Background
The objective of our study was to evaluate the predictors of mortality, preoperatively, for risk stratification of the patients and institution of an early goal-directed therapy.

Materials and Methods
Two hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients presenting with perforation peritonitis, in the age group of 18–82 years scheduled for emergency laparotomy were studied prospectively. The parameters studied were age and sex of the patients, duration of symptoms, delay in initiating surgical intervention, and preoperative biochemical parameters \hemoglobin, random blood sugar, blood urea, serum creatinine, and Mannheim peritonitis index.

Results
We encountered a mortality of 14.6% in our study. Multiple linear (enter) regression identified the age, duration of symptoms, preoperative blood sugar levels, blood urea, serum creatinine levels, Mannheim Peritonitis Index, and the delay in instituting surgical intervention as independent predictors of mortality. Hyperlactatemia, acidosis and base excess were not found to be associated with mortality.

Conclusion
Routine biochemical investigations, delay in presentation, and surgical intervention are good predictors of mortality. Recognizing such patients early may help the surgeons and anesthesiologists in risk stratification and in providing an early goal-directed therapy.