ABSTRACT
Multiple complications can send the surgical patient into the intensive care unit (ICU). Factors contributing include an inability to maintain hemodynamic stability postoperatively, an inability to maintain oxygen saturation, or even intra-operative complications that require additional monitoring. If the patient does not require immediate ICU care postoperatively, a sudden change in mental status, tachycardia, hypotension, fevers, and/or leukocytosis can alert the team to impending systemic inammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and/or sepsis. Finding the source and effective treatment of the underlying problem is imperative for recovery, whether it is a surgical bleed, anastomotic leak, abscess, or other source of infection. Further, it may make a difference for the need of ICU care if the patient undergoes emergent versus elective surgery. Emergent surgery patients often meet criteria for SIRS preoperatively and often have a longer hospital stay with increased complications [1,2].
