Abstract
Background: Textbook outcomes are composite outcome measures that reflect the ideal overall experience for patients. There are many of these in the elective surgery literature but no textbook outcomes have been proposed for patients following emergency laparotomy. The aim was to achieve international consensus amongst experts and patients for the best Textbook Outcomes for non-trauma and trauma emergency laparotomy. Methods: A modified Delphi exercise was undertaken with three planned rounds to achieve consensus regarding the best Textbook Outcomes based on the category, number and importance (Likert scale of 1–5) of individual outcome measures. There were separate questions for non-trauma and trauma. A patient engagement exercise was undertaken after round 2 to inform the final round. Results: A total of 337 participants from 53 countries participated in all three rounds of the exercise. The final Textbook Outcomes were divided into ‘early’ and ‘longer-term’. For non-trauma patients the proposed early Textbook Outcome was ‘Discharged from hospital without serious postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ grade III; including intra-abdominal sepsis, organ failure, unplanned re-operation or death). For trauma patients it was ‘Discharged from hospital without unexpected transfusion after haemostasis, and no serious postoperative complications (adapted Clavien–Dindo for trauma ≥ grade III; including intra-abdominal sepsis, organ failure, unplanned re-operation on or death)’. The longer-term Textbook Outcome for both non-trauma and trauma was ‘Achieved the early Textbook Outcome, and restoration of baseline quality of life at 1 year’. Conclusion: Early and longer-term Textbook Outcomes have been agreed by an international consensus of experts for non-trauma and trauma emergency laparotomy. These now require clinical validation with patient data.
DOI
10.1093/bjsopen/zrad145
Publication Date
2024-02-01
Publication Title
BJS Open
Volume
8
Issue
1
Keywords
Humans, Laparotomy/adverse effects, Quality of Life, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Sepsis, Postoperative Complications
Recommended Citation
Naumann, D., BEACON Collaborative., Bhangu, A., Brooks, A., Martin, M., Cotton, B., Khan, M., Midwinter, M., Pearce, L., Bowley, D., Holcomb, J., Griffiths, E., Abu-Abeid, A., Peckham-Cooper, A., Dyas, A., Adeyeye, A., Dogjani, A., Ball, A., Wolthuis, A., Quiroga-Garza, A., Karamarkovic, A., Giordano, A., Fuchs, A., Julianov, A., Phillips, A., Zimmermann, A., Charalabopoulos, A., Birkun, A., Narvaez-Rojas, A., & Guner, A. (2024) 'Novel Textbook Outcomes following emergency laparotomy: Delphi exercise', BJS Open, 8(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsopen/zrad145
