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Introduction Patients, clinicians and researchers seek an easy, reproducible and valid measure of postoperative recovery. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a low-cost measure of physical function, which is a relevant dimension of recovery. The aim of the present study was to contribute further evidence for the validity of the 6MWT as a measure of postoperative recovery after colorectal surgery. Methods This study involved a sample of 174 patients enrolled in three previous randomized controlled trials. Construct validity was assessed by testing the hypotheses that the distance walked in 6 min (6MWD) at 4 weeks after surgery is greater (1) in younger versus older patients, (2) in patients with higher preoperative physical status versus lower, (3) after laparoscopic versus open surgery, (4) in patients without postoperative complications versus with postoperative complications; and that 6MWD (5) correlates cross-sectionally with self-reported physical activity as measured with a questionnaire (CHAMPS). Statistical analysis was performed using linear regression and Spearman’s correlation. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to guide the formulation of hypotheses and reporting of results. Results One hundred and fifty-one patients who completed the 6MWT at 4 weeks after surgery were included in the analysis. All hypotheses tested for construct validity were supported by the data. Older age, poorer physical status, open surgery and occurrence of postoperative complications were associated with clinically relevant reduction in 6MWD (>19 m). There was a moderate positive correlation between 6MWD and patient-reported physical activity ( r  = 0.46). Conclusions This study contributes further evidence for the construct validity of the 6MWT as a measure of postoperative recovery after colorectal surgery. Results from this study support the use of the 6MWT as an outcome measure in studies evaluating interventions aimed to improve postoperative recovery.

Importance Pre-operative hyperglycemia is associated with post-operative adverse outcomes in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Current pre-operative screening includes random plasma glucose, yet plasma glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a better measure of long-term glycemic control. It is not clear whether pre-operative HbA1c can identify non-diabetic patients at risk of post-operative complications. Objective The systematic review summarizes the evidence pertaining to the association of suboptimal pre-operative HbA1c on post-operative outcomes in adult surgical patients with no history of diabetes mellitus. Evidence review A detailed search strategy was developed by a librarian to identify all the relevant studies to date from the major online databases. Findings Six observational studies met all the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Four studies reported a significant association between pre-operative HbA1c levels and post-operative complications in non-diabetic patients. Two studies reported increased post-operative infection rates, and two reported no difference. Of four studies assessing the length of stay, three did not observe any association with HbA1c level and only one study observed a significant impact. Only one study found higher mortality rates in patients with suboptimal HbA1c. Conclusions and relevance Based on the limited available evidence, suboptimal pre-operative HbA1c levels in patients with no prior history of diabetes predict post-operative complications and represent a potentially modifiable risk factor.

Background Guidelines recommend biologic prosthetics for ventral hernia repair (VHR) in contaminated fields, yet long-term and patient-reported data are limited. We aimed to determine the long-term rate of hernia recurrence, and other clinical and patient-reported outcomes following the use of porcine small intestine submucosa (PSIS) for VHR in a contaminated field. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing open VHR with PSIS mesh in a contaminated field from 2004 to 2014 were prospectively evaluated for hernia recurrence and other post-operative complications. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses identified predictors of hernia recurrence and surgical site infection. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using SF-36, Hernia-Related Quality-of-Life Survey (HerQLes) and Body Image Questionnaire instruments. Results Forty-six hernias were repaired in clean-contaminated [16 (35 %)], contaminated [11 (24 %)] and dirty [19 (41 %)] fields. Median follow-up was 47 months [interquartile range: 31–79] and all patients had greater than 12-month follow-up. Sixteen patients (35 %) were not re-examined. Incidence of surgical site events and surgical site infection were 43 % ( n  = 20) and 56 % ( n  = 25), respectively. American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3 or greater was an independent predictor of surgical site infection (odds ratio 5.34 [95 % confidence interval 1.01–41.80], p  = 0.04). Hernia recurrence occurred in 61 % ( n  = 28) with a median time to diagnosis of 16 months [interquartile range 8–26]. After bridged repair, 16 of 18 patients (89 %) recurred, compared to 12 of 28 (43 %) when fascia was approximated ( p  < 0.01). Bridged repair was an independent predictor of recurrence (odds ratio 10.67 [95 % confidence interval 2.42–76.08], p  < 0.01). Patients with recurrences had significantly worse scores on the SF-36 mental health component and self-perceived body image, whereas HerQLes scores were similar. Conclusions Hernia recurrences and wound infections are high with the use of biologic PSIS mesh in contaminated surgical fields. Careful consideration is warranted using this approach.