Evaluation of comprehensive complication index versus Clavien-Dindo classification in prediction of overall survival after radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the benefits of Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) compared with the Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC) in the reporting of radical cystectomy (RC) complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed post-operative complications of 251 consecutive RC patients between 2009 and 2021. Patient demographics and causes of mortality were noted. Oncologic outcomes included the recurrence, time to recurrence, cause of all deaths, and time to death. Each complication was graded with CDC and, corresponding and cumulative CCI calculated for each patient.

RESULTS: A total of 211 patients are included. Median patient age and follow-up time were 65 (IQR 60-70) years and 20 (IQR 9 - 53) months, respectively. The five-year recurrence and death rates were 39.3% (83/211) and 59.7% (126/211), respectively. Post-operative 521 complications were recorded. Patients with experienced any complication were 69.6% (147/211) and 45.0% (95/211) had > 1 complications. Thirty (14.2%) patients ended up with a cumulative CCI score that corresponded to a higher CDC grade. Severe complications calculated with CDC increased from 18.5% to 19.9% (p < 0.001) with cumulative CCI. Female gender, positive lymph node, and positive surgical margin, presence of severe CDC complication, and CCI score were significant independent predictive factors for overall survival (OS). The contribution of CCI to the multivariable model was 1.8% higher than CDC.

CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative morbidity reporting improved with the use of CCI compared to CDC. Both CDC and CCI are significant predictive factors for OS independent of oncologic predictive factors. Reporting the cumulative burden of complications with CCI is more predictive on oncologic survival than reporting complications with CDC.