The safety of same-day breast reconstructive surgery: An analysis of short-term outcomes

Abstract

Background: We sought to examine the safety of same-day breast reconstructive (BR) surgery.

Methods: An analysis of the American College of Surgeons, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) files was performed. Patients undergoing BR for breast cancer were examined, excluding those with high-risk co-morbidities or concurrent surgery. A propensity score was calculated and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the difference in 30-day complications between those undergoing SDS versus longer hospital stay.

Results: The study consisted of 21,539 patients; 17,449 had implant and 4090 had autologous breast reconstruction. 1195 (5.5%) underwent SDS, whereas 20,344 (94.5%) were admitted at least overnight. On unadjusted analysis, the rate of post-operative complications was nearly three times higher in those admitted compared to those undergoing SDS (6.7% vs. 2.5%; p < 0.001). On propensity score adjusted multivariable regression there was no significant difference in complications amongst those undergoing SDS versus staying in hospital (OR 1.4 (95%CI: 0.9, 2.2)).

Conclusions: These results suggest that admitting BR patients does not prevent short-term complications and same day BR surgery is safe when co-morbidities are accounted for.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast reconstruction; Same-day surgery.