Risk Factors for Delayed (>30 Days) Readmission Following Rectal Cancer Surgery

Unplanned, delayed readmissions (>30 ds) following oncologic surgeries can increase mortality and care costs and affect hospital quality indices. However, there is a dearth of literature on rectal cancer surgery. Hence, we aimed to assess the risk factors associated with delayed readmissions following rectal cancer surgery to improve targeted interventions, patient outcomes, and quality indices.

For this case-control study, all adult patients in the US Rectal Cancer Consortium database who underwent surgery and subsequent readmission were included. Multivariable logistic regression described the association of factors associated with delayed readmission. Descriptive statistics were used to ascertain the most common causes of readmission.

Of the 1417 patients included in the analysis, 403 (28.4%) patients were readmitted postoperatively. Among these, 101 (25.1%) patients had delayed readmission. The median length of stay for early readmission was significantly longer when compared to delayed readmission (4 versus 2 ds, P < 0.01). American Society of Anesthesiologists-Physical Status score > II [odds ratio = 1.81] was associated with an increased risk of delayed readmissions, while intraoperative pelvic drain placement [odds ratio = 0.57] was associated with a reduced risk. Surgical site infection was the most common cause of delayed (18.4%) and early readmissions (27.4%).

The risk of readmission following surgery for rectal cancer extends beyond the commonly tracked 30 ds, with up to a quarter of readmissions happening more than 30 ds after surgery. Surgical site infection continues to be the leading cause of both early and delayed readmission, underscoring the need to double down on infection prevention bundles.