Usefulness of the Surgical Apgar Score to Predict the Occurrence of Major Complications in the Early Post-Operative Period of Major Surgeries: Experience of Two Second-Category Hospitals in Cameroon

Objective: The Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) is a tool for intraoperative stratification of the risk of serious complications in the early postoperative period. It varies from 0 to 10 points divided into three risk categories (0 to 4 high, 5 to 7 moderate, 8 to 10 low). The aim of the study was to evaluate its relevance in predicting the appearance of these complications. Material and methods: This descriptive and analytical study was carried out at the “Laquintinie” Hospital in Douala and at the Central Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. The main data were collected on a population of patients over 18 years old and recorded on a survey form. They consisted of variables of main interest and exposure variables. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using top-down logistic regression models made it possible to evaluate the association of each variable of main interest and each exposure variable. The association was significant at P Results: Of the 88 patients studied, the SAS was 3 hours. In multivariate, this link persisted only and strongly for the SAS OR (IC) 0.1 (0.1 - 0.2) and p = 000. Conclusion: The study found a specific and powerful link between the SAS score < 4 and the occurrence of complications in the early postoperative period, in favor of its relevance in predicting them.

Predictability of Surgical Apgar Score for postoperative outcomes in hip fractures: A prospective observational study

Objective:To assess the utility and validation of the Surgical Apgar Score(SAS)in predicting postoperative complications of hip fractures.Methods:This prospective observational study included patients who received operations for hip fractures from 1st March 2017 to 30th June 2018 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery,Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College.Patients were followed at the outpatient department,and complications and mortality were recorded through phone calls.The predictability of SAS for postoperative complications was assessed.Results:SAS≤4 was found as a significant predictor for postoperative pulmonary(P=0.008)and cardiac complications(P=0.042)as well as blood transfusion required to optimize postoperative hemoglobin(P=0.03)in the patients with hip fractures.Conclusions:SAS provides reliable feedback information about patients'postoperative risk during the surgery.Hip fracture patients with scores≤4 should be monitored for major complications both during the hospital admission and after the discharge.

Utility of the Surgical Apgar Score in pancreatic cancer and modification

Objectives:The Surgical Apgar Score(SAS)can predict the incidence of complications in different surgical fields.However,it is rarely studied in pancreatic cancer.The aim of the present study was to assess the predictive value of the SAS in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC),and then propose a modified SAS which was more suitable for pancreatic cancer patients.Materials and methods:A prospective cohort study of 160 PDAC patients was concluded.The primary endpoint was 30-day major complications.The SAS was calculated as described.The overall discriminatory power of the score was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve(AUC)with respect to major complications or death.Results:It showed a significant predictive value of SAS in major complications or death in PDAC(p=0.020,AUC=0.606),especially in complication of pneumonia(p=0.022)and pleural effusion(p=0.023).In addition,the SAS exert significant predictive value in distal pancreatectomy group,but it has a weak predictive value for pancreaticoduodenectomy group.On multivariable analyses,occurrence of major postoperative complications was associated with lowest mean arterial pressure,estimated blood loss and operative time.Interestingly,as a characteristic of SAS,lowest heart rate was not involved.The modified SAS we proposed including lowest mean arterial pressure,estimated blood loss and operative time increased AUC from 0.606 to 0.743.Conclusions:The SAS can be a simple,rapid scoring system that effectively predicts major postoperative complications.Besides,the modified SAS we proposed in this study,which included lowest mean arterial pressure,estimated blood loss and operative time,exert a better predictive value in PDAC patients.