Surgery
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Multicenter Study
Extending the value of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program claims dataset to study long-term outcomes: Rate of repeat ventral hernia repair.
Existing large clinical registries capture short-term follow-up. Yet, there are many important long-term outcomes in surgery, such as recurrence of a ventral hernia after ventral hernia repair. The goal of the current study was to conduct an exploratory analysis to determine whether the rates, timing, and risk factors for ventral hernia re-repair in claims data linked to registry data were consistent with the known clinical literature. ⋯ Long-term rate and timing of ventral hernia re-repair obtained from claims data were an underestimate compared with clinical studies. Yet, several known clinical risk factors for recurrence in the clinical registry were associated with the re-repair rate in claims data at one year. It may be possible to study certain long-term outcomes using selected reoperation rates using the technique of linked clinical registry-claims data, with an understanding that event rates are conservative estimates.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
The impact of laparoscopic versus open colorectal cancer surgery on subsequent laparoscopic resection of liver metastases: A multicenter study.
Laparoscopic liver surgery is expanding. Most laparoscopic liver resections for colorectal carcinoma metastases are performed subsequent to the resection of the colorectal primary, raising concerns about the feasibility and safety of advanced laparoscopic liver surgery in the context of an abdomen with possible postoperative adhesions. The aim was to compare the outcome of laparoscopic hepatectomy for colorectal metastases after open versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery. ⋯ Laparoscopic minor hepatectomy can be performed safely in patients who have undergone previous open colorectal surgery. Laparoscopic major hepatectomy after open colorectal surgery may be challenging. Careful risk assessment in the decision-making process is required not to compromise patient safety and to guarantee the expected benefits from the minimally invasive approach.
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Perioperative treatment of patients with colorectal cancer according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol has proven to reduce complications and duration of stay. However, strict adherence remains a challenge and the benefits may decrease with lower adherence. In this study, we report on 8 years of adherence to the ERAS protocol and its effect on postoperative outcome in patients with colon cancer. ⋯ It is possible to improve adherence to the ERAS protocol and related outcomes with specific measures. Adherence to the ERAS protocol was related inversely to duration of stay. Only postoperative items of the ERAS protocol were predictive for a shorter duration of stay. Keeping adherence optimal remains an ongoing challenge that requires repeated training and dedicated personnel.
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Pancreatic fistula (PF) is a significant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP), with an incidence of 15-40%. It remains unclear if the location of pancreatic transection affects the rate of PF occurrence. This study examines the correlation between the transection site of the pancreas during DP and the incidence of PF. ⋯ Our data suggest that PF occurs more often when the tail is transected during DP, although the majority are low grade and of minimal clinical significance. More severe PF occurred equally between the transection sites.
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Operative interventions have traditionally been seen as expensive; therefore, surgery has been given low priority in global health care planning in low-income countries. A growing body of evidence indicates that surgery can also be highly cost effective in low-income settings, but our current knowledge of the actual cost of surgery in such settings is limited. This study was carried out to obtain data on the costs of commonly performed operative procedures in a rural/semiurban setting in eastern Uganda. ⋯ The cost of surgery in the study setting compares favorably with other prioritized health care interventions, such as treatment for tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS, and childhood immunization. Surgery in low-income settings can be made more cost effective, leading to increased quantity and improved quality of surgical services.