Timing and severity of post-discharge morbidity after hepatectomy

In order to decrease cost and increase healthcare quality there is an ongoing effort to reduce readmissions after complex operations. The timing and severity of post-discharge complications after hepatectomy need to be better defined.

All patients undergoing liver resection at a single institution from Jan 2009-Jun 2015 were included. Complications were scored using the comprehensive complication index (CCI). Multivariate analysis is performed using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) were analyzed to optimize the Readmission Risk Index (RRI).

Of the 258 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 26 (10%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge after hepatectomy. On multivariate analysis age ≥68 years (OR 3.76; 95% CI 1.47-9.63, p = 0.006), CCI ≥ 15 (OR 3.65; 95% CI 1.39-9.56, p = 0.008), maximum temperature within 48 h of discharge (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.17-7.75, p = 0.022) and white blood cell count ≥10.2 billion cells/L within 48 h of discharge (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.04-8, p = 0.043) were independent predictors of 30-day readmission. These variables were used to develop the RRI (ROC area 0.80; 95% CI 0.70-0.9, p < 0.001).

The CCI and pre-discharge variables can help identify individuals at risk of readmission. Readmission risk reduction efforts should focus on this subset of patients.