THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer, who simultaneously have either a plastic or gynecologic procedure, have greater postoperative complications, according to a study published online July 6 in The Breast Journal.
Sarah E. Tevis, M.D., from the University of Colorado in Aurora, and colleagues evaluated whether the addition of a gynecologic and/or plastic reconstructive procedure to breast surgery results in an increased risk of postoperative complications and readmissions. Data from the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program was used to identify 77,030 patients who underwent breast surgery between 2011 and 2015. A comparison group included 124 patients who underwent prophylactic oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy.
The researchers found that breast cancer patients who did not have a simultaneous reconstruction or gynecologic procedure were older and with more comorbidities. However, patients undergoing coordinated, multisite procedures had a significantly longer length of stay, as well as higher complication, readmission, and reoperation rates, versus patients who underwent single-site surgery.
“Higher complication rates for those with coordinated operations may lead to delays in adjuvant therapy and discussions regarding the indications for simultaneous surgery are recommended,” the authors write.
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