Toward a More Sensitive Endpoint for Assessing Postoperative Complications in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Comparison Between Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) and Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC)

Background The comprehensive complication index (CCI) is a novel approach to evaluate complications. However, application of the CCI in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population is scarce and the difference between the CCI and the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the CCI to the conventional CDC by applying the CCI among the IBD patients. Methods The data of 426 IBD patients who underwent surgery between September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2017 were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for postoperative complications. The efficacy of CCI and CDC was compared using correlation analysis and logistic regression. Cumulative sum control (CUSUM) models were applied to monitor the CCI continuously. Results Totally, 297 complications occurred in 144 (33.8%) patients. The rate of severe complications (CDC grade ≥ III) was 12.9% and the mean CCI was 9.8 ± 15.5. Preoperative glucocorticoids usage and previous abdominal surgery were related to higher CCI value ( p = 0.002, p = 0.006, respectively) but not related to higher incidence of severe complications (CDC grade ≥ III) ( p = 0.117, p = 0.177, respectively). In patients with multiple complications, the CCI demonstrated a stronger correlation with hospital stay ( ρ = 0.604, p < 0.001) than CDC ( ρ = 0.508, p < 0.001). Higher CCI value ( p < 0.001, OR 1.161, 95% CI 1.093–1.234) and the CDC grade ( p < 0.001, OR 3.811, 95% CI 2.283–6.362) were risk factors for prolonged LOS. In the CUSUM-CCI model of IBD surgery, a gradual decrease was observed over time. Conclusions The CCI and the CDC are both risk factors for prolonged postoperative LOS after surgery for IBD patients. The CCI is more strongly correlated with postoperative LOS than is the conventional CDC. The CUSUM-CCI model is effective in monitoring surgical quality.