The Prevention of Surgical Site Infection in Elective Colon Surgery
Table 3
Descriptor of the six categories that currently comprise the American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status Classification System*.
ASA score
Description of classification
Patient example
1
Normal healthy patient
A 21-year-old, well-conditioned male athlete undergoing elective groin hernia repair
2
Patient with mild systemic disease
A 46-year-old woman with mild but controlled hypertension undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy
3
Patient with severe systemic disease
A 53-year-old man with insulin-dependent diabetes and coronary artery disease undergoing elective aortofemoral bypass
4
Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
A 62-year-old woman on chronic renal hemodialysis undergoing emergency laparotomy for perforative diverticulitis
5
Moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation
A 58-year-old man with morbid obesity, type 2 diabetes, and shock, undergoing extensive debridement for streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis
6
Patient declared brain-dead whose organs are being removed for donor purposes
A 35-year-old male motorcycle accident victim with brain death and normal cardiac function, for multiorgan thoracic and abdominal organ donation
These classes are clearly subjectively determined but have been very accurate in the prediction of risk of SSI when applied by experienced anesthesiologists.