Risk prediction tools, including ASA and POSSUM-based scores, can benefit older general surgical patients but should be used alongside clinical assessment due to challenges in predicting outcomes.
Do risk prediction tools accurately predict outcomes in older general surgical patients?
Risk prediction tools like ASA and POSSUM scores are beneficial in older general surgical patients but must be combined with expert clinical assessment.
Summary This review identifies and examines the clinical application of risk prediction tools, including the American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) Classification System and POSSUM-based scores, in the older general surgical patient. Predicting outcomes in this patient group remains difficult; it is challenging to design a risk prediction tool that will apply to both emergency and elective surgery and that remains valid across the wide age range that this patient group encompasses. Risk prediction tools can have benefit but should be used in conjunction with the clinical assessment of those experienced in the care of this challenging patient group.
Middleton et al. (Sun,) conducted a review in Older general surgical patients. Risk prediction tools (ASA Classification System and POSSUM-based scores) was evaluated. Risk prediction tools, including ASA and POSSUM-based scores, can benefit older general surgical patients but should be used alongside clinical assessment due to challenges in predicting outcomes.