RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cancer surgery cancellation: incidence, outcomes and recovery in a universal health care system
JF Canadian Journal of Surgery
JO CAN J SURG
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E782
OP E791
DO 10.1503/cjs.012521
VO 65
IS 6
A1 Antoine Eskander
A1 Claudia Zanchetta
A1 Natalie Coburn
A1 Danny Enepekides
A1 Lilian T. Gien
A1 Reeza Menalo
A1 Gener Austria
A1 Ordeena Linton
A1 Sue Su-Myat
A1 Olga Yermakhanova
A1 Jonathan Irish
YR 2022
UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/65/6/E782.abstract
AB Background: Cancer surgery cancellation can have negative consequences for the patient, the surgeon and the health care system. There is a paucity of literature on cancer surgery cancellation and its association with wait times, perioperative outcomes, survival and costs of care. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the incidence of same-day cancer surgery cancellation in a universal health care context and its association with short and long-term outcomes.Methods: This was a population-based retrospective cancer cohort study in Ontario, Canada (2010–2016). There were 199 599 patients in the control cohort and 3539 patients in the cohort that experienced a cancellation. We assessed the cohorts for differences in survival, perioperative complications and costs of care.Results: The overall cancellation rate was 1.74% and was predicted by cancer type (genitourinary), lower income quintile, and more central region of residence. Wait times in the cancelled cohort were longer than in the control cohort; however, this difference was not associated with worse survival outcomes. Patients in the cancelled cohort had higher complication rates while in hospital (7.3 %) than those in the control cohort (4.9%; p < 0.01). After adjusting for important confounders, the cancelled cohort was more costly ($1100).Conclusion: Same-day cancer surgery cancellation rates were low. They were associated with longer wait times, higher complication rates and increased costs of care. Survival was not worse in the cancelled cohort, suggesting that appropriate cancer urgency prioritization occurs. Preventable causes of cancellation should be targeted to improve outcomes in patients with cancer.