Risk factors of early mortality after neonatal surgery in Tunisia

Research concerning factors of death after neonatal surgery is scarce. Insight into mortality might improve perioperative care. This study aimed to identify predictive factors of mortality after neonatal surgery in a low income country (LIC).

Charts of all newborn patients who underwent surgical procedures under general anesthesia during the neonatal period in our department of pediatric surgery between January 2010 and December 2017 were reviewed. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate perioperative variables potentially predictive of early postoperative mortality.

One hundred eighty-two cases were included in the study: 41 newborns (28.6%) were premature (<37 weeks of gestation) and 52 (22.5%) weighed less than 2.5 kg. The most commonly diagnosed conditions were esophageal atresia (24%) and bowel obstruction (19%). Forty-four patients (24%) died during hospitalization. The highest rate of mortality was observed for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Univariate analysis showed that perinatal predictive variables of mortality were prematurity, low birth weight, the necessity of preoperative intubation, and duration of surgery more than 2 h. Logistic regression showed three independent risk factors, which are the duration of surgery, low birth weight and the necessity of preoperative intubation.

The overall mortality in infants undergoing neonatal surgery is still high in LICs. Knowledge of independent risk factors of early mortality may help clinicians to more adequately manage the high-risk population.

Clinical research paper.

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