Congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease predict poor surgical outcomes in older adults undergoing elective diverticulitis surgery

Diverticulitis in Older Adults: A Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

BACKGROUND

Diverticulitis accounts for over 300,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States and its incidence increases with age. Among older adults, diverticulitis is the fourth leading cause for emergency surgery. Older adults with multimorbidity and geriatric syndromes are often excluded from clinical studies, leaving a gap in the evidence needed to guide management. Here, we provide a clinically oriented review of the diagnosis and management of older adults with diverticulitis through the lens of age-friendly care.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed the literature describing the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of diverticulitis in older adults. Due to age-related physiologic changes, the presence of geriatric syndromes, and multimorbidity, older adults with diverticulitis often present with atypical symptoms, variable laboratory findings, and are at higher risk for complications than younger patients. Guidelines support a more aggressive approach to diagnosis in this population, with lower threshold for obtaining diagnostic imaging. Antibiotics remain a mainstay of treatment for uncomplicated disease, and surgical management should be focused on severity of disease and the balance between the likelihood of improving quality of life and risks and burden of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Diverticulitis is a common disease that has a unique presentation among older individuals with limited evidence to guide management. Diagnosis and treatment should focus on what matters most to the patient, providing the most meaningful outcome possible within the context of multimorbidity, patient goals, symptom burden, and anticipated treatment outcomes.

Development and validation of a prediction model for postoperative pneumonia in patients who received spinal surgery: A retrospective study

Objectives

To develop and validate a risk prediction model by identifying the preoperative factors associated with an increased risk of pneumonia after spinal surgery.

Methods

This study included patients with spinal disease from two hospitals between January 2021 and June 2023. The patients were divided into the training and validation sets, which were categorized as postoperative pneumonia (POP) or non-POP, respectively. This study identified the independent risk variables for POP using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram prediction model was developed and validated using risk factors, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess predictive performance.

Results

Following exclusion, 2223 patients from Changzheng Hospital were enrolled in the training set and 357 patients from the No. 905 Hospital of PLA Navy were enrolled in the validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that operation time, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, smoking, non-wearing of medical masks, lack of preoperative respiratory training, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), underlying diseases, and spinal section were risk factors for POP development in patients with spinal diseases. The area under the ROC curve of the training set was 0.950, whereas that of the validation set was 0.879. The model calibration curves demonstrated good agreement, and the DCA indicated a high expected net benefit value.

Conclusion

The POP risk prediction model has high accuracy and efficiency in predicting POP in patients with spinal diseases. POP development is influenced by factors such as operation length, ASA grade, smoking, non-wearing of medical masks, lack of preoperative respiratory training, COPD, underlying diseases, and lumbar surgery.

Chronic heart failure in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery: A hospital-based study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of chronic heart failure on various post-operative outcomes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing major cancer surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

For this retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery, a sample of 10,002 patients between 2017 and 2019 were identified through the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

SETTING

Patients were selected as undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery, defined as laryngectomy, pharyngectomy, glossectomy, neck dissection, mandibulectomy, and maxillectomy, then separated based on pre-surgical diagnosis of chronic heart failure.

METHODS

The effects of pre-operative chronic heart failure on post-surgical outcomes in these patients were investigated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression using ICD-10 codes and SPSS.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of chronic heart failure was observed in 265 patients (2.6 %). Patients with chronic heart failure had more preexisting comorbidities when compared to patients without chronic heart failure (mean ± SD; 4 ± 1 vs. 2 ± 1). Multivariable logistic regression showed that chronic heart failure patients had significantly greater odds of dying during hospitalization (OR 2.86, 95 % CI 1.38-5.91) and experiencing non-routine discharge from admission (OR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.41-2.54) after undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery.

CONCLUSION

Chronic heart failure is associated with greater length of stay and hospital charges among head and neck cancer patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgeries. Chronic heart failure patients have significantly greater rates of unfavorable post-operative outcomes, including death during hospitalization and non-routine discharge from admission.

Is laparoscopic surgery safe for elderly patients with diverticulitis? A national database study

PURPOSE

Laparoscopy is the preferred approach to elective surgery for diverticulitis and is increasingly common in the emergent setting. Although diverticulitis is most prevalent among older adults, little is known about the safety of laparoscopy for elderly patients with diverticulitis. This study aims to compare 30-day outcomes of a laparoscopic versus open approach for diverticulitis among elderly patients undergoing elective and urgent/emergent surgery.

METHODS

Patients ≥ 65 years who underwent surgery for diverticulitis from 2015 to 2019 were identified from the ACS-NSQIP database. Elective and non-elective groups were analyzed separately. Coarsened exact matching matched laparoscopic and open patients 1:1 based on preoperative factors to minimize selection bias by creating comparable cohorts. Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 15,316 patients were included, 69.2% female and 88% White, with a mean age of 72.7 ± 6.1 years. Approximately half (50.9%) of cases were laparoscopic and 60.6% were elective. After matching, laparoscopy was associated with lower 30-day morbidity in both the elective (OR, 0.47; 95%CI, 0.38-0.58) and non-elective (OR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.58-0.98) cohorts. Laparoscopic surgery in both cohorts was associated with fewer surgical site infections (SSIs) (elective, OR 0.43; 95%CI, 0.33-0.57; non-elective, OR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.44-0.98) and shorter length of stay (LOS) (elective, mean difference, 1.7 days; 95%CI, 1.5-1.9; non-elective, mean difference, 1.2 days; 95%CI, 0.43-2.1).

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients undergoing both elective and non-elective laparoscopic surgery for diverticulitis have less 30-day morbidity, SSIs, and shorter LOS compared to an open approach. Therefore, laparoscopy for elderly patients is safe in elective surgery and in select emergent cases as well.

Evaluation and Management After Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis : A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The value of interventions used after acute colonic diverticulitis is unclear.

PURPOSE

To evaluate postdiverticulitis colonoscopy and interventions to prevent recurrent diverticulitis.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov from 1 January 1990 through 16 November 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Comparative studies of interventions of interest reporting critical or important outcomes, and larger single-group studies to evaluate prevalence of colonoscopy findings and harms.

DATA EXTRACTION

6 researchers extracted study data and risk of bias. The team assessed strength of evidence.

DATA SYNTHESIS

19 studies evaluated colonoscopy. Risk for prevalent colorectal cancer (CRC) compared with the general population is unclear. Based on low-strength evidence, long-term CRC diagnosis is similar with or without colonoscopy. High-strength evidence indicates that risk for prevalent CRC is higher among patients with complicated diverticulitis and colonoscopy complications are rare. Based on high-strength evidence, mesalamine does not reduce recurrence risk (6 randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Evidence on other nonsurgical interventions is insufficient. For patients with prior complicated or smoldering or frequently recurrent diverticulitis, elective surgery is associated with reduced recurrence (3 studies; high strength). In 19 studies, serious surgical complications were uncommon.

LIMITATIONS

Few RCTs provided evidence. Heterogeneity of treatment effect was not adequately assessed.

CONCLUSION

It is unclear whether patients with recent acute diverticulitis are at increased risk for prevalent CRC, but those with complicated diverticulitis are at increased risk. Mesalamine is ineffective in preventing recurrence; other nonsurgical treatments have inadequate evidence. Elective surgery reduces recurrence in patients with prior complicated or smoldering or frequently recurrent diverticulitis, but it is unclear which of these patients may benefit most.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and American College of Physicians. (PROSPERO: CRD42020151246).

Colonoscopy for Diagnostic Evaluation and Interventions to Prevent Recurrence After Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians

DESCRIPTION

The American College of Physicians (ACP) developed this guideline to provide clinical recommendations on the role of colonoscopy for diagnostic evaluation of colorectal cancer (CRC) after a presumed diagnosis of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis and on the role of pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, and elective surgical interventions to prevent recurrence after initial treatment of acute complicated and uncomplicated left-sided colonic diverticulitis. This guideline is based on the current best available evidence about benefits and harms, taken in the context of costs and patient values and preferences.

METHODS

The ACP Clinical Guidelines Committee (CGC) based these recommendations on a systematic review on the role of colonoscopy after acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis and pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, and elective surgical interventions after initial treatment. The systematic review evaluated outcomes rated by the CGC as critical or important. This guideline was developed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) method.

TARGET AUDIENCE AND PATIENT POPULATION

The target audience is all clinicians, and the target patient population is adults with recent episodes of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

RECOMMENDATION 1

ACP suggests that clinicians refer patients for a colonoscopy after an initial episode of complicated left-sided colonic diverticulitis in patients who have not had recent colonoscopy (conditional recommendation; low-certainty evidence).

RECOMMENDATION 2

ACP recommends against clinicians using mesalamine to prevent recurrent diverticulitis (strong recommendation; high-certainty evidence).

RECOMMENDATION 3

ACP suggests that clinicians discuss elective surgery to prevent recurrent diverticulitis after initial treatment in patients who have either uncomplicated diverticulitis that is persistent or recurs frequently or complicated diverticulitis (conditional recommendation; low-certainty evidence). The informed decision whether or not to undergo surgery should be personalized based on a discussion of potential benefits, harms, costs, and patient's preferences.

Update on the management of sigmoid diverticulitis

Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are the most common non-cancerous pathology of the colon. It has traditionally been considered a disease of the elderly and associated with cultural and dietary habits. There has been a growing evolution in our understanding and the treatment guidelines for this disease. To provide an updated review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, classification and highlight changes in the medical and surgical management of diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is increasingly being seen in young patients (< 50 years). Genetic contributions to diverticulitis may be larger than previously thought. Potential similarities and overlap with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome exist. Computed tomography imaging represents the standard to classify the severity of diverticulitis. Modifications to the traditional Hinchey classification might serve to better delineate mild and intermediate forms as well as better classify chronic presentations of diverticulitis. Non-operative management is primarily based on antibiotics and supportive measures, but antibiotics may be omitted in mild cases. Interval colonoscopy remains advisable after an acute attack, particularly after a complicated form. Acute surgery is needed for the most severe as well as refractory cases, whereas elective resections are individualized and should be considered for chronic, smoldering, or recurrent forms and respective complications (stricture, fistula, etc.) and for patients with factors highly predictive of recurrent attacks. Diverticulitis is no longer a disease of the elderly. Our evolving understanding of diverticulitis as a clinical entity has led into a more nuanced approach in both the medical and surgical management of this common disease. Non-surgical management remains the appropriate treatment for greater than 70% of patients. In individuals with non-relenting, persistent, or recurrent symptoms and those with complicated disease and sequelae, a segmental colectomy remains the most effective surgical treatment in the acute, chronic, or elective-prophylactic setting.

Distinguishing features between patients with acute diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding: Results from the REMAD registry

BACKGROUND

Pathogenesis of acute diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding remains poorly defined, and few data compare directly risk factors for these complications.

AIMS

to assess differences in clinical features, lifestyles factors and concurrent drug use in patients with acute diverticulitis and those with diverticular bleeding.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the REMAD Registry, an ongoing 5-year prospective, observational, multicenter, cohort study conducted on 1,217 patients. Patient- and clinical- related factors were compared among patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease, patients with previous acute diverticulitis, and patients with previous diverticular bleeding.

RESULTS

Age was significantly lower (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34-0.67) and family history of diverticular disease was significantly higher (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.11-2.31) in patients with previous diverticulitis than in patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease, respectively. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was significantly higher in patients with previous diverticular bleeding as compared with both uncomplicated diverticular disease (OR 8.37, 95% CI: 2.60-27.0) and diverticulitis (OR 4.23, 95% CI: 1.11-16.1).

CONCLUSION

This ancillary study from a nationwide Registry showed that some distinctive features identify patients with acute diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. These information might improve the assessment of risk factors for diverticular complications.

Epidemiology of Diverticulitis and Prevalence of First-Ever Colorectal Cancer Postdiverticulitis in Adults in the United States: A Population-Based National Study

BACKGROUND

The incidence of acute diverticulitis is increasing, and previous studies showed a wide range of prevalence of colorectal cancer after diverticulitis. There is a lack of high-quality evidence to support performing colonoscopy after diverticulitis.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe the incidence of first-ever diverticulitis and prevalence of first-ever colorectal cancer postdiverticulitis in the United States.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS

We queried a national database that contains data from 26 major integrated healthcare systems in the United States.

PATIENTS

We identified an aggregated patient cohort aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of first-ever diverticulitis from February 2015 to February 2020, followed by first-ever colorectal cancer diagnosis, at least 1 day after and within 1 year of diverticulitis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The incidence of first-ever diverticulitis was calculated. The prevalence and OR of first-ever colorectal cancer after diverticulitis were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 31,778,290 individuals, we found the incidence of first-ever acute diverticulitis to be 2.9%. The prevalence of colorectal cancer within 1 year of first-ever acute diverticulitis was 0.57%, whereas the prevalence of colorectal cancer without a history of diverticulitis was 0.31% (OR = 1.8 (95% CI, 1.76-1.86)). The majority (92.3%) of the postdiverticulitis colorectal cancer were diagnosed within the first 6 months. The risk of colorectal cancer postdiverticulitis was higher in women (OR = 1.9), African Americans (OR = 2.0), and adults aged 18 to 65 years (OR = 2.3).

LIMITATIONS

We are unable to validate the diagnostic code because patient information in our database is deidentified.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals are twice as likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer within 1 year of their first episode of acute diverticulitis compared with individuals without diverticulitis. We advocate for colonoscopy after the first occurrence of acute diverticulitis to screen for colorectal cancer, particularly for patients without a recent colonoscopy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B412.

Elective surgery for diverticular disease in U.S. veterans: A VASQIP study of national trends and outcomes from 2004 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Treatment for diverticular disease has evolved over time. In the United States, there has been a trend towards minimally invasive surgical approaches and fewer postoperative complications, but no study has investigated this subject in the Veterans Health Administration.

METHODS

This retrospective review identified patients undergoing elective surgery for diverticular disease from 2004 to 2018. Demographics, comorbidities, operative approach, rates of ostomy creation, and 30-day outcomes were compared. The 15-year time period was divided into 3-year increments to assess changes over time.

RESULTS

4198 patients were identified. Complication rate decreased significantly over time (28.1%-15.7%, p < 0.001), as did infectious complications (21.5-6.3%, p < 0.001). Median hospital length-of-stay decreased from 7 to 5 days (p < 0.001). Rates of laparoscopic surgery increased over time (17.7%-48.1%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased utilization of laparoscopy in veterans undergoing elective surgery for diverticular disease coincided with fewer complications and a shorter length-of-stay. These trends mirror outcomes reported in non-veterans.

Acute Colonic Diverticulitis and Cirrhosis: Outcomes of Laparoscopic Colectomy Compared with an Open Approach

BACKGROUND

The impact of cirrhosis on outcomes of acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD) has been studied infrequently. We investigated the effect of cirrhosis on outcomes of surgical patients with ACD treated by either an open or laparoscopic approach.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2012 to 2014. Patients with ACD were stratified into compensated and decompensated cirrhosis for comparisons of demographic characteristics, hospital length of stay, complications, mortality, and cost. Groups were stratified according to surgical treatment: open colectomy and laparoscopic colectomy. A comparative effectiveness analysis of outcomes was performed between the 2 surgical treatments. Univariate comparisons between groups and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for mortality and specific complications.

RESULTS

Of 1,172,875 patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of ACD during the study period, 1,145 were cirrhotic. The majority were male (59%). There were 660 compensated cirrhotic patients and 485 decompensated cirrhotic patients and all underwent either open (n = 875) or laparoscopic colectomy (n = 270). Consistently, marked increases in mortality, hospital length of stay, and cost were observed in decompensated cirrhotic patients regardless of the type of treatment. Laparoscopic colectomy was accompanied by shorter hospital length of stay, lower costs, and significantly decreased mortality rate compared with open colectomy in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of cirrhosis markedly impacts outcomes in patients with ACD, leading to prolonged hospitalization, higher cost, and increased complications and deaths. Laparoscopic colectomy is associated with better outcomes in patients requiring surgical management, including those with decompensated cirrhosis.

Association between heart failure and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) affects ∼5.7 million US adults and many of these patients develop non-cardiac disease that requires surgery. The aim of this study was to determine perioperative outcomes associated with HF in a large cohort of patients undergoing in-hospital non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Adults ≥18 years old undergoing non-cardiac surgery between 2012 and 2014 were identified using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample. Patients with HF were identified by ICD-9 diagnosis codes. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between HF and outcomes. A total of 21 560 996 surgical hospitalizations were identified, of which 1 063 405 (4.9%) had a diagnosis of HF. Among hospitalizations with HF, 4.7% had acute HF, 11.3% had acute on chronic HF, 27.8% had chronic HF, and 56.2% had an indeterminate diagnosis code that did not specify temporality. In-hospital perioperative mortality was more common among patients with any diagnosis of HF compared to those without HF [4.8% vs. 0.78%, P < 0.001; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.09-2.22], and the association between HF and mortality was greatest at small and non-teaching hospitals. Acute HF without chronic HF was associated with 8.0% mortality. Among patients with a chronic HF diagnosis, perioperative mortality was greater in those with acute on chronic HF compared to chronic HF alone (7.8% vs. 3.9%, P < 0.001; aOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.67-1.90).

CONCLUSION

In patients hospitalized for non-cardiac surgery, HF was common and was associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality. The greatest risks were in patients with acute HF.

Laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis in patients with pre-operative respiratory comorbidity: analysis of post-operative outcomes in the United States from 2005 to 2017

BACKGROUND

Current studies suggest that laparoscopic colorectal surgery is an advantageous alternative to open surgery due to improved post-operative outcomes in high-risk patient groups. Limited data is currently available on the benefits of minimally invasive colectomy for diverticulitis in patients with significant pre-operative respiratory comorbidities.

STUDY DESIGN

The NSQIP 2005-2017 datasets were used to identify patients that underwent partial colectomies due to diverticulitis. Partial colectomy cases were identified using CPT codes and then filtered to include only ICD 9 and 10 codes for diverticulitis. Pre-operative respiratory comorbidities included dyspnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and smoking status. Propensity matching was performed based on patient demographic and pre-operative risk factor data to create comparable groups for each respiratory comorbidity subset. Outcomes of interest were 30-day post-operative mortality and morbidity, incidence of return to operating room (ROR), and hospital length of stay (LoS). Laparoscopy and open surgery groups were compared using Chi square tests for categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Among 70,420 cases with diverticulitis, 15,237 cases were identified as smokers, 3934 had dyspnea, and 3219 had COPD. Patients that had open procedures had significantly greater odds of mortality (OR 2.624 for smokers; OR 2.698 for dyspnea; OR 2.663 for COPD), morbidity (OR 2.590 for smokers; OR 2.344 for dyspnea; OR 2.883 for COPD), wound complication (OR 1.989 for smokers; OR 1.461 for dyspnea; OR 1.956 for COPD), and ROR (OR 1.184 for smokers; OR 1.634 for dyspnea; OR 1.975 for COPD). Laparoscopic procedures resulted in significantly lower average LoS (5.34 vs. 9.46 days for smokers; 6.84 vs. 11.06 days for dyspnea; 7.41 vs. 12.62 days for COPD; all p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis diagnosis for a matched cohort of patients with pre-operative respiratory comorbidities such as smoking status, dyspnea, and COPD resulted in significantly improved post-operative outcomes, lower odds of mortality and morbidity, and shorter LoS.

Frailty as a predictor of mortality in the elderly emergency general surgery patient

BACKGROUND

The number of surgical procedures performed in elderly and frail patients has greatly increased in the last decades. However, there is little research in the elderly emergency general surgery patient. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of frailty in the emergency general surgery population in Belgium. Secondly, we examined the length of hospital stay, readmission rate and mortality at 30 and 90 days.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study at Ghent University Hospital. All patients older than 65 admitted to a general surgery ward from the emergency department were eligible for inclusion. Primary endpoint was mortality at 30 days. Secondary outcomes were mortality at 90 days, readmissions and length of stay. Cross-sectional observations were performed using the Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test, or one-way ANOVA. We performed a COX multivariable analysis to identify independent variables associated with mortality at 30 and 90 days as well as the readmission risk.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 98 patients in a four-month period. 23.5% of patients were deemed frail. 79% of all patients underwent abdominal surgery. Univariate analyses showed that polypharmacy, multimorbidity, a history of falls, hearing impairment and urinary incontinence were statistically significantly different between the non-frail and the group. Frail patients showed a higher incidence for mortality within 30 days (9% versus 1.3% (p = .053)). There were no differences between the two groups for mortality at 90 days, readmission, length of stay and operation. Frailty was a predictor for mortality at 90 days (p= .025) (hazard ratio (HR) 10.83 (95%CI 1.34-87.4)). Operation (p= .084) (HR 0.16 (95%CI 0.16-1.29)) and the presence of chronic cardiac failure (p= .049) (HR 0.38 (95%CI 0.14-0.99)) were protective for mortality at 90 days.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is a significant predictor for mortality for elderly patients undergoing emergency abdominal/general surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II therapeutic study.

Management of sigmoid diverticulitis: an update

The role, indications and modalities of elective resection for sigmoid diverticulitis remain the cause of fierce debate. During the past two decades clinicians have increasingly recognized that: (1) young patients (<50) are no more at risk to develop more aggressive course of the disease; and (2) patients who present initially with a first uncomplicated attack are no more at risk for developing subsequent complicated diverticulitis requiring emergency surgery. Hence, the previously well-recognized indications (based upon age of the patients or the number of attacks) are no longer valid. Yet, the number of sigmoid resections performed for diverticulitis in industrialized countries is increasing, which seems to indicate that in many cases, uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis progressively evolves towards a chronic symptomatic condition, which significantly impacts upon the patients' quality of life. The aims of this review are twofold: (1) to identify which disease presentation still represents good indications for elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection; and (2) to summarize the technical aspects of surgery for a benign condition, such as diverticular disease.

The Decline of Elective Colectomy Following Diverticulitis: A Population-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND

The indications for interval elective colectomy following diverticulitis are unclear; evidence lends increasing support for nonoperative management.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the temporal trends in the use of elective colectomy following diverticulitis.

DESIGN

This is a population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative discharge data.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Ontario, Canada.

PATIENTS

Patients who had had an episode of diverticulitis managed nonoperatively and were eligible for elective colectomy, from 2002 to 2012, were selected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in the proportion of patients who undergo elective colectomy following an episode of diverticulitis treated nonoperatively were evaluated. Cochran-Armitage was used to test for trends; adjusted analysis was performed by using multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

A total of 14,124 patients were admitted with an episode of diverticulitis and treated nonoperatively, making them eligible for interval elective colectomy. Median follow-up was 3.9 years (maximum, 10; interquartile range, 1.7-6.4). Overall, 1342 (9.5%) patients underwent elective colectomy; 33% of these colectomies were performed laparoscopically, and 7.5% patients received an ostomy. In-hospital mortality was 0.2%. The majority (76%) of elective operations were performed within 1 year of discharge (median, 160 days; interquartile range, 88-346). The proportion of patients undergoing elective colectomy within 1 year of discharge declined from 9.6% of patients in 2002 to 3.9% by 2011 (p < 0.001). The decline was most pronounced in patients <50 years of age (from 17% to 5%), and those with complicated disease (from 28% to 8%) (all p < 0.001). In multivariable regression, younger age, lower medical comorbidity, complicated disease, and early readmission were associated with elective colectomy. After adjusting for changes in patient characteristics, the odds of elective surgery decreased by 0.93 per annum (adjusted OR; 95% CI, 0.90-0.95).

LIMITATIONS

Administrative health databases contain limited clinical detail; the rationale for elective surgery was not available.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with evolving practice guidelines, there has been a decrease in the use of elective colectomy following an episode of diverticulitis.

Congestive Heart Failure and Noncardiac Operations: Risk of Serious Morbidity, Readmission, Reoperation, and Mortality

BACKGROUND

Congestive heart failure (CHF) predicts surgical morbidity and mortality. However, few studies evaluate CHF's impact on noncardiac operations. Because of CHFs serious threat to health and survival, surgeons must understand risks CHF poses to patients undergoing a diverse array of operations.

STUDY DESIGN

We used 2009 to 2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Participant Use Files to estimate the risk of serious morbidity, reoperation, readmission, mortality, and other postoperative complications associated with preoperative diagnosis of CHF. Multivariable logistic regression analysis provided odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes in 34 ACS NSQIP procedure groups, controlling for age, sex, race, emergency surgery status, American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification, body mass index, and selected laboratory values.

RESULTS

Unadjusted ORs indicate adverse effects of CHF on surgical outcomes for most procedures considered. When adjusted for age and other confounders, CHF persists with adverse effects on most outcomes, including serious morbidity (OR 1.52, 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.61; p < 0.001); reoperation (OR 1.29, 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.42; p < 0.001); readmission (OR 1.39, 95% CI, 1.29 to 1.50; p < 0.001); and 30-day mortality (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.80 to 2.13; p < 0.001). The impact of CHF on morbidity and mortality substantially affected those undergoing carotid endarterectomy and lower extremity endovascular repair. Cardiac arrest, mortality, unplanned intubation, and ventilator > 48 hours were complications most affected by CHF.

CONCLUSIONS

Congestive heart failure strongly predicts serious morbidity, unplanned reoperation, readmission, and surgical mortality for noncardiac operations. Surgeons must pay particular attention to recognizing CHF and optimizing perioperative management when considering surgery.

Surgical outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing abdominal operations: An analysis of 331,425 patients

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects >15 million individuals in the United States and is a common comorbidity in patients undergoing surgery; therefore, the association between COPD in patients and postoperative surgical outcomes was investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between COPD and postoperative morbidity, mortality, and hospital duration of stay.

METHODS

Patients who underwent cholecystectomy, appendectomy, small bowel resection, partial colectomy, hepatic resection, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, and ventral hernia repair with and without COPD (n = 331,425) in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2007 to 2010 were studied. The primary outcomes were 30-day morbidity, mortality, and hospital duration of stay; secondary outcomes were specific postoperative complications.

RESULTS

COPD was present in 12,491 patients (3.8%) undergoing the abdominal operations surveyed. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates and hospital duration of stay for patients undergoing all abdominal procedures reviewed was greater for patients with COPD compared with patients without COPD (all P < .0001, except hepatic resection). Multivariate analysis controlling for comorbidities revealed that COPD was associated independently with increased postoperative morbidity in all abdominal procedures reviewed, increased postoperative mortality after cholecystectomy, appendectomy, small bowel resection, and ventral hernia repair, and increased duration of stay after cholecystectomy, small bowel resection, partial colectomy, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, and ventral hernia repair (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with COPD undergoing operative procedures in the abdomen have increased morbidity, mortality, and duration of stay. This study highlights the importance of studying potential preoperative optimization of pulmonary status in patients with COPD before operation.

Predictors of Mortality Up to 1 Year After Emergency Major Abdominal Surgery in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with mortality in older adults 30, 180, and 365 days after emergency major abdominal surgery.

DESIGN

A retrospective study linked to Medicare claims from 2000 to 2010.

SETTING

Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

PARTICIPANTS

Medicare beneficiaries aged 65.5 enrolled in the HRS from 2000 to 2010 with at least one urgent or emergency major abdominal surgery and a core interview from the HRS within 3 years before surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Survival analysis was used to describe all-cause mortality 30, 180, and 365 days after surgery. Complementary log-log regression was used to identify participant characteristics and postoperative events associated with poorer survival.

RESULTS

Four hundred individuals had one of the urgent or emergency surgeries of interest, 24% of whom were aged 85 and older, 50% had coronary artery disease, 48% had cancer, 33% had congestive heart failure, and 37% experienced a postoperative complication. Postoperative mortality was 20% at 30 days, 31% at 180 days, and 34% at 365 days. Of those aged 85 and older, 50% were dead 1 year after surgery. After multivariate adjustment including postoperative complications, dementia (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.24-3.31), hospitalization within 6 months before surgery (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.12-2.28), and complications (HR = 3.45, 95% CI = 2.32-5.13) were independently associated with worse 1-year survival.

CONCLUSION

Overall mortality is high in many older adults up to 1 year after undergoing emergency major abdominal surgery. The occurrence of a complication is the clinical factor most strongly associated with worse survival.

Management of diverticular disease

Diverticular disease is a common condition in Western countries and the incidence and prevalence of the disease is increasing. The pathogenetic factors involved include structural changes in the gut that increase with age, a diet low in fibre and rich in meat, changes in intestinal motility, the concept of enteric neuropathy and an underlying genetic background. Current treatment strategies are hampered by insufficient options to stratify patients according to individual risk. One of the main reasons is the lack of an all-encompassing classification system of diverticular disease. In response, the German Society for Gastroenterology and Digestive Diseases (DGVS) has proposed a classification system as part of its new guideline for the diagnosis and management of diverticular disease. The classification system includes five main types of disease: asymptomatic diverticulosis, acute uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis, as well as chronic diverticular disease and diverticular bleeding. Here, we review prevention and treatment strategies stratified by these five main types of disease, from prevention of the first attack of diverticulitis to the management of chronic complications and diverticular bleeding.

Diverticular disease: guidelines of the german society for gastroenterology, digestive and metabolic diseases and the german society for general and visceral surgery

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is one of the most common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. 28-45% of the population develop colonic diverticula, while about 25% suffer symptoms and about 5% complications.

AIM

To create formal guidelines for diagnosis and management.

METHODS

Six working groups with 44 participants analyzed key questions in subject areas assigned to them. Following a systematic literature search, 451 publications were included. Consensus was obtained by agreement within the working groups, two Delphi processes and a guideline conference.

RESULTS

Targeted management of diverticular disease requires a classificatory diagnosis. A new classification was created. In addition to the clinical examination, intestinal ultrasound or computed tomography is the determining factor. Interval colonoscopy is recommended to exclude comorbidities. A low-fiber diet, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and immunosuppression have an adverse impact on diverticulosis. This can lead to diverticulitis. Antibiotics are no longer recommended in uncomplicated diverticulitis if no risk factors such as immunosuppression are present. If close monitoring is ensured, uncomplicated diverticulitis can be treated on an outpatient basis. Complicated diverticulitis should be treated in hospital, involving broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, where necessary abscess drainage, and surgery, if possible laparoscopically. In the case of chronic relapsing diverticulitis, the risk of perforation decreases with each episode, so that surgery is no longer recommended after the second episode but only following individual assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

New findings on diverticular disease call into question the overuse of antibiotics and excessive indications for surgery. Targeted treatment requires a precise diagnosis and intensive interdisciplinary cooperation.

Risk Factors for Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, Diverticular Perforation, and Bleeding: A Plea for More Subtle History Taking

Background

Diverticulosis is a very common condition. Around 20% of diverticula carriers are believed to suffer from diverticular disease during their lifetime. This makes diverticular disease one of the clinically and economically most significant conditions in gastroenterology. The etiopathogenesis of diverticulosis and diverticular disease is not well understood. Epidemiological studies allowed to define risk factors for the development of diverticulosis and the different disease entities associated with it, in particular diverticulitis, perforation, and diverticular bleeding.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed, and the current knowledge about risk factors for diverticulosis and associated conditions reviewed.

Results

Non-controllable risk factors like age, sex, and genetics, and controllable risk factors like foods, drinks, and physical activity were identified, as well as comorbidities and drugs which increase or decrease the risk of developing diverticula or of suffering from complications. In naming risk factors, it is of utmost importance to differentiate between diverticulosis and the different disease entities.

Conclusion

Risk factors for diverticulosis and diverticular disease may give a clue towards the possible etiopathogenesis of the conditions. More importantly, knowledge of comorbidities and particularly drugs conferring a risk for development of complicated disease is crucial for patient management.

Colorectal preOperative Surgical Score (CrOSS) for mortality in major colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Colorectal surgery carries a significant mortality risk, with reported rates of 1-6% for elective surgery and up to 22% in the emergency setting. Both clinicians and patients will benefit from being able to predict the likelihood of death before surgery. Recently, we have described and validated two risk stratification models for colorectal surgery, the Barwon Health 2012 and Association Française de Chirurgie models. However, these models are not suitable for assessment at patient's bedside. The purpose of this study is to develop a simplified preoperative model capable of predicting mortality following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

The new model is termed Colorectal preOperative Surgical Score (CrOSS). The development and internal validation of CrOSS was performed using a prospectively maintained colorectal database. External validation was performed using retrospective data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in model development. Calibration and discrimination were used for model validation.

RESULTS

There were 474 and 389 consecutive colorectal surgeries at Geelong Hospital and Western Hospital. Overall mortality rates were 5.16% and 1.03%, respectively. Significant predictors for mortality were as follows: age ≥70, urgent operation, albumin ≤30 g/L and congestive heart failure (receiver operating characteristic (ROC) = 0.870, calibration P-value = 0.937). The predicted risk of mortality was stratified according to the risk profile of 0.39-66.51%. When validated externally, CrOSS predicted mortality accurately (ROC = 0.847, calibration P-value = 0.199).

CONCLUSIONS

A robust and simple preoperative model has been created to risk-stratify patients for colorectal surgery. This was successfully validated at another tertiary hospital.

Postoperative Respiratory Muscle Dysfunction

Postoperative pulmonary complications are responsible for significant increases in hospital cost as well as patient morbidity and mortality; respiratory muscle dysfunction represents a contributing factor. Upper airway dilator muscles functionally resist the upper airway collapsing forces created by the respiratory pump muscles. Standard perioperative medications (anesthetics, sedatives, opioids, and neuromuscular blocking agents), interventions (patient positioning, mechanical ventilation, and surgical trauma), and diseases (lung hyperinflation, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea) have differential effects on the respiratory muscle subgroups. These effects on the upper airway dilators and respiratory pump muscles impair their coordination and function and can result in respiratory failure. Perioperative management strategies can help decrease the incidence of postoperative respiratory muscle dysfunction. Such strategies include minimally invasive procedures rather than open surgery, early and optimal mobilizing of respiratory muscles while on mechanical ventilation, judicious use of respiratory depressant anesthetics and neuromuscular blocking agents, and noninvasive ventilation when possible.

A nationwide analysis of laparoscopy in high-risk colorectal surgery patients

BACKGROUND

Due to safety concerns, the use of laparoscopy in high-risk colorectal surgery patients has been limited. Small reports have demonstrated the benefit of laparoscopy in this population; however, large comparative studies are lacking.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2009 was conducted. Patients undergoing elective colorectal resections for benign and malignant pathology were included in the high-risk group if they had at least two of the following criteria: age > 70, obesity, smoking, anemia, congestive heart failure, valvular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary, kidney and liver disease. Using multivariate logistic regression, the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery were compared to open and converted surgery.

RESULTS

Of 145,600 colorectal surgery cases, 32.79% were high-risk. High-risk patients had higher mortality, hospital charges, and longer hospital stay compared to low-risk patients. The use of laparoscopy was lower in the high-risk group with higher conversion rates. In high-risk patients, compared to open surgery, laparoscopy was associated with lower mortality (OR = 0.60), shorter hospital stay, lower charges, decreased respiratory failure (OR = 0.53), urinary tract infection (OR = 0.64), anastomotic leak (OR = 0.69) and wound complications (OR = 0.46). Conversion to open surgery was not associated with higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy in high-risk colorectal patients is safe and may demonstrate advantages compared to open surgery.

Recognizing risk: bowel resection in the chronic renal failure population

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of quality data on the effects of chronic kidney disease in abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to define the risk and outcome predictors of bowel resection in stage 5 chronic kidney disease using a large national clinical database.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from years 2005-2010 for major bowel resection in dialysis-dependent patients. Patient demographics, preoperative risk factors, and intraoperative variables were evaluated. Primary endpoints were mortality and morbidity after 30 days. Predictors of outcome were assessed by multivariate regression.

RESULTS

The study included 1,685 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing bowel resection. Overall mortality and morbidity were 27.5 and 58.3 %, respectively. Acute presentation was the strongest predictor of mortality (OR 2.39, CI 1.54-3.72, p < 0.001). Other predictors of mortality included hypoalbuminemia (OR 2.12, CI 1.39-3.24, p < 0.001), pulmonary comorbidity (OR 2.25, CI 1.67-3.03, p < 0.001), and cardiac comorbidity (OR 1.54, CI 1.16-2.05, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that bowel resection in patients with chronic kidney disease confers a high mortality risk. Preoperative optimization of comorbid conditions may reduce mortality after bowel resection in dialysis-dependent patients. In addition, laparoscopy was associated with a reduction in postoperative morbidity suggesting that it should be used preferentially.

Laparoscopic lavage for perforated diverticulitis: a population analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic lavage has shown promising results in nonfeculent perforated diverticulitis. It is an appealing strategy; it avoids the complications associated with resection. However, there has been some reluctance to widespread uptake because of the scarcity of large-scale studies.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated national trends in management of perforated diverticulitis.

DESIGN

This retrospective population study used an Irish national database to identify patients acutely admitted with diverticulitis, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases. Demographics, procedures, comorbidities, and outcomes were obtained for the years 1995 to 2008.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted in Ireland.

PATIENTS

Patients with International Classification of Diseases codes corresponding to diverticulitis who underwent operative intervention were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were length of stay and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Two thousand four hundred fifty-five patients underwent surgery for diverticulitis, of whom 427 underwent laparoscopic lavage. Patients selected for laparoscopic lavage had lower mortality (4.0% vs 10.4%, p < 0.001), complications (14.1% vs 25.0%, p < 0.001), and length of stay (10 days vs 20 days, p < 0.001) than those requiring laparotomy/resection. Patients older than 65 years were more likely to die (OR 4.1, p < 0.001), as were those with connective tissue disease (OR 7.3, p < 0.05) or chronic kidney disease (OR 8.0, p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

This retrospective study is limited by the quality of data obtained and is subject to selection bias. Furthermore, the lack of disease stratification means it is not possible to identify the extent of peritonitis; feculent peritonitis has worse outcomes and is not likely to be included in the lavage group.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of patients selected for laparoscopic lavage in perforated diverticulitis is increasing, and the outcomes in this study are comparable to other reports. Those patients in whom laparoscopic lavage alone was suitable had lower mortality and morbidity than those in whom resection was considered necessary.

Postoperative pulmonary complications: pneumonia and acute respiratory failure

Postoperative pulmonary complications (atelectasis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory failure) are common, particularly after abdominal and thoracic surgery, pneumonia and atelectasis being the most common. Postoperative pneumonia is associated with increased morbidity, length of hospital stay, and costs. Few institutions have pneumonia prevention programs for surgical patients, and these should be strongly considered. Acute respiratory failure is a life-threatening pulmonary complication that requires institution of mechanical ventilation and admission to the intensive care unit, and is associated with increased risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia. This article discusses epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these pulmonary complications in surgical patients.