Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 7/2007

01-07-2007

Risk Factors for Mortality and Postoperative Complications After Gastrointestinal Surgery

Authors: Lars Tue Sørensen, MD, Afshin Malaki, MD, Peer Wille-Jørgensen, MD, DMSci, Finn Kallehave, MD, Johan Kjærgaard, MD, DMSci, Ulla Hemmingsen, RN, Lisbeth Nørgaard Møller, Torben Jørgensen, MD, DMSci

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 7/2007

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Predictors of a poor surgical outcome are numerous, of which some are well-defined. We aimed to assess risk factors predictive of poor surgical outcome across different gastrointestinal operations related to the patient, the disease, the treatment, and the organization of care.

Methods

Data from 5,255 unselected patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery from 1995 through 1998 was prospectively recorded in a clinical database and validated. The database embraced variables related to patient history, preoperative clinical condition, operative findings and complexity, and the surgeon’s training. Variables predictive of mortality and complications occurring within 30 days after surgery were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

After elective operation, the 30-day mortality was 2.8% and major complications occurred in 11.5% of the patients. The corresponding figures in emergency surgery were 13.8% and 30.1%. Independent of elective or emergency surgery, dependent functional status, and type of operation were associated with postoperative mortality. Comorbidity, type of operation, blood loss, and reoperation were predictors of complications regardless of elective or emergency operation. In elective surgery, predictors of poor surgical outcome were high age, comorbidity, malignancy, and the surgeons training, whereas abnormal vital signs values and peritonitis were predictors of poor outcome after emergency surgery.

Conclusion

Premorbid factors, characteristics of the disease, the patients’ preoperative condition, operative factors, and the surgeon’s training are all associated with surgical outcome across different gastrointestinal operations and should be assessed when auditing surgical outcome.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Longo WE, Virgo KS, Johnson FE, Oprian CA, Vernava AM, Wade TP, Phelan MA, Henderson WG, Daley J, Khuri SF. Risk factors for morbidity and mortality after colectomy for colon cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:83–91.PubMedCrossRef Longo WE, Virgo KS, Johnson FE, Oprian CA, Vernava AM, Wade TP, Phelan MA, Henderson WG, Daley J, Khuri SF. Risk factors for morbidity and mortality after colectomy for colon cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:83–91.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Prystowsky JB, Bordage G, Feinglass JM. Patient outcomes for segmental colon resection according to surgeon’s training, certification, and experience. Surgery 2002;132:663–670.PubMedCrossRef Prystowsky JB, Bordage G, Feinglass JM. Patient outcomes for segmental colon resection according to surgeon’s training, certification, and experience. Surgery 2002;132:663–670.PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Bender JS, Bouwman DL. Total abdominal colectomy: conditions defining outcome. Am Surgeon 1994;60:205–209.PubMed Bender JS, Bouwman DL. Total abdominal colectomy: conditions defining outcome. Am Surgeon 1994;60:205–209.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Sasako M. Risk factors for surgical treatment in the Dutch Gastric Cancer Trial. Br J Surg 1997;84:1567–1571.PubMedCrossRef Sasako M. Risk factors for surgical treatment in the Dutch Gastric Cancer Trial. Br J Surg 1997;84:1567–1571.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Daley J, Khuri SF, Henderson W, Hur K, Gibbs JO, Barbour G, Demakis J, Irvin G, III, Stremple JF, Grover F, McDonald G, Passaro E, Jr., Fabri PJ, Spencer J, Hammermeister K, Aust JB, Oprian C. Risk adjustment of the postoperative morbidity rate for the comparative assessment of the quality of surgical care: results of the National Veterans Affairs Surgical Risk Study. J Am Coll Surg 1997;185:328–340.PubMed Daley J, Khuri SF, Henderson W, Hur K, Gibbs JO, Barbour G, Demakis J, Irvin G, III, Stremple JF, Grover F, McDonald G, Passaro E, Jr., Fabri PJ, Spencer J, Hammermeister K, Aust JB, Oprian C. Risk adjustment of the postoperative morbidity rate for the comparative assessment of the quality of surgical care: results of the National Veterans Affairs Surgical Risk Study. J Am Coll Surg 1997;185:328–340.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Wille-Jorgensen PA, Sorensen LT, Roodpashti AM, Jorgensen T, Meisner S. Difficulties with implementation and maintenance of a clinical database [English abstract]. Ugeskr Laeger 1999;161: 6359–6362.PubMed Wille-Jorgensen PA, Sorensen LT, Roodpashti AM, Jorgensen T, Meisner S. Difficulties with implementation and maintenance of a clinical database [English abstract]. Ugeskr Laeger 1999;161: 6359–6362.PubMed
7.
go back to reference Copeland GP, Jones D, Walters M. POSSUM: a scoring system for surgical audit. Br J Surg 1991;78:355–360.PubMedCrossRef Copeland GP, Jones D, Walters M. POSSUM: a scoring system for surgical audit. Br J Surg 1991;78:355–360.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Sagar PM, Hartley MN, Mancey-Jones B, Sedman PC, May J, Macfie J. Comparative audit of colorectal resection with the POSSUM scoring system. Br J Surg 1994;81:1492–1494.PubMedCrossRef Sagar PM, Hartley MN, Mancey-Jones B, Sedman PC, May J, Macfie J. Comparative audit of colorectal resection with the POSSUM scoring system. Br J Surg 1994;81:1492–1494.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Sackett DL, Haynes RB, Goyatt GH, Tugwell P. Clinical Epidemiology. A Basic Science for Clinical Medicine. Boston, USA: Little & Brown, 1991. Sackett DL, Haynes RB, Goyatt GH, Tugwell P. Clinical Epidemiology. A Basic Science for Clinical Medicine. Boston, USA: Little & Brown, 1991.
10.
go back to reference Hadjianastassiou VG, Tekkis PP, Poloniecki JD, Gavalas MC, Goldhill DR. Surgical mortality score: risk management tool for auditing surgical performance. World J Surg 2004;28:193–200.PubMedCrossRef Hadjianastassiou VG, Tekkis PP, Poloniecki JD, Gavalas MC, Goldhill DR. Surgical mortality score: risk management tool for auditing surgical performance. World J Surg 2004;28:193–200.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Arenal JJ, Benito C, Concejo MP, Ortega E. Colorectal resection and primary anastomosis in patients aged 70 and older: prospective study. Eur J Surg 1999;165:593–597.PubMedCrossRef Arenal JJ, Benito C, Concejo MP, Ortega E. Colorectal resection and primary anastomosis in patients aged 70 and older: prospective study. Eur J Surg 1999;165:593–597.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Fallahzadeh H, Mays ET. Preexisting disease as a predictor of the outcome of colectomy. Am J Surg 1991;162:497–498.PubMedCrossRef Fallahzadeh H, Mays ET. Preexisting disease as a predictor of the outcome of colectomy. Am J Surg 1991;162:497–498.PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Covinsky KE, Justice AC, Rosenthal GE, Palmer RM, Landefeld CS. Measuring prognosis and case mix in hospitalized elders. The importance of functional status. J Gen Intern Med 1997;12:203–208.PubMed Covinsky KE, Justice AC, Rosenthal GE, Palmer RM, Landefeld CS. Measuring prognosis and case mix in hospitalized elders. The importance of functional status. J Gen Intern Med 1997;12:203–208.PubMed
14.
go back to reference Torralba JA, Robles R, Parrilla P, Lujan JA, Liron R, Pinero A, Fernandez JA. Subtotal colectomy vs. intraoperative colonic irrigation in the management of obstructed left colon carcinoma. Dis Colon Rectum 1998;41:18–22.PubMedCrossRef Torralba JA, Robles R, Parrilla P, Lujan JA, Liron R, Pinero A, Fernandez JA. Subtotal colectomy vs. intraoperative colonic irrigation in the management of obstructed left colon carcinoma. Dis Colon Rectum 1998;41:18–22.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Van Der Krabben AA, Dijkstra FR, Nieuwenhuijzen M, Reijnen MM, Schaapveld M, Van Goor H. Morbidity and mortality of inadvertent enterotomy during adhesiotomy. Br J Surg 2000;87:467–471.CrossRef Van Der Krabben AA, Dijkstra FR, Nieuwenhuijzen M, Reijnen MM, Schaapveld M, Van Goor H. Morbidity and mortality of inadvertent enterotomy during adhesiotomy. Br J Surg 2000;87:467–471.CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Khuri SF, Daley J, Henderson W, Hur K, Hossain M, Soybel D, Kizer KW, Aust JB, Bell RH, Jr., Chong V, Demakis J, Fabri PJ, Gibbs JO, Grover F, Hammermeister K et al. Relation of surgical volume to outcome in eight common operations: results from the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Ann Surg 1999;230:414–429.PubMedCrossRef Khuri SF, Daley J, Henderson W, Hur K, Hossain M, Soybel D, Kizer KW, Aust JB, Bell RH, Jr., Chong V, Demakis J, Fabri PJ, Gibbs JO, Grover F, Hammermeister K et al. Relation of surgical volume to outcome in eight common operations: results from the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Ann Surg 1999;230:414–429.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Ghorra SG, Rzeczycki TP, Natarajan R, Pricolo VE. Colostomy closure: impact of preoperative risk factors on morbidity. Am Surgeon 1999;65:266–269.PubMed Ghorra SG, Rzeczycki TP, Natarajan R, Pricolo VE. Colostomy closure: impact of preoperative risk factors on morbidity. Am Surgeon 1999;65:266–269.PubMed
18.
go back to reference Benoist S, Panis Y, Alves A, Valleur P. Impact of obesity on surgical outcomes after colorectal resection. Am J Surg 2000;179: 275–281.PubMedCrossRef Benoist S, Panis Y, Alves A, Valleur P. Impact of obesity on surgical outcomes after colorectal resection. Am J Surg 2000;179: 275–281.PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Biondo S, Ramos E, Deiros M, Rague JM, De Oca J, Moreno P, Farran L, Jaurrieta E. Prognostic factors for mortality in left colonic peritonitis: a new scoring system. J Am Coll Surg 2000;191:635–642.PubMedCrossRef Biondo S, Ramos E, Deiros M, Rague JM, De Oca J, Moreno P, Farran L, Jaurrieta E. Prognostic factors for mortality in left colonic peritonitis: a new scoring system. J Am Coll Surg 2000;191:635–642.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Rosen AK, Ash AS, McNiff KJ, Moskowitz MA. The importance of severity of illness adjustment in predicting adverse outcomes in the Medicare population. J Clin Epidemiol 1995;48:631–643.PubMedCrossRef Rosen AK, Ash AS, McNiff KJ, Moskowitz MA. The importance of severity of illness adjustment in predicting adverse outcomes in the Medicare population. J Clin Epidemiol 1995;48:631–643.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Law WI, Chu KW, Ho JW, Chan CW. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision. Am J Surg 2000;179:92–96.PubMedCrossRef Law WI, Chu KW, Ho JW, Chan CW. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision. Am J Surg 2000;179:92–96.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Offner PJ, Moore EE, Biffl WL. Male gender is a risk factor for major infections after surgery. Arch Surg 1999;134:935–938.PubMedCrossRef Offner PJ, Moore EE, Biffl WL. Male gender is a risk factor for major infections after surgery. Arch Surg 1999;134:935–938.PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Rullier E, Laurent C, Garrelon JL, Michel P, Saric J, Parneix M. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after resection of rectal cancer. Br J Surg 1998;85:355–358.PubMedCrossRef Rullier E, Laurent C, Garrelon JL, Michel P, Saric J, Parneix M. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after resection of rectal cancer. Br J Surg 1998;85:355–358.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Bulow S, Moesgaard FA, Billesbolle P, Harling H, Holm J, Madsen MR, Myrhoj T, Nymann T, Okholm M, Qvist N, Riber C. Anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer [English abstract]. Ugeskr Laeger 1997;159:297–301.PubMed Bulow S, Moesgaard FA, Billesbolle P, Harling H, Holm J, Madsen MR, Myrhoj T, Nymann T, Okholm M, Qvist N, Riber C. Anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer [English abstract]. Ugeskr Laeger 1997;159:297–301.PubMed
25.
go back to reference Alves A, Panis Y, Trancart D, Regimbeau JM, Pocard M, Valleur P. Factors associated with clinically significant anastomotic leakage after large bowel resection: multivariate analysis of 707 patients. World J Surg 2002;26:499–502.PubMedCrossRef Alves A, Panis Y, Trancart D, Regimbeau JM, Pocard M, Valleur P. Factors associated with clinically significant anastomotic leakage after large bowel resection: multivariate analysis of 707 patients. World J Surg 2002;26:499–502.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Yasuda K, Shiraishi N, Adachi Y, Inomata M, Sato K, Kitano S. Risk factors for complications following resection of large gastric cancer. Br J Surg 2001;88:873–877.PubMedCrossRef Yasuda K, Shiraishi N, Adachi Y, Inomata M, Sato K, Kitano S. Risk factors for complications following resection of large gastric cancer. Br J Surg 2001;88:873–877.PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Israelsson LA. The surgeon as a risk factor for complications of midline incisions. Eur J Surg 1998; 164:353–359.PubMedCrossRef Israelsson LA. The surgeon as a risk factor for complications of midline incisions. Eur J Surg 1998; 164:353–359.PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Gislason H, Soreide O, Viste A. Wound complications after major gastrointestinal operations. The surgeon as a risk factor. Dig Surg 1999;16:512–514.PubMedCrossRef Gislason H, Soreide O, Viste A. Wound complications after major gastrointestinal operations. The surgeon as a risk factor. Dig Surg 1999;16:512–514.PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Wille-Jorgensen PA, Meisner S. The validity of data in registration of operations. A quality analysis [English abstract]. Ugeskr Laeger 1997;159:7328–7330.PubMed Wille-Jorgensen PA, Meisner S. The validity of data in registration of operations. A quality analysis [English abstract]. Ugeskr Laeger 1997;159:7328–7330.PubMed
30.
go back to reference Tonnesen H. Alcohol abuse and postoperative morbidity. Dan Med Bull 2003;50:139–160.PubMed Tonnesen H. Alcohol abuse and postoperative morbidity. Dan Med Bull 2003;50:139–160.PubMed
31.
go back to reference Sorensen LT, Jorgensen T, Kirkeby LT, Skovdal J, Vennits B, Wille-Jorgensen P. Smoking and alcohol abuse are major risk factors for anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery. Br J Surg 1999;86:927–931.PubMedCrossRef Sorensen LT, Jorgensen T, Kirkeby LT, Skovdal J, Vennits B, Wille-Jorgensen P. Smoking and alcohol abuse are major risk factors for anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery. Br J Surg 1999;86:927–931.PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Myles PS, Iacono GA, Hunt JO, Fletcher H, Morris J, McIlroy D, Fritschi L. Risk of respiratory complications and wound infection in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: smokers versus nonsmokers. Anesthesiology 2002;97:842–847.PubMedCrossRef Myles PS, Iacono GA, Hunt JO, Fletcher H, Morris J, McIlroy D, Fritschi L. Risk of respiratory complications and wound infection in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: smokers versus nonsmokers. Anesthesiology 2002;97:842–847.PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Sorensen LT, Horby J, Friis E, Pilsgaard B, Jorgensen T. Smoking as a risk factor for wound healing and infection in breast cancer surgery. Eur J Surg Oncol 2002;28:815–820.PubMedCrossRef Sorensen LT, Horby J, Friis E, Pilsgaard B, Jorgensen T. Smoking as a risk factor for wound healing and infection in breast cancer surgery. Eur J Surg Oncol 2002;28:815–820.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Risk Factors for Mortality and Postoperative Complications After Gastrointestinal Surgery
Authors
Lars Tue Sørensen, MD
Afshin Malaki, MD
Peer Wille-Jørgensen, MD, DMSci
Finn Kallehave, MD
Johan Kjærgaard, MD, DMSci
Ulla Hemmingsen, RN
Lisbeth Nørgaard Møller
Torben Jørgensen, MD, DMSci
Publication date
01-07-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 7/2007
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-007-0165-4

Other articles of this Issue 7/2007

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 7/2007 Go to the issue