ArticleLangenbeck's archives of surgery2026
Intraoperative complexity markers are associated with morbidity but not mortality in emergency abdominal surgery: a two-year cohort study.
Article in Langenbeck's archives of surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Surgeon-perceived intraoperative complexity is associated with early adverse outcomes after major emergency abdominal surgery: a prospective cohort study.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposePatients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery are often elderly with multiple comorbidities and previous abdominal operations, contributing to procedural complexity. Factors such as adhesions increase technical challenges, potentially influencing postoperative recovery. This study examined how objectively defined intraoperative complexity markers are associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality in this high-risk cohort.
methodsIn a prospective cohort of 754 consecutive patients undergoing major emergency abdominal procedures, we investigated three indicators of intraoperative complexity: iatrogenic injury, blood loss ≥ 750 mL, and operative duration ≥ 2.5 h. A composite variable incorporating all three was also created to reflect overall complexity. We analyzed associations with postoperative outcomes, including complication severity, length of stay (LOS), reoperations, and mortality.
resultsAt least one complexity marker was observed in 32% of patients. Bleeding ≥ 750 mL and prolonged operative time each independently increased the likelihood of extended hospitalization by 23.0 and 22.1% points, respectively. Iatrogenic injuries were identified in 14% and correlated with longer LOS and increased reoperations. Although complexity markers were consistently linked to higher morbidity, including elevated Comprehensive Complication Index scores, reoperations, and prolonged LOS. No significant association with mortality was observed.
conclusionIntraoperative complexity is frequent in major emergency abdominal surgery and is closely associated with postoperative morbidity and healthcare utilization. Bleeding exceeding 750 mL and operative time over 2.5 were the strongest associations with postoperative morbidity. These findings provide a pragmatic framework for quantifying surgical complexity and may inform future work on preoperative risk stratification and resource planning. The observed dissociation between morbidity and mortality may reflect improved perioperative care and patient selection, but should be interpreted cautiously given the limited number of deaths.
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