The Impact of a Short Hospital Stay on Readmission Rate after Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery under the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the safety of discharge after a one or two day hospital stay following laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery under the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the colorectal unit in the King Hussein Military Hospital. All patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer between January 2020 and December 2023 were included and grouped according to their hospital stay: Group A had a short stay of one to two days, and Group B a stay of more than two days. Demographic information, type of surgery performed, postoperative complications, and readmission data were collected from the colorectal unit and hakeem data base. Results: Two hundred and eighty patients were included in this study: 104 patients in Group A and 176 patients in Group B. The mean age in Group A was 57.7 ± 12.82 years and in Group B 58.42 ± 13.04 years. In Group A, 46.1% were female, compared to 39.2% in Group B. The mean body mass index was similar in both groups. In Group A, 34.6% of patients were smokers, compared to 29% in Group B. The readmission rate was 9.6% in Group A and 11.4% in Group B. Conclusion: Early discharge of patient within two days following laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection is safe and was not associated with increased rates of readmission.