The Effect of Weekend Surgery on Outcomes of Emergency Laparotomy: Experience at a High Volume District General Hospital

Aims Emergency laparotomies (ELs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Delays to the theater are inevitably associated with worse outcomes. Higher mortality has been reported with admissions over the weekend. The aim of this study is to compare the delays and outcomes of emergency laparotomies performed on weekdays (WD) and weekends (WE) at a high-volume, large district general hospital. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed for all patients who underwent general surgical emergency laparotomy between June and October 2021. Patient outcomes were compared between delayed and non-delayed surgeries as per the NCEPOD (National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcomes and Death) classification. The primary outcome compared was the 30-day post-operative mortality and morbidity determined by the Clavein-Dindo class >= 2. Secondary outcomes included the time from booking to anaesthesia start time, i.e., time to theatre delay in surgery, out-of-hours (OOH) surgery, and unplanned return to theatres. Results Of the 103 laparotomies included, 33% were performed over the weekend. The most common indication for emergency laparotomy was bowel obstruction (53.4 %), followed by perforation (28.2%). There was no significant difference in mortality, the ITT (p = 0.218), delay in surgery with respect to the NCEPOD category of intervention (p = 0.401), postoperative length of stay (p = 0.555), number of cases operated OOH as well as unplanned return to theatres. There was a significant difference in the morbidity of patients between the two groups (Clavein-Dindo class >= 2, p = 0.021). Conclusion With consistent consultant involvement, an equivalent standard of weekend emergency surgical service can be delivered.