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Published on: January 23, 2026
Postoperative pulmonary complications after laparotomy
Peter R Smith1, Muhammad A Baig, Veronica Brito
1Department of Medicine, Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Pesmith @ chpnet.org
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) occurred in 7.0% of laparotomies. Upper abdominal incisions, reoperation, emergency surgery, and nasogastric tubes were key risk factors for PPCs.
Area of Science:
- General Surgery
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) following laparotomy are not well understood.
- Existing literature shows variable incidence rates due to differing definitions and patient populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of PPCs after laparotomy.
- To identify independent risk factors associated with PPC development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of adult patients undergoing laparotomy in 2004.
- Rigorous definition of PPCs focusing on key outcomes like morbidity, mortality, and length of stay.
- Medical record review using a template to identify PPCs and their consequences.
Main Results:
- 25 PPCs (7.0%) occurred in 359 laparotomies.
- Independent risk factors included upper abdominal incisions (OR 15.3), reoperation (OR 7.1), emergency surgery (OR 6.3), and nasogastric tubes (OR 5.4).
- PPCs significantly increased mortality (OR 6.17), ICU care (OR 13.0), and length of stay.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of PPCs was 7.0%, lower than many previous reports due to a relevant definition.
- Upper abdominal surgery presented the highest risk; reoperation was a newly identified risk factor.
- Emergency surgery and nasogastric tubes were confirmed risks, with PPCs leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay.
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