Perioperative factors associated with postoperative morbidity after emergency laparotomy: a retrospective analysis in a university teaching hospital

Magnitude of in-hospital mortality and its associated factors among patients undergone laparotomy at tertiary public hospitals, West Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022

INTRODUCTION

Laparotomy surgery, which involves making an incision in the abdominal cavity to treat serious abdominal disease and save the patient's life, causes significant deaths in both developed and developing countries, including Ethiopia. The number studies examining in-hospital mortality rates among individuals that undergone laparotomy surgery and associated risk factors is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the magnitude of in-hospital mortality and its associated factors among patients undergone laparotomy at tertiary hospitals, West Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022.

METHODS

An institutional based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021. Data were collected using systematic random sampling and based on structured and pretested abstraction sheets from 548 medical records and patient register log. Data were checked for completeness and consistency, coded, imported using Epi-data version 4.6, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Variables with p < 0.2 in the Bi-variable logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The fit of the model was checked by the Hosmer‒Lemeshow test. Using the odds ratio adjusted to 95% CI and a p value of 0.05, statistical significance was declared.

RESULTS

A total of 512 patient charts were reviewed, and the response rate was 93.43%. The overall magnitude of in-hospital mortality was 7.42% [95% CI: 5.4-9.8]. American society of Anesthesiology physiological status greater than III [AOR = 7.64 (95% CI: 3.12-18.66)], systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg [AOR = 6.11 (95% CI: 1.98-18.80)], preoperative sepsis [AOR = 3.54 (95% CI: 1.53-8.19)], ICU admission [AOR = 4.75 (95% CI: 1.50-14.96)], and total hospital stay greater than 14 days [(AOR = 6.76 (95% CI: 2.50-18.26)] were significantly associated with mortality after laparotomy surgery.

CONCUSSION

In this study, overall in- hospital mortality was high. Early identification patient's American Society of Anesthesiologists physiological status and provision of early appropriate intervention, and pays special attention to patients admitted with low systolic blood pressure, preoperative sepsis, intensive care unit admission and prolonged hospital stay to improve patient outcomes after laparotomy surgery.

Navigating Life Post-emergency Laparotomy: A Narrative Review on Quality-of-Life Outcomes

An emergency laparotomy is a life-saving surgical procedure performed to address acute abdominal conditions. While crucial for immediate survival, this procedure can have significant long-term implications for patients' quality of life. This comprehensive review examines the physical, psychological, and social outcomes following emergency laparotomy, highlighting the importance of addressing quality-of-life concerns in this patient population. Key findings reveal that patients may experience complications, psychological distress, and challenges in social functioning post-procedure. Age, gender, and access to support networks influence outcomes. Recommendations for clinical practice include routine assessment of quality of life, multidisciplinary care, and patient education. Further research is needed to understand predictors of poor outcomes and evaluate interventions to improve quality of life post-emergency laparotomy. Healthcare providers can enhance patient care and outcomes in this vulnerable population by addressing these issues.

Perioperative care practices and outcomes of intracranial neurosurgery: Experience at a dedicated neurosciences hospital in a developing country

Background and Aims

Understanding of perioperative care practices and early postoperative outcomes helps minimize potentially preventable perioperative complications while supporting systemic and neurological well-being. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the perioperative care practices and early postoperative outcomes of cranial neurosurgery at a high-volume tertiary care neurosciences hospital in India. We also aimed to see if the care elements differed depending on the surgical approach. We hypothesized that care elements and outcomes are likely to be different between major surgical approaches.

Material and Methods

This was a prospective observational study of consecutive adult neurosurgical patients who underwent elective surgeries for intracranial pathologies over a period of six months from October 2020 to March 2021 at a tertiary care neurosciences center in India. Perioperative data about intraoperative care elements and early postoperative outcomes till the third day after surgery were collected.

Results

Incidence of blood loss >1 L was significantly (P = 0.07) higher after infratentorial surgery (26%, N = 17). Incidence of intraoperative and postoperative desaturation was more after transnasal surgery (6%, N = 2, P = 0.002, and 9%, N = 3, P = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

This study informs the early perioperative care practices of neurosurgical patients from a dedicated neurosciences hospital in a developing world. We observed that transnasal surgery was associated with more perioperative adverse events and slower convalescence compared to supra- and infratentorial surgeries despite being a considerably less invasive surgery.

The Hellenic Emergency Laparotomy Study (HELAS): A Prospective Multicentre Study on the Outcomes of Emergency Laparotomy in Greece

BACKGROUND

Emergency laparotomy (EL) is accompanied by high post-operative morbidity and mortality which varies significantly between countries and populations. The aim of this study is to report outcomes of emergency laparotomy in Greece and to compare them with the results of the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA).

METHODS

This is a multicentre prospective cohort study undertaken between 01.2019 and 05.2020 including consecutive patients subjected to EL in 11 Greek hospitals. EL was defined according to NELA criteria. Demographics, clinical variables, and post-operative outcomes were prospectively registered in an online database. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of post-operative mortality.

RESULTS

There were 633 patients, 53.9% males, ASA class III/IV 43.6%, older than 65 years 58.6%. The most common operations were small bowel resection (20.5%), peptic ulcer repair (12.0%), adhesiolysis (11.8%) and Hartmann's procedure (11.5%). 30-day post-operative mortality reached 16.3% and serious complications occurred in 10.9%. Factors associated with post-operative mortality were increasing age and ASA class, dependent functional status, ascites, severe sepsis, septic shock, and diabetes. HELAS cohort showed similarities with NELA patients in terms of demographics and preoperative risk. Post-operative utilisation of ICU was significantly lower in the Greek cohort (25.8% vs 56.8%) whereas 30-day post-operative mortality was significantly higher (16.3% vs 8.7%).

CONCLUSION

In this study, Greek patients experienced markedly worse mortality after emergency laparotomy compared with their British counterparts. This can be at least partly explained by underutilisation of critical care by surgical patients who are at high risk for death.