Current Findings Regarding Perioperative Complications in Benign Scrotal Surgery

To characterize patients at the greatest risk of morbidity and mortality after benign scrotal surgery.

A secondary data analysis was conducted of adults undergoing elective scrotal surgery for benign conditions using 2015-2020 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement data. Patients who experienced a postoperative complication, an unplanned procedure, or who died within 30-days of surgery were identified using the composite outcome "postoperative event". Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between patient characteristics and the odds of experiencing a postoperative event.

The study consisted of 12,917 patients, of which 4.1% experienced a postoperative event. After adjustment, malnourishment (OR 4.1, 95% CI: 1.2 - 14.5) decreased functional status (OR 3.8, 95% CI: 2.0 - 7.1), bleeding disorders (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 2.2 - 5.4), age ≥ 40 years (OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.0), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD, OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.6), smoking (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2 - 1.8), diabetes (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 - 1.7) and increased body mass index (BMI, OR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1-1.1) were identified as risk factors for a postoperative event. The risk of a postoperative event was 2.7%, 4.5%, and 11.2% for patients with none, 1 to 2, and > 2 risk factors, respectively.

Complications after benign scrotal surgery are not infrequent. Risk factors include malnourishment, decreased functional status, bleeding disorders, age, COPD, smoking, diabetes, and increased BMI. Our results can be used to counsel patients on their risk of negative outcomes following these procedures.