ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Northern Health - VIC, Australia
Objective: Gallbladder pathology represents a significant proportion of general surgical
workload. Pressures of theatre access, bed availability, and an elderly, co-morbid
population may be alleviated by an Acute General Surgical Unit (ASU) model. The impact
on elective cholecystectomy workload is unknown.
Methods: A retrospective audit was performed between February 2012 and February
2014 on 1289 patients undergoing emergency or elective cholecystectomy at a single
institution, a year either side of an ASU introduction in February 2013.
Results: 642 patients that underwent cholecystectomy in the 12 months prior to ASU
implementation were compared with 647 patient’s post-ASU. Demographic data was
comparable in both groups. Comparing pre-ASU to post-ASU, in-hours cases increased
(82.9% vs. 86.6%, p<0.001) with more consultant involvement (29.9% vs. 39.9%, p<0.001).
Wait times improved for emergency cases (<2 days 42% vs. 58%, p=0.050). Interestingly,
elective wait times also improved (<90 days 23% vs. 42%, p<0.001). Patients presented
to emergency prior to cholecystectomy more frequently pre-ASU (31.6% vs. 27.2%,
p=0.033). Post-ASU, higher acuity patients were seen, with an increase in suspected
acute cholecystitis (25.5% vs. 34.8%, p<0.001), and more common bile duct stones were
found (6.4% vs. 9.1%, p=0.064). There was no significant difference in morbidity post-
ASU (13.4% vs. 18.4%, p=0.17).
Conclusion: The ASU model has contributed to improvements including theatre access,
increased consultant involvement and also coincided with higher patient acuity.
Interestingly, improved efficiency in emergency cholecystectomy has improved wait
times for elective cholecystectomy.
Speakers
Authors
Authors
Dr Yuchen Luo - , Dr Marang Makepe - , Dr Arthur Yim - , Mr Mark Tacey - , Mr David Bird - , Mr Russell Hodgson -