Mortality Observed in the General Surgery Department “A” at the University Hospital Center of Point “G” in Bamako

Abstract
In Mali, few studies have concerned overall mortality in general surgery, but several specific studies have concerned the different affections. Reflection on the causes of death is an inherent part of the activity of any motivated surgical team. Objective: To analyze the rate and the main causes of mortality in the General “A” surgical department of the Point “G” CHU. Patients Method: Our study was retrospective, descriptive and covered a period of 5 years from 01/01/2014 to 12/31/2018. We collected 152 deaths for 2011 hospitalized patients. The data were collected from the files of these deaths on pre-established investigation forms. The deceased patients were classified as operative and non-operative death, death from non-cancerous and cancerous diseases, deaths occurring in emergencies and deaths in regulated surgery. Results: We recorded 152 cases of death for 2011 hospitalized patients, either an overall mortality rate of 7.55%. The average age of deaths was 44.20 years +- 17.51 years with extremes ranging from 7 years to 85 years. The sex ratio was 1.62 in favor of men. The causes of death were represented by cancerous pathologies (69 deaths or 34.67%), non-cancerous pathologies (83 deaths or 4.58%). Conclusion: The mortality rate in general surgery remains high and is mainly linked to cancerous pathologies and the delay in taking care of patients.