LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH, cilt.13, sa.11, ss.1837-1848, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
Background The trauma laparotomy is a definitive intervention for life-threatening abdominal injuries and a cornerstone of trauma care globally. The ability to perform an emergency laparotomy is a recognised marker of safe and effective surgical care within a health system. However, the global variation in the provision, context, and outcomes of the trauma laparotomy is unknown. This study aimed to identify the variation in patient factors, interventions, and postoperative outcomes of those undergoing a trauma laparotomy worldwide. Methods We conducted a prospective international observational study in 187 hospitals across 51 countries between April 1 and Dec 31, 2024. Patients who presented with a blunt or penetrating traumatic injury and underwent a laparotomy within 5 days of presentation were eligible, with information on presentation, interventions, and outcomes collected. Countries were stratified by Human Development Index (HDI) tertile and the primary outcome measure was postoperative in-hospital mortality, measured to 30 days. Adjusted mortality risk was calculated using logistic regression analysis. The study was registered to ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06180668). Findings We included 1769 patients, comprising 563 patients (31