Complications and consequences: short-term harm has long-term impact
Alexander I.R. Jackson,
S. Ramani Moonesinghe,
Michael P.W. Grocott
Affiliations
Alexander I.R. Jackson
Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK; Integrative Physiology and Critical Illness Group, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Corresponding author. Anaesthesia and Critical Care Research Unit, CE93, Mailpoint24, E Level, Centre Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
S. Ramani Moonesinghe
Centre for Peri-Operative Medicine, Research Department for Targeted Intervention, University College London, London, UK; University College London/University College London Hospitals National Institute Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK; Department for Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
Michael P.W. Grocott
Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK; Integrative Physiology and Critical Illness Group, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
Summary: In this editorial, we discuss a large observational study demonstrating increased healthcare usage and higher mortality over 2 yr in patients who experienced specific postoperative complications. These findings are in keeping with the existing literature and draw into focus the need for ongoing work to understand and communicate these long-term consequences to patients.
