The effect of preoperative clinical variables on the 30- and 90-day morbidity and mortality after radical cystectomy: A single-centre study

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of preoperative clinical variables and comorbidity on the early, late and cumulative 90-day morbidity and mortality rates, as well as hospital re-admissions, after radical cystectomy (RC), in one centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing RC over a period of 3 months were included. Preoperative investigations included measurements of serum albumin, a complete blood analysis, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and the age-adjusted CCI (ACCI). We recorded the length of hospital stay (LOS) and all postoperative events for 90 days, and graded them according to the five-grade modification of the original Clavien system. RESULTS: In all there were 31 patients undergoing RC (mean age 58.4 years). The mean preoperative serum albumin and haemoglobin level, BMI, CCI and ACCI were 3.82 g/dL, 12.53 g/dL, 29.29 kg/m(2), 3.0 and 4.58, respectively. The mean LOS was 20.03 days; seven patients needed re-admission and three died within the 90 days. There were postoperative complications in 20 patients. The age, CCI and ACCI were significantly associated with complications (P = 0.009, 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Preoperative haemoglobin, BMI and smoking had no effect on the morbidity or mortality rate. The LOS increased in older patients (P = 0.031) and those with a higher ACCI (P = 0.042). Postoperative mortality increased among patients with a lower serum albumin level (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Age, CCI and ACCI are related to early postoperative complications. Older patients and patients with a higher ACCI have a longer LOS. A low preoperative albumin level needs to be evaluated more thoroughly.