Prognostic Utility of the Preoperative Cachexia Index in Patients Undergoing Emergency Laparotomy

Aim: Emergency laparotomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The cachexia index, an objective index that incorporates muscle mass, nutrition, and inflammation, has been shown to predict outcomes in patients with cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of preoperative cachexia index in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. Methods: This retrospective study included data from 404 patients who underwent emergency laparotomy between January 2013 and March 2023. The cachexia index was calculated as: (psoas muscle index × albumin level [g/dL]/neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). Patients were divided into low and high cachexia index groups based on sex-specific receiver operating characteristic curve derived cut-off values. Results: < 0.01). Conclusion: Preoperative cachexia index was a useful marker for predicting mortality after emergency laparotomy and may aid in risk stratification and perioperative decision-making.