A 5-year study of re-laparotomies, planned and unplanned, in Al-Hillah Teaching General Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of re laparotomies (RLs) among laparotomies performed within 5-year period, the indications, and the main factors affecting the mortality rate. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by evaluating file records of patients undergoing RL following abdominal surgery (2012–2016). The patients including, age, sex, type of the first surgical procedure, the cause of the re-exploration, the time interval between the index operation and the RL and the performed procedures, and the outcome were recorded. Results: Fifty-nine patients were included in the study, 83% were male. The mean age was 34.66 years. The mean duration between first operation and RL was 11.55 days. About 83.05% patients underwent RLs in the early period. The incidence of RLs was 1.62%. The indication for RLs was abdominal sepsis 23.72%, followed by intestinal obstruction 20.33% and missed injury 16.94%. The rate of RL among patients sustaining trauma was 37.28%, males 90.9%. Conclusion: We concluded that the incidence of RL is consistent with the literatures. The most :common indication was sepsis. Early intervention is the most important factor that can reduce the mortality when re-exploration is required.