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surgery anaesthesia-icu

CR-POSSUM — Colorectal POSSUM

Colorectal-specific recalibration of POSSUM (Tekkis 2004) predicting 30-day mortality after colorectal surgery. Sums physiology + operative severity weighted variables. Use the band closest to your calculated value.

Score interpretation

Low predicted mortality (<5%) 14–30

→ Standard elective pathway: ERAS protocol, prehabilitation, day-case if appropriate. Standard ward post-op.

Moderate predicted mortality (5–15%) 31–50

→ Pre-op optimisation: anaemia (IV iron), nutritional status (ONS), cardiopulmonary fitness (CPET), HDU/ITU bed booked. Senior surgeon and anaesthetist led; consider laparoscopic approach to reduce morbidity.

High predicted mortality (>15%) 51–100

→ MDT discussion. Pre-op CPET, echo, anaesthetic high-risk clinic. ITU bed essential. Detailed informed consent including alternatives (palliative stenting, defunctioning stoma). Consider Hartmann's over anastomosis if perforated.

Interpretation bands for the CR-POSSUM. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.