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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 27 Research Studies DisplayedBrajcich BC, Johnson JK, Holl JL
Evaluation of emergency department treat-and-release encounters after major gastrointestinal surgery.
The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of, reasons for, and predictors of emergency department treat-and-release encounters after gastrointestinal cancer operations. The researchers identified patients who underwent elective colorectal, esophageal, gastric, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or small intestinal operations for cancer from the 2015-2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient and State Emergency Department Databases for New York, Maryland, and Florida. The study found that among 51,527 patients at 406 hospitals, 7.9% had an ED treat-and-release encounter, and 10.8% had an ED encounter with readmission. In total, 40.7% of ED encounters were treat-and-release encounters. 12% of ED treat-and-release encounters were for pain, 11.7% for device/ostomy complaints, and 11.4% were for wound complaints (11.4%). ED treat-and-release encounters predictors included non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity and Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Brajcich BC, Johnson JK, Holl JL .
Evaluation of emergency department treat-and-release encounters after major gastrointestinal surgery.
J Surg Oncol 2023 Aug; 128(2):402-08. doi: 10.1002/jso.27292..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Digestive Disease and Health, Surgery, Hospital Readmissions
Herb J, Rodriguez-Ormaza N, Cunningham C
Gastrostomy tube outcomes among surgical and non-surgical services: a retrospective review.
The purpose of this retrospective analysis study was to evaluate variations in baseline characteristics, complications, and mortality in patients receiving a gastrostomy tube (GT) by surgical or non-surgical services. The researchers assessed adult patients who underwent GT placement from 2014 to 2017 at a single institution. The study found that of the 1,339 adults who underwent GT placement, surgical and non-surgical services performed 45 percent and 55 percent of procedures, respectively. Gastrostomy tube-related complications were similar with 29.6% surgical vs 28.8% non-surgical. The thirty-day mortality rate of 23.7 percent among non-surgical services than the 16.5 percent rate for surgical services.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Herb J, Rodriguez-Ormaza N, Cunningham C .
Gastrostomy tube outcomes among surgical and non-surgical services: a retrospective review.
Am Surg 2023 Apr; 89(4):813-20. doi: 10.1177/00031348211047173..
Keywords: Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes
Kanters AE, Evilsizer SK, Regenbogen SE
Correlation of colorectal surgical skill with patient outcomes: a cautionary tale.
Some have proposed that video-based skill assessments be used as a way to measure technical skills, quality improvement, and credentialing in colorectal surgeons and other practitioners. However, it must first be determined whether video-based assessments can accurately predict patient outcomes. The researchers assembled a panel of 10 peer surgeons to evaluate videos of minimally invasive colectomy procedures submitted by 21 surgeons. Each surgeon submitted one video, and the videos were edited to highlight key steps in the procedure. The panel and the surgeon participants were all associated with the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative. The panel used a validated American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons assessment instrument to rate the surgeon’s skills. The surgeon’s ratings were then linked to a validated registry of surgical outcomes, and the researchers assessed the relationship between skill level and risk-adjusted complication rates. The researchers found that after risk-adjustment there was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between the bottom (17.5%) and top (16.8%) quartile surgeons (p=0.41). The study concluded that there was no correlation between video-based peer rating of minimally invasive colectomy and postoperative complications among specialty surgeons, and that caution should be used when utilizing video review in credentialing.
AHRQ-funded; HS025365.
Citation: Kanters AE, Evilsizer SK, Regenbogen SE .
Correlation of colorectal surgical skill with patient outcomes: a cautionary tale.
Dis Colon Rectum 2022 Mar;65(3):444-51. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000002124..
Keywords: Surgery, Provider: Physician, Provider Performance, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes
Dos Santos Marques IC, Herbey II, Theiss LM
Understanding the surgical experience for Black and White patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): the importance of health literacy.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the surgical experience for Black and White inflammatory bowel disease patients. Same race, semi-structured qualitative interviews with patients with IBD who had undergone surgery were conducted to explore barriers and facilitators to a positive or negative surgical experience. The study reported that 6 focus groups were conducted with 10 Black and 17 White IBD participants with a mean age of 44.8 years, 52% of whom were male and 65% of whom had Crohn’s disease. Four themes were identified that most characterized the surgical experience: the impact of the IBD diagnosis, the quality of the information that was provided, disease management, and the surgery. Within these theme groupings, identified barriers to a positive surgical experience included inadequate personal knowledge of IBD, ineffective written and verbal communication, lack of a support system and complications after surgery. Both groups indicated that information was provided inconsistently which led to unclear expectations of surgical outcomes. The study concluded that surgical experiences vary between Black and White patients, but both groups emphasized the need for understandable, accurate, and trustworthy health information.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009; HS013852.
Citation: Dos Santos Marques IC, Herbey II, Theiss LM .
Understanding the surgical experience for Black and White patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): the importance of health literacy.
Am J Surg 2022 Feb;223(2):303-11. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.06.003..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Surgery, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Digestive Disease and Health, Patient Experience
Lumpkin ST, Harvey E, Mihas P
Understanding patients' decisions to obtain unplanned, high-resource health care after colorectal surgery.
Researchers investigated effective strategies to reduce unplanned post-discharge health care visits following colorectal surgery (CRS). They found that interview participants voiced clear mental algorithms about when to visit an emergency department, identified facilitators and barriers to optimal health care use, and identified tangible targets for health care utilization reduction efforts. The researchers concluded that efforts should be directed at improving post-discharge communication and care coordination in order to reduce CRS patients' high-resource health care utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS026363.
Citation: Lumpkin ST, Harvey E, Mihas P .
Understanding patients' decisions to obtain unplanned, high-resource health care after colorectal surgery.
Qual Health Res 2021 Jul;31(9):1582-95. doi: 10.1177/10497323211002479..
Keywords: Decision Making, Digestive Disease and Health, Surgery
Dos Santos Marques IC, Theiss LM, Wood LN
Racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The authors hypothesized that racial disparities exist for Hispanic and Asian patients undergoing surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS- NSQIP) was used. They found that racial disparities do exist among IBD patients undergoing surgery. Black, Hispanic, and Asian IBD patients experience major disparities in post-operative complications, readmissions, and length of stay, respectively, when compared to White patients with IBD. They recommended future research to better understand the mechanisms of these disparities including evaluation of social determinants of health.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Dos Santos Marques IC, Theiss LM, Wood LN .
Racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Am J Surg 2021 Apr;221(4):668-74. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.12.010..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes
Fischer CP, Knapp L, Cohen ME
Feasibility of enhanced recovery in emergency colorectal operation.
This study examines the feasibility of using enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) in emergency colorectal operations. It has been successfully used with elective surgical care but has not been examined for emergency procedures. A total of 31,511 patients who underwent colorectal operations at 235 hospitals were identified from a national ERP collaborative. Most were elective surgeries (28,425), with 3,086 emergencies. For emergency cases, rates of early Foley removal and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis were highest. Rates of multimodal pain control, early mobilization, and early liquid intake were modest. Patients younger than age 65 years, those with independent functional status, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification 1 to 3, and without physiologic derangement had the most nonadherence. Lack of mobilization or liquid intake was independently associated with increased odds of ileus and prolonged length of stay.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Fischer CP, Knapp L, Cohen ME .
Feasibility of enhanced recovery in emergency colorectal operation.
J Am Coll Surg 2021 Feb;232(2):178-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.10.004..
Keywords: Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Emergency Department, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Diaz A, Ricci KB, Rushing AP
Re-examining "never letting the sun rise or set on a bowel obstruction" in the era of acute care surgery.
This study looked at factors linked to emergency surgery practices for small bowel obstruction (SBO) as opposed to non-operative treatment. Data from adult SBO patients from 17 Statewide Inpatient Databases (SIDS) was linked to the authors’ 2015 survey on emergency general surgery (EGS) practices including queries on operating room (OR) availability and surgical staffing. Of the 32,422 SBO patients identified, 83% were treated non-operatively. Operative patients tended to be older, had more comorbidities (53% vs. 46% with 3 or greater), and experienced more systemic complications (36% vs. 23%), higher mortality (2.8% vs. 1.4%), and longer length of stay (median 10 vs. 4 days). Patients had higher odds of operation if they were treated at hospitals with surgeons sometimes or rarely/never covering EGS at more than one location compared to always.
AHRQ-funded; HS022694.
Citation: Diaz A, Ricci KB, Rushing AP .
Re-examining "never letting the sun rise or set on a bowel obstruction" in the era of acute care surgery.
J Gastrointest Surg 2021 Feb;25(2):512-22. doi: 10.1007/s11605-019-04496-3..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health
Lumpkin ST, Mihas P, Baldwin X
Surgical patient values frame and modify the impact of risk factors for non-routine postdischarge care: a mixed-methods study.
This mixed methods study looked at patient perspectives on risk factors of non-routine postdischarge care (emergency department visit or rehospitalization) for adult colorectal surgery patients. Surgery patients were identified from hospital records from 2017 to 2018. The authors enrolled 258 participants, surveyed 167, and interviewed 18. Depressive symptoms were found to be one of the many risk factors confirmed to increase non-routine health utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS026363.
Citation: Lumpkin ST, Mihas P, Baldwin X .
Surgical patient values frame and modify the impact of risk factors for non-routine postdischarge care: a mixed-methods study.
Am J Surg 2021 Jan;221(1):195-203. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.05.016..
Keywords: Digestive Disease and Health, Surgery, Risk, Hospital Readmissions, Emergency Department
Leeds IL, Jones C, DiBrito SR
Delay in emergency hernia surgery is associated with worse outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to determine if the variation in timing of urgent surgery impacts surgical outcomes. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was searched for emergent surgeries in 2011-2016 for abdominal hernia resulting in obstruction or gangrene by primary post-op diagnosis. Findings showed that delayed surgery was associated with increased rates of major complications, longer operative times, longer postoperative lengths of stay, increased re-operations, increased readmissions, and increased 30-day mortality. Next-day surgery and surgery delayed more than one day were associated with increased odds of a major complication.
AHRQ-funded; HS024547.
Citation: Leeds IL, Jones C, DiBrito SR .
Delay in emergency hernia surgery is associated with worse outcomes.
Surg Endosc 2020 Oct;34(10):4562-73. doi: 10.1007/s00464-019-07245-4..
Keywords: Surgery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Critical Care, Access to Care, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes
Vitous CA, Jafri SM, Seven C
Exploration of surgeon motivations in management of abdominal wall hernias: a qualitative study.
Although evidence-based guidelines designed to minimize health care variation and promote effective care are widely accepted, creating guidelines alone does not often lead to the desired practice change. Such knowledge-to-practice gaps are well-recognized in the management of patients with abdominal wall hernia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systematic application of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore motivations and behaviors associated with surgical decision-making in abdominal wall hernia practice to help inform the future design of theory-based interventions for desired practice and behavior change.
AHRQ-funded; HS025778.
Citation: Vitous CA, Jafri SM, Seven C .
Exploration of surgeon motivations in management of abdominal wall hernias: a qualitative study.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Sep;3(9):e2015916. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15916..
Keywords: Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Provider: Physician, Provider
Yuce TK, Ellis RJ, Merkow RP
Post-operative complications and readmissions following outpatient elective Nissen fundoplication.
Traditionally, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) has been considered an inpatient procedure. Advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques have led to a shift towards outpatient LNF procedures. However, differences in surgical outcomes between outpatient and inpatient LNF are poorly understood. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the frequency of outpatient LNF in a national cohort and (2) to identify any differences in complications or readmission rates between outpatient and inpatient LNF.
AHRQ-funded; HS024516.
Citation: Yuce TK, Ellis RJ, Merkow RP .
Post-operative complications and readmissions following outpatient elective Nissen fundoplication.
Surg Endosc 2020 May;34(5):2143-48. doi: 10.1007/s00464-019-07020-5..
Keywords: Surgery, Hospital Readmissions, Adverse Events, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Patient Safety
Pruitt LCC, Skarda DE, Rollins MD
Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis in children treated at US children's hospitals.
The incidence of and risk factors for Hirschsprung's-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) following pull-through have been limited to single institutions studies. In this retrospective cohort study, the investigators characterized the incidence of, risk factors for, and consequences of post-operative HAEC. The investigators concluded that HAEC following pull-through occurs in a large proportion of infants with HD and predicts reoperation. They suggest that multicenter studies are needed to develop prediction models and treatment protocols for HAEC.
AHRQ-funded; HS025776.
Citation: Pruitt LCC, Skarda DE, Rollins MD .
Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis in children treated at US children's hospitals.
J Pediatr Surg 2020 Mar;55(3):535-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.10.060.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Digestive Disease and Health, Surgery, Adverse Events, Risk, Hospitals
Khorfan R, Schlick CJR, Yang AD
Utilization of minimally invasive surgery and its association with chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.
This study compared outcomes of patients with T3 or greater and/or N+ gastric carcinoma who had minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or traditional open surgery. Patients who received MIS had a greater likelihood of receiving postoperative chemotherapy. Patients from the National Cancer Database (21,872) from 2010 to 2015 were identified. The majority (72.2%) received open surgery although MIS rates went up during that time period. Predictors of MIS were Asian race, any insurance coverage and treatment at high-volume centers. Survival rates were higher for MIS patients although that could be explained by their increased likelihood of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Khorfan R, Schlick CJR, Yang AD .
Utilization of minimally invasive surgery and its association with chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.
J Gastrointest Surg 2020 Feb;24(2):243-52. doi: 10.1007/s11605-019-04410-x.
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Keywords: Surgery, Treatments, Cancer, Digestive Disease and Health, Healthcare Utilization, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice
Strassle PD, Kinlaw AC, Chaumont N
Rates of elective colectomy for diverticulitis continued to increase after 2006 guideline change.
Gastroenterology 2019 Dec;157(6):1679-81.e11. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.08.045.
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess whether trends in elective and urgent/emergent colectomy changed after July 2006. The authors suggest that given the risks associated with elective colectomy, their findings demonstrate the need for a more evidence-based decision-making process, incorporating both patient preferences and patient-reported outcomes, for those considering elective colectomy for uncomplicated and some cases of complicated diverticulitis.
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess whether trends in elective and urgent/emergent colectomy changed after July 2006. The authors suggest that given the risks associated with elective colectomy, their findings demonstrate the need for a more evidence-based decision-making process, incorporating both patient preferences and patient-reported outcomes, for those considering elective colectomy for uncomplicated and some cases of complicated diverticulitis.
AHRQ-funded; HS026363.
Citation: Strassle PD, Kinlaw AC, Chaumont N .
Rates of elective colectomy for diverticulitis continued to increase after 2006 guideline change.
Gastroenterology 2019 Dec;157(6):1679-81.e11. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.08.045..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Healthcare Utilization, Guidelines, Decision Making, Digestive Disease and Health
Leeds IL, DiBrito SR, Canner JK
Cost-benefit limitations of extended, outpatient venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following surgery for Crohn's disease.
This goal of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of extended prophylaxis in patients with Crohn's disease after abdominal surgery. A decision tree model was used to assess cost-effectiveness and cost-per-case averted with extended-duration venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following abdominal surgery. Results showed that extended prophylaxis in patients with Crohn's disease postoperatively is not cost-effective when the cumulative incidence of posthospital thrombosis remains less than 4.9%. These findings are driven by the low absolute risk of thrombosis in this population and the considerable cost of universal treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS024547.
Citation: Leeds IL, DiBrito SR, Canner JK .
Cost-benefit limitations of extended, outpatient venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following surgery for Crohn's disease.
Dis Colon Rectum 2019 Nov;62(11):1371-80. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001461..
Keywords: Prevention, Digestive Disease and Health, Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Blood Clots, Decision Making, Medication
Law AC, Stevens JP, Walkey AJ
Gastrostomy tube use in the critically ill, 1994-2014.
This study used AHRQ’s Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s (HCUP’s) National Inpatient Sample to evaluate trends in gastrostomy tube use among critically ill adults from 1994 to 2014. Patients with dementia were excluded from the study. It was found that tube use more than doubled during that time period. Most patients were discharged to long-term care facilities after tube placement. Population-based rates went from 11.9 to 28.8 gastrostomies per 100,000 adults which is an increase of 142%.
AHRQ-funded; HS024288.
Citation: Law AC, Stevens JP, Walkey AJ .
Gastrostomy tube use in the critically ill, 1994-2014.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2019 Jun;16(6):724-30. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201809-638OC..
Keywords: Critical Care, Digestive Disease and Health, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery
Daniel VT, Ayturk D, Ward DV
The influence of payor status on outcomes associated with surgical repair of upper gastrointestinal perforations due to peptic ulcer disease in the United States.
An association between lack of insurance and inferior outcomes has been well described for a number of surgical emergencies, yet little is known about the relationship of payor status and outcomes of patients undergoing emergent surgical repair for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations. In this study, the investigators evaluated the association of payor status and in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing emergency surgery for UGI perforations in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; HS022694.
Citation: Daniel VT, Ayturk D, Ward DV .
The influence of payor status on outcomes associated with surgical repair of upper gastrointestinal perforations due to peptic ulcer disease in the United States.
Am J Surg 2019 Jan;217(1):121-25. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.06.025..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Digestive Disease and Health, Health Insurance, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Mortality, Outcomes, Patient Safety, Surgery, Uninsured
Balentine CJ, Kenzik K, Chu DI
Planning post-discharge destination for gastrointestinal surgery patients: room for improvement?
Investigators compared short-term recovery for patients discharged to inpatient rehabilitation versus skilled nursing facilities after gastrointestinal surgery. They found that there was no difference in 30-day readmission rates, but post-discharge mortality was higher for patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities compared to inpatient rehabilitation.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Balentine CJ, Kenzik K, Chu DI .
Planning post-discharge destination for gastrointestinal surgery patients: room for improvement?
Am J Surg 2018 Nov;216(5):912-18. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.05.004..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Rehabilitation, Nursing Homes, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Transitions of Care
Symer MM, Abelson JS, Sedrakyan A
Early operative management of complicated appendicitis is associated with improved surgical outcomes in adults.
In this study, the New York State Planning and Research Cooperative database was used to identify all patients admitted with complicated appendicitis and undergoing appendectomy within 1-year. Primary outcome was any complication. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, and laparoscopy use. Outcomes were compared in appendectomy before or after 48h from admission. The investigators found more complications, longer LOS, and higher charges in patients undergoing delayed surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Symer MM, Abelson JS, Sedrakyan A .
Early operative management of complicated appendicitis is associated with improved surgical outcomes in adults.
Am J Surg 2018 Sep;216(3):431-37. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.04.010..
Keywords: Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes
Leeds IL, Canner JK, Efron JE
The independent effect of cancer on outcomes: a potential limitation of surgical risk prediction.
This study aims to compare the use of common risk models for benign versus malignant gastrointestinal disease. It found that the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) prediction models less effectively evaluate the risk of death in cancer patients as compared to patients with benign disease. A diagnosis of cancer is independently associated with an increased risk of surgical complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Leeds IL, Canner JK, Efron JE .
The independent effect of cancer on outcomes: a potential limitation of surgical risk prediction.
J Surg Res 2017 Dec;220:402-09.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.08.039.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Cancer, Digestive Disease and Health, Risk, Surgery
Symer MM, Abelson JS, Milsom J
A mobile health application to track patients after gastrointestinal surgery: results from a pilot study.
Many surgical readmissions are preventable. Mobile health technology can identify nascent complications and potentially prevent readmission. The researchers performed a pilot study of a new mobile health application in adults undergoing major abdominal surgery and determined the app can track patient recovery from major abdominal surgery, is easy to use, and has potential to improve outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Symer MM, Abelson JS, Milsom J .
A mobile health application to track patients after gastrointestinal surgery: results from a pilot study.
J Gastrointest Surg 2017 Sep;21(9):1500-05. doi: 10.1007/s11605-017-3482-2..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Readmissions, Surgery, Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Digestive Disease and Health, Prevention
Dimou FM, Adhikari D, Mehta HB
Incidence of hepaticojejunostomy stricture after hepaticojejunostomy.
The authors aimed to determine the timing, incidence, and management of stricture after biliary-enteric anastomosis. They found that younger age was associated with a decreased likelihood of stricture formation and that the presence of an endostent predicted stricture formation. They concluded that biliary-enteric anastomotic strictures occur with significant frequency after a biliary-enteric anastomosis, and that while many patients are managed nonoperatively, stricture diagnosis remains burdensome.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Dimou FM, Adhikari D, Mehta HB .
Incidence of hepaticojejunostomy stricture after hepaticojejunostomy.
Surgery 2016 Sep;160(3):691-8. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.05.021.
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Keywords: Surgery, Adverse Events, Digestive Disease and Health, Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Simianu VV, Fichera A, Bastawrous AL
Number of diverticulitis episodes before resection and factors associated with earlier interventions.
The authors described patterns of episodes of diverticulitis before surgery and factors associated with earlier interventions using inpatient, outpatient, and antibiotic prescription claims. They found that 56.3% of elective resections for uncomplicated diverticulitis occurred after fewer than 3 episodes. Further, they determined that earlier surgery was not explained by younger age, laparoscopy, time between the last 2 episodes preceding surgery, or financial risk-bearing for patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS020025.
Citation: Simianu VV, Fichera A, Bastawrous AL .
Number of diverticulitis episodes before resection and factors associated with earlier interventions.
JAMA Surg 2016 Jul;151(7):604-10. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2015.5478.
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Keywords: Decision Making, Digestive Disease and Health, Health Systems, Healthcare Utilization, Surgery
Ehlers AP, Simianu VV, Bastawrous AL
Alvimopan use, outcomes, and costs: a report from the Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program Comparative Effectiveness Research Translation Network Collaborative.
The researchers investigated the effectiveness of alvimopan in routine clinical practice and its impact on hospital costs. They found that when used in routine clinical practice, alvimopan was associated with a shorter length of stay and limited but significant hospital cost savings. They concluded that both efficacy and effectiveness data support the use of alvimopan in routine clinical practice, and its use could be measured as a marker of higher quality care.
AHRQ-funded; HS020025.
Citation: Ehlers AP, Simianu VV, Bastawrous AL .
Alvimopan use, outcomes, and costs: a report from the Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program Comparative Effectiveness Research Translation Network Collaborative.
J Am Coll Surg 2016 May;222(5):870-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2016.01.051.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Healthcare Costs