[Analysis of prolonged intensive care after abdominal surgery interventions with special reference to quality of life and economy].

In a retrospective study of 62 surgical patients with at least 30 days of intensive care, a hospital mortality rate of 40.3% with a median survival time of 3.7 years for the discharged patients (n = 37) was found. The median gastrointestinal quality of life Index (GLQI) for the surviving patients was 104 points, and overall 56 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were obtained, resulting in costs of 68,250 DM per QALY. Although intensive care is one of the most expensive treatment modalities in the health system, economic aspects should not be the cause for withdrawing or withholding intensive therapy.