Association of day of surgery and distance traveled with length of stay in patients undergoing robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) at a tertiary medical center.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the association between surgical day of the week and distance traveled with prolonged length of stay (LOS) following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). 563 consecutive RAPN performed by a single surgeon were evaluated. Early week RAPN was considered Monday through Wednesday, while late-week RAPN was defined as surgery performed Thursday through Friday. Distance traveled for RAPN was evaluated as greater than or less than 60 miles. The respective groups were compared to see if the surgical day of the week or distance traveled influenced the hospital stay or prolonged hospital stay (defined as hospital length of stay equal or greater than 3days). Overall, 213 patients (38.0%) undergoing RAPN experienced a prolonged LOS. A total of 380 patients underwent early week RAPN compared to 183 late-week RAPN. Patients undergoing late-week RAPN were more likely to have a prolonged LOS compared to early week RAPN (n = 81, 44% vs. n = 133, 35%, respectively; p = 0.004). 229 patients traveled less than 60 miles, while 332 patients traveled more than 60 miles to receive RAPN. 135 patients (40.7%) traveling more than 60 miles experienced a prolonged stay compared to 78 patients (34.1%) traveling less than 60miles, although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.128). Patients who underwent RAPN at the end of the week were more likely to have a prolonged LOS, while distance traveled for RAPN did not appear to affect likelihood of prolonged LOS.