Factors Associated with Unexpected Readmission Following Lung Resection

Identification of the predictors of readmission can facilitate appropriate perioperative management. The current study aimed to investigate the potential predictors of unexpected readmission after lung resection for primary lung cancers.

This retrospective study enrolled 1000 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer at our institution between January 2016 and December 2017. Unexpected readmission was defined as unscheduled readmission to our hospital within 30 days after discharge. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for identification of perioperative factors associated with readmission.

Forty-three patients (4.3%) required unexpected readmission, and the median interval between the day of discharge and readmission was 10 days (range 1-29 days). The reasons for readmission included empyema and pleural effusion (n = 11), acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 7), pneumothorax (n = 7), and others (n = 18). The median hospitalization length after readmission was 14 days (range 2-90 days). Four patients (9.3%) died in the hospital because of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after readmission. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, postoperative refractory air leakage, defined as prolonged air leakage lasting > 5 days or requiring reoperation, was identified as a significant predictor associated with an increased risk of readmission (odds ratio 2.87; 95% confidence interval 1.22-6.72; p = 0.015).

Unexpected readmission was an inevitable event following lung resection. Patients with readmission had an increased risk of death. Refractory air leakage after lung resection for primary lung cancer was strongly associated with unexpected readmission.