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Background and Objectives: Spine surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative medical adverse events (AEs). Many of these events are considered "minor" though their cost and effect on outcome may be underestimated. We sought to examine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a postoperative quality improvement (QI) care bundle in mitigating postoperative medical AEs in adult surgical spine patients., Methods: We collected 14-year prospective observational interrupted time series (ITS) with two historical cohorts: 2006 to 2008, pre-implementation of the postoperative QI care bundle; and 2009 to 2019, post-implementation of the postoperative QI care bundle. Adverse Events were identified and graded (Minor I and II) using the previously validated Spine AdVerse Events Severity (SAVES) system. Pearson Correlation tested for changes across patient and surgical variables. Adjusted segmented regression estimated the effect of the postoperative QI care bundle on the annual and absolute incidences of medical AEs between the two periods. A cost model estimated the annual cumulative cost savings through preventing these "minor" medical AEs., Results: We included 13,493 patients over the study period with a mean of 964 per year (SD ± 73). Mean age, mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and mean spine surgical invasiveness index (SSII) increased from 48.4 to 58.1 years; 1.7 to 2.6; and 15.4 to 20.5, respectively (p < 0.001). Unadjusted analysis confirmed a significant decrease in the annual number of all medical AEs (p < 0.01). When adjusting for age, CCI and SSII, segmented regression demonstrated a significant absolute reduction in the annual incidence of cardiac, pulmonary, nausea and medication-related AEs by 9.58%, 7.82%, 11.25% and 15.01%, respectively (p < 0.01). The postoperative QI care bundle was not associated with reducing the annual incidence of delirium, electrolyte levels or GI AEs. Annual projected cost savings for preventing Grade I and II medical AEs were $1,808,300 CAD and $11,961,500 CAD., Conclusion: Postoperative QI care bundles are effective for improving patient care and preventing medical care-related AEs, with significant cost savings. Postoperative QI care bundles should be tailored to the specific vulnerability of the surgical population for experiencing AEs., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that they have no known conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The primary hypothesis of the study is that acoustic neuroma (AN) surgery and microvascular decompression (MVD) of cranial nerves increase the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)., Methods: We designed a retrospective case-control study matched on age, sex, and year of surgery (≤2005 and >2005). Year of surgery was noted as a potential confounder, because routine antiemetic prophylaxis was strongly encouraged at the study site in 2005. Cases of PONV in the recovery room were matched to controls in a 1:2 manner using a perioperative database. Charts were then reviewed for the following data: American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, smoking status, craniotomy location, craniotomy indication, and type of anesthetic administered., Results: The final analysis included 117 cases that were matched with 185 controls. Patients had a mean age of 50 years (SD=13), and 65% were female. Overall, the majority of craniotomies were supratentorial (70%) and performed for tumor resection (41%). On multivariable analysis, MVD [odds ratio (OR)=6.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0-22.7; P=0.002], AN (OR=3.3; 95% CI, 1.0-11.0; P=0.05), and epilepsy surgery (OR=2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.5; P=0.04) were associated with an increased likelihood of PONV when compared with tumor surgery. There was effect modification of total intravenous anesthesia by location of surgery (P-interaction=0.02). The benefit of total intravenous anesthesia on PONV was observed in supratentorial (OR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.17-0.96; P=0.04) but not infratentorial location (OR=2.6; 95% CI, 0.78-8.7; P=0.11)., Conclusions: MVD and AN resection were associated with an increased likelihood of PONV compared with craniotomies performed for other tumor resection.

Background: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality in a variety of surgical settings, but has not been well studied after lung resection surgery. In the present study, we defined the incidence of postoperative AKI, identified risk factors, and clarified the relationship between postoperative AKI and outcome in patients undergoing lung resection surgery., Methods: A retrospective, observational study of patients who underwent lung resection surgery between January 2006 and March 2010 in a tertiary care academic center was conducted. Postoperative AKI was diagnosed within 72 hours after surgery based on the Acute Kidney Injury Network creatinine criteria. Logistic regression was used to model the association between perioperative factors and the risk of AKI within 72 hours after surgery. The relationship between postoperative AKI and patient outcome including mortality, days in hospital, and the requirement of reintubation was investigated., Results: A total of 1129 patients (pneumonectomy n = 71, bilobectomy n = 30, lobectomy n = 580, segmentectomy n = 35, wedge resection/bullectomy n = 413) were included in the final analysis. Patients were an average of 61 years (SD 15) and 50% were female. AKI was diagnosed in 67 patients (5.9%) based on Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria (stage 1, n = 59; stage 2, n = 8; and stage 3, n = 0) within 72 hours after surgery, and only 1 patient required renal replacement therapy. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an independent association between postoperative AKI and hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.8), peripheral vascular disease (OR 4.4, 95% CI: 1.8-10), estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.69-0.93), preoperative use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.4), intraoperative hydroxyethyl starch administration (OR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1), and thoracoscopic (versus open) procedures (OR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15-0.90). Development of AKI was associated with increased rates of tracheal reintubation (12% vs 2%, P < 0.001), postoperative mechanical ventilation (15% vs 3%, P < 0.001), and prolonged hospital length of stay (10 vs 8 days, P < 0.001). There was no difference in mortality between the 2 groups (3% vs 1%, P = 0.12)., Conclusions: Preoperative risk factors for AKI after lung resection surgery overlap with those established for other surgical procedures. Perioperative management seems to influence the risk of AKI after lung resection; in particular, the use of synthetic colloids may increase the risk, whereas thoracoscopic procedures may decrease the risk of AKI. Early postoperative AKI is associated with respiratory complications and prolonged hospitalization.