Intraoperative Surgical Strategy in Abdominal Emergency Surgery

Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications and death. Pre- and immediate postoperative bundle-care strategies have improved outcome, but so far, no standardized intraoperative strategies have been proposed. We introduced a quality improvement model of specific intra- and postoperative strategies for the heterogenous group of patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. The objective was to evaluate a quality improvement strategy, using an intraoperative, multidisciplinary time-out model in emergency abdominal surgery to apply one of three surgical strategies; definitive-palliative-or damage control surgery.

All patients scheduled for any gastrointestinal emergency procedure were stratified dynamically according to standardized criteria for performing definitive-palliative-or damage control surgery. Pre- intra- and postoperative data were collected according to the intraoperative strategy applied. Postoperative complications were displayed according to the Clavien-Dindo-score and the CCI (Comprehensive Complication Index). 30-90-day- and 1-year mortality was presented.

We included 436 consecutive patients undergoing emergency laparotomy or laparoscopy in 2019. Intraoperative strategy was definitive in 326(75%)-palliative in 90(21%) and damage control approach in 20(4%) patients. CCI was 21(0,45), 30(17,54) and 78(54,100) in the definitive-, the palliative-, and the damage control group, respectively. 30-day mortality was; 11.7%, 26.7% and 30%, and the 1-year mortality was 16.9%, 56.7% and 40% in the definitive- the palliative- and the damage control group, respectively.

We present a multidisciplinary, intraoperative decision-making standard as a potential quality improvement tool of ensuring individualized intra- and postoperative treatment for every emergency surgical patient and for future research-protocols.