SHORT TERM SURGICAL OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC CANCER AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Abstract Background: Gastric cancer is a major global health burden and an increasing concern in Ethiopia, where late presentation due to limited screening leads to high mortality and low 5-year survival (30–40%). Surgery remains the primary but high-risk treatment, significantly influencing patient outcomes. In Ethiopia, the burden of gastric cancer is rising, yet data on surgical outcomes remain limited. Objectives: To assess short-term surgical outcomes and identify associated factors among gastric cancer patients at SPHMMC. Methods: A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted from January 1, 2021 to August 31, 2025 G.C. among gastric cancer patients admitted to the surgical wards of St. Paul’s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All patients with operable disease who underwent surgery during this period were included (census). Data were extracted from medical records and pathology reports using a structured Google Form. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and clinical variables, consequently bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. Results: A substantial proportion of patients presented at a younger age and with advanced disease, with 34% aged ≤49 years and 77.6% diagnosed at stage II or higher. The most common symptoms were epigastric pain (84.4%) and weight loss (72.1%), while 21.1% had complications at presentation. Postoperative outcomes were significantly affected by comorbidity (AOR=2.72, 95% CI: 1.09-6.8, p=0.032), stage of cancer (AOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.24-5.7, p=0.012), intention of surgery (AOR= 7.7, 95% CI: 2.6-22.8, p=0.00) and postoperative complications (AOR= 5.2, 95% CI: 1.1-24.3, p=0.035). Surgical site infection was the most frequent complication (19.2%), followed by pulmonary complications (8.9%) and hernia (4.5%). The overall postoperative morbidity and mortality rate was 37.8% and 17.9% respectively. Conclusion: This study found that there is substantial rates of postoperative mortality and complications, compounded by comorbidities and advanced cancer stages. These findings highlight the urgent need for better early detection and more effective perioperative care to improve patient outcomes. Keywords: Gastric cancer, factors, surgical outcomes, St. Paul’s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia