Pre-Operative Factors Associated with Early Post-Operative Complications at the Kisangani University Clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background and Objectives: Post-operative complications (POC) are new pathological phenomena occurring in the post-operative period and worsening the previous situation through their morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and preoperative factors associated with early POC at University Clinics of Kisangani (CUKIS). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the CUKIS, Department of Surgery from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2023. The target population consisted of all patients who had undergone full post-operative follow-up. A logistic regression model using RStudio version 4.4.0 software was used to determine the factors predicting early postoperative complications. Results: The prevalence of early POC was estimated at 35%, with surgical site infection the most frequent POC at 45.3%. After multivariate analysis using logistic regression, the social category of widow(er)s, transfer, previous laparotomy, acute generalised peritonitis, preoperative length of stay of more than 10 days and ASA score 2 and 5 were significant risk factors associated with the occurrence of POC in the preoperative period. Conclusion: Certain factors can predict the occurrence of POC. Knowledge of these factors can help practitioners to take useful measures before each surgical operation on a patient with these factors, with a view to preventing or managing POC.