Grade | Definition |
---|---|
I | Any deviation from the normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacological treatment or surgical, endoscopic or radiological intervention |
Allowed therapeutic regimens are: drugs as antiemetics, antipyretics, analgesics, diuretics, electrolytes and physiotherapy | |
This grade also includes wound infections opened at the bedside | |
II | Requiring pharmacological treatment with drugs other than those allowed for grade I complications |
Blood transfusions and total parenteral nutrition are also included | |
III | Requiring surgical, endoscopic or radiological intervention |
IIIa | Intervention, not under general anesthesia |
IIIb | Intervention, under general anesthesia |
IV | Life-threatening complication (including central nervous system complications)a requiring intermediate care or intensive care unit management |
IVa | Single organ dysfunction (including dialysis) |
IVb | Multiorgan dysfunction |
V | Death of a patient |
Suffix ‘d’ | If the patient suffers from a complication at the time of discharge (see examples in Table 1), the suffix ‘d’ (for ‘disability’) is added to the respective grade of complication. This label indicates the need for a follow-up to fully evaluate the complication. |