Costs and health burden of surgical site infections and anastomotic leakage in major abdominal surgery.

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common postoperative complication. SSI, including anastomotic leakage (AL), is a burden for patients and leads to increased costs, although insights as to the true costs from prospective data are limited. This study aimed to provide an overview of the impact of SSI and AL specifically on total societal costs and the quality of life (QoL) of patients.

Method: This is a secondary analysis from the EPO2CH trial conducted between 2016 and 2020, which randomized patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery with incisions > 5 cm to either standard care or standard care plus a bundle aiming to reduce SSI. Prospectively collected clinical data from the EPO2CH trial were used to ascertain the occurrence of SSI (superficial/deep/organ space and AL). The costs and QoL of patients with versus without SSI within 90 days after surgery were evaluated. The primary outcomes were costs (€) and (loss of) health utility, measured as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). QoL data were collected using patient questionnaires (EQ-5D™-3L). Unit costs were based on national guidelines for health economic evaluations and locally available unit costs of care.

Results: Overall, 1119 of 1777 patients were analysed. Costs in the SSI and non-SSI groups were €53 562 (bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95% confidence interval (c.i.) 45 356 to 68 600]) and €23 969 (BCa 95% c.i. 22 961 to 25 075), respectively, with a mean difference of €29 592 (BCa 95% c.i. 21 206 to 45 674). The greatest mean difference was observed between patients with AL and patients without SSI (€56 401; BCa 95% c.i. 39 487 to 90 892). The maximum attainable mean QALY score over 3 months was 0.25. The mean(standard deviation) QALY score in SSI and non-SSI patients was 0.171(0.050) and 0.205(0.037), respectively, with a mean difference of -0.035 (BCa 95% c.i. -0.042 to -0.029). This corresponds to a loss of 12.78 days in perfect health over the 3-month period.

Conclusion: Patients with SSI, regardless of its type, had substantially higher healthcare costs and lower QoL after major abdominal surgery than patients without SSI.