Description

Teh et al evaluated factors affecting mortality following surgery in a patient with cirrhosis. These can help inform a patient and family about the risks associated with surgery and can aid their decision making. The authors are from the Mayo Clinic.


As shown in Figure 1 (page 1264), the short and long-term mortality is comparable for patients with cirrhosis irregardless of whether no surgery, minor surgery or major surgery is performed. Under the best of circumstances mortality at 5 years is around 50%.

 

Patient selection: ASA class I to IV. ASA V is associated with a very high mortality rate and surgery is usually not advisable.

 

Parameters:

(1) age in years

(2) preoperative MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) score

(3) ASA classification

 

Risk increases for:

(1) age > 70 years: equivalent to an additional 3 points to the MELD score

(2) ASA class IV: equivalent to an additional 5.5 points to the MELD score

 

adjusted MELD score =

= (preoperative MELD score) + (age adjustment) + (ASA class adjustment)

 

MELD Score

90 Day Mortality

0

2.2%

5

11.5%

10

22.8%

15

35.4%

20

50%

25

65%

30

79.3%

from Figure 3, page 1267

 

predicted 90 day mortality =

= (0.02262 * ((MELD)^2)) + (1.932 * (MELD)) + 1.695

 

Ideal surgical candidate:

(1) < 30 years old

(2) MELD score < 5

(3) ASA class I or II

 

Additional factors:

(1) Male gender is associated with increased mortality during the first year after surgery.

(2) Emergency surgery does not affect mortality but prolongs hospitalization.


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.