The Price of a Whipple: Predicting Hospital Charges Using Preoperative Patient Characteristics

Preoperative laboratory tests, many of which are modifiable, are significant predictors of hospital charges in patients undergoing PD. A higher cumulative burden of adverse preoperative indicators is associated with higher financial charges. These findings support the use of preoperative risk stratification and optimization to enhance value-based care, guide resource allocation, and mitigate financial toxicity in high-risk surgical patients.