Cost Variance in Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma Who Develop Postoperative Wound Complications

BACKGROUND: Wound complications after a soft-tissue sarcoma surgery are common, occurring in up to 30% to 40% of patients who undergo preoperative radiation therapy. Although risk factors for developing complications are well-known, there is a paucity of literature on the increased healthcare costs after a wound complication. The purpose of this study was to detail these additional costs after a soft-tissue sarcoma surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of 99 patients from January 2013 to October 2019 was performed. Hospital and professional charges for the primary surgical procedure and any subsequent hospitalization or procedure related to a wound complication were compiled. Costs were inflated to 2019 dollars. RESULTS: Total costs were 21.3% higher for patients who developed a wound complication (P = 0.006). Most patients (32 of 42; 76.2%) who developed a complication required a return trip to the operating room. The average number of return trips was 1.2 (range 0 to 5). For each return trip to the operating room because of a wound complication, an associated increased overall cost of 13.2% was noted (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Wound complications after a soft-tissue sarcoma resection are common and add considerable expense to the episode of care. A reduction in wound complications may markedly decrease the cost of treating soft-tissue sarcomas and continues to be an opportunity for improvement.