Perioperative fluid balance and 30-day unplanned readmission after lung cancer surgery: a retrospective study

Perioperative positive fluid balance (FB) is associated with increased complications after lung resection surgery. However, its impact on the 30-day unplanned readmission rate is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether perioperative FB status during and up to 24 hours after lung resection surgery is associated with the 30-day unplanned readmission rate.

This retrospective cohort study examined adult patients aged 19 years or older who underwent lung cancer surgery at a single tertiary academic hospital between January 2005 and February 2018. Weight-based cumulative FB (%) was calculated during and up to 24 hours after surgery and was categorized as positive (≥5%), normal (0-5%), or negative (<0%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

The final analysis included 2,412 patients; 164 patients had unplanned readmission during the first 30 postoperative days (6.9%; 164/2,412). According to the multivariable logistic regression model, the positive FB group had a 2.42-time higher risk of 30-day unplanned readmission compared to the normal FB group [odds ratio (OR): 2.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20 to 4.89; P=0.014]. However, the risk of the negative FB group did not significantly differ from that of the normal FB group (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.46 to 3.12; P=0.711).

Perioperative positive FB (>5%) during and up to 24 hours after surgery was associated with an increased 30-day unplanned readmission rate after lung cancer surgery. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.