Survival After Emergency Laparotomy in Octogenarians

Mortality and Complications After Emergency Laparotomy in Patients 80 Years Old or Older

In this single-center retrospective study we wanted to investigate mortality and postoperative complications after emergency laparotomy performed in patients aged 80 years or above.

Methods:

During 2015-2016 106 patients aged 80 years or above underwent emergency laparotomy at Haukeland University Hospital.

Primary outcome was mortality at 30 days. Secondary outcomes were mortality at 90 days, 1 year, postoperative complications and level of care at discharge.

The Medical records were reviewed in detail and mortality and postoperative morbidity were registered. Post-operative complications were defined according to the European Perioperative Clinical Outcome (EPCO) definitions and included if they were Clavien Dindo grade 2 or above.

Inclusion Criteria:

• emergency laparotomy in patients 80 years or above

Exclusion Criteria:

• palliative surgery
• abdominal surgery other than gastrointestinal
• abdominal surgery without midline incision