[Risk indices in geriatric surgery: ASA index versus Reiss index]

The use of the Risk Index in surgery is aimed to plan surgical strategy in order to achieve a better postoperative prognosis. This is especially true in geriatric surgery where the ASA Index and, more recently, the Reiss Index are widely employed. Since the mentioned Risk Indices are calculated on the basis of different factors, in this study we compared the two Risk Indices with the aim of verifying which index offers better prognostic indications. 210 patients, aged over 70 years, undergoing surgical treatment, were investigated. The patients were grouped according to the ASA and Reiss Indices. The ASA Index showed good correlation only with postoperative mortality. The three classes of Reiss Index showed a significant correlation with the incidence of post-operative morbidity and mortality (p.o. morbidity: 7.1%, 21.5%, 30.3%; p.o. mortality; 1.7%, 9.2%, 24.2% -Chi 2 = 20.7; p < 0.001). Our results support the hypothesis that Reiss index offers better prognostic evaluation of postoperative outcome, suggesting its use in assessing postoperative prognosis in geriatric patients. In addition, our observation confirms the criticism reported of the ASA Index, merely considered as an indicator of health status regardless of surgical treatment. In conclusion, routine preoperative evaluation of the Reiss Index should be advised in geriatric patients with the aim to forecasting surgical risk in the first place, and them modifying operative strategy in order to improve postoperative results.