The Comprehensive Complication Index. Proposed modification to improve estimates of perioperative morbidity after radical cystectomy. A pilot study

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article was to compare the 30-day morbidity after radical cystectomy comparing the prevalent Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC) and the novel Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between particular clinical features and the severity of perioperative morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients were included into the study (33 men and 9 women) who underwent open radical cystectomy (RC) with bilateral lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer. The selection of complications was based on groundbreaking research on morbidity after RC. The assessment of perioperative complications was performed using the CDC and then the CCI. RESULTS: The CCI was found to be a significant upgrade in capturing cumulative morbidity in comparison to the CDC when used as the only evaluational tool. CONCLUSIONS: Using only the CDC may underestimate the severity of perioperative complications. Unfavorable clinical features e.g. older age, chronic kidney disease (CKD), persistent nodal (pN+) disease, prior abdominal and pelvic surgeries as well as smoking are of significant importance for the increase of the severity of perioperative complications.