Prolonged hospital stay and readmission rate in an ERAS cohort undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

AIM: The present database study aimed to identify patients with a longer postoperative length of stay (LOS) or patients readmitted, and to characterize both groups based on perioperative factors.

METHOD: A retrospective review of the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) database and a local database was performed of all patients undergoing elective resection for colorectal cancer in a 25 month period. Primary outcome was the number of patients with a prolonged hospital stay (LOS ≥10 days after the primary operation), and readmissions within 30 days after discharge.

RESULTS: A total of 372 patients with colon resection and 215 patients with rectal resection were included. Patients undergoing colonic resection had a rate of prolonged hospital stay of 10.6% and a readmission rate of 13.7%: prolonged hospital stay was significantly associated with age ≥ 76 years and those who underwent a conversion from a laparoscopic procedure. Patients undergoing rectal cancer resection had a rate of prolonged hospital stay of 17.7% and a readmission rate of 14.0%: Charlson Comorbidity Score (CCS) ≥ 2, total mesorectal excision (TME), and laparoscopic conversion was significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay, and ASA score ≥ 3, TME, and a duration of surgery ≥ 300 minutes was significantly associated with readmission.

CONCLUSION: In patients with colon cancer, older age and conversion to open surgery was associated with prolonged hospital stay. In patients with rectal cancer CCS ≥ 2, TME, and conversion was associated with prolonged hospital stay, and a preoperative ASA score ≥ 3, TME, and a duration of surgery ≥ 300 minutes was associated with readmission. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.