Risk Stratification in Medicine and Surgery

Author(s): Georgios I. Tagarakis, Mary Panagidi, Fani Tsolaki, Ioannis G Tagarakis, Andreas Papazoglou

Advanced age and multiple comorbidities pause a challenge for modern medicine and especially modern surgery. In an attempt to predict the postoperative course of a patient planned for a surgical intervention, a procedure called risk stratification must be implemented. This includes the use of risk scores and preoperatively performed specialized examinations, such as phase angle and handgrip strength. The application of these tests seems to give reliable predictions in regard to postoperative mortality, morbidity and total length of hospital stay. Further studies must take place in order to secure these results for all surgical disciplines and for more subgroups of patients.