Preoperative Expectations Research Articles

Client’s pre-operative expectations and outcome of cataract surgery at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Objectives: A cataract is an opacity of the natural crystalline lens that causes vision loss. It is the most common cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for 39% of the 42 million blind people in the world. The optimum outcome from a cataract surgery can be achieved if post-operative subjective outcomes meet pre-operative expectations. It is expressed in different ways including patient satisfaction. This study evaluated clients’ pre-operative expectations and the outcome of cataract surgery at Jos University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental, prospective hospital-based study that consecutively recruited 109 participants aged 18 years and above for 6 months. Data regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, pre-operative visual function, and expected post-operative outcome were collected preoperatively, and the subjective outcome and level of patient satisfaction were also assessed 6 weeks after surgery using a visual function index questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences’ version 23. Frequencies and percentages were determined for categorical variables; mean and standard deviation, median, and interquartile range were calculated for continuous variables. Correlation was used to measure the relationship between overall satisfaction and expected or achieved visual function. A significant level was determined at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 109 participants were seen in this study, of which 60 (55%) were males. The mean age of participants in the study was 64.5 ± 11.1 years. The median (interquartile range) expected and actual post-operative outcome scores were 100 (80–100) and 98 (75–100), respectively. The majority of the participants, 86 (78.9%), were satisfied with the outcome of cataract surgery, and the predictors of satisfaction were insertion of posterior chamber intraocular lens, absence of complications, and absence of ocular comorbidities. We found a significant strong positive correlation between subjective outcome and satisfaction (r = 0.538, P ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: The majority of the clients were satisfied with the outcome of their surgeries which meets the high expected outcomes from the clients pre-operative. Adequate counselling, training, and retraining of surgeons are key to improving and maintaining satisfaction with the outcome of cataract surgery.

High Preoperative Expectations may not Need to be Feared.

Retrospective. Evaluate correlations between preoperative expectations for pain improvement and 12-month functional outcomes and satisfaction following 1-2 level primary anterior cervical surgery. Limited data exists evaluating correlations between patients' preoperative expectations for pain relief and subsequent functional and satisfaction outcomes following primary anterior cervical surgery. Understanding correlations between expectations and outcomes may help identify patients most likely to benefit from surgery. Patients who underwent 1-2 level primary ACDF or CDA for degenerative disease between 2016-2021 were included. All patients had 12-month NDI data. Preoperative expectations for pain relief were collected at the initial clinic visit using 5-point Likert scales. Preoperative and 12-month postoperative satisfaction were recorded using 7-point Likert scales. Covariates including age, gender, procedure type, smoking status, opioid use, worker's compensation/litigation, BMI, and indication (radiculopathy versus myelopathy). Linear regression models were constructed to assess 12-month NDI change score versus pain relief expectations. Additional regression models assessed expectations versus achievement of MCID at 3- and 12-months and satisfaction at 12-months. 198 ACDF (56.1% female, median age 57) and 52 CDR patients (55.8% female, median age 51) were included. Regression models found no significant correlations between pain relief expectations and degree of NDI score improvement at the 12-month postoperative timepoint or MCID achievement at the 3- and 12-month postoperative timepoints. There was no association between preoperative expectations and 12-month satisfaction. However, greater preoperative dissatisfaction was significantly associated with greater 12-month improvement in NDI score. Preoperative pain relief expectations were not associated with functional outcomes or satisfaction following 1-2 level primary ACDF or CDR at 12-month follow-up. Patients' dissatisfaction with their preoperative spinal condition was significantly associated with greater 12-month NDI improvement. Assessing preoperative satisfaction may help identify those most likely to benefit from surgery.

Predictors of time to achieve clinically significant improvements following lateral lumbar interbody fusion

BackgroundAs lateral lumbar interbody fusions (LLIF) are increasingly performed, our understanding of postoperative clinical trajectories is important in informing preoperative patient expectations. While minimum clinically important difference (MCID) rates are widely utilized in spine surgery literature, there is less published on how long it takes for patients to achieve MCID following LLIF. ObjectiveTo evaluate the length of time it takes for patients to report MCID achievement for back pain, leg pain, disability, and physical function and evaluate predictors of time to achieve MCID. MethodsPatients undergoing elective LLIF by the senior author with baseline and postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) recorded were retrospectively identified. Data on potential predictors of time to MCID achievement were gathered including demographics, comorbidities, diagnostic information, and baseline PROs. MCID achievement rates for Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale-Back (VAS-Back), VAS-Leg, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) were calculated at six-, twelve, 6 month- 1 year- and 2-year postoperative timepoints. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to determine the proportion of patients achieving MCID at each time point. A multivariate Cox regression determined predictors of time to MCID achievement. ResultsOne hundred-five patients were included in the analysis. The mean time to achieve MCID for PROMIS-PF was 44.7 weeks, for VAS-Back was 38.5 weeks, for VAS-Leg was 36.7 weeks, and for ODI was 38.3 weeks. Worse baseline VAS-Back significantly predicted earlier MCID achievement for VAS-Back (HR: 1.55), while diabetes was predictive of later MCID achievement (HR: 0.21). Higher body mass index and worse preoperative ODI predicted earlier MCID achievement for ODI (HR: 1.04–1.08), and higher VAS-Leg score and two-level fusion were predictive of later MCID achievement for ODI, (HR:0.26–0.81). Worse preoperative VAS-Leg, isthmic spondylolisthesis, and three-level fusion were predictors of earlier achievement of MCID for VAS-Leg (HR: 1.27–6.47). Herniated nucleus pulposus and foraminal stenosis were early predictors (HR: 2.92–3.23) and workers’ compensation was a late predictor of MCID attainment for PROMIS-PF (HR: 0.13). ConclusionSelect demographic variables, comorbidities, spinal pathology, and preoperative PROs influenced the time it took for patients to report clinically significant improvements in pain, disability, and physical function scores. These findings can be used to prognosticate outcomes for patients undergoing LLIF and inform patient expectations of postoperative recovery.

Effects of pre-operative patient expectations on the outcome after total shoulder arthroplasty: A systematic review.

To synthesize the evidence considering effects of pre-operative patient expectations on the post-operative outcomes in patients with total shoulder arthroplasty. PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane were searched for relevant studies. Studies before 2000 were excluded. Studies examining effects of pre-operative patient expectations on post-operative outcome in adults who had undergone total shoulder arthroplasty were included if at least one of the following treatment outcomes should have been measured: shoulder function, range of motion, shoulder pain, activities of daily living, muscle strength, patient satisfaction, or quality of life. After screening 875 studies four studies were included. Relevant data was extracted in a standardized way. Quality assessment was performed through QUIPS and EBRO methods. Both were performed by two independent reviewers. All 4 studies had a high risk of bias and level of evidence B. Moderate evidence was found regarding the absence of an association between greater pre-operative patient expectations and numerous outcome measures. All other associations yielded conflicting or preliminary evidence. Informing patients about what can be expected can be of great importance. Evidence lacking. To confirm or reject the findings of this systematic review, future research should focus on high-quality research with validated research protocols.

The Influence of Previous Joint Arthroplasty on Fulfillment of Patients' Expectations of Subsequent Lumbar Surgery

Introduction: Hip, knee, and lumbar spine surgeries are prevalent with arthroplasty often preceding lumbar surgery. The objective of this analysis was to ascertain whether previous arthroplasty was associated with patients' postlumbar surgery fulfillment of expectations. Methods: Identical systematically acquired data were pooled from 3 prospective studies that included assessments of preoperative expectations of lumbar surgery and 2-year postoperative assessment of fulfillment of expectations using a valid survey with points assigned for amount of improvement expected for symptoms and function. The proportion of expectations fulfilled was defined as total points for improvement received postoperatively divided by total points for improvement expected preoperatively (range 0 [no expectations fulfilled] to >1 [expectations surpassed]). Enrollment data included the expectations survey, demographic/clinical characteristics, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and previous hip/knee arthroplasty. Postoperative data included follow-up expectations survey, ODI scores, and any spine complications. The proportion was the dependent variable in multivariable linear regression with demographic/clinical independent variables. Results: 1137 patients were included (mean age 59 years, 51% male); 993 (87%) did not have previous arthroplasty, and 144 (13%) had arthroplasty (51 hip only, 77 knee only, 16 both hip/knee). Patients with any arthroplasty had similarly high expectations compared with patients with no arthroplasty but lower proportion of expectations fulfilled (0.69 versus 0.76, P = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, variables associated with a lower proportion of expectations fulfilled were greater preoperative expectations (P < 0.0001), not working (P < 0.0001), positive depression screen (P = 0.0002), previous lumbar surgery (P < 0.0001), previous arthroplasty (P = 0.03), surgery on ≥3 vertebrae (P = 0.007), less preoperative-to-postoperative ODI improvement (P < 0.0001), and postoperative complications (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: After accounting for a spectrum of highly associated covariates, patients with previous arthroplasty still had less fulfillment of expectations of subsequent lumbar surgery. For patients with previous arthroplasty, surgeons should discuss potential differences between arthroplasty and lumbar surgery during preoperative evaluations and during shared postoperative assessments of the outcome.

Investigation of Expectations and Satisfaction After Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

To perform the first mixed-methods analysis of patient expectations and satisfaction after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Semi-structured interviews of subjects undergoing ESS were performed to understand pre-operative expectations and 6-month post-operative satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and mediation analyses were performed. Quantitative questions were followed by qualitative probes for subjects to expand on quantitative answers. Study sample size was determined by thematic saturation based on qualitative responses. Data visualization was used to triangulate quantitative and qualitative data wherein themes emerged. A total of 52 participants were included in the mixed-method analysis, and 110 were included in the mediation analysis. 56% of participants were male, with an average age of 55.7 (SD ± 2.18). Mean change in SNOT-22 was 20.8 (SD ± 3.74), and 25% of participants did not achieve a minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Of the participants who did not achieve MCID, 79% would still choose to have sinus surgery again. Qualitative interviews revealed multiple preliminary categories describing the patient experience with ESS. Regression analysis showed that the most important predictor of satisfaction was whether pre-operative expectations were met (OR = 3.8, p < 0.001). In mediation analysis, the effect of the clinical outcome on patient satisfaction was completely mediated by pre-operative expectations (indirect effect p = 0.009, direct effect p = 0.17). Patient expectations and satisfaction are important yet understudied measures in CRS and ESS. In ESS, satisfaction with outcome is driven by the fulfillment of pre-operative expectations. Aligning such expectations is the most important intervention a sinus surgeon can perform to maximize success. 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Visual Outcome and Patient Satisfaction with Implantation of Trifocal Intraocular Lens After Radial Keratotomy.

To investigate the visual outcomes and patient satisfaction following trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after radial keratotomy (RK). This was a retrospective chart review wherein we studied 14 eyes from 7 patients who had undergone cataract surgery and had trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implanted in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd University Hospital and Kahhal private centre. Data such as demographic characteristics, the time between RK and cataract removal, intraoperative and postoperative complications, preoperative and postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and refraction were evaluated. In addition, visual complaints and satisfaction were assessed through a questionnaire. All eyes included had 8 RK sections. The mean spherical equivalent was +1.81 ± 4.27 D preoperatively and was -0.41 ± 1.2 D at the last follow-up. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) increased from 0.32 ± 0.2 prior to surgery to 0.64 ± 0.2 following surgery. The mean efficacy index was 1.01 and a safety index was 1.26. In the last follow-up, 29% reported having 0.5 spherical equivalents, while 86% were within 1D. Improvement in cylindrical correction was noticed in the last follow-up with 36% not more than 0.5 D and 43% within 1D. In total, 80% of patients had a distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) of better than 20/40. The survey response rate was 100%, and two patients reported a lower degree of satisfaction. Glare and difficulty seeing at night were the most often reported complaints, with a mean of 2.86 ± 1.95 and 22 ± 1.9, respectively. Our results suggest that implantation of a trifocal IOL is safe and effective in patients with previous RK. However, several factors, including the patient's preoperative expectations, glare testing, refractive error, number of cuts, optical zone size, and visual phenomena related to RK, should be considered before implantation.

How Minimal Clinically Important Difference and Patient Acceptable Symptom State Relate to Patient Expectations and Satisfaction in Spine Surgery: A Review.

This narrative review seeks to enhance our comprehension of how Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) values in established Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for spine surgery correspond with patient preoperative expectations and postoperative satisfaction. Through our literature search, we found that both MCID and PASS serve as dependable indicators of patient expectations. However, MCID may be more susceptible to a floor effect. This implies that PASS may offer a more accurate reflection of how patients anticipate surgery to address their symptoms. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that achieving MCID or PASS may not be an absolute prerequisite for patients to be satisfied with their treatment.

The Russian version of the Hip Preservation Surgery Expectations Survey: translation and cross-cultural adaptation

Background. Patients’ preoperative expectations are one of the most significant factors affecting the satisfaction rates after organ-preserving surgeries performed in the hip area. To date, there are no validated Russian-language methods to assess the expectations from hip preservation surgeries. The aim of the study is — to carry out cross-cultural adaptation of the Hip preservation surgery expectations survey, as well as to assess the validity of its Russian version. Methods. In order to preserve validity of the survey, we carried out its cross-cultural adaptation including forward translation, back translation, and pilot testing (pretesting). Validity of the final Russian-language version was assessed by interviewing 40 patients, which underwent hip joint arthroscopy due to femoroacetabular impingement. Results. Cronbach’s α has accounted for 0.945, indicating a high level of internal consistency. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) has amounted to 0.82 (95% CI: 0.56-0.93), which corresponds to good correlation and demonstrates retest reliability. The “ceiling” and “floor” effects have not been detected. Conclusions. The Russian version of the Hip preservation surgery expectations survey is a useful and simple tool to assess preoperative expectations of patients with diseases of the hip joint. The survey makes it possible to structure and document the expectations and may be used in clinical practice and scientific studies.

Streamlining the Journey of Research Into Clinical Practice: Making Your Patients and Practice Flourish Understanding and Setting Treatment Expectations for Patients With Metastatic Spine Tumors.

Literature review with clinical recommendation. A concise curation of the latest spine literature exploring the relationship between expectations and satisfaction for patients with metastatic spinal disease (MSD). Deliver recommendations to practicing clinicians regarding interpretation and utilisation of this evidence. The latest spine literature in the topic of factors affecting the expectations of patients with MSD was reviewed and clinical recommendations were formulated. Recommendations are graded as strong or Conditional. 5 articles were selected. Article 1: risk factors for the development of dissatisfaction from a cohort of 362 MSD patients. Strong recommendation to incorporate risk factor assessment when considering treatment. Article 2: systematic review assessing the relationship between pre-operative patient expectations and subsequent satisfaction in allied disciplines. Conditional recommendation to optimize patient expectation to positively modify patient satisfaction. Article 3: qualitative study of how clinicians, from different specialties, counsel patients with MSD pre-treatment. Strong recommendation to use a multidisciplinary approach. Article 4 qualitative study of how MSD patients experience their pre-treatment counselling and how that affected their appreciation of treatment success. Conditional recommendation to furnish patients with tailored, expected outcomes in the context of systemic progression. Article 5 Design and validation of a pre-treatment questionnaire specific to MSD. A conditional recommendation to incorporate this questionnaire in clinical and research MSD practice. Patients with MSD are approaching end of life care and high levels of treatment satisfaction are crucial at this juncture. The role of expectation management and comprehensive counselling is critical.

Preoperative Anxiolysis and Treatment Expectation (PATE Trial): open-label placebo treatment to reduce preoperative anxiety in female patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery - study protocol for a bicentric, prospective, randomized-controlled trial.

One of the most common concerns of patients undergoing surgery is preoperative anxiety, with a prevalence of up to 48%. The effects of preoperative anxiety continue beyond the preoperative period and are associated with more severe postoperative pain and poorer treatment outcomes. Treatment options for preoperative anxiety are often limited as sedatives cause side effects and their efficacy remains controversial. Placebo research has shown that optimization of positive treatment expectations, as can be achieved through placebo administration and education, has clinically relevant effects on preoperative anxiety, pain and treatment outcomes. As the administration of masked placebos raises ethical questions, clinical studies have increasingly focused on the use of open, non-deceptive placebo administration (open-label placebo, OLP). The use of OLPs to reduce preoperative anxiety and modify clinically relevant postoperative outcomes has not yet been investigated. This bicentric, prospective, randomized-controlled clinical trial (PATE Trial; German Registry for Clinical Studies DRKS00033221), an associated project of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 289 "Treatment Expectation", aims to alleviate preoperative anxiety by optimizing positive treatment expectations facilitated by OLP. Furthermore, this study examines a potential enhancement of these effects through aspects of observational learning, operationalized by a positive expectation-enhancing video. In addition, patient's perspective on the self-efficacy and appropriateness of OLPs prior to surgery will be assessed. To achieve these objectives, female patients will be randomized into three groups before undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. One group receives the OLP with a positive rationale conveyed by a study physician. A second group receives the same intervention, OLP administration and rationale provided by a physician, and additionally watches a video on OLP presenting a satisfied patient. A third group receives standard treatment as usual (TAU). Outcome measures will be effects on preoperative anxiety and postoperative experience, particularly visceral and somatic postoperative pain. As the non-deceptive administration of placebos; when indicated; may yield positive outcomes without side effects, and as current treatment of preoperative anxiety is limited, evidence from clinical placebo research has the potential to improve outcomes and patient experience in the surgical setting.

Associations between surgeons' preoperative expectations of lumbar surgery and patient-reported 2-year outcomes.

Surgeons' preoperative expectations of lumbar surgery may be associated with patient-reported postoperative outcomes. Preoperatively spine surgeons completed a validated Expectations Survey for each patient estimating amount of improvement expected (range 0-100). Preoperative variables were clinical characteristics, spine-specific disability (ODI), and general health (RAND-12). Two years postoperatively patients again completed these measures and global assessments of satisfaction. Surgeons' expectations were compared to preoperative variables and to clinically important pre- to postoperative changes (MCID) in ODI, RAND-12, and pain and to satisfaction using hierarchical models. Mean expectations survey score for 402 patients was a 57 (IQR 44-68) reflecting moderate expectations. Lower scores were associated with preoperative older age, abnormal gait, sensation loss, vacuum phenomena, foraminal stenosis, prior surgery, and current surgery to more vertebrae (all p ≤ .05). Lower scores were associated postoperatively with not attaining MCID for the ODI (p = .02), RAND-12 (p = .01), and leg pain (p = .01). There were no associations between surgeons' scores and satisfaction (p = .06-.27). 55 patients (14%) reported unfavorable global outcomes and were more likely to have had fracture/infection/repeat surgery (OR 3.2, CI 1.6-6.7, p = .002). Surgeons' preoperative expectations were associated with patient-reported postoperative improvement in symptoms and function, but not with satisfaction. These findings are consistent with clinical practice in that surgeons expect some but not complete improvement from surgery and do not anticipate that any particular patient will have markedly unfavorable satisfaction ratings. In addition to preoperative discussions about expectations, patients and surgeons should acknowledge different types of outcomes and address them jointly in postoperative discussions.

Development and validation of the DBS-PS (Deep Brain Stimulation-Perception Scale): Assessing parkinsonian patients' expectations to prevent post-operative disappointment?

BackgroundRecent literature suggests that taking into consideration and evaluating preoperative expectations of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients candidates to deep brain stimulation (DBS), can contribute to treatment effectiveness. However, few validated instruments investigating preoperative expectations are available. We present the development and validation of the DBS-PS (Deep Brain Stimulation – Perception Scale). MethodsThe DBS-PS is an 11 questions self-administered scale, with answers rated on a 10-point Likert scale (1 completely false, 10 completely true). Items were generated on the basis of patient's interviews analyzed by an expert group and reached consensus. The scale is divided into three domains: expectations for PD, expectations for social-life and leisure, expectations for intimate life. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) completed by item response theory (IRT) analysis was conducted to validate the theoretical structure of the DBS-PS. Results64 PD patients aged 59.18 (SD = 5.74) years with PD diagnosed since 9.36 (SD = 4.09) years completed the DBS-PS preoperatively. EFA confirmed a 3 factors scale structure (eigenvalue >1) explaining 69% of variance (factor 1: 43%; factor 2: 17%; factor 3: 9%). Reliability (Cronbach's α: 0.714 for factor 1, 0.781 for factor 2, 0.889 for factor 3) and discriminant validity (Pearson coefficient r < 0.50) were satisfactory. IRT showed good model fit, preserved unidimensionality, but some local dependences were observed. ConclusionThe DBS-PS shows satisfactory psychometric properties. It is easy to administer in routine practice with preoperative PD patients. It constitutes an interesting basis for cognitive restructuring before neurosurgery, by highlighting dysfunctional cognitions and measuring the benefits of cognitive restructuring therapy.

The achievement of pre-operative expectations in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty: a cohort study evaluating unique patient goals

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure employed to treat end-stage osteoarthritis. While TKA is generally believed to have acceptable outcomes, many patients report pain or functional deficits not in line with their expectation following the procedure. It has been postulated that patient’s pre-operative expectations regarding post-operative treatment outcomes play a significant role in satisfaction. It is therefore important to assess if the outcomes of surgery truly align with patient’s individual expectations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which patient expectations of TKA are achieved and the contribution of TKA to achieving patient goals one year after surgery.MethodsA consecutive sample of 110 patients booked for total knee arthroplasty were asked to identify their most important goals to inform the Direct Questioning of Objectives Index (DQO Index, range 0 to 1) and identify their surgical goals and grade their expectation that a knee arthroplasty would achieve each goal on an 11-point scale. One year after surgery, the DQO Index was repeated to assess their current ability to achieve each pre-operative goal, and asked to estimate the contribution of their knee arthroplasty in achieving each goal. Mean differences between baseline and one year follow-up were calculated regarding the DQO Index and expected achievement of pre-operative goals.ResultsAccording to the DQO Index at one year, patients improved from a poor quality of life pre-operatively (mean ± standard deviation: 0.20 ± 0.18) to moderately high quality of life (mean ± standard deviation: 0.71 ± 0.21) reflecting a large improvement in ability to achieve each goal. Although achievement improved, for each goal, the patient estimates of the extent to which the knee arthroplasty had contributed to achieving the goal was lower than their initial expectation provided pre-operatively (mean difference range: 0.6 to 1.9 on an 11-point scale).ConclusionPatients undergoing TKA have high expectations that their surgery will address their primary goals. Despite surgery largely achieving these goals (improved pain and function), the extent to which the goals were achieved was lower than patients had expected pre-operatively.

Preoperative Expectations of Women Undergoing Breast Reconstruction Surgery.

The study investigated the expectations of patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy, considering factors such as the cause for mastectomy (cancer versus prophylactic due BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations), age, marital status, and education. The study had a cross-sectional design. Eligible patients at Oslo University Hospital received a link to the BREAST-Q Expectations questionnaire, which they filled out before surgery from 2019 to 2022. One hundred forty-six patients completed the questionnaire (79.8% response rate). The mean age was 46.6 years, and the majority (95.1%) were undergoing reconstruction with implants. Most patients (86.9%) wanted to be involved in the decision-making. The highest expectation was for breast appearance and the lowest for sensation after surgery. Patients not diagnosed with cancer (n = 27) before surgery expected significantly more pain after surgery compared with patients diagnosed with cancer (P = 0.016). Patients 40 years or younger had higher expectation of pain after surgery than patients 41 years or older, 73.2 versus 54.2, P < 0.001, respectively. After 10 years, 26.7% of the patients expected that further reconstruction procedures might be necessary. Our study's results regarding patient's expectations with breast reconstruction, as assessed using the BREAST-Q Expectations module, align with previous research in terms of overall trends. However, our study provides a more nuanced understanding by exploring variations within different patient subgroups. These differences emphasize the need for personalized preoperative counseling and support to align patient's expectations with realistic outcomes.

Quantifying Patient Expectations for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Expectations for Improvement Are Greater Than Minimal Clinically Important Difference

BackgroundAchieving a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in patient-reported outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is common, yet up to 20% patient dissatisfaction persists. Unmet expectations may explain post-TKA dissatisfaction. No prior studies have quantified patient expectations using the same patient-reported outcome metric as used for MCID to allow direct comparison. MethodsThis was a prospective study of patients undergoing TKA with 5 fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons at one academic center. Baseline Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) and Pain Interference (PI) domains were assessed. Expected PROMIS scores were determined by asking patients to indicate the outcomes they were expecting at 12 months postoperatively. Predicted scores were generated from a predictive model validated in the Function and Outcomes Research for Comparative Effectiveness in Total Joint Replacement (FORCE-TJR) dataset. T-tests were used to compare baseline, expected, and predicted PROMIS scores. Expected scores were compared to PROMIS MCID values obtained from the literature. Regression models were used to identify patient characteristics associated with high expectations. ResultsThere were 93 patients included. Mean age was 67 years (range, 30 to 85) and 55% were women. Mean baseline PROMIS PF and PI was 34.4 ± 6.7 and 62.2 ± 6.4, respectively. Patients expected significant improvement for PF of 1.9 times the MCID (MCID = 11.3; mean expected improvement = 21.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6 to 23.5, P < .001) and for PI of 2.3 times the MCID (MCID = 8.9; mean expected improvement = 20.6, 95% CI 19.1-22.2, P < .001). Predicted scores were significantly lower than expected scores (mean difference = 9.5, 95% CI 7.7 to 11.3, P < .001). No unique patient characteristics were associated with high expectations (P > .05). ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to quantify preoperative patient expectations using the same metric as MCID to allow for direct comparison. Patient expectations for improvement following TKA are ∼2× greater than MCID and are significantly greater than predicted outcome scores. This discrepancy challenges currently accepted standards of success after TKA and indicates a need for improved expectation setting prior to surgery.

Determination of preoperative risk factors for iliopsoas tendonitis after total hip arthroplasty: Asimulation study.

This study aims to identify preoperative risk factors for iliopsoas tendonitis after total hip arthroplasty, a complication typically attributed to acetabular cup position and orientation, using a validated iliopsoas impingement detection simulation. Analyzing CT scans and X-rays of 448 patients using a validated preoperative planning protocol, patients were simulated for iliopsoas impingement and categorized into at-risk and not at-risk groups based on a prior validation study, with a 23% at-risk incidence. Implementing a propensity score matching algorithm to reduce covariate imbalance, we identified factors that may exacerbate risk of iliopsoas tendonitis. Parameters that were investigated included standing pelvic tilt, functional femoral rotation, and the difference between the planned acetabular cup diameter and native femoral head diameter (ΔC-NFH). Comparing pelvic tilt, we found a significant difference between the groups (at-risk: -6.0°, not at-risk: -0.7°; p << 0.01). A similar trend was noted for ΔC-NFH (at-risk: +5.7 mm, not at-risk: +5.1 mm; p = 0.01). Additional simulations of at-risk patients indicated increased anteversion of the acetabular cup reduces impingement risk more effectively than medialisation. These findings suggest that spinopelvic parameters may exacerbate iliopsoas irritation risk, underscoring their importance in preoperative planning and patient expectation management. Similar findings of a greater than 6 mm difference between cup size and native femoral head diameter being a significant risk for iliopsoas tendonitis have been observed before, underscoring its potential veracity. These results may provide surgeons with a simple threshold that can be used in determining a cup size to reduce the risk of iliopsoas tendonitis.

Preoperative expectations of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network

BACKGROUNDDespite an abundance of literature on degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), little is known about preoperative expectations of these patients. PURPOSEThe primary objective was to describe patient preoperative expectations. Secondary objectives included identifying patient characteristics associated with high preoperative expectations and to determine if expectations varied depending on myelopathy severity. STUDY DESIGNThis was a retrospective study of a prospective multicenter, observational cohort of patients with DCM. PATIENT SAMPLEPatients who consented to undergo surgical treatment between January 2019 and September 2022 were included. OUTCOMES MEASURESAn 11-domain expectation questionnaire was completed preoperatively whereby patients quantified the expected change in each domain. METHODSThe most important expected change was captured. A standardized expectation score was calculated as the sum of each expectation divided by the maximal possible score. The high expectation group was defined by patients who had an expectation score above the 75th percentile. Predictors of patients with high expectations were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTSThere were 262 patients included. The most important patient expectation was preventing neurological worsening (40.8%) followed by improving balance when standing or walking (14.5%), improving independence in everyday activities (10.3%), and relieving arm tingling, burning and numbness (10%). Patients with mild myelopathy were more likely to select no worsening as the most important expected change compared to patients with severe myelopathy (p<.01). Predictors of high patient expectations were: having fewer comorbidities (OR -0.30 for every added comorbidity, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.10, p=.01), a shorter duration of symptoms (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.35–1.19, p=.02), no contribution from “failure of other treatments” on the decision to undergo surgery (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.56–2.71, p=.02) and more severe neck pain (OR 0.19 for 1 point increase, 95% CI 0.05–0.37, p=.01). CONCLUSIONSMost patients undergoing surgery for DCM expect prevention of neurological decline, better functional status, and improvement in their myelopathic symptoms. Stopping neurological deterioration is the most important expected outcomes by patients.

High Expectations Among Patients Who Have Undergone TKA Do Not Correlate With Satisfaction.

One of five patients is dissatisfied with the outcome of TKA. With the increasing number of TKAs, this affects many patients. It has been suggested that high expectations may influence satisfaction, but the relationship between preoperative patient expectations and postoperative patient satisfaction remains poorly understood. (1) Are preoperative patient expectations correlated with postoperative satisfaction? (2) Are expectations correlated with patient characteristics or patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)? (3) Is satisfaction correlated with patient characteristics or PROMs? (4) Do patients report specific items as more relevant to their expectations? This was a single-center, observational, retrospective, comparative study involving patients who underwent TKA. Between December 2020 and June 2022, three senior surgeons performed 306 TKAs. Of these, 76% (234) had the preoperative PROMs required for this study, and of these, 82% (193) had completed PROMs at the 12-month follow-up interval and were analyzed. Of the 193 included patients, 53% (102) were women; the mean age was 68 ± 9 years. Data were collected at baseline, 4 months, and 12 months. Twelve months of follow-up has been shown to be adequate in studies with PROMs. Patient expectations were measured using the validated Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectation Survey on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher expectations. We also assessed patient satisfaction, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Forgotten Joint Score, High-Activity Arthroplasty Score, EQ-5D-3L, and the objective Knee Society Score. Bivariate linear correlations were analyzed using the Pearson or Spearman test. Preoperative patient expectations did not correlate with postoperative satisfaction. The mean Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectation Survey score was 82 ±16 points and did not correlate with satisfaction at either 4 months (r = -0.061; p = 0.42) or 12 months (r = -0.126; p = 0.11). Expectations did not correlate with patient characteristics or any of the preoperative or postoperative PROMs or the Knee Society Score. Patient satisfaction was 88% (158 of 179) at 4 months and 83% (160 of 193) at 12 months and did not correlate with patient characteristics or any of the preoperative PROMs or Knee Society Score. Patient satisfaction was medium to strongly correlated with postoperative PROMs and Knee Society Score. The Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectation Survey items with the most frequent expected improvement were "ability to walk" (99% [192 of 193]), "go downstairs" (99% [191 of 192]), and "go upstairs" (99% [192 of 193]). Preoperative expectations were not correlated with postoperative satisfaction or PROMs. Surgeons should be aware that patients have high expectations. However, these expectations appear to be less relevant in determining postoperative satisfaction. Level III, therapeutic study.

Influence of patients' preoperative expectations on postoperative outcomes after total knee or hip arthroplasty: a systematic review.

The association between preoperative expectations and treatment outcomes in total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still unclear. Therefore the aim is to examine the association between preoperative outcome expectations, process expectations, and self-efficacy, and the postoperative outcomes overall outcome, pain, function, stiffness, satisfaction, and quality of life following THA/TKA. A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 17, 2022. Included were prospective longitudinal cohort studies published in English, German, or Dutch, with an adult population undergoing THA/TKA, and including at least one measure of preoperative expectations and the postoperative outcomes mentioned earlier. Two independent reviewers screened the retrieved articles for eligibility, a third solved disagreements. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the QUIPS tool. Of the 50 included studies, 38 had high RoB and 12 moderate RoB. Unadjusted results suggest a positive association between preoperative outcome expectations and overall outcome in the medium and long term, and between self-efficacy and change in 'overall outcome' in the long term. Adjusted results suggest positive associations between outcome expectations and function and between self-efficacy and overall outcome in the medium term, and for outcome expectations with pain and change in pain, respectively, and self-efficacy and stiffness in the long term. Preoperative expectations show a possible positive association with specific outcome measures, such as pain or function. For future research, it is advised to link matching specific expectations with specific outcomes.