Extended Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications: Japan Clinical Oncology Group postoperative complications criteria

365 springeropen Surgery Today Surg Today PMC4848327 4848327 4848327 26289837 10.1007/s00595-015-1236-x Extended Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications: Japan Clinical Oncology Group postoperative complications criteria Katayama Hiroshi 1 Kurokawa Yukinori 2 Nakamura Kenichi 1 Ito Hiroyuki 3 Kanemitsu Yukihide 4 Masuda Norikazu 5 Tsubosa Yasuhiro 6 Satoh Toyomi 7 Yokomizo Akira 8 Fukuda Haruhiko 1 Sasako Mitsuru 9 ✉ 1 Japan Clinical Oncology Group Data Center/Operations Office, Center for Research Administration and Support, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan 2 Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan 3 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan 4 Colorectal Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan 5 Department of Surgery, Breast Oncology, National Hospital Organization, Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan 6 Division of Esophageal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan 7 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan 8 Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan 9 Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan ✉ Corresponding author.

20 8 2015 46 668 668–685 12 5 2016 © The Author(s) 2015 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Abstract

Purpose

mechanismscontent_tagsPrior to publication of the Clavien-Dindo classification in 2004, there were no grading definitions for surgical complications in either clinical practice or surgical trials. This report establishes supplementary criteria for this classification to standardize the evaluation of postoperative complications in clinical trials.

Methods

The Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) commissioned a committee. Members from nine surgical study groups (gastric, esophageal, colorectal, lung, breast, gynecologic, urologic, bone and soft tissue, and brain) specified postoperative complications experienced commonly in their fields and defined more detailed grading criteria for each complication in accordance with the general grading rules of the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Results

We listed 72 surgical complications experienced commonly in surgical trials, focusing on 17 gastroenterologic complications, 13 infectious complications, six thoracic complications, and several other complications. The grading criteria were defined simply and were optimized for surgical complications.

Conclusions

The JCOG postoperative complications criteria (JCOG PC criteria) aim to standardize the terms used to define adverse events (AEs) and provide detailed grading guidelines based on the Clavien-Dindo classification. We believe that the JCOG PC criteria will allow for more precise comparisons of the frequency of postoperative complications among trials across many different surgical fields.

Keywords: JCOG postoperative complications criteria (JCOG PC criteria), Clavien-Dindo classification, Postoperative complications

status released display-pdf yes is-in-collection-domain yes is-olf no is-manuscript no is-preprint no is-journal-matter no is-scanned no is-retracted no Received 2015 Apr 24; Accepted 2015 Jun 14; Issue date 2016.

Introduction

The evaluation of postoperative complications in surgical trials is as important as the assessment of toxicities in chemotherapy trials. Prior to the proposal of a therapy-oriented classification scheme, by Clavien PA et al. in 1992 [ 1 ], there were no accepted definitions for the grading of surgical complications in clinical practice. This framework proposed by Clavien et al. was not used widely, because there was no system for the grading of severity of surgical complications [ 2 ] and no uniform definition of these events. mechanismssensescontent_tagscontent_tagscontent_tagsFor instance, some surgeons included a body temperature greater than 38 °C on two consecutive days as being “high”, whereas others included intraoperative complications, postoperative complications (within 30 days), and late events such as dumping syndrome. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) [ 3 ] have used this classification system, with individual parochial definitions of surgical complications being used in most surgical RCTs [ 4 – 6 ].

In cancer clinical trials, adverse events (AEs) are evaluated in accordance with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), which is far from exhaustive in terms of surgical complications; thus, some surgeons are not comfortable using grading definitions. The Clavien-Dindo classification, published in 2004 [ 7 ] defined a simple classification of postoperative complications, which has been adopted widely in clinical practice. content_tagsAlthough this classification categorizes postoperative complications broadly into four major groups, it is often desirable to more clearly define the common AEs to avoid the use of different or less precise terms for the same AEs occurring in different clinical trials. More detailed grading criteria for common AEs would also be helpful for surgeons. Therefore, our aim was to establish supplementary criteria for the Clavien-Dindo classification to standardize the evaluation of postoperative complications.

Methods

The Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) commissioned a committee to establish more precise criteria for the grading of surgical complications. The committee comprised members from nine JCOG study groups (gastric, esophageal, colorectal, lung, breast, gynecologic, urologic, bone and soft tissue, and brain) who have extensive experience with surgical trials. These groups established the JCOG postoperative complications criteria (JCOG PC criteria). Members identified the postoperative complications experienced commonly in their fields and defined detailed grades for each complication in accordance with the general grading rules of the Clavien-Dindo classification. The JCOG PC criteria were reviewed and approved by the JCOG Executive Committee and published on the JCOG website in October, 2011 (in Japanese) [ 8 ].

Results

object_of_studycontributionclaim_typeconcepts↗concepts↗concept_edgescontent_tags↗content_tagsThe JCOG PC criteria included 72 surgical AEs experienced commonly in surgical trials, including 17 gastroenterological complications, 13 infectious complications, six thoracic complications, and several other complications (Table  1 ). controlscontrolssensescontent_tagscontent_tags↗If no applicable AE terms are found in the JCOG PC criteria, ‘other (specify)’ should be chosen. In such cases, the appropriate AE term should be used, and the overall grading should be performed in accordance with the general rules of the Clavien-Dindo classification. mechanismsBecause the grading definitions follow the general rules of the Clavien-Dindo classification, surgeons can use these original rules to grade AEs, and can also refer to the more detailed definitions in the JCOG PC criteria if necessary. Table  2 lists the differences between CTCAE, the Clavien-Dindo classification, and the JCOG PC criteria.

concepts↗Table 1 List of surgical adverse event (AE) terms and gradings

Principle of grading

I II IIIa IIIb IVa IVb V Supplemental explanation of suffix “d”

AE term mechanismsconcepts↗sensesAny deviation from the normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacological treatment or surgical, endoscopic, or radiological interventions. Allowed therapeutic regimens include drugs such as antiemetics, antipyretics, analgesics, diuretics, electrolytes, and physiotherapy. This grade also includes wound infections opened at the bedside Requirement for pharmacological treatment with drugs other than those allowed for grade I complications Blood transfusions and total parenteral nutrition are also included Requirement for surgical, endoscopic or radiological intervention not under general anesthesia Requirement for surgical, endoscopic or radiological intervention under general anesthesia Life-threatening complications (including CNS complications)* requiring IC/ICU management. Single organ dysfunction (including dialysis) Life-threatening complications (including CNS complications)* requiring IC/ICU management. Multiple organ dysfunction Death of the patient mechanismsconcepts↗If the patient suffers from a complication at the time of discharge, the suffix “d” (for “disability”) is added to the respective grade of complication. This label indicates the need for a follow-up to fully evaluate the complication

Stroke Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., anticoagulant therapy) Radiological intervention without general anesthesia (e.g., intracerebrovascular treatment) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., drainage, surgical clipping, cerebrovascular bypass, carotid endarterectomy) IC/ICU management indicated IC/ICU management indicated; associated with respiratory failure Death Persistent hemiplegia

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Aspiration; medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Severe aspiration; food intake almost impossible; medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., vocal cord injection, tracheal puncture) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (including tracheostomy under sedation) Mechanical ventilation indicated Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Hoarseness, difficulty in speaking; communication through writing necessary; discharged with tracheostomy

Upper extremity paresthesia Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated Surgical intervention without general anesthesia indicated (e.g., nerve block) – – – – Persistent brachial paresthesia

Paresthesia in resected part (Phantom pain) Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated Surgical intervention without general anesthesia indicated (e.g., nerve block) – – – – Persistent phantom pain

Ischemic heart disease Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., anticoagulant therapy) Cardiac catheterization indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (coronary artery bypass) Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome; IC/ICU management indicated Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome and renal failure; IC/ICU management indicated Death Persistent heart failure following myocardial infarction

Pericardial effusion Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management indicated Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (fenestration) Cardiac tamponade; IC/ICU management indicated Cardiac tamponade and renal failure; IC/ICU management indicated Death –

Bradyarrhythmia Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., atropine, β agonists) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., pacemaker implantation) – Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome; IC/ICU management indicated Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome and renal failure; IC/ICU management indicated Death –

Supraventricular arrhythmia Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antiarrhythmic drugs) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., catheter ablation, synchronized cardioversion) – Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome; IC/ICU management indicated Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome and renal failure; IC/ICU management indicated Death –

Ventricular arrhythmia Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antiarrhythmic drugs) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., catheter ablation, external defibrillator, pacemaker implantation) – Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome; IC/ICU management indicated Heart failure associated with low cardiac output syndrome and renal failure; IC/ICU management indicated Death –

Atelectasis/sputum excretion difficulty Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated, except for nebulizers, expectorants, or lung physiotherapy (e.g., postural drainage) Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Bronchoscopic aspiration or surgical intervention indicated (e.g., tracheal puncture) without general anesthesia Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (including tracheostomy under sedation) Mechanical ventilation indicated Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with tracheostomy

Tracheal fistula, bronchial fistula Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated – Procedure under local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated Mechanical ventilation indicated Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with tube drainage, open drainage

Pulmonary fistula Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) – Procedure under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., chest tube drainage, pleurodesis) including drain replacement indicated. Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (Closure for pleuroparenchymal defects, pleurodesis) Mechanical ventilation indicated Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with tube drainage, open drainage

Chylothorax Observation of chylous drainage fluid or thoracentesis fluid only (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Fat-restricted diet, intravenous nutrition indicated Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., thoracic duct ligation) – – Death Persistent respiratory distress, malnutrition

Pleural effusion Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management indicated (e.g., diuretics) Image-guided drain placement/thoracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated Mechanical ventilation indicated Multiple organ failure Death Persistent respiratory distress

Lung torsion – – – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., detorsion, lobectomy) Mechanical ventilation indicated Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death –

Ascites Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management indicated (e.g., diuretics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Persistent abdominal fullness

Diarrhea Intestinal fluid excretion ≥2000 ml/day; intervention not indicated Intestinal fluid excretion ≥2000 ml/day associated with dehydration or electrolyte abnormality; intravenous fluids indicated – – At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Significant amount of persistent intestinal fluid excretion

Dysphagia Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated Enteral/intravenous nutrition (Including TPN) indicated Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., tracheal puncture, endoscopic gastrostomy) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Gastrostomy

Intestinal fistula Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (colostomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or renal disorders indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent enterocutaneous fistula

Intestinal ischemia/necrosis Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Radiological intervention/endoscopic/surgical intervention without general anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., intestinal resection) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders indicating mechanical ventilation or renal disorders indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Home enteral/intravenous nutrition

Gastric tube necrosis Observation of a small fistula with oral contrast study or drainage imaging (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management (e.g., antibiotics), enteral/intravenous nutrition indicated Radiological intervention/endoscopic/elective surgical intervention without general anesthesia indicated, including drain replacement Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death

Reflux esophagitis Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management (e.g., PPI, pancreatic enzyme inactivators) or enteral/intravenous nutrition indicated – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Persistent heartburn

Ileus (paralytic) Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; medical management not indicated except for laxatives and intravenous nutrition Medical management beyond laxatives, NG tube placement, or intravenous nutrition management indicated Nasoenteric tube placement Treatment for ileus under general anesthesia (with or without intestinal resection) Extensive intestinal necrosis, at least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Home intravenous nutrition

Pancreatic fistula On or after postoperative day 3, drainage fluid amylase level ≥3 times the upper limit of institutional criteria, but intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics), enteral/intravenous nutrition indicated Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual pancreatic pseudocyst on CT, occasional fever, or abdominal pain

Intestinal obstruction Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; medical management not indicated except for laxatives and intravenous nutrition Medical management beyond laxatives, NG tube placement, or intravenous nutrition management indicated Nasoenteric tube placement Treatment for ileus under general anesthesia (with or without intestinal resection) Extensive intestinal necrosis, at least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Home intravenous nutrition

Delayed gastric emptying Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management (e.g., peristalsis stimulating drugs), NG tube placement, enteral/intravenous nutrition indicated – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Persistent postprandial nausea

Dumping syndrome Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Persistent dumping symptom

Biliary fistula Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual pseudocyst on CT; occasional fever or abdominal pain

Cholecystitis Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; medical management not indicated except for cholagogues Medical management beyond cholagogues indicated Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (cholecystectomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Occasional fever or abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal anastomotic leak Only small fistula observed on oral contrast study or drainage imaging (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management (e.g., antibiotics) or enteral/intravenous nutrition (Including TPN) indicated Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including wound opening or drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., suture, reanastomosis, bypass, drainage, colostomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Home enteral/intravenous nutrition

Ureteric injury Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Transurethral ureteral stent insertion or percutaneous nephrostomy Intervention under general anesthesia indicated Acute renal failure, hemodialysis Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with ureteral stent

Urethral injury Foley catheter placement Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Intervention under local or lumbar anesthesia indicated (e.g., percutaneous cystostomy) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with Foley catheter placement

Postoperative hemorrhage Controllable with compression only Blood transfusion or medical management indicated Surgical hemostasis under local anesthesia or endoscopic and radiological intervention hemostasis indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (hemostasis) Single organ failure; stepdown ICU/ICU care indicated Multiple organ failure; IC/ICU management indicated Death Persistent anemia

Seroma (Accumulation of serous fluid) Bedside paracentesis only (drainage only through existing drainage tube) – Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Exudate leakage from wound, occasional fever and infection, discharged with drainage tube

Uterine anastomotic leak Clinical or vaginal observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (resuturing) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent leakage from uterovaginal anastomosis due to suture failure (surgical union of two different anatomical structures)

Abdominal incisional hernia Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated except for truss and NSAIDs Medical management beyond truss and NSAIDs indicated Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (mesh, fascial resuturing) Extensive intestinal necrosis, at least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Intestinal prolapse upon increased intra-abdominal pressure

Wound dehiscence Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated except for wound irrigation Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., resuturing) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., resuturing) Extensive intestinal necrosis, at least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with significant wound dehiscence

Gastrointestinal anastomotic stenosis Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Enteral/intravenous nutrition (Including TPN) indicated Balloon dilatation, stenting, magnetic compression anastomosis Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., reanastomosis, bypass) – – Death Frequent outpatient endoscopic dilatation

Intraabdominal abscess Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on CT, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Pelvic abscess Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on CT, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Pneumonia Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated except for nebulizers, expectorants, or lung physiotherapy (e.g., postural drainage) Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Bronchoscopic aspiration, tracheal puncture Tracheostomy under general anesthesia/sedation or mechanical ventilation Mechanical ventilation indicated Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent respiratory distress, occasional fever

Mediastinitis Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on CT images, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Pyothorax Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on CT images or discharged with tube drainage, open drainage

Lower extremity lymphangitis (Lymph node infection) Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (lymphatic anastomosis) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (lymphatic anastomosis) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure – Persistent edema

Infected lymphocele (Retroperitoneal abscess) Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Drainage under local anesthesia or without anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (incision and drainage) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on imaging study, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Infectious cervicitis Clinical or vaginal observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Drainage under local anesthesia or without anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage, hysterectomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent infected vaginal discharge

Uterine infection Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Dilation and curettage under local anesthesia or without anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage, hysterectomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on imaging study, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Ovarian infection Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Paracentesis drainage under local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage, oophorectomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on imaging study, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Vulval infection Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Paracentesis drainage under local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (drainage, skin flap, or musculocutaneous flap) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Residual abscess on imaging study, occasional fever or abdominal pain

Wound infection Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated, except for wound opening and wound irrigation at the bedside Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., drainage) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., drainage, resuturing) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Continued outpatient irrigation

Implant infection Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., incision and drainage, implant removal) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (implant removal) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with drainage tube placement; persistent infection

Bladder injury Foley catheter placement indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Discharged with Foley catheter placement

Urinary incontinence Intermittent catheterization or Foley catheter placement indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., anticholinergics) Intervention under local or lumbar anesthesia indicated (e.g., clamp, collagen injection) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., artificial urinary sphincter) Acute renal failure, hemodialysis Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent condition requiring Intermittent catheterization; Discharged with Foley catheter placement

Residual urine/Urinary retention Intermittent catheterization or Foley catheter placement indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., cholinergics) Intervention under local or lumbar anesthesia indicated (e.g., endoscopic treatment, urethral dilatation) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., fistula closure) Acute renal failure, hemodialysis Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent condition requiring intermittent catheterization; Discharged with Foley catheter placement

Dyspareunia Discomfort associated with vaginal penetration; intervention not indicated Estrogen administration indicated Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – – Persistent pain associated with sexual intercourse, persistent dyspareunia

Erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction; intervention not indicated, except for external vacuum device for managing erectile dysfunction Medical management indicated (e.g., Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors or intracavernosal injection of vasoactive agonists) Intervention under local or lumbar anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., penile prosthesis) – – – Persistent erectile dysfunction

Cervical atresia (uterine atresia) Clinical or vaginal observation only; intervention not indicated Associated with dysmenorrhea; medical management indicated (e.g., analgesics) Bougienage of cervical duct with or without local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (cervical dilatation) – – – Persistent stenosis of the cervical os

Vaginal fistula Clinical or vaginal observation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (vaginal fistula closure, colostomy) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Persistent leakage from vagina

Ovarian deficiency syndrome Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., hormone replacement therapy) – – – – Death Hot flash requiring continued hormone replacement therapy, depression requiring continued psychiatric care

Cervical chylous leakage Observation of chylous drainage fluid or paracentesis fluid only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Fat-restricted diet, intravenous nutrition indicated Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated. Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Persistent sensation of pressure in the neck

Serous leakage Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Exudate leakage from the wound, occasional fever and infection, discharged with drainage tube

Chylous ascites Observation of chylous drainage fluid or paracentesis fluid only; intervention not indicated (drainage only through existing drainage tube) Fat-restricted diet, intravenous nutrition indicated Image-guided drain placement/paracentesis including drain replacement indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – Death Persistent abdominal fullness

Subcutaneous phlebitis (Mondor disease) Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated except for NSAIDs Opioid administration, or treatment by pain control specialist indicated Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – – Surgical site subcutaneous phlebitis; cord-like mass

Thrombosis/embolism Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., anticoagulants) Invasive treatment indicated (e.g., thrombus ablation via catheter, IVC filter) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (pulmonary artery thrombectomy) Single organ failure caused by thrombi (e.g., lung, brain, heart) Multiple organ failure caused by thrombi (e.g., lung, brain, heart) Death Dyspnea following pulmonary infarction, paralysis following cerebral infarction

Restricted shoulder joint range of motion Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated except for NSAIDs Opioid administration, or treatment by pain control specialist indicated Surgical intervention without general anesthesia indicated (e.g., nerve block) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – – Continued restriction in the range of motion of the shoulder joint

Fat necrosis Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated except for wound opening and wound irrigation at the bedside Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., incision and drainage) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Wound fat necrosis, occasional cicatrization, fever or infection

Skin necrosis (flap necrosis) Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated Medical management indicated (e.g., antibiotics) Medical intervention under local anesthesia indicated (e.g., debridement, skin grafting) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (skin grafting) At least one organ failure (e.g., pulmonary disorders requiring mechanical ventilation or nephropathy indicating dialysis) Sepsis or multiple organ failure Death Insufficient epithelialization, persistent infection

Subcutaneous emphysema Clinical observation or diagnostic evaluation only; intervention not indicated except for subcutaneous puncture and compression with breast band at the bedside – Radiological intervention treatment without general anesthesia indicated (e.g., subcutaneous drain insertion) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated – – – Discharged with subcutaneous air accumulation

Upper extremity edema Intervention not indicated except for lymphatic massage and elastic stockings Medical management indicated (e.g., diuretics) Intervention under local anesthesia indicated (lymphatic anastomosis) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (lymphatic anastomosis) – – – Continued elastic stocking use

Lower extremity lymphedema (edema of the extremities, lymphedema, localized edema) Intervention not indicated except for lymphatic massage and elastic stockings Medical management indicated (e.g., diuretics) Intervention under local anesthesia indicated (lymphatic anastomosis) Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (lymphatic anastomosis) – – – Continued elastic stocking use

Obturator/femoral neuropathy (Gait disturbance) Intervention not indicated except for walking aid and rehabilitation Medical management indicated (e.g., vitamins) – Intervention under general anesthesia indicated (e.g., nerve suture) – – – Persistent restriction in lower extremity adduction

Wound pain Clinical observation only; intervention not indicated except for NSAIDs Opioid administration, or treatment by pain control specialist indicated Surgical intervention indicated (e.g., nerve block) – – – – Home pain control

Others (No AE term) Deviation from normal postoperative course. Medication, surgical intervention, endoscopic treatment, or radiological intervention treatment not indicated Treatment with antiemetics, antipyretics, analgesics, or diuretics; electrolyte replenishment; or physical therapy is not included in this category (even if these treatments are indicated, the condition is categorized as Grade I); open wound infection at the bedside is Grade I Medication indicated except for antiemetics, antipyretics, analgesics, and diuretics Cases requiring blood transfusion or intravenous hyperalimentation are included Surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention treatment indicated (without general anesthesia) Surgical, endoscopic, radiological intervention treatment indicated (intervention under general anesthesia) IC/ICU management indicated; life-threatening complications (including complications in the central nervous system) AND single organ failure (including dialysis) IC/ICU management indicated; life-threatening complications (including complications in the central nervous system) AND multiple organ failure Death

IC intermediate care, ICU intensive care unit, TPN total parenteral nutrition, PPI proton pump inhibitor, NG tube nasogastric tube, CT computed tomography

limitationsTable 2 Characteristics of the three criteria

CTCAE ver4.0 Clavien-Dindo classification JCOG PC criteria

AE terms Specified Not specified Specified

Grading definitions Defined for each AE Single common definition for all AEs Defined for each AE (following the general definition of the Clavien-Dindo classification)

Discussion

Until Clavien PA et al. published their original classification in 1992, there were no established criteria or framework available to standardize surgical complications in surgical trials. concepts↗concepts↗sensesconcept_edgesIn 2003, the US National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) version 2.0 [ 9 ] were revised and renamed the CTCAE version 3.0 [ 10 ]. This system has been used widely to evaluate and define the toxicity of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. While terms and definitions for AEs occurring as a result of intraoperative and postoperative complications were not included in the NCI-CTC version 2.0, some surgical AE terms were incorporated in the CTCAE version 3.0. Nevertheless, the CTCAE version 3.0 failed to include many surgical complications and surgeons were frequently unable to objectively classify complications using its grading definitions.

claim_relationscontent_tagsIn 2009, the CTCAE version 4.0 [ 11 ] was released, with considerably more surgical AE terms, but several common surgical complications were still not included. For example, intra-abdominal abscess, pyothorax, delayed gastric emptying, and lung torsion were not listed as AE terms. mechanismsconcepts↗concepts↗sensesconcept_edgescontent_tagsMoreover, grading definitions were not clinically optimized for some surgical AEs. For example, the grading definition of pancreatic fistula in this version of the CTCAE is suitable for pancreatitis, but not for pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy. Such inappropriate definitions have made surgeons reluctant to use the CTCAE version 4.0 in surgical trials.

In 2004, the Clavien-Dindo classification was modified to allow for the grading of life-threatening complications and long-term disability caused by a complication. limitationsconcepts↗content_tagscontent_tagsThis revised version defines five grades of severity (Grade I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, and V) and the suffix “d” (for “disability”) is used to denote any postoperative impairment [ 7 ]. limitationsThis refined Clavien-Dindo classification has been used increasingly in clinical practice and also in clinical trials involving surgical procedures, because it is simple, reproducible, and flexible [ 12 ]. mechanismsconcepts↗claim_relationsRather than providing specific grading criteria for each AE, the Clavien-Dindo classification provides broad-based but general criteria that can be used uniformly for all kinds of surgical AEs. However, several issues have emerged since this classification became more widely used. research_questionphenomenonmechanismsconcepts↗concepts↗sensesconcept_edgescontent_tagscontent_tags↗One controversial issue is that AE terms are not well defined and different AE terms designate the same AEs in different clinical trials. For example, when intestinal obstruction occurs, some investigators could report this AE as “ileus”, but others refer to it as “small bowel obstruction” or “colon obstruction”. Under such circumstances, the incidence of this AE cannot be counted accurately. mechanismscontent_tagsA second issue is that only general grading criteria are defined and therefore, grading can be difficult in some cases and subject to bias by the grader. For example, primary non-operative treatment for intestinal obstruction is gastroenteric tube decompression. Nasogastric tube or nasoenteric tube is utilized depending on the severity, but the original Clavien-Dindo classification does not define what grading should be applied for any type of gastroenteric tube placement for decompression.

The JCOG PC criteria were established to address these issues. The advantages of the JCOG PC criteria are as follows: First, commonly experienced surgical AEs are specified and listed. To compare precisely the frequency of surgical complications between studies, use of the common AE terms specified in the JCOG PC criteria is recommended. Second, grading definitions are straightforward and optimized for surgical complications. With these advantages, the JCOG recommends that the JCOG PC criteria be used to supplement the Clavien-Dindo classification, while maintaining the overall Clavien-Dindo classification. limitationscontrolscontent_tagsIn JCOG, some disease-oriented subgroups are conducting clinical trials including surgery and using both the CTCAE and JCOG PC criteria to evaluate postoperative complications. After these trials are completed, we will evaluate the concordance between the grading by the CTCAE and that by the JCOG PC criteria. We also plan to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the JCOG PC criteria.

method↗limitationscontrolscontent_tagsThe JCOG PC criteria have some limitations. First, these AE terms were chosen somewhat arbitrarily, but by experienced surgeons, and specific grading was decided based on the opinions and experience of our committee members. limitationscontent_tagsA second limitation of the JCOG PC criteria is that they do not include intraoperative complications. Our intent was to further define and clarify the criteria of the Clavien-Dindo classification and we considered that incorporating intraoperative complications would deviate too much from the original concept. Another common classification may be required to define and grade intraoperative complications. limitationscontent_tags↗A third limitation is that all descriptions in the Clavien-Dindo classification pertain to early postoperative complications. sensesHere, ‘early postoperative’ generally indicates the time from surgery to the first hospital discharge, but in theory, the Clavien-Dindo classification can be applied broadly to late postoperative complications after hospital discharge. Within this context, the JCOG PC criteria are mainly intended to be used for early postoperative complications, but they can also be used after hospital discharge, although would require more definitions and AEs.

In conclusion, the goals of the JCOG PC criteria are to standardize the AE terms used for early postoperative complications by providing more detailed grading guidelines based on the Clavien-Dindo classification. We suggest that researchers use the JCOG PC criteria in every surgical trial to allow for precise comparison of the frequency of surgical complications among trials.

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund (23-A-16, 26-A-4). We thank Hiroaki Hiraga and Yasuji Miyakita for their specialist advice.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

Hiroshi Katayama and his coauthors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this research.