The Independent Risk Factors of Mortality and Morbidity from upper Gastrointestinal System Haemorrhages after Surgery

Abstract

Background: The aim this study was to determinethe variables influencing the morbidity and mortality of operated patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGIH) and to define the independent risk factors. Patients and methods: The medical records of 62 patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage who underwent operation were reviewed for variables including age, gender, shock, association with co-morbidity, pulse rate, haemoglobin levels, white blood cell count, serum urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium level, time of operation, blood transfusion unit, Rockall risk score and the length of hospital stay. In order to determine the independent risk factors related to mortality and morbidity, we carried out logistic regression analysis.

Results: Morbidity and mortality rates were 35.4% (22 patients) and 29.1% (18 patients), respectively. The independent risk factors affecting morbidity were serum albumin level and Rockall score > 5, and the independent risk factors affecting mortality were advanced age, and high Rockall score.

Conclusion: To decrease the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates in patients with UGIH requiring surgery, their pre-operative risk factors should be demonstrated. We believe that the establishment of interventional indication on time and the evaluation of the intra-operative surgical region and technique in combination with the patient-and disease-related factors would help reduce morbidity and mortality rates.

Key words:

• Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage
• gastrectomy.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

T. Kafadar

E. Gedik Department of General Surgery School of Medicine University of Dicle, 21280 Diyarbakir/Turkey Tel.: [phone]–4679 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]

E. Gedik

E. Gedik Department of General Surgery School of Medicine University of Dicle, 21280 Diyarbakir/Turkey Tel.: [phone]–4679 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]

S. Girgin

E. Gedik Department of General Surgery School of Medicine University of Dicle, 21280 Diyarbakir/Turkey Tel.: [phone]–4679 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]

I.H. Taçyildiz

E. Gedik Department of General Surgery School of Medicine University of Dicle, 21280 Diyarbakir/Turkey Tel.: [phone]–4679 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]

B. Baç

E. Gedik Department of General Surgery School of Medicine University of Dicle, 21280 Diyarbakir/Turkey Tel.: [phone]–4679 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]