Faculty Bibliography

Background: The number of elderly patients undergoing adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery has increased with the advent of new techniques and more nuanced understanding of global malalignment as patients age. The relationship between inpatient physical activity after ASD surgery and postoperative complications in elderly patients has not been reported; thus, we sought to investigate this relationship. Methods: We performed a medical record review of 185 ASD patients older than 65 years (age: 71.5 ± 4.7; body mass index: 30.0 ± 6.1, American Society of Anesthesiologists: 2.7 ± 0.5, and levels fused: 10.5 ± 3.4). We derived the number of feet walked over the first 3 days after surgery from physical therapy documentation and evaluated for association with 90-day perioperative complications. Patients who sustained an incidental durotomy were excluded from the study. Results: The 185 patients were divided into groups based on whether they were among the 50th percentile for number of feet walked (62 ft). Walking less than 62 ft after ASD surgery was associated with higher incidence of postoperative complications (54.3%, P = 0.05), cardiac complications (34.8%, P = 0.03), pulmonary complications (21.7%, P = 0.01), and ileus (15.2%, P = 0.03). Patients who developed any postoperative complication (106 ± 172 vs 211 ± 279 ft, P = 0.001), ileus (26 ± 49 vs 174 ± 248 ft, P = 0.001), deep venous thrombosis (23 ± 30 vs 171 ± 247 ft, P = 0.001), and cardiac complications (58 ± 94 vs 192 ± 261 ft) walked less than patients who did not. Conclusion: Elderly patients who walked less than 62 ft in the first 3 days after ASD surgery have a higher rate of postoperative complications, specifically pulmonary and ileus compared with those patients who walked more. Steps walked after ASD surgery may be a helpful and practical addition to the surgeon"™s armamentarium for monitoring the recovery of their patients. Clinical Relevence: Monitoring the steps walked by patients after ASD surgery can be a practical and useful tool for surgeons to track and improve their patients"™ recovery.

BACKGROUND:Patients with less severe adult spinal deformity undergo surgical correction and often achieve good clinical outcomes. However, it is not well understood how much clinical improvement is due to sagittal correction rather than treatment of the spondylotic process. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Determine baseline thresholds in radiographic parameters that, when exceeded, may result in substantive clinical improvement from surgical correction. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective. METHODS:ASD patients with BL and 2-year(2Y) data were included. Parameters assessed: SVA, PI-LL, PT, T1PA, L1PA, L4-S1 Lordosis, C2-C7 SVA(cSVA), C2-T3, C2 Slope(C2S). Outcomes: Good Outcome(GO) at 2Y: [Meeting either: 1) SCB for ODI(change greater than 18.8), or 2) ODI<15 and SRS-Total>4.5. Binary logistic regression assessed each parameter to determine if correction was more likely needed to achieve GO. Conditional inference tree(CIT) run machine learning analysis generated baseline thresholds for each parameter, above which, correction was necessary to achieve GO. RESULTS:We included 431 ASD patients. There were 223(50%) that achieved a GO by two years. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated, with increasing baseline severity in deformity, sagittal correction was more often seen in those achieving GO for each parameter(all P<0.001). Of patients with baseline T1PA above the threshold, 95% required correction to meet Good Outcome(95% vs. 54%,P<0.001). A baseline PI-LL above 10° (74% of patients meeting GO) needed correction to achieve GO (OR: 2.6,[95% CI 1.4-4.8]). A baseline C2 slope above 15° also necessitated correction to obtain clinical success (OR: 7.7,[95% CI 3.7-15.7]). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Our study highlighted point may be present at which sagittal correction has an outsized influence on clinical improvement, reflecting the line where deformity becomes a significant contributor to disability. These new thresholds give us insight into which patients may be more suitable for sagittal correction, as opposed to intervention for the spondylotic process only, leading to a more efficient utility of surgical intervention for adult spinal deformity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III.

Background: Given the physical and economic burden of complications in spine surgery, reducing the prevalence of perioperative adverse events is a primary concern of both patients and health care professionals. This study aims to identify specific perioperative factors predictive of developing varying grades of postoperative complications in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients, as assessed by the Clavien-Dindo complication classification (Cc) system. Methods: Surgical ASD patients ≥18 years were identified in the American College of Surgeons"™ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2015. Postoperative complications were stratified by Cc grade severity: minor (I, II, and III) and severe (IV and V). Stepwise regression models generated dataset-specific predictive models for Cc groups. Model internal validation was achieved by bootstrapping and calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of the model. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Included were 3936 patients (59 ± 16 years, 63% women, 29 ± 7 kg/m²) undergoing surgery for ASD (4.4 ± 4.7 levels, 71% posterior approach, 11% anterior, and 18% combined). Overall, 1% of cases were revisions, 39% of procedures involved decompression, 27% osteotomy, and 15% iliac fixation. Additionally, 66% of patients experienced at least 1 complication, 0% of which were Cc grade I, 51% II, 5% III, 43% IV, and 1% V. The final model predicting severe Cc (IV"“V) complications yielded an AUC of 75.6% and included male sex, diabetes, increased operative time, central nervous system tumor, osteotomy, cigarette pack-years, anterior decompression, and anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Final models predicting specific Cc grades were created. Conclusions: Specific predictors of adverse events following ASD-corrective surgery varied for complications of different severities. Multivariate modeling showed smoking rate, osteotomy, diabetes, anterior lumbar interbody fusion, and higher operative time, among other factors, as predictive of severe complications, as classified by the Clavien-Dindo Cc system. These factors can help in the identification of high-risk patients and, consequently, improve preoperative patient counseling. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study provide a foundation for identifying ASD patients at high risk of postoperative complications .

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Patients with coronal malalignment with trunk shift toward the convexity of the main coronal curve, and oblique takeoff at the lumbosacral junction, present a unique problem for deformity correction. PURPOSE: To evaluate fractional curve and coronal malalignment correction, and rate of complications and unplanned revision in Bao Type C patients, compared to Bao Type A and B patients. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review of prospectively collected singlecenter database. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study included 1039 ASD patients (age: 46 +/- 23 y; mFI:.4 +/-.7; levels fused: 10.0 +/- 4.2). OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes evaluated were coronal alignment and fractional curve correction, and rates of revision surgery at two-year follow-up.
METHOD(S): A total of 1039 adult spinal deformity patients (age: 46 +/- 23 y; mFI:.4 +/-.7; levels fused: 10.0 +/- 4.2), with minimum five levels fused for thoracolumbar scoliosis were divided into three groups, as proposed by Bao et al: type A: CSVL 3cm and C7 plumb shifted to scoliosis' concavity (n=126); type C: CSVL > 3cm and C7 plumb shifted to scoliosis' convexity (n=30). Outcomes evaluated were coronal alignment and fractional curve correction, and rates of revision surgery at two-year follow-up.
RESULT(S): Type C patients more often had fractional curves, and the preoperative magnitude was significantly greater (15.7degree Type C, 12.9degree Type B, 9.6degree Type A, p <0.0001). Of the Type C patients, 50% had pedicle subtraction osteotomy performed, compared with 13.4% Type B, and 13.4% Type A (p <0.0001). Postoperatively, Type C patients continued to have persistently greater fractional curves (7.4degree Type C, 6.7degree Type B, 5.6degree Type A, p=0.026), and worse coronal malalignment (37.8 mm Type C, 34.1 mm Type B, 17.0 mm type A, p<0.0001), though equivalent results with regards to improvement in sagittal alignment, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and Cobb angle of the major curve. There rate of neurologic complications was higher in the Type C patients, specifically related to TLIF or PSO procedure performed. ALIF procedure in the Type C patients did not confer significant improvement in fractional curve correction, coronal or sagittal alignment correction, or greater lumbar lordosis, compared with TLIF procedure in these patients. There was no difference in the rate of 90-day unplanned readmission or reoperation between the groups. There was no difference in rates of rod fracture or pseudarthrosis at the interbody or PSO site in Type C patients, compared with Type A and B patients. There was no difference in rates or rod fracture, pseudarthrosis, adjacent segment disease, proximal junctional kyphosis, or reoperation for recurrent or persistent malalignment between the two groups at two-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION(S): At two-year follow-up, Type C coronal malalignment patients continue to have worse coronal deformity and fractional curve magnitude compared with Type A and B patients, with no difference, however, in long-term rod fracture, pseudarthrosis or revision surgery rates. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: It has been shown that smoking is associated with delayed fusion and pseudarthrosis after spine surgery. The impact of smoking on both short- and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing spine surgery has been described. There are limited data on the impact of smoking status on outcomes after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. We sought to analyze a large cohort of in a single center, to add more to our understanding of the effect of smoking both on mortality and postoperative complications. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of smoking on 90-day complications after ASD surgery as well as pseudarthrosis and unplanned revision at long term follow up. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review of prospectively collected database. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 1,013 ASD patients (Age: 46 +/-23 years; mFI: 0.44 +/- 0.70; levels fused: 10.1 +/- 4.2). OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures studied included perioperative complications, and long-term revision surgery rates.
METHOD(S): A total of 1,013 ASD patients (Age: 46 +/-23 ye ars; mFI: 0.44 +/- 0.70; levels fused: 10.1 +/- 4.2) were stratified based on smoking status into three groups. Current smokers group (n = 72) included all patients who were active smokers and those who quit smoking within 4 weeks of surgery. Former smokers group (n = 265) included all patients who quit smoking more than 4 weeks before surgery. Nonsmokers (n = 676) included all patients who had never smoked in their lives before surgery. Outcome measures studied included perioperative complications and long-term revision surgery rates.
RESULT(S): With regards to early complications, the readmission rate at 90 days was significantly higher in the current (12.7%) and former smokers (12.0%), compared with nonsmokers (6.1%) (p=0.007). There was a significantly higher rate of postoperative epidural hematoma in smokers (5%), compared to former and nonsmokers (0%) (p<0.001). There was a higher rate of postoperative pneumonia in smokers (4.5%) compared to former smokers (1.4%) and nonsmokers (0.07%) (p=0.038). There was no significant difference in length of stay between the groups. At minimum one-year follow up, there was a significantly higher rate of pseudarthrosis (smokers: 15.6%, former: 6.7%, non: 4.5%, p=0.041) with no significant difference in rate of revision surgery for pseudarthrosis. Smokers had a significantly higher rate of neurologic complications (29% vs 18.5%, p=0.001) compared to nonsmokers. Smokers who did not experience any resolution of the neurologic injury had greater pack year history (28.5 +/-22) versus smokers who experienced complete resolution (21.2 +/- 39.3) (p=0.02).
CONCLUSION(S): Smoking is associated with higher 90-day readmission rate, and higher rates of epidural hematoma, neurologic complication and postoperative pneumonia after ASD surgery. At one year, smokers have a higher rate of pseudarthrosis, and those with greater pack year history were less likely to experience resolution of the neurologic injury sustained at the index surgery. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The ACS-NSQIP and SpineSage are both easy to use and readily available online perioperative risk calculators The ACS-NSQIP calculator predicts perioperative complications after surgery, but lacks more spine-specific predictors. The SpineSage platform was developed as a tool built for predicting complications in spine surgery. While a limited number of studies have shown it be predictive of both overall and major medical complications in spine surgery, large external validation studies are limited and none have directly compared NSQIP against SpineSage in the same cohort of spine surgery patients. PURPOSE: Assess the ACS-NSQIP Risk Calculator and SpineSage informatics platform for prediction of perioperative complications in spine surgery STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 440 patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine with or without fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Any complication, serious complication, pneumonia, cardiac, dural tear, SSI, UTI, VTE, reoperation, death and LOS METHODS: Each patient was entered into the ACS-NSQIP and SpineSage calculators and predicted risk for specific complications were directly compared to actual risks. Paired t-tests compared the differences between calculators and their predictability of complications. Patients were ranked based on risk predicted for each complication and the highest tertile for each was isolated. Multivariate regression controlling for age and gender was used to determine if the highest tertile for each risk calculator had predictability in complications following spine surgery.
RESULT(S): Mean LOS 4.2+3 days, EBL 444+300 mL, operative time 256+240 min, and levels instrumented 2.1+2.3. When assessing the four complications predicted by SpineSage there were significant differences in three of the four variables, as SpineSage underpredicted the risk of all and serious-complications (p.5). Both calculator tertiles were trending towards significance for major medical complications (SpineSage: OR: 2.0, [0.94-4.23], p=.073; ACS-NSQIP: OR: 1.8,[0.96-3.48],p=.067). When examining any medical risk, only ACS NSQIP had significant predictability for any medical complication (OR: 2.1, [1.3-3.3]; p=.003).
CONCLUSION(S): Similar to previous studies, the ACS-NSQIP score underpredicted most complications, with the exception of LOS and death. In contrast to previous studies, our data suggest SpineSage was not predictive of actual rates of complications. As both calculators are highly accessible and provide at least some objective perioperative risk data points, we recommend them as a guiding tool but not as an absolute endpoint for clinical decision making as they may be inaccurate and insensitive. Further, higher powered studies elucidating the findings in this study should be conducted. Additionally, the assessment of these calculators for a specific subset of patients, such as deformity, degenerative or pediatrics, can further help guide clinicians regarding the utility of these calculators for their particular patient populations. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Diabetic patients with elevated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) are at higher risk of developing complications after surgery than their nondiabetic peers. This is especially true of wound complications, including wound infections. Previous research has shown this relationship to be multifactorial, so more investigation is needed into these complications. PURPOSE: Establish pertinent factors which contribute to increased wound complication incidence among diabetic patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Single center retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study included 228 patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who underwent thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar posterior spinal fusion (PSF) from 2013-2018 with preoperative HbA1C values. Patients without preoperative HbA1C results or undergoing cervical fusions were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of wound complications and infection in the perioperative period were recorded for analysis. Wound complications were defined as dehiscence, superficial SSI and deep SSI.
METHOD(S): Significant perioperative complications were determined using t-test and chi-square analyses. Complications were tested against confounding factors using binary logistic regressions. Efficacy of various preoperative demographic measures as markers for complication was determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses. Cutoff points were calculated by Youden's index. Significance set at p <0.05.
RESULT(S): A total of 228 patients met inclusion. Significant differences in BMI were noted between patients who developed infection (n=7) and those who did not (37.5 kg/m² vs 32.0 kg/m²; p=0.039). In addition, binary logistic regression showed that, controlled for HbA1C, BMI was a significant predictor of infection (OR: 1.110; p=0.043). ROC curve demonstrated an AUC of 0.754 (p=0.022) and Youden's J calculated the cutoff point to be 34.08 kg/m² (Spec: 64.3%, Sens: 85.7%). No differences between those with postop wound complications were noted in HbA1C (7.29 vs 6.88; p=0.345), age (70.14 vs 64.92; p=0.197), gender (vs 71.4% female vs 55.5% female; p=0.469), smoking status (28.6% smoking history vs 33.9% smoking history), levels fused (2.71 vs 2.62; p=0.931), LOS (3.29 vs 4.82; p=0.243). Sub-analysis of superficial infections revealed no significant differences in HbA1C (7.15 vs 6.88; p=0.565), age (70.8 vs 64.9; p=0.175), BMI (36.5 vs 32.1; p=0.114), levels fused (2.5 vs 2.6; p=0.911), gender (66.7% female vs 55.4% female; p=0.697), smoking status (33.3% smoking history vs 33.7% smoking history; p=1.000), or LOS (2.8 vs 4.8; p=0.159). Subanalysis of deep SSI revealed only one infection.
CONCLUSION(S): BMI above 34.08 kg/m² is a significant predictor of postoperative infection in diabetic patients undergoing posterior fusion. To ensure optimal outcomes, diabetic patients should be encouraged to get below this threshold before surgery. More research must be done to further establish the relationship of BMI with regard to superficial and deep infections. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Sagittal alignment is integral to a patient's quality of life. Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is currently the standard for correcting adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a fusionless growth modulating surgical technique used to treat AIS. It relies on the Hueter-Volkmann Law. Indications for this procedure include patients who have coronal curves up to 50degree, growth remaining, and no excessive thoracic kyphosis. VBT has been shown to have good coronal plane deformity correction. There have been fewer examinations of the sagittal effects of VBT. PURPOSE: To determine if VBT is a non-inferior treatment for correction of AIS with regard to sagittal alignment compared to PSF. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients with AIS who underwent correction surgeries with LIV in the lumbar spine from 2013 to 2021 with pre- and minimum two-year postoperative standing full spine plain films. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sagittal vertical axis (SVA), cervical SVA (cSVA), pelvic tilt (PT), thoracic kyphosis (TK), cervical lordosis (CL), L4-S1 lordosis (L4L), T1 pelvic angle (TPA) and pelvic incidence lumbar lordosis mismatch (PI-LL).
METHOD(S): Radiographic analyses was completed with independent samples t-test with significance set to p <0.05.
RESULT(S): A total of 99 patients were included, 49 VBT and 50 PSF. There were no differences in age or levels instrumented between groups. The VBT cohort Lenke class breakdown is 23% 1A, 13% 1C, 31% 3C. 18% 5C, and 15% 6C, while the PSF cohort consisted of 42% 1A, 6% 1B, 2% 2C, 2% 3B, 12% 3C, 2% 5B, 24% 5C, and 10% 6C. At Baseline, the VBT cohort had lower SVA (-0.7mm+/-3.7 vs 2.2mm+/-5.0, p=0.001), CL (-0.9degree+/-18.2 vs 11.6degree+/-12.8, p=0.001), L4-S1 Lordosis (20.7degree+/-16.0 vs 41.6degree+/-10.2, p=0.001), and higher cSVA (3.3mm+/-1.6 vs -0.95mm+/-3.1, p=0.001) than those who were fused. Postoperatively, VBT patients have an overall higher L4-S1 Lordosis (36.0degree+/-10.1vs 18.3degree+/-12.5, p=0.001), cSVA (3.4mm+/-1.4 vs -3.7mm+/-2.1, p=0.001), and lower CL (-4.3degree+/-18.4 vs 7.0degree+/-12.2, p=0.001). The PSF cohort had a larger change in cSVA (2.8mm+/-4.0 vs 0mm+/-1.6, p=0.001) from baseline to 2-year follow-up compared to VBT. No differences in the change of L4-S1 Lordosis (VBT 1.5degree+/-12.3 vs 4.1degree+/-10.9, p=0.3), TPA (VBT -1.6degree+/-6.8 vs -1.4degree+/-8.5, p=0.89), PT (VBT -0.5degree+/-7.8 vs -1.9degree+/-8.5, p=0.42), or PI-LL (0.2degree+/-12.0 vs -0.5degree+/-14.0, p=0.81) were observed.
CONCLUSION(S): VBT and PSF for AIS result in statistically similar changes in sagittal alignment parameters. The fact that we showed similar results comparing sagittal alignment in fusion and VBT groups indicates that VBT is non-inferior from a sagittal perspective. It is important to maintain sagittal alignment when correcting AIS. Future work can examine the long-term effect of VBT on sagittal alignment. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In recent years spine surgeons have utilized different techniques and approaches to perform lumbar interbody fusion surgery. We sought to analyze the difference in outcomes between traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (O-TLIF), minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), dual position anterior/lateral lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation (Dual ALIF/LLIF), and single position anterior/lateral lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation (Single ALIF/LLIF). PURPOSE: To analyze the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patient undergoing TLIF, MIS TLIF, Dual ALIF/LLIF, and Single ALIF/LLIF. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort study at a single institution. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients undergoing O-TLIF, MIS TLIF, Dual ALIF/LLIF, or Single ALIF/LLIF from 2014 to 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), radiation dose, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and return to OR within 90 days.
METHOD(S): Patients who underwent single level lumbar interbody fusion surgery were analyzed. Patient charts were reviewed for operative time, EBL, LOS, radiation dose, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and return to OR within 90 days. Differences were assessed by ANOVA.
RESULT(S): A total of 1,226 patients underwent a single level lumbar interbody fusion (440 O-TLIF, 423 MIS TLIF, 316 Dual ALIF/LLIF, 47 Single ALIF/LLIF). There were no significant differences in BMI or gender between the groups, but in the O-TLIF cohort average age (60) was higher than MIS-TLIF (54), Dual ALIF/LLIF(52), and Single ALIF/LLIF (50) p < 0.001. There were also significant differences in average operative time (221 mins O-TLIF, 212 mins MIS TLIF, 277 mins dual ALIF/LLIF, 277 mins single ALIF/LLIF, p < 0.001), EBL (360 ml O-TLIF, 167ml MIS TLIF, 235 ml Dual ALIF/LLIF, 253 ml Single ALIF/LLIF, p<0.001), radiation dose (20 mGy O-TLIF, 51 mGy MIS TLIF, 43 mGy Dual ALIF/LLIF, 62 mGy Single ALIF/LLIF, p < 0.001). There was no difference in LOS, intraoperative complications, or 90-day complications between the groups, except a higher rate of neurological deficit in dual ALIF/LLIF (1.6%, p < 0.03). Post hoc analysis demonstrated statistical significance in operative time in the Dual ALIF/LLIF as compared to all the other groups. O-TLIF demonstrated a larger EBL and less radiation as compared to all the other groups as well as a longer operative time than Single ALIF/LLIF. Dual ALIF/LLIF demonstrated a longer operative time and increased rate of neurological deficit as compared to MIS TLIF.
CONCLUSION(S): In comparing different techniques for single level lumbar interbody fusion there were similar outcomes in LOS, perioperative complications and 90-day complications between all the groups. Open TLIF was associated with increased estimate blood loss and less radiation than all the other groups Dual position ALIF/LLIF surgery was associated with a longer operative time than all the other groups. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Previous orthopedic literature has shown that patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are more likely to develop complications in the postoperative period. To date, however, no study has assessed the specific pre- and postoperative risk factors that may contribute to this association for diabetic patients undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery. PURPOSE: Establish relevant risk factors for postoperative complications in a cohort of diabetic patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Single-center retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 138 patients with DM who underwent spinal deformity surgery at a single academic hospital from 2012-2019. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were the development of any post-operative complications. These complications included the development of neurologic complications, urinary complications, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, venous thromboembolism (VTE) and surgical site infections (SSI).
METHOD(S): This study is a retrospective cohort review of diabetic patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery, with 5 levels fused at a single academic medical center. Patients' age, BMI, levels fused, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (HCT) and preoperative HbA1C were collected. T-test and chi-square analyses were used to compare relevant outcomes. Significance was set to p<0.05.
RESULT(S): A total of 138 patients with DM met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Of these, 50.7% of the total cohort developed a postoperative complication within 90 days of the index surgery. Patients who developed postoperative complications were noted to have significantly lower postoperative Hgb (9.82+/-1.46 g/dL vs 10.72+/-1.76 g/dL, p=0.002) postoperative HCT (28.8+/-3.92% vs 32.60+/-4.61%, p<0.001) and significantly greater number of levels fused (9.49+/-3.74 vs 7.47+/-3.16, p=0.001). Diabetic patients who developed cardiac complications had significantly lower postoperative Hgb (9.47+/-1.50 g/dL vs 10.40+/-1.66 g/dL, p=0.021) and HCT (27.87+/-3.16% vs 31.15+/-4.72%, p=0.003) compared with those who did not. Diabetic patients who developed urinary complications were noted to be older on average (72.56+/-8.20 vs 64.43+/-11.70 years, p=0.043), while patients who developed VTE and pulmonary complications were noted to have significantly higher numbers of levels fused (VTE: 14.00+/-3.61 vs 8.37+/-3.51, p=0.007; PC: 10.82+/-4.14 vs 8.29+/-3.49, p=0.025)Finally, diabetic patients who developed a surgical site infection had significantly lower postoperative HCT (26.74+/-3.27% vs 30.86+/-4.64%, p=0.022) than those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative HCT (OR: 0.765 [0.613-1.098], p=0.001) and number of levels fused (OR: 1.243 [1.084-1.425], p=0.002) were predictive of development of any postoperative complication, when controlled for BMI, age, and and postoperative Hgb. Postoperative HCT was an independent predictor of the development of cardiac complications (OR: 0.827 [0.692-0.989], p=0.037) and SSI (OR: 0.709 [0.528-0.952], p=0.022).
CONCLUSION(S): Postoperative HCT is predictive of the development of postoperative complications in general, and more specifically the development of cardiac complications and surgical site infections. Along with blood-glucose and HbA1C, it should be closely monitored perioperatively in diabetic patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
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