Risk factors in reoperations in colorectal surgery

Reoperations in colorectal surgery are usually a consequence of major surgical complications. Recently, the rate of reoperation has been proposed as a marker of surgical performance. Yet, the incidence of re-intervention varies significantly in literature, ranging from 5.2% to 13%. Therefore, in this study we investigated 30-day reoperation rates and made an attempt to identify risk factors of re-intervention following colorectal resection at our institution.

This is a retrospective study of patients who had undergone colorectal resection at a single institution from 2013 to 2017. Univariate and multivariate analysis of predicting factors were performed.

Out of 464 patients included, 51 required reoperations (11%). The most common causes of reoperations were anastomotic leakage, postoperative bleeding, and wound dehiscence. In univariate analysis the age of the patient and location of the tumor were related to an increased rate of reoperation. In multivariate analysis patients older than 75 (OR = 2.1; 95%CI = 1.1-3.9) and tumors sited in the rectum (OR = 2.66; 95%CI = 1.4-5) were associated with an increased risk of re-intervention. Patients who required postoperative re-intervention stayed in hospital longer (14 vs. 6 days, P < 0.0001) and had higher mortality (9.8% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.002).

Our study shows that reoperation rates that follow colorectal surgery are frequently undervalued. In our series, 11% of patients required an unplanned return to the operative room. Patient's age and rectal tumors were the two independent factors that affect the rate of reoperation. Novel aspect: Data concerning reoperation rates in colorectal surgery is varying and most reports have shown the incidence of re-intervention to be as low as 5-7%. Our study demonstrates that reoperations after curative surgery for colorectal cancer are more frequent and may occur in over a tenth of total patients operated on.