Abstract
Background
Oral cancer is a prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Unplanned readmission exposes patients to hospital-acquired complications. The readmission rate is a metric for quality of care. We aimed to identify the rate, causes, and predictors of hospital readmission within 60 days after discharge following oral cancer surgery.
Methods
This 15-year retrospective study included all patients who underwent oral oncologic surgery at a single tertiary center between 2008 and 2023. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic information, comorbidities, and causes for readmission.
Results
Of the 93 patients who underwent oral oncologic surgery, nine (9.70%) were readmitted within 60 days after discharge. The most common reason for readmission was surgical site infection (33.33%), followed by wound bleeding (25%). The significant predictors were unmarried status (P = 0.003), T4 disease status (P = 0.004), a higher cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS) (P = 0.011), radical excisions (P = 0.028), a higher American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score (P = 0.029), a lower preoperative serum albumin (P = 0.028), and a greater neutrophil count (P = 0.03).
Conclusion
One in every ten patients was readmitted following oral cancer surgery. The most common cause is surgical site infection. Significant predictors included T4 disease, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, higher neutrophil counts, unmarried status, extensive surgery, and higher baseline comorbidity indices. Future guidelines to lower readmission rates should focus on high-risk patients and involve earlier follow-up, more rigorous postdischarge monitoring, and delayed discharge.