Postintensive Care Syndrome in Surgical Patients: A Scoping Review

Postintensive care syndrome (PICS) describes symptoms after treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). Impaired cognitive, physical, mental, and social recovery may occur, which can lead to a reduction in health-related quality of life. Surgical ICU patients represent a heterogeneous population with distinct baseline characteristics and multiple risk factors. However, evidence on PICS in surgical patients has not yet been comprehensively mapped.

To provide an overview of evidence on PICS symptoms in surgical patients and to identify research gaps.

The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published between 2010 and 2026 were included. Screening was carried out by 2 independent reviewers. The results were categorized according to the known PICS domains. Quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

The search identified 274 studies, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies analyzed a total of 3310 surgical patients. Studies showed heterogeneity in populations, assessment instruments, and assessment timing. Across all studies, patients exhibited PICS symptoms during the first year after discharge. Physical impairments were widespread and particularly pronounced among patients with chronic critical illness. Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder were common both in the short and long terms. Cognitive impairments occurred most frequently in older patients, with slow and often incomplete recovery.

Surgical ICU patients experience persistent PICS symptoms across all domains during the first year after discharge.