Boyd‐Carson H, Shah A, Sugavanam A, et al. - Given the correlation of preoperative anemia with poor outcomes after elective surgery, researchers here examined if and how it is correlated with outcomes after emergency surgery. Using National Emergency Laparotomy Audit data from December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2017, they identified 86,763 patients with available primary outcome of 90‐day mortality; of these, 45,306 (52%) were anemic. Deaths at 90 postoperative days were reported of 12,667 (15%) and deaths at 30 postoperative days were reported of 9,246 (11%). Increased 90‐day and 30‐day mortality was observed in correlation with anemia. All categories of anemia (‘mild’ 129–110 g.l−1; ‘moderate’ 109–80 g.l−1; or ‘severe’ ≤ 79 g.l−1) were correlated with prolonged hospital stay. Increased risk of return to the operating theater was observed in presence of moderate and severe anemia. Outcomes thereby suggest preoperative anemia as a common finding in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and its correlation with raised postoperative mortality and morbidity.