Loss of Functional Independence after Plastic Surgery in Older Patients: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

• Published in: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2024-09, Vol.12 (9), p.e6167
• Main Authors: Panayi, Adriana C, Knoedler, Samuel, Didzun, Oliver, Ghanad, Iman, Kneser, Ulrich, Hundeshagen, Gabriel, Orgill, Dennis P, Bigdeli, Amir K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 2169-7574; 2169-7574
• DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006167

Maintenance of functional independence is an important patient-centered outcome. As the evidence on loss of independence (LOI) in older patients undergoing plastic surgery is lacking, this study investigates the extent of LOI, identifying factors associated with LOI. The 2021-2022 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was searched to identify patients (>65 years old) who underwent plastic surgery and provided data on their functional independence. The primary outcome was LOI on discharge. Data on perioperative factors, including patient characteristics and comorbidities, surgical details, and outcome measures such as operation time, length of hospital stay, surgical and medical complications, mortality, and discharge destination were extracted. Of 2112 patients who underwent plastic surgery, most were independent on discharge (n = 1838, 87%). A total of 163 patients lost their independence (LOI rate: 7.7%). Patients discharged as dependent were more likely to have experienced surgical and medical complications, and less likely to be discharged home (all