A patient's age and procedure time influence the risk of postoperative complications after spine surgery, according to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Researchers used the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify all patients who underwent spine surgery from 2005-2008. Of the 3,475 patients reported in the database, there were 407 complications among 263 patients and 10 patient deaths.
As the patients' age and operative time increased, the risk of complications increased as well. Comorbidities such as cardiac disease, preoperative neurological abnormalities, prior wound infection, corticosteroid use and a history of sepsis were also associated with an increased complication risk. Increased patient age and contaminated or infected wounds were independent predictors of mortality, according to the report.
Read the abstract on the study about complication risk after spine surgery.
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As the patients' age and operative time increased, the risk of complications increased as well. Comorbidities such as cardiac disease, preoperative neurological abnormalities, prior wound infection, corticosteroid use and a history of sepsis were also associated with an increased complication risk. Increased patient age and contaminated or infected wounds were independent predictors of mortality, according to the report.
Read the abstract on the study about complication risk after spine surgery.
Related Articles on Spine Surgery:
Study Examines Cervical Total Disc Replacement
Study Examines Patient Factors Associated With Faster Intervertebral Disc Disease
Study: Occupational Back Injuries Associated With Further Post-Settlement Legal Cases