- Poster presentation
- Open Access
Effects of statins on postoperative sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and mortality after colorectal surgery
- Published: 11 November 2009
Keywords
- Statin
- Simvastatin
- Atorvastatin
- Pravastatin
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Introduction
Colorectal surgery carries significant risks of postoperative morbidity and mortality. One of the major hazards is an increased risk of sepsis; an important component of which is systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Several recent studies suggest that the noncholesterol-related, pleiotropic effects of statins may limit the development of sepsis and associated inflammation. This study investigates the impact of prior statin therapy on the incidence and outcome of postoperative sepsis and SIRS in colorectal surgery patients.
Methods
A retrospective cohort analysis of 577 patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer was conducted to evaluate postoperative morbidity and mortality (within 30 days of surgery). The primary endpoints were: 30-day in-hospital mortality, admission to intensive care (ICU), and a positive diagnosis of SIRS or sepsis.
Results
Outcomes for statin and nonstatin patients following colorectal surgery
Parameter | Statin | Nonstatin | Sig. |
---|---|---|---|
Overall mortality | 9/125 (7.2%) | 27/452 (6.4%) | 0.77 |
Nosocomial infections | 42/125 (33.6%) | 132/452 (29.2%) | 0.40 |
Sepsis | 10/75 (13.3%) | 42/203 (20.7%) | 0.22 |
SIRS | 16/125 (12.8%) | 148/452 (32.7%) | <0.001 |
Wound infection | 11/125 (8.8%) | 66/452 (14.6%) | 0.04 |
Admitted to the ICU | 34/125 (27.2%) | 63/452 (13.9%) | <0.001 |
Conclusion
Statin patients were older than nonstatin patients, and had a greater burden of co-morbidities, yet the mortality rate did not differ between the two groups. The possibility that prior use of statins may influence inflammatory or infective events associated with this surgical procedure is supported by the significantly lower incidence of wound infection, SIRS and sepsis in statin-treated patients, illustrating the potential for statins to confer protection against these insults in the most critically ill patients.