Supervised multimodal prehabilitation prior to colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery is associated with reduced complications and enhanced recovery. However, it is labor intensive and expensive. In an aging population with increasing demand and costs on healthcare and staff shortages, home-based prehabilitation (HBP) with an app could be of interest. This study assessed the effectiveness of a Fit4Surgery app in CRC surgery.

The app was effectuated in a prospective cohort study of 100 CRC patients ≥60 years from October 2021-December 2022. The primary outcome was preservation or improvement of the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) six weeks postoperative, compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes were 90-day complication and mortality rate, 90-day readmission, length of stay, 6MWT and Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB) at different timepoints and total costs.

Three patients needed urgent surgery, remaining 97 patients (mean age 72) using the app for at least three weeks. The 6MWT was preserved in 74.7 % with a 12.1 m higher mean six weeks postoperative, compared to baseline (p = 0.194). A significant higher 6MWT was observed after prehabilitation and one year postoperative, compared to baseline (p=<0.001). The SPPB was significant higher at all timepoints. Overall 90-day complication rate was 25.8 %, readmission rate 6.3 % and mortality occurred in 2.1 %. Total costs were €518.50 per patient.

This is the first study of multimodal HBP by an app for CRC surgery patients with high compliance. Results show promising results regarding functional capacity and a low occurrence of complications, in line with multimodal supervised prehabilitation. This by reducing costs by half.

Heart rate variability (HRV) represents efferent vagus nerve activity, which is suggested to be related to fundamental mechanisms of tumorigenesis and to be a predictor of prognosis in various cancers. Therefore, this study hypothesized that HRV monitoring could predict perioperative complication (PC) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

To investigate the prognostic value of HRV in hospitalized CRC patients.

The observational studies included 87 patients who underwent CRC surgical procedures under enhanced recovery after surgery programs in a first-class hospital. The HRV parameters were compared between the PC group and the non PC (NPC) group from preoperative day 1 to postoperative day (Pod) 3. In addition, inflammatory biomarkers and nutritional indicators were also analyzed.

The complication rate was 14.9%. HRV was markedly abnormal after surgery, especially in the PC group. The frequency-domain parameters (including pNN50) and time-domain parameters [including high-frequency (HF)] of HRV were significantly different between the two groups postoperatively. The pNN50 was significantly greater at Pod1 in the PC group than that in the NPC group and returned to baseline at Pod2, suggesting that patients with complications exhibited autonomic nerve dysfunction in the early postoperative period. In the PC group, HFs were also enhanced from Pod1 and were significantly higher than in the NPC group; inflammatory biomarkers were significantly elevated at Pod2 and Pod3; the levels of nutritional indicators were significantly lower at Pod1 and Pod2; and the white blood cell count was slightly elevated at Pod3.

HRV is independently associated with postoperative complications in patients with CRC. Abnormal HRV could predicted an increased risk of postoperative complications in CRC patients. Continuous HRV could be used to monitor complications in patients with CRC during the perioperative period.

Time-driven activity-based costing (TD-ABC) holds promise to control costs and enhance value in oncology, but the current landscape of its applications remains uncharted. This study aimed to: (1) document the applications of TD-ABC in oncology and unveil its strengths and limitations, (2) assess the extent to which studies adhere to Kaplan and Porter's method, and (3) appraise study quality.

A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to provide an empirical application of TD-ABC within oncology. Structured data extraction included key characteristics such as cancer type, perspective, and analysis setting. Quality was assessed using the TD-ABC Healthcare Consortium Consensus Statement checklist.

A total of 59 studies met the inclusion criteria, two-thirds of which were published within the last 5 years. Most studies were conducted in high-income countries and analyzed common cancer types. The provider's perspective (85%) dominated, and studies typically relied on single-institution data (76%). No study assessed costs over a complete cycle of care and most focused on the costs of radiotherapy (56%) or surgery (20%). Articles generally did not adhere to the seven-step method, and average study quality was low (52%), particularly because of inadequate content in methods and results.

Oncology has emerged as a productive field for TD-ABC analyses, showcasing the effectiveness of TD-ABC in capturing the costs of healthcare processes in which medical devices are integral to care delivery. Nevertheless, concerns arise because of the low overall study quality and the lack of a consistent methodology.

To quantify how surgical complications impact hospital revenue when their effect on the volume of admissions is considered.

Retrospective analysis of comprehensive administrative data.

Three university hospitals in France.

54 637 inpatient stays between 2017 and 2023 in 4 surgical departments (abdominal, orthopedics, thoracic, and urology).

Stays were categorized by their diagnosis-related group and occurrence of one or more complications, according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision diagnosis codes. First, data were aggregated monthly to determine the impact of variation in the monthly mean length of stay (LOS) on the monthly volume of admissions, using an instrumental variable strategy. Second, LOS and revenue per patient were compared for patients with and without complications. Finally, an estimation of the impact of complications on total revenue was performed.

A total of 54 637 stays were analyzed, with 9735 (17.8%) experiencing at least one complication. The mean LOS was 8.7 days and the mean revenue per patient was €7602. The instrumental variable analysis, designed to account for unobserved confounders, showed that a decrease of 10% in the monthly mean LOS increased the monthly volume of admissions by 9% (95% CI (5.1% to 13.0%), p<0.01). Complications increased the LOS by 10.9 days (95% CI: (8.95 to 13.1), p<0.01) and revenue per patient by €7912 (95% CI: (6420 to 9087), p<0.01), but decreased daily revenue per patient by €211 (95% CI: (-384 to -83.0), p<0.01). Over the study period, the estimated potential loss induced by complications ranged from 6.6% (95% CI (6.3% to 7.0%), p<0.01) to 9.1% (95% CI (8.8% to 9.4%), p<0.01) of actual revenue. Departments with higher complication rates incurred larger potential losses.

Surgical complications reduce total revenue by crowding out short stays that generate more daily revenue. This challenges the consensus that complications are a boon for hospital revenue, instead implying that they shrink hospital net margins (ie, revenue minus costs).

To identify an optimal postoperative day 3 (POD3) C-reactive protein (CRP) cut-off for predicting major complications in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Secondary objectives included identifying patient and surgical factors associated with POD3 CRP levels and assessing the accuracy of the cut-off across subgroups.

A retrospective cohort study of 1536 CRC patients who underwent an oncological resection was conducted. The predictive accuracy of POD3 CRP for major complications was tested using Receiver Operating Characteristics curves. The CRP cut-off was tested across subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses was performed to evaluate the predictive value of the POD3 CRP cut-off, while also determining whether patient and surgical characteristics independently predicted major complications.

An optimal cut-off of 114 mg/L was identified, with a sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 0.59 and an Area Under the Curve for POD3 CRP of 0.78. Sensitivity remained consistently high across all subgroups, whereas specificity exhibited variability, with a notable decrease observed in the subgroups; aged 66-69, obese, ASA III and open surgery. After adjusting for patient and surgery characteristics, a POD3 CRP level above 114 mg/L was associated with a significant 5.29-fold increase in the odds for developing major complications.

A POD3 CRP cut-off of 114 mg/L is an effective predictor of major complications following CRC surgery, supporting safe early discharge. The cut-off remains a reliable predictor, even after adjusting for patient and surgery factors.

The LIMERIC study has proven that colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection effectively and safely removes benign colonic lesions unsuitable for endoscopic removal, thereby avoiding the need for major surgery.

To evaluate the impact of colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge on health-related quality of life of patients who participated in the LIMERIC study.

Prospective multicenter study.

The LIMERIC study was performed between 2016 and 2020 in 13 Dutch hospitals. Five-level EuroQoL 5-dimension questionnaires were administered at baseline and 3 months after the procedure.

Patients with incomplete pre- or postoperative questionnaires or those undergoing combined interventions were excluded from the intention-to-treat analysis. Those for whom CAL-WR was not feasible or who underwent completion surgery were excluded from the per-protocol analysis.

Colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge for either 1) colon polyp unsuitable for endoscopic resection; 2) nonlifting residual or recurrent polyp within scar tissue after previous polypectomy; or (3) Rx/R1 endoscopic removal of a low-risk pT1 colon carcinoma.

Three-month health-related quality of life.

Colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge did not affect health-related quality of life in the per-protocol analysis (n = 56) or in the intention-to-treat analysis (n = 67). The majority of patients reported no change in health status (57%). No significant differences were observed in the distribution of responses across all 5 dimensions before and after colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge. Patients'EuroQoL self-rated visual analog scale scores were also unaffected by a colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge, with a median score of 82.5 at baseline and 80 after surgery in the per-protocol analysis ( p = 0.63).

Solely a patient-reported outcome measure evaluating global health-related quality of life was used, rather than one specifically assessing disease-related quality of life, such as the quality of life questionnaire colorectal cancer module 29.

Colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge has no significant impact on the health-related quality of life in patients with benign colonic lesions and should therefore be considered before major surgery is performed. See Video Abstract.

ANTECEDENTES:El estudio LIMERIC ha demostrado que la resección laparoscópica en cuña asistida por colonoscopia elimina de forma eficaz y segura las lesiones colónicas benignas inadecuadas para la extirpación endoscópica, evitando así la necesidad de cirugía mayor.OBJETIVO:Evaluar el impacto de la cuña laparoscópica asistida por colonoscopia en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los pacientes que participaron en el estudio LIMERIC.DISEÑO:Estudio multicéntrico prospectivo.ENTORNO:El estudio LIMERIC se realizó entre 2016 y 2020 en 13 hospitales holandeses. Se administraron cuestionarios EQ-5D-5L al inicio y 3 meses después del procedimiento.PACIENTES:Los pacientes con cuestionarios pre o postoperatorios incompletos o aquellos sometidos a intervenciones combinadas fueron excluidos del análisis por intención de tratar. Aquellos en los que la CAL-WR no era factible o que se sometieron a cirugía de finalización fueron excluidos del análisis por protocolo.INTERVENCIÓN:Cuña laparoscópica asistida por colonoscopia para (1) pólipo de colon no apto para resección endoscópica; (2) pólipo residual o recidivante no elevable dentro de tejido cicatricial tras polipectomía previa; o (3) extirpación endoscópica Rx/R1 de un carcinoma de colon pT1 de bajo riesgo.MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO PRINCIPALES:Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud a los tres meses.RESULTADOS:La cuña laparoscópica asistida por colonoscopia no afectó a la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en el análisis por protocolo (n = 56), ni en el análisis por intención de tratar (n = 67). La mayoría de los pacientes no informaron ningún cambio en su estado de salud (57%). No se observaron diferencias significativas en la distribución de las respuestas en las 5 dimensiones antes y después de la cuña laparoscópica asistida por colonoscopia. La EQ-VAS autoevaluada de los pacientes tampoco se vio afectada por la cuña laparoscópica asistida por colonoscopia, con una puntuación media de la VAS de 82,5 al inicio y 80 después de la cirugía en el análisis por protocolo (p = 0,63).LIMITACIONES:Se utilizó únicamente una medida de resultados comunicada por el paciente que evaluaba la calidad de vida global relacionada con la salud, en lugar de una que evaluara específicamente la calidad de vida relacionada con la enfermedad, como el QLQ-CR29.CONCLUSIONES:La cuña laparoscópica asistida por colonoscopia no tiene un impacto significativo en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes con lesiones colónicas benignas y, por lo tanto, debe considerarse antes de realizar una cirugía mayor. (Traducción-Dr. Aurian Garcia Gonzalez ).

Multimodal protocols such as Acceleration of Total Postoperative Recovery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery propose a set of pre- and post-operative care to accelerate the recovery of surgical patients. However, in clinical practice, simple care such as early refeeding and use of drains are often neglected by multidisciplinary teams.

Investigate whether early postoperative refeeding determines benefits in colorectal oncological surgery; whether the patients' clinical conditions preoperatively and the use of a nasogastric tube and abdominal drain delay their recovery.

Retrospective cohort carried out at the Cascavel Uopeccan Cancer Hospital, including adult cancer patients (age ≥18 years), from the Unified Health System (SUS), who underwent colorectal surgeries from January 2018 to December 2021.

275 patients were evaluated. Of these, 199 (75.4%) were refed early. Late refeeding (odds ratio - OR=2.1; p=0.024), the use of nasogastric tube (OR=2.72; p=0.038) and intra-abdominal drain (OR=1.95; p=0.054) increased the chance of infectious complication. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving a late postoperative diet is an independent risk factor for infectious complications. Late refeeding (p=0.006) after the operation and the placement of an intra-abdominal drain (p=0.007) are independent risk factors for remaining hospitalized for more than five days postoperatively.

Refeeding early in the postoperative period reduces the risk of infectious complications. Using abdominal drains and refeeding late (>48h) for cancer patients undergoing colorectal surgery are risk factors for hospital stays longer than five days.

Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of mortality globally, with several factors impacting patient outcomes, including access to healthcare, early detection, and treatment. Despite this, the specific factors affecting incidence of death among colorectal cancer patients in the Amhara region have not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this study seeks to assess incidence and determinants of mortality among colorectal cancer patients in Amhara Region oncology centers.

The mean age of the participants was 48.6 years (SD ± 15). Median survival time was 23.8 months. The overall incidence rate or incidence density of a colorectal cancer mortality rate was 2.9 per 100 person-months (95% CI: 2.5-3.4). Survival rates of colorectal cancer patients 1and 5 year was 69.78% and 16.1%, respectively. The result of the multivariable analysis showed that colorectal cancer patients who had presenting symptoms [AHR = 2.67 (95% CI: 1.95, 3.67)], Base line HGB level < 12.5 mg/dl [AHR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.37)], WHO or ECOG poor performance status [AHR = 2.99 (95% CI: 2.17, 4.12), late stage of cancer [AHR = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.42, 3.79)] and location of tumor on colorectal [AHR = 1.76 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.55)] were significantly associated with mortality of colorectal cancer.

The study highlights significant findings on the survival and mortality of colorectal cancer patients. The overall mortality rate was 2.9 per 100 person-months. Multivariable analysis identified presenting symptoms, low baseline hemoglobin levels, poor performance status, late-stage cancer, and tumor location as significant predictors of mortality. Highlighting the need for early detection and targeted care strategies.

Interest in prehabilitation, the preoperative enhancement of patients' condition, is rising in the surgical field. Challenging factors appear to be patients' motivation to participate in and their compliance with prehabilitation programs. The aim of this qualitative study was to study the real-life experience of prehabilitation by assessing the lived experience and perceptions of participants in a multimodal prehabilitation program and to explore factors that influence participation and compliance during prehabilitation.

Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer and who had participated in the 4-week multimodal prehabilitation program "BEFORE" feasibility study were recruited. Their lived experiences were collected through semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematical approach. As no new information emerged after the interviews, data were considered saturated.

Six patients were interviewed. Seven main themes were discussed during the interviews, including information provision, motivation for participation, and content of the program. The results of this study emphasize the importance of adequate patient education, in-hospital exercise with the supervision of physiotherapists, and a patient-centered program. Logistical problems and the impact of cancer diagnosis were most frequently reported as barriers to participation.

Participation could be improved by providing adequate information and solving logistical issues. Patient-centeredness of the program is an important feature in improving adherence.

Postoperative infections remain a significant source of morbidity among patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. While probiotics have been proposed as a potential strategy to mitigate the risk of these infections, contemporary meta-analyses have produced conflicting findings.

To synthesize the available evidence regarding the prophylactic efficacy of probiotics in preventing infections following CRC surgery.

A comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted to identify relevant meta-analyses published up to February 2024. To assess the efficacy of probiotics on outcomes, relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95%CI were pooled using a random effects model.

This comprehensive umbrella meta-analysis integrated eleven meta-analyses encompassing 11518 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Probiotics administration resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of total infections (RR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.31-0.51; moderate certainty), surgical site infections (RR: 0.56, 95%CI: 0.49-0.63; high certainty), pneumonia (RR: 0.38, 95%CI: 0.30-0.48; high certainty), urinary tract infections (RR: 0.44, 95%CI: 0.31-0.61; moderate certainty), bacteremia (RR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.30-0.56; high certainty), and sepsis (RR: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.25-0.44; high certainty). However, probiotics did not significantly affect intra-abdominal, central line, or peritoneal infections.

Probiotics have demonstrated potential in mitigating postoperative infectious complications among patients undergoing CRC surgery.

High-impact surgery imposes a significant physiological and functional burden and is associated with substantial postoperative morbidity. Multimodal prehabilitation has demonstrated a reduction in postoperative complications and enhanced functional recovery, mainly in abdominal cancer surgery. Common preoperative risk factors shared among patients undergoing high-impact surgery, extending beyond abdominal cancer surgery procedures, suggest the relevance of multimodal prehabilitation to a broader patient population. This stepped wedge trial primarily aims to examine the hospital-wide effect of multimodal prehabilitation, compared to standard preoperative care, on the occurrence and severity of postoperative complications. Secondary and tertiary endpoints include length of hospital stay, physical fitness, nutritional status, mental health, intoxications, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

The Fit4Surgery (F4S) PREHAB trial is a monocenter stepped wedge trial in an academic hospital. Adult patients, divided into 20 health clusters based on specific diagnoses, will be assessed for eligibility and receive usual preoperative care or multimodal prehabilitation. Patient enrollment commenced in March 2021 and continues up to and including April 2024. The intervention consists of a high-intensity exercise program, a nutritional intervention, psychological support, and smoking and alcohol cessation. The primary outcome will be measured by the Clavien-Dindo classification (grade II or higher) and the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI).

Multimodal prehabilitation potentially reduces postoperative complications and enhances functional recovery. This is the first study to determine the hospital-wide effect and cost-effectiveness of multimodal prehabilitation in patients across various surgical specialties.

Prehabilitation for colorectal cancer has focused on exercise-based interventions that are typically designed by clinicians; however, no research has yet been patient-oriented. The aim of this feasibility study was to test a web-based multimodal prehabilitation intervention (known as PREP prehab) consisting of four components (physical activity, diet, smoking cessation, psychological support) co-designed with five patient partners.

A longitudinal, two-armed (website without or with coaching support) feasibility study of 33 patients scheduled for colorectal surgery 2 weeks or more from consent (January-September 2021) in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Descriptive statistics analysed a health-related quality of life questionnaire (EQ5D-5L) at baseline (n = 25) and 3 months postsurgery (n = 21), and a follow-up patient satisfaction survey to determine the acceptability, practicality, demand for and potential efficacy in improving overall health.

Patients had a mean age of 52 years (SD 14 years), 52% were female and they had a mean body mass index of 25 kg m-2 (SD 3.8 kg m-2). Only six patients received a Subjective Global Assessment for being at risk for malnutrition, with three classified as 'severely/moderately' malnourished. The majority (86%) of patients intended to use the prehabilitation website, and nearly three-quarters (71%) visited the website while waiting for surgery. The majority (76%) reported that information, tools and resources provided appropriate support, and 76% indicated they would recommend the PREP prehab programme. About three-quarters (76%) reported setting goals for lifestyle modification: 86% set healthy eating goals, 81% aimed to stay active and 57% sought to reduce stress once a week or more. No patients contacted the team to obtain health coaching, despite broad interest (71%) in receiving active support and 14% reporting they received 'active support'.

This web-based multimodal prehabilitation programme was acceptable, practical and well-received by all colorectal surgery patients who viewed the patient-oriented multimodal website. The feasibility of providing active health coaching support requires further investigation.

Prehabilitation before colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery is promising to prevent complications and to enhance recovery, especially in patients aged 70 or older or in patients with an American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical classification score 3-4, for whom surgery is associated with higher postoperative complications and long-lasting adverse effects on functional performance.

A cohort study was conducted in a large teaching hospital in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. Fifty CRC patients (≥70 years or ASA 3-4) underwent multimodal prehabilitation between September 2020 and July 2021. The reference group comprised 50 patients (≥70 years or ASA 3-4) from a historical cohort receiving CRC surgery without prehabilitation (March 2020-August 2020). The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative complication rate. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, 90-day readmission and mortality rates and functional outcome in the prehabilitation group.

One patient in the prehabilitation group decided not to undergo surgery. Of the remaining 49 patients, 48 (98.0 %) received prehabilitation for at least 3 weeks. Of these patients, 32.7 % developed postoperative complications, compared to 58 % in the reference group (p = 0.015), and none were readmitted, in contrast to 6 reference group patients (12.0 %, p = 0.012). Length of stay and mortality did not differ significantly. Six weeks postoperatively, all functional outcomes in the prehabilitation group were significantly higher than at baseline.

Prehabilitation reduced postoperative complications and improved short-term functional outcomes in older and high-risk patients receiving CRC surgery. Further research should investigate the maintenance of long-term enhanced lifestyle and the effects of tailor-made programs.

Perioperative mobilisation and physical activity are critical components of postoperative rehabilitation. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for complications and prolonged hospitalisation. However, specific recommendations for preoperative and postoperative physical activity levels are currently lacking. Evidence suggests that daily step count before and after surgery may impact the length of hospital stay and complication rate.The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of perioperative step volume recommendations, measured by pedometers, in reducing the length of hospital stay and complication rate for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

This study is a single-centre randomised controlled trial with two arms, allocated at a 1:1 ratio. The trial includes individuals undergoing colorectal surgery for either suspected or confirmed colorectal malignancy. A total of 222 patients will be randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Step counts will be measured using a pedometer. Patients assigned to the intervention group will be given a predetermined preoperative and postoperative step count goal. The analysis will be conducted on preoperative and postoperative physical activity, quality of life, health, duration of hospitalisation, complication rate and bowel function, among other factors.

The trial was approved by the ethics committee of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany (reference number: 22-0758, protocol version 2022.02). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and shared at academic conferences. After the publication of the results, a fully anonymised data set and the statistical code can be made available on justified scientific request and after ethical approval has been granted.

DRKS00030017.

Colorectal cancer stands as a prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Acute colonic obstruction occurs in approximately 20% of patients and represents a surgical emergency with substantial morbidity and mortality. The optimal approach for managing left-sided colon cancer with acute colonic obstruction remains debatable, with no consensus on whether emergency resection or bridge-to-surgery, involving initial decompressing stoma and subsequent elective resection after recovery, should be employed. Current studies show a decrease in morbidity and short-term mortality for the bridge-to-surgery approach, yet it remains unclear if the long-term oncological outcome is equivalent to emergency resection.

This prospective, randomized, multicenter trial aims to investigate the management of obstructive left-sided colon cancer in a comprehensive manner. The study will be conducted across 26 university hospitals and 40 academic hospitals in Germany. A total of 468 patients will be enrolled, providing a cohort of 420 evaluable patients, with an equal distribution of 210 patients in each treatment arm. Patients with left-sided colon cancer, defined as cancer between the left splenic flexure and > 12 cm ab ano and obstruction confirmed by X-ray or CT scan, are eligible. Randomization will be performed in a 1:1 ratio, assigning patients either to the oncological emergency resection group or the bridge-to-surgery group, wherein patients will undergo diverting stoma and subsequent elective oncological resection after recovery. The primary endpoint of this trial will be 120-day mortality, allowing for consideration of the time interval between diverting stoma and resection.

The findings derived from this trial possess the potential to reshape the current clinical approach of emergency resection for obstructive left-sided colon cancer by favoring the bridge-to-surgery practice, provided that a reduction in morbidity can be achieved without compromising the oncological long-term outcome.

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) under the identifier DRKS00031827. Registered on May 15, 2023.

28.04.2023, protocol version 2.0F.

Multimodal prehabilitation programmes are increasingly being imbedded in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathways to enhance the patient's recovery after surgery. However, there is no (inter)national consensus on the content or design of such a programme. This study aimed to evaluate the current practice and opinion regarding preoperative screening and prehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery for CRC throughout the Netherlands.

All regular Dutch hospitals offering colorectal cancer surgery were included. An online survey was sent to one representative colorectal surgeon per hospital. Descriptive statistics were used for analyses.

Response rate was 100% (n = 69). Routine preoperative screening of patients with CRC for frailty, diminished nutritional status and anaemia was the standard of care in nearly all Dutch hospitals (97%, 93% and 94%, respectively). Some form of prehabilitation was provided in 46 hospitals (67%) of which more than 80% addressed nutritional status, frailty, physical status and anaemia. All but two of the remaining hospitals were willing to adopt prehabilitation. The majority of the hospitals offered prehabilitation to specific subgroups of patients with CRC, such as the elderly (41%), the frail (71%) or high-risk patients (57%). There was high variability in the setting, design and content of the prehabilitation programmes.

Whereas preoperative screening is sufficiently incorporated in Dutch hospitals, standardised enhancement of the patient's condition in the context of multimodal prehabilitation seems to be challenging. This study presents an overview of current clinical practice in the Netherlands. Uniform clinical prehabilitation guidelines are vital to diminish heterogeneity in programmes and to produce useful data to enable a nationwide implementation of an evidence-based prehabilitation programme.

A watch-and-wait strategy for patients with rectal cancer with a clinical complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is a valuable alternative for rectal resection. However, there are patients who will have residual tumor or regrowth during watch and wait.

The aim of this study was to investigate safety and costs for patients who underwent delayed surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

This is a retrospective cohort study with prospectively collected data.

The study was conducted at a large teaching hospital.

Between January 2015 and May 2020, 622 new rectal cancer patients were seen, of whom 200 received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Ninety-four patients were included, 65 of whom underwent immediate surgery and 29 of whom required delayed surgery after an initial watch-and-wait approach.

Outcome measures included 30-day postoperative morbidity rate, hospital costs. 2-year overall and disease-free survival.

There was no difference in length of stay (9 vs 8; p = 0.83), readmissions (27.6% vs 10.0%; p = 0.10), surgical re-interventions (15.0% vs 3.4%; p = 0.16), or stoma-free rate (52.6% vs 31.0%; p = 0.09) between immediate and delayed surgery groups. Hospital costs were similar in the delayed group (€11,913 vs €13,769; p = 0.89). Two-year overall survival (93% vs 100%; p = 0.23) and disease-free survival (78% vs 81%; p = 0.47) rates were comparable.

Limitations included small sample size, follow-up time and retrospective design.

Delayed surgery for regrowth in a watch-and-wait program or for persistent residual disease after a repeated assessment is not associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity or a significant rise in costs compared to immediate total mesorectal excision. There also appears to be no evident compromise in oncological outcome. Repeated response assessment in patients with a near complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is a useful approach to identify more patients who can benefit from a watch-and-wait strategy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B836 .

ANTECEDENTES: Una estrategia de Watch and Wait para pacientes con cáncer de recto con una respuesta clínica completa después de quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante es una alternativa valiosa en vez de resección rectal. Sin embargo, hay pacientes que tendrán tumor residual o un recrecimiento durante el Watch and Wait .OBJETIVO: El objetivo fue investigar la seguridad y los costos para los pacientes que se sometieron a una cirugía diferida después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante.DISEÑO: Este es un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con datos recolectados prospectivamente.AJUSTE: El estudio se llevó a cabo en un gran hospital universitario.PACIENTES: Entre enero de 2015 y mayo de 2020, se atendieron 622 nuevos pacientes con cáncer de recto, de los cuales 200 recibieron quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante. Se incluyeron 94 pacientes, de los cuales 65 se sometieron a cirugía inmediata y 29 pacientes requirieron cirugía diferida después de un enfoque inicial de observación y espera.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: se incluyeron la tasa de morbilidad posoperatoria a 30 días, los costos hospitalarios y las sobrevidas general y libre de enfermedad a dos años.RESULTADOS: No hubo diferencia en la duración de la estancia (9 vs 8, p = 0,83), reingresos (27,6% vs 10,0%, p = 0,10), reintervenciones quirúrgicas (15,0% vs 3,4%, p = 0,16) y tasa libre de estoma (52,6% vs 31,0%, p = 0,09) entre los grupos de cirugía inmediata y tardía. Los costos hospitalarios fueron similares en el grupo retrasado (11913 € frente a 13769 €, p = 0,89). Las tasas de sobrevida general a dos años (93% frente a 100%, p = 0,23) y sobrevida libre de enfermedad (78% frente a 81%, p = 0,47) fueron comparables.LIMITACIONES: Tamaño de muestra pequeño, tiempo de seguimiento y diseño retrospectivo.CONCLUSIÓN: La cirugía tardía para el recrecimiento en un programa de Watch and Wait o para la enfermedad residual persistente después de una evaluación repetida no se asocia con un riesgo mayor de morbilidad posoperatoria ni con un aumento significativo en los costos, en comparación con la escisión total de mesorrecto inmediata. Tampoco parece haber un compromiso evidente en el resultado oncológico. La evaluación repetida de la respuesta en pacientes con una respuesta clínica casi completa después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante es un enfoque útil para identificar más pacientes que pueden beneficiarse de una estrategia de Watch and Wait . Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B836 . (Traducción-Dr. Juan Carlos Reyes ).

Multimodal prehabilitation programs to improve physical fitness before surgery often include nutritional interventions. This study evaluates the efficacy of and adherence to a nutritional intervention among colorectal and esophageal cancer patients undergoing the multimodal Fit4Surgery prehabilitation program. The intervention aims to achieve an intake of ≥1.5 g of protein/kg body weight (BW) per day through dietary advice and daily nutritional supplementation (30 g whey protein). This study shows 56.3% of patients met this goal after prehabilitation. Mean daily protein intake significantly increased from 1.20 ± 0.39 g/kg BW at baseline to 1.61 ± 0.41 g/kg BW after prehabilitation (p < 0.001), with the main increase during the evening snack. BW, BMI, 5-CST, and protein intake at baseline were associated with adherence to the nutritional intervention. These outcomes suggest that dietary counseling and protein supplementation can significantly improve protein intake in different patient groups undergoing a multimodal prehabilitation program.

Surgery for complex primary and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), such as liver resection and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), in academic settings has led to improved survival but is associated with complications up to 75%. Prehabilitation has been shown to prevent complications in non-academic hospitals. This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of a multimodal prehabilitation program in patients undergoing surgery in an academic hospital for complex primary and metastatic CRC.

All patients awaiting complex colorectal surgery, liver resection, or HIPEC from July 2019 until January 2020 were considered potentially eligible. Feasibility was measured by accrual rate, completion rate, adherence to the program, satisfaction, and safety. To determine potential efficacy, postoperative outcomes were compared with a historical control group.

Sixteen out of twenty-five eligible patients (64%) commenced prehabilitation, and fourteen patients fully completed the intervention (88%). The adherence rate was 69%, as 11 patients completed >80% of prescribed supervised trainings. No adverse events occurred, and all patients expressed satisfaction with the program. The complication rate was significantly lower in the prehabilitation group (37.5%) than the control group (70.2%, p = 0.020). There was no difference in the type of complications.

This pilot study illustrates that multimodal prehabilitation is feasible in the majority of patients undergoing complex colorectal cancer, liver resection, and HIPEC in an academic setting.

Oesophageal cancer is the seventh most prevalent malignancy globally, and the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death. Oesophageal cancer is also one of the most costly cancers to treat. The aim of this study was to assess the financial impact of post-operative morbidity and hospital readmissions following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.

A retrospective analysis was performed on a prospectively maintained database of patients with oesophageal cancer who underwent an oesophagectomy at a single centre between July 2014 and June 2019 (N = 56). Readmission costs were also assessed in this cohort for 12 months post-operatively.

The total median cost for oesophagectomy in this cohort was AU$57 250. Major complications occurred in 40% of patients, with a median total admission cost of AU$74 606, significantly higher than patients with either minor or no complications (median admission cost of AU$52 713, P < 0.001). Patients whose operation was complicated by an anastomotic leak had a higher median admission cost than those without a leak (AU$104 328 and AU$54 972 respectively, P < 0.001). Cost centres representing the greatest proportion of costs were theatre resources and surgical ward care (medical and nursing). A total of 110 readmissions in 25 patients were recorded in the 12 months post-operatively, the majority for gastroscopy and dilatation of anastomotic stricture.

Post-oesophagectomy morbidity greatly increases cost of care. In addition to the clinical benefits, interventions to minimize post-operative complications are likely to result in substantial cost savings.

Surgery remains the standard curative treatment for early-stage colorectal and upper gastrointestinal cancer. Reduced preoperative functional capacity, nutritional status, and psychological well-being are associated with poor postoperative outcomes. Prehabilitation aims to improve preoperative functional reserves through physical, nutritional, and psychological interventions. Yet, how it transitions from a trial setting to being integrated into a real-world health setting is unknown.

The primary aim is to evaluate the implementation of a multimodal (supervised exercise, nutrition, and nursing support) prehabilitation program into standard care for patients with gastrointestinal cancer (colorectal and upper gastrointestinal cancer) scheduled for curative intent surgery. The secondary aim is to determine the impact of a multimodal prehabilitation program on functional capacity, nutritional and psychological status, and surgical outcomes.

This is an implementation study that will investigate a multimodal prehabilitation intervention, in a nonblinded, nonrandomized, single-group, pre-post design. Patients diagnosed with colorectal and upper gastrointestinal cancer scheduled for potentially curative intent surgery at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, with ≥14 intervention days prior to surgery and are medically cleared to exercise will be eligible. The study will be evaluated using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance Evaluation Framework.

The protocol was approved in December 2019 by the Concord Repatriation General Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (reference number 2019/PID13679). Recruitment commenced in January 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment was paused in March 2020 and reopened in August 2020 with remote or telehealth intervention adaptations. Recruitment ended on December 31, 2021. Over the 16-month recruitment period, a total of 77 participants were recruited.

Prehabilitation represents an opportunity to maximize functional capacity and improve surgical outcomes. The study will provide guidance and contribute to the evidence on the integration of prehabilitation into standard care using adaptive models of health care delivery including telehealth.

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTR 12620000409976; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378974&isReview=true.

RR1-10.2196/41101.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent malignancy and the second cause of cancer death worldwide. Several factors have been postulated to be involved in CRC pathophysiology, including physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, obesity, and the gut microbiota. Emerging data suggest that the microbiome may play a key role in CRC prognosis and derived complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. On the other hand, dietary intervention has been demonstrated to be able to induce significant changes in the gut microbiota and related metabolites in different conditions; therefore, the manipulation of gut microbiota through dietary intervention may constitute a useful approach to improve perioperative dysbiosis and post-surgical outcomes in patients with CRC. In this article, we review the role of the gut microbiota in CRC surgery complications and the potential therapeutic modulation of gut microbiome through nutritional intervention in patients with CRC undergoing surgery.

To assess the effects of a 3-week community-based exercise program on 30-day postoperative complications in high-risk patients scheduled for elective colorectal resection for (pre)malignancy.

Patients with a low preoperative aerobic fitness undergoing colorectal surgery have an increased risk of postoperative complications. It remains, however, to be demonstrated whether prehabilitation in these patients reduces postoperative complications.

This 2-center, prospective, single-blinded randomized clinical trial was carried out in 2 large teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients (≥60 years) with colorectal (pre)malignancy scheduled for elective colorectal resection and with a score ≤7 metabolic equivalents on the veterans-specific activity questionnaire were randomly assigned to the prehabilitation group or the usual care group by using block-stratified randomization. An oxygen uptake at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold <11 mL/kg/min at the baseline cardiopulmonary exercise test was the final inclusion criterion. Inclusion was based on a power analysis. Patients in the prehabilitation group participated in a personalized 3-week (3 sessions per week, nine sessions in total) supervised exercise program given in community physical therapy practices before colorectal resection. Patients in the reference group received usual care. The primary outcome was the number of patients with one or more complications within 30 days of surgery, graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Between February 2014 and December 2018, 57 patients [30 males and 27 females; mean age 73.6 years (standard deviation 6.1), range 61-88 years] were randomized to either prehabilitation (n = 28) or usual care (n = 29). The rate of postoperative complications was lower in the prehabilitation group (n = 12, 42.9%) than in the usual care group (n = 21, 72.4%, relative risk 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.96, P = 0.024).

Exercise prehabilitation reduced postoperative complications in high-risk patients scheduled to undergo elective colon resection for (pre)malignancy. Prehabilitation should be considered as usual care in high-risk patients scheduled for elective colon, and probably also rectal, surgery.

The aim of this study was to quantify Fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green (ICG) in colorectal cancer anastomosis, determine influential factors in its temporary intensity and pattern, assessing the ability to predict the AL, and setting the cut-off levels to establish high- or low-risk groups.

Retrospective analysis of prospectively managed database, including 70 patients who underwent elective surgery for colorectal cancer in which performing a primary anastomosis was in primary plan. In all of them, ICG fluorescence angiography was performed as usual clinical practice with VisionSense™ VS Iridium (Medtronic, Mansfield, MA, USA), in Elevision™ IR Platform (Medtronic, Mansfield, MA, USA). Parameters measured at real time or calculated were T₀, T_max, ∆T, F_max, %_pos, F_pos, and Slope.

70 patients were included, 69 anastomosis were performed and one end colostomy. Arterial hypertension demonstrated higher F_max, as well as the location of the anastomosis (the nearest to rectum, the most intensity detected). A statistical relationship was found between AL and the lower F_pos and Slope. The decision of changing the subjectively decided point of division did not demonstrate statistical difference on the further development of AL. All parameters were analyzed to detect the cut-off related with AL. Only in case of F_pos lower than 158.3 U and Slope lower than 13.1 U/s p-value were significant. The most valuable diagnostic parameter after risk stratification was the Negative Predictive Value.

Quantitative analysis of ICG fluorescence in colorectal surgery is safe and feasible to stratify risk of AL. Hypertension and location of anastomosis influence the intensity of fluorescence at the point of section. A change of division place should be considered to avoid AL related to vascular reasons when intensities of fluorescence at the point of section is lower than 169 U or slopes lower than 14.4 U/s.

Although cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is considered the gold standard, a preoperative abdominal CT scan might also provide information concerning preoperative aerobic fitness for risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative CT-scan-derived body composition variables and preoperative CPET variables of aerobic fitness in colorectal surgery.

In this retrospective cohort study, CT images at level L3 were analysed for skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle radiation attenuation, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass. Regression analyses were performed to investigate the relation between CT-scan-derived body composition variables, CPET-derived aerobic fitness and other preoperative patient-related variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict a preoperative anaerobic threshold (AT) ≤ 11.1 ml/kg/min as cut-off for having a high risk for postoperative complications.

Data from 78 patients (45 men; mean [SD] age 74.5 [6.4 years]) were analysed. A correlation coefficient of 0.55 was observed between absolute AT and skeletal muscle mass index. Absolute AT (R² of 51.1%) was lower in patients with a lower skeletal muscle mass index, together with higher age, lower body mass and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Higher ASA score (odds ratio 5.64; P = 0.033) and higher VAT mass (odds ratio 1.02; P = 0.036) were associated with an increased risk of an AT ≤ 11.1 ml/kg/min.

Body composition variables from the preoperative CT scan were moderately associated with preoperative CPET-derived aerobic fitness. Higher ASA score and higher VAT mass were associated with an increased risk of an AT ≤ 11.1 ml/kg/min.

Studies on variability drivers of treatment costs in hospitals can provide the necessary information for policymakers and healthcare providers seeking to redesign reimbursement schemes and improve the outcomes-over-cost ratio, respectively. This systematic literature review, focusing on the hospital perspective, provides an overview of studies focusing on variability in treatment cost, an outline of their study characteristics and cost drivers, and suggestions on future research methodology.

We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We searched PubMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Science direct, OvidSP and Cochrane library. Two investigators extracted and appraised data for citation until October 2020.

90 eligible articles were included. Patient, treatment and disease characteristics and, to a lesser extent, outcome and institutional characteristics were identified as significant variables explaining cost variability. In one-third of the studies, the costing method was classified as unclear due to the limited explanation provided by the authors.

Various patient, treatment and disease characteristics were identified to explain hospital cost variability. The limited transparency on how hospital costs are defined is a remarkable observation for studies wherein cost variability is the main focus. Recommendations relating to variables, costs, and statistical methods to consider when designing and conducting cost variability studies were provided.

A poor body composition (BC) has been identified as a risk factor for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was performed to assess the effect of early peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) on BC in patients undergoing CCR surgery within an enhanced recovery program.

Patients with normal nutritional status were prospectively included between October 2016 and September 2019, randomized into two groups (PPN with periOlimel N4-E versus conventional fluid therapy) and subsequently classified according to their preoperative CT scan into high- or low-risk BC groups. Postoperative complications and length of hospital stay (LOS) were assessed.

Of the 156 patients analyzed, 88 patients (56.4%) were classified as having high-risk BC according to CT measurements. PPN led to a 15.4% reduction in postoperative complications in high-risk vs. 1.7% in low-risk BC patients. In the multivariate analysis, high-risk BC was related to an OR (95% CI) of 2 (p = 0.044) of presenting complications and of 1.9 (p = 0.066) for major complications, and was associated with an increase in LOS of 3.6 days (p = 0.039).

The measurement of patients' BC can allow for the identification of target patients where PPN has been proven to be an effective tool to improve postoperative outcomes.

Postoperative complications are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients with colorectal cancer. As a modifiable factor associated with gut health, dietary fiber intake is of interest with regard to the risk of complications after surgery for colorectal cancer.

To examine the association between preoperative dietary fiber intake and risk of complications after surgery for colorectal cancer.

This cohort study used data from the Colorectal Longitudinal, Observational Study on Nutritional and Lifestyle Factors (COLON) study, which recruited adult patients with colorectal cancer at any stage at diagnosis from 11 hospitals in the Netherlands between August 2010 and December 2017. The present study included patients with stage I to IV colorectal cancer who underwent elective abdominal surgery. Data were analyzed between December 2019 and September 2020.

Habitual dietary fiber intake was assessed at diagnosis using a 204-item food frequency questionnaire.

Any complications, surgical complications, and anastomotic leakage occurring during the 30 days after surgery for colorectal cancer. The association between fiber intake and risk of postoperative complications was assessed using logistic regression analyses. Additional analyses stratified by sex, tumor location, and fiber source were performed.

Among the 1399 patients included in the analysis, the median age at inclusion was 66 years (interquartile range, 61-72 years) and 896 (64%) were men. Any complications occurred in 397 patients (28%), and surgical complications occurred in 235 patients (17%). Of 1237 patients with an anastomosis, 67 (5%) experienced anastomotic leakage. Higher dietary fiber intake (per 10 g per day) was associated with a lower risk of any complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.92) and surgical complications (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.97), whereas no association with anastomotic leakage was found (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.66-1.43). Among women, higher dietary intake was associated with any complications (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.94), whereas there was no association among men (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63-1.01). Fiber intake from vegetables (per 1 g per day) was inversely associated with any (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99) and surgical (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.97) complications.

In this cohort study, higher habitual dietary fiber intake before surgery was associated with a lower risk of postoperative complications among patients with colorectal cancer. The findings suggest that improving preoperative dietary fiber intake may be considered in future prehabilitation programs for patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Up to 50% of the patients experience complications after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Improved preoperative physical and nutritional status can enhance clinical outcomes and reduce postoperative complications. This retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study assessed the impact of a four-week multimodal prehabilitation program on postoperative complications, unplanned readmissions, length of stay, and mortality in elective high-risk CRC patients.

Elective high-risk CRC patients, defined as ASA ≥3 or ≥65yr, who attended the multimodal prehabilitation program (prehabilitation-group) were compared to a historical cohort receiving standard care (control-group). Differences in outcomes between these groups were tested using Fisher's Exact and Mann-Whitney U test. To adjust for confounding, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. The main study outcome was the occurrence of postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included unplanned readmissions, length of hospital stay, and mortality.

351 patients were included (n = 275 control-group, n = 76 prehabilitation-group). The complication rate was lower in the prehabilitation group compared to the control group, 26.3% (n = 20) versus 40% (n = 110) (p = .032). There were fewer unplanned readmissions in the prehabilitation group compared to the control group, 5.3% (n = 4) versus 16.4% (n = 45), p = .014. Median hospital days of stay was 1 day shorter for the prehabilitation-group (p = .004), mortality did not significantly differ between the groups.

This study shows that the used multimodal prehabilitation program leads to a reduction of medical postoperative complications, unplanned readmissions, and shortens the median hospital stay compared with standard care in high-risk CRC patients undergoing elective CRC surgery.

Quality improvement programs for colorectal cancer surgery have been introduced with benchmarking based on quality indicators, such as mortality. Detailed (pre)operative characteristics may offer relevant information for proper case-mix correction.

To investigate the added value of machine learning to predict quality indicators for colorectal cancer surgery and identify previously unrecognized predictors of 30-day mortality based on a large, nationwide colorectal cancer registry that collected extensive data on comorbidities.

All patients who underwent resection for primary colorectal cancer registered in the Dutch ColoRectal Audit between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, were included. Multiple machine learning models (multivariable logistic regression, elastic net regression, support vector machine, random forest, and gradient boosting) were made to predict quality indicators. Model performance was compared with conventionally used scores. Risk factors were identified by logistic regression analyses and Shapley additive explanations (ie, SHAP values). Statistical analysis was performed between March 1 and September 30, 2020.

The primary outcome of this cohort study was 30-day mortality. Prediction models were trained on a training set by performing 5-fold cross-validation, and outcomes were measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve on the test set. Machine learning was further used to identify risk factors, measured by odds ratios and SHAP values.

This cohort study included 62 501 records, most patients were male (35 116 [56.2%]), were aged 61 to 80 years (41 560 [66.5%]), and had an American Society of Anesthesiology score of II (35 679 [57.1%]). A 30-day mortality rate of 2.7% (n = 1693) was found. The area under the curve of the best machine learning model for 30-day mortality (0.82; 95% CI, 0.79-0.85) was significantly higher than the American Society of Anesthesiology score (0.74; 95% CI, 0.71-0.77; P < .001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (0.66; 95% CI, 0.63-0.70; P < .001), and preoperative score to predict postoperative mortality (0.73; 95% CI, 0.70-0.77; P < .001). Hypertension, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma were comorbidities with a high risk for increased mortality. Machine learning identified specific risk factors for a complicated course, intensive care unit admission, prolonged hospital stay, and readmission. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with a decreased risk for all adverse outcomes.

This study found that machine learning methods outperformed conventional scores to predict 30-day mortality after colorectal cancer surgery, identified specific patient groups at risk for adverse outcomes, and provided directions to optimize benchmarking in clinical audits.

Individual process indicators often do not enable the benchmarking of hospitals and often lack an association with outcomes of care. The composite hip fracture process indicator, textbook process, might be a tool to detect hospital variation and is associated with better outcomes during hospital stay.

The aim of this study was to determine hospital variation in quality of hip fracture care using a composite process indicator (textbook process) and to evaluate at patient level whether fulfilment of the textbook process indicator was associated with better outcomes during hospital stay.

Hip fracture patients aged 70 and older operated in five hospitals between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 were included. Textbook process for hip fracture care was defined as follows: (1) assessment of malnutrition (2) surgery within 24 h, (3) orthogeriatric management during admission and (4) operation by an orthopaedic trauma certified surgeon. Hospital variation analysis was done by computing an observed/expected ratio (O/E ratio) for textbook process at hospital level. The expected ratios were derived from a multivariable logistic regression analysis including all relevant case-mix variables. The association between textbook process compliance and in-hospital complications and prolonged hospital stay was determined at patient level in a multivariable logistic regression model, with correction for patient, treatment and hospital characteristics. In-hospital complications were anaemia, delirium, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, in-hospital fall, heart failure, renal insufficiency, pulmonary embolism, wound infection and pressure ulcer.

Of the 1371 included patients, 753 (55%) received care according to textbook process. At hospital level, the textbook compliance rates ranged from 38 to 76%. At patient level, textbook process compliance was significantly associated with fewer complications (38% versus 46%) (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.84), but not with hospital stay (median length of hospital stay was 5 days in both groups) (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.78-1.30).

The textbook process indicator for hip fracture care might be a tool to detect hospital variation. At patient level, this quality indicator is associated with fewer complications during hospital stay.

Colorectal surgery is associated with postoperative ileus (POI). Despite its widespread manifestation, the influence of POI on recovery, quality of life (QoL), and costs is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether the inflammatory processes found in experimental studies are also evident in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. In addition, the impact of POI on short and long-term QoL and costs was investigated.

We analyzed the outcomes of the SANICS-II trial, including prospective evaluation of inflammatory parameters in blood samples, costs from a societal perspective and QoL, using validated questionnaires. Outcomes were compared between patients with and without POI, and in particular patients with POI as unique complication.

A total of 265 patients (POI, n = 66 vs non-POI, n = 199) were included and 38/66 had POI as only complication. CRP levels were significantly increased on postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, 3, and 4 in patients with POI. Furthermore, plasma levels of cytokines IL-6, Il-8 and IL-10 were significantly increased the first 2 days after resection. Patients with POI had a higher overall complication rate and a reduced QoL 3 months postoperatively, even in the only POI group. Moreover, mean societal cost per patient with POI was 38%-47% higher at 3 months postoperatively.

Supporting findings from experimental studies, inflammatory parameters were increased in patients with only POI and comparable with all patients with POI. These results demonstrate the impact and large contribution of POI in postoperative inflammation, costs and QoL in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) care has been reported to be associated with improvements in outcomes after colorectal surgery compared with traditional care.

To determine the association between ERAS protocols and outcomes in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

The Postoperative Outcomes Within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol (POWER) Study is a multicenter, prospective cohort study of 2084 consecutive adults scheduled for elective colorectal surgery who received or did not receive care in a self-declared ERAS center. Patients were recruited from 80 Spanish centers between September 15 and December 15, 2017. All patients included in this analysis had 1 month of follow-up.

Colorectal surgery and perioperative management were the exposures. Twenty-two individual ERAS items were assessed in all patients, regardless of whether they were included in an established ERAS protocol.

The primary study outcome was moderate to severe postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included ERAS adherence, mortality, readmissions, reoperation rates, and hospital length of stay.

Between September 15 and December 15, 2017, 2084 patients were included in the study. Of these, 1286 individuals (61.7%) were men; mean age was 68 years (interquartile range [IQR], 59-77). A total of 879 patients (42.2%) presented with postoperative complications and 566 patients (27.2%) developed moderate to severe complications. The number of patients with moderate or severe complications was lower in the ERAS group (25.2% vs 30.3%; odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.94; P = .01). The overall rate of adherence to the ERAS protocol was 63.6% (IQR, 54.5%-77.3%), and the rate for patients from hospitals self-declared as ERAS was 72.7% (IQR, 59.1%-81.8%) vs non-ERAS institutions, which was 59.1% (IQR, 50.0%-63.6%; P < .001). Adherence quartiles among patients receiving the highest and lowest ERAS components showed that the patients with the highest adherence rates had fewer moderate to severe complications (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.25-0.46; P < .001), overall complications (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.26-0.43; P < .001), and mortality (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.07-0.97; P = .06) compared with those who had the lowest adherence rates.

An increase in ERAS adherence appears to be associated with a decrease in postoperative complications.

The importance of having quality assessment, assurance, and improvement tools in health care is increasingly recognized. However, the additional associated administration burden progressively interferes with the structural implementation and adoption of such tools, especially when it concerns high-volume procedures such as colonoscopies. The development of the Dutch Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Audit (DGEA), a registry with automated extraction of colonoscopy quality data, and its first results are described.

In close cooperation with commercial endoscopy reporting systems and a national histopathology database, healthcare professionals performing colonoscopies initiated a quality registry that extracts data from its core hospital resource or histology database without manual interference of the healthcare providers. Data extracted consisted of patient age, gender, indication of the colonoscopy, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Boston Bowel Preparation Score, and cecal intubation; for the colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test in the colorectal cancer screening program, other data were polyp detection rate, which was available for all 48 hospitals or endoscopy centers, and adenoma detection rate, which was available for 26 hospitals or endoscopy centers.

Between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2019, 48 hospitals or endoscopy centers voluntarily participated in the DGEA, and 275,017 unique patients with 313,511 colonoscopies were registered. Overall missing values were limited to <1%.

The results of this study demonstrate that it is feasible to deploy a quality registry collecting uniform data without additional administration burden for healthcare professionals.