Major Gastrointestinal Surgery Research Articles

Importance of preoperative health status and intraoperative factors in predicting adverse outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery

Introduction and objective: Perioperative management of elderly (aged 65 or older) surgical patients has become an essential component of surgical and anesthetic practice. Certain preoperative and intraoperative factors may predict adverse outcomes in such patients. The objective was to determine the prevalence and predictors of adverse postoperative outcomes in older surgical patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.Materials and Methods: Prospective study of consecutive elderly patients who underwent major gastrointestinal surgery between August 2015 and November 2015 in Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital. Patients were followed up to 1 month after surgery. Potential pre- and intra-operative risk factors were measured and evaluated for their association with the occurrence of predefined adverse outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression of predictors of postoperative outcomes were measured. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and two-sided p-values were reported.Results: One hundred and thirty-three consecutive patients were studied. Overall, 89 (66.9%) of patients developed one or more postoperative adverse outcomes and 6 (4.51%) died during their postoperative period. Of all the adverse outcomes, Respiratory (38.3%) were the leading cause of morbidity, followed by Gastrointestinal (32.3%) and Cardiovascular (28.8%) complications. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, presence of comorbidites (OR 1.8, CI 1.1-2.8), low albumin (OR 2.71, CI 0.1-6.6), tachycardia (OR 3.7, CI 1.2-10.8) and hypotension (OR 8.9, CI 1.1-17) were the significant predictors of postoperative adverse outcomes. The mean hospital stay was 7.4±3.8 days.Conclusion: Low albumin and presence of comorbidities, tachycardia and hypotension are significant predictors of adverse surgical outcomes. Age by itself is not associated with adverse outcomes.

Age of Transfused Blood Impacts Perioperative Outcomes Among Patients Who Undergo Major Gastrointestinal Surgery.

To evaluate the impact of transfused packed red blood cell (PRBC) age on perioperative morbidity among patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. Patients undergoing major surgery often receive PRBC transfusions. The effect of PRBC age (ie, storage duration before transfusion) on perioperative surgical outcomes remains poorly defined. In this study, 1365 patients were identified who underwent a hepato-pancreatic or colorectal resection and received ≥1 unit of PRBCs between 2009 and 2014 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Data regarding the storage duration of PRBCs, clinicopathologic characteristics, and perioperative outcomes were obtained and analyzed. Multivariable modified Poisson regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of PRBC age on perioperative morbidity. A total of 5901 PRBC units were transfused for a median of 2 (interquartile range 2-4) units transfused per patient. In all, 936 (68.6%) patients received only units of blood that had been stored for less than 35 days ("fresh" blood), whereas 429 (31.4%) patients received at least 1 unit of PRBC that had been stored for ≥35 days ("older" blood). Overall postoperative morbidity was 32.8%. The incidence of postoperative complications (42.7% vs 28.3%) was higher among patients who received "older" vs "fresh" blood (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders on multivariable analysis, transfusion of "older" blood remained independently associated with an increased risk of perioperative morbidity (Relative Risk 1.20, P = 0.03). The use of "older" blood was an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity among patients undergoing hepato-pancreatic or colorectal procedures. Transfusion of "older" blood products may contribute to a higher risk of postoperative complications.

Use of Laparoscopy in Gastrointestinal Surgery in Sweden 1998-2014: A Nationwide Study.

One by one, minimally invasive alternatives to established gastrointestinal procedures have become clinical routine. We have studied the use of laparoscopy in four common procedures-cholecystectomy, appendectomy, reflux surgery, and bariatric surgery-as well as in major resectional gastrointestinal surgery in Sweden. The National Patient Registry was used to identify all in-hospital procedures performed in patients above the age of 15 during 1998-2014, meeting our inclusion criteria. For each group, the annual number of procedures and proportion of laparoscopic surgery were studied, as well as applicable subgroups. Differences in age, gender, as well as geographical differences were evaluated in the most recent 3-year period (2012-2014). In total, 537,817 procedures were studied, 43% by laparoscopic approach. In 2012-2014, the proportion of laparoscopic surgery ranged from high rates in the four common procedures (cholecystectomy 81%, appendectomy 47%, reflux surgery 72%, and bariatric surgery 97%) to rather low numbers in resectional surgery (4%-10%), however, increasing in the last years. In appendectomy and cholecystectomy, men were less likely to have laparoscopic surgery (42% versus 51% and 74% versus 85%, respectively, p < 0.001). Substantial geographical differences in the use of laparoscopy were also noted, for example, the proportion of laparoscopic appendectomy varied from 11% to 76% among the 21 different Swedish counties. The proportion of laparoscopy was high in the four common procedures and low, but rising, in major resectional surgery. A large variation in the proportion of laparoscopic surgery by age, gender, and place of residence was noted.

Impact of home enteral nutrition in malnourished patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer: A multicentre randomised clinical trial

BackgroundWeight loss is frequent in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Nutritional status deteriorates throughout anti-cancer treatment, mostly after major surgery, increasing complications, reducing tolerance and worsening the final prognosis. Enteral nutrition is safe and effective in malnourished patients undergoing major GI surgery. Randomised trials aimed at investigating the effects of home enteral nutrition (HEN) in post-surgical patients with GI cancer are lacking. This study compares HEN and counselling in limiting weight loss during oncologic treatment. Patients and methodsPatients with upper GI cancer and candidate to major surgery were included in the protocol when the nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002) score was ≥3. All patients were supported with enteral nutrition through a jejunostomy after surgery and randomly assigned to continue enteral nutrition or receiving nutritional counselling after discharge. Nutritional and performance status, quality of life (QoL) and tolerance to cancer treatment have been evaluated at 2 and 6 months after discharge. ResultsSeventy-nine patients were randomised; 38 continued enteral nutrition at home and 41 patients received nutritional counselling only. After 2 months, patients on HEN maintained their mean body weight, while patients in the nutritional counselling group showed a weight loss of 3.6 kg. Patients supported on HEN had a higher chance to complete chemotherapy as planned (48% versus 34%). QoL was not worsened by HEN. No complications were reported. ConclusionsHEN is a simple and feasible treatment to support malnourished patients with upper GI cancer after major surgery and during chemotherapy in order to limit further weight loss.

The identification of risk factors for venous thromboembolism in gastrointestinal oncologic surgery

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the incidence and factors associated with occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal (GI) surgery for malignancy. MethodsThe American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Participant User File database was queried from 2005 to 2012 to study major GI operations performed for cancer. Predictors of VTE and their relation to survival were studied. ResultsIn 79,300 patients, the incidence of deep venous thrombosis was 1.7%, and pulmonary embolism was 0.9% during the 30-d postoperative period. The highest rate of VTE occurred after esophagectomy (5.9%) followed by pancreatectomy (3.2%), hepatectomy (3.2%), gastrectomy (2.5%), enterectomy (2.3%), colectomy, and proctectomy (2.0%). On multivariate analysis, disseminated cancer, age ≥ 80 y, body mass index > 35 kg/m2, functional status, post operative sepsis, pulmonary dysfunction, and longer operative time were associated with occurrence of VTE. Occurrence of VTE was associated with mortality on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.0-3.0, P < 0.001). ConclusionsAbsolute incidence of VTE after major GI surgery is low but is associated with significant mortality and postoperative complications. Disseminated cancer, post operative sepsis, longer operative time, and increased body mass index >35 kg/m2 further increased the risk of VTE in patients undergoing surgery for malignancy. Surveillance strategies should be implemented for those cancer patients who have multiple risk factors for VTE.

Developing 'subject matter experts': an improvement methodology programme for acute postoperative pain with patients post major surgery.

To determine the effectiveness of an improvement methodology initiative, directed at refining the quality of acute pain management of patients in the first 24hours post major surgery using the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire, pre- and post development of a 'subject matter experts' acute pain programme. Accurately measuring effectiveness of acute pain management post major surgery is intertwined with measuring overall patient satisfaction. A critical element of quality evaluation is obtaining direct feedback from patients about the here-and-now pain experiences post major surgery. A prospective cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a large university hospital in Ireland. The questionnaire was completed with patients within 24hours post major surgery, i.e., cardiothoracic, breast, gynaecological, gastrointestinal and urology surgery. The nurse participants were selected based on their commitment to play a key role in acute pain management. The study consisted of: a pre programme phase (n=100 patients), an intervention phase - 'subject matter experts' acute pain programme (n=24 nurses) and a postprogramme phase (n=100 patients). Over a quarter of patients were in severe pain for long periods in the first 24hours post major surgery. These findings were linked not only to ineffective analgesia from some pain drug therapies but also to contradictory messages from nurses. Over half of the patients' pre- and postintervention reported satisfaction with acute pain management, whereas the remainder were dissatisfied and some sought answers to their suboptimum pain status. The 'subject matter experts' had a noteworthy impact on the patients' pain beliefs. The findings revealed that a 'subject matter experts' acute pain programme can have a positive impact on pain management in the immediate phase post major surgery. The role making of 'subject matter experts' in acute pain is a tactical approach towards achieving optimum patient pain control in the immediate phase post major surgery.

Cardiovascular risk (CVR) associated with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP)

As the population ages, an increasing number of older patients are undergoing major surgery. We examined the impact of advanced age on outcomes following major gastrointestinal cancer surgery in an era of improved surgical outcomes.This was a population-based, retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. We evaluated patients undergoing major abdominal gastrointestinal cancer surgery from 2005-2012. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the independent effect of advanced age on outcomes. Our primary outcome was 30-d mortality, and our secondary outcomes were 30-d major postoperative adverse events, discharge disposition, length of stay, reoperation, and readmission.Elderly (≥65 y) patients were twice as likely to have multiple comorbidities as those <65 y but prevalence of comorbidities was similar across all older age groups. Mortality increased with age across all procedures (P < 0.05). The risk of advanced age on mortality was highest in hepatectomy (odds ratio = 5.17, 95% confidence interval = 2.19-12.20) and that for major postoperative adverse events was highest in proctectomy (odds ratio = 2.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.53-3.52). Patients were more likely to be discharged to an institutional care facility as age increased across all procedures (P < 0.01).Despite being highly selected for surgery, elderly patients undergoing major gastrointestinal cancer surgery have substantially worse postoperative outcomes than younger patients (<65 y). The risk of age on postoperative outcomes was present across all operations but had its highest association with liver and rectal cancer resections.

Treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy-current perspectives.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (ptc) represents advanced malignant disease and has generally been associated with a grim prognosis. Peritoneal surface malignancy is often the major source of morbidity and mortality; it is of major concern in cancer management. Although ptc is categorized as metastatic disease, it represents a special disease pattern considered to be a locoregional disease limited to the abdominal cavity. The combination of cytoreductive surgery (crs) and intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (hipec) has successfully been used as locoregional treatment for selected patients with ptc from gastric, colorectal, and ovarian cancer; with mesothelioma; and with pseudomyxoma peritonei. In the prophylactic setting, hipec can also be used to prevent ptc in high-risk patients, and the first results of the "second-look" approach are promising. Patient selection-in which the risks of perioperative morbidity and mortality, which are analogous to those for any other major gastrointestinal surgery, are assessed-is of utmost importance. Those risks have to be weighed against the anticipated survival benefit, which depends mainly on tumour biology, extent of disease, and probability of achieving complete crs. The present review discusses the principles of crs and hipec, the most significant recent clinical data, and current perspectives concerning the application of this treatment modality in various malignancies. Ongoing trials and future directions are noted. It appears that the combination of crs and hipec is an indispensable tool in the oncologist's armamentarium.

Hospital markup and operation outcomes in the United States

Although the price hospitals charge for operations has broad financial implications, hospital pricing is not subject to regulation. We sought to characterize national variation in hospital price markup for major cardiothoracic and gastrointestinal operations and to evaluate perioperative outcomes of hospitals relative to hospital price markup. All hospitals in which a patient underwent a cardiothoracic or gastrointestinal procedure were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2012. Markup ratios (ratio of charges to costs) for the total cost of hospitalization were compared across hospitals. Risk-adjusted morbidity, failure-to-rescue, and mortality were calculated using multivariable, hierarchical logistic regression. Among the 3,498 hospitals identified, markup ratios ranged from 0.5-12.2, with a median markup ratio of 2.8 (interquartile range 2.7-3.9). For the 888 hospitals with extreme markup (greatest markup ratio quartile: markup ratio >3.9), the median markup ratio was 4.9 (interquartile range 4.3-6.0), with 10% of these hospitals billing more than 7 times the Medicare-allowable costs (markup ratio ≥7.25). Extreme markup hospitals were more often large (46.3% vs 33.8%, P<.001), urban, nonteaching centers (57.0% vs 37.9%, P<.001), and located in the Southern (46.4% vs 32.8%, P<.001) or Western (27.8% vs 17.6%, P<.001) regions of the United States. Of the 639 investor-owned, for-profit hospitals, 401 hospitals (62.8%) had an extreme markup ratio compared with 19.3% (n=452) and 6.8% (n=35) of nonprofit and government hospitals, respectively. Perioperative morbidity (32.7% vs 26.4%, P<.001) was greater at extreme markup hospitals. There is wide variation in hospital markup for cardiothoracic and gastrointestinal procedures, with approximately a quarter of hospital charges being 4 times greater than the actual cost of hospitalization. Hospitals with an extreme markup had greater perioperative morbidity.

Serum lactate level as a useful predictor of clinical outcome after surgery: an unfulfilled potential?

Serum lactate level as a useful predictor of clinical outcome after surgery: an unfulfilled potential?

Surgical oncology outcomes in the aging US population

BackgroundAs the population ages, an increasing number of older patients are undergoing major surgery. We examined the impact of advanced age on outcomes following major gastrointestinal cancer surgery in an era of improved surgical outcomes. Materials and methodsThis was a population-based, retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. We evaluated patients undergoing major abdominal gastrointestinal cancer surgery from 2005-2012. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the independent effect of advanced age on outcomes. Our primary outcome was 30-d mortality, and our secondary outcomes were 30-d major postoperative adverse events, discharge disposition, length of stay, reoperation, and readmission. ResultsElderly (≥65 y) patients were twice as likely to have multiple comorbidities as those <65 y but prevalence of comorbidities was similar across all older age groups. Mortality increased with age across all procedures (P < 0.05). The risk of advanced age on mortality was highest in hepatectomy (odds ratio = 5.17, 95% confidence interval = 2.19-12.20) and that for major postoperative adverse events was highest in proctectomy (odds ratio = 2.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.53-3.52). Patients were more likely to be discharged to an institutional care facility as age increased across all procedures (P < 0.01). ConclusionsDespite being highly selected for surgery, elderly patients undergoing major gastrointestinal cancer surgery have substantially worse postoperative outcomes than younger patients (<65 y). The risk of age on postoperative outcomes was present across all operations but had its highest association with liver and rectal cancer resections.

Impact of Continuous Intra and Post operative Thoracic Epidural Fentanyl–Bupivacaine Infusion on Patients Undergoing Major Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery

Background: Major Upper gastrointestinal cancer surgeries induce postoperative pain, that if not controlled may cause various organ dysfunctions and prolonged hospital and ICU stay. Thus an appropriate pain therapy to those patients must be applicated. Objective: To investigate the effects of Continuous intra and post operative thoracic epidural Fentanyl– bupivacaine infusion in patients undergoing Major Upper gastrointestinal cancer Surgery. Methods: 60 patients (ASA II) of either sex were scheduled for elective Upper gastrointestinal cancer surgeries. Patients were allocated randomly into two groups (30 patients each) to receive, beside GA: continuous intra and post -operative intravenous infusion with fentanyl for 72 hours post-operatively (control group) or continuous intra and post -operative epidural infusion with bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl (TEA group) for 72 hours postoperatively. Intra-operative haemodynamics and fluid shift (blood loss, blood transfusion and colloid transfusion) were recorded. Postoperative pain was assessed over 72 h using visual analogue scale (VAS). And post-operative haemodynamics, sedation score and overall fentanyl consumption were recorded. Any concomitant side effects like nausea; vomiting, pruritus or respiratory complications were recorded postoperatively.

Impact of Continuous Intra and Post operative Thoracic Epidural Fentanyl–Bupivacaine Infusion on Patients Undergoing Major Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery

Impact of Continuous Intra and Post operative Thoracic Epidural Fentanyl–Bupivacaine Infusion on Patients Undergoing Major Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery

Enhanced recovery protocols for major upper gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic surgery.

'Fast-track surgery' or 'enhanced recovery protocol' or 'fast-track rehabilitation', incorporating one or more elements of preoperative education, pain relief, early mobilisation, enteral nutrition and growth factors, may improve health-related quality of life and reduce length of hospital stay and costs. The role of enhanced recovery protocols in major upper gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic surgery is unclear. To assess the benefits and harms of enhanced recovery protocols compared with standard care (or usual practice) in major upper gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic surgery. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; Cochrane Library; 2015, Issue 3), MEDLINE, EMBASE and Science Citation Index Expanded until March 2015 to identify randomised trials. We also searched the references of included trials to identify further trials. We considered only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) performed in people undergoing major upper gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic surgery, irrespective of language, blinding or publication status for inclusion in the review. Two review authors independently identified trials and independently extracted data. We calculated the risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD), or standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using both fixed-effect and random-effects models using Review Manager 5, based on available case analysis. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria for the review, and nine studies provided information on one or more outcomes for the review. A total of 1014 participants were randomly assigned to the enhanced recovery protocol (499 participants) or standard care (515 participants) in the nine RCTs. Most of the trials included low anaesthetic risk participants with high performance status undergoing different upper gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic surgeries. Eight trials incorporated more than one element of the enhanced recovery protocol. All of the trials were at high risk of bias. The overall quality of evidence was low or very low.None of the trials reported long-term mortality, medium-term health-related quality of life(three months to one year), time to return to normal activity, or time to return to work. The difference between the enhanced recovery protocol and standard care were imprecise for short-term mortality (enhanced recovery protocol: 4/425 (adjusted proportion = 0.6%); standard care: 1/443 (0.2%); seven trials; 868 participants; RR 2.79; 95% CI 0.44 to 17.73; very low quality evidence), proportion of people with serious adverse events (enhanced recovery protocol: 4/157 (adjusted proportion = 0.6%); standard care: 0/184 (0.0%); two trials; 341 participants; RR 5.57; 95% CI 0.68 to 45.89; very low quality evidence), number of serious adverse events (enhanced recovery protocol: 34/421 (8 per 100 participants); standard care: 46/438 (11 per 100 participants); seven trials; 859 participants; rate ratio 0.72; 95% CI 0.45 to 1.13; very low quality evidence), health-related quality of life (four trials; 373 participants; SMD 0.29; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.62; very low quality evidence) and hospital readmissions (enhanced recovery protocol: 14/355 (adjusted proportion = 3.3%); standard care: 9/378 (2.4%); seven trials; 733 participants; RR 1.4; 95% CI 0.69 to 2.87; very low quality evidence). The enhanced recovery protocol group had a lower proportion of people with mild adverse events (enhanced recovery protocol: 31/254 (adjusted proportion = 10.9%); standard care: 51/271 (18.8%); four trials; 525 participants; RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.85; low quality evidence), fewer number of mild adverse events (enhanced recovery protocol: 69/499 (13 per 100 participants); standard care: 128/515 (25 per 100 participants); nine trials; 1014 participants; rate ratio 0.52; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.70; low quality evidence), shorter length of hospital stay (nine trials; 1014 participants; MD -2.19 days; 95% CI -2.53 to -1.85; low quality evidence) and lower costs (four trials; 282 participants; MD USD -6300; 95% CI -8400 to -4200; low quality evidence) than standard care group. Based on low quality evidence, enhanced recovery protocols may reduce length of hospital stay and costs (primarily because of reduction in hospital stay) in people undergoing major upper gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic surgeries. However, the validity of the results is uncertain because of the risk of bias in the trials and the way the outcomes were measured. Future RCTs should be conducted with low risk of bias, and measure clinically important outcomes for including the three months to one year period.

Outcomes After Kidney injury in Surgery (OAKS): protocol for a multicentre, observational cohort study of acute kidney injury following major gastrointestinal and liver surgery

IntroductionAcute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. Data focusing on the patterns of AKI following major gastrointestinal surgery could inform quality improvement projects...

Parenteral nutrition support: Beyond gut feeling? Quality control study of parenteral nutrition practices in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background:Enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred over parenteral nutrition (PN) in hospitalized patients based on International consensus guidelines. Practice patterns of PN in developing countries have not been documented.Objectives:To assess practice pattern and quality of PN support in a tertiary hospital setting in Chennai, India.Methods:Retrospective record review of patients admitted between February 2010 and February 2012.Results:About 351,008 patients were admitted to the hospital in the study period of whom 29,484 (8.4%) required nutritional support. About 70 patients (0.24%) received PN, of whom 54 (0.18%) received PN for at least three days. Common indications for PN were major gastrointestinal surgery (55.6%), intolerance to EN (25.9%), pancreatitis (5.6%), and gastrointestinal obstruction (3.7%).Conclusions:The proportion of patients receiving PN was very low. Quality issues were identified relating to appropriateness of indication and calories and proteins delivered. This study helps to introspect and improve the quality of nutrition support.

Cost-effectiveness of a cardiac output-guided haemodynamic therapy algorithm in high-risk patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery

BackgroundThe use of cardiac output monitoring to guide intra-venous fluid and inotropic therapies may improve peri-operative outcomes, but uncertainty exists regarding clinical effectiveness and robust cost-effectiveness evidence is lacking. The objective of the study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of peri-operative cardiac output-guided haemodynamic therapy versus usual care in high-risk patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.MethodsThe study undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a multi-centre randomised trial that recruited patients from 17 hospitals in the United Kingdom. The trial compared cardiac output-guided, haemodynamic therapy algorithm for intra-venous fluid and inotrope (dopexamine) infusion during and 6 h following surgery, with usual care. Resource use and outcome data on 734 high-risk trial patients aged over 50 years undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery were used to report cost-effectiveness at 6 months and to project lifetime cost-effectiveness. The cost-effectiveness analysis used information on health-related quality of life (QoL) at randomisation, 30 days, and 6 months combined with information on vital status to report quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Each QALY was valued using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended threshold of willingness to pay (£20,000 per QALY) in conjunction with the costs of each group to report the incremental net monetary benefits (INB) of the treatment algorithm versus usual care.ResultsThe mean [SD] quality of life at 30 days and 6 months was similar between the treatment groups (at 6 months, intervention group 0.73 [0.28] versus usual care group 0.71 [0.30]; mean gain 0.03 [95 % confidence interval (CI) −0.01 to 0.08]). At 6 months, survival, mean QALYs and mean healthcare costs (intervention group £8574 versus usual care group £8974) were also similar. At the cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per QALY gained, the incremental net benefit of haemodynamic therapy over the patients’ lifetime was positive (£4168 [95 % CI −£3063 to £11,398]). This corresponds to an 87 % probability that this intervention is cost-effective.ConclusionsCardiac output-guided haemodynamic therapy algorithm was associated with an average cost reduction and improvement in QALY and is likely to be cost-effective. Further research is needed to confirm the clinical and cost-effectiveness of this treatment.Trial registrationISRCTN04386758Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13741-015-0024-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Is there still a need for prophylactic intra-abdominal drainage in elective major gastro-intestinal surgery?

Prophylactic drainage of the abdominal cavity after gastro-intestinal surgery is widely used. The rationale is that intra-abdominal drainage enhances early detection of complications (gastro-intestinal leakage, hemorrhage, bile leak), prevents collection of fluid or pus, reduces morbidity and mortality, and decreases the duration of hospital stay. However, dogmatic attitudes favoring systematic drain placement should be questioned. The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence supporting systematic use of prophylactic abdominal drainage following gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, liver resection, and rectal resection. Based on this review of the literature: (i) there was no evidence in favor of intra-peritoneal drainage following total or sub-total gastrectomy with respect to morbidity-mortality, nor was it helpful in the diagnosis or management of leakage, however the level of evidence is low, (ii) following pancreatic resection, data are conflicting but, overall, suggest that the absence of drainage is prejudicial, and support the notion that short-term drainage is better than long-term drainage, (iii) after liver resection without hepatico-intestinal anastomosis, high level evidence supports that there is no need for abdominal drainage, and (iv) following rectal resection, data are insufficient to establish recommendations. However, results from the French multicenter randomized controlled trial GRECCAR5 (NCT01269567) should provide new evidence this coming year. Accumulating data support that systematic drainage of the abdominal cavity in digestive surgery is a non-beneficial and obsolete practice, except following pancreatectomy where the consensus appears to indicate the usefulness of short-term drainage. While the level of evidence is high for liver resections, new randomized controlled trials are awaited regarding gastric, pancreatic and rectal surgery.

Effect of Relative Decrease in Blood Hemoglobin Concentrations on Postoperative Morbidity in Patients Who Undergo Major Gastrointestinal Surgery.

Delta hemoglobin (ΔHb), defined as the difference between the preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level and the nadir Hb level during a patient's hospitalization, may be associated with adverse outcomes even if the absolute level of Hb remains greater than the transfusion threshold of 7 g/dL. To evaluate the association between ΔHb and morbidity in patients who undergo major gastrointestinal surgery as an independent factor or combined with the nadir Hb concentration. Retrospective review of prospectively collected data on patients who underwent pancreatic, hepatic, or colorectal resection from January 1, 2010, through April 30, 2014, at Johns Hopkins Hospital were included in the study. Data regarding the ΔHb concentration following surgery, nadir Hb level, and overall perioperative blood use were obtained and analyzed. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to identify the preoperative factors associated with ΔHb and the effect of ΔHb on perioperative morbidity. The study and data analysis took place from January 22 through February 20, 2015. Major gastrointestinal surgery and packed red blood cell transfusion. Overall morbidity and ischemic-specific complications. Of the 4669 patients who underwent major gastrointestinal surgery, the median ΔHb level after surgery was 40%. Patients with multiple comorbidities (American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score of 3-4: odds ratio [OR], 1.96; 95% CI, 1.30-2.97; P <.001; ≥3 coexisting medical conditions: OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.08-2.42; P = .001) and those who underwent pancreatic surgery (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.18-3.33; P = .01) were at increased risk of having a ΔHb of 50% or greater. Compared with patients who had a ΔHb level of less than 50% and a nadir Hb level of 7 g/dL or greater, patients with a ΔHb level of 50% or greater whose nadir Hb level was less than 7 g/dL were at a high risk of developing postoperative complications (OR, 6.60; 95% CI, 4.34-10.03; P < .001); in particular, a ΔHb level of 50% or greater was strongly correlated with a risk of ischemic complications, even if the nadir Hb level was 7 g/dL or greater (OR, 5.68; 95% CI, 1.44-22.39; P = .01). A ΔHb level of 50% or greater following gastrointestinal surgery was associated with complications, especially ischemic adverse events, even if the nadir Hb level remained at 7 g/dL or greater.

Variation in the use of type and crossmatch blood ordering among patients undergoing hepatic and pancreatic resections

The use of preoperative blood orders involved in major gastrointestinal surgery has been poorly studied. The objective of the current study was to analyze compliance with guidelines and factors associated with crossmatch and blood ordering among patients who underwent a hepatic or pancreatic resection. All patients who underwent a hepatic or pancreatic resection between 2010 and 2013 at Johns Hopkins Hospital were identified. Crossmatch to transfusion (C/T) ratios were calculated based on transfusion rates and total units used. A C/T ratio of >2.0 was considered excessive. Among the 2,629 patients, 11,574 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) were crossmatched (mean number of PRBC units crossmatched: 5.9 ± 7.3). Of the 2,629 patients, 34.1% of patients received ≥ 1 PRBCs and 3,611 total units of PRBC were transfused, resulting in an institutional C/T ratio of 2.17 based on the proportion of patients transfused and 3.21 based on the overall number of PRBC units transfused. Using our criterion of excessive C/T ratio of >2.0, we found that 411 patients (45.9%) were "excessively" crossmatched among transfused patients. Among nontransfused patients, 41.0% (n = 711) of patients were crossmatched for >2 units PRBC. Factors associated with receipt of "excess" crossmatch included the presence of multiple comorbidities and an estimated blood loss >450 mL (both P < .05). Provider-level variation among surgeons (C/T ratio range 1.22-3.81) also was associated strongly with "excess" crossmatching ratios (odds ratio 2.56, 95% confidence interval 2.09-3.13; P < .001). More than 1 in 4 patients received crossmatch orders that exceeded institutional and national guidelines. Provider variation both among surgeons and anesthesiologists was an important factor associated with crossmatch variation and excessive ordering of blood for crossmatch in patients undergoing pancreatic and hepatic surgery.