Clinical Research Directory

Surgical Apgar Score for Identifying Patients Who May Need Intensive Care After Emergency Abdominal Surgery

This prospective observational study will evaluate whether the Surgical Apgar Score can help identify patients who require direct admission to the intensive care unit after emergency abdominal surgery. The study will include patients aged over 12 and under 90 years undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy at Mayo Hospital Lahore. The Surgical Apgar Score will be calculated immediately after surgery using three routinely recorded intraoperative factors: estimated blood loss, lowest mean arterial pressure, and lowest heart rate. Patients will be categorized into low Surgical Apgar Score (≤7) and high Surgical Apgar Score (\>7) groups. The frequency of direct intensive care unit admission will be compared between the two groups to determine whether a low Surgical Apgar Score is associated with increased need for postoperative intensive care.