The British journal of surgery
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of the effect of postoperative in-hospital morbidity on long-term patient survival.
Major surgery is associated with high rates of postoperative complications, many of which are deemed preventable. It has been suggested that these complications not only present a risk to patients in the short term, but may also reduce long-term survival. The aim of this review was to examine the effects of postoperative complications on long-term survival. ⋯ Postoperative complications have a negative effect on long-term survival. This relationship appears to be stronger for infectious complications.