The Veterans Administration (VA) classifies the complexity
of a surgical procedure using a scale from 1 to 5. The operative grade
correlates with duration of the procedure, cost and complications.
|
Complexity
|
Example Surgical
Procedure
|
Complexity
|
|
minimal
|
biopsy, debridement, hemorrhoidectomy, simple hernia
|
1.0 to 1.9
|
|
mild
|
gallbladder, exploratory laparotomy, major breast surgery,
soft-tissue surgery
|
2.0 to 2.9
|
|
moderate
|
major biliary, gastric, colorectal surgery
|
3.0 to 3.9
|
|
signficant
|
low anastomosis with pouch, esophagectomy
|
4.0 to 4.9
|
|
extreme
|
Whipple procedure, pelvic extenteration
|
5.0
|