Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to identify a critical predictor of postoperative sepsis in patients with peritonitis due to colorectal perforation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, fifty-three patients who underwent emergency surgery for peritonitis due to colorectal perforation in our hospital were examined retrospectively to identify the critical predictor of postoperative sepsis. Between 2016 and 2017, twelve patients with peritonitis due to colorectal perforation were enrolled in a prospective study to validate the critical predictor obtained by the previous retrospective study. RESULTS: Mechanical ventilation for more than two days after surgery seemed to be a critical predictor of postoperative sepsis. In the prospective study, six patients who were withdrawn from mechanical ventilation within one day after surgery did not develop sepsis. CONCLUSION: Respiratory disorders at the end of surgery for peritonitis due to colorectal perforation seem to be a critical predictor of postoperative sepsis.