Delayed surgical intervention of more than three days in elderly patients diagnosed with intestinal fistula significantly increases the risk of mortality, with nearly double the length of hospital stay compared to earlier surgical groups. Mortality rates were notably higher in patients with delayed surgeries, emphasizing the importance of timely operative treatment to minimize mortality risk in this vulnerable population. Results suggest urgent surgical intervention once patients are resuscitated.
Journal Article by Hirani R, Smiley A and Latifi R in Surg Technol Int