Tracking Complications and Unplanned Healthcare Utilization in Aesthetic Surgery: An Analysis of 214,504 Patients Using the TOPS Database

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The study aims to assess surgical complications and unplanned healthcare utilization in aesthetic surgeries using the TOPS database, covering breast augmentation, liposuction, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and abdominoplasty from 2008 to 2019. It identifies a low incidence of complications like seroma (1.1%), hematoma (0.7%), and more severe issues like deep surgical-site infections (0.2%). Unplanned readmissions and emergency visits were reported at 0.34% and 0.25%, respectively, making aesthetic surgeries safely managed by board-certified surgeons.<br /><br />A prominent finding was that patients undergoing abdominoplasty were more likely to face unplanned health visits compared to other procedures. Older age, diabetes, higher BMI, ASA classification, longer surgery times, and combined aesthetic surgeries increased the risk of complications or unplanned healthcare. Notably, combined procedures involving abdominoplasty yielded higher complication risks, necessitating careful preoperative planning and patient counseling.<br /><br />The analysis uses univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to pinpoint risk factors for readmissions, ER visits, and reoperations, showcasing the importance of demographic and procedural considerations. Statistics show robust data analysis, with surgeries in office settings or by CRNA being common, yet those in acute hospitals have higher unplanned healthcare incidences.<br /><br />Despite participation and reporting biases inherent in the TOPS database, its consistent, extensive national-level data reinforces the safety of aesthetic procedures. Identifying high-risk groups helps shape preoperative practices and quality improvement efforts. Continuous data input into large national databases like TOPS remains crucial for improving surgical quality and outcomes. This study adds valuable insights, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive data to guide benchmarking and enhance aesthetic surgery standard practices.

Keywords

aesthetic surgeries

surgical complications

TOPS database

breast augmentation

abdominoplasty

unplanned healthcare

demographic factors

risk factors

preoperative planning

national databases