Evaluation of Clinical Outcome of Patients Undergoing Emergency Laparotomy with the Help of Portsmouth Predictor Equation for Mortality (P-Possum Score)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Emergency laparotomy, though lifesaving, mayresult in significant morbidity and mortality. In an attempt toclinically evaluate patients undergoing emergency laparotomyand predict their mortality using the worldwide acceptedPortsmouth Predictor equation for mortality (P POSSUM), thepresent study was undertaken in the Surgery department of atertiary care hospital in eastern India.Material and methods: This observational cross-sectionalstudy included 60 patients aged between 15 to 75 years,undergoing emergency laparotomy during the specified studyperiod of one and half years.Results: It was observed that out of 60 patients, 63.3%were male, and mean age was 40.60 (16.67) years. Pepticperforation was the most common indication for laparotomy.Mean P POSSUM predicted mortality risk was 40.617%(Range-0.8 to 99.7). Twenty-four patients died during hospitalstay. ROC curve analysis of P POSSUM scores revealed thatif a cut off value of P POSSUM score of 42.45% was selected,mortality could be predicted with a sensitivity of 70.80% anda specificity of 83.30%.Conclusion: Thus, P POSSUM might be a useful tool inpredicting risk of short-term mortality following emergencylaparotomy