Background

Abdominal surgery remains one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. Despite advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, perioperative care, and infection control measures, postoperative complications continue to contribute significantly to patient morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, types, risk factors, and outcomes of postoperative complications following abdominal surgery and identify strategies to reduce complication rates.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted among 500 patients undergoing elective and emergency abdominal surgeries at tertiary healthcare centers. Clinical data, perioperative variables, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Complications occurring within 30 days after surgery were recorded and categorized according to standard surgical complication classifications.

Results

Postoperative complications occurred in 28.6% of patients. Surgical site infections (11.8%), postoperative ileus (8.4%), pulmonary complications (7.6%), and wound dehiscence (4.2%) were the most frequently observed complications. Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, obesity, emergency surgery, prolonged operative duration, and smoking were identified as significant risk factors (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Postoperative complications remain a substantial challenge following abdominal surgery. Early risk assessment, optimized perioperative management, infection prevention measures, and enhanced recovery protocols can significantly improve surgical outcomes.