Impact of hospital size on the outcomes of appendectomy in children: an analysis of a comprehensive nationwide pediatric dataset

Purposes The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes after appendectomy in children according to hospital size. Methods The records of 11,565 patients with the diagnosis-related group code for appendectomy were extracted from HIRA-Pediatric Patient Sample from 2012 to 2016. The number of hospital visits and the length of stay in hospital within 30 days after appendectomy were analyzed. Results Patients who were treated at large-sized hospitals were more likely to be younger, more likely to reside in metropolitan areas, and tended to receive laparoscopic surgery. The number of hospital visits within 30 days in patients managed by medium- and large-sized hospitals decreased in comparison to small-sized hospitals. The length of hospital stay in large-sized hospitals was decreased in comparison to small- and medium-sized hospitals. A subgroup analysis revealed that complicated appendectomy did not have a significant impact on the difference in the length of hospital stay between hospital sizes. Conclusion The number of hospital visits and the length of hospital stay was higher in small-sized hospitals in comparison to large-sized hospitals. Appendectomy performed in the larger hospital showed better outcomes in pediatric patients. We recommend that pediatric surgical procedures be performed in large hospitals, and that proper incentives be given for procedures to be performed by pediatric specialists.