Prognostic impact of postoperative management by an intensive care unit intensivist after colonic perforation

Abstract Purpose Postoperative management for colonic perforation is an important prognostic factor, but whether intensivists perform postoperative management varies between institutions. Methods We investigated 291 patients with colonic perforation between 2018 and 2022. Patients were divided into those managed by an intensivists (ICU group; n = 40) and those not managed by an intensivists (non-ICU group; n = 251). We examined how management by intensivists affected prognosis using inverse probability weighting, and clarified which patients should consult an intensivists. Results The ICU group showed a significantly higher shock index (1.15 vs 0.75, p < 0.01), higher APACHE II score (16.0 vs 10.0, p < 0.001), and more severe comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index 5.0 vs 1.0, p < 0.001) and general peritonitis (85% vs 38%, p < 0.001). Adjusted risk differences were − 24% (-34% to -13%) for 6-month mortality rate. Six-month mortality was improved by ICU intensivist management in patients with general peritonitis (risk difference − 23.28; 95% confidence interval − 35 to -11); APACHE II score ≥20 (-0.79; -1.06 to -0.52); lactate ≥1.6 (-0.38; -0.57 to -0.29); shock index ≥1.0 (-40.01; -54.87 to -25.16); and catecholamine index ≥10 (-41.16; -58.13 to -24.19). Conclusions Intensivists were involved in treating patients in poor general condition, but prognosis was extremely good. Appropriate case consultation with intensivists is important.