Dramatic decreases in mortality from laparoscopic colon resections based on data from the nationwide inpatient sample

Objective: To determine the mortality rate and associated factors for laparoscopic and open colectomy as derived from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Patients: Between 2002 and 2007, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample estimated 1 314 696 patients underwent colectomy in the United States. Most (n=1 231 184) were open, but 83 512 were laparoscopic. Patients who underwent a laparoscopic procedure that was converted to open were analyzed within the laparoscopic group on an intention-to-treat basis. Main Outcome Measure: Mortality rate. Using a logistic regression model, patient and institutional characteristics were analyzed and evaluated for significant associations with in-hospital mortality. Results: In a multivariate analysis, significant predictors of increased mortality included older age, male sex, lower socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and emergency or transfer admission. Additionally, a laparoscopic approach was an independent predictor of decreased mortality when compared with open colectomy (relative risk, 0.51; P<.001). Conclusion: Even when controlling for comorbidities, socioeconomic status, practice setting, and admission type, laparoscopy is an independent predictor of decreased mortality for colon resection.