Low Serum Albumin Correlates With Adverse Events Following Surgery for Male Urinary Incontinence: Analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project

Urology. 2020 Mar:137:178-182. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2019.12.004. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and male urethral sling placement (MUS), revision, and removal.

Methods: We identified CPT codes of patients undergoing AUS and sling placement, revision, and removal in the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate analysis was used to compare preoperative parameters against adverse events of interest (Length of stay (LOS) >1, readmission, reoperation, other postoperative complications, and death). Variables that were significant or neared significance (P <.1) in the univariate analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression models. Multivariable models were used to estimate the probability of adverse events.

Results: About 2792 patients underwent surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence in the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database from 2008 to 2016. Increased length of stay was the most common adverse event (12.7%), followed by other postoperative complications (4.9%), readmission (4%), reoperation (2.3%), and death (0.3%). We noted an association between perioperative adverse events and preoperative hypoalbuminemia. Patients with preoperative hypoalbuminemia compared with patients with normal preoperative serum albumin had an increase predicted probability of LOS >1 day (42% vs 10%), readmission (10% vs 4%), reoperation (6% vs 2%), other postoperative complications (18% vs 4%) after adjusting for other factors.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence is well tolerated with acceptable levels of perioperative adverse events. Low serum albumin (<3.5 ng/dL) was associated with perioperative adverse events. These data may affect preoperative decision making and direct future quality improve efforts at the highest risk patients to help minimize perioperative morbidity and mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Patient Readmission / statistics & numerical data
  • Postoperative Complications* / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications* / mortality
  • Postoperative Complications* / surgery
  • Prosthesis Implantation* / adverse effects
  • Prosthesis Implantation* / instrumentation
  • Prosthesis Implantation* / methods
  • Quality Improvement / organization & administration
  • Reoperation* / methods
  • Reoperation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Adjustment / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Serum Albumin / analysis*
  • Suburethral Slings / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / blood
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / surgery
  • Urinary Sphincter, Artificial / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Serum Albumin