Tiia Mönttinen1, Helmi Kangaspunta2, Johanna Laukkarinen2,3, Mika Ukkonen4,5. 1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, New Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. 3. Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, 33521, Tampere, Finland. 4. Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. mika.ukkonen@fimnet.fi. 5. Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, 33521, Tampere, Finland. mika.ukkonen@fimnet.fi.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Appendectomy is the most common emergency operation and is often performed during on-call hours, when surgeons with different sub-specialties and levels of experience in emergency surgery operate on patients. However, little is known about the safety of the procedure when operations are performed by surgeons not regularly using standard laparoscopic techniques. Here we aim to assess variation in outcomes in patients operated on by surgeons with different levels of experience in laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy at Tampere University Hospital between September 1, 2014 and April 30, 2017 for acute appendicitis were included. The data were analyzed by level of experience among surgeons regularly performing laparoscopic surgery and by volume among surgeons performing over 30 appendectomies per year or fewer. RESULTS: A total of 1560 patients underwent appendectomy, with 61% operated on by laparoscopic surgeons, and the rest by surgeons not habitually using laparoscopic techniques. Demographic characteristics, as well as share of patients with perforated appendicitis were similar in both groups. Morbidity was higher among those operated on by non-laparoscopic surgeons (6.1% and 3.0% p = 0.004), especially if appendicitis was complicated (18% and 5.6%, p < 0.001). Infectious complications were the most common. The risk of postoperative organ/space surgical site infections was higher among patients operated on by non-laparoscopic surgeons (3.5% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.006; Clavien-Dindo III-IV 2.0% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.030). Morbidity was 2.7% among those operated on by surgeons performing ≥ 30 appendectomies per year compared to 5.2% among those performing < 30 appendectomies per year. In multivariate analysis surgeon's experience (p = 0.002; HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.38-3.90) and complicated disease (p < 0.001; HR 4.71; 95% CI 2.79-7.93) predicted higher morbidity. DISCUSSION: According to our study, routine use of laparoscopic techniques in daily practice improves outcomes after appendectomy. In addition, a higher surgical volume correlates with improved outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Appendectomy is the most common emergency operation and is often performed during on-call hours, when surgeons with different sub-specialties and levels of experience in emergency surgery operate on patients. However, little is known about the safety of the procedure when operations are performed by surgeons not regularly using standard laparoscopic techniques. Here we aim to assess variation in outcomes in patients operated on by surgeons with different levels of experience in laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy at Tampere University Hospital between September 1, 2014 and April 30, 2017 for acute appendicitis were included. The data were analyzed by level of experience among surgeons regularly performing laparoscopic surgery and by volume among surgeons performing over 30 appendectomies per year or fewer. RESULTS: A total of 1560 patients underwent appendectomy, with 61% operated on by laparoscopic surgeons, and the rest by surgeons not habitually using laparoscopic techniques. Demographic characteristics, as well as share of patients with perforated appendicitis were similar in both groups. Morbidity was higher among those operated on by non-laparoscopic surgeons (6.1% and 3.0% p = 0.004), especially if appendicitis was complicated (18% and 5.6%, p < 0.001). Infectious complications were the most common. The risk of postoperative organ/space surgical site infections was higher among patients operated on by non-laparoscopic surgeons (3.5% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.006; Clavien-Dindo III-IV 2.0% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.030). Morbidity was 2.7% among those operated on by surgeons performing ≥ 30 appendectomies per year compared to 5.2% among those performing < 30 appendectomies per year. In multivariate analysis surgeon's experience (p = 0.002; HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.38-3.90) and complicated disease (p < 0.001; HR 4.71; 95% CI 2.79-7.93) predicted higher morbidity. DISCUSSION: According to our study, routine use of laparoscopic techniques in daily practice improves outcomes after appendectomy. In addition, a higher surgical volume correlates with improved outcomes.
Authors: Hae Young Kim; Ji Hoon Park; Yoon Jin Lee; Sung Soo Lee; Jong-June Jeon; Kyoung Ho Lee Journal: Radiology Date: 2017-11-27 Impact factor: 11.105