Predicting major complications following laparotomy for gastrointestinal conditions using surgical Apgar score: A prospective analysis in a Nigerian population

• Published in: Journal of the West African College of Surgeons Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 24 - 29
• Main Authors: Muhammad, Saminu, Sheshe, Abdurrahman, Naaya, Habila, Suleiman, Ibrahim, Bello, Usman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.07.2022; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Original; major complication and laparotomy; prediction; Efficacy; surgical apgar score
• ISSN: 2276-6944
• DOI: 10.4103/jwas.jwas_92_22

Background: Surgical Apgar score (SAS) is one of the risk assessment tools used in predicting postoperative complications. It is a simple and inexpensive tool composed of three intra-operative variables; lowest heart rate, lowest mean arterial blood pressure, and estimated blood loss, which are scored with a total of 10 points, based on which patients are risk stratified for developing post-operative complications. SAS was found to have good predictive accuracy for post-operative morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of SAS in predicting major complications following laparotomy for gastrointestinal conditions. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective observational study, conducted in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Eighty-three adult patients, who required laparotomy for gastrointestinal conditions were recruited. Data was collected using proforma, and patients were followed up for 30 days. The intra-operative parameters for SAS were scored, and according to the scores, patients were risk stratified for developing post-operative complications. The data were analyzed; sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the SAS were determined. Results: A total of 83 patients were recruited in the study. About half (44.6%) of the patients developed major post-operative complications and a mortality rate of 7.2%. Most of the patients that died had low SAS. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC of SAS found were: 83.8%. 47.8%, 63.9% and 0.74 (95% CI; 0.63-0.84, P < 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that SAS is efficacious in predicting major complications following laparotomy for gastrointestinal conditions.