Operating Room Time Research Articles

Same-Day Versus Staged Spinal Fusion: A Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes.

Meta-analysis. This meta-analysis aims to compare same-day versus staged spine surgery, assessing their effects on patient care and health care system efficiency. In spinal surgery, the debate between whether same-day and staged surgeries are better for patients continues, as the decision may impact patient-related outcomes, health care resources, and overall costs. While some surgeons advocate for staged surgeries, citing reduced risks of complications, others proclaim same-day surgeries may minimize costs and length of hospital stays. PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) were searched up until February 2024. The studied outcomes were operative room (OR) time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay (LOS), overall complications, venous thromboembolism (VTE), death, operations, and nonhome discharge. Sixteen retrospective studies were included in this meta-analysis, representing a total of 2346 patients, of which 644 underwent staged spinal fusion surgeries and 1702 same-day surgeries. No statistically significant difference was observed in EBL between staged and same-day surgery groups. However, the staged group exhibited a statistically significant longer OR time ( P =0.05) and LOS ( P =0.004). A higher rate of overall complications ( P =0.002) and VTE ( P =0.0008) was significantly associated with the staged group. No significant differences were found in the rates of death, reoperations, and nonhome discharge between the 2 groups. Both staged and same-day spinal fusion surgeries showed comparable rates of death, operations, and nonhome discharges for patients undergoing spinal surgeries. However, given the increased OR time, LOS, and complications associated with staged spinal surgeries, this study supports same-day surgeries when possible to minimize the burden on healthcare resources and enhance efficiency.

Presentation and management of true aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal arcade with concomitant celiac artery stenosis using the endovascular approach

True aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) arcade are rare but require intervention due to the high risk of rupture. Historically, these aneurysms have been managed with open surgical methods. In this study, we describe a contemporary series of aneurysms treated using a modern approach that includes endovascular and hybrid techniques. All the patients with aneurysms of the PDA arcade in an institutional database were identified between 2008 and 2022. Patients with history of pancreatic resection were excluded. Data on demographics, presenting symptoms, imaging findings, operative approach, and outcomes were collected and reviewed. There were nine patients diagnosed with a PDA aneurysm, and all nine underwent endovascular intervention. Most were men (n = 5; 55.6%) and White (n = 7; 77.8%) and had American Society of Anesthesiologists class II or III. The median aneurysm size was 21 mm (range, 6-42 mm), and five (55.5%) were symptomatic. Of the five symptomatic cases, two presented with rupture and were treated urgently. The median time to intervention for the nonurgent cases was 30 days. All but one patient had concomitant celiac artery stenosis and two of the eight cases (25%) were due to extrinsic compression from median arcuate ligament syndrome. Both patients underwent median arcuate ligament syndrome release before endovascular intervention. Another patient required open surgical bypass before endovascular repair from the supraceliac aorta to hepatic artery using a Dacron graft to maintain hepatic perfusion. Among the eight patients with celiac axis stenosis, five (62.5%) required celiac stent placement within the same operation. Coil embolization of the aneurysm was used for all except for two patients (n = 7 of 9; 77.8%), with one patient receiving embolic plugs and another receiving an 8 × 38-mm balloon-expandable covered stent for aneurysm exclusion. The median operating room time was 134 minutes. All repairs were technically successful without any intraoperative or postoperative complications. The mean follow-up was 30 months. There was no morbidity, mortality, or unplanned secondary reinterventions within 6 months after aneurysm repair. Stent patency and aneurysm size remained stable at 2 years of follow-up. True pancreaticoduodenal artery arcade aneurysms can be safely and effectively treated using endovascular and hybrid techniques. Because many of these aneurysms have concomitant celiac artery stenosis, the use of endovascular technology allows for simultaneous treatment of both the aneurysm and the stenosis with exceptional results.

The impact of an anesthesia residency teaching service on anesthesia-controlled time and postsurgical patient outcomes: a retrospective observational study on 15,084 surgical cases

BackgroundLimited data exists regarding the impact of anesthesia residents on operating room efficiency and patient safety outcomes. This investigation hypothesized that supervised anesthesiology residents do not increase anesthesia-controlled or prolonged extubation times compared to supervised certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA)/certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAA) or anesthesiologists working independently. Secondary objectives included differences in critical outcomes such as intraoperative hypotension, cardiac and pulmonary complications, acute kidney injury, and mortality.MethodsThis retrospective single-center 24-month (January 1, 2020- December 31, 2021) cohort focused on primary outcomes of anesthesia-controlled times and prolonged extubation (>15 min) with additional assessment of secondary patient outcomes in adult patients having general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway for elective non-cardiac surgery. The study excluded sedation, obstetric, endoscopic, ophthalmology, and non-operating room procedures. Procedures were divided into three groups: anesthesiologists working solo, anesthesiologists supervising residents, or anesthesiologists supervising CRNA/CAAs. After univariate analysis, multivariable models were constructed to control for the univariate cofactor differences in the primary and secondary outcomes.ResultsA total of 15,084 surgical cases met the inclusion criteria for this study for the three different care models: solo anesthesiologists (1,204 cases), anesthesiologist/resident pairing (3,146 cases), and anesthesiologist/CRNA/CAA (14,040 cases). Before multivariate analysis, the resident group exhibited longer anesthesia-controlled times (median, [interquartile range], 26.1 [21.7–32.0], p < 0.001), compared to CRNA/CAA (23.9 [19.7–29.5]), and attending-only surgical cases (21.0 [17.9–25.4]). After adjusting for covariates in a general linear regression model (age, BMI, ASA classification, comorbidities, arterial line insertion, surgical service, and surgical location), there were no significant differences in the anesthesia-controlled times between the provider groups. Prolonged extubation times (>15 min) were significantly less common in the anesthesiologist-only group compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Despite these time differences, there were no clinically significant differences among the groups in postoperative pulmonary or cardiac complications, renal impairment, or the 30-day mortality rate of patients.ConclusionAnesthesia residents do not increase anesthesia-controlled operating room times or adversely affect clinically relevant patient outcomes compared to anesthesiologists working independently or supervising certified registered nurse anesthetists or certified anesthesiologist assistants.

Experience with Laparoscopic and Robotic Colon Surgery Together with Other Major Minimally Invasive Procedures for Unrelated Pathologies.

Background: Indications for combined colon surgery together with other procedures include oncologic multivisceral resections and abdominal trauma. It is unclear if combining minimally invasive (MI) colon surgery with unrelated other procedures increases the risk for complications. Patients and Methods: The surgical database from two institutions during a 10-year period was queried for combined colon surgeries together with other interventions. All open cases, combined cases performed for one pathology and MI colectomies together with a minor procedure, were excluded. Results: Median age of the 6 men and 7 women was 64.4 (range 42.7-75.4) years. Colon surgeries included right (5), sigmoid (4) transverse (1) colectomies, rectum resection (1), rectopexy (1), and colostomy reversal (1) with indications of colorectal cancer (5), diverticulitis (3), benign ileocecal mass (1), colonic volvulus (3) and rectal prolapse (1). Second procedures included two splenectomies (sarcoidosis, ITP), paraesophageal hernia repairs (4), right diaphragmatic repairs [eventration (2) and Morgagni type hernia]; cholecystectomies (2), appendectomy (acute appendicitis), duodenal wedge resection (carcinoid), reversal of a gastric bypass (Roux limb stricture) one each. Cases were done laparoscopically (7) and robotic assisted (6). In most cases only 4 trocars were used. Median OR time was 4.3 (range 2.5 to 6.6) hours. No anastomotic breakdown was observed. Conclusions: Combining MI colectomy and other major abdominal surgeries can be safely done and in this series did not increase morbidity or mortality but avoids a second operation. Patient selection seems important and port placement may need to be altered to achieve good exposure for both procedures.

Concomitant midline ventral and inguinal hernia repair: can we create an algorithmic approach?

International guidelines exist for surgical treatment of either ventral or inguinal hernias repair (VHR; IHR). However, approach for managing both of them remains unestablished and is further complicated by newly developed surgical techniques and modalities (namely, robotic). This highlights the need for a tailored, algorithmic strategy to streamline surgical management. An algorithm was developed by the directors of the NYU Langone Abdominal Core Health program of which four treatment groups were described: Group 1: open VHR and either laparoscopic or robotic IHR; Group 2: robotic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) approach for both VHR and IHR; Group 3: robotic retro-muscular VHR and IHR; and Group 4: open repair for both. Demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics, and surgical outcomes from November 2021 to July 2023 were retrospectively compared. Ninety-two patients were included with a median age of 64years, 90% (n = 83) were white, 85% (n = 78) were male, median BMI was 27kg/m2, and 73% (n = 67) were ASA class II. Distribution of groups was: 48% (n = 44) in 1A, 8% (n = 7) in 1B, 8% (n = 7) in 2A, 3% (n = 3) in 2B, 23% (n = 21) in 3A, 8% (n = 7) in 3B, and 3% (n = 3) in 4. Ventral hernia size, OR time, and postoperative length of stay varied across groups. Postoperative outcomes at 30days including emergency consults, readmissions, and complications, showed no differences across groups. Access without guidance to new minimally invasive surgical approaches can be a challenge for the general surgeon. We propose an algorithm for decision-making based on our experience of incorporating robotic surgery, when available, for repair of concomitant VHR and IHR with consistent favorable outcomes within a small sample of patients.

Periprocedural Risk Predictors Affecting Long-Term Prognosis in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

This study sought to identify periprocedural risk predictors that affect long-term prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). All consecutive 4,871 patients undergoing isolated CABG between May 2005 and June 2021 were included. Patients with and without COPD were compared for baseline demographics and preoperative characteristics. A propensity-matched analysis was used to compare the 2 groups. The primary outcome was long-term incidence of all-cause death. After matching, 767 patients each were included in the COPD and non-COPD groups; mean age was 71.6 and 71.4 years (P = .7), respectively; 29.3% and 32% (P = .2) were women, respectively. Intraoperatively, median (IQR) operating room time was higher in the COPD group than in the non-COPD group (5.9 [5.2-7.0] hours vs 5.8 [5.1-6.7] hours, respectively; P = .01). Postoperatively, intensive care unit stay (P = .03), hospital length of stay (P = .0004), and fresh frozen plasma transfusion units (P = .012) were higher in the COPD group than in the non-COPD group. Thirty-day mortality was not different between groups (1.3% in the COPD group vs 1% in the non-COPD group; P = .4). Median follow-up time was 4.0 years. The rate of all-cause death was higher in the COPD group than in the non-COPD group (138 patients [18.3%] vs 109 patients [14.5%], respectively; P = .042). Periprocedural risk predictors for all-cause death in patients with COPD were atrial fibrillation, diabetes, male sex, dialysis, ejection fraction less than 50%, peripheral vascular disease, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score greater than 4%. Patients with COPD undergoing isolated CABG had a significantly higher incidence of all-cause death than those without COPD. Herein, risk predictors are provided for all-cause death in patients undergoing isolated CABG.

Pediatric Robotic Laryngeal Cleft Repair.

Compare surgical and swallow outcomes in robotic versus traditional laryngeal cleft (LC) repairs. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary care pediatric hospital. Pediatric patients who underwent robotic or traditional (open or endoscopic) LC repair between 2010 and 2021 were identified. Patient characteristics, operative times, adverse events, hospital length of stay (LOS), and modified barium swallow study (MBSS) results were compared. Eighteen robotic and thirty traditional LC repairs were identified. Mean surgical (149 vs 111 min, P < .05) and OR times (207 vs 139 min, P < .002) were increased for robotic type I LC repairs, but were similar for type II and III LC. Mean hospital LOSwas increased for robotic type I LC repairs (2.6 vs 1.2 days, P < .006), but was decreased for type II (4 vs 12.2 days) and type III (4.3 vs 94.5 days) LC. Postoperative MBSS results were improved for robotic type I LC repairs at 12 months (82% vs 43%, P = .05), and trended towardimprovement at 6 months for type II (75% vs 22%), and type III (67% vs 50%) LC repairs, although significance was limited for type II and III LC due to the number of subjects. A robotic approach was used successfully to revise all recurrent LC that failed traditional repairs. Robotic type 1 LC repairs demonstrated increased operative times and hospital LOS but improved postoperative swallow outcomes compared to traditional approaches maybe particularly useful in cases of recurrent clefts.

Feasibility and Safety of Superomedial Pedicle for Breast Reduction in Geriatric Patients

Introduction Historically, inferior breast reduction is more commonly performed overall and this applies to the elder population. No study to this date has compared whether there is any difference in complications and overall safety between when using superomedial pedicle and inferior pedicle in geriatric patients and furthermore whether the safety profile of superomedial pedicle differs when compared to general population.MethodsPatient files of women who had undergone breast reduction by a single surgeon over a 9 year period (2015–2023) was reviewed retrospectively. Patients over 65 years old at the time of surgery were selected as the main study group. Results were compared to a control group aged 65 years and younger consisting of 136 patients, who also had a breast reduction by the same surgeon.ResultsFifty-four women met the inclusion criteria for the study group and they were further broken down into two subgroups; inferior and superomedial pedicle groups with 25 and 29 patients into each group, respectively. The mean age at the time of the operation was 67.8 years. Geriatric group had more significant comorbidities (37% vs. 9%, p<0.05). Looking solely on patients undergone superomedial pedicle breast reduction, OR times were similar between two age groups and hospital stay was slightly longer in the geriatric population albeit statistically insignificant. The average weight of specimens resected from each breast was 592.4 gr in geriatric population and slightly higher in the younger population with an average weight of 624 grams (p=0.27). Two women in the geriatric group and six women in the non-geriatric group developed major complications where superomedial pedicle was utilized, no meaningful difference was seen when major complications were compared (p=0.24). On the other hand, minor complications were significantly higher in the geriatric population compared to the younger cohort regarding superomedial pedicle reductions (p=0.02). ‘Satisfaction with breasts’ scores of BreastQ from the superomedial breast reduction subgroup was slightly higher than inferior pedicle breast reduction subgroup in geriatric population and it was statistically significant (0.032).ConclusionSafety margins and satisfaction scores of superomedial pedicled breast reduction in geriatric patients seem similar to their younger counterparts. Furthermore, with similar complication rates and with its slightly higher ‘Satisfaction with breasts’ scores when compared to inferior pedicle, superomedial pedicled breast reduction technique can be utilized without reservation in geriatric candidates for breast reduction.Level of Evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Patient Factors and Their Effect on Operating Room Time for Urologic Procedures

Patient Factors and Their Effect on Operating Room Time for Urologic Procedures

Operative Time Accuracy in the Era of Electronic Health Records: Addressing the Elephant in the Room.

Accurate prediction of operating room (OR) time is critical for effective utilization of resources, optimal staffing, and reduced costs. Currently, electronic health record (EHR) systems aid OR scheduling by predicting OR time for a specific surgeon and operation. On many occasions, the predicted OR time is subject to manipulation by surgeons during scheduling. We aimed to address the use of the EHR for OR scheduling and the impact of manipulations on OR time accuracy. Between April and August 2022, a pilot study was performed in our tertiary center where surgeons in multiple surgical specialties were encouraged toward nonmanipulation for predicted OR time during scheduling. The OR time accuracy within 5months before trial (Group 1) and within the trial period (Group 2) were compared. Accurate cases were defined as cases with total length (wheels-in to wheels-out) within ±30min or ±20% of the scheduled duration if the scheduled time is ≥ or <150min, respectively. The study included single and multiple Current Procedural Terminology code procedures, while procedures involving multiple surgical specialties (combo cases) were excluded. The study included a total of 8,821 operations, 4,243 (Group 1) and 4,578 (Group 2), (p <.001). The percentage of manipulation dropped from 19.8% (Group 1) to 7.6% (Group 2), (p <.001), while scheduling accuracy rose from 41.7% (Group 1) to 47.9% (Group 2), (p =.0001) with a significant reduction of underscheduling percentage (38.7% vs. 31.7%, p =.0001) and without a significant difference in the percentage of overscheduled cases (15% vs. 17%, p =.22). Inaccurate OR hours were reduced by 18% during the trial period (2,383 hr vs. 1,954hr). The utilization of EHR systems for predicting OR time and reducing manipulation by surgeons helps improve OR scheduling accuracy and utilization of OR resources.

Operative Time, Cost, and Union Rate of Power Rasp Joint Preparation Versus Traditional Preparation in Arthrodesis of the Foot and Rearfoot

Time spent in the operating room is valuable to both surgeons and patients. One of the biggest rate-limiting factors when it comes to arthrodesis procedures of the foot and ankle is cartilage removal and joint preparation. Power instrumentation in joint preparation provides an avenue to decrease joint preparation time, thus decreasing operating room time and costs. Arthrodesis of 47 joints (n) from 27 patients were included. Power rasp joint preparation in 26 joints was compared to traditional osteotome and curette joint preparation in 21 joints in both time (seconds), cost (total operating room time cost per minute), and union rate. The overall mean joint preparation time using power rasp for the subtalar joint was 268.3 seconds, talonavicular joint 212.3 seconds, calcaneocuboid joint 142.6 seconds, 1st TMT 107.2 seconds. Mean joint preparation time using traditional method for subtalar joint 509.8 seconds, talonavicular joint 393.0 seconds, calcaneocuboid joint 400.0 seconds, 1st TMT 319.6 seconds. Mean cost of joint preparation using power rasp for subtalar joint $165.47, talonavicular joint $130.89, calcaneocuboid joint $87.94, 1st TMT $66.11. Mean cost of joint preparation using traditional techniques for subtalar joint $314.34, talonavicular joint $242.35, calcaneocuboid joint $246.67, 1st TMT $197.33. Overall union rate was 98% (1 asymptomatic non-union). Increasing efficiency in the operating room is vital to every surgeon's practice. Power rasp joint preparation is a viable option to increase efficiency and decrease operative time, this study shows no statistically significant differences in union rate, with comparable rates to existing literature.

Erector spinae plane blocks for opioid-sparing multimodal pain management after pediatric cardiac surgery

ObjectivePeripheral regional anesthesia is proposed to enhance recovery. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of bilateral continuous erector spinae plane blocks (B-ESpB) for postoperative analgesia and the impact on recovery in children undergoing cardiac surgery. MethodsPatients aged 2 through 17 years undergoing cardiac surgery in the enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery program were prospectively enrolled to receive B-ESpB at the end of the procedure, with continuous infusions via catheters postoperatively. Participants wore an activity monitor until discharge. B-ESpB patients were retrospectively matched with control patients in the enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery program. Outcomes of the matched clusters were compared using exact conditional logistic regression and generalized linear modeling. ResultsForty patients receiving B-ESpB were matched to 78 controls. There were no major complications from the B-ESpB or infusions, and operating room time was longer by a median of 31 minutes. While blocks were infusing, patients with B-ESpB received fewer opioids in oral morphine equivalents than controls at 24 hours (0.60 ± 0.06 vs 0.78 ± 0.04 mg/kg; P = .02) and 48 hours (1.13 ± 0.08 vs 1.35 ± 0.06 mg/kg; P = .04), respectively. Both groups had low median pain scores per 12-hour period. There was no difference in early mobilization, length of stay, or complications. ConclusionsB-ESpBs are safe in children undergoing cardiac surgery. When performed as part of a multimodal pain strategy in an enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery program, pediatric patients with B-ESpB experience good pain control and require fewer opioids in the first 48 hours.

Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Adrenalectomy for Large Adrenal Masses: A Multi-Centre Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Advancements in radiological imaging technology have increased the discovery of adrenal incidentalomas. Large adrenal tumors (LATs) are not common, and the likelihood of malignancy increases with tumor size. LATs were defined as tumors larger than four centimeters (cm) with various pathologic diagnoses.Traditionally, open adrenalectomy was considered the gold standard for LATs, but with recent advancements in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), optimum perioperative and long-term outcomes are achievable by the MIS approach.The findings presented in this paper show that even large adrenal masses measuring up to 21 centimeterscan be safely removed using a minimally invasive approach. Methodology After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, we reviewed medical records of adult patients who had adrenalectomies at two Saudi Arabian centers from January 2013 to February 2023. Inclusion criteria were laparoscopic or robotic adrenalectomy and adrenal lesions ≥5cm. Pediatric patients and those with open adrenalectomies were excluded. Pre-surgery, patients had imaging studies to assess mass characteristics. Pheochromocytoma patients received a 2-week adrenergic blocker treatment. Perioperative data including demographics, comorbidities, mass characteristics, surgery details, and follow-up were analyzed using SPSS-23.Patients provided informed consent and had follow-up appointments and imaging. Results Our experience involved 35 patients, 29 of whom received laparoscopic treatment and six of whom underwent robotic surgery. Of the 35 patients, more than half were females (57.1%), with a mean age of 41.7±14.9 years, the youngest and oldest participants being 16 and 73 years of age, respectively. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the participants was in the overweight range (26±6.0 kg/m2). The most common mode of presentation was incidental (42.9%), followed by hypertension (17.1%). Most patients had right-sided adrenal gland involvement (48.6%), with only four patients showing bilateral involvement. Most of the patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiology score (ASA) 2 (40.0%) or ASA 3 (40.0%). Most of the patients were diagnosed with myelolipoma or adenoma (22.9% each) followed by pheochromocytoma (17.1%).The average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 189.3±354.6 ml for patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery and 80.0 ±34.6 ml for patients who underwent robotic surgery. The average operative room time (ORT) was 220.1±98.7 minutes (min) for laparoscopic surgery and 188.3±10.3 min for robotic surgery. One patient had to be converted from laparoscopic to open surgery due to aortic injury. The average length of stay (LOS) was 9.5±6.7days for laparoscopic treatment and 5.5±1.9 days for robotic surgery. The mean tumor size in the greatest dimension was 8.0±4.4 cm. Only one patient who underwent unilateral laparoscopy experienced perioperative complications and converted to open surgery; nine patients who underwent unilateral laparoscopy required blood transfusion, and none of the patients who underwent robotic surgery required transfusion. None of the 35 patients experienced a recurrence of their adrenal disease during the mean follow-up period which lasted around 58 months. Conclusion MIS in Saudi Arabia is growing and is a safe method for LATs, with satisfactory surgical results compared to the traditional open surgery approach. It offers advantages in terms of EBL, complications, and disease recurrence.

Robotic-Assisted Versus Fluoroscopic-Guided Surgery on the Accuracy of Spine Pedicle Screw Placement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Spinal fusion is a common method by which surgeons decrease instability and deformity of the spinal segment targeted. Pedicle screws are vital tools in fusion surgeries and advancements in technology have introduced several modalities of screw placement. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in robot-assisted (RA) versus fluoroscopic-guided (FG) techniques. The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were systematically reviewed from January 2007 through to August 8, 2022, to identify relevant studies. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was determined using the Gertzbein-Robbins (GR) classification system. Facet joint violation (FJV), total case radiation dosage, total case radiation time, total operating room (OR) time, and total case blood loss were collected. Twenty-one articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Successful screw accuracy (GR Grade A or B) was found to be 1.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.01 - 1.04) times more likely with the RA technique. In defining accuracy solely based on the GR Grade A criteria, screws placed with RA were 1.10 (95% confidence interval: 1.06 - 1.15) times more likely to be accurate. There was no significant difference between the two techniques with respect to blood loss (Hedges' g: 1.16, 95% confidence interval: -0.75 to 3.06)or case radiation time (Hedges' g: -0.34, 95% CI: -1.22 to 0.53). FG techniques were associated withshorter operating room times (Hedges' g: -1.03, 95% confidence interval: -1.76 to -0.31), and higher case radiation dosage (Hedges' g: 1.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 2.10).This review suggests that RA may slightly increase pedicle screw accuracy and decrease per-case radiation dosage compared to FG techniques. However, total operating times for RA cases are greater than those for FG cases.

Stochastic Optimization Approaches for an Operating Room and Anesthesiologist Scheduling Problem

Improving Operating Room, Surgery, and Anesthesiologist Scheduling Using Stochastic and Robust Optimization Efficient planning and scheduling of operating room (OR) activities is crucial for managing costs and delivering high-quality surgical care. However, this task is extremely complex for several reasons. First, it requires coordinating multiple resources, such as ORs and anesthesiologists. Second, in addition to limited OR capacity and time, there is a significant shortage of anesthesiologists required to perform surgeries. Third, surgery durations are uncertain and difficult to predict. Ignoring such uncertainty may lead to substantial overtime, idling, and surgery delays, among other schedule deficiencies. Thus, hospital managers could benefit greatly from advanced methodologies to improve OR utilization, surgical care, and quality as well as to minimize OR operational costs. In “Stochastic Optimization Approaches for an Operating Room and Anesthesiologist Scheduling Problem,” M. Y. Tsang, K. S. Shehadeh, F. E. Curtis, B.R. Hochman, and T. E. Brentjens propose computationally tractable stochastic programming and distributionally robust optimization methodologies for an integrated allocation, assignment, sequencing, and scheduling problem under uncertainty involving multiple ORs, anesthesiologists, and surgery types. Using real-world surgery data and a case study from a health system in New York, they conduct extensive experiments demonstrating the computational efficiency of the proposed methodologies, allowing for their implementation in practice. Moreover, they show the negative consequences of adopting the existing non-integrated approaches and provide valuable practical insights.

Does Body Mass Index Influence Intraoperative Costs and Operative Times for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion? A Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis

ObjectiveSpine surgeons are often unaware of drivers of cost variation for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). We used time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI), total cost, and OR times for ACDFs. MethodsTotal cost was divided into direct and indirect costs. Individual costs were obtained by direct observation, electronic medical records, and through querying multiple departments. Timestamps for all involved personnel and material resources were documented. Total intraoperative costs were estimated for all ACDFs from 2017 and 2022. All patients were categorized into distinct BMI-based cohorts. Linear regression models were performed to assess the relationship between BMI, total cost, and OR times. ResultsA total of 959 patients underwent ACDFs between 2017 and 2022. The average age and BMI were 58.1 ± 11.2 years and 30.2 ± 6.4 kg/m2, respectively. The average total intraoperative cost per case was $7,120 ± $2,963. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that BMI was not significantly associated with total cost (p=0.36), supply cost (p=0.39), or personnel cost (p=0.20). Higher BMI was significantly associated with increased time spent in the OR (p=0.018); however, it was not a significant factor for the duration of surgery itself (p=0.755). Rather, higher BMI was significantly associated with non-operative OR time (p<0.001). ConclusionTDABC is a feasible and scalable methodology for understanding the true intraoperative costs of ACDF. Although higher BMI was not associated with increased total cost, it was associated with increased preparatory time in the OR.

Same day discharge colon surgery: is it financially worth it?

Same day discharge (SDD) for colorectal surgery shows increasing promise in the era of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and minimally invasive surgery. It has become increasingly relevant due to the constraints posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to compare SDD and postoperative day 1 (POD1) discharge to understand the clinical outcomes and financial impact on factors such as cost, charge, revenue, contribution margin and readmission. A retrospective review of colectomies was performed at a single institution over a 2-year period (n = 143). Two populations were identified: SDD (n = 51) and POD1 (n = 92). Patients were selected by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10 (ICD-10) and Diagnosis Related Grouper (DRG) codes. There was a statistically significant difference favouring SDD in total hospital cost (p < 0.0001), average direct costs (p < 0.0001) and average charges (p < 0.0016). SDD average hospital costs were $8699 (values in USD throughout) compared with $11 652 for POD 1 (p < 0.0001), and average SDD hospital charges were $85 506 compared with $97 008 for POD1 (p < 0.0016). The net revenue for SDD was $22 319 while for POD1 it was $26 173 (p = 0.14). Upon comparison of contribution margins (SDD $13 620 vs. POD1 $14 522), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.73). There were no identified statistically significant differences in operating room time, robotic console time, readmission rates or surgical complications. Amidst the pandemic-related constraints, we found that SDD was associated with lower hospital costs and comparable contribution margins compared with POD1. Additionally, the study was unable to identify any significant difference between operating time, readmissions, and surgical complications when performing SDD.

Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation or Epidural Analgesia for Multimodal Pain Management after the Nuss Procedure: A Cohort Study.

Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum is a minimally invasive, but painful procedure. Recently, intercostal nerve cryoablation has been introduced as a pain management technique. In this cohort study, we compared the efficacy of multimodal pain management strategies in children undergoing a Nuss procedure. The effectiveness of intercostal nerve cryoablation combined with patient-controlled systemic opioid analgesia (PCA) was compared with continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) combined with PCA. The study was conducted between January 2019 and July 2022. Primary outcome was length of stay (LOS), and secondary outcomes were operation room time, postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and gabapentin use. Sixty-six consecutive patients were included, 33 patients in each group. The cryoablation group exhibited lower Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores on postoperative day 1 and 2 (p = 0.002, p = 0.001) and a shorter LOS (3 vs. 6 days (p < 0.001). Cryoablation resulted in less patients requiring opioids at discharge (30.3 vs. 97.0%; p < 0.001) and 1 week after surgery (6.1 vs. 45.4%; p < 0.001)). In the CEA group, gabapentin use was more prevalent (78.8 vs. 18.2%; p < 0.001) and the operation room time was shorter (119.4 vs. 135.0 minutes; p < .010). No neuropathic pain was reported. Intercostal nerve cryoablation is a superior analgesic method compared with CEA, with reduced LOS, opioid use, and NRS pain scores. The prophylactic use of gabapentin is redundant.

Posterior pelvic ring injuries, lumbosacral junction instabilities and stabilization techniques for spinopelvic dissociation: a narrative review.

From transiliac Harrington rods to minimally invasive (MIS) percutaneous 3D-navigated transsacral-transiliac screw (TTS) fixation, concepts of fixation methods in pelvic injuries with spinopelvic dissociation (SPD) are steadily redefined. This narrative review examines the literature of recent years regarding surgical treatment options and trends in SPD, outlining risks and benefits of each treatment option and addressing biomechanical aspects of sacral injuries and common classification systems. A literature search on the search across relevant online databases was conducted. As a scale for quality assessment, the SANRA-scoring system was taken into account. Sacral Isler type 1 injuries of the LPJ in U- and H-type fractures are frequently treated with stand-alone TTS. Fractures with higher instability (Isler types 2 and 3) require unilateral or bilateral LPF, subject to side involvement, as a buttressing construct, or triangular fixation as additional compression and neutralization, determined by fracture radiation. A more comprehensive classification from which to derive stabilization options is provided by the 2023 301SPD classification. MIS techniques are on the rise and offer shorter OR time, less blood loss, fewer infections, and fewer wound complications. It is advisable to implement MIS techniques as much as possible, as long as decompression is not required and closed fracture reduction succeeds satisfactorily. SPD is characteristic of severe injuries, mostly in polytraumatized patients. The complication rates are decreasing due to the increasing adaptation of MIS techniques.

Impact of Preoperative Weight Loss on 30-Day Complication Rate after Bariatric Surgery.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of preoperative weight loss on surgical outcomes and operating room (OR) times after primary bariatric procedures, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). A retrospective cohort study uses the 2021 MBSAQIP dataset. Preoperative total weight loss (TWL)% was calculated. Patients were then divided in to 4 groups: those with no weight loss, lost <0 to <5%, lost ≥5% to <10%, or lost ≥10% TWL preoperatively. These groups were then stratified into those with BMI less than 50 kg/m 2 and those with BMI 50 kg/m 2 or more and 30-day outcomes and OR times were compared. Analysis included 171,010 patients. For BMI less than 50 kg/m 2 , preoperative weight loss led to no consistent improvement in surgical outcomes. Although >0% to <5% TWL led to a decrease in intra- and postoperative occurrences after RYGB and a decrease in reoperation rates after LSG, these observations were not seen in those with higher degree of weight loss. In patients with BMI 50 kg/m 2 or more, preoperative weight loss showed a consistent improvement in reintervention rates after LSG, and readmission rates after RYGB. There was no improvement in other outcomes, however, irrespective of degree of preoperative weight loss. In patients undergoing primary bariatric surgery, preoperative weight loss does not lead to a consistent improvement in outcomes or OR times. In those with BMI 50 kg/m 2 or more, there may be improvement in select outcomes that is procedure-specific. Overall, these data do not support a uniform policy of preoperative weight loss, although selective use in some high-risk patients may be appropriate.