Risk factors for adverse outcomes after the surgical treatment of appendicitis in adults.

Objective: To define risk factors that predict adverse outcomes after the surgical treatment of appendicitis in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Summary Background Data: Risk factors for adverse outcomes after the surgical treatment of appendicitis in adults are poorly defined. Accurate presurgical assessment of the risk of perioperative complications and death is important in planning surgical therapy.

Morbidity and mortality of gastrectomy for cancer in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to define risk factors that predict 30-day morbidity and mortality after gastrectomy for cancer in Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers.

Methods: The VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program prospectively collected data on 708 patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer in 123 participating VA medical centers from 1991 to 1998. Independent variables included 68 preoperative patient characteristics and 12 intraoperative variables; the dependent variables were 21 defined adverse outcomes and death.

Outcomes 15 years after valve replacement with a mechanical versus a bioprosthetic valve: final report of the Veterans Affairs randomized trial.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare long-term survival and valve-related complications between bioprosthetic and mechanical heart valves.

Background: Different heart valves may have different patient outcomes.

Methods: Five hundred seventy-five patients undergoing single aortic valve replacement (AVR) or mitral valve replacement (MVR) at 13 VA medical centers were randomized to receive a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve.

Risk factors for morbidity and mortality after colectomy for colon cancer.

Purpose: Comorbid conditions affect the risk of adverse outcomes after surgery, but the magnitude of risk has not previously been quantified using multivariate statistical methods and prospectively collected data. Identifying factors that predict results of surgical procedures would be valuable in assessing the quality of surgical care. This study was performed to define risk factors that predict adverse events after colectomy for cancer in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Prognostic models of thirty-day mortality and morbidity after major pulmonary resection.

Background: A part of the prospective, multi-institutional National Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program was developed to predict 30-day mortality and morbidity for patients undergoing a major pulmonary resection.

Methods: Perioperative data were acquired from 194,319 noncardiac surgical operations at 123 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between October 1, 1991, and August 31, 1995. Current Procedural Terminology code-based analysis was undertaken for major pulmonary resections (lobectomy and pneumonectomy).