Understanding early deaths after major emergency abdominal surgery: An observational study of 754 patients

Lasse Rehné Jensen, Christian Snitkjær, Dunja Kokotovic, Thomas Korgaard Jensen, Jakob Burcharth*

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Background: Major emergency abdominal surgery is associated with severe postoperative complications and high short- and long-term mortality. Despite recent advancements in standardizing multidisciplinary care bundles, a subgroup of patients continues to face a heightened risk of short-term mortality. This study aimed to identify and describe the high-risk surgical patients and risk factors for short-term postoperative mortality. Methods: In this study, we included all patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery over 2 years and collected data on demographics, intraoperative variables, and short-term outcomes. The primary outcome measure was short-term mortality and secondary outcome measures were pre, intra, and postoperative risk factors for premature death. Multivariable binary regression analysis was performed to determine possible risk factors for short-term mortality. Results: Short-term mortality within 14 days of surgery in this cohort of 754 consecutive patients was 8%. Multivariable analysis identified various independent risk factors for short-term mortality throughout different phases of patient care. These factors included advanced age, preoperative history of myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, and vascular bowel ischemia or perforation of the stomach or duodenum during the primary surgery. Conclusion: Patients at high risk of early mortality following major emergency abdominal surgery exhibited distinct perioperative risk factors. This study underscores the importance of clinicians identifying and managing these factors in high-risk patients to ensure optimal care.

Original languageEnglish
JournalWorld Journal of Surgery
Volume48
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1797-1807
ISSN0364-2313
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). World Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie (ISS/SIC).

Keywords

  • emergency surgery
  • high-risk patients
  • risk factors
  • short-term mortality

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