Introduction:

The surgical Apgar score (SAS) is a 10-point system that assesses three intraoperative variables: lower heart rate, lower mean arterial pressure, and bleeding. SAS is an indicator of mortality and morbidity in the immediate postoperative period.

Objective:

To describe the incidence of the SAS in postoperative patients with activation of code 77.

Material and methods:

Observational, transversal, retrospective and descriptive study, included patients with indication of activation of code 77 during their immediate postoperative time, and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, during the period from January to December 2015.

Results:

68% of the sample obtained a SAS greater than or equal to 7 points (stable patient), and 32% a SAS less than or equal to 6 (unstable). The incidence of SAS less than or equal to 6 points for the period of the study was about 12 cases per 100 persons intervened with a sensibility of 68%.

Conclusions:

SAS should be taken as another criteria for the activation of code 77 in those patients with a result lower than 6 points; during the immediate postoperative period, allowing a timely management of postoperative complications and a reduction on the risk of morbidity and mortality.