Modified Clavien-Dindo Classification for Adverse Events in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Adverse events in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) are inconsistently reported. The Clavien-Dindo Classification has been modified and validated in several surgical subspecialties but has yet to be validated in OHNS.

To create and validate a modified Clavien-Dindo Classification for OHNS that reflects the severity and duration of harm for complications experienced by patients undergoing OHNS.

This is a multicenter survey study of subject matter experts (SMEs) from OHNS subspecialties from academic institutions within the US. A literature review identified publications reporting surgical complications in OHNS in the English language between January 2019 and April 2020. Complications were summarized and used to inform a modified Clavien-Dindo Classification. Feedback from internal SMEs was incorporated. Thirty-five clinical vignettes were created, and an electronic survey was sent to SMEs at outside institutions. Each SME was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups to evaluate 8 to 9 vignettes. The survey was conducted in September 2023, and data were analyzed from February to May 2024.

Participation in the electronic survey.

Vignette scores were assessed and the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) calculator was used to assess cumulative morbidity. The scale is based on the grading by the Clavien-Dindo Classification and reflects overall morbidity on a scale from 0 (no complication) to 100 (death). Variability of the CCIs between reviewers, the primary outcome, was summarized with the SD. The percentage of reviewers with a high (≥26.2) or low (<26.2) CCI within a vignette was reported. Reliability was summarized using Krippendorff α.

Of 106 SMEs, 43 (response rate, 40.6%) completed at least 1 vignette. Eighteen of 35 vignettes (51.4%; 95% CI, 34.9%-68.0%) had unanimous high CCI, and 8 of 35 vignettes (22.9%; 95% CI, 8.9%-36.8%) had unanimous low CCI (overall categorical agreement, 74.3%; 95% CI, 59.8%-88.8%). On average, the Krippendorff α was 0.74, indicating moderate reliability. A total of 21 850 OHNS complications were reviewed and categorized as surgical or medical with 12 including subcategorization for specificity. Each category was then assigned a modified OHNS Clavien Dindo classification grade.

In this survey study of OHNS experts, a modified OHNS Clavien-Dindo Classification was developed and validated using case vignettes. The modified Clavien-Dindo Classification provided a granular subcategorization for each complication category and grade, duration of harm, and an overall summary complication score (CCI). Results suggest the modified OHNS Clavien-Dindo Classification reliably differentiated between high-grade and low-grade OHNS complications and could be utilized for assessing surgical outcomes.