Laparotomy.
In a consecutive series of 1207 major laparotomies, the incidence of wound infections, wound failures and chest complications was prospectively recorded; this allowed certain predisposing factors to be identified, both avoidable and unavoidable. Among the former were operative bacterial contamination, haemorrhagic and septic shock and the use of nasogastric tubes; the most important of the latter were male sex and pre-existing bronchitis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000401:mortality; D014945:Wound Healing