Short-term and intermediate-term readmission after esophagectomy

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Esophagectomy is a complex procedure with significant readmission rates.
• Understanding short- and intermediate-term readmissions is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Predictors of readmission after esophagectomy require further characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize short-term (less than 30 days) and intermediate-term (31-90 days) readmissions following esophagectomy.
• To identify specific predictors associated with these readmission timelines.
• To inform targeted interventions for reducing post-esophagectomy hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the National Readmissions Database (2013-2014) for patients undergoing esophagectomy.
• Categorization of patients into short-term and intermediate-term readmission groups.
• Multivariable logistic regression modeling to identify significant predictors of readmission.

Main Results:

• 18.1% experienced short-term readmission and 10.1% experienced intermediate-term readmission.
• Postoperative infection, dysphagia, and pneumonia were leading causes for short-term readmissions.
• Pneumonia, gastrointestinal stricture/stenosis, and dysphagia were common in intermediate-term readmissions.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative infection is the primary driver for short-term readmissions post-esophagectomy.
• Dysphagia and pneumonia necessitate focused interventions for both short- and intermediate-term readmissions.
• Reducing infection and pneumonia risks, and addressing gastrointestinal strictures and dysphagia, can decrease readmission rates.