Factors influencing postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer: A retrospective study

Gastric cancer is a malignancy with high morbidity and mortality rates. Surgical intervention, particularly gastrectomy, is essential for curative treatment but carries a substantial risk of complications. Identifying key risk factors and understanding complication profiles are crucial for improving outcomes and guiding perioperative management.

To analyze the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer and identify potential risk factors.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 500 patients who underwent gastrectomy between January 2018 and December 2022. Postoperative complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo system.

The overall complication rate was 28.4% (142/500), with 15.2% (76/500) experiencing major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III). Pulmonary complications were the most frequent (10.8%), followed by surgical site infections (8.6%), and anastomotic leakage (4.2%). Age 70 years or more, body mass index of 25 kg/m² or more, advanced tumor stage, total gastrectomy, and operative time 240 min or more emerged as independent risk factors.

Focused preoperative risk assessment, targeted interventions, and reduced operative time for older or obese patients requiring total gastrectomy or presenting with advanced disease are important to improve surgical outcomes.