A report on the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Outcomes Initiative: what have we learned and what is its potential?

Cranial Tumor Surgical Outcomes at a High-Volume Academic Referral Center

OBJECTIVE

To determine adverse event rates for adult cranial neuro-oncologic surgeries performed at a high-volume quaternary academic center and assess the impact of resident participation on perioperative complication rates.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All adult patients undergoing neurosurgical intervention for an intracranial neoplastic lesion between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, were included. Cases were categorized as biopsy, extra-axial/skull base, intra-axial, or transsphenoidal. Complications were categorized as neurologic, medical, wound, mortality, or none and compared for patients managed by a chief resident vs a consultant neurosurgeon.

RESULTS

A total of 6277 neurosurgical procedures for intracranial neoplasms were performed. After excluding radiosurgical procedures and pediatric patients, 4151 adult patients who underwent 4423 procedures were available for analysis. Complications were infrequent, with overall rates of 9.8% (435 of 4423 procedures), 1.7% (73 of 4423), and 1.4% (63 of 4423) for neurologic, medical, and wound complications, respectively. The rate of perioperative mortality was 0.3% (14 of 4423 procedures). Case performance and management by a chief resident did not negatively impact outcome.

CONCLUSION

In our large-volume brain tumor practice, rates of complications were low, and management of cases by chief residents in a semiautonomous manner did not negatively impact surgical outcomes.

One hundred consecutive robotically assisted cholecystectomies by one surgeon without any conversions to an open technique

Between June 2010 and December 2012, one surgeon performed 100 consecutive robotically assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomies without any conversions to an open technique. To our knowledge, this is the largest single-surgeon series of robotic cholecystectomies in the literature and, because of the zero percent conversion rate, also provides evidence that robotic cholecystectomies have a clinical advantage over traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

Patterns in neurosurgical adverse events: intracranial neoplasm surgery

Object

Neurosurgery is a high-risk specialty currently undertaking the pursuit of systematic approaches to measuring and improving outcomes. As part of a project to devise evidence-based safety interventions for specialty surgery, the authors sought to review current evidence in cranial tumor resection concerning the frequency of adverse events in practice, their patterns, and current methods of reducing the occurrence of these events. This review represents part of a series of papers written to consolidate information about these events and preventive measures as part of an ongoing effort to ascertain the utility of devising system-wide policies and safety tools to improve neurosurgical practice.

Methods

The authors performed a PubMed search using search terms “intracranial neoplasm,” “cerebral tumor,” “cerebral meningioma,” “glioma,” and “complications” or “adverse events.” Only papers that specifically discussed the relevant complication rates were included. Papers were chosen to maximize the range of rates of occurrence for the reported adverse events.

Results

Review of the tumor neurosurgery literature showed that documented overall complication rates ranged from 9% to 40%, with overall mortality rates of 1.5%–16%. There was a wide range of types of adverse events overall. Deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) was the most common adverse event, with a reported incidence of 3%–26%. The presence of new or worsened neurological deficit was the second most common adverse event found in this review, with reported rates ranging from 0% for the series of meningioma cases with the lowest reported rate to 20% as the highest reported rate for treatment of eloquent glioma. Benign tumor recurrence was found to be a commonly reported adverse event following surgery for intracranial neoplasms. Rates varied depending on tumor type, tumor location, patient demographics, surgical technique, the surgeon's level of experience, degree of specialization, and changes in technology, but these effects remain unmeasured. The incidence on our review ranged from 2% for convexity meningiomas to 36% for basal meningiomas. Other relatively common complications were dural closure–related complications (1%–24%), postoperative peritumoral edema (2%–10%), early postoperative seizure (1%–12%), medical complications (6%–7%), wound infection (0%–4%), surgery-related hematoma (1%–2%), and wrong-site surgery.

Strategies to minimize risk of these events were evaluated. Prophylactic techniques for DVT have been widely demonstrated and confirmed, but adherence remains unstudied. The use of image guidance, intraoperative functional mapping, and real-time intraoperative MRI guidance can allow surgeons to maximize resection while preserving neurological function. Whether the extent of resection significantly correlates with improved overall outcomes remains controversial.

Discussion

A significant proportion of adverse events in intracranial neoplasm surgery may be avoidable by use of practices to encourage use of standardized protocols for DVT, seizure, and infection prophylaxis; intraoperative navigation among other steps; improved teamwork and communication; and concentrated volume and specialization. Systematic efforts to bundle such strategies may significantly improve patient outcomes.

Patterns in neurosurgical adverse events and proposed strategies for reduction

Neurosurgery is a high-risk specialty currently undertaking the pursuit of systematic approaches to reducing risk and to measuring and improving outcomes. The authors performed a review of patterns and frequencies of adverse events in neurosurgery as background for future efforts directed at the improvement of quality and safety in neurosurgery.

They found 6 categories of contributory factors in neurosurgical adverse events, categorizing the events as influenced by issues in surgical technique, perioperative medical management, use of and adherence to protocols, preoperative optimization, technology, and communication. There was a wide distribution of reported occurrence rates for many of the adverse events, in part due to the absence of definitive literature in this area and to the lack of standardized reporting systems.

On the basis of their analysis, the authors identified 5 priority recommendations for improving outcomes for neurosurgical patients at a population level: 1) development and implementation of a national registry for outcome data and monitoring; 2) full integration of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist into the operating room workflow, which improves fundamental aspects of surgical care such as adherence to antibiotic protocols and communication within surgical teams; and 3–5) activity by neurosurgical societies to drive increased standardization for the safety of specialized equipment used by neurosurgeons (3), more widespread regionalization and/or subspecialization (4), and establishment of data-driven guidelines and protocols (5). The fraction of adverse events that might be avoided if proposed strategies to improve practice and decrease variability are fully adopted remains to be determined. The authors hope that this consolidation of what is currently known and practiced in neurosurgery, the application of relevant advances in other fields, and attention to proposed strategies will serve as a basis for informed and concerted efforts to improve outcomes and patient safety in neurosurgery.

Internet-Based Multi-institutional Clinical Research: A New Method to Conduct and Manage Quality of Life Studies

Assessment of outcomes after craniofacial surgery for skull base tumors poses unique challenges because of the rarity of the problem and heterogeneity in clinical behavior of these tumors. Collaborative studies of outcome provide an opportunity for meaningful analysis of not just tumor-related outcome, but also quality of life after treatment in these patients. This article introduces the use of a Web-based data collection method that can function as a collaborative registry and a tool for collection of quality of life data.

Nationwide quality improvement of cholecystectomy: results from a national database

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether quality improvements in the performance of cholecystectomy have been achieved in Denmark since 2006, after revision of the Danish National Guidelines for treatment of gallstones.

DESIGN

A national database that monitors the quality of cholecystectomy was established, and registration of all cholecystectomies in Denmark was mandatory since 1 January 2006. Indicators describing the operation, the postoperative course, the surgical outcome and various risk factors were followed for 4 years.

RESULTS

from 2006 were defined as reference values and indicator values, and covariates were stratified by year and tested for trend. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for changes in the prevalence of risk factors/covariates in the study period.

SETTING

Nationwide, prospective clinical database in Denmark. Data from 2006 to 2009.

PARTICIPANTS

23,672 patients undergoing cholecystectomy where a laparoscopic procedure was considered the standard operation according to national guidelines.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The rate of conversion from laparoscopic to open operation, the frequency of primary open operations where laparoscopic procedure was the standard, length of postoperative stay including frequency of same-day surgery, additional surgical procedures within 30 days, readmission and mortality. Results Conversion rate and frequency of primary open cholecystectomy were reduced in the study period. Same-day surgery increased by 14.6%, without an increase in readmission rate (9.4%). The frequency of 'additional procedures within 30 days' was also reduced (2.8%). The frequency of injuries requiring reconstructive bile-duct surgery was unaffected (0.15%).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates nationwide quality improvements of cholecystectomy in Denmark from 2006 to 2009.

NIS vs SAGES: a comparison of national and voluntary databases

BACKGROUND

Surgical outcomes are increasingly examined in an effort to improve quality and reduce medical error. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) is a retrospective, claims-derived and population-based database and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Outcomes Project is a prospective, voluntary and specialty surgeon database. We hypothesized that these two sources of outcome data would differ in regard to a single, commonly performed procedure.

METHODS

Both the NIS, a national sample of all nonfederal hospital discharges, and the gastroesophageal reflux disease log of the SAGES Outcomes Project were queried for all fundoplications performed between 1999 and 2001 using either ICD-9 procedure code 44.66 or CPT codes 43280 or 43324. Patients with an emergency admission, age <17 years, and/or diagnoses for either esophageal cancer or achalasia were excluded. Both demographic and outcome variables were compared by either t-test or chi-square analysis, with a p value of <0.05 as significant.

RESULTS

Both data sets were comparable for age and gender; however, the SAGES group had a higher rate of teaching hospital affiliation (71 vs 48%, p < 0.001). SAGES fundoplications had a consistently higher rate of comorbidities, including Barrett's esophagus (2.3 vs 1.1%, p = 0.005). The NIS fundoplications had a clear trend toward more associated procedures, including cholecystectomy (7.2 vs 2%, p < 0.001). Complication rates for the NIS data set were higher, including pulmonary complications (1.7 vs 0.5%, p = 0.03). No statistically significant differences existed between the two data sets for either length of stay or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The two databases indicate that fundoplication is an operation with low morbidity and mortality. The SAGES Outcomes Project demonstrated that participating surgeons had a higher affiliation with teaching hospitals, higher reporting of comorbidity, and lower associated procedures than the NIS. Despite having more comorbidity and technical difficulty, patients from the SAGES Outcomes Project had equivalent or lower complication rates.

Analysis of the SAGES outcomes initiative cholecystectomy registry

BACKGROUND

In 1999, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) introduced the SAGES Outcomes Initiative as a method for its members to use for tracking their own outcomes. This report provides a descriptive analysis of the cholecystectomy database.

METHODS

The SAGES Outcome Initiative database was accessed for all gallbladder cases from September 1999 to February 2005. The data from the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative entries were summarized. These data are purely descriptive, and no statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The gallbladder registry contained 3,285 cases, with 2,005 follow-up cases. Most patients were employed women with some comorbidities who had elective surgery under general anesthesia. Most of the operating surgeons were attending surgeons and surgical assistants. Most of the patients had biliary colic, and symptoms were improved for more than 95% of the patients. More than 90% of the cases were managed laparoscopically, with a conversion rate of 3%. Biliary imaging was used in the vast majority of cases, with most shown to be normal. Intraoperative gallbladder perforation was common, with bile duct injury occurring in 0.25% of cases. The most frequently cited postoperative event was wound infection, with most complications classified as class 1. More than 95% of the patients were able to return to work.

CONCLUSIONS

The SAGES Outcomes Initiative database demonstrates that most participating SAGES members perform laparoscopic cholecystectomies themselves using intraoperative cholangiograms. Adverse outcomes are few, with most patients able to return to normal activity. Importantly, there were relatively few missing data points, implying that when surgeons enter data, the information is relatively complete.

Analysis of the SAGES Outcomes Initiative groin hernia database

BACKGROUND

In 1999, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) introduced the SAGES Outcomes Initiative as a way for its members to track their own outcomes. It contains perioperative and postoperative data on nearly 20,000 operations. This report provides a descriptive analysis of the groin hernia database.

METHODS

The SAGES Outcomes Initiative database was accessed for all groin hernia cases from September 1999 to February 2005. The data from the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative entries were summarized. These data are purely descriptive and no statistical analysis was done.

RESULTS

The hernia registry contains 1,607 entries, with 1,070 follow-up entries. Males comprised 85% of patients, 63% were employed, 62% had at least one comorbidity, with 84% ASA class I or II. Primary, unilateral hernia accounted for 86% of cases, whereas 14% were recurrent, 11% bilateral, 6% incarcerated, and 3% required emergency repair. The operating surgeon was the attending surgeon in 83% of cases. Anesthetic techniques were general anesthesia in 74% of cases, regional in 7%, and local in 34%, with only 16% of cases local only. Most patients had symptomatic hernias and symptoms were improved in more than 95% of patients. Most repairs were open, although 45% were endoscopic. The most frequently cited postoperative event was significant bruising (6%), with more than 99% of complications being class I or II. More than 95% of patients were able to return to work by the first postoperative visit. Patients who underwent endoscopic repair were reported to have fewer days of narcotic use than patients undergoing open repairs (0 vs 3).

CONCLUSIONS

First analysis of the SAGES Outcomes Initiative groin hernia database demonstrates that (a) this is one of the largest prospective; voluntary hernia registries; (b) missing data are infrequent; and (c) the data are similar to published data from national, mandatory registries and randomized trials. Although the SAGES Outcomes Initiative is a voluntary registry, initially designed for surgeon self-assessment, and it therefore has the potential for methodological concerns inherent to voluntary registries, the findings from this first analysis are encouraging. Efforts are ongoing to simplify data entry (PDA), refine data parameters, increase surgeon participation, and determine the role of data audit and thereby the potential for clinical research.

The SAGES Bariatric Surgery Outcome Initiative

BACKGROUND

The recent initiative for identifying centers of excellence in bariatric surgery calls for documentation of surgical outcomes. The SAGES Outcomes Initiative is a national database introduced in 1999 as a method for surgeons to accumulate and compare their data with summary national data. A bariatric-specific dataset was established later in 2001. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of bariatric surgery from the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons' (SAGES) bariatric database with data derived from a national administrative database of academic centers.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2004, 24 surgeons with 1,954 patients participated in the SAGES Bariatric Outcome Initiative, and 97 institutions with 42,847 patients participated in the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) database. Only 7 of the 24 surgeons participating in the SAGES Bariatric Outcome Initiative submitted more than 50 cases. The main outcome measures included demographics, comorbidities, type of bariatric procedure, operative time, length of hospital stay, short- and long-term complications, mortality, and weight loss.

RESULTS

Both datasets were comparable for gender. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass had been performed for 88% of the patients in the SAGES database and 96% of the patients in the UHC database. Associated comorbidities were similar between the two groups except for a higher rate of hyperlipidemia for the patients in the SAGES database. The SAGES database contains more bariatric-specific information such as body mass index, operative time, blood loss, bariatric-specific complications, long-term complications, and weight loss data than the UHC database. According to the available data, no statistically significant differences exist between the two datasets in terms of perioperative complications and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The SAGES Bariatric Outcome Initiative provides valuable bariatric-specific data not currently available in an administrative database that may be useful for benchmarking purposes. However, this database is currently underutilized.