Predictors of 90-day readmission in children undergoing spinal cord tumor surgery: a Nationwide Readmissions Database analysis

Abstract Objective Fair number of hospital admissions occur after 30 days and thus could underestimate true readmission rate. Therefore, authors have hypothesized that a 90-day readmission rate may better characterize factors contributing to readmissions in pediatric patients undergoing spinal tumor resection. Methods The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was utilized to study patient demographics, comorbidities, admissions, hospital course, spinal tumor behavior (malignant versus benign), complications, revisions, 30- and 90-day readmissions. Results Of 397 patients included in 30-day cohort, 43 (10.8%) were readmitted. In comparison 90-day readmission rate was significantly higher; 52 of 325 patients were readmitted (16.0%, p Conclusions The prevalence and charges associated with unplanned hospital readmissions after spinal tumor resection stayed remarkably high. Interestingly, younger age, Medicaid insurance, malignant tumors, and complications during the initial admission were significant predictors of 90-day readmission.