Outpatient Breast Cancer Surgery in Geriatric Patients: costs, patient satisfaction and postoperative outcomes.

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, being an important cause of mortality. Older patients have a set of distinct characteristics, making them more vulnerable to postoperative complications. The outpatient setting is a safe and cost-effective alternative for the surgical management of patients, with good satisfaction rates being reported. Objective: This study set out to compare the outpatient and inpatient hospitalization setting in regards of postoperative outcomes, costs, and satisfaction rates in female geriatric breast cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study with female breast cancer patients aged over 75 years undergoing breast cancer surgery. Demographic, clinical, and postoperative complications data was collected on 10 outpatients and 8 inpatients. The costs of hospitalization were acquired, and a questionnaire was applied to assess their satisfaction. Results: The average daily cost per patient in the outpatient hospitalization setting was 325.16€ and the inpatients was 471.15€. The average length of hospitalization and self-reported postoperative pain was lower in the outpatient setting. Conclusions: Geriatric breast cancer patients benefit from the outpatient setting, with a higher satisfaction rate and lower related costs with no higher incidence of postoperative complications.