Risk Factors of Prolonged ICU Stay in Liver Transplant Recipients in a Single-Center Experience

Background

Prolonged initial intensive care unit (ICU) stay after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with prolonged total hospitalization, increased hospital mortality, and impaired patient and graft survival. Recent data suggested that model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score at the time of LT and the length of surgery were the two independent risk factors for an ICU stay longer than 3 days after LT. We further identified factors influencing prolonged ICU stay in single-center liver graft recipients.

Predictors of prolonged intensive care unit stay in patients undergoing coronary surgery

Background

We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients undergoing isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass (CABG). We also aimed to evaluate effective factors on morbidity, mortality, and survival among patients with prolonged ICU stay.

Methods

Between January 2002 and December 2009, a total of 1,657 patients underwent isolated on-pump CABG in our clinic. Prolonged ICU stay (>2 days) was present in 532 patient (32.1 %).

Results

Diabetes (OR 1.49, P?=?0.006), hypertension (OR 1.37, P?=?0.029), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 9.06, P?P?P?P?=?0.023), prolonged inotropic support (OR 40.40, P?P?=?0.022), postoperative renal insufficiency (OR 4.50, P?=?0.004), postoperative atrial fibrillation (OR 8.00, P?3 units) (OR 3.23, P?=?0.007) were the independent predictive factors of prolonged ICU stay (>2 days). Postoperative mortality rate was 7 % (n?=?37) and 2.3 % (n?=?26) in patients with length of ICU stay >2 days and length of ICU stay ≤2 days (P?2 days (P?Conclusions Postoperative mortality was higher in patients with prolonged ICU stay. Mean follow-up was shorter in patients with prolonged ICU stay.     

Clinical implications of granulomatous inflammation detected by endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration in patients with suspected cancer recurrence in the mediastinum

 

The use of opioid analgesics to control pain after median sternotomy in cardiac surgical patients is worldwide accepted and established. However, opioids have a wide range of possible side effects, concerning prolonged extubation time, gastrointestinal tract dyskinesia and urinary tract disorders mostly retention. All these may lead to a prolonged ICU stay or overall hospitalization time increase.

Objective

To determine whether a continuous subcutaneous regional anesthetic infusion delivered directly to the sternotomy site would result in decreased levels of postoperative pain and opioid requirements in cardiac surgical patients undergoing median sternotomy.

Method

The continuous subcutaneous infusion (OnQ Painbuster system) was applied in 37 patients. 3 patients were exempted due to prolonged ICU stay. 29 patients underwent CABG, 5 had AVR, 1 MVR and modified Maze, 1 patient had a 3-valve repair due to endocarditis and another one had reconstruction of the left ventricle. Requirements of opioid analgesics were recorded for 96 hours after operation. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale and the total postoperative hospital length of stay was also measured.

Results

The postoperative pain was significantly diminished (0 – 3 at VAS). The mean postoperative length of stay was 5,8 days, rather improved compared to the average stay of 6,7 days.

Conclusion

Continuous subcutaneous infusion of ropivacaine directly at the median sternotomy significantly diminishes postoperative pain and the need for opioid analgesic use. Moreover, it seems to reduce overall postoperative length of stay for all cardiac surgical patients.     

Outcomes of elderly critically ill medical and surgical patients: a multicentre cohort study

Purpose

Very elderly (over 80 yr of age) critically ill patients admitted to medical-surgical intensive care units (ICUs) have a high incidence of mortality, prolonged hospital length of stay, and dependent living conditions should they survive. The primary purpose of this study is to describe the outcomes and differences in outcomes between very elderly medical patients and their surgical counterparts admitted to Canadian ICUs, thereby informing decision-making for clinicians and substitute decision-makers.

Methods

This was a prospective multicentre cohort study of very elderly medical and surgical patients admitted to 22 Canadian academic and non-academic ICUs. Outcome measures included ICU length of stay and mortality, hospital length of stay and mortality, and disposition following hospital discharge.

Results

There were 1,671 patients evaluated in this study. Patient demographics included a mean age of 84.5 yr, baseline Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score of 22.4, baseline Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 5.3, overall ICU mortality of 21.8%, and overall hospital mortality of 35.0%. Medical patient median ICU length of stay was 4.1 days, hospital length of stay was 16.2 days, ICU mortality was 26.5%, and hospital mortality was 41.5%. Surgical patient median ICU length of stay was 3.8 days, hospital length of stay was 20.1 days, ICU mortality was 18.7%, and hospital mortality was 31.6%. Only 45.0% of medical patients and 41.6% of surgical emergency patients were able to return home to live.

Conclusions

In this large sample of critically ill medical and surgical patients, the admission SOFA score and hospital lengths of stay were not different between the two groups, but medical patients had longer ICU lengths of stay and higher ICU and hospital mortality than surgical patients.

     

Can clinicians predict ICU length of stay following cardiac surgery?

Purpose

To determine whether a group of experienced clinicians can predict intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) following cardiac surgery.

Methods

A cohort of 265 adult patients undergoing cardiacsurgery at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, between January 2, 1992, and June 26, 1992, were seen preoperatively by the clinicians participating in the study and ICU length of stay was predicted based on the clinicians’ preoperative assessment and/or information recorded in the patient’s chart.

Results

Five hundred and ten ICU length of stay predictions were obtained from a group of eight experienced clinicians (anaeslhetists/intensivists, cardiologists, nurses). The clinicians predicted the exact ICU length of stay (in days) correctly 51.2% of the time and were within ± 1 day 84.5% of the time. The clinicians correctly predicted short ICU stays (≤ 2 days) for 87.6% of the patients who had short ICU stays but only predicted long ICU stays (> 2 days) in 39.4% of the patients who had long ICU stays.

Conclusions

Experienced clinicians can predict preoperatively with a considerable degree of accuracy patients who will have short ICU lengths of stay following cardiac surgery. However, many patients who had long ICU stays were not correctly identified preoperatively. Unidentified preoperative risk factors or unanticipated intraoperative/postoperative events may be causing these patients to have longer than expected ICU stays.     

The impact of body mass index on treatment outcomes among traumatic brain injury patients in intensive care units

Purpose

Obesity is a risk factor in treatment outcomes of critically ill patients. This study was conducted to determine the impact of obesity on the likelihood of recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

We carried out a prospective study on 115 head injury patients who were admitted to the ICU of Poursina Hospital, Rasht, in the one-year period between July 2006 and June 2007. Obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) were compared with non-obese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m²). Demographic information, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation scores, Injury Severity Scores (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and ICU mortality incidences were recorded.

Results

Obese patients had significantly higher ICU mortality rates compared to non-obese patients (p = 0.02). Furthermore, we observed a trend towards a higher ICU mortality rate in obese patients with ISS > 25 (p = 0.04). Moreover, obesity was associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay (ILOS), and hospital length of stay (HLOS) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Obesity was associated with increased ICU mortality and prolonged dependency on mechanical ventilation, ILOS, and HLOS in patients with TBI. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to substantiate these findings.     

The impact of hyperlactatemia on postoperative outcome after adult cardiac surgery

Purpose  

To evaluate the value of blood lactate value in predicting postoperative mortality (primary outcome), duration of ventilation, and length of stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital (secondary outcomes).     

The incidence and risk factors of gastrointestinal complications after hepatectomy: a retrospective observational study of 1329 consecutive patients in a single center

Background

Despite of the importance of gastrointestinal (GI) complications in morbidity and mortality after major and moderate surgeries, it is not yet specifically studied in patients undergoing hepatectomy. This study was aimed to investigate the in-hospital incidence and potential risk factors of GI complications after open hepatectomy in our hospital.

Subjects and methods

Prospectively recorded perioperative data from 1329 patients undergoing elective hepatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The in-hospital incidence of GI complications was investigated, and independent risk factors were analyzed by multiple logistic regression.

Results

GI complications occurrence was 46.4%. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative Child-Pugh score, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, anesthesia duration, operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, crystalloid and colloid infusion, blood transfusion, urine output, use of Pringle maneuver were statistically different between patients with and without GI complications (P < 0.05). Moreover, patients with GI complications had a more prolonged postoperative parenteral nutrient supporting time, hospital stay and ICU stay, and higher incidence of other complications than those without GI complications (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression indicated that long duration of anesthesia (odds ratio 2.51, P < 0.001) and use of Pringle maneuver (odds ratio 1.37, P = 0.007) were independent risk factors of GI complications after hepatectomy.

Conclusions

The incidence of GI complications after hepatectomy is high, which is related to an increase of other complications and a prolonged hospital stay. Avoidance of routinely use of Pringle maneuver and shortening the duration of anesthesia are important measures to reduce the postoperative GI complications.     

Severe and acute pancreatitis admitted in intensive care: a prospective epidemiological multiple centre study using CClin network database

Objectives

To describe the demographic characteristics, incidence of extra-abdominal hospital-acquired infections and outcome of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with severe acute pancreatitis.

Study design

A retrospective, observational multiple center (65 centers) analysis of prospectively acquired data.

Patients and methods

During 2 years, all consecutive admitted patients to ICU for severe acute pancreatitis in the centers participating in the nosocomial infections surveillance network CClin Sud-Est were included. Patients whose ICU stay was less than 48 hours were not included. Demographic characteristics, extra-abdominal hospital-acquired infections and clinical course were described.

Results

During the study period, 510 patients were included which represented 2 % of patients with a length of stay longer than 48 hours in the 65 participating ICUs. The global attack rate of extra-abdominal hospital-acquired infections (pneumonia, bacteremia, urinary tract or central venous catheter infection) was 23 % in overall patients and it was 33 % in the 294 mechanically ventilated patients. ICU mortality was 20 % in overall patients and it was 34 % in mechanically ventilated patients.

Conclusion

Severe acute pancreatitis represents 2 % of ICU stay longer than 48 hours. Its clinical course is frequently complicated by hospital-acquired infections and is associated with an high ICU mortality rate. This epidemiological observational study may be used for calculating sample size for future multicenter interventional therapeutic studies.     

Impact clinique et économique d’une politique de contrôle de la sédation par protocole dans un service de réanimation médicochirurgicale

Objective

Since the last consensus conducted by Sfar/SRLF, the use of protocol for sedation became the reference in our ICUs. Decrease in length of stay and length of mechanical ventilation with used of these protocols have been already described. We would like to investigate the economic impact associated.

Study design

Using the PMSI data, we studied retrospectively, the economic effect, one year before and one year after protocol implementation in our ICU.

Method

The economic evaluation compared the cost of sedation but also the cost of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in ICU.

Results

Characteristic and number of patients were equivalent during the two years. We described a significant decrease in length of mechanical ventilation (8.8 vs. 8.4; p < 0.05) but not in length of stay (11.4 vs. 11.7; NS) between the two periods. We described a decrease of sedation cost of 11 412 euros and a decrease of mechanical ventilation cost of 27 360 Euros between the two years.

Conclusion

We confirm in this study that use of sedation protocol in ICU is associated with a clinical impact but also with an economic effect.     

Prognostic relevance of early AKI according to pRIFLE criteria in children undergoing cardiac surgery

Background

Acute renal injury increases risk of death after cardiac surgery. The objective of the study was to evaluate the ability of the pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage Renal Disease (pRIFLE) criteria to characterize the development of postoperative renal damage in children after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to evaluate the relationship between the severity of kidney injury and mortality, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay, and the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

In this retrospective study including children undergoing CPB surgery during a 3-year period in the PICU of a tertiary hospital, demographic, clinical, surgery-related, and postoperative clinical data were collected. Kidney damage was assessed with pRIFLE criteria.

Results

Four hundred and nine patients were included. Early acute kidney injury (AKI) was found in 82 patients (achieving categories Risk 44; Injury 16; Failure 22). Early AKI was associated with younger age (P?=?0.010), longer CPB, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) use, ICU stay >12 days, MV >4 days, and death (P?<?0.001). Controlling the effect of age, CPB, DHCA use, previous cardiac surgeries, and Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery Surgical Severity Score (RACHS-1), early AKI development proved to predict ICU stay >12 days [odds ratio (OR) 3.5; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.9–6.5, P?<?0.001)] and need of MV >4 days (OR 5.1; 95 % CI 2.6–10.2, P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Early AKI when evaluated with the pRIFLE criteria can predict prolonged ICU stay, need of prolonged MV, and mortality.     

Risk factors for prolonged ICU stay in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting with a long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass

Purpose Risk factors for prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been reported in many previous studies. However few have focused on circulatory and respiratory status as immediate postoperative risk factors. Therefore we examined immediate postoperative risk factors for prolonged ICU stay after CABG with a long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods We studied retrospectively 100 consecutive patients undergoing elective CABG with CPB. Patients were excluded from this study if the duration of aortic cross-clamping was less than 60min. Patients were divided into three groups according to the duration of the ICU stay. Patients in group A (n = 68) were discharged from the ICU on the next morning after surgery, those in group B (n = 19) stayed for 3 days, and group C (n = 13) stayed for more than 3 days. Perioperative variables were compared among the three groups and we demonstrated risk factors for prolonged (more than 3 days) ICU stay.Results There were significant differences in duration of CPB (157 ± 34 versus 184 ± 48 minutes, P < 0.05) and aortic cross-clamping (119 ± 32 versus 141 ± 40min) between groups A and B. On the other hand, there were significant differences in age (62.8 ± 7.8 versus 67.4 ± 6.2 years), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) (17 ± 2 versus 22 ± 3mmHg), and Pa_{O 2}/FI _{O 2} (PF ratio) (409 ± 94 versus 303 ± 108mmHg) on admission to the ICU between groups A and C. There were no significant differences in intraoperative fluid balance and duration of CPB. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified age (>65 years), MPAP (>21mmHg), and PF ratio (<300mmHg) as independent risk factors for more than a 3-day ICU stay.Conclusion Advanced age, increased MPAP, and decreased PF ratio on admission to the ICU were significant risk factors for a prolonged ICU stay of more than 3 days.     

Clinical benefits of dexmedetomidine versus propofol in adult intensive care unit patients: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Background

This meta-analysis was performed to assess the influence of dexmedetomidine and propofol for adult intensive care unit (ICU) sedation, with respect to patient outcomes and adverse events.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was conducted of all randomized controlled trials exploring the clinical benefits of dexmedetomidine versus propofol for sedation in adult intensive care patients. The primary outcomes of this study were length of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and risk of ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes included risk of delirium, hypotension, bradycardia and hypertension.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials, involving 1202 patients, were included. Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the length of ICU stay by <1 d (five studies, 655 patients; mean difference, −0.81 d; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.48 to −0.15) and the incidence of delirium (three studies, 658 patients; relative risk [RR], 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22–0.74) in comparison with propofol, whereas there was no difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation (five studies, 895 patients; mean difference, 0.53 h; 95% CI −2.66 to 3.72) or ICU mortality (five studies, 267 patients; RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.32–2.12) between these two drugs. Dexmedetomidine was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (three studies, 846 patients; RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.11–2.20) compared with propofol. Other adverse event rates were similar between dexmedetomidine and propofol groups.

Conclusions

For ICU patient sedation, dexmedetomidine may offer advantages over propofol in terms of decrease in the length of ICU stay and the risk of delirium. However, transient hypertension may occur when dexmedetomidine is administered with a loading dose or at high infusion rates.     

Preoperative prediction of prolonged stay in the intensive care unit for coronary bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To construct a predictive model for a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: Eight hundred and eighty-eight patients undergoing CABG were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. Prolonged stay in the ICU was defined as >/=3 days stay. Stepwise selective procedure (P/=0.40 was used as cut-off point for the prognostic test. The specificity of this test for prolonged stay in the ICU was 99%; sensitivity 9%; positive predictive value 60%; and negative predictive value 89%. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that individual patients presented for CABG, can be stratified according to their risk for prolonged stay >/=3 days in the ICU.     

Thoracic trauma severity contributes to differences in intensive care therapy and mortality of severely injured patients: analysis based on the TraumaRegister DGU®

Background

Thoracic trauma is a relevant source of comorbidity throughout multiply-injured patient care. We aim to determine a measurable influence of chest trauma’s severity on early resuscitation, intensive care therapy, and mortality in severely injured patients.

Methods

Patients documented between 2002 and 2012 in the TraumaRegister DGU®, aged ≥?16 years, injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 16 are analyzed. Isolated brain injury and severe head injury led to exclusion. Subgroups are formed using the Abbreviated Injury Scale_Thorax.

Results

Twenty-two thousand five hundred sixty-five patients were predominantly male (74%) with mean age of 45.7 years (SD 19.3), blunt trauma (95%), mean ISS 25.6 (SD 9.6). Overall mean intubation period was 5.6 days (SD 10.7). Surviving patients were discharged from the ICU after a mean of about 5 days following extubation. Thoracic trauma severity (AIS_Thorax ≥ 4) and fractures to the thoracic cage significantly prolonged the ventilation period. Additionally, fractures extended the ICU stay significantly. Suffering from more than one thoracic injury was associated with a mean of 1–2 days longer intubation period and longer ICU stay. Highest rates of sepsis, respiratory, and multiple organ failure occurred in patients with critical compared to lesser thoracic trauma severity.

Conclusion

Thoracic trauma severity in multiply-injured patients has a measurable impact on rates of respiratory and multiple organ failure, sepsis, mortality, time of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stay.

     

EuroSCORE predicts intensive care unit stay and costs of open heart surgery

Background

This study aimed to determine whether the preoperative risk stratification model EuroSCORE predicts the different components of resource utilization in open heart surgery.

Methods

Data for all adult patients undergoing heart surgery at the University Hospital of Lund, Sweden, between 1999 and 2002 were prospectively collected. Costs were calculated for the surgery and intensive care and ward stay for each patient (excluding transplant cases and patients who died intraoperatively). Regression analysis was applied to evaluate the correlation between EuroSCORE and costs. The predictive accuracy for prolonged postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The discriminatory power was evaluated by calculating the areas under receiver operating characteristics curves.

Results

The study included 3,404 patients. The mean cost for the surgery was $7,300, in the ICU $3,746, and in the ward $3,500. Total cost was significantly correlated with EuroSCORE, with a correlation coefficient of 0.47 (p < 0.0001); the correlation coefficient was 0.31 for the surgery cost, 0.46 for the ICU cost, and 0.11 for the ward cost. The Hosmer-Lemeshow p value for EuroSCORE prediction of more than 2 days' stay in the ICU was 0.40, indicating good accuracy. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.78. The probability of an ICU stay exceeding 2 days was more than 50% at a EuroSCORE of 14 or more.

Conclusions

In this single-institution study, the additive EuroSCORE algorithm could be used to predict ICU cost and also an ICU stay of more than 2 days after open heart surgery.     

Choice of Primary Anesthetic Regimen Can Influence Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay after Coronary Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Background: Volatile anesthetics protect the myocardium during coronary surgery. This study hypothesized that the use of a volatile agent in the anesthetic regimen would be associated with a shorter intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), compared with a total intravenous anesthetic regimen.

Methods: Elective coronary surgery patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol (n = 80), midazolam (n = 80), sevoflurane (n = 80), or desflurane (n = 80) as part of a remifentanil-based anesthetic regimen. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent variables associated with a prolonged ICU LOS.

Results: Patient characteristics were similar in all groups. ICU and hospital LOS were lower in the sevoflurane and desflurane groups (P < 0.01). The number of patients who needed a prolonged ICU stay (> 48 h) was also significantly lower (propofol: n = 31; midazolam: n = 34; sevoflurane: n = 10; desflurane: n = 15; P < 0.01). Occurrence of atrial fibrillation, a postoperative troponin I concentration greater than 4 ng/ml, and the need for prolonged inotropic support (> 12 h) were identified as the significant risk factors for prolonged ICU LOS. Postoperative troponin I concentrations and need for prolonged inotropic support were lower in the sevoflurane and desflurane group (P < 0.01). Postoperative cardiac function was also better preserved with the volatile anesthetics. The incidence of other postoperative complications was similar in all groups.     

The Significant Prognostic Factors in Prolonged Intensive/High Care Unit Stay After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundProlonged stay in an intensive/high care unit (ICU/HCU) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a significant event with possible mortality.MethodsAdult-to-adult LDLTs (n = 283) were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the factors attributed to the prolonged ICU/HCU stay after LDLT.ResultsRecipients who stayed in the ICU/HCU 9 days or longer were defined as the prolonged group. The prolonged group was older (P = .0010), had a higher model for end-stage liver disease scores (P < .0001), and had higher proportions of patients with preoperative hospitalization (P < .0001). Delirium (P < .0001), pulmonary complications (P < .0001), sepsis (P < .0001), reintubation or tracheostomy (P < .0001), relaparotomy due to bleeding (P = .0015) or other causes (P < .0001), and graft dysfunction (P < .0001) were associated with prolonged ICU/HCU stay. Only sepsis (P = .015) and graft dysfunction (P = .019) were associated with in-hospital mortality among patients with prolonged ICU/HCU stay or graft loss within 9 days of surgery. Among these patients, grafts from donors aged <42 years and with a graft-to-recipient weight ratio of >0.76% had significantly higher graft survival than grafts from others (P = .0013 and P < .0001, respectively).ConclusionProlonged ICU/HCU stay after LDLT was associated with worse short-term outcomes. The use of grafts of sufficient volume from younger donors might improve graft survival.     

Increased health services use by severely obese patients undergoing emergency surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The aim of this study was to assess perioperative outcomes in obese patients undergoing emergency surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all adult (> 17 yr) patients admitted to the acute care emergency surgery service at the University of Alberta Hospital between January 2009 and December 2011 who had a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher. Patients were divided into subgroups for analysis based on “severe” (BMI 35–39.9) and “morbid” obesity (BMI ≥ 40). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality after controlling for confounding factors.

Results

Data on 111 patients (55% women, median BMI 39) were included in the final analysis. Intensive care unit (ICU) support was required for 40% of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 42% of patients, and 31% required reoperation. Overall in-hospital mortality was 17%. Morbidly obese patients had increased rates of reoperation (40% v. 23%, p = 0.05) and increased lengths of stay compared with severely obese patients (14.5 v. 6.0 d, p = 0.09). Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.08 per increment) and preoperative ICU stay (OR 12) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality after controlling for confounding, but BMI was not.

Conclusion

Obese patients requiring emergency surgery represent a complex patient population at high risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality. Greater resources are required for their care, including ICU support, repeat surgery and prolonged ICU stay. Future studies could help identify predictors of reoperation and strategies to optimize nutrition, rehabilitation and resource allocation.