National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis of unplanned reoperation in patients undergoing low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer

Background: The rate of unplanned reoperation for rectal cancer can provide information about surgical quality. We sought to determine factors associated with unplanned reoperation after low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for patients with rectal cancer and outcomes after these reoperations.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to conduct this retrospective study. Patients who underwent elective low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer from 2012-2014 were identified. The primary outcomes were 30-day reoperation rates and postoperative complications.

Results: A total of 454 low anterior resection patients (5.9%) and 289 abdominoperineal resection patients (8.1%) required reoperation within 30 days of their index operation. The most common reasons for reoperation were infection, bleeding, and bowel obstruction. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio: 1.5, P = .001), poor functional status (odds ratio: 2.2, P = .04), operative time (odds ratio: 1.001, P = .01), low preoperative albumin (odds ratio: 0.79, P = .04), and lack of ostomy (odds ratio, 0.66, P = .005) were independent risk factors for reoperation after low anterior resection. Smoking (odds ratio: 1.7, P = .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio: 1.8, P = .03), poor functional status (odds ratio: 2.1, P = .032), operative time (odds ratio: 1.003, P < .001), low preoperative albumin (odds ratio: 0.69, P = .007), and open approach (odds ratio: 1.5, P = .02) were independent risk factors for reoperation after abdominoperineal resection. Postoperative complication rates are high for those undergoing reoperation, often leading to non-home discharge (P < .001) after reoperation.

Conclusion: Reoperation after low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer is not uncommon. This study highlights the indications for reoperation, potentially modifiable preoperative risk factors for reoperation, and the morbidity associated with such operations.