A Pathway for Esophageal Obstruction is Associated with Decreased Cost and Length-of-Stay

Malignancy of the esophagus or mediastinum can present with obstruction. Our focus is to identify the most effective means of managing this population. Data was gathered from a single institution for patients admitted with esophageal obstruction. Patients were categorized based on admission to thoracic surgery or the hospitalist service. Primary end-points were hospital length-of-stay (LOS) and hospital cost. The mean LOS was 4.4 days when admitted to thoracic surgery versus 13.5 days when admitted to a hospitalist ( P = .0005). The mean overall cost was $43,902 less per patient when admitted to thoracic surgery ($75 809 vs $31 907; P = .003).