Same-day Ileostomy Closure Discharge Reduces Costs Without Compromising Outcomes: An Economic Analysis.

Objective: This study aims to assess the costs of a same-day discharge (SDD) enhanced recovery pathway for diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) closure compared with a standard institutional enhanced recovery protocol.

Background: Every year, 50,155 patients in the United States undergo temporary stoma reversal. While ambulatory stoma closure has shown promise, widespread adoption remains slow. This study builds on previous research, focusing on the costs of a novel SDD protocol introduced in 2020.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, comparing patients undergoing SDD DLI closure from August 2020 to February 2023 to those in a matched cohort receiving standard inpatient enhanced recovery protocol. Patients were matched based on age, sex, american society of anesthesiologists score, surgery period, and hospital. Primary outcomes included direct hospitalization and additional costs in the 30 days postdischarge.

Results: The SDD group (n = 118) demonstrated a significant reduction in median index episode hospitalization and 30-day postoperative costs compared with the inpatient group (n = 236), with savings of $4827 per patient. Complication rates were similar, and so were readmission and reoperation rates.

Conclusions: Implementation of the SDD for DLI closure is associated with substantial cost savings without compromising patient outcomes. The study advocates for a shift towards SDD protocols, offering economic benefits and potential improvements in health care resource utilization.