Factors that Lengthen Patient Hospitalizations Following Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To establish descriptive observations associated with prolonged hospitalization after laparoscopic hysterectomy prior to the implementation of a department-wide Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study at three academic affiliated hospitals in the southeastern United States was conducted evaluating length of hospitalization by patient, surgical, and physician factors for 384 patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, and robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions by general and subspecialized gynecologists from 2010 to 2015. RESULTS: Among 384 patients, 19.5% experienced prolonged hospitalization, defined as greater than one day. After adjusting for covariates, robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy (aOR 3.13), dietary restrictions on postoperative day 1 (aOR 4.42), postoperative nausea or vomiting (aOR 2.01), and postoperative complications (aOR 3.58) were associated with prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Data from this study were collected prior to implementation of department-wide enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and highlights areas for improvement. Implementation of specific aspects of these protocols, including aggressive prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting and early feeding, are easily made changes which may help to effectively decrease length of stay after laparoscopic hysterectomy. Patient and provider education on enhanced recovery protocols is also key to reducing length of stay.