The surgical Apgar score predicts postoperative complications and the survival in lung cancer patients

PURPOSE: The surgical Apgar score (SAS)-calculated using the intraoperative variables estimated blood loss, lowest heart rate, and lowest mean systolic pressure-is associated with mortality in cancer surgery. We investigated the utility of the SAS in patients with lung cancer undergoing surgery.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 691 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer between 2015 and 2019 in a single institute and analyzed the impact of the SAS.

RESULTS: Of the 691 patients, 138 (20%), 57 (8.2%), and 7 (1.0%) had postoperative complications of all grades, grades ≥ III, and grade V, respectively, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The C-index for postoperative complications of grades ≥ III was 0.605. A lower score (0-5 points) (odds ratio 3.09 against 8-10 points, P = 0.04) and a lower percentage of vital capacity (odds ratio 0.97, P = 0.04) were independent negative risk factors for major postoperative complications. Patients with a lower score (0-5 points) had poor 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival rates (60.1% and 72.3%, respectively; P < 0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS: The surgical Apgar score predicted postoperative complications and the long-term survival. Surgeons may improve surgical results using the SAS.