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. 2022 Nov;92(11):2901-2906.
doi: 10.1111/ans.18062. Epub 2022 Sep 21.

Economic burden of complications and readmission following oesophageal cancer surgery

Alison F Browning  1   2 , Lynn Chong  1   2 , Matthew Read  1   2 , Michael W Hii  1   2
Affiliations

Economic burden of complications and readmission following oesophageal cancer surgery

Alison F Browning et al. ANZ J Surg. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Oesophageal cancer is the seventh most prevalent malignancy globally, and the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death. Oesophageal cancer is also one of the most costly cancers to treat. The aim of this study was to assess the financial impact of post-operative morbidity and hospital readmissions following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a prospectively maintained database of patients with oesophageal cancer who underwent an oesophagectomy at a single centre between July 2014 and June 2019 (N = 56). Readmission costs were also assessed in this cohort for 12 months post-operatively.

Results: The total median cost for oesophagectomy in this cohort was AU$57 250. Major complications occurred in 40% of patients, with a median total admission cost of AU$74 606, significantly higher than patients with either minor or no complications (median admission cost of AU$52 713, P < 0.001). Patients whose operation was complicated by an anastomotic leak had a higher median admission cost than those without a leak (AU$104 328 and AU$54 972 respectively, P < 0.001). Cost centres representing the greatest proportion of costs were theatre resources and surgical ward care (medical and nursing). A total of 110 readmissions in 25 patients were recorded in the 12 months post-operatively, the majority for gastroscopy and dilatation of anastomotic stricture.

Conclusion: Post-oesophagectomy morbidity greatly increases cost of care. In addition to the clinical benefits, interventions to minimize post-operative complications are likely to result in substantial cost savings.

Keywords: cost savings; esophagectomy; hospital costs; oesophageal neoplasms; patient readmission.

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