- A laparoscopic colorectal cancer procedure, in which the incision is enlarged to deliver a specimen. What is the type of procedure?
This procedure is considered to be laparoscopic, assisted.
- What is the difference between laparoscopic-assited and laparoscopic-open approach?
Surgeries considered as laparoscopic assisted are those where most of the operation is completed laparoscopically but a small open incision is planned to be used to extract the resected bowel. Often the anastomosis is done through this incision too.
Laparoscopic converted (to open) are cases intended to be done completely laparoscopically but due to technical difficulty during operation, a decision is made to convert to open procedure.
- The patient did not have a CRP or recent preoperative laboratory measurement. How do I find this information?
It is acceptable to include the most recent measurements within 30 days of surgery. If this is not available, please record this data as unavailable by using code “9999”. It will not count towards missing data in this instance. Please note that this applies only to this data field, and this code should not be used for other data fields unless agreed by the Management Committee.
- A patient readmitted to the hospital after discharge during the 30-day follow up period. Should these extra days be considered in calculating their total length of stay?
If a patient is discharged, this should be considered as the end of the patient’s hospital stay. Although patients may be readmitted, it may be for entirely different reasons.
- What should be included as indication (primary underlying pathology) of an ileostomy or colostomy closure?
It should be included as stoma closure.
- What if the ASA score is not available in the patients’ hospital information?
You should calculate yourself by using the ASA score, examples available here