title: Factors influencing readmission after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of, and associated risk factors for, readmission after potentially curative gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer has not been well studied. We sought to determine the 30-day readmission rate as well as the potential risk factors for readmission at our institution in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer with curative intent.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing potentially curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer from 1995 to 2011. The 30-day hospital readmission rate was determined, and potential clinicopathologic risk factors for readmission were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Readmission to the hospital within 30 days occurred in 14.6% (61 of 418) of patients, including 6 patients who were readmitted more than once. The most common reasons for readmission included nutritional difficulties (n =12, 20%), intra-abdominal fluid collections (n = 11, 18%), and small bowel obstruction (n = 6, 10%). Factors associated with a higher 30-day readmission rate included type of resection (total gastrectomy, 23% vs subtotal gastrectomy, 13% vs esophagogastrectomy, 9%, p = 0.016), pre-existing cardiovascular disease (17%, p = 0.05), and history of a major postoperative complication (24%, p < 0.001). Factors not associated with a higher readmission rate included advanced age, pre-existing pulmonary disease, T or N stage, extent of lymph node dissection, receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy, length of stay of the index hospitalization, and destination and level of support on discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Readmission after potentially curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer is common. Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, those who suffer major postoperative complications, and those undergoing total gastric resections are at especially high risk for readmission, and strategies designed to support these high-risk patients on discharge are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Benjamin H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Rattner
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Electronic address: jmullen@partners.org.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Mullen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*