The Clavien-Dindo classification of postoperative complications
| Grade | Definition (examples listed in italics) |
|---|---|
| I | Any deviation from the normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacological treatment other than the “allowed therapeutic regimens”, or surgical, endoscopic and radiological interventions Allowed therapeutic regimens are: drugs as antiemetics, antipyretics, analgesics, diuretics and electrolytes. This grade also includes physiotherapy and wound infections opened at the bedside but not treated with antibiotics Examples: Ileus, thrombophlebitis |
| II | Requiring pharmacological treatment with drugs beyond those allowed for grade I complications. Blood transfusions and total parenteral nutrition are also included Examples: Surgical site infection treated with antibiotics, myocardial infarction treated medically, deep venous thrombosis treated with low-molecular weight heparin, pneumonia or urinary tract infection treated with antibiotics |
| III | Requiring surgical, endoscopic or radiological intervention Examples: return to theatre for any reason, endoscopic therapy, interventional radiology |
| IV | Life-threatening complication requiring critical care management; CNS complications including brain haemorrhage and ischaemic stroke (excluding TIA), subarachnoidal bleeding Examples: Single or multiorgan dysfunction requiring critical care management, for example, pneumonia with ventilator support, renal failure with filtration |
| V | Death of a patient |
CNS, central nervous system; TIA, transient ischaemic attack.