Factors associated with readmission following plastic surgery: a review of 10,669 procedures from the 2011 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data set

Predictors of 30-day Hospital Readmission after Autologous vs. Implant-based Breast Reconstruction: A 16-year Analysis of 175,474 Patients

Objectives

Comorbidities that impair wound healing, increase infection risk, and compromise tissue viability influence rates of hospital readmission after autologous reconstruction and implant-based reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate patient factors that increase risk for 30-day hospital readmission after autologous reconstruction and implant-based reconstruction and identify differences in the comorbidities that affect readmission risk after each method.

Methods

Patients from 2005 to 2021 were selected by autologous reconstruction and implant-based reconstruction current procedural terminology codes from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A multivariable regression model identified the significant predictors of unplanned readmission.

Results

Comorbidities that increase risk for readmission after autologous reconstruction but not implant-based reconstruction include dialysis (OR 3.87, p = 0.042) and malnutrition (OR 3.20, p = 0.003). Risk factors for readmission after implant-based reconstruction but not autologous reconstruction include bleeding disorder (OR 2.62, p < 0.0001), previous infection (OR 1.49, p = 0.045), recent sepsis (OR 2.16 p = 0.0003), anemia (OR 1.13, p = 0.0018), and hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.35, p = 0.0213). Predictors of unplanned readmission after both methods include chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, obesity, inpatient status prior to procedure, Black or White race, chronic steroid use, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension.

Conclusions

These findings may be used to individualize preoperative discussions and help guide optimization of risk factors. In addition, while autologous reconstruction and implant-based reconstruction are often combined into one category for discussion of factors that increase complication risk, our study suggests that the types of reconstruction differ with regard to the comorbidities that increase risk for hospital readmission.

Superior Pedicle Breast Reduction: Multivariate Analysis of Complication Risk Factors and Building a Predictive Score in 1306 Patients

BACKGROUND

Breast reduction surgery for hypertrophy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in plastic surgery. This surgery exposes patients to complications that are well-documented in the literature. The objective of this study is to identify risk factors to establish an estimate of the risk of developing complications. The authors propose the first predictive score of postoperative complications, including continuous preoperative variables such as body mass index (BMI) and suprasternal notch-to-nipple distance (SSN:N).

METHODS

An analytic observational retrospective cohort study was conducted including 1306 patients who underwent superior pedicle reduction mammaplasty at the Rennes University Hospital (France) between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. The primary endpoint was to study the association between known preoperative risk factors and occurrence of any complications using multivariable logistic regression to identify independent risk factors. A secondary endpoint was to establish a score to estimate a probability of occurrence of complications.

RESULTS

A total of 1306 patients were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression showed three independent risk factors: active smoking [OR, 6.10 (95% CI: 4.23, 8.78); P < 0.0001], BMI [OR, 1.16 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.22); P < 0.0001], and SSN:N [OR, 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.21); P < 0.0001]. The Rennes Plastic Surgery Score estimating the occurrence of postoperative complications was determined, integrating regression coefficients of each risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Active smoking, BMI, and SSN:N distance are independent preoperative risk factors for the occurrence of breast reduction complications. The Rennes Plastic Surgery Score including the continuous values of BMI and SSN:N allows us to provide our patients with a reliable estimation of the risk of occurrence of these complications.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Tracking Complications and Unplanned Healthcare Utilization in Aesthetic Surgery: An Analysis of 214,504 Patients Using the TOPS Database

BACKGROUND

Tracking surgical complications and unplanned healthcare utilization is essential to inform quality initiatives in aesthetic surgery. This study used the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database to characterize rates and predictors of surgical complications and unplanned healthcare utilization across common aesthetic surgery procedures.

METHODS

The Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database was queried for all patients undergoing breast augmentation, liposuction, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and abdominoplasty from 2008 to 2019. Incidence and risk factors for complications and unplanned readmission, reoperation, and emergency room visits were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 214,504 patients were identified. Overall, 94,618 breast augmentations, 56,756 liposuction procedures, 29,797 blepharoplasties, 24,946 abdominoplasties, and 8387 rhinoplasties were included. A low incidence of perioperative complications was found, including seroma (1.1%), hematoma (0.7%), superficial wound complication (0.9%), deep surgical-site infection (0.2%), need for blood transfusion (0.05%), and deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (0.1%). Incidence of unplanned readmission, emergency room visits, and reoperation were 0.34%, 0.25%, and 0.80%, respectively. Patients who underwent an abdominoplasty more commonly presented to the emergency room and had unplanned readmissions or reoperations compared with other studied procedures. Furthermore, increased age, diabetes, higher body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, longer operative times, and pursuit of combined aesthetic procedures were associated with increased risk for unplanned health care use.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a low incidence of perioperative complications and unplanned healthcare utilization following common aesthetic surgery procedures. Continued entry into large national databases in aesthetic surgery is essential for internal benchmarking and quality improvement.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

A Case for the Use of the 5-Item Modified Frailty Index in Preoperative Risk Assessment for Tissue Expander Placement in Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Preoperative risk assessment is essential in determining which surgical candidates will have the most to gain from an operation. The 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) has been validated as an effective way to determine this risk. This study sought to evaluate the performance of the mFI-5 as a predictor of postoperative complications after tissue expander placement.

METHODS

Patients who underwent placement of a tissue expander were identified using the 2012 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis models were used to assess how mFI-5, the components of the mFI-5 (functional status, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, and hypertension), and other factors commonly used to risk stratify (age, body mass index [BMI], American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and history of smoking) were associated with complications.

RESULTS

In 44,728 tissue expander placement cases, the overall complication rate was 10.5% (n = 4674). The mFI-5 score was significantly higher in the group that experienced complications (0.08 vs 0.06, P < 0.001). Compared with the mFI-5 individual components and other common variables used preoperatively to risk stratify patients, univariate analysis demonstrated that mFI-5 had the largest effect size (odds ratio [OR], 5.46; confidence interval [CI], 4.29-6.94; P < 0.001). After controlling for age, BMI, ASA classification, and history of smoking, the mFI-5 still remained the predictor of complications with the largest effect size (OR, 2.25; CI, 1.70-2.97; P < 0.001). In assessing specific complications, the mFI-5 is the independent predictor with the largest significant effect size for surgical dehiscence (OR, 12.76; CI, 5.58-28.18; P < 0.001), surgical site infection (OR, 6.68; CI, 4.53-9.78; P < 0.001), reoperation (OR, 5.23; CI, 3.90-6.99; P < 0.001), and readmission (OR, 4.59; CI, 3.25-6.45; P < 0.001) when compared with age, BMI, ASA class, and/or history of smoking alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The mFI-5 can be used as an effective preoperative predictor of postoperative complications in patients undergoing tissue expander placement. Not only does it have the largest effect size compared with other historical perioperative risk factors, it is more predictive than each of its individual components.

Cost-volume analysis of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps for breast reconstruction in the United States

BACKGROUND

Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps are increasingly utilized over other autologous methods of breast reconstruction. We evaluated the relationship between annual hospital volume and costs after breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap.

METHODS

All female patients undergoing elective implant or autologous tissue breast reconstruction were identified using the 2016-2019 Nationwide Readmission Database. Annual hospital volume of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator reconstructions was tabulated and modeled using restricted cubic splines. Institutions were categorized into high- and low-volume based on the inflection point of the spline between annual caseload and costs. The association between high volume status and costs, complications, length of stay, and 30-day nonelective readmission was assessed using multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Of an estimated 94,524 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 33,046 (34.6%) underwent deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap utilization increased from 31% in 2016 to 40% in 2019 (P < .001) among inpatient breast reconstructions. High-volume hospitals more frequently performed bilateral reconstructions (43.3 vs 37.7%, P = .021) but had similar rates of concurrent mastectomy (28.7 vs 30.6%, P = .46), relative to low-volume hospitals. The median cost of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator reconstruction was lower ($29,900 [interquartile range: 22,400-37,400] vs $31,600 [interquartile range: 22,500-44,900], P = .036) at high-volume hospitals compared to low-volume. On adjusted analysis, high-volume status was associated a $3,800 (95% confidence interval: -6,200 to -1,400) decrement in hospitalization costs, and reduced odds of perioperative complications (adjusted odd ratio: 0.68 95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.86). High-volume status was not associated with length of stay or likelihood of unplanned readmission.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated an inverse cost-volume relationship in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction. In line with goals of value-based health care delivery, our findings may inform referral patterns to suitable centers for deep inferior epigastric artery perforator breast reconstruction.

Predicting patient outcomes after far lateral lumbar discectomy

INTRODUCTION

The LACE+ (Length of Stay, Acuity of Admission, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) Score, Emergency Department (ED) visits within the previous 6 months) index has never been tested in a purely spine surgery population. This study assesses the ability of LACE + to predict adverse patient outcomes following discectomy for far lateral disc herniation (FLDH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were obtained for patients (n = 144) who underwent far lateral lumbar discectomy at a single, multi-hospital academic medical center (2013-2020). LACE + scores were calculated for all patients with complete information (n = 100). The influence of confounding variables was assessed and controlled with stepwise regression. Logistic regression was used to test the ability of LACE + to predict risk of unplanned hospital readmission, ED visits, outpatient office visits, and reoperation after surgery.

RESULTS

Mean age of the population was 61.72 ± 11.55 years, 69 (47.9 %) were female, and 126 (87.5 %) were non-Hispanic white. Patients underwent either open (n = 92) or endoscopic (n = 52) surgery. Each point increase in LACE + score significantly predicted, in the 30-day (30D) and 30-90-day (30-90D) post-discharge window, higher risk of readmission (p = 0.005, p = 0.009; respectively) and ED visits (p = 0.045). Increasing LACE + also predicted, in the 30D and 90-day (90D) post-discharge window, risk of reoperation (p = 0.022, p = 0.016; respectively), and repeat neurosurgical intervention (p = 0.026, p = 0.026; respectively). Increasing LACE + score also predicted risk of reoperation (p = 0.011) within 30 days of initial surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

LACE + may be suitable for characterizing risk of adverse perioperative events for patients undergoing far lateral discectomy.

The LACE+ Index as a Predictor of 90-Day Supratentorial Tumor Surgery Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The LACE+ (Length of stay, Acuity of admission, Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI] score, and Emergency department [ED] visits in the past 6 mo) index risk-prediction tool has never been successfully tested in a neurosurgery population.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ability of LACE+ to predict adverse outcomes after supratentorial brain tumor surgery.

METHODS

LACE+ scores were retrospectively calculated for all patients (n = 624) who underwent surgery for supratentorial tumors at the University of Pennsylvania Health System (2017-2019). Confounding variables were controlled with coarsened exact matching. The frequency of unplanned hospital readmission, ED visits, and death was compared for patients with different LACE+ score quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4).

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were matched between Q1 and Q4; 152 patients were matched between Q2 and Q4; and 192 patients were matched between Q3 and Q4. Patients with higher LACE+ scores were significantly more likely to be readmitted within 90 d (90D) of discharge for Q1 vs Q4 (21.88% vs 46.88%, P = .005) and Q2 vs Q4 (27.03% vs 55.41%, P = .001). Patients with larger LACE+ scores also had significantly increased risk of 90D ED visits for Q1 vs Q4 (13.33% vs 30.00%, P = .027) and Q2 vs Q4 (22.54% vs 39.44%, P = .039). LACE+ score also correlated with death within 90D of surgery for Q2 vs Q4 (2.63% vs 15.79%, P = .003) and with death at any point after surgery/during follow-up for Q1 vs Q4 (7.46% vs 28.36%, P = .002), Q2 vs Q4 (15.79% vs 31.58%, P = .011), and Q3 vs Q4 (18.75% vs 31.25%, P = .047).

CONCLUSION

LACE+ may be suitable for characterizing risk of certain perioperative events in a patient population undergoing supratentorial brain tumor resection.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections After Orthopaedic Surgery in the Ambulatory Surgical Center Setting

INTRODUCTION

This study was designed to determine the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after orthopaedic surgery in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and to identify patient and surgical risk factors associated with SSI.

METHODS

Patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery at an ASC over a 6.5-year period were reviewed for evidence of SSI. Data on patient and surgical factors were collected, and stepwise multivariate logistic regression determined the risk factors for SSI.

RESULTS

The incidence of SSIs was 0.32%. Five independent factors were associated with SSI: anatomic area (odds ratio [OR] = 18.60, 11.24, 6.75, and 4.01 for the hip, foot/ankle, knee/leg, and hand/elbow versus shoulder, respectively), anesthesia type (OR = 4.49 combined general and regional anesthesia versus general anesthesia), age ≥70 (OR = 2.85), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.27), and tourniquet time (OR = 1.01 per minute tourniquet time).

DISCUSSION

The risk of infection after orthopaedic surgery in ASCs is low, but patient and surgical factors are independently associated with SSIs.

Evidenced-Based Approach to Abdominoplasty Update

The following publication was compiled as an evidence-based update for plastic surgeons performing abdominoplasty from a review of the published literature on that subject between January 2014 and February 2017. It is an overview of various aspects of abdominoplasty including preoperative patient assessment, variations and advances in both surgical and anesthetic technique, patient safety, and outcomes. It is intended to serve as an adjunct to previously published evidence-based reviews of abdominoplasty.

Scoping Review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program in Plastic Surgery Research

BACKGROUND

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) is a robust, high-quality surgical outcomes database that measures risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes of surgical interventions. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe how the NSQIP is being used in plastic surgery research.

METHODS

A comprehensive electronic literature search was completed in PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and CINAHL. Two reviewers independently reviewed articles to determine their relevance using predefined inclusion criteria. Articles were included if they utilized NSQIP data to conduct research in a domain of plastic surgery or analyzed surgical procedures completed by plastic surgeons. Extracted information included the domain of plastic surgery, country of origin, journal, and year of publication.

RESULTS

A total of 106 articles met the inclusion criteria. The most common domain of plastic surgery was breast reconstruction representing 35% of the articles. Of the 106 articles, 95% were published within the last 5 years. The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal published most of the (59%) NSQIP-related articles. All of the studies were retrospective. Of note, there were no articles on burns and only one study on trauma as the domain of plastic surgery.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review describes how NSQIP data are being used to analyze plastic surgery interventions and outcomes in order to guide quality improvement in 106 articles. It demonstrates the utility of NSQIP in the literature, however also identifies some limitations of the program as it applies to plastic surgery.

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Analysis of 9110 Reduction Mammaplasty Patients: Identifying Risk Factors Associated With Complications in Patients Older Than 60 Years

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative risk factors in patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty as well as identify any increased complication risk in patients older than 60 years undergoing reduction mammoplasty.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from years 2013-2015 was reviewed. Patients were identified using Current Procedural Terminology code 19318 specific for reduction mammoplasty. Only patients undergoing bilateral procedures were included, and no reconstructive procedures were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day complications were analyzed. Comparative analysis was performed between patients younger than 60 years and patients 60 years and older, identifying risk factors associated with complications in the geriatric population.

RESULTS

A total of 9110 patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty were identified. Of these 1442 (15.83%) were patients older than 60 years. Mean age of all patients was 42 years (range, 18-85 years). Eighty hundred fifty-nine patients were active smokers. Four hundred eighty-two patients were diabetic. Overall, 798 complications occurred with an incidence of 8.7%. Group 1 (<60 years) mean age was 39 years (range, 18-59). Group 2 (>60 years) mean age was 66 years (range, 60-85 years). The geriatric population showed a higher risk of cerebral vascular accidents (P < 0.00006), myocardial infarction (P < 0.02), and readmission (P < 0.03). Smoking was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for superficial surgical site infection, and deep space infection. Diabetes was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction mammoplasty is a common surgical procedure. It is not uncommon for patients older than 60 years to undergo elective reduction mammoplasty (15.83% incidence), resulting in a cumulative complication rate of 11.65% in the geriatric population compared with 8.89% in the group of patients younger than 60 years. Smoking and diabetes were found to be independent risk factors for complications, regardless of age.

Predictors of 30-Day Hospital Readmission After Posterior Cervical Fusion in 3401 Patients

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine readmission rates and predictors of readmission after posterior cervical fusion (PCF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

PCFs are common spinal operations for a variety of spinal disorders including cervical myelopathy, unstable fractures, cervical deformity, and tumors. Data elaborating on risk factors for 30-day readmission are limited.

METHODS

Data were collected from the 2006 to 2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Predictors of 30-day readmission comprising patient demographics, comorbidities, operative features, and postoperative complications were identified through logistic multivariable regression.

RESULTS

A total of 3401 patients met study criteria. Rate of 30-day readmission was 6.20%. Multilevel fusion was performed in 69.16% of patients. Postoperative infection was the most reason, accounting for 17.06% of all readmissions. Age older than 70 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61, P = 0.012), renal failure requiring dialysis (OR = 3.69, P = 0.011), anemia (OR = 1.57, P = 0.006), multilevel fusion (OR = 1.61, P = 0.012), surgical site infections (OR = 20.4, P < 0.001), wound dehiscence (OR = 19.08, P < 0.001), postoperative pneumonia (OR = 2.75, P = 0.01), pulmonary embolism (OR = 15.39, P < 0.001), and progressing renal insufficiency (OR = 10.13, P = 0.061) were significant predictors of hospital readmission.

CONCLUSION

The identified predictors of readmission after PCF can improve patient counseling, identification of high-risk patients, and guide changes in healthcare delivery pathways. Patients with modifiable risk factors such as anemia and kidney failure may benefit from preoperative optimization. In addition, postoperative complications represent a key target for intervention.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Rates and Predictors of Readmission Following Body Contouring Procedures: An Analysis of 5100 Patients From The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

BACKGROUND

Hospital readmissions can be a major contributor to increased healthcare costs and are a salient current topic in healthcare. There is a paucity of large, prospective studies that evaluate rates and risk factors of readmission within the aesthetic subset of plastic surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The authors propose to determine the rates of unplanned readmission following body contouring procedures and to analyze the predictors associated with it.

METHODS

The 2011 and 2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was queried for body contouring procedures using the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology codes. The rate of unplanned readmission, preoperative risk factors, comorbidities, and medical and surgical postoperative complications data were analyzed using multivariate regression models to determine predictors of readmission after these procedures.

RESULTS

We identified 5100 patients who underwent body contouring procedures, of which 142 (2.8%) experienced an unplanned readmission. Forty-eight per cent of readmitted patients experienced at least one surgical complication, and 23.9% experienced at least one medical complication. Multivariate regression analyses identified several independent predictors of unplanned readmission: increasing age (odds ratio [OR] 1.018 per year, P = 0.039), bleeding disorders (OR 3.674, P = 0.039), increased operative time (each additional hour conferring a 20% increased risk), surgical complications (OR 19.179, P < 0.001), and medical complications (OR 10.240, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The unplanned readmission rate for body contouring procedures is low overall (2.8%). We identified age, bleeding disorders, operative duration, and postoperative complication as independent risk factors for unplanned readmission. These data can help guide preoperative risk stratification and future interventions in high-risk patient populations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.

Identifying Risk Factors Leading to Unanticipated Postoperative Readmission

INTRODUCTION

Unanticipated postoperative readmissions are a grading metric directly linked to both the quality of patient care and physician reimbursement. However, little data exist to define factors responsible for these readmissions in the plastic surgery patient population. This study aims to identify patient risk factors contributing to unanticipated postoperative readmissions to optimize perioperative patient care and mitigate negative financial impact upon providers.

METHODS

We present an institutional review board-approved study retrospective review of 819 plastic surgery patients undergoing operative procedures performed at our institution between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. All unanticipated readmissions within 30 days of an operation were identified and subjected to statistical analysis in an effort to determine whether these readmissions were associated with identifiable patient risk factors.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-nine (18.1%) of the 819 investigated patients underwent readmission, reoperation, or both within 30 postoperative days. Seventy-four (9%) patients required hospital readmission, alone; 55 (6.7%) underwent readmission with operative intervention; and 20 (2.4%) required outpatient operative intervention without readmission. Readmitted patients were significantly more likely to have a positive smoking history (P = 0.009), hypertension (P = 0.0008), congestive heart failure (P = 0.0015), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.023), a higher mean age (P = 0.0001), and a higher Charlson Comorbidity Score (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results identify risk factors associated with unanticipated postoperative readmissions specific to a plastic surgery patient population. With this information, practitioners can allocate appropriate perioperative resources and planning for patients at increased risk for readmission, thereby improving delivery of patient care and satisfying quality metrics linked to practitioner reimbursement.

Risk Factors for Medical and Surgical Complications Following Single-Level ALIF

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine rates of medical and surgical postoperative complications following anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) along with their associated predictors.

METHODS

Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement database, patients who underwent single-level ALIF surgery from 2006 to 2013 were identified. The 30-day rate of postoperative medical and surgical complications along with associated risk factors were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 1474 patients were included in the analysis. The overall rate of complications was 14.5%. The medical complication rate was 12.7%, while the surgical complication rate was 2.8%. Predictors of surgical complications were diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.20-6.01, P = .009), corticosteroid dependence (OR = 4.94, 95% CI = 1.73-14.08, P = .003), and preoperative transfusion of >4 units (OR = 7.12, 95% CI = 1.43-35.37, P = .016). Predictors of medical complications were longer operative times (OR = 4.25, 95% CI = 2.90-6.24, P < .001), preoperative anemia (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.50-3.50, P < .001), >10% weight loss prior to surgery (OR = 6.79, 95% CI = 1.01-45.93, P = .049), and more severe American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.54-3.11, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study determines postoperative medical and surgical complications among patients undergoing ALIF. The risk factors elucidated in this study indicate that clinical practices to curtail complications should be targeted toward patients with preoperative anemia, weight loss, corticosteroid dependence, and toward those at risk for perioperative transfusions.

Evaluation of Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Major Complications in Patients Undergoing Aesthetic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus has been linked with a variety of perioperative adverse events across surgical disciplines. There is a paucity of studies systematically examining risk factors, including diabetes, and complications of aesthetic surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare incidence and type of complications between diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing various aesthetic surgical procedures, to identify specific procedures where diabetes significantly increases risk of complications, and to study diabetes as an independent risk factor for major complications following aesthetic surgery.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of 129,007 patients who enrolled into the CosmetAssure insurance program and underwent cosmetic surgical procedures between May 2008 and May 2013 were reviewed. Diabetes was evaluated as risk factor for major complications, requiring hospital admission, emergency room visit, or a reoperation within 30 days after surgery. Multivariate regression analysis was performed controlling for the effects of age, smoking, obesity, gender, type of procedures, and surgical facility.

RESULTS

Overall, 2506 patients (1.9%) had a major complication. Diabetics had significantly more complications compared to non-diabetics (3.1% vs 1.9%, P < 0.01). In univariate analysis, infectious (1.1% vs 0.5%, P < 0.01) and pulmonary (0.3% vs 0.1%, P < 0.01) complications were significantly higher among diabetics. Notably, diabetics had higher risks of complication in body cases (4.3% vs 2.6%, P < 0.01) and specifically abdominoplasty (6.1% vs 3.0%, P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, diabetes was found to be an independent risk factor of any complication (relative risk 1.31, P = 0.03) and infection (relative risk 1.70, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes is an independent risk factor of major complications, particularly infection, after aesthetic surgical procedures.

Reducing Unplanned Medical Oncology Readmissions by Improving Outpatient Care Transitions: A Process Improvement Project at the Cleveland Clinic

Purpose:

Reducing 30-day unplanned hospital readmissions is a national policy priority. We examined the impact of a quality improvement project focused on reducing oncology readmissions among patients with cancer who were admitted to palliative and general medical oncology services at the Cleveland Clinic.

Methods:

Baseline rates of readmissions were gathered during the period from January 2013 to April 2014. A quality improvement project designed to improve outpatient care transitions was initiated during the period leading to April 1, 2014, including: (1) provider education, (2) postdischarge nursing phone calls within 48 hours, and (3) postdischarge provider follow-up appointments within 5 business days. Nursing callback components included symptom management, education, medication review/compliance, and follow-up appointment reminder.

Results:

During the baseline period, there were 2,638 admissions and 722 unplanned 30-day readmissions for an overall readmission rate of 27.4%. Callbacks and 5-day follow-up appointment monitoring revealed a mean monthly compliance of 72% and 78%, respectively, improving over time during the study period. Readmission rates declined by 4.5% to 22.9% (P < .01; relative risk reduction, 18%) during the study period. The mean direct cost of one readmission was $10,884, suggesting an annualized cost savings of $1.04 million with the observed reduction in unplanned readmissions.

Conclusion:

Modest readmission reductions can be achieved through better systematic transitions to outpatient care (including follow-up calls and early provider visits), thereby leading to a reduction in use of inpatient resources. These data suggest that efforts focused on improving outpatient care transition were effective in reducing unplanned oncology readmissions.

The Safety of Hand and Upper-Extremity Surgical Procedures at a Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Center: A Review of 28,737 Cases

BACKGROUND

More procedures are being completed on an outpatient basis at freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. The purpose of our study was to determine the safety and rate of adverse events in outpatient hand and upper-extremity surgical procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective review of cases at a single, freestanding ambulatory surgery center over an eleven-year period was performed. In our analysis, 28,737 cases were performed and were included. Adverse events were defined as serious complications causing harm to a patient or leading to additional treatment. Using state-reportable adverse events criteria as a guideline, we divided the adverse events into seven categories: infection requiring intravenous antibiotics or return to the operating room, postoperative transfer to a hospital, wrong-site surgical procedure, retention of a foreign object, postoperative symptomatic thromboembolism, medication error, and bleeding complications. These adverse events were then analyzed to determine if they led to additional laboratory testing, hospital admission, return to the operating room, emergency department visits, or physical or mental permanent disability.

RESULTS

There were fifty-eight reported adverse events, for an overall rate of 0.20%. There were no deaths. There were fourteen infections, eighteen postoperative transfers to a hospital, twenty-one hospital admissions after discharge, one medication error, and four postoperative hematomas. There were no cases of wrong-site surgical procedures or retained foreign bodies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that, with a selected patient population, a very low adverse event rate (0.20%) can be achieved. Our review showing few adverse events, no deaths, and no wrong-site surgical procedures supports our view that hand and upper-extremity surgical procedures can be completed safely in the outpatient setting at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Complications Following Abdominal-Based Free Flap Breast Reconstruction: Is a 30 days Complication Rate Representative?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyze timing and frequency of complications following free tissue autologous reconstruction in a single tertiary care institution.

METHODS

From August 2012 to December 2013, all patients operated on for abdominal-based free flap breast reconstruction at a single institution were included. Complications were identified and risk factors associated with them were analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The total number of patients was 130 with a total of 191 flaps (69 for unilateral and 61 for bilateral reconstructions). Mean surgery time was 570.5 min (±151.24). Fifty-nine of the reconstructed breasts (30.8 %) had early complications. Reoperations due to complications were required in 16 (8.3 %) of the breasts during the first 30 days with seven patients requiring multiple reoperations. Twenty-eight patients required reoperations after 30 days, the most frequent reason being delayed wound healing and abdominal hernia. The most significant complication was a case of disseminated infection with loss of skin coverage of the breasts. Early complications and donor-site complications were higher in active smokers (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Patients with a BMI < 25 had fewer total early complications (p = 0.05), as well as fewer complications on the breast area (p = 0.02). A longer time in the operating room was associated with an increase in late complications (p = 0.018). Bilateral/unilateral operation, immediate/delayed surgery, radiotherapy, age, hypertension, diabetes, and surgery time were not associated with early complications, late complications, or reoperations (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Active smoking was found to be a significant risk factor for early complications, reoperations, and donor-site complications. Patients with a normal BMI had fewer early complications, reoperations at 30 days, and complications on the breast area. As a significant number of complications occurred beyond the standard 30-day reporting period, it is important to consider reoperations during an extended period.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Patterns and Trends in Immediate Postmastectomy Reconstruction in California: Complications and Unscheduled Readmissions

BACKGROUND

Immediate reconstruction rates after mastectomy are increasing but remain low. Little is known about hospital readmissions after these procedures. The authors studied unscheduled readmissions after immediate reconstruction.

METHODS

Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project California State database, the authors identified patients undergoing mastectomy only or with immediate reconstruction for ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer from 2005 to 2009. Immediate reconstruction included tissue expander/implant and autologous tissue reconstructions. The authors evaluated temporal trends in immediate reconstruction and factors associated with 30-day unscheduled readmissions after reconstruction.

RESULTS

The cohort contained 48,414 patients (mastectomy only, 35,648; immediate reconstruction, 12,766; tissue expander/implant, 10,437; autologous tissue, 2329). Readmission rates were not significantly different between mastectomy only and immediate reconstruction (3.55 percent versus 3.39 percent; p = 0.39); however, autologous tissue reconstruction was associated with a significantly higher readmission rate compared with tissue expander/implant reconstruction (4.08 percent versus 3.24 percent; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate reconstruction does not result in higher readmission rates compared with mastectomy only. All women undergoing mastectomy should be offered consultation for reconstruction.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.

Tracking early readmission after pancreatectomy to index and nonindex institutions: a more accurate assessment of readmission

IMPORTANCE

Readmission after pancreatectomy is common, but few data compare patterns of readmission to index and nonindex hospitals.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the rate of readmission to index and nonindex institutions following pancreatectomy at a tertiary high-volume institution and to identify patient-level factors predictive of those readmissions.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected institutional database linked to statewide data of patients who underwent pancreatectomy at a tertiary care referral center between January 1, 2005, and December 2, 2010.

EXPOSURE

Pancreatectomy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was unplanned 30-day readmission to index or nonindex hospitals. Risk factors and reasons for readmission were measured and compared by site using univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Among all 623 patients who underwent pancreatectomy during the study period, 134 (21.5%) were readmitted to our institution (105 [78.4%]) or to an outside institution (29 [21.6%]). Fifty-six patients (41.8%) were readmitted because of a gastrointestinal or nutritional problem related to surgery and 42 patients (31.3%) because of a postoperative infection. On multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with readmission included age 65 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.19-2.71), preexisting liver disease (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.23-4.24), distal pancreatectomy (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.11-2.84), and postoperative drain placement (OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.00-7.14).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In total, 21.5% of patients required early readmission after pancreatectomy. Even in the setting of a tertiary care referral center, 21.6% of these readmissions were to nonindex institutions. Specific patient-level factors were associated with an increased risk of readmission.

Association of hospital volume with readmission rates: a retrospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of hospital volume (a marker of quality of care) with hospital readmission rates.

DESIGN

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

4651 US acute care hospitals.

STUDY DATA

6,916,644 adult discharges, excluding patients receiving psychiatric or medical cancer treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We used Medicare fee-for-service data from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 to calculate observed-to-expected, unplanned, 30 day, standardized readmission rates for hospitals and for specialty cohorts medicine, surgery/gynecology, cardiorespiratory, cardiovascular, and neurology. We assessed the association of hospital volume by quintiles with 30 day, standardized readmission rates, with and without adjustment for hospital characteristics (safety net status, teaching status, geographic region, urban/rural status, nurse to bed ratio, ownership, and cardiac procedure capability. We also examined associations with the composite outcome of 30 day, standardized readmission or mortality rates.

RESULTS

Mean 30 day, standardized readmission rate among the fifth of hospitals with the lowest volume was 14.7 (standard deviation 5.3) compared with 15.9 (1.7) among the fifth of hospitals with the highest volume (P<0.001). We observed the same pattern of lower readmission rates in the lowest versus highest volume hospitals in the specialty cohorts for medicine (16.6 v 17.4, P<0.001), cardiorespiratory (18.5 v 20.5, P<0.001), and neurology (13.2 v 14.0, p=0.01) cohorts; the cardiovascular cohort, however, had an inverse association (14.6 v 13.7, P<0.001). These associations remained after adjustment for hospital characteristics except in the cardiovascular cohort, which became non-significant, and the surgery/gynecology cohort, in which the lowest volume fifth of hospitals had significantly higher standardized readmission rates than the highest volume fifth (difference 0.63 percentage points (95% confidence interval 0.10 to 1.17), P=0.02). Mean 30 day, standardized mortality or readmission rate was not significantly different between highest and lowest volume fifths (20.4 v 20.2, P=0.19) and was highest in the middle fifth of hospitals (range 20.6-20.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized readmission rates are lowest in the lowest volume hospitals-opposite from the typical association of greater hospital volume with better outcomes. This association was independent of hospital characteristics and was only partially attenuated by examining mortality and readmission together. Our findings suggest that readmissions are associated with different aspects of care than mortality or complications.

Variation in hospital-based acute care within 30 days of outpatient plastic surgery

BACKGROUND

When complications arise following outpatient plastic surgery, patients may require hospital-based acute care after discharge. The extent to which these events vary across centers may reflect the quality of care provided. The authors conducted this study to describe the frequency and variation of hospital-based acute care rates across ambulatory surgery centers.

METHODS

From the 2009 to 2010 California, Florida, Nebraska, and New York ambulatory surgery databases, the authors identified adult patients who underwent common outpatient plastic surgery procedures between July of 2009 and September of 2010. Hospital-based acute care was defined as any emergency department visit or hospital admission within 30 days of discharge. Performance across centers was assessed by calculating observed-to-expected ratios derived from multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The authors identified 72,308 discharges from 519 centers. Most were female patients (80.9 percent); self-pay patients (41.5 percent); and underwent blepharoplasty (36.9 percent), breast augmentation (14.2 percent), or multiple procedures (12.2 percent). The observed hospital-based, acute care rate was 42.8 encounters per 1000 discharges, with most managed in the emergency department for symptoms or complications of care. The median charges associated with these encounters were $2183 and $26,299 for emergency department visits and hospital admissions, respectively. Wide variation was noted in hospital-based acute care rates, with 15 centers (2.9 percent) performing significantly better and 27 (5.2 percent) performing significantly worse than expected after adjusting for case mix.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall rate of hospital-based acute care after common outpatient plastic surgery procedures is low but measurable. However, the frequency of these events varies across centers and may reflect the quality of care provided.

All things not being equal: readmission associated with procedure type

BACKGROUND

There is an accelerated effort to reduce hospital readmissions despite minimal data detailing risk factors associated with this outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed National Surgical Quality Improvement Project data from January 1, 2011-December 31, 2011, evaluating all patients undergoing one of 34 targeted operative procedures across all surgical specialties. Multivariate regression models of risk for readmission were developed including targeted procedure codes, demographic variables, preoperative variables, intraoperative variables, and postoperative adverse events. Our main outcome measure was hospital readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 217, 389 patients met study inclusion criteria. Minimal associations existed between patient factors and risk of readmission. Adverse events including unplanned operating room return (odds ratio [OR] 8.5; confidence interval [CI] 8.0-9.0), pulmonary embolism (OR 8.2; CI 7.1-9.6), deep incisional infection (OR 7.5; CI 6.7-8.5), and organ space infection (OR 5.8; CI 5.3-6.3) were associated with increased risk of readmission. Our data suggest the type of procedure performed is significantly associated with risk of readmission. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed procedures, involving the pancreas, rectum, bladder, and lower extremity vascular bypass, were associated with the highest risk of readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative complications demonstrated stronger association with readmission than patient factors. Focused analysis of higher risk procedures may provide insight into strategies for risk reduction.

Wound healing complications after autologous breast reconstruction: a model to predict risk

INTRODUCTION

Delayed wound healing is costly to the breast reconstruction patient and the health care infrastructure. The purpose of this study is to identify potentially modifiable risk factors and to create a model to assess patient risk of these complications.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of all free autologous reconstructions at a single institution (2005-2011). Patients with delayed wound healing (operative wounds requiring dressing changes for longer than 3 weeks) were compared to patients with normal healing with respect to history and case characteristics. A risk model was developed to stratify patients based on the multivariate logistic regression results.

RESULTS

Delayed wound healing impacted 297 (44%) of 682 patients. These patients were older (p = 0.02), with higher BMI(p < 0.0001), and higher rates of medical comorbidities (p < 0.001), active smoking (p = 0.02) and bilateral reconstruction (p = 0.02). They received a lower rate/kg of fluid resuscitation intraoperatively (p = 0.001) and more commonly received vasopressors (p = 0.004), with a greater total reconstructive cost (p = 0.003). A regression demonstrated that progressive obesity, smoking, bilateral reconstruction, and utilization of vasopressors were associated with delayed healing (p < 0.05). The final model, with three risk groups (low, intermediate and high) demonstrated that high risk patients have an 86% risk of wound healing complications, compared to a 33% risk in patients with few risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

While patient disease remains a major predictor of wound complications, potentially modifiable variables including smoking and vasopressor administration impacted this complication. Utilizing the simple model to preoperatively assess patient risk, targeted measures can be undertaken with the goal of ultimately reducing wound healing complications and cost.

Predictors of readmission after inpatient plastic surgery

Background

Understanding risk factors that increase readmission rates may help enhance patient education and set system-wide expectations. We aimed to provide benchmark data on causes and predictors of readmission following inpatient plastic surgery.

Methods

The 2011 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset was reviewed for patients with both "Plastics" as their recorded surgical specialty and inpatient status. Readmission was tracked through the "Unplanned Readmission" variable. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared using chi-squared analysis and Student's t-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was used for identifying predictors of readmission.

Results

A total of 3,671 inpatient plastic surgery patients were included. The unplanned readmission rate was 7.11%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; confidence interval [CI], 1.12-3.60; P=0.020), previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (OR, 2.69; CI, 1.21-5.97; P=0.015), hypertension requiring medication (OR, 1.65; CI, 1.22-2.24; P<0.001), bleeding disorders (OR, 1.70; CI, 1.01-2.87; P=0.046), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or 4 (OR, 1.57; CI, 1.15-2.15; P=0.004), and obesity (body mass index ≥30) (OR, 1.43; CI, 1.09-1.88, P=0.011) to be significant predictors of readmission.

Conclusions

Inpatient plastic surgery has an associated 7.11% unplanned readmission rate. History of COPD, previous PCI, hypertension, ASA class 3 or 4, bleeding disorders, and obesity all proved to be significant risk factors for readmission. These findings will help to benchmark inpatient readmission rates and manage patient and hospital system expectations.

Predictors and causes of unplanned re-operations in outpatient plastic surgery: a multi-institutional analysis of 6749 patients using the 2011 NSQIP database

Studies that evaluate the predictors and causes of unplanned re-operation in outpatient plastic surgery. This study retrospectively reviewed the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) and identified all plastic surgery outpatient cases performed in 2011. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilised to identify independent risk factors and causes of unplanned reoperations. Of the 6749 outpatient plastic surgery cases identified, there were 125 (1.9%) unplanned re-operations (UR). Regression analysis demonstrated that body mass index (BMI, OR = 1.041, 95% CI = 1.019-1.065), preoperative open wound/wound infection (OR = 3.498, 95% CI = 1.593-7.678), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 (OR = 2.235, 95% CI = 1.048-4.765), and total work relative value units (RVU, OR = 1.014, 95% CI = 1.005-1.024) were significantly predictive of UR. Additionally, the presence of any complication was significantly associated with UR (OR = 15.065, 95% CI = 5.705-39.781). In an era of outcomes-driven medicine, unplanned re-operation is a critical quality indicator for ambulatory plastic surgery facilities. The identified risk factors will aid in surgical planning and risk adjustment.

Application of the Caprini risk assessment model in evaluation of non-venous thromboembolism complications in plastic and reconstructive surgery patients

BACKGROUND

The Caprini Risk Assessment Model is used to categorize patient risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) events; its predictive associations have been repeatedly corroborated. Calculating scores involves consideration of systemic factors that may predict other postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates whether Caprini scores can be applied to non-VTE complications.

METHODS

The authors undertook a retrospective chart review of 1598 encounters for a series of complex reconstructive and body contouring operations at an academic medical institution. Input variables included Caprini score components, patient comorbidities, and prophylactic use of antithrombotic drugs. Output variables were postoperative complications. Tests for proportions were performed on percentile data. Nonpercentile data were treated with comparison of means (t test). Odds ratios for complications were calculated for stratified risk groups and compared.

RESULTS

The overall complication rate was 28.03%. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) incidence was 1.50%. Differences in age, body mass index (BMI), operation time, hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, and cancer were statistically significant between patients who experienced complications and those who did not. For DVT versus DVT-free patients, differences in sex, BMI, operation time, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, and prior DVT were significant. Caprini scores identified 628 encounters as low risk (0-4) and 970 as high risk (>5). Dehiscence, infection, necrosis, seroma, hematoma, and overall complication rate significantly increased the incidence for the high-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

Caprini scores can be used as valuable predictors for some non-VTE postoperative complications (dehiscence, infection, seroma, hematoma, and necrosis). In addition to VTE events, clinicians should pay special attention to clinical signs indicative of the complications listed above when dealing with high-risk, high-Caprini score patients.

The partial underlay preperitoneal with panniculectomy repair for incisional abdominal hernia in the morbidly obese

BACKGROUND

Because of high frequency, high morbidity, and difficulty of repair, incisional hernias in obese patients represent a particularly vexing and common problem for surgeons. The objective of this study was to describe a highly selective technique for incisional hernia repair with panniculectomy in the morbidly obese. We also describe perioperative characteristics and preliminary outcomes for a limited series of patients who underwent this procedure.

METHODS

We performed a preperitoneal partial mesh underlay with a panniculectomy (PUPP) on 10 patients with incisional hernias and a body mass index (BMI)>40 kg/m(2). The hernia repair was performed by a general surgery team, and the panniculectomy was performed by a plastic surgery team. We retrospectively analyzed perioperative variables for each patient. Phone interviews were conducted to obtain follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 53 years (range 32-75 yr) with mean BMI of 46 kg/m(2) (range 41-60 kg/m(2)). Patients had a history of 3.4 average prior abdominal operations, and a median of 3 prior hernia repairs. The average operative time was 371 minutes with a mean estimated blood loss of 162 ccs. Three patients experienced a minor wound complication. There were no major wound complications, and the 30-day mortality rate was zero. At a median and average follow-up time of 805 and 345 days, respectively, one patient developed a hernia recurrence. Patients were satisfied with their appearance and the hernia repair, with mean satisfaction scores of 4.3 and 4.9 out of 5 (very satisfied), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The PUPP hernia repair is a viable option for incisional herniorrhaphy and concurrent panniculectomy in the morbidly obese.