Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33362234›Full record

ArticlePloS one2020

The impact of comorbidities on post-operative complications following colorectal cancer surgery.

David E Flynn, Derek Mao, Stephanie T Yerkovich, Robert Franz, Harish Iswariah, Andrew Hughes, Ian M Shaw, Diana P L Tam, Manju D Chandrasegaram

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
44citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
4.9field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

44 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 77 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. The weight of the most common biological variables in the prediction of adverse events after adult spinal deformity surgery.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. The relationship between the latent profiles of cancer-related fatigue characteristics and exercise adherence in colorectal cancer patients.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  7. Observational
  8. General Principles of Risk Mitigation before Colorectal Surgery.Clinics in colon and rectal surgery · 2026
    Review
  9. Review
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Postoperative outcomes following prehabilitationWorld journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2025
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

David E FlynnDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-2150-3849
Derek MaoDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Stephanie T YerkovichThe Common Good Foundation, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Robert FranzDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Harish IswariahDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Andrew HughesDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Ian M ShawDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Diana P L TamDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Manju D ChandrasegaramDepartment of General Surgery, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Prince Charles Hospital · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundColorectal cancer surgery is complex and can result in severe post-operative complications. Optimisation of surgical outcomes requires a thorough understanding of the background complexity and comorbid status of patients.

aimThe aim of this study is to determine whether certain pre-existing comorbidities are associated with high grade post-operative complications following colorectal cancer surgery. The study also aims to define the prevalence of demographic, comorbid and surgical features in a population undergoing colorectal cancer resection.

methodA colorectal cancer database at The Prince Charles Hospital was established to capture detailed information on patient background, comorbidities and clinicopathological features. A single-centre retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effect of comorbidities on post-operative outcomes following colorectal cancer resection. Five hundred and thirty-three patients were reviewed between 2010-2018 to assess if specific comorbidities were associated with higher grade post-operative complications. A Clavien-Dindo grade of three or higher was defined as a high grade complication.

resultsFifty-eight percent of all patients had an ASA grade of ASA III or above. The average BMI of patients undergoing resection was 28 ± 6.0. Sixteen percent of all patients experienced a high grade complications. Patients with high grade complications had a higher mean average age compared to patients with low grade or no post-operative complications (74 years vs 70 years, p = 0.01). Univariate analysis revealed patients with atrial fibrillation, COPD, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure had an increased risk of high grade complications. Multivariate analysis revealed pre-existing atrial fibrillation (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.53-4.89, p <0.01) and COPD (OR 2.02 1.07-3.80, p = 0.029) were independently associated with an increased risk of high grade complications.

conclusionPre-existing atrial fibrillation and COPD are independent risk factors for high grade complications. Targeted perioperative management is necessary to optimise outcomes.

Indexed as

AgedAged, 80 and overColorectal NeoplasmsComorbidityDigestive System Surgical ProceduresFemaleHeart DiseasesHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative Complications

Identifiers

PMID33362234
PMCPMC7757883
OpenAlexW3116222416

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.