Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Multicenter Study
Influence of Time to Appendectomy and Operative Duration on Hospital Cost in Children with Uncomplicated Appendicitis.
The goal of this study was to examine the influence of time to appendectomy (TTA) and operative duration (OD) on hospital cost as surrogate measures of perioperative efficiency. ⋯ Longer TTA and OD were independently associated with increased hospital cost, with OD being the most significant driver of cost variation across hospitals. Identification of best practices from high-efficiency hospitals might provide a high-yield strategy for improving value in appendicitis care.
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Multicenter Study
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration for Choledocholithiasis: Analysis of Practice Patterns of Intermountain HealthCare.
The ideal management of common bile duct (CBD) stones remains controversial, whether with single-stage management using laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or with 2-stage management using preoperative or postoperative ERCP. We wished to elucidate the practice patterns within our health system, which includes both large urban referral centers and small rural critical access hospitals. ⋯ Single-stage management of CBD stones resulted in the fewest procedures and lower hospital charges without an increase in complications. Single-stage management (LC+LCBDE) of CBD stones is underused and can offer better value in today's cost-constrained environment.
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Multicenter Study
Proposal of Prognostic Survival Models before and after Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Potentially Transplantable Patients.
Transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a highly debated issue due to the overlap between indications for liver resection (LR) and transplantation (LT) in patients suitable for both. ⋯ The new models were strongly predictive of patients' likelihood of survival after LR for HCC on liver cirrhosis. Liver transplantation offers a survival advantage over LR, except in low-risk groups where both modalities might be comparable.