Acute post operative complications such as anastomotic leaks, wound infections, small bowel obstruction are common and are cause for readmission, but there are also long-term complications which affect patients’ quality of life such as bladder, sexual and defecatory function changes.1 Moreover, CRS is associated with high rates of surgical site infections (SSIs) post-operatively, with reported incidences of up to 30 %.2, 3, 4, 5

Following the introduction and implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)6 programs, patients are now experiencing shorter hospital admission lengths, but this may not have effect of the number of readmission rates, with readmissions rates after major CRS remain at 6–20 %.6 Such readmissions after CRS worsens the physical and psychological burden on patients, wastes social health resources, and increases costs.7,8

Identifying patients most at risk of complications is challenging to the surgeon, while those at high-risk of readmission may be monitored more closely prior to discharge in order to optimize clinical outcomes for patients. Monitoring for post operative complications is of the utmost importance as if complications are treated at an early stage or prevented entirely it could lead to reduced readmission rates overall.

The aim of this study was to determine patient factors predictive of those likely to develop complications and those who will require readmission at 40 days follow up post major CRS. Our secondary aim was to develop possible strategies to minimize readmission rates in these patients.