Association of comorbidity score with perioperative outcomes following transoral robotic surgery: National analysis

BACKGROUND: The association of comorbidities with perioperative outcomes after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is not well‐defined in the literature. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Database, 4004 patients with T1‐T2 oropharyngeal cancer between 2010 and 2017 were stratified based on their Charlson–Deyo Comorbidity Class (CDCC). Thirty‐day unplanned readmissions, 30‐day mortality, and 90‐day mortality were compared using chi‐square test and logistic regression. Hospital length of stay (LOS) was compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. RESULTS: LOS was greater for patients with CDCC 2 or 3 compared to CDCC 0 or 1 (p < 0.001). Increasing age and CDCC ≥3 were associated with 30‐day mortality (CDCC ≥3: odds ratio [OR] 5.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59–19.45). CDCC ≥3 (OR 2.61, 95%CI 1.09–6.27) was significantly associated with 30‐day readmissions. CONCLUSION: This national analysis demonstrates greater rates of unplanned 30‐day readmissions, longer hospitalizations, and increased 30‐ and 90‐day mortality after TORS in patients with CDCC ≥3.