BACKGROUND : To examine whether pregnant patients have higher risk of major 30-day postoperative complications compared with their non-pregnant counterparts after non-obstetric surgery.

METHODS : A secondary analysis of the prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) from 2005 to 2012 of pregnant patients 18-51 years old, without surgery in the preceding 30 days, and who underwent a non-obstetrical operation. The primary outcome was composite 30-day major postoperative complications. We used modified Poisson regression.

RESULTS : Among 354,251 assessed patients, 3655 (1%) were pregnant. The overall incidence of 30-day major postoperative complication was 6%, and did not vary by pregnancy status. Pregnant patients were not at higher risk of 30-day major postoperative complications compared to non-pregnant patients following non-obstetric surgery. This held for most procedures, except pregnant patients were at a higher risk of complications with colorectal and hernia surgeries. Secondarily, pregnant patients were at higher risk of transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS : Pregnant patients are generally not at higher risk of major postoperative complications following non-obstetric surgery. This information can be used when counseling pregnant patients about the risks versus benefits of non-obstetric surgery.