The metabolic syndrome and its perioperative complications

Objective: The metabolic syndrome is a well-known risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but no literature data are currently available on its role as a risk factor in surgical patients. Design: Observational study. Patients and methods: Two hundred patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were studied. The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome and postoperative complication data were collected and analyzed. Results: Patients with the metabolic syndrome were 29% of all patients studied; this group showed an incidence of morbidity of 31% and of mortality of 3.4%; patients without syndrome were 71%, and showed an incidence of morbidity of 24% and of mortality of 2.1%. Postoperative infections were statistically significantly more frequent among patients with the metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome could constitute a risk factor for postoperative mortality and complications. © SINPE-GASAPE.