Failure To Rescue Research Articles

Outcomes of liver surgery: A decade of mandatory nationwide auditing in the Netherlands

BackgroundIn 2013, the nationwide Dutch Hepato Biliary Audit (DHBA) was initiated. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in indications for and outcomes of liver surgery in the last decade. MethodsThis nationwide study included all patients who underwent liver surgery for four indications, including colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and intrahepatic– and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA – pCCA) between 2014 and 2022. Trends in postoperative outcomes were evaluated separately for each indication using multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses. ResultsThis study included 8057 procedures for CRLM, 838 for HCC, 290 for iCCA, and 300 for pCCA. Over time, these patients had higher risk profiles (more ASA-III patients and more comorbidities). Adjusted mortality decreased over time for CRLM, HCC and iCCA, respectively aOR 0.83, 95%CI 0.75–0.92, P < 0.001; aOR 0.86, 95%CI 0.75–0.99, P = 0.045; aOR 0.40, 95%CI 0.20–0.73, P < 0.001. Failure to rescue (FTR) also decreased for these groups, respectively aOR 0.84, 95%CI 0.76–0.93, P = 0.001; aOR 0.81, 95%CI 0.68–0.97, P = 0.024; aOR 0.29, 95%CI 0.08–0.84, P = 0.021). For iCCA severe complications (aOR 0.65 95%CI 0.43–0.99, P = 0.043) also decreased. No significant outcome differences were observed in pCCA. The number of centres performing liver resections decreased from 26 to 22 between 2014 and 2022, while median annual volumes did not change (40–49, P = 0.66). ConclusionOver time, postoperative mortality and FTR decreased after liver surgery, despite treating higher-risk patients. The DHBA continues its focus on providing feedback and benchmark results to further enhance outcomes.

Outcomes of Women Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery in Veterans Affairs Compared With Non–Veterans Affairs Care Settings

Recent legislation facilitates veterans' ability to receive non-Veterans Affairs (VA) surgical care. Although veterans are predominantly male, the number of women receiving care within the VA has nearly doubled to 10% over the past decade and recent data comparing the surgical care of women in VA and non-VA care settings are lacking. To compare postoperative outcomes among women treated in VA hospitals vs private-sector hospitals. This coarsened exact-matched cohort study across 9 noncardiac specialties in the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) took place from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. Multivariable Poisson models with robust standard errors were used to evaluate the association between VA vs private-sector care settings and 30-day mortality. Hospitals participating in American College of Surgeons NSQIP and VASQIP were included. Data analysis was performed in January 2023. Participants included female patients 18 years old or older. Surgical care in VA or private-sector hospitals. Postoperative 30-day mortality and failure to rescue (FTR). Among 1 913 033 procedures analyzed, patients in VASQIP were younger (VASQIP: mean age, 49.8 [SD, 13.0] years; NSQIP: mean age, 55.9 [SD, 16.9] years; P < .001) and although most patients in both groups identified as White, there were significantly more Black women in VASQIP compared with NSQIP (29.6% vs 12.7%; P < .001). The mean risk analysis index score was lower in VASQIP (13.9 [SD, 6.4]) compared with NSQIP (16.3 [SD, 7.8]) (P < .001 for both). Patients in the VA were more likely to have a preoperative acute serious condition (2.4% vs 1.8%: P < .001), but cases in NSQIP were more frequently emergent (6.9% vs 2.6%; P < .001). The 30-day mortality, complications, and FTR were 0.2%, 3.2%, and 0.1% in VASQIP (n = 36 762 procedures) as compared with 0.8%, 5.0%, and 0.5% in NSQIP (n = 1 876 271 procedures), respectively (all P < .001). Among 1 763 540 matched women (n = 36 478 procedures in VASQIP; n = 1 727 062 procedures in NSQIP), these rates were 0.3%, 3.7%, and 0.2% in NSQIP and 0.1%, 3.4%, and 0.1% in VASQIP (all P < .01). Relative to private-sector care, VA surgical care was associated with a lower risk of death (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23-0.76). This finding was robust among women undergoing gynecologic surgery, inpatient surgery, and low-physiologic stress procedures. VA surgical care was also associated with lower risk of FTR (aRR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.18-0.92) for frail or Black women and inpatient and low-physiologic stress procedures. Although women comprise the minority of veterans receiving care within the VA, in this study, VA surgical care for women was associated with half the risk of postoperative death and FTR. The VA appears better equipped to meet the unique surgical needs and risk profiles of veterans, regardless of sex and health policy decisions, including funding, should reflect these important outcome differences.

Investigating the link between frailty and outcomes in geriatric patients with isolated rib fractures

BackgroundStudies have shown an increased risk of morbidity in elderly patients suffering rib fractures from blunt trauma. The association between frailty and rib fractures on adverse outcomes is still ill-defined....

Association of risk analysis index with 90-day failure to rescue following major abdominal surgery in geriatric patients

Failure to rescue (FTR) is a quality metric defined as mortality after potentially preventable complications after surgery. Predicting patients who are at the highest risk of mortality after a complication may aid in preventing deaths. Thirty-day follow-up period inadequately captures postoperative deaths; alternatively, a 90-day follow-up period has been advocated. This study aimed to examine the association of a validated frailty metric, the risk analysis index (RAI), with 90-day FTR (FTR-90). Patients aged ≥65 years who underwent a major abdominal operation between 2014 and 2020 at a quaternary care center were abstracted. Institutional data were merged with the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) and Geriatric Surgery Research File variables. The association between RAI and FTR-90 was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 398 patients with postoperative complications were included. Fifty-two patients (13.1%) died during the 90-day follow-up. The FTR-90 group was older (median age: 76 vs 73 years, respectively; P=.002), had a greater preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists classification score (P<.001), and had a higher ACS NSQIP estimated risk of morbidity (0.33% vs 0.20%, P<.001) and mortality (0.067% vs 0.012%, P<.001). The FTR-90 group had a greater median RAI score (23 vs 19; P=.002). The RAI score was independently associated with FTR-90 (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.0042-1.0770; P=.028) but not with FTR-30 (P=.13). Preoperative frailty, as defined by RAI, is independently associated with FTR at 90-day follow-up. FTR-90 captured nearly 60% more deaths than did FTR-30. Frailty has major implications beyond the typical 30-day follow-up period, and a longer follow-up period must be considered.

DOES FRAILTY IMPACT FAILURE-TO-RESCUE IN GERIATRIC TRAUMA PATIENTS?

Failure-to-rescue (FTR), defined as death following a major complication, is a metric of trauma quality. The impact of patient frailty on FTR has not been fully investigated, especially in geriatric trauma patients. This study hypothesized that frailty increased the risk of FTR in geriatric patients with severe injury. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TQIP database between 2015 and 2019, including geriatric patients with trauma (age ≥ 65 years) and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15, who survived ≥48 h post-admission. Frailty was assessed using the modified 5-item frailty index (mFI). Patients were categorized into frail (mFI ≥ 2) and non-frail (mFI < 2) groups. Logistic regression analysis and a generalized additive model (GAM) were used to examine the association between FTR and patient frailty after controlling for age, sex, type of injury, trauma center level, ISS, and vital signs on admission. Among 52,312 geriatric trauma patients, 34.6% were frail (mean mFI: frail: 2.3 vs. non-frail: 0.9, p < 0.001). Frail patients were older (age 77 vs. 74 years, p < 0.001), had a lower ISS (19 vs. 21, p < 0.001), and had a higher incidence of FTR compared to non-frail patients (8.7% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.006). Logistic regression analysis revealed that frailty was an independent predictor of FTR (odds ratio [CI]: 1.32 [1.23-1.44], p < 0.001). The GAM plots showed a linear increase in FTR incidence with increasing mFI after adjusting for confounders. This study demonstrated that frailty independently contributes to an increased risk of FTR in geriatric trauma patients. The impact of patient frailty should be considered when using FTR to measure the quality of trauma care. Level IV, therapeutic/care management.

Cardiac risk stratification and adverse outcomes in surgically managed patients with isolated traumatic spine injuries

IntroductionAs the incidence of traumatic spine injuries has been steadily increasing, especially in the elderly, the ability to categorize patients based on their underlying risk for the adverse outcomes could be of great value in clinical decision making. This study aimed to investigate the association between the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) and adverse outcomes in patients who have undergone surgery for traumatic spine injuries.MethodsAll adult patients (18 years or older) in the 2013–2019 TQIP database with isolated spine injuries resulting from blunt force trauma, who underwent spinal surgery, were eligible for inclusion in the study. The association between the RCRI and in-hospital mortality, cardiopulmonary complications, and failure-to-rescue (FTR) was determined using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors to adjust for potential confounding.ResultsA total of 39,391 patients were included for further analysis. In the regression model, an RCRI ≥ 3 was associated with a threefold risk of in-hospital mortality [adjusted IRR (95% CI): 3.19 (2.30–4.43), p < 0.001] and cardiopulmonary complications [adjusted IRR (95% CI): 3.27 (2.46–4.34), p < 0.001], as well as a fourfold risk of FTR [adjusted IRR (95% CI): 4.27 (2.59–7.02), p < 0.001], compared to RCRI 0. The risk of all adverse outcomes increased stepwise along with each RCRI score.ConclusionThe RCRI may be a useful tool for identifying patients with traumatic spine injuries who are at an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, cardiopulmonary complications, and failure-to-rescue after surgery.

Can we predict Failure-to-rescue (FTR) following Pancreatoduodenectomy at a high volume centre?

Can we predict Failure-to-rescue (FTR) following Pancreatoduodenectomy at a high volume centre?

A Predictive Model of Failure to Rescue After Thoracolumbar Fusion.

Although failure to rescue (FTR) has been utilized as a quality-improvement metric in several surgical specialties, its current utilization in spine surgery is limited. Our study aims to identify the patient characteristics that are independent predictors of FTR among thoracolumbar fusion (TLF) patients. Patients who underwent TLF were identified using relevant diagnostic and procedural codes from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2011-2020. Frailty was assessed using the risk analysis index (RAI). FTR was defined as death, within 30 days, following a major complication. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to compare baseline characteristics and early postoperative sequelae across FTR and non-FTR cohorts. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the discriminatory accuracy of the frailty-driven predictive model for FTR. The study cohort (N = 15,749) had a median age of 66 years (interquartile range, 15 years). Increasing frailty, as measured by the RAI, was associated with an increased likelihood of FTR: odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) is RAI 21-25, 1.3 [0.8-2.2]; RAI 26-30, 4.0 [2.4-6.6]; RAI 31-35, 7.0 [3.8-12.7]; RAI 36-40, 10.0 [4.9-20.2]; RAI 41- 45, 21.5 [9.1-50.6]; RAI ≥ 46, 45.8 [14.8-141.5]. The frailty-driven predictive model for FTR demonstrated outstanding discriminatory accuracy (C-statistic = 0.92; CI, 0.89-0.95). Baseline frailty, as stratified by type of postoperative complication, predicts FTR with outstanding discriminatory accuracy in TLF patients. This frailty-driven model may inform patients and clinicians of FTR risk following TLF and help guide postoperative care after a major complication.

The frailty-driven predictive model for failure to rescue among patients who experienced a major complication following cervical decompression and fusion: an ACS-NSQIP analysis of 3,632 cases (2011–2020)

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPreoperative risk stratification for patients considering cervical decompression and fusion (CDF) relies on established independent risk factors to predict the probability of complications and outcomes in order to help guide pre and perioperative decision-making. PURPOSEThis study aims to determine frailty's impact on failure to rescue (FTR), or when a mortality occurs within 30 days following a major complication. STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGCross-sectional retrospective analysis of retrospective and nationally-representative data. PATIENT SAMPLEThe American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for all CDF cases from 2011-2020. OUTCOME MEASURESCDF patients who experienced a major complication were identified and FTR was calculated as death or hospice disposition within 30 days of a major complication. METHODSFrailty was measured by the Risk Analysis Index-Revised (RAI-Rev). Baseline patient demographics and characteristics were compared for all FTR patients. Significant factors were assessed by univariate and multivariable regression for the development of a frailty-driven predictive model for FTR. The discriminative ability of the predictive model was assessed using a receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTSThere were 3632 CDF patients who suffered a major complication and 7.6% (277 patients) subsequently expired or dispositioned to hospice, the definition of FTR. Independent predictors of FTR were nonelective surgery, frailty, preoperative intubation, thrombosis or embolic complication, unplanned intubation, on ventilator for >48 hours, cardiac arrest, and septic shock. Frailty, and a combination of preoperative and postoperative risk factors in a predictive model for FTR, achieved outstanding discriminatory accuracy (C-statistic = 0.901, CI: 0.883–0.919). CONCLUSIONPreoperative and postoperative risk factors, combined with frailty, yield a highly accurate predictive model for FTR in CDF patients. Our model may guide surgical management and/or prognostication regarding the likelihood of FTR after a major complication postoperatively with CDF patients. Future studies may determine the predictive ability of this model in other neurosurgical patient populations.

Hospital Variation in Mortality and Failure to Rescue after Surgery for High-Risk Neonatal Diagnoses

Introduction: A large proportion of postoperative mortality after pediatric surgery occurs among neonates with specific high-risk diagnoses. The extent to which there is hospital-level mortality variation among patients with these diagnoses and whether this variation is associated with differences in failure to rescue (FTR) is unclear. Methods: The Pediatric Health Information System® database (2012–2020) was used to identify patients who underwent surgery for eight high-risk neonatal diagnoses: gastroschisis; volvulus; necrotizing enterocolitis; intestinal atresia; meconium peritonitis; tracheoesophageal fistula; congenital diaphragmatic hernia; and perinatal intestinal perforation. Hospitals were stratified into tertiles of reliability-adjusted inpatient mortality rates (lower than average mortality – tertile 1 [T1]; higher than average mortality – tertile 3 [T3]). Multivariable hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the association between hospital-level, reliability-adjusted mortality and FTR. Results: Overall, 20,838 infants were identified across 48 academic, pediatric hospitals. Adjusted hospital mortality rates ranged from 4.0% (95% CI, 0.0–8.2) to 16.3% (12.2–20.4). Median case volume (range, 80–1,238) and number of NICU beds (range, 24–126) were not significantly different across hospital tertiles. Compared to the hospitals with the lowest postoperative mortality (T1), the odds of FTR were significantly higher in hospitals with the highest (T3) postoperative mortality (odds ratio 1.97 [1.50–2.59]). Conclusions: Significant variation in neonatal hospital mortality for high-risk diagnoses does not appear to be explained by hospital structural characteristics. Rather, difference in FTR suggests quality improvement interventions targeting early recognition and management of postoperative complications could improve surgical quality and safety for high-risk neonatal care.

Requirements for hospitals in Japan to have low operative mortality and failure-to-rescue rates.

We explored institutional factors in Japan associated with lower operative mortality and failure-to-rescue (FTR) rates for eight major gastrointestinal procedures. A 22-item online questionnaire was sent to 2119 institutional departments (IDs) to examine the association between institutional factors and operative mortality and FTR rates. IDs were classified according to the number of annual surgeries, board certification status, and locality. In addition, the top 20% and bottom 20% of IDs were identified based on FTR rates and matched with the results of the questionnaire survey. Factors associated with operative mortality were selected by multivariate analysis. Of the 1083 IDs that responded to the questionnaire, 568 (213 382 patients) were included in the analysis. Operative morbidity, operative mortality, and FTR rates in the top 20% and bottom 20% of IDs were 13.1% and 8.4% (p < 0.001), 0.52% and 4.3% (p < 0.001), and 4.0% and 51.2% (p < 0.001), respectively. Based on the patients' background characteristics, the top 20% of IDs handled more advanced cases. No significant difference in locality was seen between better or worse hospital FTR rates, but fewer esophagectomies, hepatectomies, and pancreatoduodenectomies were performed in depopulated areas. Six items were found to be associated with operative mortality by multivariate logistic analysis. Only 50 (8.8%) IDs met all five factors related to better FTR rates. The present findings indicate that several hospital factors surrounding surgical treatment, characterized by abundant human resources, are closely related to better postoperative recovery from severe complications.

Association of race, demographic and socioeconomic factors with failure to rescue after hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery in the United States

BackgroundWe aimed to describe the association of patient-related factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and insurance on failure to rescue (FTR) after hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeries. MethodsUsing the National Inpatient Sample, we analyzed 98,788 elective HPB surgeries between 2004 and 2017. Major and minor complications were identified using ICD9/10 codes. We evaluated mortality rates and FTR (inpatient mortality after major complications). We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess racial, socioeconomic, and demographic factors on FTR, adjusting for covariates. ResultsOverall, 43 % of patients (n = 42,256) had pancreatic operations, 36% (n = 35,526) had liver surgery, and 21% (n = 21,006) had biliary interventions. The overall major complication rate was 21% (n = 20,640), of which 8% (n = 1655) suffered FTR. Factors independently associated with increased risk for FTR were male sex, older age, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, Hispanic ethnicity, Asian or other race, lower income quartile, Medicare insurance, and southern region hospitals. ConclusionsMedicare insurance, male gender, Hispanic ethnicity, and lower income quartile were associated with increased risk for FTR. Efforts should be made to improve the identification and subsequent treatment of complications for those at high risk of FTR.

Racial Disparities in Failure to Rescue after Pediatric Heart Surgeries in the US

To identify the trend in failure to rescue (FTR) and risk factors contributing to racial disparities in FTR after pediatric heart surgery using contemporary nationwide data. We identified 85,267 congenital heart surgeries in patients <18 years of age from 2009 to 2019 using the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID). The primary outcome was FTR. A mixed-effect logistic regression model with hospital random intercept was used to identify independent predictors of FTR. Among 36,753 surgeries with postoperative complications, the FTR was 7.3%. The FTR decreased from 7.4% in 2009 to 6.3% in 2019 (p=0.02). FTR was higher among Black than White children for all years. The FTR was higher among girls (7.2%) vs. boys (6.6%), children aged <1 (9.6%) vs. 12-17 years (2.4%), and those of Black (8.5%) vs. White race (5.9%) (all p<0.05). Black race was associated with a higher FTR odds (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.20-1.65) after adjusting for demographics, medical complexity, non-elective admission, and hospital surgical volume. Higher hospital volume was associated with lower odds of FTR for all racial groups, but fewer Black (19.7%) vs. White (31%) children received surgery at high surgical-volume hospitals (p<0.001). If Black children were operated upon in the same hospitals as White children, the racial differences in FTR would decrease by 47.3%. Racial disparities exist in FTR after pediatric heart surgery in the United States. The racial differences in the location of care may account for almost half the disparities in FTR.

Utility of Hospital Failure to Rescue for Analyzing Variation in Pediatric Postoperative Mortality.

To evaluate the association between pediatric hospital performances in terms of failure to rescue (FTR), defined as postoperative mortality after a surgical complication, and mortality among patients without a surgical complication. Retrospective cohort study. Forty-eight academic, pediatric hospitals; data obtained from Pediatric Health Information System database (Child Health Corporation of America, Shawnee Mission, KS) (2012-2020). Children who underwent at least one of 57 high-risk operations associated with significant postoperative mortality. Hospitals were stratified into quintiles of reliability adjusted FTR (lower than average FTR in quintile 1 [Q1], higher than average FTR in quintile 5 [Q5]). Multivariable hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the association between hospital FTR performance and mortality among patients who did not have a surgical complication. Among 203,242 children treated across 48 academic hospitals, the complication and overall postoperative mortality rates were 8.8% and 2.3%, respectively. Among patients who had a complication, the FTR rate was 8.8%. Among patients who did not have a complication, the mortality rate was 1.7%. There was a 6.5-fold increase in reliability adjusted FTR between the lowest and highest performing hospitals (lowest FTR hospital-2.7%; 95% CI [1.6-3.9]; highest FTR hospital-17.8% [16.8-18.8]). Complex chronic conditions were highly prevalent across hospitals (Q1, 72.7%; Q2, 73.8%; Q3, 72.2%; Q4, 74.0%; Q5, 74.8%; trend test p < 0.01). Relative to Q1 hospitals, the odds of mortality in the absence of a postoperative complication significantly increased by 33% at Q5 hospitals (odds ratio 1.33; 95% CI [1.07-1.66]). This association was consistent when limited to patients with a complex chronic condition and neonates. FTR may be a useful and valid surgical quality measure for pediatric surgery, even when considering patients without a postoperative complication. These findings suggest practices and processes for preventing FTR at high performing pediatric hospitals might help mitigate the risk of postoperative mortality even in the absence of a postoperative complication.

Contemporary Relationship Between Hospital Volume and Outcomes in Congenital Heart Surgery

BackgroundStudies examining the volume-outcome relationship in congenital heart surgery (CHS) are more than a decade old. Since then, mortality has declined, and case-mix adjustment has evolved. We determined the current relationship between hospital CHS volume and outcomes. MethodsPatients aged ≤18 years undergoing index operations in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2017-2020) were included. Associations between annual hospital volume and case-mix–adjusted operative mortality, major complications, failure to rescue (FTR), and postoperative length of stay (PLOS) were assessed using Bayesian hierarchical models, overall, by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category, and for the Norwood procedure. ResultsAcross 101 centers (76,714 index operations), median annual volume was 144 operations/y. Operative mortality was 2.7%. Lower-volume hospitals had higher mortality, with an apparent transition zone at ∼190 operations/y (95% credible interval [CrI], 115-450 operations/y), below which a sustained uptick in the estimated odds of death occurred. Odds of death compared with a 450 operations/y reference were 50 operations/y (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% CrI, 1.41-2.37), 100 operations/y (OR, 1.37; 95% CrI, 1.08-1.71), 200 operations/y (OR, 0.92; 95% CrI, 0.1-1.18), 300 operations/y (OR, 0.89; 95% CrI, 0.76-1.04). The volume-outcome effect was more apparent for STAT 4 to 5 than STAT 1 to 3 operations. In the overall cohort, PLOS and complications were similar across hospital volumes, whereas FTR rates were higher at lower-volume hospitals. Lower-volume hospitals had worse outcomes after the Norwood procedure, most notably mortality and FTR. ConclusionsHospital volume is associated with mortality and FTR after CHS. The relationship is strongest for high-risk operations. These data can inform ongoing initiatives to improve CHS care.

Peri-operative predictive factors of failure to rescue after highly advanced hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery.

39 Background: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as postoperative complications leading to mortality, is a recently described outcome metric to evaluate the quality of treatment. However, predictive factors of FTR, particularly after highly advanced hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery (HBPS), have not been adequately investigated. Thus, it remains unclear. The object of this study is to identify the perioperative predictive factors of FTR after highly advanced HBPS. Methods: This single-institution retrospective study included 177 patients who developed severe postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification≧grade3a) after highly advanced HBPS from 2010 to 2022 at Gifu University Hospital. We statistically analyzed pre-, intra-, and post-operative risks for FTR using logistic regression. Results: Nine postoperative mortalities occurred, for overall mortality rate of 1.3% (9 / 686) and FTR rate of 5.1% (9 /177). In univariate analysis, liver disease comorbidity, intra-operative blood loss, intra-operative blood transfusion, post-operative liver failure, post-operative respiratory failure, and post-operative bleeding were significantly correlated with FTR. A multivariate analysis revealed that intra-operative blood loss (&gt;1600ml; odds ratio [OR] 77255486; 95% confidence interval [CI] 18.26–; p &lt;0.0001) and post-operative respiratory failure (OR 43422062; 95% CI 9.83–; p &lt;0.0005) were independently associated with FTR. Conclusions: FTR have been shown to be associated with hospital factors. This study showed that FTR may be also associated with peri-operative factors. Prevention of massive intra-operative blood loss and postoperative respiratory failure may be able to decrease FTR.

Volume-failure-to-rescue relationship in acute type A aortic dissections: An analysis of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between volume of cases and failure-to-rescue (FTR) rate after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) across the United States. MethodsThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons adult cardiac surgery database was used to review outcomes of surgery after ATAAD between June 2017 and December 2021. Mixed-effect models and restricted cubic splines were used to determine the risk-adjusted relationships between ATAAD average volume and FTR rate. FTR calculation was based on deaths associated with the following complications: venous thromboembolism/deep venous thrombosis, stroke, renal failure, mechanical ventilation >48 hours, sepsis, gastrointestinal complications, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and unplanned reoperation. ResultsIn total, 18,192 patients underwent surgery for ATAAD in 832 centers. The included hospitals' median volume was 2.2 cases/year (interquartile range [IQR], 0.9-5.8). Quartiles’ distribution was 615 centers in the first (1.3 cases/year, IQR, 0.4-2.9); 123 centers in the second (8 cases/year, IQR, 6.7-10.2); 66 centers in the third (15.6 cases/year, IQR, 14.2-18); and 28 centers in the fourth quartile (29.3 cases/year, IQR, 28.8-46.0). Fourth-quartile hospitals performed more extensive procedures. Overall complication, mortality, and FTR rates were 52.6%, 14.2%, and 21.7%, respectively. Risk-adjusted analysis demonstrated increased odds of FTR when the average volume was fewer than 10 cases per year. ConclusionsAlthough high-volume centers performed more complex procedures than low-volume centers, their operative mortality was lower, perhaps reflecting their ability to rescue patients and mitigate complications. An average of fewer than 10 cases per year at an institution is associated with increased odds of failure to rescue patients after ATAAD repair.

Outcomes Associated With Esophageal Perforation Management: Results From a French Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study.

To evaluate outcomes associated with esophageal perforation (EP) management at a national level and determine predictive factors of 90-day mortality (90dM), failure-to-rescue (FTR), and major morbidity (MM, Clavien-Dindo 3-4). EP remains a challenging clinical emergency. Previous population-based studies showed rates of 90dM up to 38.8% but were outdated or small-sized. Data from patients admitted to hospitals with EP were extracted from the French medico-administrative database (2012-2021). Etiology, management strategies, and short and long-term outcomes were analyzed. A cutoff value of the annual EP management caseload affecting FTR was determined using the "Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector" method. Random effects logistic regression model was performed to assess independent predictors of 90dM, FTR, and MM. Among 4765 patients with EP, 90dM and FTR rates were 28.0% and 19.4%, respectively. Both remained stable during the study period. EP was spontaneous in 68.2%, due to esophageal cancer in 19.7%, iatrogenic postendoscopy in 7.3%, and due to foreign body ingestion in 4.7%. Primary management consisted of surgery (n = 1447,30.4%), endoscopy (n = 590,12.4%), isolated drainage (n = 336,7.0%), and conservative management (n = 2392,50.2%). After multivariate analysis, besides age and comorbidity, esophageal cancer was predictive of both 90dM and FTR. An annual threshold of ≥8 EP managed annually was associated with a reduced 90dM and FTR rate. In France, only some university hospitals fulfilled this condition. Furthermore, primary surgery was associated with a lower 90dDM and FTR rate despite an increase in MM. We provide evidence for the referral of EP to high-volume centers with multidisciplinary expertise. Surgery remains an effective treatment for EP.

The Emerging Role of "Failure to Rescue" as the Primary Quality Metric for Cardiovascular Surgery and Critical Care.

We conducted a thorough literature review on the emerging role of failure to rescue (FTR) as a quality metric for cardiovascular surgery and critical care. For this purpose, we identified all original research studies assessing the implementation of FTR in cardiovascular surgery and critical care from 1992 to 2023. All included studies were evaluated for their quality. Although all studies defined FTR as mortality after a surgical complication, a high heterogeneity has been reported among studies regarding the included complications. There are certain factors that affect the FTR, divided into hospital- and patient-related factors. The identification of these factors allowed us to build a stepwise roadmap to reduce the FTR rate. Recently, FTR has further evolved as a metric to assess morbidity instead of mortality, while being also evaluated in the context of interventional cardiology. All these advances are further discussed in the current review, thus providing all the necessary information to surgeons, anesthesiologists, and physicians willing to implement FTR as a metric of quality in their establishment.

Surgical rescue strategies and techniques for gastrointestinal fistulas

Abstract A gastrointestinal fistula is a severe medical condition that may lead to sepsis or septic shock. It requires immediate response and valid treatment to prevent subsequent deterioration. Surgical rescues are effective measures to cope with aforementioned situations, but there remain challenges in successful implementation. Institutional factors, including constrained hospital volume, technological gap, and limited competence of surgeons and nurses, could lead to surgical failure to rescue (FTR), while high-risk patient characteristics such as aging, diabetes mellitus, and chronic organ dysfunction have a bearing on the outcome as well. Surgical rescue strategies encompass damage control surgery and resuscitation. Based on disease severity, sequential damage control measures involving vessel catheter removal, abdominal drainage tube replacement, trocar-assisted percutaneous abscess drainage, laparoscopic drainage, and open abdomen therapy should be applied accordingly.