Surgeons need to know that patient privilege significantly affects rates of unplanned surgeries and complications in critical procedures.

• 55.4% of patients from low-privilege areas experienced unplanned surgeries compared to 39.4% from high-privilege areas.
• Inpatient mortality was 3.1% for low-privilege patients versus 2.1% for high-privilege; perioperative complications were 30.4% vs 23.8%, respectively.

Consider the role of social determinants of health when evaluating patients for surgical procedures to improve outcomes.