Early unplanned readmissions following same-admission cholecystectomy for acute biliary pancreatitis

Background: Same-admission cholecystectomy (CCY) is recommended for mild acute biliary pancreatitis (biliary-AP). However, there is a paucity of research investigating reasons for early (30-day) unplanned readmissions in patients who undergo CCY for biliary-AP. Hence, we sought to investigate this gap using a large population database.

Methods: Using the Nationwide Readmission Database (2010-2014), we identified all adults (age ≥ 18 years) with a principal diagnosis of biliary-AP who had undergone CCY during the index hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression models were obtained to assess independent predictors for 30-day readmission. Principal diagnosis for all readmissions was collected to ascertain the indications for early readmission.

Results: During the study period, 118,224 patients underwent same-admission CCY for biliary-AP. Three-fourths of all patients underwent invasive cholangiography during the hospitalization (intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) = 57,038, ERCP = 31,500). The rate of early (30-day) readmission was 7.25% (n = 8574). Exacerbation of prior medical conditions (42.2%), sequelae of biliary-AP (resolving and recurrent pancreatitis, pseudocysts) (27.6%), surgical site and other postoperative complications (16%), choledocholithiasis and/or bile leak (9.6%), and preventable hospital-acquired conditions (4.6%) accounted for early readmissions. On multivariable analysis, predictors for readmission included male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.28), insurance type (Medicare insurance [OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.40]; Medicaid [OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09-1.38]), outside-facility discharge (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16-1.57), severe AP (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21-1.50), and ≥ 3 Elixhauser comorbidities (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.41-1.69). Performance of IOC (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.97) and ERCP (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.89) were associated with decreased risk of early readmission.

Conclusion: In this study, using a national population database evaluating patients who underwent same-admission CCY after biliary-AP, we identified potentially modifiable risk factors and causes for early readmission as well as opportunities to improve clinical care.