OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study is to analyse national trends in discharge disposition following pancreatic resection for malignancy in the USA.

METHODS:

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for 1993-2005 to identify patients who underwent pancreatic resection for malignancy. The status of patients at discharge (to home, home with home health care or to another facility) was noted.

RESULTS:

A weighted total of 51 866 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for malignant neoplasm of the pancreas were identified. Patients who died in the postoperative period and patients without a specified discharge disposition were excluded, leaving 43 603 patients for inclusion in the study. Overall mortality improved over the period of the study from 7.1% in 1993 to 5.2% in 2005. The number of patients discharged to another facility increased significantly from 5.5% in 1993 to 13.3% in 2005. Similarly, the number of patients discharged to home with home health assistance increased from 20.0% in 1993 to 33.0% in 2005. This corresponded with a statistically significant decrease in the number of patients discharged to home without assistance, from 74.5% in 1993 to 53.7% in 2005 (P= 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of our study demonstrate that following pancreatic resection for malignancy, nearly half the patients will require some assistance after discharge.

© 2012 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.