Luis B. Enriquez-Sánchez, Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital Central del Estado de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Marco J. Carrillo-Gorena, Surgical Division, Hospital Central del Estado, Chihuahua, México
Laura A. Granados-Aldaz, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Luis F. Balderrama-Miramontes, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Luis G. Gallegos-Portillo, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Cristina N. Reza-Leal, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Abisag González-Villa, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Karla Fernández-Villalobos, Intestinal Failure Unit, Clinical Nutrition Department, Hospital Central del Estado, Chihuahua, México
Background: Intestinal failure (IF) was first defined as “a reduction in the functioning gut mass below the minimal amount necessary for adequate digestion and absorption.” In our environment, there are no statistical data for IF in adult patients’ extended length of stay (LOS), nor the economic impact that it implies. Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the association between the IF type and extended LOS. Methods: Patients admitted to our IF Unit between March 2016 and March 2018 were enrolled. We conducted a 2-year retrospective cross-sectional study. Results: From the total of 53 patients, 35% corresponded to type I IF, 58.5% to type II IF, and 7.5% to type III IF. The mean LOS, according to the type of functional IF was 51 days for type I, 77.48 days for type II, and 68.25 days for type III. The mean LOS for the three IF types was 67.79 days. Conclusion: Extended LOS occurs in an important proportion of patients with IF, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, as well as in costs and associated side effects. Future research should focus on economic studies, to know the economic impact that this subject entails for our health systems.
Palabras clave: Intestinal failure. Post-operative complications. Extended length of stay. Abdominal surgery.
