This estimates a patient's risk of developing lung complications after surgery, based on patient and procedure-related factors, helping guide preoperative planning.
Low risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.
Intermediate risk.
High risk — optimize and monitor closely.
Upper abdominal and thoracic incisions impair diaphragm function and coughing far more than peripheral procedures, substantially raising postoperative pulmonary complication risk.
A score under 26 is low risk, 26–44 is intermediate, and 45 or higher is high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.
Respiratory failure, respiratory infection, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, bronchospasm, and aspiration pneumonitis within the postoperative period.
It guides preoperative optimization and postoperative planning — lung expansion techniques, careful analgesia, and closer respiratory monitoring.