Pre-weekend effect in pulmonary resection for non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Surgeries performed on Fridays may be associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. However, data on pulmonary resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of pulmonary resection for NSCLC performed on Fridays or before holidays.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients with NSCLC who underwent pulmonary resection between 2014 and 2016. Patients were classified into two groups: those undergoing surgery on Fridays or the day before a public holiday (pre-weekend group) and those undergoing surgery on other weekdays (control group). Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was performed to compare intraoperative injury, any postoperative complication, grade ≥ 3 complications, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

The risk ratios were 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27-1.82) for intraoperative injuries, 0.93 (95%CI: 0.70-1.22) for any postoperative complications, and 0.54 (95%CI: 0.32-0.93) for grade ≥ 3 complications. The hazard ratio was 0.91 (95%CI: 0.64-1.29) for OS and 0.99 (95%CI: 0.75-1.30) for RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Elective pulmonary resection for NSCLC performed on Fridays or before holidays may not be associated with increased postoperative complications or worse long-term outcomes.