30-day Readmission Research Articles

Abstract A026: Assessing the impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes in RCC using machine learning

Abstract Introduction Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but paradoxically correlates with improved outcomes in metastatic cases. Moreover, the data on the relationship between obesity and postoperative outcomes following nephrectomy are inconsistent. Accurate prediction of postoperative outcomes, including complications, 30-day readmissions, and mortality, is essential for improving patient outcomes in surgical procedures. In this study, we utilized ML models to predict such outcomes in RCC patients undergoing nephroureterectomy, radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, and other excision procedures on the kidney using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP; 2016- 2021). Methods A gradient-boosted tree (GBT) ML model was developed and trained to predict the primary outcomes of interest: major complications, minor complications, 30-day readmission, and mortality. Patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 were considered obese, and patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 were used as controls. The model's performance was rigorously evaluated using various measures, such as AUROC, generalized R-square, and misclassification rate. The model's predictions were validated using separate training (70%) and validation (30%) cohorts to ensure generalizability and applicability in diverse patient populations. Results In the analysis, 36,284 cases were included. Bivariate analysis revealed that obesity was associated with an increased rate of minor complications (5.48% vs. 4.41%, p<0.0001) compared to non-obese individuals with similar major complications (3.33 vs. 3.21, p=0.49), mortality (0.54 vs. 0.64, p=0.22) and 30-day readmission rates (5.74 vs. 5.83, p=0.70). The GBT model demonstrated substantial predictive power across all four outcomes. In predicting mortality, the model achieved an AUROC of 0.80 in the validation set, with a misclassification rate of 0.68%. The prediction of major complications was also robust, with an AUROC of 0.91 in the validation set and a misclassification rate of 2.2%. Similarly, the model's performance in predicting minor complications and 30-day readmissions was strong, with AUROC values of 0.70 and 0.66, respectively, in the validation sets. Conclusions Obesity was linked to a higher rate of minor complications but did not affect other postoperative outcomes in RCC patients undergoing nephrectomy. By integrating a wide range of patient-specific variables, ML models are powerful tools for clinicians to identify high-risk patients and tailor perioperative care accordingly. The interaction between RCC and the surrounding adipose tissue microenvironment may have clinical relevance, warranting further research to elucidate the role of BMI in postoperative complications. Our findings advocate for the expanded use of ML techniques in surgical decision-making, which could enhance patient safety, optimize resource use, and improve overall surgical outcomes. Citation Format: Atulya A. Khosla, Manas Pustake, Sufal Chhabra, Yanjia Zhang, Mukesh Roy, Muni Rubens, Venkataraghavan Ramamoorthy, Anshul Saxena, Ishmael A. Jaiyesimi. Assessing the impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes in RCC using machine learning [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor-body Interactions: The Roles of Micro- and Macroenvironment in Cancer; 2024 Nov 17-20; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(22_Suppl):Abstract nr A026.

Risk factors for readmission following esophagectomy and gastrectomy for cancer.

Hospital readmission after surgery is a key quality indicator. This nationwide cohort study aimed to assess readmission rates following esophagectomy and gastrectomy for cancer and identify associated risk factors. Data were extracted from the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit (DUCA) for patients with esophagogastric cancer who underwent esophagectomy or gastrectomy with curative intent between January 2011 and June 2016. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for 30-day readmission. In total, 5566 patients were included. Readmission within 30days occurred in 483 of 3488 (13.8%) patients after esophagectomy and 243 of 2078 patients (11.7%) after gastrectomy. Both minor (Clavien Dindo 1-2) and major (Clavien Dindo ≥3) postoperative complications were independent predictors of readmission after esophagectomy (OR 2.99; 95%CI 2.23-4.02; p< 0.001 and OR 5.20; 95%CI 3.82-7.09; p< 0.001). Specific complications included pulmonary (OR 1.49; 95%CI 1.20-1.85; p< 0.001), gastrointestinal (OR 2.43; 95%CI 1.94-3.05; p< 0.001), and infectious (OR 2.27; 95%CI 1.60-3.22; p< 0.001). Prolonged length of stay (pLOS) was associated with higher readmission rates in patients without complications following esophagectomy (OR 1.91 95% CI 1.19-3.07; p= 0.008), but lower rates in those with complications (OR 0.65 95% CI 0.51-0.83; p< 0.001). For gastrectomy, postoperative complications were also linked to readmission (OR 3.18; 95%CI 2.30-4.40; p< 0.001), particularly gastrointestinal (OR 2.16; 95%CI 1.40-3.32; p< 0.001), and infectious (OR 3.80; 95%CI 2.53-5.71; p< 0.001). Readmission after esophagogastric resection is common, particularly among patients with both minor and major postoperative complications. Prolonged stay after esophagectomy impacts readmission risk differently based on the presence of complications.

Subclinical Congestion Evaluated by Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) at Discharge Predicts Readmission in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: Prognostic Cohort Study

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex entity that increases the risk of adverse outcomes. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) allows easy lung and systemic venous congestion identification. Using ultrasound to detect sub-clinical congestion at discharge may help predict readmissions and mortality. Outcomes: The primary outcome was to address 30-day rehospitalization, and as a secondary outcome we investigated readmission and mortality in patients with residual congestion assessed with POCUS. Methods: A prospective prognostic cohort study was conducted at a tertiary-level institution in Colombia. Patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) at discharge were evaluated using POCUS through lung ultrasound (LUS), portal vein pulsatility (PVP), and a composite assessment of residual congestion. Inclusion criteria were ADHF, over 18 years old, with a “warm-wet” clinical profile. POCUS was performed using an ultraportable device using LUS and PVP. Statistical analysis used logistic regression models to estimate the association between ultrasound congestion and outcomes. Results: A total of 100 patients were included. The population was mostly female, with a median age of 78 years; 59% were hypertensive, and 39% had type 2 diabetes. Median NT-ProBNP was 3878 pg/ml. At discharge, 55% of patient had an inferior vena cava (IVC) over 2 cm, 54% had interstitial syndrome, and 41% had PVP &gt;30%. Regarding 30-day readmission, we found an odds ratio (OR) 7.22 (95% CI 2.7-19.3) for interstitial syndrome; for PVP &gt;30%, an OR 24.61 (95% CI 7.7-78.1) and an OR 13.19 (95% CI 2.7-62.6) for composite of residual congestion. Conclusion: Patients with ADHF and sub-clinical congestion, evidenced in LUS and PVP, were more likely to have readmission within 30 days of discharge. These findings should be confirmed with clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of a POCUS-guided treatment.

Utilization of preoperative EOS imaging to prevent adverse events following total hip arthroplasty

ABSTRACT Introduction Previous studies have demonstrated the use of technology in total hip arthroplasty (THA) provided favorable outcomes. This study sought to describe the effect preoperative two-dimensional low-dose (2DLD) full-body radiographs had on the prevention of adverse outcomes following THA. Methods We reviewed 11,814 cases of patients who underwent primary, elective THA from 2016 to 2021. Patient demographics and clinical data were compared between patients who did or did not have preoperative standing and sitting 2DLD images (29.5% vs. 70.5%, respectively) using Chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regressions. Results The rate of patients with preexisting spinal fusion was higher in the 2DLD cohort (2.2 vs. 0.6%, respectively, p < 0.001). Preoperative 2DLD images were favored in outcomes including length of stay (40.15 vs. 67.16 hours; p < 0.001), rate of discharge to home (94.1 vs. 80.0%; p < 0.001), and 90-day readmission rate (3.5 vs. 6.0%; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated preoperative 2DLD images to be significantly associated with lower odds of dislocation, independent from surgical approach, coexisting spinal fusion, and utilization of dual-mobility implants. Conclusion Preoperative 2DLD images were independently associated with decreased risk for dislocations. Even in a higher risk cohort with spinal fusion, the rate of dislocation in the 2DLD cohort was significantly lower.

Superiority of Frailty Over Age in Predicting Outcomes Among Clostridium Difficile Patients: Evidence from National Data.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a significant healthcare issue with increasing morbidity and mortality in the US and Europe. Frailty, characterized by reduced physical reserves and resistance to stressors, is linked to poor outcomes but its impact on CDI patients remains underexplored. This study seeks to address this gap through a nationwide analysis. Using the National Readmission Database from 2016 to 2020, we employed the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modifications codes to identify adult patients admitted with CDI. We further stratified CDI hospitalizations based on frailty. Utilizing a regression model, we assessed the impact of frailty on CDI outcomes. We included 144,611 CDI patients of whom 98,167 (67.88%) were frail. Multivariate analysis showed that frail CDI patients had significantly higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.87), acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (aOR 9.50), septic shock (aOR 14.23), and intensive care unit admission (aOR 6.80). CDI-specific complications were more likely in frail patients, including toxic megacolon (aOR 10.22), intestinal perforation (aOR 2.30), need for colectomy (aOR 3.90) and CDI recurrence (aOR 3.65). Resource utilization, indicated by hospitalization charges, length of stay, and 30-day readmission rates, was greater among frail patients. Our study underscores the significant association between frailty and various critical endpoints of CDI, including its incidence, mortality, and recurrence. Additionally, frailty independently predicts higher resource utilization and elevated 30-day readmission. Recognizing frailty as a determinant of CDI outcomes can aid clinicians in risk stratification and guide tailored interventions for this population.

Risk Factors and Incidence of 30-Day Readmission following Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Reflecting advancements in surgical techniques and postoperative care, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is being performed increasingly as an outpatient procedure. This study aimed to report the frequency and timing of unplanned readmission after outpatient TKA with updated data, identify risk factors for readmission after outpatient TKA, and identify common causes for readmission after outpatient TKA with a much larger cohort compared to previous studies. This study retrospectively analyzed data from 31,347 patients who underwent outpatient TKA between 2012 and 2021. Adverse events and unplanned readmissions were identified. Timing and reason for readmission were recorded. Statistical analysis involved multivariate logistic regression to identify patient risk factors for readmission. Following surgery, 1.86% of cases reported an unplanned readmission within 30 days. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age (Odds ratio (OR): 1.042; P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.023; P = 0.002), operative time (OR: 1.003; P = 0.017), congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR: 3.079; P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 2.577; P < 0.001), bleeding disorders (OR: 1.706; P = 0.025), hypertension (1.436; P < 0.001), and partially dependent functional status (OR: 2.486; P = 0.036) significantly increased the risk of 30-day readmission. Reasons unrelated to the surgical site contributed the most to readmission at 68.3%, while reasons related to the surgical site made up 27.3%, followed by knee-related complaints (4.40%). The most common days on which readmissions occurred were postoperative days two, four, and one. Our analysis revealed a low readmission risk (1.86%) after outpatient TKA. Readmission rates were found to decrease over the observed time, despite a dramatic increase in outpatient cases. The most common reason for 30-day readmission was an organ/space surgical site infection. Identified risk factors for readmission highlight areas for targeted mitigation to enhance patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

Impact of hospital readmissions following hospitalisation with delirium on 12-month mortality: a quaternary Australian hospital experience.

Inpatient delirium and unplanned hospital readmissions are associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to determine the effect of 28-day unplanned hospital readmissions on 12-month mortality post-discharge in patients with delirium during index hospitalisation. Retrospective longitudinal cohort study of adults aged 65 or above with delirium during hospitalisation at a Victorian quaternary hospital was performed. Delirium was identified by the inclusion of ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) codes in the hospital medical discharge summary. Descriptive statistics was obtained for baseline characteristics. Cox proportional hazards model was developed to identify independent predictors of 12-month post-discharge mortality. One thousand six hundred thirty-four patients with delirium during in-patient admission were included. The overall 12-month mortality rate was 35% (572 patients). Of the 1,425 patients who survived their index admission, 11.2% had an unplanned 28-day readmission. In Cox regression analysis, unplanned readmission (hazard ratio (HR) 2.3, 95% confidence internal (CI) 1.7-2.9), older age (HR 1.38, CI 1.11-1.72), Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR 1.21, CI 1.17-1.27), and discharge to nursing home (HR 1.58, CI 1.23-2.02) were independent predictors of 12-month mortality. Readmitted patients with 12-month mortality were older, with higher rates of dementia, polypharmacy, and nursing home residence compared to readmitted patients who did not reach this endpoint. Unplanned hospital readmission within 28days of discharge is an independent predictor of 12-month mortality post in-hospital delirium admission. Admissions complicated by delirium and readmission episodes should instigate discussions regarding prognostication and goals of care. Greater research is required to minimise hospital readmission rates following discharge in this cohort.

Undergoing cartilage procedures before total knee arthroplasty is not associated with worse postoperative functional outcomes, readmission rates or complication rates.

Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with prior knee cartilage surgery have unclear outcomes in the literature. This study compared outcomes after TKA in patients with or without prior knee cartilage surgery, and we hypothesized there would be equivocal outcomes between groups. A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted on patients from our institution who underwent ipsilateral cartilage procedure(s) and TKA (cases) or TKA alone (controls) from 2000 to 2022. Cartilage procedures included Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), Osteochondral Allograft (OCA) and Microfracture (MFx). Matching was performed in 1:3 (case:control) ratio for age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, pre-TKA Kellgren-Lawrence osteoarthritis grade and follow-up for knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint replacement (KOOS-JR). Mann-Whitney U and χ2 analyses were conducted, with significance being a p < 0.05. A priori power analysis required 29 patients per cohort to reach a clinically detectable difference of 11 for KOOS-JR. Forty-three cases (one ACI, eight OCA and 34 MFx) and 129 controls were included after matching, with no significant demographic differences. Cases underwent TKA after cartilage surgery at a mean of 4.6 years. No significant differences existed between cases and controls for the preoperative KOOS-JR (45.2 vs. 47.8; p = 0.353), postoperative KOOS-JR (69.8 vs. 69.9; p = 0.974) or Delta KOOS-JR (30.4 vs. 26.0; p = 0.387). No significant differences existed for 90-day readmission rates (4.7% vs. 2.3%; p = 0.600) or revision TKA rates (11.6% vs. 5.4%; p = 0.177). Patients with and without prior cartilage surgery experience similar functional outcomes, readmission rates and revision rates after TKA on the same knee. Patients who are candidates for TKA with a history of cartilage surgery may be counselled that their surgical history on that knee does not convey the risk of worse functional outcomes. Level III case-control study.

HPB SO01 - Preoperative respiratory disease and outcomes of pancreatoduodenectomy performed for malignancy

Abstract Background Despite improvements to morbidity and mortality rates in recent decades, pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) remains a high-risk operation. Patients with pre-existing respiratory disease are likely to be at increased risk of developing postoperative complications but few prior studies have investigated this. This may be as few patients with significant respiratory pathology are considered appropriate surgical candidates. This study aimed to compare PD outcomes in patients with a prior respiratory condition to those without. The outcomes of interest were median length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, 90-day mortality, unplanned return to theatre rate and five-year survival. Method Data was extracted from the Recurrence After Whipple’s (RAW) study, a multicentre retrospective cohort study of outcomes of PD performed for pancreatic head malignancy (29 centres in 8 countries, n=1484). Pre-existing respiratory disease included a prior diagnosis of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, asbestosis, obstructive sleep apnoea, pleural effusion, tuberculosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, pneumoconiosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test were used to compare the two groups. Results Out of a total of 1484 cases, 142 patients (9.6%) had a pre-existing respiratory comorbidity. Asthma and COPD both affected 4.2% of patients. All other included pathologies affected less than one percent of patients. 30-day readmission (8.5% vs 9.1%, p=0.1), 90-day mortality (1.4% vs 3.7%, p=0.2), and unplanned return to theatre rate (3.5% vs 5.1%, p=0.5) were similar between the two groups, however, median LOS was significantly longer in those with a prior respiratory disease (14 vs 13 days, p&amp;lt;0.0001). Five-year survival was also higher in those without respiratory disease, but this was not quite significant (24.6% vs 32.5%, p=0.06). Conclusion In our multicentre study of patients with confirmed malignancy, PD patients with a preoperative respiratory disease had significantly longer length of stay. Five-year survival rates were slightly lower but this was not quite significant.

HPB SO08 - Safety of Robotic cholecystectomy as index training procedure – the UK experience

Abstract Background A recent large retrospective cohort study reported a higher risk of bile duct injury associated with robotic cholecystectomy when compared to the laparoscopic approach. Considering that most robotic training pathways, including the one followed in the UK, utilise robotic cholecystectomy as index training procedure, such findings mandate evaluation of the safety profile of robotic cholecystectomy in the UK to ensure its use as an alternative approach to laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not putting patients at risk. We aimed to conduct a multi-centre observational study to evaluate the safety profile of robotic cholecystectomy performed within the UK HPB Robotic training program. Method A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from eleven centres participating in the UK robotic HPB training program was conducted. All adult patients undergoing robotic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease or gallbladder polyp were considered. Bile duct injury, conversion to open procedure, conversion to subtotal cholecystectomy, length of hospital stay, 30-day re-admission, and post-operative complications were the evaluated outcome parameters. Results A total of 600 patients were included. The median age was 53 (IQR 65 - 41) years and the majority (72.7%; 436/600) were female. The main indications for robotic cholecystectomy were biliary colic (55.5%, 333/600), cholecystitis (18.8%, 113/600), gallbladder polyps (7.7%, 46/600) and pancreatitis (6.2%, 37/600). The median length of stay was 0 (IQR: 0-1) days. Of the included patients, 88.5% (531/600) were discharged on the day of procedure with 30-day re-admission rate of 5.5% (33/600). There were no bile duct injuries and the rate of conversion to open was 0.8% (5/600) with subtotal cholecystectomy rate of 0.8% (5/600). Conclusion This current study confirms that robotic cholecystectomy can be safely implemented to routine practice with a low risk of bile duct injury, low conversion to open surgery and low need for subtotal cholecystectomy.

BN SO17 - When cholecystectomies go wrong: A single-centre review of post-operative complications over a two year period

Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the main treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease with around 70,000 performed in the UK each year. The majority of these are day case procedures and patients recover well, however, there will always be a risk of more serious complication which can have serious negative effects on patients. The Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications is the most recognised method of grading post-operative complications by severity. The aim of our study was to identify our rates and severity of post-operative complication and their management. Method All patients who had LC between 1st July 2020 and 30th June 2022 were identified. Patient and operative details were retrieved from their electronic record. A complication was defined as any deviation from the standard post-operative course and was graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. 30-day readmission data was collected via hospital episode statistics and outcomes were reviewed on the patient record. Results 974 patients underwent LC. 30-day morbidity = 8.9%, 30-day readmission = 4.8% and 30-day mortality = 0.31%. Clavien-Dindo grade of complication: Grade 1= 44.7%, Grade 2 = 22.4%, Grade 3A = 12.9%, Grade 3B = 11.8%, Grade 4A = 1.2%, Grade 4B = 1.2%; and Grade 5 = 3.5%. 11 patients (1.1%) returned to theatre; bile leak was the most common indication (73%). Two intra-operative bile duct injuries were observed (0.21%) with one managed locally and the other transferred to the regional HPB centre. 7 patients required post-operative ERCP (0.72%), 57% for CBD stones and 43% for persistent bile leak. Conclusion Our study showed that the majority of post-operative morbidity following LC is related to post-operative pain (2.9%) or simple wound infection (1.8%). 2.6% of patients who underwent LC during had a significant complication requiring surgical, endoscopic or radiological intervention or admission to intensive care (Clavien-Dindo &amp;gt; 2). We report a 0.21% risk of bile duct injury and a 0.92% risk of post-operative bile leak. Overall our findings are in keeping with other studies but provide an insight into our local practice and that an area of potential improvement would be better management of post-operative pain.

Survival models and longitudinal medical events for hospital readmission forecasting.

The rate of 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions can affect the funding a hospital receives. An accurate and reliable readmission prediction model could save money and increase quality-of-care. Few projects have explored formulating this task as a survival prediction problem, where models can exploit a real-valued time-to-readmission target. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of a survival-inspired readmission model, especially when paired with a longitudinal patient representation that is agnostic to disease-cohort and predictive task. We forecast readmissions for a population-level cohort of 421,088 patients discharged in 2015 and 2016 from hospitals in Alberta, Canada. Clinical features and sequences of historical medical codes (calculated from at least four full years prior to discharge) from linked administrative sources serve as model inputs. We trained binary 30-day readmission models (XGBoost and a Deep Neural Network) and time-to-event readmission models (CoxPH and N-MTLR) with and without machine-learned medical knowledge at initialization, then compared against the popular LACE-based model using the AUROC score at 30 days (AUROC@30). Survival models are additionally evaluated using concordance, Integrated Brier, and L1-loss scores. All models that utilize sequence features markedly out-perform even the best models trained on only clinical features. Further, a time-to-event target improves predictive performance at 30 days, given the same model inputs and architecture. N-MTLR, using solely sequence inputs and initialized with pre-learned medical knowledge, achieves an average AUROC@30 of 0.8460 over five folds with a standard deviation of 0.003. All trained models match or out-perform the LACE baseline of 0.6587±0.003. Sequences of administrative medical codes contain rich predictive information for forecasting readmissions, and embedding medical knowledge a priori using machine learning provides readmission models an advantageous foundation for training. When combined with a model that can leverage a time-to-event target, excellent performance is possible on the 30-day all-cause readmission task using only administrative data.

The Association of Hospital-Cardiologist Integration With Patient Outcomes, CareQuality, and Utilization.

Cardiologists are increasingly moving from independent practice to direct employment by hospitals. Hospital employment has the potential to improve care coordination and delivery, but little is known about its effect on care quality and outcomes. In this study, we sought to assess the association between hospital employment of cardiologists and patient outcomes, care quality, and utilization among patients hospitalized with incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart failure (HF). We used a sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries hospitalized with incident AMI or HF from 2008 to 2019. We identified the accountable cardiologists that cared for these patients and determined their employment status by means of tax identification numbers. We used difference-in-differences methods to compare clinical outcomes, quality measures, and utilization for patients treated by hospital-employed cardiologists after switching from independent to hospital-employed practice, to outcomes for patients treated by cardiologists who remained independent. Models were adjusted for time trends and patient, hospital, and cardiologist characteristics. Patient outcomes were in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, and 30-day readmission. Quality measures were receipt of: 1) a guideline-recommended test to assess cardiac function; and 2) a 30-day follow-up clinic visit. Utilization measures were length of stay and, for AMI patients, the proportion receiving coronary revascularization. The proportion of U.S. cardiologists employed by hospitals increased from 26% in 2008 to 63% in 2019. We identified 186,052 AMI and 259,849 HF patients cared for by cardiologists who switched to hospital employment and 168,052 AMI and 245,769 HF patients cared for by independent cardiologists. Patient characteristics were similar (mean age 80.8 years; 47% men). We found no significant differences in outcomes (eg, adjusted difference in 30-day mortality 0.03% [95%CI:-0.39% to 0.45%] for AMI patients and-0.05% [95%CI:-0.37% to 0.27%] for HF patients); no differences in most quality metrics except a small increase in the proportion of HF patients with 30-day follow-up (adjusted difference: 1.04%; 95%CI: 0.46%-1.62%); and no differences in utilization between patients treated by hospital-employed cardiologists (postswitch) vs independent cardiologists. Among U.S. cardiologists, there has been a large shift from independent practice to direct employment by hospitals. We found minimal evidence that cardiologist employment by hospitals improves care quality or outcomes.

HPB SO12 - Comparison of outcomes between stapled closure and sutured closure of pancreatic stump following robotic distal pancreatectomy

Abstract Background Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) are associated with high patient mortality and morbidity. There are multiple approaches in managing pancreatic stumps following distal pancreatectomy. We compared the outcomes between sutured closure and stapled closure following robotic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, and the associated cost difference between the two techniques. Method We retrospectively analysed consecutive robotic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy cases between October 2022 and January 2024 in a single United Kingdom tertiary hospital. Stapled closure was the initial standard approach. Sutured closure utilising 3/0 Prolene was regularly performed from July 2023. The study cohort was divided into these two groups and outcomes were compared. Primary outcome was POPF rates and secondary outcomes included postoperative length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rates and postoperative complications graded by Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC). Equipment costs for the respective procedures were obtained from hospital procurement team. Results 36 patients were reviewed; 14 (38.9%) were stapled and 22 (61.1%) were sutured. Patient characteristics including mean age, gender and ASA grade were similar in both groups. 23/36 (63.9%) patients had confirmed malignancy on postoperative histopathology – similar distribution in both groups. 6/14 (42.9%) in the stapled group vs 4/22 (18.2%) in the sutured group developed POPF Grade B (p=0.14). LOS, 30-day readmission and CDC complication rates were similar in both groups. Median costs were £2236.40 and £1541.86 in the stapled and sutured groups respectively. Conclusion Sutured closure of pancreatic stump yielded similar outcomes to stapled closure following robotic distal pancreatectomy, associated with a significant cost saving in favour of sutured closure.

Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Outcomes after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Study Design. Retrospective Cohort Objective. To evaluate the impact of having a history of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on postoperative outcomes. Summary of Background Data. With an aging population and rates of obesity increasing, comorbidities that influence patient safety are increasingly common. One frequently overlooked comorbidity is OSA which affects nearly 24% of the population. Despite its prevalence, the impact of OSA on outcomes following ACDF is poorly understood. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patients &gt;18 years who underwent 1-4 level ACDF at an academic medical center from 2014-2020 was performed. Patient’s age, sex, BMI, CCI, hypertension, diabetes, and levels fused were propensity matched in a 3:1 fashion. Outcomes assessed included inpatient complications, 30 and 90-day ED visits, 30 and 90-day readmissions, reoperations, and one-year PROMs. Results. A total of 344 ACDF patients (86 OSA, 258 No OSA) were included. 30-day ED visits were higher among the OSA compared to the non-OSA group (5.85% vs 0%, P=0.001). Among ED visits, there were 2 patients with pneumonia, 1 with dysphagia, and 1 with extremity weakness, none of which warranted readmission. ED visits equalized in the 30–90-day window. There were no significant differences in inpatient complications, LOS, discharge disposition, readmissions, reoperations, and one-year PROMs. Conclusion. Patients with a history of OSA underwent ACDF without an increased risk of postoperative complications, readmissions, or reoperations and experienced a complication rate much lower than previously suggested by current literature. OSA patients experienced similar improvements in PROMs at 1-year follow-up. Surgeons should counsel OSA patients regarding the increased risk of 30-day ED visits. But overall, patients can expect safe and equivalent outcomes compared to non-OSA patients which lends support for safe outpatient surgery in this population.

EGS SO11 - A Retrospective Review of Perioperative Outcomes after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Older Patients

Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the definitive treatment for gallstone-related disease. With an increasingly aging population, a growing number of elderly patients are presenting acutely with gallstone pathology. However, rates of perioperative mortality and complications are significantly higher in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Kamarajah et al). We aim to evaluate peri-operative outcomes in elderly patients presenting with acute gallstone disease who have been clinically evaluated to be appropriate for emergency cholecystectomy, and explore the impact of frailty on these outcomes. Method A retrospective study was performed on patients over the age of 75 presenting acutely with gallstone disease over a 3-year period. Data on perioperative complications, mortality at 1 year, post-operative length of stay (LOS) and 90-day readmissions were collected and analysed. The patient’s pre-operative fitness was categorized using the ASA classification of physical status and the Clinical frailty score (CFS); a 9-point scale quantifying frailty based on function. Statistical significance was assessed to determine differences between the age or frailty score groups. Results 592 patients attended hospital with gallstone-related pathology; 99 patients underwent emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 486 patients were managed conservatively, and 25 patients had cholecystostomies. The post-operative mortality rate was 4%, post-operative complication 19.2% and readmission rate 11.1%. Post-operative LOS was significantly longer in frailer patients (p=0.02299). There were no statistically significant differences in mortality or post-operative complications between the CFS3 or less and CFS4 or more groups, although a general trend towards higher rates of complications and mortality was noted with increasing frailty. Conclusion Patients over 75 years of age should be carefully considered before proceeding with surgical management. Although older and frailer patients exhibited increased rates of complications and mortality post-operatively, these didn't reach statistical significance, reflecting the role of clinical decision-making regarding surgical fitness. Even for a pre-selected patient group, there is statistically significant prolonged post-operative LOS in frailer patients. This suggests a need for comprehensive preoperative assessment in this population, and a combination of CFS and ASA may be key determinants. Further studies assessing frailty and non-operative outcomes are required to substantiate these findings and guide clinical management in this population.

BN SO20 - Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Predictors of failure

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is the main treatment option for symptomatic gallstone disease. It is commonly performed as a day case operation and Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) have suggested that this should be the default position for all trusts. NHSE Model Hospital analyses hospital metrics and sets national benchmarks. They suggest that the day case rate for LC should be greater than 71.4%. The aim of our study is to analyse all elective LC’s over a two year period and identify factors that increase the likelihood of day-case failure and the common reasons for this. Method All patients who had LC between 1st July 2020 and 30th June 2022 were identified. All emergency cholecystectomies were excluded from analysis. Patient and operative details were retrieved from their electronic record and a Charlson co-morbidity index was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS with Chi-squared tests performed for categorical data and ANOVA for continuous data. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Statistical significance was taken as p&amp;lt;0.05. Results 788 patients had elective cholecystectomies with 74.0% being successful day-case. Factors increasing day-case failure included: Admission with gallbladder disease within past year (OR 3.15 (2.26-4.37), CBD diameter&amp;gt;8mm (OR 2.17(1.44-3.26), thick-walled gallbladder (OR 2.20(1.59-3.04), on-table cholangiogram (OR 4.16 (2.21-7.84), sub-total cholecystectomy (OR 30.6(9.19-102) and male sex (OR 1.55(1.11-2.18). Patients who failed day-case had higher mean age (59 vs 49) and higher co-morbidity index (2.16 vs 1.44). The most common reasons for day-case failure were complex procedure (41%), and symptom control (35%). Only 20% had planned admissions. 30-day morbidity and re-admission rate were higher for failed day-case patients. Conclusion Our hospital complies with the day case benchmark set out by Model Hospital. Furthermore, only 5.2% of patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy had a pre-operative decision for an inpatient stay demonstrating that day case is the default for the vast majority of patients. Despite this, improvement could still be made with post-operative symptom control to try and increase this number further.

AHP SO04 - ''Effectiveness of a surgical wound care bundle for reducing surgical site infection after emergency abdominal surgery''

Abstract Background Surgical site infection (SSI) imposes a considerable financial burden to both hospital and patient by increasing the hospital stay, utilization of resources and readmission rates. This study compared the effectiveness of surgical wound care bundle concept with traditional ongoing wound care for reduction of SSI after emergency abdominal surgery. Method This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out with a total of 120 patients who underwent emergency abdominal surgery were included after taking informed written consent and divided into two groups: Group-A (n=60, surgical wound care bundle) and Group-B (n=60, traditional ongoing care). A detailed history and thorough clinical examination were carried out in each patient. Data were collected in separated case-record form and analyzed by SPSS 24. Results Mean age of Group A and Group B was 44.88 ±11.2 years and 44.82±13.3 years accordingly (p=0.391) with male majority in both groups (70% in Group-A and 80% in Group-B, p&amp;lt;0.292). Both groups were statistically similar regarding comorbidities, baseline laboratory parameters and pre-operative diagnosis (p&amp;gt;0.05).Group-B patients had higher frequency of SSI development compared to Group-A(43.3% vs. 15%, p-0.001). Besides, patients having traditional ongoing care had longer hospital duration than surgical wound care bundle (10.1±2.7 vs. 6.9±1.9 days, p&amp;lt;0.01). Though not significant, 30-day readmission rate was also higher in Group-B than Group-A (16.7% vs. 5%, p=0.075). Conclusion Surgical wound care bundle reduce surgical site infections in patients with emergency surgery. However, further multicenter studies are warranted.

EGS SO08 - How best to time the operative management of acute cholecystitis: Is there a difference in outcomes between hot and smouldering cholecystectomy?

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is the main treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease. Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a common emergency presentation in the UK and the 2015 AUGIS guidelines recommend emergency cholecystectomy within 72 hours of admission if the patient is fit. On a practical level this can sometimes be difficult to implement and often patients are discharged to return for an elective procedure (the smouldering gallbladder). We aimed to analyse our practice at a large district general hospital for the management of patients with AC and their post-operative outcomes. Method All patients undergoing LC between 1st July 2020 and 30th June 2022 were identified. Patients with an ICD-10 code of K81 (AC) associated with an inpatient stay within a year of their operation were included. Those admitted and operated on during that admission were classified as hot cholecystectomies (HC), whereas those admitted and discharged for an elective procedure were termed smouldering cholecystectomies (SC). Patient and operative details were retrieved from their electronic record and a Charlson co-morbidity index was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS with Chi-squared tests performed for categorical data and ANOVA for continuous data. Results 276 patients underwent cholecystectomy for AC with 52.2% elective and 47.8% emergency (91% within 72 hours of admission). HC patients were younger (52.3 vs. 57.5, p&amp;lt;0.01) and less-comorbid (1.67 vs 2.12, p&amp;lt;0.05). The subtotal cholecystectomy rate was comparable between the groups (9.8% vs 16.0%, p=0.131). HC patients had more post-operative drains (38.6% vs 27.1%, p&amp;lt;0.05) and thick-walled gallbladders (92.4% vs 64.6%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Median post-operative length of stay was 1 day for HC and 0 days for SC. No difference was observed for 30-day readmission (4.5% vs 7.6%, p=0.286), morbidity (12.9% vs 11.8%, p=0.786) or mortality (0.8% vs 0.7%, p=0.951). Conclusion This study adds to the evidence that emergency cholecystectomy is as safe an option as discharging patients to return for an elective procedure in the future. Although a proportion of those discharged to return for an elective operation will have thin-walled gallbladders, the rate of subtotal cholecystectomy remains similar, if not slightly higher in the elective group (although not reaching statistical significance). Most emergency cholecystectomy patients were discharged the following day, therefore demonstrating that they do not significantly contribute to bed blocking and reduce the burden on already strained elective waiting lists.

MS O01 - HPB Outcomes following Cholecystostomy Insertion for Acute Cholecystitis: A National Registry-based Study

Abstract Background Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a commonly encountered surgical emergency. In cases of severe AC or cholangitis, or in patients with significant comorbidities, percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) may be employed. International data suggest PC is associated with significantly worse patient outcomes, but limited data exist in the Irish context. Method All patients with AC presenting to public hospitals in Ireland between January 2017 and July 2023 were identified using the National Quality Assurance and Improvement System (NQAIS). Data were collected on patient demographics including age, co-morbidities, length of stay/LOS, operative intervention, endoscopic intervention, critical care admissions, in-patient mortality, and readmissions. All patients managed with PC were identified, and their outcomes compared to patients managed without PC. Results In total, 20,886 patients were admitted with AC. 975 (5%) patients underwent PC and 19,911 patients (95%) were managed without percutaneous cholecystostomy. In comparison to non-cholecystostomy cohort, the PC cohort was older (median 72 v 58 years, p&amp;lt;0.001), less likely to be female (39% v 57% p&amp;lt;0.001), had proportionally longer LOS (&amp;lt;0.001), higher mortality rates (&amp;lt;0.001), were more likely to be admitted to critical care (&amp;lt;0.001), and more likely to be re-admitted to hospital within 30 days (&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion Cholecystostomy insertion occurs in older patients with more comorbidities. These patients have higher in-hospital mortality rates, higher rates of critical care admission, longer LOS, and increased 30-day readmission rates.