Mortality risk factors in surgical patients in a tertiary hospital: a study of patient records in the period 2004–2006

Abstract Objective To determine mortality risk factors in surgical patients. Material and method A cross-sectional study was carried out on all surgical patients who died while in hospital, over a period of 3 years (2004–2006). Pre, intra, and postoperative variables were analysed. Comparisons were made between patients operated on as emergencies and elective surgery patients. Multivariate analysis was performed on the pre, intra, and postoperative variables, using χ 2 of Pearson correlation with a confidence interval of 95%. Results Surgery was performed on a total of 38 815 patients, of which 6326 were emergency procedures and 32 489 as elective. There were 479 deaths registered: 36 occurred in the operating theatre and 443 died after the operation. Arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cancer were significant causes of death. Intraoperative complications were associated with mortality during the surgical procedure. Emergency surgery was an independent risk factor (mortality, 5.5% vs 0.4% for elective surgery). Sepsis, cardiac, and respiratory related deaths were the main risk factors for postoperative death. Conclusions Prevention and adequate treatment of perioperative risk factors should significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates, mainly in those patient operated as emergencies.