title: Spinal surgery following organ transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Organ transplantation for renal, liver, cardiac, and pulmonary failure has become more common in recent years, and patients are living longer as a result of improved organ preservation methods, immunosuppressive regimens, and general posttransplant care. Some of these patients undergo spine fusion surgery following organ transplantation, and there is little available information concerning outcomes. The authors report on their experience with and the outcomes of spine fusion in this rare and unique immunosuppressed patient group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Current Procedural Terminology and ICD-9 codes for solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplantations (BMTs), and spine fusion surgeries, the authors searched their patient database between 1997 and 2008. Data points of interest included primary diagnosis, type of organ transplant, immunosuppressant drug therapy, complications from spine surgery, and radiographic analysis of spine fusion. Spine fusion was assessed with CT or radiography at the latest follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The database search results revealed 5999 patients who underwent heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, intestine, or bone marrow transplant between 1997 and 2008. Eighteen of the 5999 patients underwent a spine fusion surgery while receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Organ transplants included kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, and allogenic BMT. There were 3 deaths unrelated to spine fusion within 1 year of the surgery and 1 death immediately after spine surgery. Graft-versus-host disease developed in 1 patient when prednisone was stopped prior to the spine surgery. Thirteen patients underwent follow-up radiographic imaging at an average of 25 months after spine surgery; 12 demonstrated radiographic fusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that spine fusion rates are adequate despite immunosuppressive therapy in patients undergoing spinal fusion after transplant procedures. The data also illustrate the high morbidity and mortality rates found in the organ transplant patient population.
authors: Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
authors: Kashif A
authors: KA
authors: Shaikh
authors: Gregory M
authors: GM
authors: Helbig
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Shapiro
authors: Mitesh V
authors: MV
authors: Shah
authors: Saad A
authors: SA
authors: Khairi
authors: Eric M
authors: EM
authors: Horn
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome