<b>PRE-OPERATIVE HAND GRIP STRENGTH AS A PREDICTOR OF POST-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN EMERGENCY GENERAL SURGERY</b>

Background: Emergency general surgery (EGS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, requiring rapid and reliable tools for pre-operative risk assessment. Hand grip strength (HGS) is an objective, inexpensive, and non-invasive measure of overall muscle strength and physiological reserve. This study aimed to evaluate pre-operative hand grip strength as a predictor of post-operative complications in patients undergoing emergency general surgery. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro. A total of 120 adult patients undergoing emergency general surgical procedures were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Pre-operative hand grip strength was measured using a calibrated hand dynamometer and categorized into low and normal grip strength groups using standardized cut-off values. Post-operative complications were recorded during hospital stay. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Associations between hand grip strength and post-operative complications were assessed using appropriate statistical tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Of the 120 patients, 46 (38.3%) had low pre-operative hand grip strength and 74 (61.7%) had normal grip strength. Post-operative complications were observed in 39 (32.5%) patients. Complications were more frequent in patients with low hand grip strength (52.2%) compared with those with normal grip strength (20.3%). Mean hand grip strength was lower among patients who developed complications. Conclusion: Pre-operative hand grip strength is a simple and effective predictor of post-operative complications in emergency general surgery and may aid in early risk stratification and perioperative planning.