The impact of patient-related nonmodifiable factors on perioperative outcomes following radical cystectomy with enhanced recovery protocol

Abstract

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols decrease the length of hospital stay (LOS) and complications following radical cystectomy (RC). However, the impact of non-modifiable patient factors to postoperative outcome is unclear. This study aimed to identify nonmodifiable patient and disease factors predictive of post-RC outcomes with ERAS protocols.

Methods: We reviewed our institutional review board-approved prospectively maintained bladder cancer database. Patients with primary urothelial bladder cancer who underwent open RC with ERAS protocol between 2012 and 2016 were identified. Patient demographic and disease-relevant variables were reviewed. Factors predictive of LOS, 30- and 90-day complications and readmission were assessed using univariate and multivariable analyses.

Results: A total of 289 patients with a median age of 70 years were included, of whom 80.6% were male, 33.6% had Charlson comorbidity index ⩾2. Median LOS was 4 days and 21.1% received intraoperative transfusion. The 30-day complication and readmission rates were 58.8% and 16.6%, respectively. Age >70 (p = 0.02), Charlson comorbidity index ⩾2 (p = 0.005), and intraoperative transfusion (p = 0.03) were significantly associated with LOS. Intraoperative transfusion was significantly associated with 30-day complication and readmission (p = 0.008, p = 0.005, respectively). No factor was found to be significantly associated with 90-day complication or readmission.

Conclusions: With ERAS protocol, non-modifiable patient and disease factors influence outcomes after RC. Risk adjustment for these factors is important for patient counseling, quality assessment and future reimbursement.

Keywords: cystectomy; patient readmission; postoperative complications; urinary bladder neoplasms.