title: Complications, revision fusions, readmissions, and utilization over a 1-year period after bone morphogenetic protein use during primary cervical spine fusions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nationwide estimates examining bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) use with cervical spine fusions have been limited to perioperative outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the 1-year risk of complications, cervical revision fusions, hospital readmissions, and health care services utilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study from 2002 to 2009 using a nationwide claims database.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 61,937 primary cervical spine fusions of which 1,677 received BMP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complications, revision fusions, 30-day hospital readmission, and health care utilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for these analyses come from the Thomson Reuters MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database 2010. Patients were aged 18 to 64 years, receiving and not receiving BMP with a primary (C2-C7) cervical spine fusion. All outcomes were defined by International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition Clinical Modification and Current Procedural and Terminology, 4th edition codes. Complications were analyzed as any complication and stratified by nervous system, wound, and dysphagia or hoarseness. Cervical revision fusions were determined in the 1-year follow-up. Hospital readmission discharge records defined 30-day hospital readmission and reason for the readmission. The utilization of at least one health care service of cervical spine imaging, epidural usage or rehabilitation service was examined. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risk and 95% confidence interval (CI). Linear regression was used to determine the time to hospital readmission. Results were stratified by anterior or posterior and circumferential approaches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients receiving BMP were 29% more likely to have a complication (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=1.29 [95% CI, 1.14-1.46]) and a nervous system complication (aRR=1.42 [95% CI, 1.10-1.83]). Cervical revision fusions were more likely among patients receiving BMP (aRR=1.69 [95% CI, 1.35-2.13]). The risk of 30-day readmission was greater with BMP use (aRR=1.37 [95% CI, 1.07-1.73]) and readmission occurred 27.4% sooner on an average. Patients receiving BMP were more likely to receive computed tomography scans (aRR=1.34 [95% CI, 1.06-1.70]) and epidurals with anterior surgical approaches (aRR=1.29 [95% CI, 1.00-1.65]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings question both the safety and effectiveness of off-label BMP use in primary cervical spine fusions.
authors: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 2200 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA. Electronic address: Adam.goode@duke.edu.
authors: Adam P
authors: AP
authors: Goode
authors: Department of Orthopedics, Duke University School of Medicine, 3077 Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors: William J
authors: WJ
authors: Richardson
authors: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7590, 725 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA.
authors: Robin M
authors: RM
authors: Schectman
authors: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7590, 725 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA.
authors: Timothy S
authors: TS
authors: Carey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000628:therapy*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
keywords: Bone morphogenetic protein; Cervical revision fusion; Cervical spine fusion; Complications; Health care utilization; Hospital re-admission