Evaluation of racial/ethnic disparities in surgical outcomes after rectal cancer resection: An ACS-NSQIP analysis

Background

Disparities exist the management of rectal cancer. We sought to evaluate short-term surgical outcomes among different racial/ethnic groups following rectal cancer resection.

Materials and Methods

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2016–2019) was queried. Patients undergoing rectal cancer resection were categorized by race/ethnicity. Circumferential resection margin positivity rate and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. 1:1 Propensity score matching (PSM) was used.

Results

Of 1,753 patients, 80.2 % were White, 7.6 % Black, 8.5 % Asian and 3.7 % Hispanic. On unadjusted analysis, Hispanic patients presented longer operative time(p = 0.029), and Black patients higher postoperative ileus(p = 0.003) and readmission(p = 0.023) rates. After PSM, Hispanics had a significantly higher circumferential resection margin positivity rate(p = 0.032), Black patients higher postoperative ileus rate(p = 0.014) and longer LOS(p = 0.0118) when compared to White counterparts.

Conclusion

Racial disparities were found in short-term postoperative outcomes. Hispanic patients presented higher margin positivity rate and Black patients worst 30-day postoperative outcomes. Comparative studies evaluating trends and a higher number of minority patients included in databases are warranted.