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Barriers to laparoscopic colon resection for cancer: a national analysis

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Abstract

Background

Level one evidence has shown that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for colon cancer improves short-term outcomes with equivalent long-term oncologic results when compared to open surgery. However, the adoption of MIS for patients with colon cancer has not been universal. The goal of this study is to identify barriers to the use of MIS surgery in colon cancer resection across the United States.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was queried for all cases of colonic adenocarcinoma resection from 2010 to 2012. Patients undergoing an MIS approach were compared with those undergoing open surgery (OS). MIS was defined as either robotic or laparoscopic surgery. Patients with metastatic disease, surgery for palliation, or tumors >8 cm were excluded. Multivariable modeling was used to identify variables associated with the use of open surgery.

Results

After applying exclusion criteria, 124,205 cases were identified. An MIS approach was used in only 54,621 (44%) patients. In a multivariable model adjusting for stage and tumor size, a number of important factors were associated with decreased odds of a MIS approach including black race (OR .91; p < .0001), lack of insurance (OR .51; p < .0001), lower education (OR .88; p < .0001), lower income (OR .83; p < .0001), treatment at a community program (OR .86; p < .0001), and treatment at a low-volume center (OR .79; p < .0001). Utilization of MIS increased over the study period (2010: 38.7%, 2011: 44.0%, 2012: 49.1%; p < .0001).

Conclusions

MIS approach is utilized in less than half of all colon resections in this national database, which accounts for over 70% of all diagnosed cancers in the US. Significant variability exists among age, race, insurance status, socioeconomic status, region, and facility type. In light of the recognized benefits of the MIS approach, local and national policy should focus on narrowing these disparities and continuing the upward trend of MIS utilization.

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Anne Zimmerman Hawkins for her editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Vanderbilt University, 1161 21st Ave South, Room D5248 MCN, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA

    Alexander T. Hawkins, Molly M. Ford, M. Benjamin Hopkins, Roberta L. Muldoon & Timothy M. Geiger

  2. Departments of Anesthesiology and Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Jonathan P. Wanderer

  3. Division of Surgical Oncology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Alexander A. Parikh

Authors
  1. Alexander T. Hawkins
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  2. Molly M. Ford
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  3. M. Benjamin Hopkins
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  4. Roberta L. Muldoon
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  7. Timothy M. Geiger
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Correspondence to Alexander T. Hawkins.

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Disclosure

Drs. Alexander T. Hawkins, Molly M. Ford, M. Benjamin Hopkins, Roberta L. Muldoon, Jonathan P. Wanderer, Alexander A. Parikh, and Timothy M. Geiger have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose. The American College of Surgeons and the Commission on Cancer have not verified and are not responsible for the analytic or statistical methodology employed, or the conclusions drawn from these data by the investigators.

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Hawkins, A.T., Ford, M.M., Benjamin Hopkins, M. et al. Barriers to laparoscopic colon resection for cancer: a national analysis. Surg Endosc 32, 1035–1042 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5782-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5782-8

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