Assessment of Clavien-Dindo classification in patients >75 years undergoing nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of a standardized post-operative complications grading system in urology especially in the elderly population. Studies show satisfactory survival and oncological outcomes albeit with a slight increase in post-operative morbidity compared to younger patients. The Clavien-Dindo classification for post-operative complications is established as a valid system worldwide and applicable in many fields of surgery. PURPOSE: Retrospective assessment of post-operative complications in patients >75 years who underwent open/laparoscopic nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy for renal diseases and grading the post-operative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of case notes was performed in patients >75 years who underwent a laparoscopic/open nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy between 2000 and 2008. Post-operative complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients >75 years underwent nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy. 29 patients had laparoscopy and 25 had open surgery. Fifty one patients had a malignancy and 3 had benign diseases. Grade I, II, IIIa, IIIb and IVa were 25.6%, 41.1%, 7.7%, 7.7% and 17.9% respectively. No significant difference was noted in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that in elderly patients, laparoscopic surgery can be offered safely without significantly increasing the surgical risks. The Clavien-Dindo classification is easy to use and effectively applied to categorize post-operative complications associated with nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy in elderly population. However, this system needs slight modification to incorporate intra-operative complications and large studies are needed to validate and standardize this classification for all urological procedures.