Causes of increased length of stay following radical cystectomy.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine a radical cystectomy population to determine the most common postoperative causes for increased length of stay and to identify patient risk factors that may predict a prolonged hospitalization. These data demonstrate minor and major complications, increased estimated blood loss, and transfusion requirement correlate with delayed discharge. The most common cause for prolonged hospitalization in this series was postoperative paralytic ileus. The use of a collaborative pathway for radical cystectomy that includes a plan of care, structured preoperative and postoperative patient/family teaching, and proactive discharge planning may be a factor in decreasing length of stay in this patient population.