Factors affecting minimally invasive surgery utilization during elective colectomies for diverticular disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been shown to have improved outcomes when treating diverticular disease. This study aimed to analyze recent trends in MIS utilization for elective colectomy for diverticular disease and to identify individual variables and hospital characteristics associated with MIS utilization. METHODS: This population-based study examined individuals from the National Inpatient Sample who underwent elective colectomy for diverticular disease from 2016 to 2019. RESULTS: Hospitals in the Midwest used MIS less than those in other geographic regions. Rural hospitals used MIS less than urban hospitals. Hospital bed size and teaching status were not associated with differences in MIS utilization. Patients with private insurance were more likely to have an MIS operation. There was also a racial disparity in MIS utilization, even after adjusting for insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: While there is no longer any variance in MIS utilization based on hospital bed size or teaching status, disparities concerning patient race remain, even after adjusting for insurance status. Further investigation is needed to determine the roots of these disparities.