title: [Critical Care Surgery Unit in general and digestive system surgery].
abstract: In a 5-bed Critical Care Surgery Unit (UQCC) where surgeons are in charge of care, 126 patients admitted over 5 consecutive months were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment given: Group I (n = 49): elective gastrointestinal surgery; Group II (n = 52): emergency gastrointestinal surgery; Group III (n = 15): non-gastrointestinal surgery; Group IV (n = 10): medical treatment. The mean stay of all patients in the Surgical Critical Care Unit was 6 +/- 7.7 days and the global mortality was 7.9% (n = 10). The mean age of the patients who died was 71.5 +/- 7.3 years and 70% of the deaths corresponded to Group II. Forty percent of the patients who died had systemic candidiasis. Among the factors implicated in the mortality acute gastrointestinal pathology per se, the coexistence of chronic systemic disease and advanced age were prominent. We discuss the need for typifying the role of Surgical Critical Care Units in General and Gastrointestinal Surgery.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario de San Carlos, Facultad de Medicina UCM.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lorente
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Aller
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Durán
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital
vernacular_title: Unidad Quirúrgica de Cuidados Críticos en cirugía general y del aparato digestivo.