Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41068783›Full record

ArticleBMC surgery2025

Development and validation of an interpretable shap-based machine learning model for predicting postoperative complications in laryngeal cancer.

Changling Li, Chenyang Xu, Jinzhuang Xu, Wenhua Song, Zhenbin Yu, Ziwei Zhang, Dongmin Wei, Wenming Li, Ye Qian, Dapeng Lei

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Changling Li *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Chenyang Xu *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Jinzhuang Xu *School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, China.
Wenhua SongDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Zhenbin YuDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Ziwei ZhangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Dongmin WeiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Wenming LiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Ye QianDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China.
Dapeng LeiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan250063, Shandong Province, China. leidapeng@sdu.edu.cn.com.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 82471149Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2023MH153
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivePostoperative complications remain a major concern in laryngeal cancer surgery, often requiring invasive interventions or intensive care. This study aimed to develop and validate an interpretable machine learning (ML) model to preoperatively predict Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥ III complications and support risk-informed perioperative decision-making.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective study using a temporally split cohort of laryngeal cancer patients. Postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification. Eight ML algorithms were trained and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Model interpretability was assessed using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). A web-based calculator was deployed for clinical use.

resultThe random forest (RF) model achieved the best performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.935 in the training set and 0.842 in the test set. The model demonstrated robust sensitivity and specificity for both surgical and medical complications. Calibration curves indicated strong agreement between predicted and actual outcomes. SHAP analysis identified eight key predictors-such as vocal cord mobility, tumor subsite, and nutritional status-that contributed most to risk estimation. A user-friendly web calculator was developed and is accessible at: https://qilushiny.shinyapps.io/qilupredicate/ .

conclusionWe developed a clinically interpretable ML model that accurately predicts major postoperative complications in patients undergoing laryngeal cancer surgery. This tool provides individualized risk assessments that can guide surgical planning, optimize perioperative strategies, and enhance shared decision-making. Prospective multicenter validation is needed to confirm its utility in routine practice.

Indexed as

Laryngeal NeoplasmsMachine LearningPostoperative ComplicationsAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentROC CurveClavien-Dindo classificationLaryngeal cancerMachine learningPostoperative complicationsRisk prediction

Identifiers

PMID41068783
PMCPMC12512493

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.