Robust New Study Draws Link between Spinal Patients and Postoperative Complications
BY SANDER DUNCAN, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
A robust study published this month illustrates a connection between complications following spine surgery and an older patient demographic. The article, published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, drew from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database and determined that independent predictors of mortality include old age, history of sepsis and longer operations. Other predictors included infected or contaminated wounds, cardiac disease and corticosteroid use. The research team queried patients who underwent spine surgery between 2005 and 2008, and analyzed data on medical history, BMI, comorbidities, medical history and the procedure performed.
The study is notable for its robust data set, as the researchers compiled data from 3,475 patients in the NSQIP. Of this group, which averaged 55.5 years of age, ten patients (0.3%) died following surgery while 263 (7.3%) developed 407 identified complications. Dr. Andrew Schoenfeld, lead author of the article, noted that "...the intent of this work was not to be alarmist. Our goal was to identify medical conditions and other factors that could be addressed prior to surgery" to improve safety and efficacy.
