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

SurgWeek‑2 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 specialty.

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

9× 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

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

Block Inclusion Starts Inclusion Ends 30-day Follow-up Ends
Block 1 00:00, 31st August 2026 23:59, 6th September 2026 6th October 2026
Block 2 00:00, 7th September 2026 23:59, 13th September 2026 13th October 2026
Block 3 00:00, 14th September 2026 23:59, 20th September 2026 20th October 2026
Block 4 00:00, 21st September 2026 23:59, 27th September 2026 27th October 2026
Block 5 00:00, 28th September 2026 23:59, 4th October 2026 3rd November 2026
Block 6 00:00, 5th October 2026 23:59, 11th October 2026 10th November 2026
Block 7 00:00, 12th October 2026 23:59, 18th October 2026 17th November 2026
Block 8 00:00, 19th October 2026 23:59, 25th October 2026 24th November 2026
Block 9 00:00, 26th October 2026 23:59, 1st November 2026 1st December 2026
Local Approvals: Hospital Leads at each participating site are responsible for obtaining necessary local approvals in line with their hospital's regulations.