[Indications for relaparotomy]

From 1980 to 1987, 10,446 patients were operated on. In 152 patients, the necessity of a repeated operative intervention arose. In 106 patients the emergency, in 42--delayed, and in 4--elective relaparotomies were performed. There were the following indications for relaparotomy: diffuse and circumscribed peritonitis (78 patients), ileus (46), eventration (11), hemorrhage (12), others (5). Diagnosis of postoperative complications requiring relaparotomy is difficult. The postoperative lethality was 26%.