Abstract
Background: There is a paucity of data regarding risk stratification of pediatric patients presenting for low-risk skin and soft tissue surgery. Aims: We sought to determine the incidence and independent predictors of postoperative complications and unplanned 30-day readmission in a cohort of children undergoing low-risk skin and soft tissue surgery. Methods: The study included pediatric patients who underwent minor procedures of the skin and soft tissue at continuously enrolled American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric hospitals over a two-year period. The primary outcome was a 30-day postoperative complication composite. The secondary outcome was unplanned 30-day readmission. Results: The final analysis included 6,730 patients. There were a total of 170 postoperative complications among 152 patients (2.23%) with the majority of complications being either wound-related or postoperative mechanical ventilation. The independent predictors for an increased risk of postoperative complication were American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥3 and nutritional deficiency. There were 41 unplanned readmissions (0.61%). The presence of a postoperative wound complication or a postoperative pulmonary complication during the index hospital stay was an independent risk factor for unplanned 30-day readmission. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥3 and nutritional deficiency undergoing low-risk surgery are at risk for the development of postoperative complications. Patients who develop wound and postoperative pulmonary complications are at higher risk for unplanned 30-day readmission. Identification of these higher risk patients may allow the anesthesiologist to implement targeted therapies to minimize the likelihood of occurrence of these complications.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 44-50 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Paediatric anaesthesia |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2019 |
Keywords
- ambulatory surgery
- anesthesia
- child
- patient readmission
- postoperative complications
- postoperative period
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine