Same-day discharge after percutaneous renal cryoablation and its effect on 30 day hospital re-admission rates and post-procedural complications

Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2024 May 10:S0363-0188(24)00095-1. doi: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2024.05.019. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify if the local institutional shift from routine overnight observation to same-day discharge following percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) of renal tumors increases 30 day re-admission rates or serious adverse events (AEs).

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 133 adult patients. PCA patients in calendar years 2018-2019 were routinely observed overnight in the hospital, comprising the control group (Group A). PCA patients in calendar years 2021-2022 were routinely discharged the same day, comprising the test group (Group B). Relevant demographic information, tumor characteristics, technical outcomes, and clinical outcomes were recorded.

Results: 15 patients (11.3 %) from the total cohort were re-admitted to the hospital within 30 days of PCA for any reason. Seven patients (10.4 %) and eight patients (12.1 %) were re-admitted for any reason within 30 days in Group A and Group B, respectively, with no difference between the two groups (p = 0.76). Nine patients (6.8 %) from the total cohort were re-admitted to the hospital within 30 days for a diagnosis secondary to the procedure. Four patients (6 %) and five patients (7.6 %) were re-admitted within 30 days for reasons related to PCA in Group A and Group B, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.71). Eight patients (12 %) and four patients (6 %) had major AEs following PCA in Group A and Group B, respectively, with no difference between the two groups (p = 0.43).

Conclusion: Overall, the change in post-procedural care after PCA did not have a deleterious effect on 30 day re-admission rates or rates of major AEs.

Keywords: Ablation; Cryoablation; Discharge; Renal cancer.