BACKGROUND: The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) is a simple scoring system previously validated in general surgical patients which enables estimation of the risk of complications and death after operation. The Portsmouth predictor equation (P-POSSUM) is a modification that may result in more accurate prediction of death than POSSUM. The aim of this study was to test the validity of POSSUM and P-POSSUM in patients undergoing major arterial surgery in a specialist unit. METHODS: Physiological and operative severity scores in 221 patients undergoing elective and emergency arterial surgery in a pure vascular practice under a single consultant were recorded prospectively. Observed morbidity and mortality rates were compared with the rates predicted by POSSUM and P-POSSUM using a linear method of analysis. RESULTS: The POSSUM equation overestimated deaths with this analysis but the mortality rate estimated by P-POSSUM was not significantly different from the observed death rate. The risk of morbidity predicted by POSSUM was not significantly different from the observed complication rate. CONCLUSION: The POSSUM methodology combined with the P-POSSUM adjustment for death allows satisfactory prediction of mortality and morbidity rates in patients undergoing vascular surgery.
BACKGROUND: The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) is a simple scoring system previously validated in general surgical patients which enables estimation of the risk of complications and death after operation. The Portsmouth predictor equation (P-POSSUM) is a modification that may result in more accurate prediction of death than POSSUM. The aim of this study was to test the validity of POSSUM and P-POSSUM in patients undergoing major arterial surgery in a specialist unit. METHODS: Physiological and operative severity scores in 221 patients undergoing elective and emergency arterial surgery in a pure vascular practice under a single consultant were recorded prospectively. Observed morbidity and mortality rates were compared with the rates predicted by POSSUM and P-POSSUM using a linear method of analysis. RESULTS: The POSSUM equation overestimated deaths with this analysis but the mortality rate estimated by P-POSSUM was not significantly different from the observed death rate. The risk of morbidity predicted by POSSUM was not significantly different from the observed complication rate. CONCLUSION: The POSSUM methodology combined with the P-POSSUM adjustment for death allows satisfactory prediction of mortality and morbidity rates in patients undergoing vascular surgery.
Authors: Féthi Merad; Gabriel Baron; Blandine Pasquet; Henry Hennet; Gérard Kohlmann; Fred Warlin; Bruno Desrousseaux; Abe Fingerhut; Philippe Ravaud; Jean-Marie Hay Journal: World J Surg Date: 2012-10 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Hemant M Kocher; Paris P Tekkis; Palepu Gopal; Ameet G Patel; Simon Cottam; Irving S Benjamin Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-04-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: S M M de Castro; J T Houwert; S M Lagarde; J B Reitsma; O R C Busch; T M van Gulik; H Obertop; D J Gouma Journal: World J Surg Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 3.352