Table 2 Definition of the endpoints of postoperative morbidity

1. Pneumonia

At least three of the four following signs:

• fever, defined as oral or tympanic temperature > 37.5°C or rectal temperature > 38.5°C

• purulent tracheal sputum production/secretion or change in sputum character

• total peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count > 12 g/L or WBC < 4.5 g/L or > 15% immature neutrophils (bands), regardless of total peripheral WBC count

• increased plasma or serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level as shown by a level of at least twice the upper limit of the hospital normal range

and

chest X-ray or CT scan findings (anterior-posterior (ap) or posterior-anterior (pa) and, if possible, lateral views) in agreement with the clinical diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia, that is, the appearance of new, progressive pulmonary infiltrate(s) attributable to infectious etiology

2. Deep vein thrombosis

clinical evidence (for example, painful, swollen, warm, livid leg) of a previously unknown thrombosis located in a deep leg or pelvic vein with radiological confirmation by duplex sonography or CT-angiography

3. Pulmonary embolism

clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism (for example, tachycardia, dyspnea) confirmed by spiral CT or lung perfusion scintigraphy

4. Burst abdomen

postoperative absence of continuity of the abdominal fascia in combination with wound dehiscence requiring reintervention

5. Falls

in-hospital falls