How Do Multiple Operative Procedures Affect 90-Day Readmission Rates?

​Patients undergoing multiple operative procedures demonstrate an increased risk for readmission within 90 days of discharge compared with patients undergoing a single operative procedure, according to a study in the July 2016 issue of Surgery. The authors conducted a retrospective observational study using data on 194,111 patients undergoing one of 10 major operative procedures (six abdominal procedures: esophagectomy, pancreatectomy, hepatectomy, colectomy, lung resection, and gastrectomy; and four cardiovascular procedures: repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, coronary artery bypass grafting, carotid endarterectomy, and mitral/aortic valve replacement) between 2010 and 2012. A total of 3,444 patients underwent simultaneous abdominal and cardiovascular procedures.