Use Of Laparoscopic Surgery Research Articles

Predicting opportunities to increase utilization of laparoscopy for rectal cancer.

Despite proven safety and efficacy, rates of laparoscopy for rectal cancer in the US are low. With reports of inferiority with laparoscopy compared to open surgery, and movements to develop accredited centers, investigating utilization and predictors of laparoscopy are warranted. Our goal was to evaluate current utilization and identify factors impacting use of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. The Premier™ Hospital Database was reviewed for elective inpatient rectal cancer resections (1/1/2010-6/30/2015). Patients were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes, and then stratified into open or laparoscopic approaches by ICD-9-CM procedure codes or billing charge. Logistic multivariable regression identified variables predictive of laparoscopy. The Cochran-Armitage test assessed trend analysis. The main outcome measures were trends in utilization and factors independently associated with use of laparoscopy. 3336 patients were included-43.8% laparoscopic (n=1464) and 56.2% open (n=1872). Use of laparoscopy increased from 37.6 to 55.3% during the study period (p<0.0001). General surgeons performed the majority of all resections, but colorectal surgeons were more likely to approach rectal cancer laparoscopically (41.31 vs. 36.65%, OR 1.082, 95% CI [0.92, 1.27], p<0.3363). Higher volume surgeons were more likely to use laparoscopy than low-volume surgeons (OR 3.72, 95% CI [2.64, 5.25], p<0.0001). Younger patients (OR 1.49, 95% CI [1.03, 2.17], p=0.036) with minor (OR 2.13, 95% CI [1.45, 3.12], p<0.0001) or moderate illness severity (OR 1.582, 95% CI [1.08, 2.31], p<0.0174) were more likely to receive a laparoscopic resection. Teaching hospitals (OR 0.842, 95% CI [0.710, 0.997], p=0.0463) and hospitals in the Midwest (OR 0.69, 95% CI [0.54, 0.89], p=0.0044) were less likely to use laparoscopy. Insurance status and hospital size did not impact use. Laparoscopy for rectal cancer steadily increased over the years examined. Patient, provider, and regional variables exist, with hospital status, geographic location, and colorectal specialization impacting the likelihood. However, surgeon volume had the greatest influence. These results emphasize training and surgeon-specific outcomes to increase utilization and quality in appropriate cases.

Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery: Not Only for Senior Residents

Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) was developed by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required for basic laparoscopic surgery. We hypothesize that residents are doing more laparoscopic surgery earlier in residency, and therefore would benefit from an earlier assessment of basic laparoscopic skills. Here, we examine FLS test results and ACGME case logs to determine whether it is practical to administer FLS earlier in residency. FLS test results were reviewed for the 42 residents completing FLS between July 2011 and July 2016. ACGME case logs for current and former residents were reviewed for laparoscopic cases logged by each postgraduate year. Basic and complex laparoscopic cases were determined by ACGME General Surgery Defined Category and Minimums Report. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Academic general surgery residency, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Current and former general surgery residents. A total of 42 residents took and passed FLS between July 2011 and July 2016. All residents successfully passed the FLS knowledge and skills examinations on the first attempt regardless of their postgraduate year (PGY 3n = 13, PGY 4n = 15, and PGY 5n = 14). Total laparoscopic case volume has increased over time. Residents who graduated in 2012 or 2013 completed 229 laparoscopic cases compared to 267 laparoscopic cases for those who graduated from 2014 to 2016 (p = 0.02). Additionally, current residents completed more laparoscopic cases in the first 2 years of residency than residents who graduated from 2012 to 2016 (median current = 38; former = 22; p < 0.001). Examining laparoscopic case numbers for current residents by PGY demonstrated that the number of total and complex laparoscopic cases increased in each of the first 3 years of residency with the largest increase occurring between the PGY 2 and PGY 3 years. In the PGY 4 and PGY 5 years, most laparoscopic cases were complex. Increased use of laparoscopic surgery has led to a corresponding increase in laparoscopic case volume among general surgery residents. We would advocate for FLS testing to serve as an early assessment of laparoscopic knowledge and skill and should be performed before a significant increase in complex laparoscopic surgery during training.

Comparison of long-term survival outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgery for mid or low rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy: 7-year follow-up of COREAN trial.

3518 Background: Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has been used widely. However, recent two randomized trials raised concerns about short-term oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer based on 7-year data from the Comparison of Open versus laparoscopic surgery for mid or low REctal cancer After Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (COREAN) trial. Methods: COREAN trial was a non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial. Between April, 2006, and Aug, 2009, eligible participants with mid or low rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy were randomly assigned (1:1) to laparoscopic (n = 170) or open surgery (n = 170). Seven-year outcomes included overall and disease-free survival, and local recurrence. Log-rank test and stratified Cox regression analysis were used for survival analysis. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results: The median follow-up times were 84 months (IQR: 61.5-97.0). No differences were found between laparoscopic and open surgery group in terms of overall and disease-free survival, and local recurrence (7-year overall survival: 83.2% [laparoscopic] vs 77.3% [open], p = 0.48; 7-year disease-free survival: 71.6% [laparoscopic] vs 64.3% [open], p = 0.20; 7-year local recurrence: 3.3% [laparoscopic] vs 7.9% [open], p = 0.08). Stratified Cox regression analysis adjusted for ypT, ypN and tumor regression grade showed no significant difference between groups in terms of overall and disease-free survival, and local recurrence. The hazard ratios for overall survival, disease-free survival and local recurrence (open vs laparoscopic surgery) were 0.96 (95% CI = 0.58-1.57), 1.03 (95% CI = 0.70-1.53), and 2.28 (95% CI = 0.82-7.16), respectively. Conclusions: The 7-year analysis confirm the long-term oncological safety of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The use of laparoscopic surgery does not compromise the long-term survival outcomes in rectal cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT00470951.

Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) and conventional laparotomy in patients with colorectal cancer: Final results from a single center.

In recent years, the use of laparoscopic surgery has been expanded to include radical curative resection. In a previous study, 212 patients with primary colorectal cancer (stages I-III) underwent radical curative resection by hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) (n=98) or conventional laparotomy (CL) (n=114) and were compared with respect to 3-year relapse-free survival (3Y-RFS) and 3-year overall survival (3Y-OS). The study included 210/212 patients who were followed up to 5 years, including 96 patients who underwent HALS and 114 treated with CL. The two groups were matched for stage, clinical background, and postoperative management. Patient characteristics were compared and the 5Y-RFS and 5Y-OS were determined. The 5-year follow-up rate was 97.6%. In stage I-III patients, 5Y-RFS and 5Y-OS showed no significant differences between HALS and CL. The patients with stage I disease accounted for 41.7% (40/96) of the patients undergoing HALS, while stage I patients only accounted for 23.7% (27/114) of the patients undergoing CL, and the difference was significant (P=0.005). Stage II patients undergoing CL were older than those treated with HALS (P=0.017). However, there were no differences in the characteristics of stage III patients undergoing HALS or CL. In conclusion, HALS achieved a similar survival to CL in patients with stage I to III colorectal cancer. Compared with CL, HALS was performed more safely and achieved superior cosmetic results.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Multivisceral Resection for Clinically Suspected T4 Colon Cancer.

The use of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has become widespread recently. However, the safety and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for primary advanced colorectal cancer need extensive investigation. We analyzed the short- and long-term outcomes after laparoscopic multivisceral resection for primary colon cancer with suspected invasion of other organs at a single institution. Between January 2000 and December 2014, 118 patients underwent laparoscopic multivisceral resection for primary colon cancer invading or adhering to adjacent organs or structures; their short- and long-term outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. The median operating time was 254min (range 130-1051min), and median blood loss was 48ml (range 0-2777ml). The overall conversion rate was 6.8%. The postoperative complication rate was 17.8%. The number of patients with R0 and R1 resection was 112 (94.9%) and 6 (5.1%), respectively. At a median follow-up period of 32months (range 0-157months), the local recurrence rate in patients who underwent R0 resection was 1.8%, while for R1 resection it was 66.7%. In multivariate analysis, R1 resection and LN metastases were found to be predictors of poor prognosis. The cancer-specific 5-year survival was 87% when R0 resection was achieved; within these, the 5-year survival rates for patients with stages II, III, and IV disease were 94, 81, and 40%, respectively. Laparoscopic en bloc multivisceral resection for clinically suspected T4 colon cancer is a safe and feasible procedure for precisely selected patients, attaining satisfactory oncological outcomes when R0 resection is achieved.

Inhibition of peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer by hyperthermic CO2 insufflation: A novel approach to prevent intraperitoneal tumor spread.

BackgroundThe increasing use of laparoscopic surgery for advanced gastrointestinal cancer raises concerns about intra-peritoneal tumor spread. Prevention of peritoneal dissemination is extremely important but a preventive modality is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine a novel approach (hyperthermic CO2 insufflation, HT-CO2) for preventing peritoneal dissemination during laparoscopic surgery.MethodsA peritoneal dissemination model was established in Balb/c nu/nu mice by intraperitoneal injection of human colon cancer cells (SW1116, 1×106). The mice (n = 48) were subsequently randomized into two groups and subjected to hyperthermic CO2 (43°C, >95% humidity, HT-CO2 group) or standard normothermic CO2 (21°C, <1% relative humidity, NT-CO2 group) insufflation for 3 hours. The mice were sacrificed 28 days later. The peritoneal dissemination was quantitatively analyzed by counting and weighing the peritoneal nodules. The port sites and ascites volume were measured. The peritoneal damage of HT-CO2 was histologically examined with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Intra-abdominal adhesions were evaluated 4 weeks later.ResultsThe number of peritoneal nodules in the HT-CO2 group was significantly less than that in the NT-CO2 group (10.21±3.72 vs. 67.12±5.49, P<0.01). The mean weight of metastatic tumors in the HT-CO2 group was significantly lower than that in the NT-CO2 group (0.31±0.10g vs. 2.16±0.31g, P<0.01). Massive ascites were found in the NT-CO2 group while significantly less ascites developed in HT-CO2- treated mice (8.26±0.31ml vs. 1.27±0.28ml, P<0.01). No port-site metastases were detected in the HT-CO2 group while the incidence of the NT-CO2 group was 12.5% (3/24). HT-CO2 subjection resulted in slight peritoneal damage; the peritoneum returned to normal within five days. No adhesions formed after HT-CO2 treatment.ConclusionsHT-CO2 can suppress peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer cells and only causes slight and transient peritoneal damage. HT-CO2 may serve as a promising adjuvant treatment for preventing peritoneal dissemination in laparoscopic resection of advanced colorectal cancer.

Ефективність лапароскопічного та традиційного методів хірургічної корекції пахвинних гриж у хлопчиків за даними транскутанної оксиметрії

Проведено аналіз результатів післяопераційної реабілітації 98 хлопчиків із пахвинними грижами (віком від 1 місяця до 12 років), прооперованих за традиційною або лапароскопічною методиками. Усіх хворих розподілено на 2 групи, залежно від методу операційного втручання. Хворим 1 групи (N=30, середній вік (1,5±0,15) року) проводили лапароскопічне втручання за методикою PIRS. У 2 групі (N=68, середній вік (4,5±0,32) року) виконували операційне втручання традиційним методом за методикою Дюамеля. У пацієнтів досліджували тканинну перфузію та оксигенацію паренхіми яєчка шляхом транскутанної оксиметрії до операції, на 7, 14, 30 доби та через 6 місяців після її проведення. При використанні лапароскопічного операційного втручання у хлопчиків із пахвинними грижами всіх трьох вікових груп, на відміну від традиційного методу герніотомії, спостерігається незначне зниження рівня оксигенації тканин яєчка у найближчий період після операції (14 доба) з його суттєвим поліпшенням на 30 добу і через 6 місяців. Через 6 місяців показник тканинної оксигенації в яєчку при лапароскопічному методі став кращим, ніж до операції, що пояснюється усуненням негативного впливу пахвинної грижі на елементи сім’яного канатика та більш щадною технікою операційного втручання. Традиційний метод операційного втручання, враховуючи його травматичність, супроводжується достовірним зниженням оксигенації паренхіми яєчка впродовж не менше 1 місяця після операції в усіх вікових групах. Відновлення початкового рівня оксигенації має місце в середньому лише через шість місяців спостереження. Лапароскопічний метод операційного втручання більш органозберігаючий, порівняно з традиційним, в усіх вікових групах хлопчиків із пахвинними грижами.

Trend and variability in open and laparoscopic hysterectomies for patients with benign disease: a retrospective cohort study.

The aim of the present analysis on a regional hospital database was to ascertain the variability and 5-year trends of hysterectomy rates and the different surgical approaches used. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Veneto Region (North-East Italy), based on administrative data collected in 6 years, from 2009 to 2014. Our study showed an overall decline in the hospitalization rates for hysterectomy from 197.5 to 165.8/100 000 and shorter overall hospital stays for this procedure (from 5.5 to 4.5 days). During the six years analyzed, there was an overall increase in the use of laparoscopic surgery (from 28% to 35% of cases). There was also a marked variability within the region considered in terms of the hysterectomy rates and the type of procedure performed. The unwarranted variability in the rates of elective surgical procedures, and the techniques used to perform them, could be monitored by analyzing electronic hospital records.

The present status and developments of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has been shown to be less invasive than open surgery, while maintaining a similar safety level in many clinical trials. Furthermore, there are no significant differences between laparoscopic surgery and open surgery with respect to the long-term outcomes in colon cancer. Thus, laparoscopic surgery has been accepted as one of the standard treatments for colon cancer. In addition, laparoscopic surgery has also achieved favorable outcomes in the treatments of rectal cancer, with many reports showing long-term outcomes comparable to those of open surgery. Furthermore, the magnification in laparoscopy improves visualization in the pelvic cavity and facilitates precise manipulation, as well as providing an excellent educational opportunity. Laparoscopic surgery may be an ideal approach for the treatment of rectal cancer and colon cancer. Recently, two trials showed that, among patients with advanced rectal cancer, the use of laparoscopic surgery as compared with open surgery confirmed to meet the criterion for non-inferiority for long-term outcomes. In addition, new techniques such as single-port and robotic surgery have been introduced for laparoscopic surgery in recent years.

Laparoscopic resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Does laparoscopic surgery provide an adequate oncologic resection?

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors of the GI tract. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of non-metastatic disease. However, the ability to provide an adequate oncologic resection using laparoscopic surgery is still an area of debate. This is a thorough review of the current literature, looking particularly at the use of laparoscopic surgery for larger GISTs and the long-term oncologic outcomes compared to the results of open surgery. Laparoscopic resections provide an adequate oncologic result for GISTs of all sizes, including those greater than 5 cm in size.

Laparoscopic Management of Mirizzi Syndrome Without Dissection of Calot's Triangle.

Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of cholecystolithiasis that causes compacted gallstones and is often accompanied by severe inflammation of Calot's triangle. This study compared the use of laparoscopic surgery for MS without dissection of Calot's triangle with routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). A total of 411 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for benign gallbladder (GB) disease between January 2013 and December 2014. Five patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for MS (MS group) while 406 underwent routine LC (LC group). The preoperative diagnosis was accurate in all patients in the MS group. The LC and MS groups did not differ significantly in the operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, or incidence of GB carcinoma. In addition, conversion, bile duct injury, and bile leak rate were not different between the two groups. This study demonstrates the safety of laparoscopic partial cholecystectomy without dissection of Calot's triangle for MS. In addition, an accurate preoperative diagnosis is critical in surgical decision making to avoid injury to the bile duct.

Racial disparities in the use of laparoscopic surgery to treat colonic diverticulitis Are not fully explained by socioeconomics or disease complexity

BackgroundSeveral studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes for laparoscopic surgery over open surgery for the treatment of diverticular disease. This study was designed to analyze the relationship between race, socioeconomic status and the use of laparoscopy to address diverticulitis. MethodsA retrospective analysis of 53,054 diverticulitis admissions was performed using data from the 2009–2013 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). The primary outcome was the use of laparoscopic versus open colectomy. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the raw and adjusted odds by race, insurance status, and median household income. ResultsOverall, 41.6% of colectomies involved the use of laparoscopy. Black patients were 19% less likely than White patients to undergo laparoscopic surgery. Hispanic patients were no more or less likely to undergo laparoscopic colectomy. Lacking private insurance was a strong predictor of undergoing open surgery. Lower income patients were 33% less likely to receive minimally invasive colectomies. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate disparities in surgical treatment. Further research is warranted to understand and ameliorate treatment differences which can contribute to outcome disparities.

Predicting opportunities to increase utilization of laparoscopy for colon cancer.

Despite proven safety and efficacy, rates of minimally invasive approaches for colon cancer remain low in the USA. Given the known benefits, investigating the root causes of underutilization and methods to increase laparoscopy is warranted. Our goal was to develop a predictive model of factors impacting use of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer. The Premier Hospital Database was reviewed for elective colorectal resections for colon cancer (2009-2014). Patients were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis code and then stratified into open or laparoscopic approaches by ICD-9-CM procedure codes. An adjusted multivariate logistic regression model identified variables predictive of use of laparoscopy for colon cancer. A total of 24,245 patients were included-12,523 (52%) laparoscopic and 11,722 (48%) open. General surgeons performed the majority of all procedures (77.99% open, 71.60% laparoscopic). Overall use of laparoscopy increased from 48.94 to 52.03% over the study period (p<0.0001). Patients with private insurance were more likely to have laparoscopy compared with Medicare patients (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.089, 95% CI [1.004, 1.181], p=0.0388). Higher volume of surgeons (OR 3.518, 95% CI [2.796, 4.428], p<0.0001) and larger hospitals by bed size were more likely to approach colon cancer laparoscopically. Colorectal surgeons were 32% more likely to approach a case laparoscopically than general surgeons (OR 1.315, 95% CI [1.222, 1.415], p<0.0001). Teaching hospitals, hospitals in the Midwest, and hospitals with less than 500 beds were less likely to use laparoscopy. There are patient, provider, and hospital characteristics that can be identified preoperatively to predict who will undergo surgery for colon cancer using laparoscopy. However, additional patients may be eligible for laparoscopy based on patient-level characteristics. These results have implications for regionalization and increasing teaching of MIS. Recognizing and addressing these variables with training and recruiting could increase use of minimally invasive approaches, with the associated clinical and financial benefits.

Laparoscopy Is Safe in Infants and Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease: A National Study of 3684 Patients.

Concerns have been raised about the use of laparoscopic surgery (LS) in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) due to their unique physiology. Prior studies on the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopy in children with CHD are limited in scope and cohort size. We identified children <1 year of age with CHD who underwent abdominal surgery in the 2012-2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatric database. Patients were stratified by surgical approach: open surgery (OS) versus LS. We then compared postoperative complications, postoperative length of stay, and 30-day mortality by using multivariable regression methods. In total, 3684 patients met study criteria: 2502 underwent OS while 1182 underwent LS. Infants who underwent LS were older (98 days versus 36 days), larger by weight (4.2 kg versus 3.2 kg), and more likely to require nutritional support preoperatively (74.7% versus 60.5%) (all P < .001). After multivariable adjustment, LS was associated with lower overall complication rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-0.52, P < .001) and shorter postoperative length of stay (effect size -1.8 days, 95% CI -1.8-1.2, P < .001). LS and OS demonstrated similar 30-day mortality (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.38-1.32, P = .28). Laparoscopy can be performed safely in infants with CHD who need abdominal surgery. Although further studies may be useful in determining which infants with congenital cardiac disease benefit the most from use of laparoscopy, minimally invasive techniques can be applied to routine and complex abdominal procedures.

Comparison of laparoscopy-assisted and open radical gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: A retrospective study in a single minimally invasive surgery center.

Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) has gained international acceptance for the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, the use of laparoscopic surgery in the management of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) has not attained widespread acceptance. This retrospective large-scale patient study in a single center for minimally invasive surgery assessed the feasibility and safety of LAG for T2 and T3 stage AGC. A total of 628 patients underwent LAG and 579 patients underwent open gastrectomy (OG) from Jan 2004 to Dec 2011. All cases underwent radical lymph node (LN) dissection from D1 to D2+. This study compared short- and long-term results between the 2 groups after stratifying by pTNM stages, including the mean operation time, volume of blood loss, number of harvested LNs, average days of postoperative hospital stay, mean gastrointestinal function recovery time, intra- and post-operative complications, recurrence rate, recurrence site, and 5-year survival curve. Thirty-five patients (5.57%) converted to open procedures in the LAG group. There were no significant differences in retrieved LN number (30.4 ± 13.4 vs 28.1 ± 17.2, P = 0.43), proximal resection margin (PRM) (6.15 ± 1.63 vs 6.09 ± 1.91, P = 0.56), or distal resection margin (DRM) (5.46 ± 1.74 vs 5.40 ± 1.95, P = 0.57) between the LAG and OG groups, respectively. The mean volume of blood loss (154.5 ± 102.6 vs 311.2 ± 118.9 mL, P < 0.001), mean postoperative hospital stay (7.6 ± 2.5 vs 10.7 ± 3.6 days, P < 0.001), mean time for gastrointestinal function recovery (3.3 ± 1.4 vs 3.9 ± 1.5 days, P < 0.001), and postoperative complications rate (6.4% vs 10.5%, P = 0.01) were clearly lower in the LAG group compared to the OG group. However, the recurrence pattern and site were not different between the 2 groups, even they were stratified by the TNM stage. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 85.38%, 79.70%, 57.81%, 34.60% and 88.31%, 75.49%, 56.84%, 33.08% in patients with stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa, respectively, in the LAG and OG groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the OS rate for patients with the same TNM stage between the 2 groups. LAG with radical LN dissection is a safe and technically feasible procedure for the treatment of AGC staged below T3.

Surgeon-Level Variation in Postoperative Complications

BackgroundVariation in surgical outcomes is often attributed to patient comorbidities and the severity of underlying disease, but little is known about the extent of variation in outcomes by surgeon and the surgeon factors that are associated with quality. MethodsUsing the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database, we evaluated risk-adjusted postoperative events by surgeon. Operations studied were elective laparoscopic and open colectomy procedures for colon cancer performed over a 2-year period (July 2012–September 2014). Postoperative events were defined using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators. Surgeons performing fewer than ten procedures during the study period were excluded. Logistic regression and post-estimation were used to calculate an observed-to-expected (O/E) ratio of postoperative complications for each surgeon, adjusting for patient and surgeon characteristics. ResultsA total of 2525 patients underwent an elective colectomy during the study period by 276 surgeons at 44 hospitals. Postoperative complications varied more by surgeon (range 0 to 30.0 %) than by hospital (range 0 to 18.2 %). Surgeon-level use of laparoscopic surgery to perform colectomy ranged from 0 to 100 %. After risk adjustment with patient factors, surgeon experience, surgeon medical school, surgeon gender, and annual surgeon colectomy volume were not associated with postoperative complications. Surgeon use of laparoscopy was the strongest predictor of lower complications (vs fourth quartile of surgeons, first quartile OR = 0.47 (0.26–0.85); second quartile OR = 0.41 (0.22–0.73); and third quartile OR = 0.84 (0.52–1.36). ConclusionsQuality metrics in health care have been measured at the hospital level, but a greater quality improvement potential exists at the surgeon level. Awareness of this variation could better inform patients undergoing elective surgery and their referring physicians.

Thirty-day postoperative mortality for endometrial carcinoma in England: a population-based study.

To quantify trends in 30-day mortality following surgery for endometrial carcinoma in England, and investigate hospital- and geographical-level variations. Retrospective population-based observational study using cancer registration and Hospital Episodes Statistics data. England. Women diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma (ICD10 C54-C55 excluding sarcomas and malignant mixed Mullerian tumours) between 2000 and 2009 who were treated surgically (n= 38332). Random effects logistic regression model of postoperative mortality rates, adjusting for patient- and/or tumour-level factors (namely age, income deprivation, year of diagnosis, FIGO stage and grade). Case-mix adjusted postoperative mortality rates for hospitals and cancer networks were derived from the model. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing stage and grade data. 30-day postoperative mortality rate. For 2000-2009, the percentage of women dying within 30days of surgery for endometrial carcinoma was very low at 0.61% (235 deaths), and decreased from 0.70% in 2000-2001 to 0.48% in 2008-2009. Postoperative mortality rates were lower for laparoscopic surgery, and higher for older women, those with advanced stage disease and high-grade tumours. Crude and case-mix adjusted results indicated that one hospital had a higher postoperative mortality rate than expected. The postoperative mortality rate for endometrial carcinoma in England is low and has improved since 2000, with increasing use of laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative mortality rates differed by surgical approach, patient age, disease stage and tumour grade. Only one hospital had a higher postoperative mortality rate than expected after adjusting for patient case-mix. More women with endometrial cancer but better 30-day survival after surgery since 2000.

Technical feasibility of laparoscopic extended surgery beyond total mesorectal excision for primary or recurrent rectal cancer.

Relatively little is known about the oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery for advanced rectal cancer. Recently, large randomized clinical trials showed that laparoscopic surgery was not inferior to open surgery, as evidenced by survival and local control rates. However, patients with T4 tumors were excluded from these trials. Technological advances in the instrumentation and techniques used by laparoscopic surgery have increased the use of laparoscopic surgery for advanced rectal cancer. High-definition, illuminated, and magnified images obtained by laparoscopy may enable more precise laparoscopic surgery than open techniques, even during extended surgery for T4 or locally recurrent rectal cancer. To date, the quality of evidence regarding the usefulness of laparoscopy for extended surgery beyond total mesorectal excision has been low because most studies have been uncontrolled series, with small sample sizes, and long-term data are lacking. Nevertheless, laparoscopic extended surgery for rectal cancer, when performed by specialized laparoscopic colorectal surgeons, has been reported safe in selected patients, with significant advantages, including a clear visual field and less blood loss. This review summarizes current knowledge on laparoscopic extended surgery beyond total mesorectal excision for primary or locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Evaluating the impact of a minimally invasive pediatric surgeon on hospital practice: comparison of two children's hospitals.

Widespread adoption of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques in pediatric surgery has progressed slowly, and the shift in practice patterns has been variable among surgeons. We hypothesized that a pediatric surgeon committed to MIS could effectively change surgical practice by creating an emphasis on MIS. Annual case volumes from 2000 to 2009 at two tertiary care pediatric hospitals, one with a dedicated minimally invasive pediatric surgeon, were evaluated for trends in MIS for ten different operations. Univariate analyses of the differences between hospitals in the use of the open versus laparoscopic approach were performed. The Breslow-Day test was used to examine differences in use of laparoscopic procedures across hospitals in early versus middle and middle versus late time periods. Between the two hospitals, for 9 of the 10 types of surgery, the number of laparoscopic and open procedures differed significantly (p values ranged from <0.0001 to 0.003). Over the 10-year period, the hospital with a dedicated MIS surgeon had a larger proportion of procedures done laparoscopically for all years. This difference reached statistical significance for appendectomy (p<0.0001), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (p<0.0002), chest wall reconstruction (p<0.0001), cholecystectomy (p=<0.0001), gastrostomy (p<0.0001), nissen fundoplication (p<0.0001) oophorectomy (p<0.0001), pyloromyotomy (p<0.0001) and splenectomy (p=0.0006). After grouping the years into early (2000-2003), middle (2004-2006) and late (2007-2009) categories, the hospital with a dedicated MIS surgeon had a significantly higher rate of increase in use of laparoscopic surgery between the early and middle years for four procedures: diaphragmatic hernia repair (p=0.003), chest wall reconstruction (p=0.0086), cholecystectomy (0.0083) and endorectal pull-through (p=0.025). The presence of a dedicated minimally invasive pediatric surgeon led to a significant change in surgical practice with an overall trend of increasing MIS several years in advance of a hospital that did not have a dedicated MIS surgeon. This has implications for resident training in academic medical centers and potential patient care outcomes.

Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: single center experience of 90 cases.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without underlying liver disease can be treated by surgical resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, morbidity and mortality of a laparoscopic approach in cirrhotic patients with HCC. From 2004 to September 2014, 90 patients underwent a laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for HCC. Data were collected in a prospectively maintained database since 2001. Preoperative patient evaluation was based on a multidisciplinary team meeting assessment. Median age was 63 years; 67 (74.4%) patients were male. Median body mass index (BMI) was 26.7. Underlying liver disease was known in 68 patients: in 46 patients' hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related, in 15 patients to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related, in 5 patients alcohol-related. Child-Pugh Score was of grade A in 85 patients and of grade B in 5 patients; 63 patients had a Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) <10 and 27 patients MELD >10. A total of 18 left lateral sectionectomies, 1 left hepatectomy and 71 wedge resections or segmentectomies were performed. Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 7 (7.7%) patients (five cases for bleeding and two cases for oncological reasons). In 90 patients, 98 HCC nodules were resected: 79 patients had one nodule, 8 patients had two nodules and 1 patient had three nodules. HCC nodules medium diameter was 29 mm (range, 4-100 mm) with median value of 25 mm. Tumor margins distance was 16 mm (range, 0-35 mm) with a median of 5 mm. Seventy nodules were located within the anterior sectors and 28 nodules within the posterior sectors. LLR for HCC can be performed with acceptable morbidity in patients with underlying liver disease. The use of laparoscopic surgery in cirrhotic patients may be proposed as the first-line treatment for HCC or as bridge treatment before liver transplantation.