Pathophysiology of risk factors for post operative complications

Postoperative complications lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality, increase in hospital length of stay and costs for health care. Understanding the pathophysiology of various risk factors causing post-operative complications, helps in better understanding of the subject and perioperative patient assessment. The risk factors selected for the purpose of the study include modifiable risk factors and includes results from various single centre and multi-centre cohort studies, and systematic reviews and data from various meta-analysis by various authors on different subjects. The importance of optimizing the modifiable risk factors like hypoalbuminemia, anemia, obesity and smoking can be understood from the above study. It is important to remember that morbidity is multifactorial and taking into account only a single risk factor will not improve the outcomes. This signifies the importance of multidisciplinary approach when treating the patient.