Prevalence of intra-abdominal surgery: what is an individual's lifetime risk?

Background: The lifetime risk of intra-abdominal surgery is unknown. The objectives of this study were to derive this information from our local population, and to consider the role of incidental surgery.

Methods: Over an 8-year period, 2648 autopsy and clinical records from a public and private hospital were reviewed for evidence of intra-abdominal surgery.

Results: 2262 (85%) cases were from the public hospital and 386 (15%) from the private hospital. The adjusted intra-abdominal surgical rate was 43.8% in those over the age of 60. With the exception of the age group 21-40, there were no statistical significant differences in operative rates between hospitals. The intra-abdominal surgical rate over the age of 60 was used as an estimate of the lifetime risk of intra-abdominal surgery.

Conclusions: The lifetime risk of intra-abdominal surgery can be used to assess the utilization of healthcare among ethnic groups and in considering the role of incidental surgery.