ObjectiveTo investigate the reason, prevention, and treatment measures of gastrointestinal unplanned reoperation. MethodsClinical data of 21 patients who carried out gastrointestinal unplanned reoperation for various reasons from Jun. 2012 to Jun. 2013 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsTwenty-one of 2 492 patients with gastrointestinal tract surgery carried out gastrointestinal unplanned reoperation, and the incidence of reoperation was 0.8%. The causes of reoperation were intra-abdominal hemorrhage in 10 cases, gastrointestinal fistula in 7 cases, inflammatory intestinal obstruction with peritonitis in 1 case, and incision dehiscence in 3 cases. After undergoing suture hemostasis, colostomy, anastomotic fistula repair, debridement, and suture,20 cases were cured or improved, and 1 case died. The median of hospitalization expense was 76 000 yuan(46 000-116 000 yuan), and the median of hospital stay was 25-day(16-49 days). ConclusionsGastrointestinal unplanned reoperation can cause more serious economic and emotional burden to patients, standardizing surgical procedure and enhancing perioperative monitoring can reduce the incidence of unplanned reoperation. In addition, grasp legitimately the indications of reoperation, implement timely, and effective reoperation can avoid further deterioration of the disease.