ThTP5.3 Outcome of weekend physiotherapy input post emergency laparotomy

Abstract

Abstract Aims Early ambulatory has been shown to reduce risk of morbidity and length of stay. It is evident in elective laparotomy patients but there is limited data on emergency laparotomy patients. We aim to explore the outcome of morbidity and physiotherapy input over weekend. Methods Patients ≥18 years old underwent emergency laparotomy (EmLap) as per NELA criteria from July 2021 to Dec 2021 in a busy district hospital were reviewed. Data on demographics, physiotherapy input and morbidity (post-operative ileus and pneumonia) were analysed. P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 81 patients were included with 56% female and median age 69 years. Ratio of smoker: Non-smoker: Ex-smoker was 1:4:1. 74% were seen by physiotherapist over the weekend (POW) and 48% had chest physiotherapy post-operative day 1. The overall rate of post-operative ileus was 18.5% (19% no-POW vs 18.3% POW; p= 0.942) while the rate of post-operative pneumonia was 11.1% with 2/3 non-smoker (9.5% non-POW vs 11.7% POW; p= 0.855). Median post-operative length of stay was 10 days (8 days No-POW vs 11 days POW). Conclusion Physiotherapy input post EmLap over the weekend did not significantly improve morbidity. Weekend input is provided by the oncall physiotherapist and the requirement of the service could reflect the high risk status of patients. Besides physiotherapists, ward nurses play an important role in continuous encouragement of mobilisation post-operative to reduce morbidity rate.