[Advances in the treatment of postoperative complications after abdominal operations. A comparative, retrospective analysis of two reported periods (author's transl)].

Period I (1958-64)included 227 complications, period II 257 complications. Altogether, 484 complications were evaluated in 436 cases. The by far higher lethality in period I (71,3 percent) compared to 41,1 per cent in period II can be explained by the lower frequency of relaparotomy of 24,6 percent (52,3 per cent in period II). The mortality after relaparotomy was almost equal in both periods. The central problem in the therapy of postoperative surgical complications can consequently be seen in the indications for relaparotomy. Therefore, to improve the results, a more active diagnosis and indication and adequate performance of the operation are necessary.