Perioperative morbidity and mortality after anterior, posterior, and anterior/posterior spine fusion surgery.
METHODS
Analysis of population-based national hospital discharge data collected for the National Inpatient Sample.


OBJECTIVE
To examine demographics of patients undergoing primary anterior spine fusion (ASF), posterior spine fusion (PSF), and anterior/posterior spine fusion (APSF) of the noncervical spine, assess the incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality, and determine independent risk factors for in-hospital death.


BACKGROUND
The utilization of surgical fusion has been increasing dramatically. Despite this trend, a paucity of literature addressing perioperative outcomes exists.


METHODS
Data collected for each year between 1998 and 2006 for the National Inpatient Sample were analyzed. Discharges with a procedure code for primary noncervical spine fusion were included in the sample. The prevalence of patient as well as health care system-related demographics were evaluated by procedure type (ASF, PSF, and APSF). Frequencies of procedure-related complications and in-hospital mortality were analyzed. Independent predictors for in-hospital mortality were determined.


RESULTS
We identified 261,256 entries representing an estimated 1,273,228 hospitalizations for primary spine fusion. Patients undergoing ASF and APSF were significantly younger (44.8 ± 0.08 and 44.22 ± 0.11 years) and had lower average comorbidity indeces (0.30 ± 0.002 and 0.31 ± 0.004) than those undergoing PSF (52.12 ± 0.04 years and 0.41 ± 0.002) (P < 0.0001). The incidence of procedure-related complications was 18.68% among ASF, 15.72% in PSF, and 23.81% in APSF patients (P < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality rates after APSF were approximately twice those of PSF (0.51 ± 0.038 vs. 0.26 ± 0.012) (P < 0.0001). Adjusted risk factors for in-hospital mortality included the following: APSF and ASF compared to PSF, male gender, increasing age, and increasing comorbidity burden. Several comorbidities and complications independently increased the risk for perioperative death, as did underlying spinal pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite being performed in generally younger and healthier patients, APSF and ASF are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our findings can be used for the purposes of risk stratification, accurate patient consultation, and hypothesis formation for future research.
Memtsoudis
Stavros G
SG
Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA. MemtsoudisS@hss.edu
Vougioukas
Vassilios I
VI
Ma
Yan
Y
Gaber-Baylis
Licia K
LK
Girardi
Federico P
FP
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
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