Multiple organ failure (MOF) after intestinal operations--a clinical and statistical study of the past 5 years.

Multiple Organ Failure that occurred in 35 cases out of a total of 1498 cases after intestinal surgery were studied by an analysis of the clinical and statistical data from the past 5 years (1984-1988). 1. The incidence of MOF after intestinal surgery was 2.3%. 2. Twenty-eight of MOF resulted from severe infections. 3. The incidence of infection was highest after esophageal operations. 4. Hepatic failure was the most common type of primary organ failure and renal failure was the second most common. 5. The prognosis for MOF was very poor with a survival rate of 8.7%.