Introduction: Readmission after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has not been systematically evaluated.
Study objective: The objectives of this study were to determine national 30-day readmission rates after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and evaluate risk factors associated with readmission.
Methods: Retrospective review of the 2011-2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset was performed to identify patients who underwent elective esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
Results: One thousand sixty-eight patients satisfied study criteria. One hundred and thirty-five patients were admitted within 30 days resulting in a readmission rate of 12.6%. Patients with a history of pulmonary disease were 3.9 times more likely to be readmitted. Patients who developed postoperative wound-related complications were 9 times more likely to be readmitted than patients who did not develop wound-related complications. Increasing length of hospital stay was associated with a marginal but significant decrease in risk of readmission.
Conclusions: National 30-day readmission rate after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is around 12.6%. Risk factors associated with 30-day readmission include history of pulmonary disease, postoperative wound-related complications, and length of hospital stay.