Routine post-operative labs and healthcare system burden in acute appendicitis

Data from the National Health Expenditure Accounts have shown a steady increase in healthcare cost paralleled by availability of laboratory tests. Resource utilization is a top priority for reducing health care costs. We hypothesized that routine post-operative laboratory utilization unnecessarily increases costs and healthcare system burden in acute appendicitis (AA) management. A retrospective cohort of patients with uncomplicated AA 2016–2020 were identified. Clinical variables, demographics, lab usage, interventions, and costs were collected. A total of 3711 patients with uncomplicated AA were identified. Total costs of labs ($289,505, 99.56%) and repletions ($1287.63, 0.44%) were $290,792.63. Increased LOS was associated with lab utilization in multivariable modeling, increasing costs by $837,602 or 472.12 per patient. In our patient population, post-operative labs resulted in increased costs without discernible impact on clinical course. Routine post-operative laboratory testing should be re-evaluated in patients with minimal comorbidities as this likely increases cost without adding value. [Display omitted] •Routine post-operative labs in simple acute appendicitis increase cost of care.•The majority of post-operative labs do not require intervention.•Older frail patients with long operations are more likely to have abnormal labs.