Peritonitis-associated hyperlactatemia for evaluating mortality in secondary peritonitis

In sepsis, lactate measurements correlate with mortality; however, the role of lactate in predicting mortality in patients of secondary peritonitis is not yet fully established.

Data were maintained prospectively on 224 patients of secondary peritonitis over a period of 10 years. Arterial lactate measurements were performed twice in each patient - once, initially on admission (AL_I ) and the other, 24 h after surgery (AL₂₄ ); from these values, percentage lactate clearance was calculated. These lactate indices and other demographic factors were correlated with mortality.

Overall mortality was 16.07% (36 patients) and morbidity was 63.39% (pulmonary complications commonest); preoperative lactate (more than 2.35 mmol/L), 24-h postoperative lactate (more than 2.05 mmol/L), need for vasopressors and mechanical ventilation independently correlated with morbidity and mortality. A simple prognostic scale constructed using cut-off values of AL_I , AL₂₄ , need for vasopressor support and mechanical ventilation showed a sensitivity of 97.22% and specificity of 52.13% for predicting mortality.

Preoperative and postoperative arterial lactate levels, need for vasopressors and mechanical ventilation, are independent predictors of mortality. Using these parameters, it may be possible to identify high risk patients that can benefit from early, goal directed therapy to reduce the mortality of secondary peritonitis.