Surgical complication index for pediatric patients (SCIPP): A novel pediatric frailty index predicting postoperative complications in a study of 133 pediatric neurosurgical patients.

Purpose: A predictive index for surgical complications in pediatric patients is lacking in the current scientific literature. We have developed a simple index to accurately predict the likelihood of complications after surgery. The Surgical Complication Index for Pediatric Patients (SCIPP) is reliable and accurate for both heterogenous and specific groups of pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of pediatric neurosurgical procedures from 2005 to 2023 was conducted. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the correlation with their respective SCIPP scores and post-operative complications and length of stay (LOS).

Results: Our cohort included 90 tethered cord patients and 43 surgeries consisting of craniotomies/craniectomies, laminectomies/laminotomies, and others. The mean SCIPP score across all 133 patients was 2.41 ± 1.76, with an average age of 5.37 ± 5.53 years. From the logistic regression, each 1-point increase in SCIPP score was associated with increased odds of experiencing a complication after surgery in all patients (odds ratio: 1.57; p < 0.001) and tethered cord patients (odds ratio: 1.59; p = 0.007). The reduced 4-point SCIPP was associated with increased odds in all patients (odds ratio: 2.67; p < 0.001) and tethered cord patients (odds ratio: 2.89; p = 0.001) as well. Upon linear regression analysis, each 1-point increase in SCIPP was associated with a 0.49 day increase in LOS (p = 0.002). Each 1-point increase in reduced SCIPP was associated with a 0.42 day increase in LOS but was not statistically significant (p = 0.120).

Conclusion: The SCIPP is a simple and accurate tool that predicts surgical complications and LOS in a variety of pediatric neurosurgical procedures and can be used to counsel patients and families on the risks of surgery.