Global Collaborative Study

SurgWeek 2

A prospective cohort study determining global variation in postoperative complications.

All hospitals. All patients. All surgeries.

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Study Aims

SurgWeek2 is an international prospective, multicentre, cohort study that will include consecutive patients undergoing any operation.

Primary Aim

The primary aim is to assess the global variation in postoperative complications. We will determine the frequency of postoperative complications across low-, middle- and high-income countries, further stratifying by age, sex, and surgical speciality.

Secondary Aims

  • 1 Global variation in postoperative infective complications and antimicrobial resistance rates.
  • 2 Global variation in postoperative mortality rates and underlying reasons for postoperative mortality.
  • 3 Global variation in access to and outcomes associated with minimally invasive and robotic surgery.
  • 4 Global variation in the outcomes of the Bellwether procedures (laparotomy, caesarean delivery, and open fracture management).

Study at a Glance

Prospective observational trial

All surgical patients

All hospitals

6× 1-week data collection periods

30-day follow-up

Primary outcome — Complications

All collaborators will be included as PubMed-citable co-authors on resulting publications.

Data Collection Timeline

Six one-week data collection blocks run from late August through to mid-October 2026, each followed by a 30-day follow-up period.

Block Inclusion Starts Inclusion Ends 30-day Follow-up Ends
Block 1 00:00, 31 August 2026 23:59, 6 September 2026 6 October 2026
Block 2 00:00, 7 September 2026 23:59, 13 September 2026 13 October 2026
Block 3 00:00, 14 September 2026 23:59, 20 September 2026 20 October 2026
Block 4 00:00, 21 September 2026 23:59, 27 September 2026 27 October 2026
Block 5 00:00, 28 September 2026 23:59, 4 October 2026 3 November 2026
Block 6 00:00, 5 October 2026 23:59, 11 October 2026 10 November 2026
Local Approvals: Principal investigators and hospital leads at each participating site are responsible for obtaining necessary local approvals in line with their hospital's regulations.