Re-operation for intra-abdominal sepsis. Indications and results in modern critical care setting

In a 2-year period (1981-1983), 87 abdominal re-explorations (1.6% of total laparotomies) were performed on 77 patients for sepsis in five Downstate hospitals. Fifty-one patients were re-explored solely on clinical grounds, 21 on clinical plus radiographic criteria, four solely on radiographic grounds, and 11 for multiple organ failure. The overall mortality rate was 43%. As expected, the most common laparotomy finding was intra-abdominal abscess (47); other findings included anastomotic leak (14), necrotic bowel (10), evidence of technical error (five), and acalculous cholecystitis (two). The most common clinical findings were localized tenderness, fever, and absent bowel sounds (85%). Fifty-four special studies were performed with an overall accuracy rate of 76%. CAT scans and contrast radiographs were most accurate (92% and 81%) while sonography and gallium scans were less useful (59% and 60%). Seven patients had negative laparotomies. While all were distended and six were febrile, only one patient had focal tenderness. In the 11 patients explored solely for multiple organ failure, six patients had drainable pus despite negative radiographic studies, and two survived. The other five patients had negative laparotomies, and all died. Factors correlated with mortality were age over 50, peritonitis at the primary operation, and multiple organ failure. The approach to these seriously ill patients should be governed by a high index of suspicion. Clinical findings are at least as reliable as sophisticated radiographic modalities of which CAT scan appears to be the most accurate. Re-exploration for multiple organ failure alone will yield a significant group of patients with drainable septic foci and some survivors; thus, exploration for this indication appears to be defensible.