Prediction of Readmission and Complications After Pituitary Adenoma Resection via the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database

Introduction Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial tumors (incidence 4:100,000 people) with good surgical outcomes; however, a subset of patients show higher rates of perioperative morbidity. Our goal was to identify risk factors for postoperative complications or readmission after pituitary adenoma resection. Methods We undertook a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent surgery for pituitary adenoma in 2006-2018 by using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The main outcome measures were patient complications and the 30-day readmission rate. Results Among the 2,292 patients (mean age 53.3±15.9 years), there were 491 complications in 188 patients (8.2%). Complications and 30-day readmission have remained stable over time rather than declined. Unplanned readmission was seen in 141 patients (6.2%). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that hypertension (OR=1.6; 95% CI= 1.1, 2.1; p=0.005) and high white blood cell count (OR=1.08; 95% CI=1.03, 1.1; p=0.0001) were independent predictors of complications. Return to the operating room (OR=5.9, 95% CI=1.7, 20.2, p=0.0005); complications (OR=4.1, 95% CI=1.6, 10.6, p=0.004); and blood urea nitrogen (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.02, 1.2, p=0.02) were independent predictors of 30-day readmission. Conclusion Using one of the largest datasets of pituitary adenoma patients, we identified perioperative factors most critical for patient outcome. One strength of this study is adjusting for cofactors that predict outcomes, which has not been done previously. Several patient biomarkers, namely white blood cell count and blood urea nitrogen, may serve as preoperative markers that might identify patients at higher risk. Control of blood pressure and renal disease may be perioperative management strategies that can impact the outcome.