Search

Introduction: Despite being a key metric with a significant correlation with the outcomes of patients with rectal cancer, the optimal surgical approach for total mesorectal excision (TME) has not yet been identified. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the surgical approach on the quality of TME and surgical margins and to characterize the surgical and long-term oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing robotic, laparoscopic, and open TME for rectal cancer., Methods: Patients with primary, nonmetastatic rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent either lower anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection via robotic (Rob), laparoscopic (Lap), or open approaches were selected from the US Rectal Cancer Consortium database (2007-2017). Quasi-Poisson regression analysis with backward selection was used to investigate the relationship between the surgical approach and outcomes of interest., Results: Among the 664 patients included in the study, the distribution of surgical approaches was as follows: 351 (52.9%) underwent TME via the open approach, 159 (23.9%) via the robotic approach, and 154 (23.2%) via the laparoscopic approach. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics among the three cohorts. The laparoscopic cohort had fewer patients with low rectal cancer (<6 cm from the anal verge) than the robotic and open cohorts (Lap 28.6% versus Rob 59.1% versus Open 45.6%, P = 0.015). Patients who underwent Rob and Lap TME had lower intraoperative blood loss compared with the Open approach (Rob 200 mL [Q1, Q3: 100.0, 300.0] versus Lap 150 mL [Q1, Q3: 75.0, 250.0] versus Open 300 mL [Q1, Q3: 150.0, 600.0], P < 0.001). There was no difference in the operative time (Rob 243 min [Q1, Q3: 203.8, 300.2] versus Lap 241 min [Q1, Q3: 186, 336] versus Open 226 min [Q1, Q3: 178, 315.8], P = 0.309) between the three approaches. Postoperative length of stay was shorter with robotic and laparoscopic approach compared to open approach (Rob 5.0 d [Q1, Q3: 4, 8.2] versus Lap 5 d [Q1, Q3: 4, 8] versus Open 7.0 d [Q1, Q3: 5, 9], P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the quality of TME between the robotic, laparoscopic, and open approaches (79.2%, 64.9%, and 64.7%, respectively; P = 0.46). The margin positivity rate, a composite of circumferential margin and distal margin, was higher with the robotic and open approaches than with the laparoscopic approach (Rob 8.2% versus Open 6.6% versus Lap 1.9%, P = 0.17), Rob versus Lap (odds ratio 0.21; 95% confidence interval 0.05, 0.83) and Rob versus Open (odds ratio 0.5; 95% confidence interval 0.22, 1.12). There was no difference in long-term survival, including overall survival and recurrence-free survival, between patients who underwent robotic, laparoscopic, or open TME (Figure 1)., Conclusions: In patients undergoing surgery with curative intent for rectal cancer, we did not observe a difference in the quality of TME between the robotic, laparoscopic, or open approaches. Robotic and open TME compared to laparoscopic TME were associated with higher margin positivity rates in our study. This was likely due to the higher percentage of low rectal cancers in the robotic and open cohorts. We also reported no significant differences in overall survival and recurrence-free survival between the aforementioned surgical techniques., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: Limited data exist evaluating lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) with endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) for the treatment of benign colorectal anastomotic strictures (BCASs). This study compares outcomes of both interventions., Methods: Patients with left-sided BCAS treated with LAMSs versus EBD were identified retrospectively. The primary outcome was a composite of crossover to another intervention to achieve clinical success or recurrence requiring reintervention., Results: Twenty-nine patients (11 LAMS and 18 EBD) were identified with longer follow-up in the EBD group (734 vs 142 days; P = .003). No significant differences were found in the composite outcome, technical success, clinical success, or components of composite outcome. With LAMS, there was a nonsignificant trend toward fewer procedures (2.4 vs 3.3; P = .06) and adverse events (0% vs 16.7%; P = .26)., Conclusions: LAMS appears to be as effective as EBD for the treatment of BCAS but may require fewer procedures and may be safer than EBD., Competing Interests: Disclosure The following author disclosed financial relationships: A. R. Schulman: Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery, Boston Scientific, Olympus, and MicroTech and research/grant support for GI Dynamics and Fractyl. All other authors disclosed no financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The management of very-low rectal cancer is one of the most challenging issues faced by general and colorectal surgeons. Many feel compelled to pursue abdominoperineal resection (APR) over low anterior resection (LAR) to optimize oncologic outcomes. This study aimed to determine differences in long-term oncologic outcomes between patients undergoing APR or LAR for very-low rectal cancer., Methods: The United States Rectal Cancer Consortium (2010-2016) was queried for adults who underwent either APR or LAR for stage I-III rectal cancers < 5 cm from anorectal junction and met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was disease-free survival. Secondary outcomes included overall survival, length of stay, complications, recurrence location, and perioperative factors., Results: A total of 431 patients with very-low rectal cancer who underwent APR or LAR were identified; 154 (35.7%) underwent APR. The overall recurrence rate was 19.6%. The median follow-up was 42.5 months. An analysis adjusted for demographics and pathologic stage observed no difference in disease-free survival between operative types (APR-hazard ratio [HR] = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.53-1.52, P = .70). Secondary outcomes demonstrated no significant difference between operation types, including overall survival (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.71-2.32, P = .39), complications (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.94-2.50, P = .12), or length of stay (estimate: 0.04, SE = 0.25, P = .54)., Conclusion: We observed no significant difference in disease-free survival or overall survival between patients undergoing APR or LAR for very-low rectal cancer. This analysis supports the treatment of very-low rectal cancer, without sphincter involvement, by either APR or LAR., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To understand hospitals' approaches to spending reduction in commercial episode-based payment programs and inform incentive design., Study Design: Qualitative arm of an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study involving semistructured interviews with hospital leaders participating in a statewide quality improvement collaborative with novel episode-based incentive payments introduced by the state's largest commercial payer., Methods: We recruited 21 leaders from 8 purposively selected, diverse hospitals with both high and low performance. Video teleconference-based interviews followed a standardized protocol and addressed 4 domains: choice of clinical condition for evaluation, strategies for episode spending reduction, best practices for success in earning incentives, and barriers to achievement. Rapid qualitative analysis with purposeful data reduction was employed to generate a matrix of key themes within the study domains., Results: Strategies were similar between high- and low-performing hospitals. When selecting conditions, some hospitals focused on areas of underperformance, aiming for improvement opportunities, whereas others chose conditions already achieving highest efficiency. Many tried to synergize with other ongoing improvement initiatives and clinical areas with established leaders and champions. Key strategies included data-driven improvement, care standardization, and protocol dissemination. Best practices for success included readmission prevention and postacute care spending containment., Conclusions: The findings highlighted hospitals' most common strategies and approaches, providing several insights into optimal design of commercial episode-based incentives: They must be lucrative enough to earn attention or consistent with larger federal programs; hospitals need opportunities to succeed through both improved performance and sustained excellence; and programs may incur malalignment between hospitals and credentialed physicians.

Background and Objectives: Anastomotic leak following colorectal anastomosis adversely impacts short-term, oncologic, and quality-of-life outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of omental pedicled flap (OPF) on anastomotic leak among patients undergoing low anastomotic resection (LAR) for rectal cancer using a multi-institutional database., Methods: Adult rectal cancer patients in the US Rectal Cancer Consortium, who underwent a LAR for stage I-III rectal cancer with or without an OPF were included. Patients with missing data for surgery type and OPF use were excluded from the analysis. The primary outcome was the development of anastomotic leaks. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association., Results: A total of 853 patients met the inclusion criteria and OPF was used in 106 (12.4%) patients. There was no difference in age, sex, or tumor stage of patients who underwent OPF versus those who did not. OPF use was not associated with an anastomotic leak (p = 0.82), or operative blood loss (p = 0.54) but was associated with an increase in the operative duration [β = 21.42 (95% confidence interval = 1.16, 41.67) p = 0.04]., Conclusions: Among patients undergoing LAR for rectal cancer, OPF use was associated with an increase in operative duration without any impact on the rate of anastomotic leak., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: Anastomotic leak (AL) is a complication of low anterior resection (LAR) that results in substantial morbidity. There is immense interest in evaluating immediate postoperative and long-term oncologic outcomes in patients who undergo diverting loop ileostomies (DLI). The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between fecal diversion, AL, and oncologic outcomes., Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter cohort study using patient data obtained from the US Rectal Cancer Consortium database compiled from six academic institutions. The study population included patients with rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing LAR. The primary outcome was the incidence of AL among patients who did or did not receive DLI during LAR. Secondary outcomes included risk factors for AL, receipt of adjuvant therapy, 3-year overall survival, and 3-year recurrence., Results: Of 815 patients, 38 (4.7%) suffered AL after LAR. Patients with AL were more likely to be male, have unintentional preoperative weight loss, and are less likely to undergo DLI. On multivariable analysis, DLI remained protective against AL (p < 0.001). Diverted patients were less likely to undergo future surgical procedures including additional ostomy creation, completion proctectomy, or pelvic washout for AL. Subgroup analysis of 456 patients with locally advanced disease showed that DLI was correlated with increased receipt of adjuvant therapy for patients with and without AL on univariate analysis (SHR:1.59; [95% CI 1.19-2.14]; p = 0.002), but significance was not met in multivariate models., Conclusion: Lack of DLI and preoperative weight loss was associated with anastomotic leak. Fecal diversion may improve the timely initiation of adjuvant oncologic therapy. The long-term outcomes following routine diverting stomas warrant further study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: To assess the body of literature examining episode-based bundled payment models effect on health care spending, utilization, and quality of care for surgical conditions., Background Summary: Episode-based bundled payments were developed as a strategy to lower healthcare spending and improve coordination across phases of healthcare. Surgical conditions may be well-suited targets for bundled payments because they often have defined periods of care and widely variable healthcare spending. In bundled payment models, hospitals receive financial incentives to reduce spending on care provided to patients during a predefined clinical episode. Despite the recent proliferation of bundles for surgical conditions, a collective understanding of their effect is not yet clear., Methods: A scoping review was conducted, and four databases were queried from inception through September 27, 2021, with search strings for bundled payments and surgery. All studies were screened independently by two authors for inclusion., Results: Our search strategy yielded a total of 879 unique articles of which 222 underwent a full-text review and 28 met final inclusion criteria. Of these studies, most (23 of 28) evaluated the impact of voluntary bundled payments in orthopedic surgery and found that bundled payments are associated with reduced spending on total care episodes, attributed primarily to decreases in post-acute care spending. Despite reduced spending, clinical outcomes (e.g., readmissions, complications, and mortality) were not worsened by participation. Evidence supporting the effects of bundled payments on cost and clinical outcomes in other non-orthopedic surgical conditions remains limited., Conclusions: Present evaluations of bundled payments primarily focus on orthopedic conditions and demonstrate cost savings without compromising clinical outcomes. Evidence for the effect of bundles on other surgical conditions and implications for quality and access to care remain limited., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no financial or conflict of interests to disclose related to this work., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Anesthesiology Performance Improvement and Reporting Exchange (ASPIRE) Collaborative Quality Initiative (CQI) was launched as a partnership among hospitals to measure quality, review evidence-based practices, and improve anesthesia-related outcomes. Cost savings and improved patient outcomes have been associated with surgical CQI participation, but the impact of an anesthesia CQI on health care cost has not been thoroughly assessed. In this study, we evaluated whether participation in an anesthesia CQI led to health care savings. We hypothesized that ASPIRE participation is associated with reduced total episode payments for payers and major, high-volume procedures included in the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) registry., Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we compared MVC episode payment data from Group 1 ASPIRE hospitals, the first cluster of 8 Michigan hospitals to join ASPIRE in January 2015, to non-ASPIRE matched control hospitals. MVC computes price-standardized, risk-adjusted payments for patients insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Preferred Provider Organization, Blue Care Network Health Maintenance Organization, and Medicare Fee-for-Service plans. Episodes from 2014 comprised the pre-ASPIRE time period, and episodes from June 2016 to July 2017 constituted the post-ASPIRE time period. We performed a difference-in-differences analysis to evaluate whether ASPIRE implementation was associated with greater reduction in total episode payments compared to the change in the control hospitals during the same time periods., Results: We found a statistically significant reduction in total episode (-$719; 95% CI [-$1340 to -$97]; P = .023) payments at the 8 ASPIRE hospitals (N = 17,852 cases) compared to the change observed in 8 matched non-ASPIRE hospitals (N = 12,987 cases) for major, high-volume surgeries, including colectomy, colorectal cancer resection, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, pancreatectomy, hysterectomy, joint replacement (knee and hip), and hip fracture repair. In secondary analyses, 30-day postdischarge (-$354; 95% CI [-$582 to -$126]; P = .002) payments were also significantly reduced in ASPIRE hospitals compared to non-ASPIRE controls. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant reduction in total episode payments for joint replacements (-$860; 95% CI [-$1222 to -$499]; P < .001) at ASPIRE-participating hospitals. Sensitivity analyses including patient-level covariates also showed consistent results., Conclusions: Participation in an anesthesiology CQI, ASPIRE, is associated with lower total episode payments for selected major, high-volume procedures. This analysis supports that participation in an anesthesia CQI can lead to reduced health care payments., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article., (Copyright © 2023 International Anesthesia Research Society.)

Objectives: To evaluate hospital performance and behaviors in the first 2 years of a statewide commercial insurance episode-based incentive pay-for-performance (P4P) program., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of price- and risk-standardized episode-of-care spending from the Michigan Value Collaborative claims data registry., Methods: Changes in hospital-level episode spending between baseline and performance years were estimated during the program years (PYs) 2018 and 2019. The distribution and hospital characteristics associated with P4P points earned were described for both PYs. A difference-in-differences (DID) analysis compared changes in patient-level episode spending associated with program implementation., Results: Hospital-level episode spending for all conditions declined significantly from the baseline year to the performance year in PY 2018 (-$671; 95% CI, -$1113 to -$230) but was not significantly different for PY 2019 ($177; 95% CI, -$412 to $767). Hospitals earned a mean (SD) total of 6.3 (3.1) of 10 points in PY 2018 and 4.5 (2.9) of 10 points in PY 2019, with few significant differences in P4P points across hospital characteristics. The highest-scoring hospitals were more likely to have changes in case mix index and decreases in spending across the entire episode of care compared with the lowest-scoring hospitals. DID analysis revealed no significant changes in patient-level episode spending associated with program implementation., Conclusions: There was little evidence for overall reductions in spending associated with the program, but the performance of the hospitals that achieved greatest savings and incentives provides insights into the ongoing design of hospital P4P metrics.

Objective: To derive and validate a polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict the occurrence and severity of diverticulitis and to understand the potential for incorporation of a PRS in current decision-making., Background: PRS quantifies genetic variation into a continuous measure of risk. There is a need for improved risk stratification to guide surgical decision-making that could be fulfilled by PRS. It is unknown how surgeons might integrate PRS in decision-making., Methods: We derived a PRS with 44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with diverticular disease in the UK Biobank and validated this score in the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI). We performed a discrete choice experiment of practicing colorectal surgeons. Surgeons rated the influence of clinical factors and a hypothetical polygenic risk prediction tool., Results: Among 2812 MGI participants with diverticular disease, 1964 were asymptomatic, 574 had mild disease, and 274 had severe disease. PRS was associated with occurrence and severity. Patients in the highest PRS decile were more likely to have diverticulitis [odds ratio (OR)=1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.42-2.38)] and more likely to have severe diverticulitis (OR=1.61; 95% CI, 1.04-2.51) than the bottom 50%. Among 213 surveyed surgeons, extreme disease-specific factors had the largest utility (3 episodes in the last year, +74.4; percutaneous drain, + 69.4). Factors with strongest influence against surgery included 1 lifetime episode (-63.3), outpatient management (-54.9), and patient preference (-39.6). PRS was predicted to have high utility (+71)., Conclusions: A PRS derived from a large national biobank was externally validated, and found to be associated with the incidence and severity of diverticulitis. Surgeons have clear guidance at clinical extremes, but demonstrate equipoise in intermediate scenarios. Surgeons are receptive to PRS, which may be most useful in marginal clinical situations. Given the current lack of accurate prognostication in recurrent diverticulitis, PRS may provide a novel approach for improving patient counseling and decision-making., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with significant morbidity. Evidence from other surgical specialties demonstrate inadequate use of extended VTE prophylaxis following cancer surgery. While guidelines recommend extended VTE prophylaxis for patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC), it is unknown to what extent colon and rectal surgeons adhere to these recommendations., Methods: An 18-question online survey was distributed to all surgeon members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). The survey was designed to capture knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ASCRS VTE prevention guidelines. Questions were also designed to elucidate barriers to adopting these guidelines., Results: The survey was distributed to 2,316 ASCRS-member surgeons and there were 201 complete responses (8.7% response rate). Most respondents (136/201, 68%) reported that they were familiar with ASCRS VTE prevention guidelines and used them to guide their practice. Extended VTE prophylaxis was reported to be routinely prescribed by the majority of surgeons following CRC resection (109/201, 54%), with an additional 27% reporting selective prescribing (55/201). The most frequently reported reasons for not prescribing extended VTE chemoprophylaxis following CRC resection included patient compliance and insurance/copay issues., Conclusion: Most ASCRS-member surgeon respondents reported that they are familiar with ASCRS VTE prevention guidelines, though only 54% surgeons reported routinely prescribing extended VTE prophylaxis following CRC surgery. Patient compliance and insurance issues were identified as the most common barriers. Targeted interventions at the surgeon, patient, and payer level are required to increase the use of extended VTE prophylaxis following CRC resection., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To assess whether the intensity of family and friend care changes after older individuals enroll in Medicare at age 65., Data Sources: Health and Retirement Study survey data (1998-2018)., Study Design: We compared informal care received by patients hospitalized for stroke, heart surgery, or joint surgery and who were stratified into propensity-weighted pre- and post-Medicare eligibility cohorts. A regression discontinuity design compared the self-reported likelihood of any care receipt, weekly hours of overall informal care, and intensity of informal care (hours among those receiving any care) at Medicare eligibility., Data Collection: Not applicable., Principal Findings: A total of 2270 individuals were included; 1674 (73.7%) stroke, 240 (10.6%) heart surgery, and 356 (15.7%) joint surgery patients. Mean (SD) care received was 20.0 (42.1) weekly hours. Of the 1214 (53.5%) patients who received informal care, the mean (SD) care receipt was 37.4 (51.7) weekly hours. Mean (SD) overall weekly care received was 23.4 (45.5), 13.9 (35.8), and 7.8 (21.6) for stroke, heart surgery, and joint surgery patients, respectively. The onset of Medicare eligibility was associated with a 13.6 percentage-point decrease in the probability of informal care received for stroke patients (p = 0.003) but not in the other acute care cohorts. Men had a 16.8 percentage-point decrease (p = 0.002) in the probability of any care receipt., Conclusions: Medicare coverage was associated with a substantial decrease in family and friend caregiving use for stroke patients. Informal care may substitute for rather than complement restorative care, given that Medicare is known to expand the use of postacute care. The observed spillover effect of Medicare coverage on informal caregiving has implications for patient function and caregiver burden and should be considered in episode-based reimbursement models that alter professional rehabilitative care intensity., (© 2022 The Authors. Health Services Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Health Research and Educational Trust.)

Background: In patients with ulcerative colitis who undergo IPAA, a diverting ileostomy is used to diminish the severity of anastomotic complications. Typically, the ileostomy is closed after an interval of 2 to 4 months. The safety of earlier closure of the ileostomy after pouch surgery is unknown., Objective: This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes in patients randomly assigned to early (7-12 days) or late (≥8 weeks) ileostomy closure after ileal pouch construction., Design: This was a multicenter, prospective randomized trial., Setting: The study was conducted at colorectal surgical units at select United States hospitals., Patients: Adults with ulcerative colitis who underwent 2- or 3-stage proctocolectomy with IPAA were included., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes included Comprehensive Complication Index at 30 days after ileostomy closure. The secondary outcomes included complications, severe complications, reoperations, and readmissions within 30 days of ileostomy closure., Results: The trial was stopped after interim analysis because of a high rate of complications after early ileostomy closure. Among 36 patients analyzed, 1 patient (3%) had unplanned proctectomy with end-ileostomy. Of the remaining 35 patients, 28 patients (80%) were clinically eligible for early closure and underwent radiologic assessment. There were 3 radiologic failures. Of the 25 remaining patients, 22 patients (88%) were randomly assigned to early closure (n = 10) or late closure (n = 12), and 3 patients were excluded. Median Comprehensive Complication Index was 14.8 (0-54) and 0 (0-23) after early and late closure (p = 0.02). One or more complications occurred in 7 patients (70%) after early closure and in 2 patients (17%) after late closure (p = 0.01)' and complications were severe in 3 patients (30%) after early closure and 0 patients after late closure (p = 0.04). Reoperation was required in 1 patient (10%) and 0 patients (p = 0.26) after early closure and readmission was required in 7 patients (70%) and 1 patient (8%) after late closure (p = 0.003)., Limitations: This study was limited by early study closure and selection bias., Conclusions: Early closure of a diverting ileostomy in patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent IPAA is associated with an unacceptably high rate of complications. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C68., Alta Tasa De Complicaciones Despus Del Cierre Precoz De La Ileostoma Terminacin Temprana Del Ensayo Aleatorizado De Intervalo Corto Versus Largo Para La Reversin De La Ileostoma En Asa Despus De La Ciruga De Reservorio Ileal: ANTECEDENTES:En los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa que se someten a una anastomosis del reservorio ileoanal, se utiliza una ileostomía de derivación para disminuir la gravedad de las complicaciones de la anastomosis. Por lo general, la ileostomía se cierra después de un intervalo de 2 a 4 meses. Se desconoce la seguridad del cierre más temprano de la ileostomía después de la cirugía de reservorio.OBJETIVO:Comparar los resultados posoperatorios en pacientes asignados al azar al cierre temprano (7-12 días) o tardío (≥ 8 semanas) de la ileostomía después de la construcción de un reservorio ileal.DISEÑO:Este fue un ensayo aleatorizado prospectivo multicéntrico.ESCENARIO:El estudio se realizó en unidades quirúrgicas colorrectales en hospitales seleccionados de los Estados Unidos.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron adultos con colitis ulcerosa que se sometieron a proctocolectomía en 2 o 3 tiempos con anastomosis ileoanal con reservorio.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Los resultados primarios incluyeron el Índice Integral de Complicaciones a los 30 días después del cierre de la ileostomía. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron complicaciones, complicaciones graves, reoperaciones y readmisiones dentro de los 30 días posteriores al cierre de la ileostomía.RESULTADOS:El ensayo se detuvo después del análisis interino debido a una alta tasa de complicaciones después del cierre temprano de la ileostomía. Entre los 36 pacientes analizados, 1 (3%) tuvo una proctectomía no planificada con ileostomía terminal. De los 35 pacientes restantes, 28 (80%) fueron clínicamente elegibles para el cierre temprano y se sometieron a una evaluación radiológica. Hubo 3 fracasos radiológicos. De los 25 pacientes restantes, 22 (88 %) se asignaron al azar a cierre temprano (n = 10) o tardío (n = 12) y 3 fueron excluidos. La mediana del Índice Integral de Complicaciones fue de 14,8 (0-54) y 0 (0-23) después del cierre temprano y tardío (p = 0,02). Una o más complicaciones ocurrieron en 7 pacientes (70%) después del cierre temprano y 2 (17%) pacientes después del cierre tardío (p = 0,01) y fueron graves en 3 (30%) y 0 pacientes, respectivamente (p = 0,04). Requirieron reintervención en 1 (10%) y 0 (p = 0,26) y reingreso en 7 (70%) y 1 (8%) pacientes (p = 0,003).LIMITACIONES:Este estudio estuvo limitado por el cierre temprano del estudio; sesgo de selección.CONCLUSIONES:El cierre temprano de una ileostomía de derivación en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa con anastomosis de reservorio ileoanal se asocia con una tasa inaceptablemente alta de complicaciones. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/C68. (Traducción-Dr. Felipe Bellolio)., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2022.)

Background: Preoperative chemoradiation is indicated for clinical stage II and III rectal cancers; however, the accuracy of clinical staging with preoperative imaging is imperfect., Objective: The study aimed to better characterize the incidence and management of clinical and pathologic stage discordances in patients who did not receive preoperative chemoradiation., Design: This was a retrospective cohort analysis., Settings: The source of data was the National Cancer Database from 2006 to 2015., Patients: We identified patients who underwent resection with curative intent for clinical stage I rectal adenocarcinoma without preoperative chemotherapy or radiation., Main Outcome Measures: We evaluated the characteristics of "upstaged" patients-those with T3/T4 tumors found on pathology (pathologic stage II) and/or with positive regional nodes in the resection specimen (pathologic stage III) compared with those patients who were not upstaged (pathologic stage I). We then used a mixed-effects multivariable survival model to compare overall survival between these groups., Results: Among 7818 clinical stage I rectal cancer patients who did not receive preoperative therapy, tumor upstaging occurred in 819 (10.6%) and nodal upstaging occurred in 1612 (20.8%). Upstaged patients were more likely than those not upstaged to have higher grade tumors and positive margins. Survival was worse in upstaged patients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9) but improved among those upstaged patients who received either chemotherapy (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9) or chemoradiation (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.5-0.7)., Limitations: In addition to the inherent limitations of a retrospective cohort study, the National Cancer Database does not record functional outcomes, local recurrence, or disease-specific survival, so we are restricted to the evaluation of overall survival as an oncologic outcome., Conclusions: Inaccurate preoperative staging remains a common clinical challenge in the management of rectal cancer. Survival among upstaged patients is improved among those who receive recommended postoperative chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation, yet many patients do not receive guideline-concordant care. See Video Abstract at https://links.lww.com/DCR/B999 ., Predictores Y Resultados De Sobre Estadificacin En Pacientes Con Cncer De Recto Que No Recibieron Terapia Preoperatoria: ANTECEDENTES:La quimio radiación preoperatoria está indicada para los estadios clínicos II y III del cáncer rectal; sin embargo, la precisión de la estadificación clínica con imágenes preoperatorias es imperfecta.OBJETIVO:El objetivo fue mejorar la caracterización de la incidencia y el manejo de la discordancia del estadio clínico y patológico en pacientes que no recibieron quimio radiación preoperatoria.DISEÑO:Este fue un análisis de cohorte retrospectivo.CONFIGURACIÓN:La fuente de datos fue de la Base de datos Nacional del Cáncer entre los años 2006-2015.PACIENTES:Identificamos pacientes que fueron sometidos a resección con intención curativa por adenocarcinoma rectal en estadio clínico I, sin quimioterapia o radiación preoperatoria.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Evaluamos las características de los pacientes "sobre estadificados": aquellos con tumores T3/T4 encontrados en patología (estadio patológico II) y/o con ganglios regionales positivos en la muestra de resección (estadio patológico III), en comparación con aquellos pacientes que no fueron sobre estadificados (estadio patológico I). Luego usamos un modelo de supervivencia multivariable de efectos mixtos para comparar la supervivencia general entre estos grupos.RESULTADOS:De entre 7818 pacientes con cáncer de recto, en estadio clínico I, y que no recibieron tratamiento preoperatorio, se produjo una sobre estadificación tumoral en 819 (10,6%) y una sobre estadificación ganglionar en 1612 (20,8%). Los pacientes sobre estadificados tenían más probabilidades que los no sobre estadificados de tener tumores de mayor grado y márgenes positivos. La supervivencia fue peor en los pacientes sobre estadificados (HR 1,64, IC del 95% [1,4, 1,9]), pero mejoró entre los pacientes sobre estadificados que recibieron quimioterapia (HR 0,71, IC del 95% [0,6, 0,9]) o quimio radiación (HR 0,62, 95% IC [0,5, 0,7]).LIMITACIONES:Además de las limitaciones inherente a un estudio de cohorte de tipo retrospectivo, la Base de datos Nacional del Cáncer no registra resultados funcionales, la recurrencia local o la supervivencia específica de la enfermedad, por lo que estamos restringidos a la evaluación de la supervivencia general como un resultado oncológico.CONCLUSIONES:La estadificación preoperatoria inexacta sigue siendo un desafío clínico común en el tratamiento del cáncer de recto. La supervivencia entre los pacientes con sobre estadificación mejora en aquellos que reciben la quimioterapia y/o quimio radioterapia postoperatoria recomendada, aunque muchos pacientes no reciben atención acorde con las guías. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B999 . (Traducción-Dr. Osvaldo Gauto )., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2022.)

Objective: This study employs qualitative methodology to assess surgeons' perspective on decision making in management of recurrent diverticulitis to improve patient-centered decision making., Summary Background Data: The decision to pursue colectomy for patients with recurrent diverticulitis is nuanced. Strategies to enact broad acceptance of guidelines for surgery are hindered because of a knowledge gap in understanding surgeons' current attitudes and opinions., Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews with board-certified North American general and colorectal surgeons who manage recurrent diverticulitis. We purposely sampled specialists by both surgeon and practice factors. An iterative inductive/deductive strategy was used to code and analyze the interviews and create a conceptual framework., Results: 25 surgeons were enrolled over a nine-month period. There was diversity in surgeons' gender, age, experience, training, specialty (colorectal vs general surgery) and geography. Surgeons described the difficult process to determine who receives an operation. We identified seven major themes as well as twenty subthemes of the decision-making process. These were organized into a conceptual model. Across the spectrum of interviews, it was notable that there was a move over time from decisions based on counting episodes of diverticulitis to a focus on improving quality of life. Surgeons also felt that quality of life was more dependent on psychosocial factors than the degree of physiological dysfunction. [What about what surprised you/]., Conclusions: Surgeons mostly have discarded older dogma in recommending colectomy for recurrent diverticulitis based on number and severity of episodes. Instead, decision making in recurrent diverticulitis is complex, involving multiple surgeon and patient factors and evolving over time. Surgeons struggle with this decision and education- or communication-based interventions that focus on shared decision making warrant development., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: None

Background: National guidelines, including the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, recommend initiation of rectal cancer treatment within 60 days of diagnosis; however, the effect of timely treatment initiation on oncologic outcomes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact on oncologic outcomes of initiation of rectal cancer treatment within 60 days of diagnosis., Methods: This was a retrospective review of stage II/III rectal cancer patients performed using the United States Rectal Cancer Consortium, a collaboration of 6 academic medical centers. Patients with clinical stage II/III rectal cancer who underwent radical resection between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 were included. The primary exposure was treatment initiation, defined as either resection or initiation of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, within 60 days of diagnosis. The primary outcome was disease recurrence, and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality., Results: A total of 1,031 patients meeting inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Treatment was initiated within 60 days of diagnosis in 830 patients (80.5%) and after 60 days in 201 patients (20.3%). In multivariable logistic regression, older age, non-White race, and residence greater than 100 miles from the treatment center were significantly associated with delay in treatment beyond 60 days. In survival analysis, 167 patients (16.2%) experienced recurrent disease, and 127 patients (12.3%) died of any cause. In an adjusted model accounting for pathologic staging, treatment sequence, distance to care, age, comorbidities, treatment center, and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy, neither progression-free survival nor all-cause mortality was significantly associated with timely initiation of therapy with hazard ratios of 1.09 (0.70, 1.69) and 1.03 (0.63, 1.66), respectively., Conclusion: This study found no difference in oncologic outcomes with initiation of treatment beyond 60 days., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prospective payment models have incentivized reductions in length of stay after surgery. The benefits of abbreviated postoperative hospitalization could be undermined by increased readmissions or postacute care use, particularly for older adults or those with comorbid conditions., Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether hospitals with accelerated postsurgical discharge accrue total episode savings or incur greater postdischarge payments among patients stratified by age and comorbidity., Design: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study., Setting: National data from the 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review files for July 2012 to June 2015 were used., Patients: We included Medicare beneficiaries undergoing elective colectomy and stratified the cohort by age (65-69, 70-79, ≥80 y) and Elixhauser comorbidity score (low: ≤0; medium: 1-5; and high: >5). Patients were categorized by the hospital's mode length of stay, reflecting "usual" care., Main Outcomes Measures: In a multilevel model, we compared mean total episode payments and components thereof among age and comorbidity categories, stratified by hospital mode length of stay., Results: Among 88,860 patients, mean total episode payments were lower in shortest versus longest length of stay hospitals across all age and comorbidity strata and were similar between age groups (65-69 y: $28,951 vs $30,566, p = 0.014; 70-79 y: $31,157 vs $32,044, p = 0.073; ≥80 y: $33,779 vs $35,771, p = 0.005) but greater among higher comorbidity (low: $23,107 vs $24,894, p = 0.001; medium: $30,809 vs $32,282, p = 0.038; high: $44,097 vs $46641, p < 0.001). Postdischarge payments were similar among length-of-stay hospitals by age (65-69 y: ∆$529; 70-79 y: ∆$291; ≥80 y: ∆$872, p = 0.25) but greater among high comorbidity (low: ∆$477; medium: ∆$480; high: ∆$1059; p = 0.02)., Limitations: Administrative data do not capture patient-level factors that influence postacute care use (preference, caregiver availability)., Conclusions: Hospitals achieving shortest length of stay after surgery accrue lower total episode payments without a compensatory increase in postacute care spending, even among patients at oldest age and with greatest comorbidity. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B624., Consecuencias De La Edad Y Las Comorbilidades Asociadas, En El Costo De La Atencin En Pacientes Sometidos a Colectoma En Programas De Alta Posoperatoria Acelerada: ANTECEDENTES:Los modelos de pago prospectivo, han sido un incentivo para reducir la estancia hospitalaria después de la cirugía. Los beneficios de una hospitalización posoperatoria "abreviada" podrían verse afectados por un aumento en los reingresos o en la necesidad de cuidados postoperatorios tempranos luego del periodo agudo, particularmente en los adultos mayores o en aquellos con comorbilidades.OBJETIVO:Determinar si los hospitales que han establecido protocolos de alta posoperatoria "acelerada" generan un ahorro en cada episodio de atención o incurren en mayores gastos después del alta, entre los pacientes estratificados por edad y por comorbilidades.DISEÑO:Estudio transversal retrospectivo.AJUSTE:Revisión a partir de la base de datos nacional del 100% de los archivos del Medicare Provider Analysis and Review desde julio de 2012 hasta junio de 2015.PACIENTES:Se incluye a los beneficiarios de Medicare a quienes se les practicó una colectomía electiva. La cohorte se estratificó por edad (65-69 años, 70-79, ≥80) y por la puntuación de comorbilidad de Elixhauser (baja: ≤0; media: 1-5; y alta: > 5). Los pacientes se categorizaron de acuerdo con la modalidad de la duración de la estancia hospitalaria del hospital, lo que representa lo que se considera es una atención usual para dicho centro.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:En un modelo multinivel, comparamos la media de los pagos por episodio y los componentes de los mismos, entre las categorías de edad y comorbilidad, estratificados por la modalidad de la duración de la estancia hospitalaria.RESULTADOS:En los 88,860 pacientes, los pagos promedio por episodio fueron menores en los hospitales con una modalidad de estancia más corta frente a los de mayor duración, en todos los estratos de edad y comorbilidad, y fueron similares entre los grupos de edad (65-69: $28,951 vs $30,566, p = 0,014; 70-79: $31,157 vs $32,044, p = 0,073; ≥ 80 $33,779 vs $35,771, p = 0,005), pero mayor entre los pacientes con comorbilidades más altas (baja: $23,107 vs $24,894, p = 0,001; media $30,809 vs $32,282, p = 0,038; alta: $44,097 vs $46,641, p <0,001). Los pagos generados luego del alta hospitalaria fueron similares con relación a la estancia hospitalaria de los diferentes hospitales con respecto a la edad (65-69 años: ∆ $529; 70-79 años: ∆ $291; ≥80 años: ∆ $872, p = 0,25), pero mayores en aquellos con más alta comorbilidad (baja ∆ $477, medio ∆ $480, alto ∆ $1059, p = 0,02).LIMITACIONES:Las bases de datos administrativas no capturan los factores del paciente que influyen en el cuidado luego del estado posoperatorio agudo (preferencia, disponibilidad del proveedor del cuidado).CONCLUSIONES:Los hospitales que logran una estancia hospitalaria más corta después de la cirugía, acumulan pagos más bajos por episodio, sin un incremento compensatorio del gasto en la atención pos-aguda, incluso entre pacientes de mayor edad y con mayor comorbilidad. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B624. (Traducción-Dr Eduardo Londoño-Schimmer)., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2021.)

Background: Previous work has demonstrated a correlation between video ratings of surgical skill and clinical outcomes. Some have proposed the use of video review for technical skill assessment, credentialing, and quality improvement., Objective: Before its adoption as a quality measure for colorectal surgeons, we must first determine whether video-based skill assessments can predict patient outcomes among specialty surgeons., Design: Twenty-one surgeons submitted one representative video of a minimally invasive colectomy. Each video was edited to highlight key steps and then rated by 10 peer surgeons using a validated American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons assessment tool. Linking surgeons' ratings to a validated surgical outcomes registry, we assessed the relationship between skill and risk-adjusted complication rates., Settings: The study was conducted with the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, a statewide collaborative including 70 community, academic, and tertiary hospitals., Patients: Patients included those who underwent minimally invasive colorectal resection performed by the participating surgeons., Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures included 30-day risk-adjusted postoperative complications., Results: The average technical skill rating for each surgeon ranged from 2.6 to 4.6. Risk-adjusted complication rate per surgeon ranged from 9.9% to 33.1%. Patients of surgeons in the bottom quartile of overall skill ratings were older and more likely to have hypertension or to smoke; patients of surgeons in the top quartile were more likely to be immunosuppressed or have an ASA score of 3 or higher. After patient- and surgery-specific risk adjustment, there was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between the bottom and top quartile surgeons (17.5% vs 16.8%, respectively, p = 0.41)., Limitations: Limitations included retrospective cohort design with short-term follow-up of sampled cases. Videos were edited to highlight key steps, and reviewers did not undergo training to establish norms., Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that video-based peer rating of minimally invasive colectomy was not correlated with postoperative complications among specialty surgeons. As such, the adoption of video review for use in credentialing should be approached with caution. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B802.CORRELACIÓN ENTRE LA HABILIDAD QUIRÚRGICA COLORRECTAL Y LOS RESULTADOS OBTENIDOS EN EL PACIENTE: RELATO PRECAUTORIOANTECEDENTES:Trabajos anteriores han demostrado una correlación entre la video-calificación de la habilidad quirúrgica y los resultados clínicos. Algunos autores han propuesto el uso de la revisión de videos para la evaluación de la habilidad técnica, la acreditación y la mejoría en la calidad quirúrgica.OBJETIVO:Antes de su adopción como medida de calidad entre los cirujanos colorrectales, primero debemos determinar si las evaluaciones de habilidades basadas en video pueden predecir los resultados clínicos de los pacientes entre cirujanos especializados.DISEÑO:Veintiún cirujanos enviaron un video representativo de una colectomía mínimamente invasiva. Cada video fue editado para resaltar los pasos clave y luego fué calificado por 10 cirujanos revisores utilizando una herramienta de evaluación validada por la ASCRS. Al vincular las calificaciones de los cirujanos al registro de resultados quirúrgicos aprobado, evaluamos la relación entre la habilidad y las tasas de complicaciones ajustadas al riesgo.AJUSTE:Colaboración en todo el estado incluyendo 70 hospitales comunitarios, académicos y terciarios, el Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative.PACIENTES:Todos aquellos sometidos a resección colorrectal mínimamente invasiva realizada por los cirujanos participantes.MEDIDA DE RESULTADO PRINCIPAL:Complicaciones posoperatorias ajustadas al riesgo a los 30 días.RESULTADOS:La calificación de la habilidad técnica promedio de cada cirujano osciló entre 2.6 y 4.6. La tasa de complicaciones ajustada al riesgo por cirujano osciló entre el 9,9% y el 33,1%. Los pacientes operados por los cirujanos del cuartil inferior de las calificaciones generales de habilidades eran fumadores y añosos, y tambiés más propensos a la hipertensión arterial. Los pacientes operados por los cirujanos del cuartil superior tenían más probabilidades de ser inmunosuprimidos o tener una puntuación ASA> = 3. Después del ajuste de riesgo específico de la cirugía y el paciente, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las tasas de complicaciones entre los cirujanos del cuartil inferior y superior (17,5% frente a 16,8%, respectivamente, p = 0,41).LIMITACIONES:Diseño de cohortes retrospectivo con seguimiento a corto plazo de los casos muestreados. Los videos se editaron para resaltar los pasos clave y los revisores no recibieron capacitación para establecer normas.CONCLUSIONES:Nuestro estudio demuestra que la evaluación realizada por los revisores basada en el video de la colectomía mínimamente invasiva no se correlacionó con las complicaciones post-operatorias entre los cirujanos especialistas. Por tanto, la adopción de la revisión del video quirúrgico para su uso en la acreditación profesional, debe abordarse con mucha precaución. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B802. (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo)., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2021.)

Objective: We sought to measure the extent of variation in episode spending around total hip replacement within and across hospital systems., Summary of Background Data: Bundled payment programs are pressuring hospitals to reduce spending on surgery. Meanwhile, many hospitals are joining larger health systems with the stated goal of improved care at lower cost., Methods: Cross-sectional study of fee-for-service Medicare patients undergoing total hip replacement in 2016 at hospital systems identified in the American Hospital Association Annual Survey. We calculated risk- and reliability-adjusted average 30-day episode payments at the hospital and system level., Results: Average episode payments varied nearly as much within hospital systems ($2515 between the lowest- and highest-cost hospitals, 95% confidence interval $2272-$2,758) as they did between the lowest- and highest-cost quintiles of systems ($2712, 95% confidence interval $2545-$2879). Variation was driven by post-acute care utilization. Many systems have concentrated hip replacement volume at relatively high-cost hospitals., Conclusions: Given the wide variation in surgical spending within health systems, we propose tailored strategies for systems to maximize savings in bundled payment programs., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The optimal level of pedicle ligation during proctectomy for rectal cancer, either at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery or the superior rectal artery, is still debated., Objective: The objective was to determine whether superior rectal artery ligation portends equivalent technical or oncologic outcomes., Design: This was a retrospective analysis of a rectal cancer database (2007-2017)., Settings: The study was conducted at 6 tertiary referral centers in the United States (Emory University, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis)., Patients: Patients with primary, nonmetastatic rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection were included., Main Outcome Measures: Anastomotic leak, lymph node harvest, locoregional recurrence-free survival, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival were measured., Results: Of 877 patients, 86% (n = 755) received an inferior mesenteric artery ligation, whereas 14% (n = 122) received a superior rectal artery ligation. A total of 12%, 33%, 24%, and 31% were pathologic stage 0, I, II, and III. Median follow-up was 31 months. Superior rectal artery ligation was associated with a similar anastomotic leak rate compared with inferior mesenteric artery ligation (9% vs 8%; p = 1.0). The median number of lymph nodes removed was identical (15 vs 15; p = 0.38). On multivariable analysis accounting for relevant clinicopathologic factors, superior rectal artery ligation was not associated with increased anastomotic leak rate, worse lymph node harvest, or worse locoregional recurrence-free survival, recurrence-free survival, or overall survival (all p values >0.1)., Limitations: This was a retrospective design., Conclusions: Compared with inferior mesenteric artery ligation, superior rectal artery ligation is not associated with either worse technical or oncologic outcomes. Given the potential risks of inadequate blood flow to the proximal limb of the anastomosis and autonomic nerve injury, we advocate for increased use of superior rectal artery ligation. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B646., Estudio Del Consorcio De Cncer De Recto De Estados Unidos De Ligadura Baja De La Arteria Mesentrica Inferior Contra Ligadura Alta De La Arteria Mesentrica Inferior Qu Tan Alto Debemos Extendernos: ANTECEDENTES:el nivel óptimo de la ligadura del pedículo en la proctectomía para el cáncer de recto, ya sea en el origen de la arteria mesentérica inferior o en la arteria rectal superior aún no esta definido.OBJETIVO:El objetivo era determinar si la ligadura de la arteria rectal superior pronostica resultados técnicos u oncológicos similares.DISEÑO:Análisis retrospectivo de una base de datos de cáncer de recto (2007-2017).ESCENARIO:el estudio se realizó en seis centros de referencia de tercer nivel en los Estados Unidos (Universidad de Emory, Universidad de Michigan, Centro médico de la Universidad de Pittsburgh, Centro médico Wexner de la Universidad Estatal de Ohio, Centro médico de la Universidad de Vanderbilt y Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Washington en St. Louis).PACIENTES:Se incluyeron pacientes con cáncer de recto primario no metastásico que se sometieron a resección anterior baja o resección abdominoperineal.PRINCIPALES VARIABLES ANALIZADAS:Se midió la fuga anastomótica, los ganglios linfáticos recuperados, la sobrevida sin recidiva locorregional, la sobrevida sin recidiva y la sobrevida global.RESULTADOS:De 877 pacientes, en el 86% (n = 755) se realizó una ligadura de la arteria mesentérica inferior, y en el 14% (n = 122) se realizó una ligadura de la arteria rectal superior. El 12%, 33%, 24% y 31% estaban en estadio patológico 0, I, II y III respectivamente. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 31 meses. La ligadura de la arteria rectal superior se asoció con una tasa de fuga anastomótica similar a la ligadura de la arteria mesentérica inferior (9 vs 8%, p = 1,0). La mediana del número de ganglios linfáticos extirpados fue idéntica (15 contra 15, p = 0,38). En el análisis multivariado que tiene en cuenta los factores clínico-patológicos relevantes, la ligadura de la arteria rectal superior no se asoció con una mayor tasa de fuga anastomótica, una peor cosecha de ganglios linfáticos o una peor sobrevida libre de recurrencia locorregional, sobrevida libre de recurrencia o sobrevida global (todos p> 0,1).LIMITACIONES:Diseño retrospectivo.CONCLUSIONES:En comparación con la ligadura de la arteria mesentérica inferior, la ligadura de la arteria rectal superior no se asocia a peores resultados técnicos ni oncológicos. Debido a los riesgos potenciales de un flujo sanguíneo inadecuado del muñon proximal de la anastomosis y la lesión de los nervios autonómicos, proponemos una mayor realización de la ligadura de la arteria rectal superior. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B646., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2021.)

Background: To focus on critical care needs of coronavirus patients, elective operations were postponed and selectively rescheduled. The effect of these measures on patients was unknown. We sought to understand patients' perspectives regarding surgical care during the CoVID-19 pandemic to improve future responses., Methods: We performed qualitative interviews with patients whose operations were postponed. Interviews explored patient responses to: 1) surgery postponement; 2) experience of surgery; 3) impacts of rescheduling/postponement on emotional/physical health; 4) identifying areas of improvement. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed through an integrated approach., Results: Patient perspectives fell within the following domains: 1) reactions to surgery postponement/rescheduling; 2) experience of surgery during CoVID-19 pandemic; 3) reflections on communication; 4) patient trust in surgeons and healthcare., Conclusions: We found no patient-reported barriers to rescheduling surgery. Several areas of care which could be improved (communication). There was an unexpected sense of trust in surgeons and the hospital., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest, use of off-label or unapproved drugs or products, or use of previously copyrighted material., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The effects of blood transfusions on oncologic outcomes after surgery remain inconclusive. Thus, we examined the association between receiving a perioperative blood transfusion and oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing curative rectal cancer resection., Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between receiving a perioperative blood transfusion with disease-free and overall survival in patients undergoing curative resection of clinical stage I to III rectal cancer. We hypothesized that blood transfusion is associated with worse disease-free and overall survival in this patient cohort., Design: This was a retrospective cohort study using a propensity score-matched analysis., Settings: The study involved 6 tertiary academic medical centers in the United States contributing to the United States Rectal Cancer Consortium., Patients: Patients who underwent curative resection for rectal cancer from 2010 to 2018 were included., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was disease-free survival. The secondary outcomes were overall survival, intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, surgical site infection, and readmission., Results: Of the 924 patients eligible for matching, 312 patients were matched, including 100 patients who received a transfusion and 212 who did not. In a propensity score-matched analysis, receiving a perioperative blood transfusion was not associated with worse 5-year disease-free survival (transfused, 78%; not transfused, 83%; p = 0.32) but was associated with worse 5-year overall survival (transfused 65% vs not transfused 86%; p < 0.001) and increased hospital length of stay (transfused, 9.9 d; not transfused, 7.6 d; p = 0.001)., Limitations: Despite propensity matching, confounding may remain. Propensity matching may limit the power to detect a difference in disease-free survival., Conclusions: Receiving a perioperative blood transfusion is not associated with worse disease-free survival but is associated with worse overall survival. Such findings are important for clinicians and patients to understand when considering perioperative blood transfusions. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B531., Las Transfusiones De Sangre Perioperatorias Se Asocian Con Una Peor Sobrevida Global, Pero No Con La Sobrevida Libre De Enfermedad Posterior a La Reseccin Curativa Del Cncer De Recto Un Puntaje De Propensin Por Anlisis De Concordancia: ANTECEDENTES:El impacto de las transfusiones de sangre en los resultados oncológicos posteriores a la cirugía no son concluyentes. Por lo anterior, estudiamos la asociación entre recibir una transfusión de sangre perioperatoria y los resultados oncológicos en pacientes llevados a resección curativa de cáncer de recto.OBJETIVO:El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre recibir una transfusión de sangre perioperatoria con la sobrevida libre de enfermedad y la sobrevida general en pacientes llevados a resección curativa de cáncer de recto en estadio clínico I-III. Nuestra hipótesis es que la transfusión de sangre se asocia con una peor sobrevida global y libre de enfermedad en esta cohorte de pacientes.DISEÑO:Es un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo que utilizó un puntaje de propensión por análisis de concordancia.AMBITO:El estudio se realizó en seis centros médicos académicos de tercer nivel en los Estados Unidos que contribuían al Consorcio de Cáncer de Recto de los Estados Unidos.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron pacientes que fueron llevados a resección curativa por cáncer de recto entre 2010 y 2018.PRINCIPALES VARIABLES EVALUADAS:El objeitvo principal fue la sobrevida libre de enfermedad. Los objetivos secundarios fueron la sobrevida global, el tiempo de estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, el tiempo de la estancia hospitalaria, la infección del sitio quirúrgico y el reingreso.RESULTADOS:De los 924 pacientes elegibles para el emparejamiento, se emparejaron 312 pacientes, incluidos 100 pacientes que recibieron una transfusión y 212 que no. En el puntaje de propensión por análisis de concordancia, recibir una transfusión de sangre perioperatoria no se asoció con una peor sobrevida libre de enfermedad a 5 años (TRANSFUSIÓN 78%; NO TRANSFUSIÓN 83%; p = 0,32), pero se asoció con una peor sobrevida global a 5 años (TRANSFUSION 65% vs NO TRANSFUSION 86%; p <0,001) y aumento de la estancia hospitalaria (TRANSFUSIÓN 9,9 días; NO TRANSFUSION 7,6 días; p = 0,001).LIMITACIONES:A pesar de la concordancia de propensión, pueden existir desviaciones. El emparejamiento de propensión puede limitar el poder para detectar una diferencia en la sobrevida libre de enfermedad.CONCLUSIONES:Recibir una transfusión de sangre perioperatoria no se asocia con una peor sobrevida libre de enfermedad, pero sí con una peor sobrevida global. Es importante que los médicos y los pacientes comprendan estos hallazgos al considerar las transfusiones de sangre perioperatorias. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B531. (Traducción-Dr Lisbeth Alarcon-Bernes)., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2021.)

Objective: To evaluate real-world effects of enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) dissemination on clinical and economic outcomes after colectomy., Summary Background Data: Hospitals aiming to accelerate discharge and reduce spending after surgery are increasingly adopting perioperative ERPs. Despite their efficacy in specialty institutions, most studies have lacked adequate control groups and diverse hospital settings and have considered only in-hospital costs. There remain concerns that accelerated discharge might incur unintended consequences., Methods: Retrospective, population-based cohort including patients in 72 hospitals in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative clinical registry (N = 13,611) and/or Michigan Value Collaborative claims registry (N = 14,800) who underwent elective colectomy, 2012 to 2018. Marginal effects of ERP on clinical outcomes and risk-adjusted, price-standardized 90-day episode payments were evaluated using mixed-effects models to account for secular trends and hospital performance unrelated to ERP., Results: In 24 ERP hospitals, patients Post-ERP had significantly shorter length of stay than those Pre-ERP (5.1 vs 6.5 days, P < 0.001), lower incidence of complications (14.6% vs 16.9%, P < 0.001) and readmissions (10.4% vs 11.3%, P = 0.02), and lower episode payments ($28,550 vs $31,192, P < 0.001) and postacute care ($3,384 vs $3,909, P < 0.001). In mixed-effects adjusted analyses, these effects were significantly attenuated-ERP was associated with a marginal length of stay reduction of 0.4 days (95% confidence interval 0.2-0.6 days, P = 0.001), and no significant difference in complications, readmissions, or overall spending., Conclusions: ERPs are associated with small reduction in postoperative length of hospitalization after colectomy, without unwanted increases in readmission or postacute care spending. The real-world effects across a variety of hospitals may be smaller than observed in early-adopting specialty centers., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: In the United States, the majority of colorectal procedures are performed primarily by nonfellowship trained general surgeons. Given that surgical technique and experience affect patient outcomes, it is important that general surgeons are well-trained to perform colorectal surgery operations. In this study, we evaluated how prepared general surgery residents were to perform colorectal procedures upon graduating residency., Design: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. Attending ratings of residents' intraoperative performance were collected with the System for Improving and Measuring Procedural Learning application from 9/2015 to 9/2018. Descriptive analyses and Bayesian mixed models were used to determine a resident's probability of being deemed competent upon graduating residency, controlling for core vs. advanced procedure, case complexity, and rater and resident effects., Setting: Faculty and residents within 30 teaching institutions within the Procedural Learning and Safety Collaborative (PLSC)., Patients: We sampled colorectal procedures and categorized them as core or advanced based on American Board of Surgery designations., Results: A total of 564 residents were rated after 2102 operations (82% core, 18% advanced). A resident in their fifth year of clinical training had a 93% (95% CI 85-97%) adjusted probability of competent performance after a core procedure and 75% (95% CI 55-89%) after an advanced procedure., Conclusions: General surgery residents were not universally deemed competent to perform colorectal procedures even at the end of residency. These gaps were more pronounced for advanced colorectal procedures. Current graduation requirements should be carefully reviewed to ensure residents are appropriately trained to meet the needs of their communities. Additionally, advanced training remains a critical resource for surgeons who will perform complex colorectal procedures in practice., (Copyright © 2020 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Multidisciplinary cancer clinics deliver streamlined care and facilitate collaboration between specialties. We described patient volume and specialty service utilization, including surgery, of a multidisciplinary colorectal cancer clinic established at a tertiary care academic institution., Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of adult patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma from 2012 to 2017. We performed a descriptive analysis of patient volume, percentage of rectal cancer patients, and the number of patients who saw and received surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation each year., Results: Over 5 years, 1711 patients were served at the multidisciplinary clinic. Patient volume increased 37%, from n = 228 (annualized) to n = 312. The percentage of rectal cancer patients increased from 29% in 2013 to 42% in 2017. The highest rate of utilization was for surgery; 792 (46%) patients had surgery at the multidisciplinary clinic institution, and 510 (30%) received chemotherapy there. Out of 635 rectal cancer patients, 114 (18%) received radiation there., Conclusions: Over the five-year experience of a colorectal cancer-focused multidisciplinary clinic, overall patient volume increased by 37%. Over the study period, 63% of patients seen at the multidisciplinary clinic ultimately received at least one treatment modality at the clinic institution. Overall, the clinic's establishment resulted in the increased referral of complex patients., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Postoperative complications (POCs) are associated with worse oncologic outcomes in several cancer types. The implications of complications after rectal cancer surgery are not well studied., Methods: The United States Rectal Cancer Consortium (2007-2017) was reviewed for primary rectal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent R0/R1 resection. Ninety-day POCs were categorized as major or minor and were grouped into infectious, cardiopulmonary, thromboembolic, renal, or intestinal dysmotility. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS)., Results: Among 1136 patients, the POC rate was 46% (n = 527), with 63% classified as minor and 32% classified as major. Of all POCs, infectious complications comprised 20%, cardiopulmonary 3%, thromboembolic 5%, renal 9%, and intestinal dysmotility 19%. Compared with minor or no POCs, major POCs were associated with both worse RFS and worse OS (both p < 0.01). Compared with no POCs, a single POC was associated with worse RFS (p < 0.01), while multiple POCs were associated with worse OS (p = 0.02). Regardless of complication grade, infectious POCs were associated with worse RFS (p < 0.01), while cardiopulmonary and thromboembolic POCs were associated with worse OS (both p < 0.01). Renal POCs were associated with both worse RFS (p < 0.001) and worse OS (p = 0.01). After accounting for pathologic stage, neoadjuvant therapy, and final margin status, Multivariable analysis (MVA) demonstrated worse outcomes with cardiopulmonary, thromboembolic, and renal POCs for OS (cardiopulmonary: hazard ratio [HR] 3.6, p = 0.01; thromboembolic: HR 19.4, p < 0.01; renal: HR 2.4, p = 0.01), and renal and infectious POCs for RFS (infectious: HR 2.1, p < 0.01; renal: HR 3.2, p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Major complications after proctectomy for cancer are associated with decreased RFS and OS. Given the association of infectious complications and postoperative renal dysfunction with earlier recurrence of disease, efforts must be directed towards defining best practices and standardizing care.

Background: Extended care facility use is a primary driver of variation in hospitalization-associated health care payments and is increasingly a focus for savings under episode-based payment. However, concerns remain that extended care facility limits could incur rising readmissions, emergency department use, or other costs. We analyzed the effects of a statewide value improvement initiative to decrease extended care facility use after lower extremity arthroplasty on extended care facility use, readmission, emergency department use, and payments., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using complete claims from the Michigan Value Collaborative for patients undergoing lower extremity joint replacement. We compared the change in extended care facility use before (2012-2013) and after (2016-2017) the aforementioned statewide initiative with 90-day postacute care, readmission, and emergency department rates and payments using t tests., Results: Of the patients included, 68,537 underwent total knee arthroplasty; 27,131 underwent total hip arthroplasty. Statewide, extended care facility use and postacute care payments decreased (extended care facility: 27.5% before vs 18.1% after, payments: $4,999 vs $3,832, P < .0001) without increased readmission rates (8.0% vs 7.6%, P = .10) or payments ($1,087 vs $1,026, P = .14). Emergency department use increased (7.8% vs 8.9%, P < .0001). Per hospital, there was no association between extended care facility use change and readmission rate change (r = 0.05). Hospital change in extended care facility use ranged from +2.3% (no extended care facility decrease group) to -16.6% (large extended care facility decrease group) and was associated with lower total episode payments without differences in change in readmission rate/payments or emergency department use., Conclusion: Despite decreased use of extended care facilities, there was no compensatory increase in readmission rate or payments. Reducing excess use of extended care facilities after joint replacement may be an important opportunity for savings in episode-based reimbursement., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background Over 180 000 coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures are performed annually, accounting for $7 to $10 billion in episode expenditures. Assessing tradeoffs between spending and quality contributing to value during 90-day episodes has not been conducted but is essential for success in bundled reimbursement models. We, therefore, identified determinants of variability in hospital 90-day episode value for CABG. Methods Medicare and private payor admissions for isolated CABG from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively linked to clinical registry data for 33 nonfederal hospitals in Michigan. Hospital composite risk-adjusted complication rates (≥1 National Quality Forum-endorsed, Society of Thoracic Surgeons measure: deep sternal wound infection, renal failure, prolonged ventilation >24 hours, stroke, re-exploration, and operative mortality) and 90-day risk-adjusted, price-standardized episode payments were used to categorize hospitals by value by defining the intersection between complications and spending. Results Among 2573 total patients, those at low- versus high-value hospitals had a higher percentage of prolonged length of stay >14 days (9.3% versus 2.4%, P =0.006), prolonged ventilation (17.6% versus 4.8%, P <0.001), and operative mortality (4.8% versus 0.6%, P =0.001). Mean total episode payments were $51 509 at low-compared with $45 526 at high-value hospitals ( P <0.001), driven by higher readmission ($3675 versus $2177, P =0.005), professional ($7462 versus $6090, P <0.001), postacute care ($7315 versus $5947, P =0.031), and index hospitalization payments ($33 474 versus $30 800, P <0.001). Among patients not experiencing a complication or 30-day readmission (1923/2573, 74.7%), low-value hospitals had higher inpatient evaluation and management payments ($1405 versus $752, P <0.001) and higher utilization of inpatient rehabilitation (7% versus 2%, P <0.001), but lower utilization of home health (66% versus 73%, P =0.016) and emergency department services (13% versus 17%, P =0.034). Conclusions To succeed in emerging bundled reimbursement programs for CABG, hospitals and physicians should identify strategies to minimize complications while optimizing inpatient evaluation and management spending and use of inpatient rehabilitation, home health, and emergency department services.

Background: Prevention of venous thromboembolism after colorectal surgery remains challenging. National guidelines endorse thromboembolism prophylaxis for 4 weeks after colorectal cancer resection. Expert consensus favors extended prophylaxis after IBD surgery. The actual frequency of prescription after resection remains unknown., Objective: This study aimed to assess prescription of extended, postdischarge venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after resection in Michigan., Design: This is a retrospective review of elective colorectal resections within a statewide collaborative receiving postdischarge, extended-duration prophylaxis., Setting: This study was conducted between October 2015 and February 2018 at an academic center., Patients: A total of 5722 patients (2171 with colorectal cancer, 266 with IBD, and 3285 with other)., Main Outcome Measures: We compared the prescription of extended, postdischarge prophylaxis over time, between hospitals and by indication., Results: Of 5722 patients, 373 (6.5%) received extended-duration prophylaxis after discharge. Use was similar between patients undergoing surgery for cancer (282/2171, 13.0%) or IBD (31/266, 11.7%, p = 0.54), but was significantly more common for both patients undergoing surgery for cancer or IBD in comparison with patients with other indications (60/3285, 1.8%, p < 0.001). Use increased significantly among patients with cancer (6.8%-16.8%, p < 0.001) and patients with IBD (0%-15.1%, p < 0.05) over the study period. For patients with other diagnoses, use was rare and did not vary significantly (1.5%-2.3%, p = 0.49). Academic centers and large hospitals (>300 beds) were significantly more likely to prescribe extended-duration prophylaxis for all conditions (both p < 0.001), with the majority of prophylaxis concentrated at only a few hospitals., Limitations: This study was limited by the lack of assessment of actual adherence, small number of observed venous thromboembolism events, small sample of patients with IBD, and restriction to the state of Michigan., Conclusions: The use of extended-duration venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after discharge is increasing, but remains uncommon in most hospitals. Efforts to improve adherence may require quality implementation initiatives or targeted payment incentives. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B193. ANÁLISIS POBLACIONAL DE LA ADHERENCIA A LA PROFILAXIS ANTI-TROMBÓTICA EXTENDIDA (TEV) EN PACIENTES DE ALTA LUEGO DE UNA RESECCIÓN COLORECTAL.: La prevención del tromboembolismo venoso después de cirugía colorrectal sigue siendo un desafío. Las guías nacionales han aprobado la profilaxia del tromboembolismo durante cuatro semanas luego de una resección de cáncer colorrectal. El consenso de expertos favorece la profilaxia extendida solamente después de la cirugía por enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. La frecuencia real de prescripción después de la resección colorrectal sigue siendo desconocida.Evaluar la prescripción de profilaxia prolongada de tromboembolismo venoso después del alta luego de una resección colorrectal en Michigan.Revisión retrospectiva de las resecciones colorrectales electivas seguidas de una profilaxia de larga duración con el apoyo de todo el estado (MI).Este estudio se realizó entre octubre de 2015 y febrero de 2018 en un solo centro académico.Un universo de 5722 pacientes operados (2171 por cáncer colorrectal, 266 por enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, 3285 por otros diagnósticos).Se comparó la prescripción de profilaxia prolongada después del alta según la duración, los hospitales y la indicación.De 5722 pacientes, 373 (6.5%) recibieron profilaxia de duración prolongada después del alta. El uso fue similar entre pacientes sometidos a cirugía por cáncer (282/2171, 13.0%) o enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (31/266, 11.7%, p = 0.54), pero fue significativamente más común para ambos en comparación con pacientes con otras indicaciones (60/3285, 1.8%, p < 0.001). El uso aumentó significativamente entre pacientes con cáncer (6.8% a 16.8% (p < 0.001)) y en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (0% a 15.1%, p < 0.05) durante el período de estudio. Para pacientes con otros diagnósticos, su utilización fue rara y no varió significativamente (1.5% a 2.3%, p = 0.49). Los centros académicos y los grandes hospitales (>300 camas) tenían mayor probabilidad de prescribir la profilaxia de duración extendida en todas las afecciones (ambas p < 0.001), pero la mayoría de las profilaxis se concentraron el algunos pocos grandes hospitales.Este estudio estuvo limitado por la falta de evaluación de actuales adherentes, por el pequeño número de eventos tromboembólicos venosos observados, por la pequeña muestra de pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal y debido a ciertas restricciones en el estado de Michigan.El uso de profilaxia para el tromboembolismo venoso de duración prolongada después del alta está en aumento, pero su uso sigue siendo poco frecuente en la mayoría de los hospitales. Los esfuerzos para mejorar la adherencia al tratamiento pueden requerir iniciativas de mejoría en la calidad o incentivos específicos de reembolso. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B193. (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo).

Background: Both enhanced recovery and anesthesia literature recommend multimodal perioperative analgesia to hasten recovery, prevent adverse events, and reduce opioid use after surgery. However, adherence to, and outcomes of, these recommendations are unknown. We sought to characterize use of multimodal analgesia and its association with length of stay after colectomy., Materials and Methods: Within a statewide, 72-hospital collaborative quality initiative, we evaluated postoperative analgesia regimens among adult patients undergoing elective colectomy between 2012 and 2015. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with the use of multimodal analgesia and performed multivariable linear regression to evaluate its association with postoperative length of stay (LOS)., Results: Among 7265 patients who underwent elective colectomy in the study period, 4660 (64.1%) received multimodal analgesia, 2405 (33.1%) received opioids alone, and 200 (2.8%) received one nonopioid pain medication alone. Multimodal analgesia was independently associated with shorter adjusted postoperative LOS, compared with opioids alone (5.60 d [95% CI 5.38-5.81] versus 5.96 d [5.68-6.24], P = 0.016)., Conclusions: Multimodal analgesia is associated with shorter LOS, yet one-third of patients statewide received opioids alone after colectomy. As surgeons increasingly focus on our role in the opioid crisis, particularly in postdischarge opioid prescribing, we must also focus on inpatient postoperative pain management to limit opioid exposure. At the hospital level, this may have the added benefit of decreasing LOS and hastening recovery., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Clostridium (reclassified as " Clostridioides ") difficile infection (CDI) is a healthcare-associated infection and significant source of potentially preventable morbidity, recurrence, and death, particularly among hospitalized older adults. Additional risk factors include antibiotic use and severe underlying illness. The increasing prevalence of community-associated CDI is gaining recognition as a novel source of morbidity in previously healthy patients. Even after recovery from initial infection, patients remain at risk for recurrence or reinfection with a new strain. Some pharmaco-epidemiologic studies have suggested an increased risk associated with proton pump inhibitors and protective effect from statins, but these findings have not been uniformly reproduced in all studies. Certain ribotypes of C. difficile , including the BI/NAP1/027, 106, and 018, are associated with increased antibiotic resistance and potential for higher morbidity and mortality. CDI remains a high-morbidity healthcare-associated infection, and better understanding of ribotypes and medication risk factors could help to target treatment, particularly for patients with high recurrence risk., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Dr. De Roo reports grants from National Clinical Scholars Program, grants from Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research, during the conduct of the study., (© Thieme Medical Publishers.)

Background: There is increased focus on the value of surgical care. Postoperative complications decrease value, but it is unknown whether high-value hospitals spend less than low-value hospitals in cases without complications. Previous studies have not evaluated both expenditures and validated outcomes in the same patients, limiting the understanding of interactions between clinical performance, efficient utilization of services, and costliness of surgical episodes., Objective: This study aimed to identify payment differences between low- and high-value hospitals in colectomy cases without adverse outcomes using a linked data set of multipayer claims and validated clinical outcomes., Design: This is a retrospective observational cohort study. We assigned each hospital a value score (ratio of cases without adverse outcome to mean episode payment). We stratified hospitals into tertiles by value and used analysis of variance tests to compare payments between low- and high-value hospitals, first for all cases, and then cases without adverse outcome., Setting: January 2012 to December 2016, this investigation used clinical registry data from 56 hospitals participating in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, linked with 30-day episode payments from the Michigan Value Collaborative., Patients: A total of 2947 patients undergoing elective colectomy were selected., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measured was risk-adjusted, price-standardized 30-day episode payments., Results: The mean adjusted complication rate was 31% (±10.7%) at low-value hospitals and 14% (±4.6%) at high-value hospitals (p < 0.001). Low-value hospitals were paid $3807 (17%) more than high-value hospitals ($22,271 vs $18,464, p < 0.001). Among cases without adverse outcome, payments were still $2257 (11%) higher in low-value hospitals ($19,424 vs $17,167, p = 0.04)., Limitations: This study focused on outcomes and did not consider processes of care as drivers of value., Conclusions: In elective colectomy, high-value hospitals achieve lower episode payments than low-value hospitals for cases without adverse outcome, indicating mechanisms for increasing value beyond reducing complications. Worthwhile targets to optimize value in elective colectomy may include enhanced recovery protocols or other interventions that increase efficiency in all phases of care. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B56. LOGRANDO LA COLECTOMÍA DE ALTO VALOR: PREVINIENDO COMPLICACIONES O MEJORANDO LA EFICIENCIA: Hay un mayor enfoque en el valor de la atención quirúrgica. Las complicaciones postoperatorias disminuyen el valor, pero se desconoce si en los casos sin complicaciones, los hospitales de alto valor gastan menos que los hospitales de bajo valor. Estudios anteriores no han evaluado ambos gastos y validado resultados en los mismos pacientes, limitando la comprensión de las interacciones entre el rendimiento clínico, utilización eficiente de los servicios y costos de los episodios quirúrgicos.Identificar las diferencias de pago entre los hospitales de alto y bajo valor, en casos de colectomía sin resultados adversos, utilizando un conjunto de datos vinculados de reclamos de pago múltiple y resultados clínicos validados.Estudio de cohorte observacional retrospectivo. Asignamos a cada hospital una puntuación de valor (proporción de casos sin resultado adverso al pago medio del episodio). Estratificamos los hospitales por valor en terciles y utilizamos el análisis de pruebas de varianza para comparar los pagos entre hospitales de bajo y alto valor, primero para todos los casos y luego casos sin resultados adversos.De enero del 2012 a diciembre del 2016, utilizando datos de registro clínico de 56 hospitales que participan en el Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, vinculado con pagos de episodios de 30 días, del Michigan Value Collaborative.Un total de 2947 pacientes con colectomía electiva.Pagos por episodio de 30 días, ajustados al riesgo y estandarizados por precio.La tasa media de complicación ajustada fue de 31% (±10.7%) en hospitales de bajo valor y 14% (±4.6%) en hospitales de alto valor (p < 0.001). A los hospitales de bajo valor se les pagó $3807 (17%) más que a los hospitales de alto valor ($22,271 frente a $18,464, p < 0.001). Entre los casos sin resultados adversos, los pagos fueron de $2257 (11%) más altos en hospitales de bajo valor ($19,424 vs $17,167, p = 0.04).Este estudio se centró en los resultados y no se consideraron a los procesos de atención, como impulsores de valor.En la colectomía electiva, los hospitales de alto valor logran pagos de episodios más bajos, que en los hospitales de bajo valor con casos sin resultados adversos, indicando mecanismos para aumentar el valor, más allá que la reducción de complicaciones. Objetivos valiosos para optimizar el valor de la colectomía electiva, pueden incluir mejoras en los protocolos de recuperación, así como otras intervenciones que aumenten la eficiencia en todas las fases de la atención. Vea el resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B56.

Importance: The use of robotic surgery for common operations like colectomy is increasing rapidly in the United States, but evidence for its effectiveness is limited and may not reflect real-world practice., Objective: To evaluate outcomes of and trends in the use of robotic, laparoscopic, and open colectomy across diverse practice settings., Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based study of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing elective colectomy was conducted between January 2010 and December 2016. We used an instrumental variable analysis to account for both measured and unmeasured differences in patient characteristics between robotic, open, and laparoscopic colectomy procedures. Data were analyzed from January 21, 2019, to March 1, 2019., Exposures: Receipt of robotic colectomy., Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence of postoperative medical and surgical complications and length of stay., Results: A total of 191 292 procedures (23 022 robotic procedures [12.0%], 87 639 open procedures [45.8%], and 80 631 laparoscopic colectomy procedures [42.0%]) were included. Robotic colectomy was associated with a lower adjusted rate of overall complications than open colectomy (17.6% [95% CI, 16.9%-18.2%] vs 18.6% [95% CI, 18.4%-18.7%]; relative risk [RR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.91-0.98]). This difference was driven by lower rates of medical complications (15.5% [95% CI, 14.8%-16.2%] vs 16.9% [95% CI, 16.7%-17.1%]; RR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87-0.96]) because surgical complications were higher with the robotic approach (3.0% [95% CI, 2.8%-3.2%] vs 2.4% [95% CI, 2.3%-2.5%]; RR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.04-1.35]). There were no differences in complications between robotic and laparoscopic colectomy (11.1% [95% CI, 10.5%-11.6%] vs 11.0% [95% CI, 10.8%-11.2%]; RR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.95-1.05]). There was an overall shift toward greater proportional use of robotic colectomy from 0.7% (457 of 65 332 patients) in 2010 to 10.9% (8274 of 75 909 patients) in 2016. In hospitals with the highest adoption of robotic colectomy between 2010 and 2016, increasing use of robotic colectomy (0.8% [100 of 12 522 patients] to 32.8% [5416 of 16 511 patients]) was associated with a greater replacement of laparoscopic operations (43.8% [5485 of 12 522 patients] to 25.2% [4161 of 16 511 patients]) than open operations (55.4% [6937 of 12 522 patients] to 41.9% [6918 of 16 511 patients])., Conclusions and Relevance: While robotic colectomy was associated with minimal safety benefit over open colectomy and had comparable outcomes with laparoscopic colectomy, population-based trends suggest that it replaced a greater proportion of laparoscopic rather than open colectomy, especially in hospitals with the highest adoption of robotics.

Background: Although most surgical outcomes research focuses on clinical end points and complications, older adult patients may value functional outcomes more. However, little is known about the risk of long-term functional disability after colorectal procedures., Objective: The purpose of this research was to understand the incidence and likelihood of functional decline after high-risk (ie, ≥1% inpatient mortality) colorectal operations both without and with complications., Design: This was a retrospective matched cohort study., Settings: The Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal survey of adults >50 years of age, collects data on functional status, cognition, and demographics, among other topics. The survey was linked with Medicare claims and National Death Index data from 1992 to 2012., Patients: Patients ≥65 years of age who underwent elective high-risk colorectal surgery with functional status measured before and after surgery were included. These patients were matched 1:3 to survey respondents who did not undergo major surgery, based on propensity scores., Main Outcome Measures: Functional decline, the primary outcome, was defined as an increase in the number of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living requiring assistance before and after surgery. Using logistic regression, we examined whether surgery without or with complications was associated with functional decline., Results: We identified 289 patients who underwent high-risk colorectal surgery and 867 matched control subjects. Of the surgery patients, 90 (31%) experienced a complication. Compared with the control subjects, surgery patients experienced greater likelihood of functional decline (without complications: OR = 1.82 (95% CI, 1.22-2.71), and with complications: OR = 2.96 (95% CI, 1.70-5.14)). Increasing age also predicted greater odds of functional decline (OR = 2.09, per decade (95% CI, 1.57-2.80))., Limitations: The functional measures were self-reported by survey participants., Conclusions: High-risk colorectal surgery, without or with complications, is associated with increased likelihood of functional decline in older adults. Patient-centered decision-making should include discussion of expected functional outcomes and long-term disability. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B78. PÉRDIDA DE LA FUNCIONALIDAD A LARGO PLAZO LUEGO DE CIRUGÍA ELECTIVA COLORRECTAL DE ALTO RIESGO EN EL PACIENTE AÑOSO: Aunque en la mayoría de las investigaciones los resultados quirúrgicos se centran en los puntos finales clínicos y las complicaciones, actualmente se pueden valorar los resultados funcionales en el paciente añoso. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre el riesgo de la discapacidad funcional a largo plazo después de un procedimiento colorrectal.Comprender la incidencia y la probabilidad del deterioro funcional después de operaciones colorrectales de alto riesgo (es decir, ≥1% de mortalidad hospitalaria) con y sin complicaciones.Estudio de cohorte emparejado retrospectivo.El seguimiento longitudinal representativo a nivel nacional en adultos de >50 años y que recopila datos sobre su estado funcional, su estado cognitivo y su demografía, entre otros temas es el llamado "Estudio de Salud en jubilados." La encuesta se vinculó con los reclamos de Medicare y los datos del Índice Nacional de Defunciones entre 1992 y 2012.Aquellos de ≥65 años que se sometieron a cirugía colorrectal electiva de alto riesgo con un estado funcional medido antes y después de la cirugía. Estos pacientes se compararon 1: 3 con los encuestados que no se sometieron a cirugía mayor, según puntajes de propensión.La disminución functional como resultado primario, se definió como un aumento en el número de actividades de la vida diaria y actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria que requieren asistencia antes y después de la cirugía. Mediante la regresión logística, evaluamos si la cirugía sin complicaciones y/o con complicaciones se asoció con un deterioro funcional.Identificamos 289 pacientes que se sometieron a cirugía colorrectal de alto riesgo y 867 controles pareados. De los pacientes de cirugía, 90 (31%) experimentaron algun tipo de complicación. En comparación con los controles, los pacientes de cirugía experimentaron una mayor probabilidad de deterioro funcional (sin complicaciones: OR 1.82, IC 95% 1.22-2.71, y con complicaciones: OR 2.96, IC 95% 1.70-5.14). El aumento de la edad también predijo mayores probabilidades en el deterioro funcional (OR 2.09, por década, IC 95% 1.57-2.80).Las medidas funcionales fueron autoinformadas por los participantes de la encuesta.La cirugía colorrectal de alto riesgo, con o sin complicaciones, se asocia con una mayor probabilidad de deterioro funcional en adultos mayores. La toma de decisiones centradas en el paciente deben incluir la discusión de los resultados funcionales esperados y la discapacidad a largo plazo. Vea el resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B78.

Background and Objectives: Primary colonic lymphoma (PCL) is rare, heterogeneous, and presents a therapeutic challenge for surgeons. Optimal treatment strategies are difficult to standardize, leading to variation in therapy. Our objective was to describe the patient characteristics, short-term outcomes, and five-year survival of patients undergoing nonpalliative surgery for PCL., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis in the National Cancer Database. Included patients underwent surgery for PCL between 2004 to 2014. Patients with metastases and palliative operations were excluded. Univariate predictors of overall survival were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis., Results: We identified 2153 patients. Median patient age was 68. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accounted for 57% of tumors. 30- and 90-Day mortality were high (5.6% and 11.1%, respectively). Thirty-nine percent of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. For patients surviving 90 days, 5-year survival was 71.8%. Chemotherapy improved survival (surgery+chemo, 75.4% vs surgery, 68.6%; P = .01). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with overall survival after controlling for age, comorbidity, and lymphoma subtype (HR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07-1.51; P = .01)., Conclusions: Patients undergoing surgery for PCL have high rates of margin positivity and high short-term mortality. Chemotherapy improves survival, but <50% receive it. These data suggest the opportunity for improvement of care in patients with PCL., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Identifying individuals with hereditary syndromes allows for improved cancer surveillance, risk reduction, and optimized management. Establishing criteria for assessment allows for the identification of individuals who are carriers of pathogenic genetic variants. The NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal provide recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with high-risk colorectal cancer syndromes. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on criteria for the evaluation of Lynch syndrome and considerations for use of multigene testing in the assessment of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.

Postacute care costs are the primary determinant of episode spending around hospitalization. Yet there is little evidence that greater spending on postacute care improves readmission rates or functional recovery. Recent Medicare payment reform evaluations have suggested that postacute care spending is responsive to episode-based incentives. However, it remains unknown whether Medicare payment policies are responsible for excess postacute care spending, compared with that of commercial payers. In a population-based, statewide collaborative of Michigan hospitals, we used regression discontinuity design among propensity-weighted, age-adjusted cohorts to compare postacute care spending between patients with commercial insurance and those with Medicare around age sixty-five. Spending was 68-230 percent greater among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries than among similar commercially insured people across varied medical and surgical conditions. Despite greater spending, there were no differences in readmission rates. These findings suggest that postacute care utilization is highly sensitive to payer influence, and there may be an opportunity for additional savings in Medicare without sacrificing quality.

Background and Objectives: In North America, preoperative combination chemoradiation is the most commonly recommended and utilized approach to locally advanced rectal cancer. There is increasing interest in the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) before radiation and surgery in locally advanced rectal cancer. How widely IC is being used and whether it improves pathologic and oncologic outcomes is unknown., Methods: We evaluated clinical stage 2 or 3 rectal cancer patients in the National Cancer Database between 2006 and 2015. We identified predictors of use of IC with multivariable logistic regression and compared survival between groups using Cox proportional hazards regression., Results: Among 36 268 patients, IC use increased significantly over time from 5.5% in 2006 to 15.9% in 2015 (P < 0.001). Treatment at a hospital with a high IC rate was an independent predictor of receipt of IC. IC and traditional therapy yielded similar pathologic complete response rates (32.2% vs 30.5%, P = 0.2) and similar 5-year survival (82.4% vs 81.4%, 0.71)., Conclusions: Use of IC for locally advanced rectal cancer has increased significantly. The choice of IC seems to be driven more by institutional and regional practice patterns than clinical characteristics and is not associated with improved pathologic or oncologic outcomes., (© The Authors Journal of Surgical Oncology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: With improving survival from colorectal cancer, there is a growing population of patients undergoing surveillance. National accreditation organizations have increasingly endorsed formal survivorship care planning. To effectively design patient-centered survivorship programs, an understanding of the prevalence of unmet psychosocial and symptomatic needs is required., Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the breadth of unmet needs among survivors of colorectal cancer., Design: This is a cross-sectional survey of patients undergoing surveillance after curative-intent therapy for colorectal cancer., Setting: This study was conducted June 2017 to January 2018 at an academic cancer center., Patients: There were 99 patients (58 with colon cancer, 41 with rectal cancer)., Main Outcome Measures: We measured patient-reported unmet needs by using a modification of the Cancer Survivor Unmet Needs instrument, within domains of emotional (stress, concerns about recurrence), relationship (fertility, interpersonal), logistical (need for accessible parking, case management), financial, treatment-related (neuropathy, bowel function), and surveillance-related needs., Results: The mean (±SD) age was 58 (±12), and the time from diagnosis was 34 (±18) months. Overall, 74% of patients reported at least one unmet need, 49% reported emotional needs, 24% relationship needs, 24% financial needs, 25% logistical needs, and 33% surveillance needs. Thirty-six (62%) patients with colon cancer and 37 (90%) patients with rectal cancer reported at least one ongoing problem (p = 0.002). Thirty-five (82%) patients with rectal cancer reported an unmet treatment-related need in comparison with 23 (40%) patients with colon cancer (p < 0.001). The median (interquartile range) number of ongoing needs were 1 (0-5) in patients with colon cancer and 4 (2-8) in patients with rectal cancer (p = 0.007)., Limitations: This study was limited by its small sample size and lack of generalizability, given the tertiary care setting., Conclusions: The majority of colorectal cancer survivors reported unmet needs years after completion of curative-intent therapy. Patients with rectal cancer were significantly more likely to have unmet needs and may benefit from additional care during survivorship. Colorectal cancer survivorship programs should incorporate psychosocial and symptomatic care in addition to cancer surveillance. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A885.

Importance: The American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) promotes multidisciplinary care to improve oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer. However, accreditation requirements may be difficult to achieve for the lowest-performing institutions. Thus, it is unknown whether the NAPRC will motivate care improvement in these settings or widen disparities., Objectives: To characterize hospitals' readiness for accreditation and identify differences in the patients cared for in hospitals most and least prepared for accreditation., Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 1315 American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals in the National Cancer Database from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015, were sorted into 4 cohorts, organized by high vs low volume and adherence to process standards, and patient and hospital characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared. The patients included those who underwent surgical resection with curative intent for rectal adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, or signet ring cell carcinoma. Data analysis was performed from November 2017 to January 2018., Exposures: Hospitals' readiness for accreditation, as determined by their annual resection volume and adherence to 5 available NAPRC process standards., Main Outcomes and Measures: Hospital characteristics, patient sociodemographic characteristics, and 5-year survival by hospital., Results: Among the 1315 included hospitals, 38 (2.9%) met proposed thresholds for all 5 NAPRC process standards and 220 (16.7%) met the threshold on 4 standards. High-volume hospitals (≥20 resections per year) tended to be academic institutions (67 of 104 [64.4%] vs 159 of 1211 [13.1%]; P = .001), whereas low-volume hospitals (<20 resections per year) tended to be comprehensive community cancer programs (530 of 1211 [43.8%] vs 28 of 104 [26.9%]; P = .001). Patients in low-volume hospitals were more likely to be older (11 429 of 28 076 [40.7%] vs 4339 of 12 148 [35.7%]; P < .001) and have public insurance (13 054 of 28 076 [46.5%] vs 4905 of 12 148 [40.4%]; P < .001). Low-adherence hospitals were more likely to care for black and Hispanic patients (1980 of 19 577 [17.2%] vs 3554 of 20 647 [10.1%]; P < .001). On multivariable Cox proportional hazards model regression, high-volume hospitals had better 5-year survival outcomes than low-volume hospitals (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99-1.00; P < .001), but there was no significant survival difference by hospital process standard adherence., Conclusions and Relevance: Hospitals least likely to receive NAPRC accreditation tended to be community institutions with worse survival outcomes, serving patients at a lower socioeconomic position. To possibly avoid exacerbating disparities in access to high-quality rectal cancer care, the NAPRC study findings suggest enabling access for patients with socioeconomic disadvantage or engaging in quality improvement for hospitals not yet achieving accreditation benchmarks.

Background: Bundled payment programs broaden hospitals' responsibility for spending to entire episodes of care. After demonstration programs in cardiac surgery and joint replacement, these payment reforms could soon extend to major operations like colectomy under Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement - Advanced Model., Objective: This study aims to evaluate how specific policies and surgical practice patterns would influence hospital reimbursement in a bundled payment program for colectomy., Design: This was a population-based study., Settings: We used national data from the 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review files for the years 2010 to 2014., Patients: We identified patients undergoing colon resections by using diagnosis-related group codes and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes., Main Outcome Measures: We simulated per case reconciliation payments as the difference between actual price-standardized 90-day episode payments and estimated regional spending benchmarks among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries undergoing colectomy (2010-2014).We projected per patient and overall hospital-level reconciliation payments and the proportion of hospitals that would achieve shared savings under bundled payment conditions. We also assessed how variation in the use of laparoscopy could influence shared savings, using instrumental variable methods to account for selection bias between laparoscopic and open procedures., Results: Under simulated bundled payment conditions, 51.8% of hospitals would achieve shared savings, but the average case would incur a reconciliation penalty of -$234 (95% CI, -$245 to -$223). Risk adjustment would increase the proportion of hospitals with shared savings to 54.3% (per case payment, +$237; 95% CI, $96-$379). Hospitals performing a greater proportion of cases laparoscopically would achieve higher per case reconciliation payments. For example, per case reconciliation penalties would be -$472 (95% CI, -$506 to -$438) for hospitals that performed 10% of their procedures laparoscopically, whereas those that performed 70% laparoscopically would receive payments of +$294 (95% CI, $262-$326)., Limitations: Alternative payment models for colectomy have not yet been introduced., Conclusions: Surgical leaders must be prepared with strategies for optimizing episode efficiency. Inclusion of risk adjustment in bundled payment calculations and expanding utilization of laparoscopic surgery may represent approaches to achieve shared savings and improve surgeon engagement in alternative payment models for surgical care. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A928.

Background: Discharge to a nonhome destination (ie, skilled nursing facility, subacute rehabilitation, or long-term care facility) after surgery is associated with increased mortality and higher costs and is less desirable to patients than discharge to home., Objective: We sought to identify modifiable hospital-level factors that may reduce rates of nonhome discharge after colorectal resection., Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing colorectal resection in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (July 2012 to June 2015). Patient- and hospital-level characteristics were tested for association with nonhome discharge patterns., Settings: Patients were identified using prospectively collected data from the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, a statewide collaborative encompassing 63 community, academic, and tertiary hospitals., Patients: Patients undergoing colon and rectal resections were included., Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure was hospital use patterns of nonhome discharge., Results: Of the 9603 patients identified, 1104 (11.5%) were discharged to a nonhome destination. After adjustments for patient factors associated with nonhome discharge, we identified variability in hospital use patterns for nonhome discharge. Designation as a low utilizer hospital was associated with affiliation with a medical school (p = 0.020) and high outpatient volume (p = 0.028). After adjustments for all hospital factors, only academic affiliation maintained a statistically significant relationship (OR = 4.94; p = 0.045)., Limitations: This study had a retrospective cohort design with short-term follow-up of sampled cases. Additionally, by performing our analysis on the hospital level, there is a decreased sample size., Conclusions: This population-based study shows that there is significant variation in hospital practices for nonhome discharge. Specifically, hospitals affiliated with a medical school are less likely to discharge patients to a facility, even after adjustment for patient and procedural risk factors. This study raises the concern that there may be overuse of subacute facility discharge in certain hospitals, and additional study is warranted. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A837.

Background: Health care providers, hospitals, and pay-for-performance programs are focused on strategies identifying patients at highest risk for re-admission after colorectal surgery. The study objective was to determine characteristics most associated with re-admission after elective colorectal surgery using a conceptual framework approach., Methods: This is an observational study of Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative clinical registry data for 8962 colorectal surgery cases between July-2012 and April-2015. Separate mixed models were fit using known re-admission risk factors aligned in categories that may impact re-admissions by different mechanisms. Overall model discrimination was evaluated using Area Under the Curve estimated on a hold-out data set and examining differences in predicted versus observed re-admission across risk quintiles., Results: The overall 30-day re-admission rate was 10.5%. From Model 1 to Model 6, discrimination of re-admission was poor until Model 6 (AUC, 0.56, 0.61, 0.65, 0.63, 0.72, 0.81). Differences for observed re-admission rates comparing 'very low' versus 'very high' risk strata from Model 1 to Model 6 were 6%, 11%, 15%, 14%, 20%, and 30% respectively, and all comparisons were significant (p < 0.01). Though there were significant predictors in the first five models, most were no longer significant when additional predictors were included in subsequent models. Complications identified after discharge significantly increased the likelihood of re-admission and were the strongest predictors., Conclusion: Statistical models that include complications identified after discharge predict re-admission. Strategies to reduce re-admission after colorectal surgery should emphasize prevention of complications and more effective interventions to manage and ameliorate evolving complications identified after discharge.

Purpose: To improve care coordination for complex cancers, it is critical to establish a more nuanced understanding of the types of providers involved. As the number of provider types increases, strategies to support cancer care coordination must adapt to a greater variety of information needs, communication styles, and treatment strategies., Methods: We categorized providers into 11 types, using National Provider Identifier specialties. Using Medicare claims, we counted the number of unique combinations of provider types billed during preoperative, operative, and postdischarge care for colon cancer surgery and assessed how this count varies across hospitals. The study included 70,567 beneficiaries in fee-for-service Medicare A and B for 6 months before and 60 days after an admission for colectomy for colon cancer between 2008 and 2011., Results: We observed 1,554 preoperative provider-type combinations, 975 operative combinations, and 1,571 postdischarge combinations. The three most common combinations in the preoperative phase were general medicine only, other medical specialists only, and general medicine and other medical specialists. In the operative phase, the three most common combinations were primary surgery, anesthesiology, and pathology; general medicine, other medical specialists, radiology, primary surgery, anesthesiology, and pathology; and other medical specialists, radiology, primary surgery, anesthesiology, and pathology. In the postdischarge phase, the three most common combinations were general medicine, general medicine and other medical specialists, and general medicine and oncology. On average, each hospital had 15 preoperative, 11 operative, and 15 postoperative combinations. High-volume, larger, teaching, urban, and noncritical access hospitals had more combinations in all phases., Conclusion: Many provider-type combinations are involved in colon cancer surgery care. Substantial variation exists across hospitals types, suggesting that certain hospitals need additional resources and more flexible infrastructure to coordinate care.

Regional clinical registries provide a unique opportunity for shared learning and population-based analyses of the quality of surgical care. Through the "Michigan Model" of pay for participation in strategic Value Partnerships, exemplified by the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (MSQC), the state's dominant private insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, has sponsored 20 statewide clinical quality improvement collaboratives. MSQC represents a partnership among 73 Michigan hospitals with a robust data infrastructure and flexible platform for the promulgation of best practices in surgical quality improvement. This article will describe the organizational structure of the MSQC, the contributions the registry has made to quality improvement in colorectal surgery, and how future work will align to improve the reliability of improvement-relevant registry data.