{"title":"Financial Toxicity in Complex Gastrointestinal Surgery and Correlation with Patient Reported Outcomes.","authors":"Lindsey Young, Rosemary Vergara, John Henriquez, Alvis Fong, Talal Al-Assil, Saad Shebrain, Gitonga Munene","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006559","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000006559","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe financial toxicity (FT) in patients who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery and its correlation with patients' emotional (EWB) and social well-being (SWB).</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>FT describes the financial burden associated with treatment and its impact on patient outcomes. Few prior studies have examined FT in gastrointestinal surgery and its impact on patient quality of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at our institution were assessed for FT with a validated instrument between Jan 2022 and Jan 2023. EWB and SWB were assessed with a validated instrument. Risk factors for FT were determined using a multivariable model. The correlation between FT and patient EWB and SWB was assessed using Pearson correlation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>188 patients were surveyed, the majority had pancreatic resections (n = 90, 47.9%), 59 (31.4%) patients experienced FT. On multivariable analysis, categories associated with increased likelihood of exhibiting financial toxicity included single marital status and not receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, with odds ratio (95% C.I) of [3.02 (1.07, 8.51), P=.037] and [3.86 (1.3, 11.44), P=.015) respectively. Higher EWB and SWB scores directly correlated with higher FT scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients undergoing complex gastrointestinal surgery often experience financial toxicity that affects patient reported outcomes. Financial toxicity is associated with identifiable pre-operative factors that can be utilized to screen patients for interventions that may mitigate some of the harmful effects of FT.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142543243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-11DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006558
Amina Tidjani, Hina Bhat, Prasad S Adusumilli
{"title":"Spread through air spaces (STAS): Cancer beyond the cutting edge.","authors":"Amina Tidjani, Hina Bhat, Prasad S Adusumilli","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006558","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000006558","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142543248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-08DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000006557
Mark C Bicket,Jennifer F Waljee,Mark R Hemmila
{"title":"New Persistent Opioid Use: Uncovering Mortality Risks for Surgical and Trauma Patients.","authors":"Mark C Bicket,Jennifer F Waljee,Mark R Hemmila","doi":"10.1097/sla.0000000000006557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0000000000006557","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142385287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-03DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006556
Angela L F Gibson, Lee D Faucher
{"title":"Is It the Holy Grail or Snake Oil?","authors":"Angela L F Gibson, Lee D Faucher","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006556","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000006556","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142364068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-03DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006551
Minke L Feenstra, Cezanne D Kooij, Wietse J Eshuis, Eline M de Groot, Jeroen Hermanides, B Feike Kingma, Suzanne S Gisbertz, Jelle P Ruurda, Freek Daams, Marije Marsman, Oscar F C van den Bosch, Werner Ten Hoope, Lucas Goense, Misha D P Luyer, Grard A P Nieuwenhuijzen, Harm J Scholten, Marc Buise, Marc J van Det, Ewout A Kouwenhoven, Franciscus van der Meer, Geert W J Frederix, Markus W Hollmann, Edward Cheong, Mark I van Berge Henegouwen, Richard van Hillegersberg
{"title":"Paravertebral versus EPidural Analgesia in Minimally Invasive Esophageal ResectioN (PEPMEN): A Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial.","authors":"Minke L Feenstra, Cezanne D Kooij, Wietse J Eshuis, Eline M de Groot, Jeroen Hermanides, B Feike Kingma, Suzanne S Gisbertz, Jelle P Ruurda, Freek Daams, Marije Marsman, Oscar F C van den Bosch, Werner Ten Hoope, Lucas Goense, Misha D P Luyer, Grard A P Nieuwenhuijzen, Harm J Scholten, Marc Buise, Marc J van Det, Ewout A Kouwenhoven, Franciscus van der Meer, Geert W J Frederix, Markus W Hollmann, Edward Cheong, Mark I van Berge Henegouwen, Richard van Hillegersberg","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000006551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare quality of recovery in patients receiving epidural or paravertebral analgesia for minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).</p><p><strong>Summary background data: </strong>Paravertebral analgesia may be a promising alternative to epidural analgesia, avoiding potential side effects and improving postoperative recovery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized controlled superiority trial was conducted across four Dutch centers with esophageal cancer patients scheduled for transthoracic MIE with intrathoracic anastomosis, randomizing patients to receive either epidural or paravertebral analgesia. The primary outcome was Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) on the third postoperative day (POD). Secondary outcomes included quality of life, postoperative pain, opioid consumption, inotropic/vasopressor medication use, hospital stay, complications, readmission, and mortality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From December 2019 to February 2023, 192 patients were included: 94 received epidural and 98 paravertebral analgesia. QoR-40 score on POD3 was not different between groups (mean difference 3.7, 95%CI -2.3 to 9.7; P=0.268). Epidural patients had significant higher QoR-40 scores on POD1 and 2 (mean difference 7.7, 95%CI 2.3-13.1; P=0.018 and mean difference 7.3, 95%CI 1.9-12.7; P=0.020) and lower pain scores (median 1 versus 2; P=<0.001 and median 1 versus 2; P=0.033). More epidural patients required vasopressor medication on POD1 (38.3% versus 13.3%; P<0.001). Urinary catheters were removed earlier in the paravertebral group (median POD3 versus 4; P=<0.001). No significant differences were found in postoperative complications or hospital/Intensive Care Unit stay.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This randomized controlled trial did not demonstrate superiority of paravertebral over epidural analgesia regarding quality of recovery on POD3 after MIE. Both techniques are effective and can be offered in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142364069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-02DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006554
Joshua S Jolissaint, Stephanie M Lobaugh, Debra A Goldman, Sarah M McIntyre, Elvira L Vos, Katherine S Panageas, Alice C Wei
{"title":"Frequency and Natural History of Emergency General Surgery Conditions in Cancer Patients: A SEER-Medicare Population Analysis.","authors":"Joshua S Jolissaint, Stephanie M Lobaugh, Debra A Goldman, Sarah M McIntyre, Elvira L Vos, Katherine S Panageas, Alice C Wei","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006554","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000006554","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine if cancer patients experience variability in incidence or management of emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions compared to non-cancer patients.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>The true frequency, and natural history of EGS conditions among cancer patients has not been characterized.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We utilized SEER-Medicare data from January 2006-December 2015 to compare patients with breast, prostate, and lung cancer to a non-cancer cohort. Patients were followed from date of cancer diagnosis, or an index date for non-cancer patients, to the development of an EGS condition, death or last follow up. We assessed the cumulative incidence of EGS conditions over time, and fit multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the impact of time-dependent surgical intervention on mortality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 322,756 patients with breast (N=82,147), lung (N=128,618), and prostate cancer (N=111,991) and 210,429 non-cancer patients.. Cancer patients had a higher incidence of an EGS condition within the first year after diagnosis (4.8% vs. 3.2%), with lung (6.8%) and breast cancer (4.0%) showing consistent rends. Cancer patients were less likely to undergo surgery for (13% vs. 14%, P=0.005), though this varied by cancer type and EGS conditions. Patients with breast (HR 1.27, 95%CI 1.17-1.39) and lung cancer (HR 3.27, 95%CI 3.07-3.48) were more likely to die within 30-days of an EGS diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cancer patients experience a higher incidence of EGS conditions within the first year following diagnosis, but are less likely to undergo surgery. Future research is needed to explore the interplay between EGS conditions, their management, and receipt of intended oncologic therapy, and resulting outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142360958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006550
James E Fanning, Rosie Friedman, Angela Chen, Valeria Bustos, Mohamed Ismail Aly, Aaron Fleishman, Young Kwon Hong, Leo Tsai, John A Parker, Kevin Donohoe, Dhruv Singhal
{"title":"The Upper Extremity Lymphatic System Is Not Symmetrical in Individuals: An Anatomic Study Utilizing ICG Lymphography and SPECT/CT Lymphoscintigraphy.","authors":"James E Fanning, Rosie Friedman, Angela Chen, Valeria Bustos, Mohamed Ismail Aly, Aaron Fleishman, Young Kwon Hong, Leo Tsai, John A Parker, Kevin Donohoe, Dhruv Singhal","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006550","DOIUrl":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006550","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We evaluated whether superficial lymphatic anatomy and functional lymph node drainage are symmetric between the right and left upper extremities of healthy female volunteers, and if handedness is associated with symmetry of superficial lymphatic anatomy.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Symmetry of lymphatic anatomy has been assumed historically. This assumption of individual anatomic symmetry is being utilized clinically and in research without validation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>36 normal female volunteers underwent bilateral indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography and lymphoscintigraphy of the upper extremities. Eight collecting vessel pathways of each upper extremity were mapped on ICG lymphography. 13 lymph node groups were visualized on lymphoscintigraphy. Symmetry of lymphatic anatomy and functional drainage were established by comparing the right and left extremities of each participant. Hand dominance was assessed by hand grip strength on a hand dynamometer.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 36 participants, 10 (28%) showed symmetry of all eight upper extremity lymphatic pathways with ICG. However, only 1 (3%) participant demonstrated complete symmetry amongst the 13 lymph node groups. Total symmetry of lymphatic channels was observed on ICG in seven (39%) participants with hand dominance and three (17%) participants without hand dominance (X2 = 2.215, P = 0.137).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lymphatic anatomy and functional drainage of the upper extremities are not consistently symmetric. Functional nodal drainage as demonstrated by lymphoscintigraphy shows less symmetry than anatomic studies of lymphatic channels using ICG. Symmetric lymphatic anatomy does not appear to correlate with hand dominance. These findings challenge the prevailing assumption of left-right lymphatic symmetry.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142339784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-06-06DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006383
Chase J Wehrle, Mir Shanaz Hossain, Breanna Perlmutter, Jenny H Chang, Daniel Joyce, Robert Simon, Toms Augustin, R Matthew Walsh
{"title":"Consequences of a Surveillance Strategy for Side-branch Intraductal Pancreatic Mucinous Neoplasms: Long-term Follow-up of One Thousand Cysts.","authors":"Chase J Wehrle, Mir Shanaz Hossain, Breanna Perlmutter, Jenny H Chang, Daniel Joyce, Robert Simon, Toms Augustin, R Matthew Walsh","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006383","DOIUrl":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To quantify the rate of progression in surveilled cysts and assess what factors should indicate delayed resection.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (SB-IPMNs) are increasingly discovered, making it challenging to identify which patients require resection, thus avoiding inappropriate treatment. Most incidental lesions are surveyed, yet the consequences of that decision remain uncertain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospectively maintained database of pancreatic cystic neoplasms was queried for patients with SB-IPMN. Patients with ≥2 imaging studies >6 months apart were included. Clinically relevant progression (CR-progression) was defined by symptoms, worrisome/high-risk stigmata, or invasive cancer (IC). Growth ≥5 mm in 2 years is considered CR-progression; size ≥3 cm alone is not.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 1997 and 2023, 1337 patients were diagnosed with SB-IPMN. Thirty-seven (2.7%) underwent up-front surgery; 1000 (75.0%) had >6 months of surveillance.The rate of CR-progression was 15.3% (n = 153) based on size increase (n = 63, 6.3%), main-duct involvement (n = 48, 4.8%), symptoms (n = 8, 5.0%), or other criteria (n = 34, 3.4%). At a median follow-up of 6.6 years (interquartile range: 3.0-10.26), 17 patients (1.7%) developed IC. Those with CR-progression developed IC in 11.1% (n = 17) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in 6.5% (n = 10). Nearly half of the cancers were not contiguous with the surveyed SB-IPMN.Size ≥3 cm was not associated with HGD/IC ( P = 0.232). HGD/IC was least common in CR-progression determined by size growth (6.3%) versus main-duct involvement (24%) or other (43%, P < 0.001)Patients with CR-progression demonstrated improved survival (overall survival) with resection on time-to-event ( P < 0.001) and multivariate Cox regression (hazard ratio = 0.205, 0.096-0.439, P < 0.001) analyses. Overall survival was not improved with resection in all patients ( P = 0.244).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CR-progression for SB-IPMNs is uncommon, with the development of cancer anywhere in the pancreas being rare. Initial size should not drive resection. Long-term and consistent nonoperative surveillance is warranted, with surgery currently reserved for CR-progression, knowing that the majority of these still harbor low-grade pathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":"683-692"},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141260725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-06-11DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006381
Brianna L Collie, Nicole B Lyons, Logan Goddard, Michael D Cobler-Lichter, Jessica M Delamater, Larisa Shagabayeva, Edward B Lineen, Carl I Schulman, Kenneth G Proctor, Jonathan P Meizoso, Nicholas Namias, Enrique Ginzburg
{"title":"Optimal Timing for Initiation of Thromboprophylaxis After Hepatic Angioembolization.","authors":"Brianna L Collie, Nicole B Lyons, Logan Goddard, Michael D Cobler-Lichter, Jessica M Delamater, Larisa Shagabayeva, Edward B Lineen, Carl I Schulman, Kenneth G Proctor, Jonathan P Meizoso, Nicholas Namias, Enrique Ginzburg","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006381","DOIUrl":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006381","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the optimal timing of thromboprophylaxis (TPX) initiation after hepatic angioembolization in trauma patients.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>TPX after hepatic trauma is complicated by the risk of bleeding, but the relative risk after hepatic angioembolization is unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients who underwent hepatic angioembolization within 24 hours were retrospectively identified from the 2017 to 2019 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Project data sets. Cases with <24-hour length of stay and other serious injuries were excluded. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) included deep venous thrombosis and PE. Bleeding complications included hepatic surgery, additional angioembolization, or blood transfusion after TPX initiation. Differences were tested with univariate and multivariate analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 1550 patients, 1370 had initial angioembolization. Bleeding complications were higher in those with TPX initiation within 24 hours (20.0% vs 8.9%, P <0.001) and 48 hours (13.2% vs 8.4%, P =0.013). However, VTE was higher in those with TPX initiation after 48 hours (6.3% vs 3.3%, P =0.025). In the 180 patients with hepatic surgery before angioembolization, bleeding complications were higher in those with TPX initiation within 24 hours (72% vs 20%, P <0.001), 48 hours (50% vs 17%, P <0.001), and 72 hours (37% vs 14%, P =0.001). Moreover, deep venous thrombosis was higher in those with TPX initiation after 96 hours (14.3% vs 3.1%, P =0.023).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is the first study to address the timing of TPX after hepatic angioembolization in a national sample of trauma patients. For these patients, initiation of TPX at 48 to 72 hours achieves the safest balance in minimizing bleeding while reducing the risk of VTE.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Level III-retrospective cohort study.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":"676-682"},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141299856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of surgeryPub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-06-25DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006412
Joshua E Rosen, Sarah E Monsell, Sara C DePaoli, Erin C Fannon, Johnathan E Kohler, Caroline E Reinke, Lillian S Kao, Ryan B Fransman, Jonah J Stulberg, Michael B Shapiro, Deepika Nehra, Pauline K Park, Sabrina E Sanchez, Katherine N Fischkoff, Giana H Davidson, David R Flum
{"title":"The Use and Impact of a Decision Support Tool for Appendicitis Treatment.","authors":"Joshua E Rosen, Sarah E Monsell, Sara C DePaoli, Erin C Fannon, Johnathan E Kohler, Caroline E Reinke, Lillian S Kao, Ryan B Fransman, Jonah J Stulberg, Michael B Shapiro, Deepika Nehra, Pauline K Park, Sabrina E Sanchez, Katherine N Fischkoff, Giana H Davidson, David R Flum","doi":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006412","DOIUrl":"10.1097/SLA.0000000000006412","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Since introducing new and alternative treatment options may increase decisional conflict, we aimed to describe the use of the decision support tool (DST) and its impact on treatment preference and decisional conflict.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>For the treatment of appendicitis, antibiotics are an effective alternative to appendectomy, with both approaches associated with a different set of risks (eg, recurrence vs surgical complications) and benefits (eg, more rapid return to work vs decreased chance of readmission). Patients often have limited knowledge of these treatment options, and DSTs that include video-based educational materials and questions to elicit patient preferences about outcomes may be helpful. Concurrent with the Comparing Outcomes of Drugs and Appendectomy trials, our group developed a DST for appendicitis treatment ( www.appyornot.org ).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort including people who self-reported current appendicitis and used the AppyOrNot DST between 2021 and 2023. Treatment preferences before and after the use of the DST, demographic information, and Ottawa Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) were reported after completing the DST.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 8243 people from 66 countries and all 50 U.S. states accessed the DST. Before the DST, 14% had a strong preference for antibiotics and 31% for appendectomy, with 55% undecided. After using the DST, the proportion in the undecided category decreased to 49% ( P < 0.0001). Of those who completed the Ottawa Decisional Conflict Score (DCS; n = 356), 52% reported the lowest level of decisional conflict (<25) after using the DST; 43% had a DCS score of 25 to 50, 5.1% had a DCS score of >50 and 2.5% had and DCS score of >75.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The publicly available DST appyornot.org reduced the proportion that was undecided about which treatment they favored and had a modest influence on those with strong treatment preferences. Decisional conflict was not common after use. The use of this DST is now a component of a nationwide implementation program aimed at improving the way surgeons share information about appendicitis treatment options. If its use can be successfully implemented, this may be a model for improving communication about treatment for patients experiencing emergency health conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":8017,"journal":{"name":"Annals of surgery","volume":" ","pages":"616-622"},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141445333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}