Illustration of a diverse group of medical professionals collaborating around a surgical table with a glowing, futuristic representation of the human urinary system. The image conveys advanced medical care and collaboration.

Race and Urology Surgery: What the Data Reveals About Post-Op Complications

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research dives into racial disparities in urologic cancer surgery, exploring the impact of race on patient outcomes and the role of pre-existing conditions."

In the complex world of healthcare, understanding the factors that influence patient outcomes is paramount. Recent research has shed light on a critical aspect of urologic cancer surgery: the potential impact of race on post-operative complications. A new study published in the journal Urologic Oncology delves into this topic, providing valuable insights into how race and pre-existing health conditions might affect patients undergoing these procedures.

The study focuses on patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC). These procedures are common in the treatment of urologic cancers. The research team analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, a comprehensive source of information on surgical outcomes.

This article will explore the key findings of this study, examining the relationship between race and post-operative complications, as well as the role of pre-existing conditions in influencing patient outcomes. Understanding these factors is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients, as it can lead to better-informed decisions and improved care.

Unpacking the Findings: Race, Comorbidities, and Post-Operative Complications

Illustration of a diverse group of medical professionals collaborating around a surgical table with a glowing, futuristic representation of the human urinary system. The image conveys advanced medical care and collaboration.

The study included a large cohort of patients: 38,642 individuals, with a majority being white (90%) and a smaller proportion identifying as African American (AA) (10%). The researchers examined the rates of various post-operative complications within 30 days of surgery, categorizing them as minor, major, or leading to death.

The study's central question revolved around whether AA patients experienced higher complication rates than white patients. The initial analysis revealed no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups across all procedures (RP, RN/PN, and RC). However, the researchers then adjusted for pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and other health issues, which are more prevalent in the AA patient population.

Radical Prostatectomy (RP): AA patients showed no significant difference in 30-day complication rates compared to white patients.
Radical or Partial Nephrectomy (RN/PN): Similar to RP, there was no significant difference in complication rates between AA and white patients.
Radical Cystectomy (RC): The study found no significant difference in complication rates between AA and white patients.

The study's most significant finding was that after adjusting for the increased burden of pre-existing health conditions in AA patients, race itself was not independently associated with a higher risk of post-operative complications. In other words, the researchers found that the presence of other health issues, rather than race, was the primary factor influencing the risk of complications after urologic cancer surgery.

Implications for Patients and Healthcare Providers

This study underscores the importance of comprehensive patient care and risk assessment. It highlights the critical role of pre-operative optimization of medical conditions in all patients undergoing urologic cancer surgery. For patients, this means actively managing any pre-existing health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension. For healthcare providers, it emphasizes the need for thorough evaluations and proactive management of co-morbidities to minimize the risk of post-operative complications, regardless of a patient's race. By prioritizing comprehensive care, we can work towards improving outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2017.08.001, Alternate LINK

Title: Race And Postoperative Complications Following Urologic Cancer Surgery: An Acs-Nsqip Analysis

Subject: Urology

Journal: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Daniel C. Parker, Elizabeth Handorf, Marc C. Smaldone, Robert G. Uzzo, Henry Pitt, Adam C. Reese

Published: 2017-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What surgical procedures were examined in the study, and what was the primary data source used?

The study primarily focused on three urologic cancer surgeries: radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC). The data was sourced from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, which offers comprehensive surgical outcomes information.

What were the main findings regarding post-operative complication rates between African American (AA) and white patients undergoing urologic cancer surgery?

Initially, the study found no significant differences in post-operative complication rates between African American (AA) and white patients across the three surgical procedures: radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC). However, after adjusting for pre-existing health conditions, it became clear that race was not independently associated with a higher risk of complications. The primary factor influencing risk was the presence and severity of pre-existing conditions.

What role did pre-existing health conditions (comorbidities) play in influencing post-operative complications in the study?

Pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, played a significant role in influencing post-operative complications. The study revealed that after accounting for the increased burden of these comorbidities in African American (AA) patients, race itself was not a significant predictor of complications following radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC). Instead, the presence and effective management of these pre-existing conditions were more critical factors.

What are the implications of this study's findings for patients undergoing urologic cancer surgery?

For patients undergoing urologic cancer surgery, these findings emphasize the importance of actively managing any pre-existing health conditions like diabetes or hypertension before surgery. Optimizing their overall health can significantly reduce the risk of post-operative complications after radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC). Patients should engage in open communication with their healthcare providers to address and manage these comorbidities effectively.

How does the study influence the approach healthcare providers should take when treating patients undergoing urologic cancer surgery, especially considering racial disparities?

The study highlights the necessity for healthcare providers to conduct thorough pre-operative evaluations and proactively manage co-morbidities in all patients, regardless of race, undergoing procedures such as radical prostatectomy (RP), radical or partial nephrectomy (RN/PN), and radical cystectomy (RC). It suggests that addressing and optimizing pre-existing conditions can help minimize the risk of post-operative complications and improve patient outcomes. The study doesn't imply race-based treatment but rather reinforces comprehensive and individualized patient care. Further research should focus on strategies to mitigate the impact of comorbidities and improve access to care for all patients.