Elective paraesophageal hernia repair in elderly patients: an analysis of ACS-NSQIP database for contemporary morbidity and mortality

Antireflux surgeries and hiatal repair: keys to success

INTRODUCTION

Gastroesophageal reflux is common, and when medical therapy is ineffective, alternative treatments should be considered. Nissen fundoplication controls reflux but can be followed by side effects such as dysphagia and flatulence. To improve outcomes, modifications have been advocated.

AREAS COVERED

Modifications to Nissen fundoplication and newer procedures for gastroesophageal reflux aim to improve overall outcome. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and long-term outcomes from large cohorts are prioritized to consider the optimal procedure for reflux and hiatus hernia.

EXPERT OPINION

Fundoplication is an effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux, with success rates of >80% reported at 18-20-year follow-up. RCTs confirm that Nissen fundoplication delivers better reflux control than medication. However, some patients are troubled by side effects. Anterior and posterior partial fundoplication variants have been proposed as procedures that offer equally good reflux control, but fewer side effects, and RCTs have confirmed this with follow-up to 20 years. Which partial fundoplication is better is debated. Alternative laparoscopic or endoscopic approaches require expensive implants or equipment and deliver less reliable reflux control than partial fundoplication. Currently, level I evidence confirms that laparoscopic partial fundoplication delivers the optimal outcome in fit patients with reflux that is not well controlled by medication.

Updated Markov Model to Determine Optimal Management Strategy for Patients with Paraesophageal Hernia and Symptoms, Cameron Ulcer, or Comorbid Conditions

BACKGROUND

The current paradigm of watchful waiting (WW) in people 65 years or older with an asymptomatic paraesophageal hernia (PEH) is based on a now 20-year-old Markov analysis. Recently, we have shown that elective laparoscopic hernia repair (ELHR) provides an increase in life-years (L-Ys) compared with WW in most healthy patients aged 40 to 90 years. However, elderly patients often have comorbid conditions and may have complications from their PEH such as Cameron lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal strategy, ELHR or WW, in these patients.

STUDY DESIGN

A Markov model with updated variables was used to compare L-Ys gained with ELHR vs WW in hypothetical people with any type of PEH and symptoms, Cameron lesions, and/or comorbid conditions.

RESULTS

In men and women aged 40 to 90 years with PEH-related symptoms and/or Cameron lesions, ELHR led to an increase in L-Ys over WW. The presence of comorbid conditions impacted life expectancy overall, but ELHR remained the preferred approach in all but 90-year-old patients with symptoms but no Cameron lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a Markov model with updated values for key variables associated with management options for patients with a PEH, we showed that life expectancy was improved with ELHR in most men and women aged 40 to 90 years, particularly in the presence of symptoms and/or Cameron lesions. Comorbid conditions increase the risk for surgery, but ELHR remained the preferred strategy in the majority of symptomatic patients. This model can be used to provide individualized management guidance for patients with a PEH.

BRAZILIAN HERNIA AND ABDOMINAL WALL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON LARGE HIATAL HERNIAS MANAGEMENT

Large hiatal hernias, besides being more prevalent in the elderly, have a different clinical presentation: less reflux, more mechanical symptoms, and a greater possibility of acute, life-threatening complications such as gastric volvulus, ischemia, and visceral mediastinal perforation. Thus, surgical indications are distinct from gastroesophageal reflux disease-related sliding hiatal hernias. Heartburn tends to be less intense, while symptoms of chest pain, cough, discomfort, and tiredness are reported more frequently. Complaints of vomiting and dysphagia may suggest the presence of associated gastric volvulus. Signs of iron deficiency and anemia are found. Surgical indication is still controversial and was previously based on high mortality reported in emergency surgeries for gastric volvulus. Postoperative mortality is especially related to three factors: body mass index above 35, age over 70 years, and the presence of comorbidities. Minimally invasive elective surgery should be offered to symptomatic individuals with good or reasonable performance status, regardless of age group. In asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic patients, besides obviously identifying the patient's desire, a case-by-case analysis of surgical risk factors such as age, obesity, and comorbidities should be taken into consideration. Attention should also be paid to situations with greater technical difficulty and risks of acute migration due to increased abdominal pressure (abdominoplasty, manual labor, spastic diseases). Technical alternatives such as partial fundoplication and anterior gastropexy can be considered. We emphasize the importance of performing surgical procedures in cases of large hiatal hernias in high-volume centers, with experienced surgeons.

Elective Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair Leads to an Increase in Life Expectancy Over Watchful Waiting in Asymptomatic Patients: An Updated Markov Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to perform an updated Markov analysis to determine the optimal management strategy for patients with an asymptomatic paraesophageal hernia (PEH): elective laparoscopic hernia repair (ELHR) versus watchful waiting (WW).

BACKGROUND

Currently, it is recommended that patients with an asymptomatic PEH not undergo repair based on a 20-year-old Markov analysis. The current recommendation might lead to preventable hospitalizations for acute PEH-related complications and compromised survival.

METHODS

A Markov model with updated variables was used to compare life-years (L-Ys) gained with ELHR versus WW in patients with a PEH. One-way sensitivity analyses evaluated the robustness of the analysis to alternative data inputs, while probabilistic sensitivity analysis quantified the level of confidence in the results in relation to the uncertainty across all model inputs.

RESULTS

At age 40 to 90, ELHR led to greater life expectancy than WW, particularly in women. The gain in L-Ys (2.6) was greatest in a 40-year-old woman and diminished with increasing age. Sensitivity analysis showed that alternative values resulted in modest changes in the difference in L-Ys, but ELHR remained the preferred strategy. Probabilistic analysis showed that ELHR was the preferred strategy in 100% of 10,000 simulations for age 65, 98% for age 80, 90% for age 85, and 59% of simulations in 90-year-old women.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated analysis showed that ELHR leads to an increase in L-Ys over WW in healthy patients aged 40 to 90 years with an asymptomatic PEH. In this new paradigm, all patients with a PEH, regardless of symptoms, should be referred for the consideration of elective repair to maximize their life expectancy.

The effect of frailty and age on outcomes in elective paraesophageal hernia repair

INTRODUCTION

Paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHR) is a safe and effective operation. Previous studies have described risk factors for poor peri-operative outcomes such as emergent operations or advanced patient age, and pre-operative frailty is a known risk factor in other major surgery. The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to determine if markers of frailty were predictive of poor peri-operative outcomes in elective paraesophageal hernia repair.

METHODS

Patients who underwent elective PEHR between 1/2011 and 6/2022 at a single university-based institution were identified. Patient demographics, modified frailty index (mFI), and post-operative outcomes were recorded. A composite peri-operative morbidity outcome indicating the incidence of any of the following: prolonged length of stay (≥ 3 days), increased discharge level of care, and 30-day complications or readmissions was utilized for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Of 547 patients who underwent elective PEHR, the mean age was 66.0 ± 12.3, and 77.1% (n = 422) were female. Median length of stay was 1 [IQR 1, 2]. ASA was 3-4 in 65.8% (n = 360) of patients. The composite outcome occurred in 32.4% (n = 177) of patients. On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 1.021, p = 0.02), high frailty (OR 2.02, p < 0.01), ASA 3-4 (OR 1.544, p = 0.05), and redo-PEHR (OR 1.72, p = 0.02) were each independently associated with the incidence of the composite outcome. On a regression of age for the composite outcome, a cutoff point of increased risk is identified at age 72 years old (OR 2.25, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

High frailty and age over 72 years old each independently confer double the odds of a composite morbidity outcome that includes prolonged post-operative stay, peri-operative complications, the need for a higher level of care after elective paraesophageal hernia repair, and 30-day readmission. This provides additional information to counsel patients pre-operatively, as well as a potential opportunity for targeted pre-habilitation.

Defining surgical risk in octogenarians undergoing paraesophageal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

With an aging population, the utility of surgery in elderly patients, particularly octogenarians, is of increasing interest. The goal of this study was to analyze outcomes of octogenarians versus non-octogenarians undergoing paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHR).

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmission Database was queried for patients > 18 years old who underwent PEHR from 2016 to 2018. Exclusion criteria included a diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy or a concurrent bariatric procedure. Patients ≥ 80 were compared to those 18-79 years old using standard statistical methods, and subgroup analyses of elective and non-elective PEHRs were performed.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2018, 46,450 patients were identified with 5425 (11.7%) octogenarians and 41,025 (88.3%) non-octogenarians. Octogenarians were more likely to have a non-elective operation (46.3% vs 18.2%, p < 0.001), and those undergoing non-elective PEHR had a higher mortality (5.5% vs 1.2%, p < 0.001). Outcomes were improved with elective PEHR, but octogenarians still had higher mortality (1.3% vs 0.2%, p < 0.001), longer LOS (3[2, 5] vs 2[1, 3] days, p < 0.001), and higher readmission rates within 30 days (11.1% vs 6.5%, p < 0.001) compared to non-octogenarian elective patients. Multivariable logistic regression showed that being an octogenarian was not independently predictive of mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.373[95% confidence interval 0.962-1.959], p = 0.081), but a non-elective operation was (OR 3.180[2.492-4.057], p < 0.001). Being an octogenarian was a risk factor for readmission within 30 days (OR 1.512[1.348-1.697], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarians represented a substantial proportion of patients undergoing PEHR and were more likely to undergo a non-elective operation. Being an octogenarian was not an independent predictor of perioperative mortality, but a non-elective operation was. Octogenarians' morbidity and mortality was reduced in elective procedures but was still higher than non-octogenarians. Elective PEHR in octogenarians is reasonable but should involve a thorough risk-benefit analysis.

Impact of frailty on hiatal hernia repair: a nationwide analysis of in-hospital clinical and healthcare utilization outcomes

Previous studies recommend a watch-and-wait approach to paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair due to an increased risk for mortality. While contemporary studies suggest that elective surgery is safe and effective, many patients presenting with PEH are elderly. Therefore, we assessed the impact of frailty on in-hospital outcomes and healthcare utilization among patients receiving PEH repair. This retrospective population-based cohort study assessed patients from the National Inpatient Sample database who received PEH repair between October 2015 to December 2019. Demographic and perioperative data were gathered, and frailty was measured using the 11-item modified frailty index. The outcomes measured were in-hospital mortality, complications, discharge disposition, and healthcare utilization. Overall, 10,716 patients receiving PEH repair were identified, including 1442 frail patients. Frail patients were less often female and were more often in the lowest income quartile compared to robust patients. Frail patients were at greater odds for in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) 2.83 (95% CI 1.65-4.83); P < 0.001], postoperative ICU admissions [OR 2.07 (95% CI 1.55-2.78); P < 0.001], any complications [OR 2.18 (95% CI 1.55-2.78); P < 0.001], hospital length of stay [mean difference (MD) 1.75 days (95% CI 1.30-2.210; P < 0.001], and total admission costs [MD $5631.65 (95% CI $3300.06-$7.963.24); P < 0.001] relative to their robust patients. While PEH repair in elderly patients is safe and effective, frail patients have an increased rate of in-hospital mortality, postoperative ICU admissions, complications, and total admission costs. Clinicians should consider patient frailty when identifying the most appropriate surgical candidates for PEH repair.

The Impact of Age and Need for Emergent Surgery in Paraesophageal Hernia Repair Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Observation of paraesophageal hernias (PEHs) may lead to emergent surgery for hernia-related complications. This study evaluated urgent or emergent repair outcomes to quantify the possible sequelae of failed conservative PEH management.

METHODS

The impact of operative status (elective vs urgent or emergent) on perioperative mortality or major morbidity for patients who underwent hiatal hernia repair for a PEH diagnosis from 2012 to 2021 in the Society of Thoracic Surgery General Thoracic Surgery Database was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, 2082 (10.9%) of 19,122 patients with PEHs underwent urgent or emergent repair. Patients undergoing nonelective surgery were significantly older than patients undergoing elective surgery (median age, 73 years [interquartile range, 63-82 years] vs 66 years [interquartile range, 58-74 years]) and had a lower preoperative performance score (P < .001). Nonelective surgical procedures were more likely to be performed through the chest or by laparotomy rather than by laparoscopy (20% vs 11.4%; P < .001), and they were associated with longer hospitalizations (4 days vs 2 days; P < .001), higher operative mortality (4.5% vs 0.6%; P < .001), and higher major morbidity (27% vs 5.5%; P < .001). Nonelective surgery was a significant independent predictor of major morbidity in multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 2.06; P < .001). Patients more than the age of 80 years had higher operative mortality (4.3% vs 0.6%; P < 0.001) and major morbidity (19% vs 6.1%; P < .001) than younger patients overall, and these older patients more often had nonelective surgery (26% vs 8.6%; P < .001) CONCLUSIONS: The operative morbidity of PEH repair is significantly increased when surgery is nonelective, particularly for older patients. These results can inform the potential consequences of choosing watchful waiting vs elective PEH repair.