Readmissions after major gynecologic oncology surgery

Comparison of clinical and cost outcomes between primary and interval debulking surgery in ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

While neoadjuvant chemotherapy with interval debulking surgery (IDS) has comparable clinical outcomes to primary debulking surgery (PDS) for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, their economic dimension remains understudied.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review examined Stage IIIC-IV epithelial ovarian cancer patients who underwent IDS or PDS between 2011 and 2014. We compared the demographics, disease-specific, intraoperative, thirty-day clinical outcome and billing, and ten-year survival data.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent PDS (n = 36) and IDS (n = 43) had similar characteristics, including age, comorbidity, cancer stage, cell type, nationality, and 30-day median bill sizes (SGD 31,649.69 vs. SGD 35,326.02). The IDS group had lower postoperative sepsis (2.3% vs. 16.7%), gastrointestinal complications (0.0% vs. 11.1%) and suboptimal debulking (14.0% vs. 33.3%) rates, shorter median hospital stay (5 vs. 8 days) and higher rates of complete gross resection (CGR) (62.8% vs. 36.1%) (all P < 0.05). There were significant associations between thirty-day complications and mucinous adenocarcinomas (odds ratio [OR] 10.8), packed cell transfusion (OR 1.87 per unit), and suboptimal debulking (OR 6.33). Thirty-day readmission or death was significantly associated with Clavien-Dindo Grade I-II complications (OR 46.8) and suboptimal debulking (OR 8.24). While PDS and IDS groups had similar ten-year survival (37.0% vs. 16.2%), PDS conferred a significantly lower recurrence rate (66.7% vs. 83.7%, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The thirty-day cost and ten-year survival of IDS and PDS are comparable. Although IDS offers lower postoperative sepsis and gastrointestinal complications, shorter hospital stays and higher CGR rates, the ten-year recurrence is higher.

Extended-duration antibiotics are not associated with a reduction in surgical site infection in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery with large bowel resection

OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate whether extended dosing of antibiotics (ABX) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with large bowel resection for advanced ovarian cancer is associated with reduced incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) compared to standard intra-operative dosing and evaluate predictors of SSI.

METHODS

A retrospective single-institution cohort study was performed in patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who underwent CRS from 2009 to 2017. Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1) standard intra-operative dosing ABX and 2) extended post-operative ABX. All ABX dosing was at the surgeon's discretion. The impact of antibiotic duration on SSI and other postoperative outcomes was assessed using univariate and multivariable Cox regression models.

RESULTS

In total, 277 patients underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with large bowel resection between 2009 and 2017. Forty-nine percent (n = 137) received standard intra-operative ABX and 50.5% (n = 140) received extended post-operative ABX. Rectosigmoid resection was the most common large bowel resection in the standard ABX (89.9%, n = 124) and extended ABX groups (90.0%, n = 126), respectively. No significant differences existed between age, BMI, hereditary predisposition, or medical comorbidities (p > 0.05). No difference was appreciated in the development of superficial incisional SSI between the standard ABX and extended ABX cohorts (10.9% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.62). Of patients who underwent a transverse colectomy, a larger percentage of patients developed a superficial SSI versus no SSI (21% vs. 6%, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION(S)

In this retrospective study of patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing CRS with LBR, extended post-operative ABX was not associated with reduced SSI, and prolonged administration of antibiotics should be avoided unless clinically indicated.

The burden of cervical cancer survivorship: Understanding morbidity and survivorship needs through hospital admissions

Objective

To describe disease- and treatment-related survivorship burden amongst survivors of cervical cancer and identify risk factors for hospital admissions after initial treatment.

Methods

Retrospective chart review including patients treated for cervical cancer from 2014 to 2020 at a single urban academic institution. Clinical, demographic, and hospital admission characteristics were summarized. Associations between patient characteristics and likelihood of admission were examined using univariate and multivariate regression.

Results

Of 366 patients undergoing surveillance following completion of primary treatment, 156 (43 %) were hospitalized for cancer or treatment-related sequela in the median follow-up of 3.6 years (IQR 1.4-6.4), with a median of 2 admissions (IQR 1-4.5) per patient and 570 unique admissions. While 65 (35 %) of admitted patients had multiple reasons for admission, the most common reasons for admission were: gastrointestinal complications (43 %), infection (38 %), genitourinary complications (33 %), and pain control (23 %). A substantial proportion of admitted patients underwent interventions including surgical procedures (57 %), transfusion of blood products (40 %), and interventional radiology procedures (28 %) and utilized supportive care services including case management (53 %), physical therapy (40 %), and occupational therapy (36 %). On multivariate analysis, odds of admission were higher among Black patients (aOR 2.4, p <.01), uninsured patients (aOR 2.7, p <.05), those with lower performance status (aOR 1.4, p <.05), and those with recurrence (aOR 5.5, p <.001).

Conclusion

Survivors of cervical cancer represent a high-risk population frequently hospitalized after initial treatment. Black patients, uninsured patients, those with recurrence, and those with lower performance status faced higher odds of admission. Comprehensive, team-based care is necessary to address complex survivorship needs.

Association between early mobilisation after abdominal cancer surgery and postoperative complications

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative complications and readmission to hospital after major cancer surgery are common. Early mobilisation in hospital is thought to reduce complications, and patients are recommended to mobilise for at least 2 h on the day of surgery, and thereafter at least 6 h per day. Evidence for early mobilisation is limited and therefore also how early mobilisation may influence the development of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between early mobilisation after abdominal cancer surgery and readmission to hospital due to postoperative complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult patients who had abdominal cancer surgery due to ovarian, colorectal, or urinary bladder cancer between January 2017 and May 2018 were included in the study. Exposure was set to the mean number of steps taken over the first three postoperative days, measured with an activity monitor. Primary outcome was readmission to hospital within 30 days after discharge, and secondary outcome was severity of complications. Data were obtained from medical records. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between exposure and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 133 patients included in the study, 25 were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after discharge. The analysis showed no association between early mobilisation and readmission or severity of complications.

CONCLUSION

Early mobilisation does not seem to increase the odds of readmission, nor the severity of complications. This study contributes to the limited research on the association between early mobilisation and postoperative complications after abdominal cancer surgery.

Beyond post-operative readmissions: analysis of the impact of unplanned readmissions during primary treatment of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer on long-term oncology outcome

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have assessed post-operative readmissions in advanced ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate all unplanned readmissions during the primary treatment period of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, and the impact of readmission on progression-free survival.

METHODS

This was a single institution retrospective study from January 2008 to October 2018. Χ2/Fisher's exact and t-test, or Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the effect of covariates in progression-free survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 484 patients (279 primary cytoreductive surgery, 205 neoadjuvant chemotherapy) were analyzed. In total, 272 of 484 (56%; 37% primary cytoreductive surgery, 32% neoadjuvant chemotherapy, p=0.29) patients were readmitted during the primary treatment period. Overall, 42.3% of the readmissions were surgery related, 47.8% were chemotherapy related, and 59.6% were cancer related but not related to surgery or chemotherapy, and each readmission could qualify for more than one reason. Readmitted patients had a higher rate of chronic kidney disease (4.1% vs 1.0%, p=0.038). Post-operative, chemotherapy, and cancer-related readmissions were similar between the two groups. However, the percentage of inpatient treatment days due to unplanned readmission was twice as high for primary cytoreductive surgery at 2.2% vs 1.3% for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p<0.001). Despite longer readmissions in the primary cytoreductive surgery group, Cox regression analysis demonstrated that readmissions did not affect progression-free survival (HR=1.22, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.51; p=0.08). Primary cytoreductive surgery, higher modified Frailty Index, grade 3 disease, and optimal cytoreduction were associated with longer progression-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 35% of the women with advanced ovarian cancer had at least one unplanned readmission during the entire treatment time. Patients treated by primary cytoreductive surgery spent more days during readmission than those with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Readmissions did not affect progression-free survival and may not be valuable as a quality metric.

Calculating surgical readmission rates in gynecologic oncology: The impact of patient factors

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 30-day surgical readmission rate after major gynecologic oncology surgeries at a high-volume academic institution and correlated risk factors.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study was conducted of surgical admissions from January 2016 - December 2019 at a single institution. Data were extracted from patient charts, including reason for readmission and length of stay. A readmission rate was calculated. Nested case control design was used to identify correlations between readmission and patient specific risk-factors. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors with readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 2152 patients were included. The readmission rate was 3.5%, most commonly due to GI disturbance and surgical site infection. Average readmission length was 5 days. Prior to adjusting for covariates, insurance status, primary diagnosis, index admission length, and disposition at discharge differed between patients who were and were not readmitted. After adjusting for co-variates, younger patients, index admission >2 days, and higher Charlson co-morbidity index were associated with readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Our surgical readmission rate was lower than previously reported rates in gynecologic oncology patients. Patient factors associated with readmission included younger age, longer index hospital admission, and higher medical co-morbidity index scores. Provider factors and institutional practice patterns could contribute to the decreased readmission rate. These findings underscore the importance of standardizing how we calculate readmission rate and interpret these data. Varying readmission rates and institutional practice patterns deserve closer scrutiny to inform best practice and future policies.

Implementing a Personalized Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Women with Gynecological Cancers and Healthcare-Associated Infections

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in gynecologic cancer patients, requiring personalized cures. A retrospective study on gynecologic patients with HCAIs, managed through an antimicrobial stewardship program, was performed, focusing on rates of clinical cure, breakthrough/relapse of infections, death, and time of hospital stay (THS). In total, 27 patients (median 60 years, mainly suffering from ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer) were evaluated by a specialist in infectious diseases and were mainly diagnosed with complicated urinary tract (cUTIs, 12 cases, 44.4%) and bloodstream infections (BSIs, 9 cases, 33.3%). A total of 15 cases (11 cUTIs, 73.3%) were managed with no need for hospitalization and received a median of 11 days of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). In the remaining 12 cases (BSIs in 8 cases, 66.7%), the median THS was 11 days, with 15 days median overall duration of antimicrobial therapy (median 5-day reduction in THS). The management of patients also included source control and wound care. All patients reached clinical cure, with no case of breakthrough infection, one case of relapse, and one death within 30 days (not attributable to the infection). HCAIs in patients with gynecologic tumors can be managed through a patient-centered, multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship program.

Stopping the revolving door: An exploratory analysis of health care super-utilization in gynecologic oncology

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for health care super-utilization among gynecologic oncology patients at a single academic hospital. A retrospective cohort study of gynecologic oncology patients with an index unplanned encounter between January and December 2018 was performed. Super-utilizers were defined as patients with 3 or more unplanned hospital encounters during a 12-month period starting at the time of the index unplanned encounter. We identified 553 patients with gynecologic cancer. Of those, 37(7%) met inclusion criteria for super-utilizers accounting for 193/310(62%) of unplanned visits. The median number of unplanned visits was 4 (range 3-24). The most common cancers were uterine (N = 15 (41%)) and ovarian (N = 11 (30%)). Nineteen (51%) super-utilizers had advanced stage disease. Phases of oncologic care at index unplanned encounter included primary diagnosis (N = 24 (65%)), recurrence (N = 10 (27%)), and surveillance (N = 2 (5%)). Twelve super-utilizers (32%) had new diagnoses of cancer without prior therapy, 19(51%) had prior chemotherapy, 17(46%) had prior surgery, and 10(27%) had prior radiation therapy at the time of initial encounter. Fifteen super-utilizers (41%) were in the last year of life. The most common reasons for unplanned encounters were pain (66%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (61%). Multivariable analysis adjusting for key variables demonstrated that Medicaid insurance, ASA classification, and disease status are risk factors for health care super-utilization. The majority of health care utilization occurred during the first year of diagnosis. This exploratory analysis suggests an opportunity to decrease health care utilization, particularly during upfront treatment.

Optimization of postoperative opioid prescriptions in gynecologic oncology: Striking a balance between opioid reduction and pain control

OBJECTIVE

To implement a quality-improvement initiative to assess the impact various patient and procedural factors have on postoperative opioid use. To develop a tailored opioid prescribing algorithm for gynecologic oncology patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients who underwent a laparoscopy or laparotomy procedure for a suspected or known gynecologic malignancy between 3/2019-9/2020. Patients were assessed preoperatively for the presence of suspected risk factors for opioid misuse (depression, anxiety, chronic pain, current opioid use, or substance abuse). Patients completed a 30-day postoperative questionnaire assessing for total opioid pill use and refills requests. Multivariate models were developed to estimate the independent effect of sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors for opioid misuse and procedural factors on patient reported postoperative opioid use.

RESULTS

A total of 390 patients were analyzed. Thirty-nine percent (N = 151/390) of patients reported not using opioids after discharge and 5% (N = 20/390) received an opioid refill. For both minimally invasive procedures and laparotomy procedures, body mass index, comorbidities, intraoperative or postoperative complications and final diagnosis of malignancy were not associated with the amount of opioid consumption. However, younger age and history of risk factors for opioid misuse significantly impacted postoperative opioid use. In multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.038) and risk factors (p < 0.001) remained significant after controlling for other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Two out of every five patients did not use opioids after surgery. Younger patients and those with risk factors for opioid misuse need a tailored approach to prescribing opioids to balance the need for adequate pain control with the risk of misuse.

Use of prophylactic closed incision negative pressure therapy is associated with reduced surgical site infections in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection after surgery for gynecologic cancer increases morbidity. Prophylactic closed incision negative pressure therapy has shown promise in reducing infectious wound complications across many surgical disciplines.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether closed incision negative pressure therapy is associated with reduced surgical site infections in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy compared with standard dressings.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective case-control study of patients undergoing laparotomy for known or suspected gynecologic cancer from Jan. 1, 2017, to Feb. 1, 2020. Patients were matched in a 1:3 ratio (closed incision negative pressure therapy to standard dressing) by body mass index, age, diabetes, bowel surgery, smoking, and steroid use. Surgical site infection was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multivariable logistic regression using backward selection was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 1223 eligible patients undergoing laparotomy, 64 (5.2%) received closed incision negative pressure therapy dressings and were matched to 192 (15.7%) controls. There were no differences in medical comorbidities (P>.05), site or stage of malignancy (P>.05), duration of surgery (P=.82), or surgical procedures (P>.05). Use of closed incision negative pressure therapy was associated with reduction in all adverse wound outcomes (20.3% vs 40.1%; P<.001). In particular, closed incision negative pressure therapy was associated with a significant reduction in both superficial incisional surgical site infections (9.4% vs 29.7%; P<.001) and deep incisional surgical site infections (0.0% vs 6.8%; P=.04). In multivariable analysis, use of closed incision negative pressure therapy was associated with significant reduction in the incidence of superficial incisional infections alone (odds ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.73; P=.008) and both superficial and deep incisional infections (odds ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.71; P=.007).

CONCLUSION

Use of prophylactic closed incision negative pressure therapy after laparotomy in gynecologic oncology patients was found to be associated with reduced superficial incisional and deep incisional infections compared with standard dressings. Furthermore, closed incision negative pressure therapy was associated with reduction in all other adverse wound outcomes. Closed incision negative pressure therapy may be considered for surgical site infection prevention in high-risk gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy.

Risk factors for potentially avoidable readmissions following gynecologic oncology surgery

OBJECTIVE

Determine the incidence and identify factors associated with potentially avoidable hospital readmissions due to uncontrolled symptoms or minor complications after surgery for gynecologic cancers.

METHODS

Women who underwent major abdominal or pelvic surgery for a gynecologic malignancy between 2015 and 2017 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program targeted hysterectomy dataset. Hospital readmissions within 30 days of surgery were categorized as indicated readmissions or potentially avoidable readmissions by three independent reviewers. Demographic, clinical, and operative covariates were evaluated to determine their association with type of readmission using bivariable tests and adjusted multinomial logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 20,986 women were identified. 19,814 (94.4%) were not readmitted, 894 (4.3%) were indicated readmissions, and 278 (1.3%) were potentially avoidable readmissions. Among those readmitted, 24% were potentially avoidable readmissions. Presence of ascites, increasing length of stay, and discharge to facility were associated with an increased risk of indicated and potentially avoidable readmissions. Age < 60 years old (RR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1-1.8), BMI ≥ 30 (RR 1.7, 95%CI 1.3-2.3), history of abdominal/pelvic surgery (RR 1.6, 95%CI 1.2-2.1), cervical cancer (RR 2.1, 95%CI 1.4-3.1), and open surgery (RR 2.1, 95%CI 1.4-3.2) were associated with an increased risk of a potentially avoidable readmission but not with increased risk of an indicated readmission. Median time to readmission did not differ between the two readmission groups (indicated = 8 days; avoidable = 7 days; p = .72).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women with gynecologic cancer, 24% of all unplanned readmissions were attributed to uncontrolled symptoms or minor complications that were potentially avoidable. Age <60 years old, history of previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, obesity, cervical cancer, and open surgery were associated with an increase in risk of a potentially avoidable readmission.

Venous thromboembolism and transfusion after major abdominopelvic surgery

BACKGROUND

Thromboprophylaxis aims to reduce venous thromboembolism but has the potential to increase bleeding. We sought to evaluate the risk of venous thromboembolism and transfusion after major abdominopelvic procedures and to quantify the association of the procedure with venous thromboembolism.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients who received an abdominopelvic surgery between 2005 and 2016. Patient factors, operative factors, and outcomes were collected. Multivariable analyses were used to determine the association between individual procedures and venous thromboembolism. Area under the curve analyses were performed to assess whether addition of the procedure to Caprini score improved the association of the model with venous thromboembolism. The primary outcome was risk of venous thromboembolism within 30 days of surgery. Secondary outcomes were the risk of transfusion within 30 days and the association between operative time with venous thromboembolism.

RESULTS

There were 896,441 patients who received an abdominopelvic procedure. The overall risk of venous thromboembolism was 1.9% (n = 16,665). Procedures with the highest risk of venous thromboembolism were esophagectomy (5.5%) and partial esophagectomy (5.3%). The overall risk of transfusion was 9.5% (n = 84,889). Procedures with the highest risk of transfusion were pelvic exenteration (53.6%) and radical cystectomy (37.7%). On multivariable analyses, individual procedures were independently associated with venous thromboembolism, despite adjusting for Caprini score. Area under the curve analyses indicated risk prediction of the baseline model (area under the curve 0.59) improved when procedures were added (area under the curve 0.68).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing abdominopelvic surgery are at a high risk of venous thromboembolism and transfusion. Improved risk stratification may be possible by including more procedural information in scoring systems.

Perceived Needs, Preparedness, and Emotional Distress of Male Caregivers of Postsurgical Women With Gynecologic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To describe the perceived needs, preparedness, and emotional distress of male caregivers of postsurgical patients with gynecologic cancer during the transition from hospital to home. 
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SAMPLE & SETTING

50 male caregivers of patients with gynecologic cancer on an inpatient unit at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, OH.
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METHODS & VARIABLES

Caregiver needs, perceived preparedness, and emotional distress were measured at admission and at one week postdischarge. Instruments included the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer Caregivers, Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer. The analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlations, and univariate linear regressions.
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RESULTS

At both time points, male caregivers' greatest needs were interaction with the healthcare staff and information. Perceived preparedness was not associated with emotional distress. Male caregivers who were young, were employed, were unmarried, and had a lower income had greater needs.
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IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

A relational nursing care approach that maintains effective communication with male caregivers is essential. Nurses should broaden the caregiver assessment beyond the practical care of the patient.

A preoperative risk score to predict red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing hysterectomy for ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with ovarian cancer experience a high rate of anemia throughout their treatment course, with rates that range from 19-95%. Blood transfusions offer symptom relief but may be costly, are limited in supply, and have been associated with worse 30-day surgical morbidity and mortality rates.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for blood transfusion with packed red blood cell and to develop a transfusion risk score to identify patients who undergo surgery for ovarian cancer and who are at lowest risk for a blood transfusion. Our aim was to help clinicians identify those patients who may not require a crossmatch to encourage resource use and cost-savings.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective database cohort study of 3470 patients who underwent hysterectomy for ovarian cancer with the use the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2014-2016. The association between risk factors with respect to 30-day postoperative blood transfusion was modeled with the use of logistic regression. A risk score to predict blood transfusion was created.

RESULTS

Eight hundred ninety-one (25.7%) patients received a blood transfusion. In multivariate analysis, blood transfusion was associated independently with age (odds ratio, 1.90, P<.01), African American race (odds ratio, 2.30; P<.01), ascites (odds ratio, 1.89; P=.02), preoperative hematocrit level <30% (odds ratio, 10.70; P<.01), preoperative platelet count >400×10⁹/L (odds ratio, 1.75; P<.01), occurrence of disseminated cancer (odds ratio, 1.71; P<.01), open surgical approach (odds ratio, 7.88; P<.01), operative time >3 hours (odds ratio, 2.19; P<.01), and additional surgical procedures that included large bowel resection (odds ratio, 4.23; P<.01), bladder/ureter resection (odds ratio, 1.69; P=.02), and pelvic exenteration (P=.02). A preoperative risk score that used age, race, ascites, preoperative hematocrit level, platelets, presence of disseminated cancer, planned hysterectomy approach, and procedures accurately predicted blood transfusion with good discriminatory ability (C-statistic=0.80 [P<.001]; C-statistic=0.69 [P<.001] for derivation and validation datasets, respectively) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit, P=.081; P=.56 for derivation and validation datasets, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients who undergo hysterectomy for ovarian cancer experience a high incidence of blood transfusions in the perioperative period. Preoperative risk factors and planned surgical procedures can be used in our transfusion risk score to help predict anticipated blood requirements.

The Safety and Feasibility of Gynecologic Cancer Surgery Combined With Surgery for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

Women with gynecologic cancer may also present with pelvic floor dysfunction that can have a significant effect on quality of life. Combined surgical intervention for both malignancy and pelvic floor dysfunction may improve quality of life with minimal additional risk. We sought to determine the safety, feasibility, and frequency of combined gynecologic cancer surgery and surgery for pelvic floor dysfunction.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study that utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database provided through the American College of Surgeons. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients with a final diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy from 2011 to 2015. Common Procedural Terminology codes for gynecologic oncology procedures and pelvic floor dysfunction surgery were used to identify the study population. Baseline demographics and postoperative complications were abstracted from the database for these patients and compared for patients with combined surgeries versus gynecologic cancer surgeries alone.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-nine women underwent combined procedures compared with 25,838 women undergoing gynecologic cancer surgery alone. Patients who underwent combined procedures were older, had lower body mass index, had higher preoperative albumin and hematocrit, and lower morbidity estimates (P < 0.05). Mean operative time was longer (226.4 vs 174.4 minutes, P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in race, ethnicity, or medical comorbidities. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications or readmissions between the 2 groups (P > 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined gynecologic cancer and pelvic floor dysfunction procedures are feasible and can safely be performed without differences in postoperative complications in appropriately selected patients.

Thirty-day unplanned hospital readmission in ovarian cancer patients undergoing primary or interval cytoreductive surgery: systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES

Thirty-day readmission rate has been proposed as metric of quality and remains an ongoing clinical concern in the primary treatment of patients with advanced-stage ovarian epithelial ovarian cancer. We conducted a review of the literature to identify rates, risk factors, and predictors for 30-day readmission in this population.

METHODS

A 10-year period MEDLINE (PubMed) search of English literature studies published between January 01, 2008-January 01, 2018 was performed to identify appropriate studies for review.

RESULTS

Thirty -day readmission rates for ovarian cancer patients undergoing primary treatment ranged from 2.5-19.3%. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval cytoreductive surgery (NACT-ICS) surgery was associated with lower readmission rates, when compared to primary debulking surgery (PDS). The most frequently reported adverse events resulting in readmission include inpatient management of ileus/small bowel obstruction, wound-related complications, and thromboembolic events. Readmission predictors included the presence of other medical comorbidities, re-operation, and major complications occurring after initial hospital discharge. Some studies reported lower rates of readmission and survival in patients treated by NACT-ICS.

CONCLUSIONS

Policies and programs should be designed to measure short- and long-term outcomes in this patient population to avoid bias in assigning patients to NACT-ICS to maintain low 30-day readmission rates.

Readmission After Gynecologic Surgery: A Comparison of Procedures for Benign and Malignant Indications

OBJECTIVE

To compare 30-day postsurgical readmission rates and associated risk factors for readmission among women undergoing gynecologic surgery for benign and malignant conditions.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, we identified patients after surgery for benign and malignant gynecologic conditions in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012. Data collected included surgical factors, perioperative characteristics, surgical complications, and 30-day readmissions. The primary study outcome was readmission rates after gynecologic surgery for benign and oncologic conditions. Secondary study outcomes were risk factors associated with readmission among gynecologic surgeries performed for benign and oncologic conditions.

RESULTS

Approximately 3% (1,444/46,718) compared with 8.2% (623/7,641) of patients who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign and malignant indications, respectively, were readmitted (P<.01). Compared with patients with benign surgical indications, those with uterine cancer (readmission rate 6.6%; odds ratio [OR] 2.21, 95% CI 1.95-2.51), ovarian cancer (readmission rate 10.9%; OR 3.82, 95% CI 3.29-4.45), and cervical cancer (readmission rate 10.1%; OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.71-4.53) were more likely to be readmitted. In multivariable models, independent risk factors for readmission for gynecologic cancer surgery included worse preoperative conditions (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.90) and major complications (OR 17.84, 95% CI 14.19-22.43). In comparison, independent risk factors for readmission after surgery for benign indications included comorbid conditions (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.18-1.57), operative time (15-59 minutes: referent; 60 minutes or greater: 1.37, 95% CI 1.14-1.63) and major complications (OR 53.91, 95% CI 46.98-61.85).

CONCLUSION

Among gynecologic surgeries, those performed for oncologic indications were associated with readmission rates 2.8 times that of surgeries performed for benign indications. In adjusted models, worse preoperative conditions and surgical complications remained independent risk factors associated with the higher rate of readmission among patients with gynecologic cancer.

Timing of and Reasons for Unplanned 30-Day Readmission After Hysterectomy for Benign Disease

OBJECTIVE

To characterize timing and reasons associated with unplanned 30-day readmissions after hysterectomy for benign indications.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database files from 2012 to 2013. We identified patterns of 30-day readmission after benign hysterectomy for all surgical approaches (abdominal, laparoscopic, vaginal). Readmission timing was determined from discharge date and readmission diagnoses were tabulated. Statistical analyses included χ tests and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The 30-day readmission rate was 2.8% (1,118/40,580 hysterectomies). Readmissions complicated 3.7% (361/9,869) of abdominal, 2.6% (576/22,266) of laparoscopic, and 2.1% (181/8,445) of vaginal hysterectomies. Readmissions were more likely when hysterectomy was performed abdominally (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.76) but not laparoscopically (adjusted OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9-1.4) compared with a vaginal approach. Eighty-two percent of readmissions occurred within 15 days of discharge. The shortest median time to readmission was associated with pain (3 days), and the longest was associated with noninfectious wound complications (10 days). Surgical site infection was the most common diagnosis (abdominal 36.6%, laparoscopic 28.3%, vaginal 32.6%). Surgical site infections, surgical injuries, and wound complications combined accounted for 51.5% of abdominal, 51.9% of laparoscopic, and 50.8% of vaginal hysterectomy readmissions. Medical complications such as cardiovascular events and venous thromboembolism were responsible for 5.8% of abdominal, 6.9% of laparoscopic, and 8.8% of vaginal hysterectomy readmissions. Surgical injuries were responsible for more readmissions after laparoscopic (unadjusted OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.48-3.65) and vaginal hysterectomies (unadjusted OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.29-3.97) than abdominal cases.

CONCLUSION

Readmissions after hysterectomy tend to occur shortly after discharge. Most readmissions are related to surgical issues, most commonly surgical site infection. Medical complications, including venous thromboembolism, account for less than 10% of readmissions. Readmission reduction efforts should focus on early postdischarge follow-up, preventing infectious complications, and determining preventability of surgical-related reasons for readmission.

Hospital readmission after ovarian cancer surgery: Are we measuring surgical quality?

OBJECTIVES

Readmission after surgery is a quality metric hypothesized to reflect the quality of care in the index hospitalization. We examined the link between readmissions and a surrogate of surgical quality - major postoperative complication - among ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery for ovarian cancer between 2012 and 2013 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP). Major complications were defined as grade 3 or ≥complications on the validated Claviden-Dindo scale and included both NSQIP and non-NSQIP defined complications based on readmission ICD-9 code. Readmissions and complications within 30-days of surgery were analyzed using rate ratios and modified Poisson regression.

RESULTS

We identified 2806 ovarian cancer patients of whom 9.1% (n=259) experienced an unplanned readmission. Overall major complication rate was 10.9% (n=307). Major complications in the index hospitalization were not associated with subsequent readmission (RR 1.2, 95% CI 0.7-1.9). Overall, 41.4% of readmissions were not attributable to any major postoperative complication. Of the unplanned readmissions, 55.2% (n=143) never experienced a NSQIP-defined major complication. Of these 143 patients, the reason for readmission was known for 107 patients and was: 28.0% non-NSQIP-defined major complications; 16.8% cancer or other medical factors; 22.4% minor complications; and 32.7% symptoms without a diagnosis of complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty percent of unplanned readmissions after ovarian cancer surgery occur among patients who have not experienced a major postoperative complication. Quality metric benchmarks and efforts to decrease readmissions should account for this high percentage of readmissions not associated with a major complication.