Is there a weekend effect in emergency surgery for colorectal carcinoma? Analysis from the German StuDoQ registry

Higher postoperative mortality has been observed among patients who received emergency colorectal surgery on the weekend compared to during the week. The aim of this study was to determine whether the weekday of emergency surgery affects the 30-day mortality and postoperative course in emergency colorectal surgery. In total, 1,174 patients were included in the analysis. Major postoperative complications and the need for reoperation were observed more frequently for emergency colorectal surgery performed during the week compared to the weekend (23.01 vs. 15.28%, p = 0.036 and 17.96% vs. 11.11%, p = 0.040, respectively). In contrast, patients who received emergency surgery on the weekend presented with significantly higher UICC tumour stages (UICC III 44.06 vs. 34.15%, p = 0.020) compared to patients with emergency colorectal surgery on a weekday. Emergency surgery performed during the week was an independent risk factor for the development of severe postoperative complications (OR 1.69 [1.04-2.74], p = 0.033) and need for reoperation (OR 1.79 [1.02-3.05], p = 0.041) in the multivariable analysis. Emergency surgery for colorectal carcinoma in Germany is performed with equal postoperative MTL30 and mortality throughout the entire week. However, emergency surgery during the week seems to be associated with a higher rate of severe postoperative complications and reoperation.