Trends in Clinical Outcomes After Major Emergency Abdominal Surgery in Denmark, Data From 2002-2022

IMPORTANCE: Major emergency abdominal surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Understanding trends in outcomes over time can reveal critical practice-changing improvements, identify gaps in postoperative care, and establish a large-scale benchmark for future research.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in morbidity and mortality after major emergency abdominal surgery in Denmark.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a nationwide, population-based cohort study. Analyses were performed based on data from Danish nationwide administrative registries. Within the public health care system in Denmark, all adult patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery from 2002 to 2022 were included. Major emergency abdominal surgeries included laparotomy or laparoscopy due to intra-abdominal pathologies, including intestinal perforation, ischemia, bowel obstruction, abscess, or bleeding.

EXPOSURE: Major emergency abdominal surgery.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the trend in 30- and 90-day mortality after major emergency abdominal surgery over time.

RESULTS: A total of 61 476 patients (mean [SD] age, 66.2 [16.3] years; 34 827 female [56.7%]) were included. The annual number of surgeries remained constant, with a mean (SD) of 3044 (165) surgeries per year. The 30- and 90-day mortality was reduced from 25% and 33%, respectively, to 13% and 18%, respectively (P < .001). Median (IQR) hospital length of stay was decreased from 10 (5-17) days to 6 (4-13) days (P < .001). The rate of 30-day postoperative complications (classified Clavien-Dindo ≥3a) was reduced from 49% to 44% (P <.001) and the 90-day rate was reduced from 53% to 48% (P <.001), however, with a tendency toward more patients undergoing earlier intervention. The 30- and 90-day readmission rate increased drastically from 9% and 13%, respectively, to 25% and 33%, respectively (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this cohort study suggest notable reductions in mortality and hospital length of stay after major emergency abdominal surgery. A marked increased readmission rate and a persistently high rate of postoperative complications were found. These shifts underscore the need for enhanced postoperative monitoring and postdischarge follow-up.