Review of surgical mortality

An analysis of surgical deaths over a seven-year period (1975-1981) at Port Moresby General Hospital is reported. Malignancy is the leading cause of death, followed by trauma. Hepatoma appears to be the commonest malignancy. 52% of septicaemic deaths occurred due to abdominal sepsis arising mainly due to delayed presentation of acute abdominal catastrophes. A plea for a separate Burns Unit is made, to reduce deaths from burn sepsis.