Abstract: Abstract：Objective To explore the clinical significance of POSSUM scoring system in risk assessment of elderly emergency abdominal operation. Methods The clinical data of 97 patients over 60 years old undergoing emergency abdominal surgery in the Department of general surgery in our hospital were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The POSSUM score and the Clavien-Dindo classification of postoperative complications were carried out, and their correlation was analyzed. Results In 97 patients, POSSUM score was lower in 24 cases, moderate in 60 cases and higher in 13 cases. The POSSUM score was significantly higher in complication group (38.81±7.51 score) than that in non-complication group (31.02 + 3.34 score, t=6.936, P＜0.05). With the increase of POSSUM score, the Clavien-Dindo grading of postoperative complications was aggravated correspondingly , and changed was statistically significant between groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion The POSSUM scoring system can accurately predict the risk of emergency abdominal operation in elderly patients. It can provide reference for surgical decision-making, actively intervene for high-risk patients and guide perioperative management so as to reduce postoperative complications.

Key words: abdomen, surgical procedures, operative, emergency treatment, aged, POSSUM score, Clavien-Dindo classification