Hecker W C, Warkotsch A
Prog Pediatr Surg. 1979;13:15-21.
The study is based on 427 patients who died between 1949 and 1976 and who were subjected to a post mortem examination. The years 1949 to 1969 (Group A) and the years 1970 to 1976 (Group B) were compared. Following important results were discovered: The underlying disease as a cause of postoperative death was reduced from 18.5% in Group A to 13.3% in Group B. Postoperative deaths secondary to associated malformations increased from 2.5% to 6.1%. Postoperative deaths due to a wrong diagnosis remained constant at 3%. Deaths due to wrong medical treatment decreased from 18% to 5.1%. Deaths due to postoperative infection increased from 17% to 46.2%. The explanation for this change is that modern intensive care keeps many patients alive who formerly died before the onset of infection. Deaths secondary to postoperative shock remained practically constant at 3% and 4% respectively. Deaths due to postoperative pneumonia decreased from 31% in Group A to 13.3% in Group B. The therapy for pneumonia has therefore markedly improved. The largest number of postoperative deaths was found in newborn infants. However, their part in the total numbers of postoperative deaths is definitely becoming smaller. Amongst the newborn infants there was the highest number of postoperative deaths caused by infections.
该研究基于1949年至1976年间死亡且接受了尸检的427例患者。对1949年至1969年（A组）和1970年至1976年（B组）进行了比较。发现了以下重要结果：作为术后死亡原因的基础疾病从A组的18.5%降至B组的13.3%。继发于相关畸形的术后死亡从2.5%增加到6.1%。因误诊导致的术后死亡保持在3%不变。因错误医疗导致的死亡从18%降至5.1%。因术后感染导致的死亡从17%增加到46.2%。这种变化的解释是，现代重症监护使许多以前在感染发作前就死亡的患者存活下来。继发于术后休克的死亡分别实际保持在3%和4%不变。因术后肺炎导致的死亡从A组的31%降至B组的13.3%。因此，肺炎的治疗有了显著改善。术后死亡人数最多的是新生儿。然而，他们在术后死亡总数中所占的比例肯定在变小。在新生儿中，因感染导致的术后死亡人数最多。
