Predicting factors of postoperative complications in appendectomies

Area of Science:

• Surgical outcomes research
• Gastrointestinal surgery

Background:

• Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
• Postoperative complications following appendectomy can significantly impact patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key risk factors predicting postoperative complications in patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1241 patients undergoing open or laparoscopic appendectomy.
• Classification of patients into groups based on the severity of postoperative complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Main Results:

• Age ≥38.5 years, open surgical approach, and longer surgical duration (>77 minutes) were associated with increased complication risk and severity.
• Anesthetic risk and complicated appendicitis were also linked to higher complication rates.

Conclusions:

• Predictive factors for postoperative complications include age ≥38.5 years, open surgical access, complicated appendicitis, ASA score ≥2, and surgical time >77 minutes.
• These findings can aid in patient risk stratification and surgical decision-making.