from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Outcomes included cancer-specific survival, overall survival, and 6-month costs. Cox proportional hazards regression, propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to control for baseline differences between patients undergoing radical cystectomy vs. trimodal therapy, and to determine predictors for overall and cancer-specific survival. Results: A total of 2,963 patients were included: 728 (24.6%) who underwent trimodal therapy were compared to 2,235 (75.4%) who underwent radical cystectomy. In all adjusted analyses, patients who underwent trimodal therapy had significantly decreased cancer-specific survival (Cox regression: Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.51, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.40-1.63; PSM: HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.32-1.83; IPTW: HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.40-1.63) and overall survival (Cox regression: HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.39-1.71; PSM: HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.31-1.69; IPTW: HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.39-1.71). However, median total costs over six months were significantly higher with trimodal therapy than radical cystectomy ($171,401 vs. $99,890, p

e16021 Background: Earlier studies on the cost of muscle-invasive bladder cancer treatments lack granularity and are limited to 180 days. The objective of this study is to compare the one-year costs associated with trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy, accounting for survival and intensity effects on total costs. Methods: This cohort study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Data analysis was performed from March 5, 2018 through December 4, 2018. A total of 2,963 patients aged 66-85 years diagnosed with clinical stage T2-4a muscle-invasive bladder cancer from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2011. Total Medicare costs within one year of diagnosis following radical cystectomy versus trimodal therapy were compared using inverse probability of treatment-weighted (IPTW) propensity score models, which included a two-part estimator to account for intrinsic selection bias. Results: Median costs were significantly higher for trimodal therapy than radical cystectomy in 90 days ($83,754 vs. $68,692; median difference $11,805, 95% CI $7,745 to $15,864), 180 days ($187,162 vs. $109,078; median difference $62,370, 95% CI $55,581 to $69,160), and 365 days ($289,142 vs. $148,757; median difference $109,027, 95% CI $98,692 to $119,363), respectively. Outpatient care, radiology, medication expenses and pathology/laboratory costs contributed largely to the higher costs associated with trimodal therapy. On IPTW-adjusted analyses, patients undergoing trimodal therapy had $129,854 (95% CI $115,793-$145,299) higher costs compared with radical cystectomy one year after diagnosis. Conclusions: Compared to radical cystectomy, trimodal therapy was associated with higher costs among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Extrapolating cost figures resulted in nationwide excess spending of $444 million for trimodal therapy compared with radical cystectomy for patients diagnosed in 2017.

Importance Medical malpractice litigation against surgical residents is rarely discussed owing to assumed legal doctrine ofrespondeat superior, or “let the master answer.” Objective To better understand lawsuits targeting surgical trainees to prevent future litigation. Design, Setting, and Participants Westlaw, an online legal research database containing legal records from across the United States, was retrospectively reviewed for malpractice cases involving surgical interns, residents, or fellows from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2015. Infant-related obstetric and ophthalmologic procedures were excluded. Exposures Involvement in a medical malpractice case. Main Outcomes and Measures Data were collected on patient demographics, case characteristics, and outcomes and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results During a 10-year period, 87 malpractice cases involving surgical trainees were identified. A total of 50 patients were female (57%), and 79 were 18 years of age or older (91%), with a median patient age of 44.5 years (interquartile range, 45-56 years). A total of 67 cases (77%) resulted in death or permanent disability. Most cases involved elective surgery (61 [70%]) and named a junior resident as a defendant (24 of 35 [69%]). Cases more often questioned the perioperative medical knowledge, decision making errors, and injuries (53 [61%]: preoperative, 19 of 53 [36%]) and postoperative, 34 of 53 [64%]) than intraoperative errors and injuries (43 [49%]). Junior residents were involved primarily with lawsuits related to medical decision making (21 of 24 [87%]). Residents’ failure to evaluate the patient was cited in 10 cases (12%) and lack of direct supervision by attending physicians was cited in 48 cases (55%). A total of 42 cases (48%) resulted in a jury verdict or settlement in favor of the plaintiff, with a median payout of $900 000 (range, $1852 to $32 million). Conclusions and Relevance This review of malpractice cases involving surgical residents highlights the importance of perioperative management, particularly among junior residents, and the importance of appropriate supervision by attending physicians as targets for education on litigation prevention.

Retinal dystrophy (RD) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases caused by loss of photoreceptor function and contributes significantly to the etiology of blindness globally but especially in the industrialized world. The extreme locus and allelic heterogeneity of these disorders poses a major diagnostic challenge and often impedes the ability to provide a molecular diagnosis that can inform counseling and gene-specific treatment strategies. In a large cohort of nearly 150 RD families, we used genomic approaches in the form of autozygome-guided mutation analysis and exome sequencing to identify the likely causative genetic lesion in the majority of cases. Additionally, our study revealed six novel candidate disease genes (C21orf2, EMC1, KIAA1549, GPR125, ACBD5, and DTHD1), two of which (ACBD5 and DTHD1) were observed in the context of syndromic forms of RD that are described for the first time.