Brooks-Brunn identified risk factors associated with pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. This can help identify patients who may require closer monitoring and more aggressive preventive measures. The author is from Indiana University in Indianapolis.
Pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery included:
(1) atelectasis
(2) pneumonia
The pulmonary outcomes did not include pulmonary emboli, pneumothorax, respiratory failure or other possible pulmonary complications.
Parameters:
(1) age
(2) body mass index (BMI
(3) past medical history of cancer
(4) cognitive function prior to surgery
(5) abdominal incision site
(6) cigarette smoking history in past 8 weeks
Parameters |
Finding |
Points |
---|---|---|
age in years |
< 60 years |
0 |
|
>= 60 years |
1 |
body mass index |
< 27 kg per meter squared |
0 |
|
>= 27 kg per meter squared |
1 |
past medical history |
none |
0 |
|
present |
1 |
cognitive function prior to surgery |
not impaired |
0 |
|
impaired |
1 |
abdominal incision site |
does not involve the upper abdomen |
0 |
|
involves the upper abdomen (upper abdomen alone or involves both upper and lower abdomen) |
1 |
cigarette smoking history in past 8 weeks |
negative |
0 |
|
positive for smoking |
1 |
where:
• BMI = (body weight in kilograms) / ((body height in meters)^2)
• Laparoscopic techniques may reduce the risk associated with upper abdominal incisions.
total number of risk factors =
= SUM(points for all 6 risk factors)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 6
• The more risk factors the higher the risk for postoperative complications.
Of these risk factors, smoking cessation is a modifiable risk factor. The choice of an incision to avoid the upper abdomen may be modifiable. Weight reduction could be done if there is sufficient time prior the operation.
Purpose: To identify a patient with significant risk for postoperative pulmonary complications using the risk factors of Brooks-Brunn.
Specialty: Pulmonology, Surgery, general
Objective: risk factors, complications, complication detection
ICD-10: C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C22, C23, C24, C25, C38, C51, C52, C53, C54, C55, C56, C58, C61, C64, C65, C66, C67, J43, K35, K40-K46, K65, K74,