Complications of elective liver resections in a center with low mortality: a simple score to predict morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a score predicting the morbidity of liver resections in a center with low mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: The study was based on a prospective database of all liver resections performed at the Geneva University Hospitals between January 1, 1991, and October 30, 2009 (a total of 726 elective liver resections in 689 patients). Perioperative complications and their severity were graded according to the original classification by Clavien et al. Variables independently associated with the occurrence of complications were identified using a linear regression analysis model. A score was computed with all independent variables in an assessment population including two-thirds of the liver resections and was further validated in a population including one-third of the liver resections.
RESULTS: Overall mortality was 0.7% (5 of 726 liver resections). We recorded 375 different complications in 259 hepatic resections (36% of resections had ≥ 1 complication). In the assessment group, resection of 3 or more segments, an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or higher, and resection for a malignant neoplasm independently predicted the risk of complications. A score integrating these 3 factors significantly predicted the risk of postoperative complications. The score also correlated with the occurrence of major complications.
CONCLUSION: The score allows for identification of patients most susceptible to complications, in whom efforts against specific postoperative morbidities can be concentrated.