TY  - JOUR
AU  - Lee, D-K
AU  - Frye, A
AU  - Louis, M
AU  - Koshy, AN
AU  - Tosif, S
AU  - Yii, M
AU  - Ma, R
AU  - Nikfarjam, M
AU  - Perini, MV
AU  - Bellomo, R
AU  - Weinberg, L
Y2  - 2020/11/17
Y1  - 2020/10/21
SN  - 1932-6203
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/11343/251720
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications after major gastrointestinal surgery are a major contributor to hospital costs. Thus, reducing postoperative complications is a key target for cost-containment strategies. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between postoperative complications and hospital costs following small bowel resection. METHODS: Postoperative complications were recorded for 284 adult patients undergoing major small bowel resection surgery between January 2013 and June 2018. Complications were defined and graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. In-hospital cost of index admission was calculated using an activity-based costing methodology; it was reported in US dollars at 2019 rates. Regression modeling was used to investigate the relationships among a priori selected perioperative variables, complications, and costs. FINDINGS: The overall complication prevalence was 81.6% (95% CI: 85.7-77.5). Most complications (69%) were minor, but 22.9% of patients developed a severe complication (Clavien-Dindo grades III or IV). The unadjusted median total hospital cost for patients with any complication was 70% higher than patients without complications (median [IQR] USD 19,659.64 [13,545.81-35,407.14] vs. 11,551.88 [8,849.46-15,329.87], P < 0.001). The development of 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 complications increased hospital costs by 11%, 41%, 50%, and 195%, respectively. Similarly, more severe complications incurred higher hospital costs (P < 0.001). After adjustments were made (for the Charlson Comorbidity Index, anemia, surgical urgency and technique, intraoperative fluid administration, blood transfusion, and hospital readmissions), a greater number and increased severity of complications were associated with a higher adjusted median hospital cost. Patients who experienced complications had an adjusted additional median cost of USD 4,187.10 (95% CI: 1,264.89-7,109.31, P = 0.005) compared to those without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications are a key target for cost-containment strategies. Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of postoperative complications following small bowel resection surgery and quantify their associated increase in hospital costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registration number: 12620000322932.
LA  - English
PB  - PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
T1  - Postoperative complications and hospital costs following small bowel resection surgery
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0241020
IS  - PLoS One
VL  - 15
IS  - 10
SP  - e0241020-
L1  - /bitstream/handle/11343/251720/PMC7577438.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
ER  -