Symptomatic Cholelithiasis: Do Minority Patients Experience Delays to Surgery?

Cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgeries and the majority are performed to treat symptomatic cholelithiasis (SC). While surgery is often elective, poor access or delays in care may lead to urgent cases, which are potentially associated with higher complication rates. This study aims to determine if minority patients with SC have higher rates of urgent cholecystectomy and postoperative complications. Analysis of patients undergoing cholecystectomy for SC utilizing American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) from 2017 to 2019. Primary outcome was acuity of cholecystectomy (i.e., urgent versus elective). Secondary outcomes were any post-operative complication and length of stay. Patients who underwent cholecystectomy for SC between 2017 to 2019 (N: 13,390) were analyzed. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients had higher odds of undergoing urgent surgery as compared to non-Hispanic White patients, and Hispanics had over twice the odds (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.16; 95% CI 1.93-2.43), adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. Having urgent surgery was associated with higher odds for developing any postoperative complication and experiencing longer length of stay. After adjusting for urgency of surgery, Non-Hispanic Black and Asian patients were at risk for higher postoperative length of stay. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients were more likely to undergo urgent cholecystectomy as compared to non-Hispanic White patients for SC. Urgent surgery was independently associated with a higher complication rate and longer length of stay. Further characterization of the delays to surgery that lead to these differences are critical to prevent further treatment disparities.