Background
Emergency laparotomies form a broad group of time-sensitive surgeries done on variable patient population.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and details of emergency laparotomy, its complications, and mortality rates.
Patients and methods
This prospective study was held in Alexandria University Hospitals in the duration between April 2022 and September 2022 and included all patients were subjected to emergency laparotomies (481 patients). Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were recorded.
Results
Out of 481 patients, 398 patients had nontraumatic causes and 83 patients had traumatic cause. The commonest nontraumatic cause was appendicitis, and the commonest traumatic cause were stab and road traffic accident. Most of trauma patients were males and had younger age than nontrauma groups. Intraoperative complications were reported at comparable frequencies between both groups and the commonest complications were atrial fibrillation (AF) and failed extubation. Postoperative complications were higher among nontrauma group and septic shock was the main complication. Postoperative mortality was higher among nontrauma group.
Conclusion
Emergency laparotomies were indicated for nontraumatic causes at higher rate the traumatic cause with higher postoperative complications and mortality rates.