Nonfatal Adverse Events After Colorectal Operations

Short-term complications are common after colorectal resection, affecting approximately one quarter of our patients. This article reviews the common types of nonfatal adverse events after colorectal resection, the monetary and long-term patient costs of these events, as well as some of the technical difficulties with valid measurement and comparison of complication rates. We review evidence suggesting that risk-adjusted complication rates vary by hospital, and may be improved by quality improvement initiatives. Promising strategies for decreasing nonfatal adverse events following colorectal operations include: the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and regional collaborative programs, such as the Keystone Collaboratives and the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative.