Predictors of Prolonged Hospital Stay After Colorectal Surgery: A Five-Year Retrospective Chart Review in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Background: Prolonged hospital stay after colorectal surgery is an important issue from a clinical and health-system perspective, as this may increase consumption of health resources and may represent postoperative complications and delayed recovery. But evidence for factors of prolonged hospitalization in colorectal patients in Ethiopia is lacking. Method: A quantitative institution-based retrospective chart review study was performed on adult patients who underwent colorectal surgery at MCM Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 1st of January 2021 to 31st of December 2025. Data was collected from the medical records and analyzed using computer statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 27. The cutoff point of prolonged hospitalization was defined as equal or greater than the 75th percentile of the study population. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to test association. Results: Among 115 patients, 31 (27.0%) had prolonged hospital stay, defined as ≥12 days. Absence of preoperative bowel preparation (aOR=4.58; 95% CI: 1.32–15.87) and minor postoperative complications (aOR=19.04; 95% CI: 3.02–119.66) were independently associated with prolonged stay. Conclusion: Prolonged hospital stay occurred in more than one-fourth of patients. Absence of bowel preparation and postoperative complications were significant predictors, highlighting the importance of standardized perioperative care.