The clinical quandary of counseling the moribund critical care patient-a registry analysis of postsurgical outcomes

The moribund patient is not as grave as once thought and surgery on these patients may not be futile given the 47% survival rate at 30 days. Postoperative complication rates are high. The data presented provide a meaningful tool for the clinicians in counseling patients and families on the expectations when considering a surgical intervention for moribund patients.