Colon resection complications that affect outcomes

Editor's Note

Anastomotic leaks and postoperative ileus had significantly higher associations with 30-day patient outcomes after colon resection than surgical site infections (SSIs), urinary tract infections, and venous thromboembolism, this study finds.

In 26,682 patients undergoing colon resection, the most common postoperative complications were ileus (11.8%), bleeding (7.6%), and incisional SSIs (7%).

Anastomotic leak was associated with end-organ dysfunction, mortality, reoperation, and hospital readmission; whereas, urinary tract infection, venous thromboembolism, and myocardial infarction had only a small effect on outcomes.

Federal quality improvement programs are not targeting the colon resection complications that matter the most, the authors say.

Question Which postoperative complications have the greatest effect on clinical and economic outcomes after elective colorectal surgery? Findings In this cohort study using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data, anastomotic leak and postoperative ileus had significantly higher associations with 30-day patient and health care resource use outcomes than complications such as surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, or venous thromboembolism.