Analysis of risk factors for unplanned reoperation following primary repair of gastrointestinal disorders in neonates

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to identify the factors associated with unplanned reoperations among neonates who had undergone primary repair of gastrointestinal disorders. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for neonates who underwent primary gastrointestinal surgery between July 2018 and September 2020. The neonates were divided into two cohort, depending on whether they had an unplanned reoperation. The primary outcome was the occurrence of unplanned reoperation. The risk factors that associated the occurrence of unplanned reoperation were examined. MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-six neonates fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The incidence of unplanned reoperation was 9.8%. Analyses of all patients with respect of developing unplanned reoperation showed that the length of operative time was an independent risk factor [Odds Ratio 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.00, 1.04; p = 0.03]. Patients with unplanned reoperation had a longer postoperative hospital length-of-stay [19.9 ± 14.7 vs. 44.1 ± 32.1 days; p<0.01]. CONCLUSION: The current study is the first analysis of risk factors associated with an unplanned reoperation in neonates undergoing primary repair of gastrointestinal disorders. The length of operative time is the only risk factor for an unplanned reoperation, and the unplanned reoperation can directly prolong the postoperative hospital length-of-stay. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx with No. ChiCTR2000040260.