Risk Factors for Major Complications Following Minimally Invasive Surgeries for Endometriosis in the United States

Abstract

Study objective: To study the rate and risk factors for short-term postoperative complications of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for endometriosis in the United States.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2020.

Patients: Patients with endometriosis diagnosis.

Interventions: Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Measurements and main results: We compared women with and without 30-day postoperative major complications, defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. A total of 28 697 women underwent MIS during the study period, of which 2.6% had major postoperative complications. Organ space surgical site infection and reoperation were the most common complications (47.0% and 39.8%, respectively). In multivariable regression analysis, African American race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61 [1.29-2.01], p <.001), hypertension (aOR 95% CI 1.23 [1.01-1.50], p = .036), bleeding disorders (aOR 95% CI 1.96 [1.03-3.74], p = .041), bowel procedures (aOR 95% CI 1.93 [1.37-2.72], p <.001) and hysterectomy (aOR 95% CI 2.09 [1.67-2.63], p <.001) were independently associated with increased risk of major complications. In multivariable regression analysis of laparoscopies without bowel procedures, African American race, bleeding disorders, and hysterectomy were independently associated with increased major complication risk. Among cases with bowel procedures, African American race and colectomy were independently associated with increased major complication risk. In multivariable regression analysis of women who underwent hysterectomy, African American race, bleeding disorders, and lysis of adhesions were independently associated with increased major complications risk. Among women who underwent uterine-sparing surgery, African American race, hypertension, preoperative blood transfusion, and bowel procedures were independently associated with increased major complications risk.

Conclusion: Among women undergoing MIS for endometriosis, African American race, hypertension, bleeding disorders, and bowel surgery or hysterectomy are risk factors for major complications. African American race is a risk factor for major complications among women undergoing surgeries with and without bowel procedures or hysterectomy.

Keywords: Bowel surgery; Chronic pelvic pain; Endometriosis; Laparoscopy; Racial disparity.