Outcomes of early relaparotomy in pediatric patients at Tikur Anbessa teaching hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a five-year retrospective review

BACKGROUND: Early relaparotomy is defined as relaparotomy within the first 30 days following surgery. The aim of this study is to explore the indications, outcomes and factors associated with relaparotomy in our pediatric population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of pediatric surgical patients (< 13 yrs.) who underwent relaparotomy at Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2016. All children who had relaparotomy within the first 30 days of the initial surgery were included. We collected patient data including demographics, operative indication, and postoperative outcomes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 23. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to report outcomes stratified by patient characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient variables associated with relaparotomy and other outcomes. RESULTS: In our patient population, relaparotomy rate was 17.2%. Patient age ranged from 2 days to 12 years with mean age of 37.5 months. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Thirty-one (58.5%) relaparotomies were performed between the 5th and 8th postoperative days. The two most common indications for relaparotomy were postoperative intra-abdominal collection and anastomotic leak, accounting for 18 (34.0%) and 17 (32.1%) respectively. Mortality rate following relaparotomy was 26.4%. The most common cause of mortality was sepsis with multi-system organ failure (90.6%). Neonatal age was found to be the independent risk factors for death following relaparotomy, (AOR = 27.59, 95% CI [2.0–379.9]). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of relaparotomy in pediatric patients is high (17.2%) in our patient population. Neonatal age was associated with increased mortality following relaparotomy.