Background: Calls for multivisceral resection (MVR) of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) are increasing, although the risks and benefits remain controversial. We sought to analyze current 30-day morbidity and mortality rates, and trends in utilization of MVR in a national database.Methods: Overall morbidity, severe morbidity, mortality rates, and temporal trends were analyzed utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP).Results: From 2012 to 2015, a total of 564 patients underwent RPS resection with 233 patients (41%) undergoing MVR. The MVR group had a higher rate of preoperative weight loss and larger tumors overall. When comparing MVR to non-MVR, there was no significant difference in overall morbidity (22% vs 17%, P = .13), severe morbidity (11% vs 8%, P = .18), or mortality (<1% vs 2%, P = .25). On multivariate analysis, MVR was not associated with increased overall morbidity or severe morbidity. Mortality rates were too low for meaningful statistical analysis.Annual rates of MVR ranged from 37% to 46% with no significant change over time (P = .47).Results: Short-term morbidity and mortality rates after MVR for RPS remain acceptable, but rates of MVR show little change over time in NSQIP hospitals.Concerns about increased morbidity and mortality should not be viewed as a contraindication to wider implementation of MVR for RPS.

ImportanceA short cervix as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound is an established risk factor for preterm birth. Study findings for a cervical pessary to prevent preterm delivery in singleton pregnancies with transvaginal ultrasound evidence of a short cervix have been conflicting.ObjectiveTo determine if cervical pessary placement decreases the risk of preterm birth or fetal death prior to 37 weeks among individuals with a short cervix.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsWe performed a multicenter, randomized, unmasked trial comparing a cervical pessary vs usual care from February 2017 through November 5, 2021, at 12 centers in the US. Study participants were nonlaboring individuals with a singleton pregnancy and a transvaginal ultrasound cervical length of 20 mm or less at gestations of 16 weeks 0 days through 23 weeks 6 days. Individuals with a prior spontaneous preterm birth were excluded.InterventionsParticipants were randomized 1:1 to receive either a cervical pessary placed by a trained clinician (n = 280) or usual care (n = 264). Use of vaginal progesterone was at the discretion of treating clinicians.Main Outcome and MeasuresThe primary outcome was delivery or fetal death prior to 37 weeks.ResultsA total of 544 participants (64%) of a planned sample size of 850 were enrolled in the study (mean age, 29.5 years [SD, 6 years]). Following the third interim analysis, study recruitment was stopped due to concern for fetal or neonatal/infant death as well as for futility. Baseline characteristics were balanced between participants randomized to pessary and those randomized to usual care; 98.9% received vaginal progesterone. In an as-randomized analysis, the primary outcome occurred in 127 participants (45.5%) randomized to pessary and 127 (45.6%) randomized to usual care (relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83-1.20). Fetal or neonatal/infant death occurred in 13.3% of those randomized to receive a pessary and in 6.8% of those randomized to receive usual care (relative risk, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.13-3.32).Conclusions and RelevanceCervical pessary in nonlaboring individuals with a singleton gestation and with a cervical length of 20 mm or less did not decrease the risk of preterm birth and was associated with a higher rate of fetal or neonatal/infant mortality.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02901626

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Objective: To investigate whether patients requiring dialysis are a higher risk surgical population and would experience more peri-operative adverse events even when undergoing a perceived less invasive operation as a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN). LRN is generally a well-tolerated surgical procedure with minimal morbidity and mortality. Prior to transplantation, dialysis patients will often have to undergo a LRN to remove a native kidney with a suspicious mass. Materials and Methods: Patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program who underwent a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy between 2011 and 2016 were included. Patients were stratified by the need for pre-operative dialysis two weeks prior to surgery, and peri-operative outcomes were compared. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between the need for pre-operative dialysis and peri-operative risk. Results: There were 8,315 patients included in this analysis of which 445 (5.4%) patients required pre-operative dialysis. Patients who required pre-operative dialysis had more minor (p < .0001) and major (p=.0025) complications, a higher rate of return to the operating room (p=0.002), and a longer length of stay (LOS) (p < 0.0001) than those patients not requiring pre-operative dialysis. In a multivariate analysis, the need for pre-operative dialysis was independently associated with adverse peri-operative outcomes (OR=1.45, CI=1.08-1.95, p=.015). Conclusions: Patients requiring pre-operative dialysis were more likely to experience a peri-operative complication and have a longer LOS. For LRNs performed prior to transplantation, further risk stratification is needed, and treatment sequencing may need to be reconsidered.

Background: Traumatic urethral catheterization is a common reason for urologic consultation in hospitalized patients. The purpose of this study was to determine if a protocol designed to decrease Foley catheter use was effective and if implementation of the protocol decreased the incidence of Foley catheter-associated trauma. Methods: In an effort to decrease catheter use, our institution adopted a nurse-driven Foley catheter protocol in May 2015 that allowed nurses to remove Foley catheters that did not meet criteria. We conducted a retrospective medical records review of patients who had Foley catheter-associated trauma occurring between February 2013 and March 2018 and compiled data concerning Foley catheter use. Using t test statistical analysis, we compared rates of Foley catheter use and Foley catheter-associated trauma before and after protocol implementation. Results: During the 62-month study period, we documented 83 cases of Foley catheter-associated trauma. Prior to protocol implementation, our institution had mean of 2,903 patient-catheterization days per month. Following protocol implementation, the mean decreased to 2,604 patient-catheterization days per month (P<0.01). Prior to protocol implementation, the mean incidence of Foley catheter-associated trauma was 1.81 traumas per month. Following protocol implementation, the mean incidence decreased to 0.97 trauma per month (P<0.05). Conclusion: Implementation of the protocol was successful in decreasing Foley catheter use as well as Foley catheter-associated trauma.