Discharge destination following pancreaticoduodenectomy: A NSQIP analysis of predictive factors and post-discharge outcomes.

Introduction: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a complex surgical procedure. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated non-home discharge destination and to characterize outcomes after non-home discharge.

Methods: 10,719 pancreaticoduodenectomy cases contained in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Targeted Pancreatectomy dataset (years 2014-2016) were examined with univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: 1336 patients (12.5%) were discharged to rehabilitation, skilled care, or acute care facilities. Preoperative factors significantly associated with non-home discharge on multivariate analysis were female gender, older age, elevated BMI, poor functional status or dyspnea, smoking, low albumin, COPD, and ascites. Intraoperative factors significantly associated with non-home discharge destination on multivariate analysis were longer operative time, open surgery, softer pancreatic texture, drain placement, and jejunostomy tube placement. A nomogram was generated for estimating probability of non-home discharge immediately after surgery.

Conclusion: Preoperative and intraoperative factors can be used to predict probability of non-home discharge immediately after completion of pancreaticoduodenectomy.