A new nationwide surgical registry in Korea reveals important data on 30-day complications, which can help surgeons improve patient selection and surgical outcomes.

• Overall 30-day complication rate is 38.7%, with major complications at 12.7% and mortality at 0.59%.
• Mortality is highest after pancreatic surgery (1.17%) and lowest after gastric surgery (0.16%).

Understanding these results can guide risk assessment in surgical decision-making.

• Colorectal surgery and higher wound class increase surgical site infection risk; chronic pulmonary disease and emergency surgeries elevate pneumonia risk.