How sick are dialysis patients undergoing cholecystectomy? Analysis of 92,672 patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

BackgroundAlthough cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States, there is an absence of data on the risks of cholecystectomy in dialysis patients. Our objective was to analyze the outcomes of cholecystectomy in dialysis patients.MethodsUsing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we selected all patients who underwent cholecystectomy from 2005 to 2010. Univariate analysis was performed and logistic and linear regression models were used to obtain risk-adjusted outcomes. The main outcomes were morbidity, mortality, and length of stay.ResultsDialysis was associated with a higher risk of 30-day postoperative morbidity (16.1% vs 3.8%, adjusted odds ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.18 to 3.10), but not mortality. The average length of stay following any cholecystectomy was 4.1 days longer for dialysis patients (5.5 vs 1.4 days, P < .0001).ConclusionPatients on dialysis who undergo cholecystectomy are at a higher risk for postoperative morbidity, but not mortality.