[Are There Gender-Specific Differences in Complications Following Abdominal Surgery?]

Area of Science:

• Surgical outcomes
• Gender differences in medicine
• Abdominal surgery complications

Background:

• Gender-specific differences in surgical complications are observed in mice, yet are understudied in human abdominal surgery.
• Anatomical, hormonal, immunological, and psychological variations between sexes suggest differing complication profiles.
• Existing literature on gender-specific abdominal surgery complications is sparse and heterogeneous.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare current literature on gender-specific complications following abdominal surgery.
• To identify differences in complication types and incidence between males and females undergoing abdominal procedures.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of original articles reporting abdominal surgery complications stratified by gender.
• Focus on data concerning colorectal, stomach, esophageal, and pancreatic surgeries.

Main Results:

• Men tend to experience postoperative complications more frequently than women.
• Men exhibit higher rates of anastomotic leakage, whereas women are more prone to anastomotic stenosis.
• Data are most comprehensive for colorectal surgeries, with fewer studies available for other abdominal organs.

Conclusions:

• Current data suggest gender-specific patterns in abdominal surgery complications, with men facing higher overall complication rates.
• While distinct differences in anastomotic leakage and stenosis exist, existing evidence does not yet warrant changes in patient management.
• Future research must prioritize gender-specific data collection in clinical trials to establish robust evidence for tailored patient care.