Significant risk factors in elective colorectal surgery.

A prospective study of 618 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery performed in a district general hospital over a 10-year period is reported. Multivariate analysis has been used in an attempt to identify risk factors. The risk of wound infection was increased if septicaemia, respiratory sepsis or faecal contamination was present, if the surgeon was a consultant and if increased risk of serious complications if the patient was male and of poor physical status. Operative mortality was significantly associated with poor physical status, respiratory sepsis and intra-abdominal abscess. Only three risk factors could be identified preoperatively: patient gender, physical status and seniority of surgeon. However, procedures low in the pelvis are more difficult and in this study group are also associated with a higher risk of wound infection. The majority of these procedures are performed by consultants. In addition, this study group has proportionally more female patients of poor physical status who are selectively being operated on by the consultant, seemingly indicating the 'consultant' as a risk factor.