Intraoperative adverse events and related postoperative complications in spine surgery: implications for enhancing patient safety founded on evidence-based protocols

Validity of E-PASS System for Postoperative Morbidity of Spinal Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

A single-center retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) system to predict postoperative risk in patients scheduled for spinal surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The E-PASS system is a surgical audit to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality in general surgery. It is currently not applied in patients with spinal disorders.

METHODS

The E-PASS system is comprised of a preoperative risk score (PRS), a surgical stress score (SSS), and a comprehensive risk score (CRS). The latter reflects both the PRS and SSS. We calculated the E-PASS scores for 275 consecutive patients who underwent spinal surgery and evaluated the relationship between the incidence of postoperative complications and each score of the E-PASS system and their ability to predict postoperative morbidity.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications developed in 31 patients (11.3%). All E-PASS scores were significantly higher in patients with postoperative complications and they were linearly correlated with the overall incidence of postoperative complications. In particular, PRS was correlated with complications at nonsurgical sites and SSS with surgical site complications. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for PRS and SSS was higher in patients with complications at nonsurgical and surgical sites, respectively. The AUC for CRS exhibited good predictive power for both types of complication.

CONCLUSIONS

The E-PASS system correctly predicted morbidity. The predictive ability of CRS was good for overall morbidity. The E-PASS system is useful for the accurate prediction of the risk for in-hospital morbidity in individual patients scheduled for spinal surgery.

Vertebral artery injuries in cervical spine surgery

Background:

Vertebral artery injuries during cervical spine surgery are rare, but potentially fatal. When performing cervical spine surgery, it is imperative that the surgeon has a systematic approach for avoiding, and if necessary, dealing with a vertebral artery injury.

Methods:

This is a review paper.

Results:

Upper posterior cervical spine surgeries put the vertebral artery at the highest risk, as opposed to anterior subaxial cervical spine procedures, which put the artery at the least risk. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomy of the vertebral artery is mandatory prior to performing cervical spine surgery, and since the vertebral artery can have a variable course, especially in the upper cervical spine, the surgeon must minimize the possibility of an arterial injury by preoperatively assessing the artery with a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intraoperatively, the surgeon must be aware of when the vertebral artery is most at risk, and take precautions to avoid an injury. In the event of an arterial injury, the surgeon must have a plan of action to (1) Achieve control of the hemorrhage. (2) Prevent acute central nervous system ischemia. (3) Prevent postoperative complications such as embolism and pseudoaneurysm

Conclusion:

Prior to performing cervical spine surgery, one must understand the four A's of vertebral artery injuries: Anatomy, Assessment, Avoidance, and Action.

SPORT: does incidental durotomy affect long-term outcomes in cases of spinal stenosis?

BACKGROUND

Incidental durotomy is a familiar encounter during surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. The impact of durotomy on long-term outcomes remains a matter of debate.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of durotomy on the long-term outcomes of patients in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT).

METHODS

The SPORT cohort participants with a confirmed diagnosis of spinal stenosis, without associated spondylolisthesis, undergoing standard, first-time, open decompressive laminectomy, with or without fusion, were followed up from baseline at 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter at 13 spine clinics in 11 US states. Patient data from this prospectively gathered database were reviewed. As of May 2009, the mean follow-up among all analyzed patients was 43.8 months.

RESULTS

Four hundred nine patients underwent first-time open laminectomy with or without fusion. Thirty-seven of these patients (9%) had an incidental durotomy. No significant differences were observed with or without durotomy in age; sex; race; body mass index; the prevalence of smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension; decompression level; number of levels decompressed; or whether an additional fusion was performed. The durotomy group had significantly increased operative duration, operative blood loss, and inpatient stay. There were, however, no differences in incidence of nerve root injury, mortality, additional surgeries, or primary outcomes (Short Form-36 Bodily Pain or Physical Function scores or Oswestry Disability Index) at yearly follow-ups to 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidental durotomy during first-time lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis did not impact long-term outcomes in affected patients.

Comparison of patient and surgeon perceptions of adverse events after adult spinal deformity surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Survey based on complication scenarios.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare perceived potential impacts of various perioperative adverse events by both surgeons and patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Incidence of adverse events after adult spinal deformity surgery remains substantial. Patient-centered outcomes tools measuring the impact of these events have not been developed. An important first step is to assess the perceptions of surgeons and patients regarding the impact of these events on surgical outcome and quality of life.

METHODS

Descriptions of 22 potential adverse events of surgery (heart attack, stroke, spinal cord injury, nerve root injury, cauda equina injury, blindness, dural tear, blood transfusion, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, superficial infection, deep infection, lung failure, urinary tract infection, nonunion, adjacent segment disease, persistent deformity, implant failure, death, renal failure, gastrointestinal complications, and sexual dysfunction) were presented to 14 spinal surgeons and 16 adult patients with spinal deformity. Impact scores were assigned to each complication on the basis of perceptions of overall severity, satisfaction with surgery, and effect on quality of life. Impact scores were compared between surgeons and patients with a Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

Mean impact scores varied from 0.9 (blood transfusion) to 10.0 (death) among surgeons and 2.3 (urinary tract infection) to 9.2 (stroke) among patients. Patients' scores were consistently higher (P < 0.05) than surgeons in all 3 categories for 6 potential adverse events: stroke, lung failure, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, dural tear, and blood transfusion. Three additional complications (renal failure, non-union, and deep vein thrombosis) were rated higher in 1 or 2 categories by patients.

CONCLUSION

There was substantial variation in how both surgeons and patients perceived impacts of various adverse events after spine surgery. Patients generally perceived the impact of adverse events to be greater than surgeons. Patient-centered descriptions of adverse events would provide a more complete description of surgical outcomes.

Use of the Spine Adverse Events Severity System (SAVES) in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. A comparison with institutional ICD-10 coding for the identification of acute care adverse events

STUDY DESIGN

Observational cohort comparison.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the previously validated Spine Adverse Events Severity system (SAVES) with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes (ICD-10) codes for identifying adverse events (AEs) in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).

SETTING

Quaternary Care Spine Program.

METHODS

Patients discharged between 2006 and 2010 were identified from our prospective registry. Two consecutive cohorts were created based on the system used to record acute care AEs; one used ICD-10 coding by hospital coders and the other used SAVES data prospectively collected by a multidisciplinary clinical team. The ICD-10 codes were appropriately mapped to the SAVES. There were 212 patients in the ICD-10 cohort and 173 patients in the SAVES cohort. Analyses were adjusted to account for the different sample sizes, and the two cohorts were comparable based on age, gender and motor score.

RESULTS

The SAVES system identified twice as many AEs per person as ICD-10 coding. Fifteen unique AEs were more reliably identified using SAVES, including neuropathic pain (32 × more; P<0.001), urinary tract infections (1.4 × ; P<0.05), pressure sores (2.9 × ; P<0.001) and intra-operative AEs (2.3 × ; P<0.05). Eight of these 15 AEs more frequently identified by SAVES significantly impacted length of stay (P<0.05). Risk factors such as patient age and severity of paralysis were more reliably correlated to AEs collected through SAVES than ICD-10.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the SAVES system for patients with TSCI captured more individuals experiencing AEs and more AEs per person compared with ICD-10 codes. This study demonstrates the utility of prospectively collecting AE data using validated tools.

An economic evaluation of perioperative adverse events associated with spinal surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Besides their clinical impact, the economic impact of health care-related adverse events (AEs) is significant. Although a number of studies have attempted to estimate the economic impact of AEs, few have directly linked costs to clinician-reported event severity.

PURPOSE

To estimate the economic impact in terms of the incremental cost and length of stay (LOS), attributable to different severity grades of AEs that occurred during perioperative spinal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Health economic evaluation of data from a prospective observational study from the perspective of an academic hospital.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Consecutive patients at a single, tertiary-quaternary care institution who have undergone inpatient spinal surgery.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The cost and LOS impacts with respect to the severity of the AEs.

METHODS

We analyzed 4 years of patient discharges between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010. The Spine Adverse Events Severity instrument was completed by the surgical team at discharge. Clinical impacts of the AEs were graded as I (requires no/minimal treatment), II (requires treatment and is not likely to cause long-term [>6 months] sequelae), III (requires treatment and is most likely to cause long-term sequelae), and IV (death). A total of 1,815 records were linked with the patient-level costing information. We matched each AE case with four control cases based on their propensity score for the risk of experiencing an AE, regressed against case characteristics. We estimated an incremental cost and LOS for each severity grade by calculating the differences in means across cases and controls. We conducted a sensitivity analysis by estimating the alternate models using generalized linear model (GLM) regression with a gamma log link.

RESULTS

Adverse events were reported in 316 (17.4%) cases, with 126 of these patients (40.2%) experiencing multiple events. The incremental cost/LOS for each severity grade are as follows: I=$4,224 (p=.0351)/3.63 days (p=.0001); II=$23,500 (p<.0001)/14.03 days (p<.0001); III=$147,285 (p=.0036)/74.50 days (p=.0018); and IV=$121,366 (p=.0323)/46.44 days (p=.0036). The total cost in millions/LOS (days) associated with each grade over the 4-year study period are as follows: I=$0.66 million/569.9 days; II=$2.96 million/1,767.8 days; III=$4.27 million/2,160.5 days; and IV=$0.49 million/185.8 days. Our sensitivity analysis produced comparable overall results using alternate modeling techniques. Overall, AEs contributed an estimated $8.38 million (16.0% of the total costs for all patients in the sample) in incremental costs and 4,684 additional bed days over the 4-year study period.

CONCLUSIONS

In this surgical spine cohort, AEs accounted for 16% of the total cost of in-hospital care. Higher severity AEs were progressively more costly on a per-case basis; however, the more frequent lower severity events (ie, Grade I and II) also had a substantial aggregate cost (43%). These results suggest that a strong business case exists for patient safety strategies focused not only on severe AEs but also on the reduction of lower severity events that may be more amenable to prevention efforts.

Economics of less invasive spinal surgery: an analysis of hospital cost differences between open and minimally invasive instrumented spinal fusion procedures during the perioperative period

BACKGROUND

There is great debate about the costs and benefits of technology-driven medical interventions such as instrumented lumbar fusion. With most analyses using charge data, the actual costs incurred by medical institutions performing these procedures are not well understood. The object of the current study was to examine the differences in hospital operating costs between open and minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) during the perioperative period.

METHODS

Data were collected in the form of a prospective registry from a community hospital after specific Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. The analysis included consecutive adult patients being surgically treated for degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine, with either an MIS or open approach for two-level instrumented lumbar fusion. Patient outcomes and costs were collected for the perioperative period. Hospital operating costs were grouped by hospitalization/operative procedure, transfusions, reoperations, and residual events (health care interactions).

RESULTS

One hundred and one open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (Open group) and 109 MIS patients were treated primarily for stenosis coupled with instability (39.6% and 59.6%, respectively). Mean total hospital costs were $27,055.53 for the Open group and $24,320.16 for the MIS group. This represents a statistically significant cost savings of $2,825.37 (10.4% [95% confidence interval: $522.51-$5,128.23]) when utilizing MIS over traditional Open techniques. Additionally, residual events, complications, and blood transfusions were significantly more frequent in the Open group, compared to the MIS group.

CONCLUSIONS/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Utilizing minimally invasive techniques for instrumented spinal fusion results in decreased hospital operating costs compared to similar open procedures in the early perioperative period. Additionally, patient benefits of minimally invasive techniques include significantly less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, lower complication rate, and a lower number of residual events. Long-term outcome comparisons are needed to evaluate the efficacy of the two treatments.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This work represents a true cost-of-operating comparison between open and MIS approaches for lumbar spine fusion, which has relevance to surgeons, hospitals and payers in medical decision-making.

Complications in surgery: root cause analysis and preventive measures

Patients expect to receive quality medical care by relying on the concepts of evidence-based medicine. This quality care is expected to be provided at decreased costs for payors, some of whom have stopped reimbursement for cases involving "reasonably preventable" surgical complications. The purpose of this article is to introduce root cause analysis as a tool for identifying the causes of surgical complications. The authors also discuss preventive measures, such as improved communication, checklists, reporting systems, and the use of evidence-based medicine, that have been implemented to decrease surgical complications. These preventive measures can be used alone or together to decrease complications and improve overall patient care.

Incidental durotomy after spinal surgery: a prospective study in an academic institution

Object

Incidental durotomies (IDs) are an unfortunate but anticipated potential complication of spinal surgery. The authors surveyed the frequency of IDs for a single spine surgeon and analyzed the major risk factors as well as the impact on long-term patient outcomes.

Methods

The authors conducted a prospective review of elective spinal surgeries performed over a 15-year period. Any surgery involving peripheral nerve only, intradural procedures, or dural tears due to trauma were excluded from analysis. The incidence of ID was categorized by surgery type including primary surgery, revision surgery, and so forth. Incidence of ID was also examined in the context of years of physician experience and training. Furthermore, the incidence and types of sequelae were examined in patients with an ID.

Results

Among 3000 elective spinal surgery cases, 3.5% (104) had an ID. The incidence of ID during minimally invasive procedures (3.3%) was similar, but no patients experienced long-term sequelae. The incidence of ID during revision surgery (6.5%) was higher. There was a marked difference in incidence between cervical (1.3%) and thoracolumbar (5.1%) cases. The incidence was lower for cases involving instrumentation (2.4%). When physician training was examined, residents were responsible for 49% of all IDs, whereas fellows were responsible for 26% and the attending for 25%. Among all of the cases that involved an ID, 7.7% of patients went on to experience a neurological deficit as compared with 1.5% of those without an ID. The overall failure rate of dural repair was 6.9%, and failure was almost 3 times higher (13%) in revision surgery as compared with a primary procedure (5%).

Conclusions

The authors established a reliable baseline incidence for durotomy after spine surgery: 3.5%. They also identified risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a durotomy, including location of the spinal procedure, type of procedure performed, and the implementation of a new procedure. The years of physician training or resident experience did not appear to be a major risk for ID.

Perioperative risk factors related to lumbar spine fusion surgery in korean geriatric patients

Objective

Life expectancy for humans has increased dramatically and with this there has been a considerable increase in the number of patients suffering from lumbar spine disease. Symptomatic lumbar spinal disease should be treated, even in the elderly, and surgical procedures such as fusion surgery are needed for moderate to severe lumbar spinal disease. However, various perioperative complications are associated with fusion surgery. The aim of this study was to examine perioperative complications and assess risk factors associated with lumbar spinal fusion, focusing on geriatric patients at least 70 years of age in the Republic of Korea.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 489 patients with various lumbar spinal diseases who underwent lumbar spinal fusion surgery between 2003 and 2007 at our institution. Three fusion procedures and the number of fused segments were analyzed in this study. Chronic diseases were also evaluated. Risk factors for complications and their association with age were analyzed.

Results

In this study, 74 patients experienced complications (15%). The rate of perioperative complications was significantly higher in patients 70 years of age or older than in other age groups (univariate analysis, p=0.001; multivariate analysis, p=0.004). However, perioperative complications were not significantly associated with the other factors tested (sex, comorbidities, operation procedures, fusion segments involved).

Conclusion

Increasing age was an important risk factor for perioperative complications in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery whereas other factors were not significant. We recommend good clinical judgment and careful selection of geriatric patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Incidental durotomy during spine surgery: incidence, management and complications. A retrospective review

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of a series of patients who underwent spinal surgery at a single spine unit during a 1 year period.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence, treatment, clinical consequence, complications of incidental durotomy during spine surgery and results of 37 months clinical follow-up.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Incidental durotomy is an underestimated and relatively adverse event during spinal surgery. Several consequences of inadequately treated dural tears have been reported.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 1326 consecutive patients who underwent spinal surgery performed in one French spine unit from January 2005 to December 2005. We excluded from this study patients treated for emergency spine cases.

RESULTS

Fifty-one dural tears were identified (3.84%). Incidental durotomies were associated with anterior cervical approach in 1 case, with posterior cervical approach in 1 case, with anterior retroperitoneal approach in 1 case and with posterior thoracolumbar approach in 48 cases. In addition, any clinically significant durotomy unrecognised during surgical procedure were included. Thirteen patients presented postoperative complications including 7 cerebrospinal fluid leaks, 2 wound infections, 2 postoperative haematomas, and 2 pseudomeningoceles. Nine of these 13 patients required a revision procedure. A mean follow-up of 37 months showed good long-term clinical results.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidental durotomy is a common complication of spine surgery. All incidental durotomies must be repaired primarily. Dural tears that were immediately recognised and treated accordingly did not lead to any significant sequelae at a mean follow-up of 37 months. However, long-term follow-up studies will be needed to confirm this finding. The risks associated with dural tears and cerebrospinal fluid leaks are serious and should be discussed with any patients undergoing spine surgery.

Surgery for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis in Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial: does incidental durotomy affect outcome?

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of a prospectively collected multi-institutional database.

OBJECTIVE

In the present analysis, we investigate the impact of incidental durotomy on outcome in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Surgery for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis has several potential complications, one of the most common of which is incidental durotomy. The effect of incidental durotomy on outcome, however, remains uncertain.

METHODS

Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial cohort participants with a confirmed diagnosis of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis undergoing standard first-time open decompressive laminectomy, with or without fusion, were followed from baseline at 6 weeks, at 3, 6, 12 months, and yearly thereafter, at 13 spine clinics in 11 US states. Patient data from this prospectively gathered database were reviewed. As of May 2009, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) follow-up among all analyzed degenerative spondylolisthesis patients was 46.6 months (SD = 13.1) (no durotomy: 46.7 vs. had durotomy: 45.2, P = 0.49). The median (range) follow-up time among all analyzed degenerative spondylolisthesis patients was 47.6 months (SD = 2.5-84).

RESULTS

A 10.5% incidence of durotomy was detected among the 389 patients undergoing surgery. No significant differences were observed with or without durotomy in age, race, the prevalence of smoking, diabetes and hypertension, decompression level, number of levels, or whether a fusion was performed. There were no differences in incidence of nerve root injury, postoperative mortality, additional surgeries, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores of body pain or physical function, or Oswestry Disability Index at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years.

CONCLUSION

Incidental durotomy during first-time surgery for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis does not appear to impact outcome in affected patients.

Morbidity and mortality of major adult spinal surgery. A prospective cohort analysis of 942 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

To date, most reports on the incidence of adverse events (AEs) in spine surgery have been retrospective and dependent on data abstraction from hospital-based administrative databases. To our knowledge, there have been no previous rigorously performed prospective analysis of all AEs occurring in the entire population of patients presenting to an academic quaternary referral center.

PURPOSE

To determine the mortality and true incidence and severity of morbidity (major and minor, medical and surgical) in adults undergoing complex spinal surgery, both trauma and elective, in a quaternary referral center. To examine the influence of the introduction of a dedicated weekly multidisciplinary rounds, and a formal abstraction tool, on the recording of this prospective perioperative morbidity data. To examine the validity and inter- and intraobserver reliability of a dedicated Spine AdVerse Events Severity system, version 2 (SAVES V2) AE abstraction tool.

STUDY DESIGN

Ours is an academic quaternary referral center serving a population of 4.5 million people. Beginning in April 2008, a spine-specific AE-recording instrument, entitled SAVES V2, was introduced at our center for reporting, categorization, and classification of AEs. The use of this system remains an ongoing prospective study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

All adult patients admitted to the spine service of a quaternary referral center for a 12-month period.

OUTCOME MEASURES

A validity and an inter- and intraobserver reliability examination of the SAVES V2 system, as used at our institution. Morbidity and inhospital deaths, unplanned second surgeries during index admission, wound infections requiring reoperation, and readmissions during the same calendar year. We also examined in detail all intraoperative and nonsurgical postoperative AEs, as well as hospital length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

Data on all patients undergoing surgery over a 12-month period were prospectively collected using a perioperative morbidity abstraction tool at weekly dedicated mortality and morbidity rounds. This tool allows identification of each specific AE and grades the severity. Before the introduction of this system, and using the hospital inpatient database, our documented perioperative morbidity rate (major and minor, medical and surgical) was 23%. Diagnosis, operative data, hospital data, major and minor complications both medical and surgical, and deaths were recorded.

RESULTS

One hundred percent of all patients discharged from the unit had complete data available for analysis. Nine hundred forty-two patients with an age range of 16 to 90 years (mean, 54 years; mode, 38 years) were identified. There were 552 males and 390 females. Around 58.5% of patients had undergone elective surgery. Thirty percent of patients were American Spinal Injury Association class D or worse on admission. The average LOS was 13.5 days (range, 1-221 days). Eight hundred twenty-two (87%) patients had at least one documented complication. Thirty-nine percent of these adversely affected hospital LOS. There were 14 mortalities during the study period. The rate of intraoperative surgical complication was 10.5% (4.5% incidental durotomy and 1.9% hardware malposition requiring revision and 2.2% blood loss >2 L). The incidence of postoperative complication was 73.5% (wound complications, 13.5%; delerium, 8%; pneumonia, 7%; neuropathic pain, 5%; dysphagia, 4.5%; and neurological deterioration, 3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Major spinal surgery in the adult is associated with a high incidence of intra- and postoperative complications. We identified a very high rate of previously unrecognized postoperative complications, which adversely affect LOS. Without strict adherence to a prospective data collection system, the true complexity of this surgery may be greatly underestimated.

A systematic review of complications in cervical spine surgery for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Surgical management of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is associated with complications. However, surgical complications for OPLL have not been clearly documented.

PURPOSE

To review and summarize the incidence of surgical complications of OPLL in the cervical spine and evaluate the impact of surgical approach (anterior or posterior), year of study publication, follow-up duration, and the surgical outcome on complication incidence.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

An English literature review was conducted especially on surgical complications of cervical OPLL. The incidence of complications was statistically summarized, with its correlation to surgical approaches, year of study publications, follow-up duration, and the surgical outcome was statistically evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven retrospective studies, including a total of 1,558 patients, were reviewed. The overall incidence of surgical complications of cervical OPLL was 21.8%. Neurologic deficit (8.3%, overall rate), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CFL) (5.1%), axial pain (3.5%), and implant complications (3.5%) were relatively common. The incidence of complications for posterior approach was not statistically different from those for anterior procedures. However, with regard to individual complication, C5 palsy and axial pain occurred more frequently in patients approached posteriorly, whereas CFL, implant complications, hoarseness, dysphagia, and dyspnea appeared more common in anterior cases.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a relatively high incidence of surgical complications for cervical OPLL compared with other cervical degeneration diseases. It is, therefore, necessary for surgeons to take into consideration the risk of surgical complications when communicating with patients for decision making and to alert complications during or after surgical procedures.

Delay in operative stabilization of spine fractures in multitrauma patients without neurologic injuries: effects on outcomes

BACKGROUND

Optimal timing for surgical stabilization of the fractured spine is controversial. Early stabilization facilitates mobilization and theoretically reduces associated complications.

METHODS

We identified consecutive patients without neurologic injury requiring stabilization surgery for a spinal fracture at an academic tertiary-care hospital over a 12-year period. Incidences of postoperative complications were prospectively evaluated. We analyzed results based on the time elapsed before the final surgical stabilization procedure. Multivariate analyses were performed to explore the effects of potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients (60 men, 23 women; mean age 39.4 yr) met the eligibility criteria and were enrolled. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 27.1 (range 12.0-57.0); 35% of patients had a cervical fracture and 65% had a thoraco-lumbar fracture. No statistically significant associations were uncovered between time to surgical stabilization and age, ISS or comorbidities. Comparing patients stabilized after 24 hours with those stabilized within 24 hours, there was an almost 8-fold greater risk of a complication related to prolonged recumbency (p = 0.007). We observed similar effects for other types of complications. Delays of more than 72 hours had a negative effect on complication rates; these effects remained significant after multivariate adjustments for age, comorbidity and ISS.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a strong relation between timing of surgical stabilization of spinal fractures in multitrauma patients without neurologic injuries and complications. Further studies with larger samples may allow for better adjustment of potentially confounding factors and identify subgroups in which this effect is most pronounced.

A new classification of complications in neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE

To define and grade neurosurgical and spinal postoperative complications based on their need for treatment.

METHODS

Complications were defined as any deviation from the normal postoperative course occurring within 30 days of surgery. A four-grade scale was proposed based on the therapy used to treat the complications: grade I, any non-life-threatening complications treated without invasive procedures; grade II, complications requiring invasive management such as surgical, endoscopic, and endovascular procedures; grade III, life-threatening adverse events requiring treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU); and grade IV, deaths as a result of complications. Each grade was classified as a surgical or medical complication. An observational test of this system was conducted between January 2008 and December 2009 in a cohort of 1190 patients at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.

RESULTS

Of 167 complications, 129 (10.84%) were classified as surgical, and 38 (3.19%) were classified as medical complications. Grade I (mild) complications accounted for 31.73%, grade II (moderate) complications accounted for 25.74%, and grade III (severe) complications accounted for 34.13%. The overall mortality rate was 1.17%; 0.84% of deaths were directly related to surgical procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors present a simple, practical, and easy to reproduce way to report negative outcomes based on the therapy administered to treat a complication. The main advantages of this classification are the ability to compare surgical results among different centers and times, the ability to compare medical and surgical complications, and the ability to perform future meta-analyses.

A review of complications associated with craniocervical fusion surgery

BACKGROUND

Fusion at the craniovertebral junction is performed to treat instability of the upper cervical spine and occiput. The literature consists exclusively of case series in which complication rate and avoidance are variably addressed.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the rates of various complications encountered during craniocervical fusions and discuss preoperative and perioperative strategies useful for risk reduction.

METHODS

A computerized search of PubMed for literature on craniocervical fusion and other upper cervical fusions was performed. Keywords used in the search included: occipitocervical fusion, odontoid screw, atlantoaxial fusion, with and without complications, anterior fixation, lateral mass screw, transarticular screw, halo, vertebral artery injury, and odontoid fracture. References were limited to studies on human subjects. Other sources were identified from the reference lists of relevant publications.

RESULTS

Twenty-two reports described data derived from 2274 procedures analyzed for complications. The most commonly encountered perioperative complications were related to instrumentation failure after nonunion with rates as high as 7% during occipitocervical fusion and 6.7% during atlantoaxial fusion. Other commonly encountered complications included injury to the vertebral artery (1.3%-4.1% during placement of C1-C2 transarticular screws, most commonly in the case of high-riding vertebral artery), dural tears, and wound infection.

CONCLUSION

Occipitocervical or atlantoaxial fusion procedures can be performed with low morbidity. Safety is enhanced with appropriate preoperative assessment of anatomic variants and preparation for perioperative management of complications.

Outcomes after incidental durotomy during first-time lumbar discectomy

OBJECT

Incidental durotomy is an infrequent but well-recognized complication during lumbar disc surgery. The effect of a durotomy on long-term outcomes is, however, controversial. The authors sought to examine whether the occurrence of durotomy during surgery impacts long-term clinical outcome.

METHODS

Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) participants who had a confirmed diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation and were undergoing standard first-time open discectomy were followed up at 6 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and annually thereafter at 13 spine clinics in 11 US states. Patient data from this prospectively gathered database were reviewed. As of May 2009, the mean (± SD) duration of follow-up among all of the intervertebral disc herniation patients whose data were analyzed was 41.5 ± 14.5 months (41.4 months in those with no durotomy vs 40.2 months in those with durotomy, p < 0.68). The median duration of follow-up among all of these patients was 47 months (range 1-95 months).

RESULTS

A total of 799 patients underwent first-time lumbar discectomy. There was an incidental durotomy in 25 (3.1%) of these cases. There were no significant differences between the durotomy and no-durotomy groups with respect to age, sex, race, body mass index, herniation level or type, or the prevalence of smoking, diabetes, or hypertension. When outcome differences between the groups were analyzed, the durotomy group was found to have significantly increased operative duration, operative blood loss, and length of inpatient stay. However, there were no significant differences in incidence rates for nerve root injury, postoperative mortality, additional surgeries, or SF-36 scores for Bodily Pain or Physical Function, or Oswestry Disability Index scores at 1, 2, 3, or 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidental durotomy during first-time lumbar discectomy does not appear to impact long-term outcome in affected patients.

Anticipating complications in pediatric deformity surgery: is any preparation necessary in healthy children?

STUDY DESIGN

Review article.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this review article is to discuss the steps taken to minimize and reduce complications from surgery in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

A majority of children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are otherwise healthy. Most lead relatively normal active lives. Assessing the functional impact of surgery is difficult due to the fact that most patients function at a high level before surgery. Surgery is geared to prevent the long-term problems associated with scoliosis. Complications do occur in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Understanding the nature of these complications may help to improve long-term outcome.

METHODS

Children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis were assessed using radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scans, pain assessment, pulmonary assessment, surgical notes, history, and physical examinations.

RESULTS

No true agreement exists in the literature for standard preoperative assessment of idiopathic scoliosis to reduce and prevent adverse events and surgical complications.

CONCLUSION

The treating surgeon must be aware of the potential risks, adverse events, and complications associated with the procedure, and must be able to convey this to the patient and their family in a clear and concise manner.

Complications in spinal deformity surgery: issues unrelated directly to intraoperative technical skills

STUDY DESIGN

Literature review of complications unrelated directly to surgical skills involved in spinal deformity surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Highlight complications associated with perioperative issues.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Complications can arise from mundane events that arise during the operative experience, but are not directly related to surgical skills.

METHODS

Literature reviews that touches on the more common potential complication events that do not involve direct surgical expertise.

RESULTS

The topics of positioning, nutrition, blood loss, comorbidities, OR time, and pulmonary and GI concerns are discussed as basics that could derail a surgical outcome even with an otherwise uneventful surgical technique. The need for vigilance is stressed and the nuances of understanding these are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Mundane events can derail a perfectly executed surgical undertaking. Attention to detail, team work, close monitoring, and checklist type focus will help to improve, focus, and avoid these preventable complications that have nothing to do with direct surgical skills.

Operative treatment of 733 patients with acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries: comprehensive results from the second, prospective, Internet-based multicenter study of the Spine Study Group of the German Association of Trauma Surgery

The second, internet-based multicenter study (MCSII) of the Spine Study Group of the German Association of Trauma Surgery (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie) is a representative patient collection of acute traumatic thoracolumbar (T1-L5) injuries. The MCSII results are an update of those obtained with the first multicenter study (MCSI) more than a decade ago. The aim of the study was to assess and bring into focus: the (1) epidemiologic data, (2) surgical and radiological outcome, and (3) 2-year follow-up (FU) results of these injuries. According to the Magerl/AO classification, there were 424 (57.8%) compression fractures (A type), 178 (24.3%) distractions injuries (B type), and 131 (17.9%) rotational injuries (C type). B and C type injuries carried a higher risk for neurological deficits, concomitant injuries, and multiple vertebral fractures. The level of injury was located at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2) in 67.0% of the case. 380 (51.8%) patients were operated on by posterior stabilization and instrumentation alone (POSTERIOR), 34 (4.6%) had an anterior procedure (ANTERIOR), and 319 (43.5%) patients were treated with combined posteroanterior surgery (COMBINED). 65% of patients with thoracic (T1-T10) and 57% with lumbar spinal (L3-L5) injuries were treated with a single posterior approach (POSTERIOR). 47% of the patients with thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2) injuries were either operated from posterior or with a combined posterior-anterior surgery (COMBINED) each. Short angular stable implant systems have replaced conventional non-angular stable instrumentation systems to a large extent. The posttraumatic deformity was restored best with COMBINED surgery. T-spine injuries were accompanied by a higher number and more severe neurologic deficits than TL junction or L-spine injuries. At the same time T-spine injuries showed less potential for neurologic recovery especially in paraplegic (Frankel/AISA A) patients. 5% of all patients required revision surgery for perioperative complications. Follow-up data of 558 (76.1%) patients were available and collected during a 30-month period from 1 January 2004 until 31 May 2006. On average, a posterior implant removal was carried out in a total of 382 COMBINED and POSTERIOR patients 12 months after the initial surgery. On average, the rehabilitation process required 3-4 weeks of inpatient treatment, followed by another 4 months of outpatient therapy and was significantly shorter when compared with MCSI in the mid-1990s. From the time of injury until FU, 80 (60.6%) of 132 patients with initial neurological deficits improved at least one grade on the Frankel/ASIA Scale; 8 (1.3%) patients deteriorated. A higher recovery rate was observed for incomplete neurological injuries (73%) than complete neurological injuries (44%). Different surgical approaches did not have a significant influence on the neurologic recovery until FU. Nevertheless, neurological deficits are the most important factors for the functional outcome and prognosis of TL spinal injuries. POSTERIOR patients had a better functional and subjective outcome at FU than COMBINED patients. However, the posttraumatic radiological deformity was best corrected in COMBINED patients and showed significantly less residual kyphotic deformity (biseg GDW -3.8° COMBINED vs. -6.1° POSTERIOR) at FU (p = 0.005). The sagittal spinal alignment was better maintained when using vertebral body replacement implants (cages) in comparison to iliac strut grafts. Additional anterior plate systems did not have a significant influence on the radiological FU results. In conclusion, comprehensive data of a large patient population with acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries has been obtained and analyzed with this prospective internet-based multicenter study. Thus, updated results and the clinical outcome of the current operative treatment strategies in participating German and Austrian trauma centers have been presented. Nevertheless, it was not possible to answer all remaining questions to contradictory findings of the subjective, clinical outcome and corresponding radiological findings between different surgical subgroups. Randomized-controlled long-term investigations seem mandatory and the next step in future clinical research of Spine Study Group of the German Trauma Society.

Early complications in spine surgery and relation to preoperative diagnosis: a single-center prospective study

OBJECT

The reported incidence of complications in spine surgery varies widely. Variable study methodologies may open differing avenues for potential bias, and unclear definitions of perioperative complication make analysis of the literature challenging. Although numerous studies have examined the morbidity associated with specific procedures or diagnoses, no prospective analysis has evaluated the impact of preoperative diagnosis on overall early morbidity in spine surgery. To accurately assess perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing spine surgery, a prospective analysis of all patients who underwent spine surgery by the neurosurgical service at a large tertiary care center over a 6-month period was conducted. The correlation between preoperative diagnosis and the incidence of postoperative complications was assessed.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected on 248 consecutive patients undergoing spine surgery performed by the neurosurgical service at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from May to December 2008. A standardized definition of minor and major complications was applied to all adverse events occurring within 30 days of surgery. Data on diagnosis, complications, and length of stay were retrospectively assessed using stepwise multivariate analysis. Patients were analyzed by preoperative diagnosis (neoplasm, infection, degenerative disease, trauma) and level of surgery (cervical or thoracolumbar).

RESULTS

Total early complication incidence was 53.2%, with a minor complication incidence of 46.4% and a major complication incidence of 21.3%. Preoperative diagnosis correlated only with the occurrence of minor complications in the overall cohort (p = 0.02). In patients undergoing surgery of the thoracolumbar spine, preoperative diagnosis correlated with presence of a complication and the number of complications (p = 0.003). Within this group, patients with preoperative diagnoses of infection and neoplasm were more often affected by isolated and multiple complications (p = 0.05 and p = 0.02, respectively). Surgeries across the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar junctions were associated with higher incidences of overall complication than cervical or lumbar surgery alone (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively). Median length of stay was 5 days for patients without a complication. Length of stay was significantly greater for patients with a minor complication (10 days, p < 0.0001) and even greater for patients with a major complication (14 days, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of complications found in this prospective analysis is higher than that reported in previous studies. This association may be due to a greater accuracy of record-keeping, absence of recall bias via prospective data collection, high complexity of pathology and surgical approaches, or application of a more liberal definition of what constitutes a complication. Further large-scale prospective studies using clear definitions of complication are necessary to ascertain the true incidence of early postoperative complications in spine surgery.

Success and failure of minimally invasive decompression for focal lumbar spinal stenosis in patients with and without deformity

STUDY DESIGN

Observational cohort study. Retrospective review of prospectively collected outcomes data.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive (MIS) decompression for focal lumbar spinal stenosis (FLSS) in patients with and without deformity.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

MIS, facet-preserving decompression has the potential of offering a significantly less morbid alternative to decompression and fusion in patients with leg dominant symptoms from degenerative spondylolisthesis and/or scoliosis.

METHODS

Single surgeon, consecutive series (n=75), evaluated over 5 years. All patients had MIS lumbar laminoplasty (bilateral decompression from a unilateral approach) for FLSS (1-2 level). Patients had leg dominant, claudicant/radicular pain. Patients were divided into 4 groups: (A) stenosis with no deformity, n=22; (B) stenosis with spondylolisthesis only, n=25; (C) stenosis with scoliosis, n=16; and (D) stenosis combined with spondylolisthesis and scoliosis, n=12. The primary clinical outcome measures were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and surgical revision rate. Preoperative and postoperative standing radiographs were assessed.

RESULTS

The average age was 68 years (40-89) with a mean time from surgery of 36.5 months (18-68). Average clinical improvement in ODI was 49.5% to 23.9% [mean postoperative follow-up of 31.8 months (24-72): group A=mean of 34.6; B=28.9; C=32.7; D=30 months]. Incidence of preoperative grade I spondylolisthesis was 46%. Spondylolisthesis progression (mean=8.4%) occurred in 9 patients and 2 patients developed spondylolisthesis. Overall revision rate was 10% [repeat decompression alone (n=2) and decompression and fusion (n=6)]. Subgroup analysis of preoperative and postoperative ODI and revision rate revealed (A) 48% to 18.7%, 0%; (B) 48% to 24.6%, 4%; (C) 50.7% to 31.5%; 25%; and (D) 53% to 22%, 25%, respectively. The revision rate for patient with scoliosis (C+D) was significant (P=0.0035) compared with those without. Six of the 8 revised patients had a preoperative lateral (rotatory) listhesis (3 in C and 3 in D).

CONCLUSION

MIS decompression alone for leg dominant symptoms is a clinically effective procedure in the majority of patients including those with degenerative spondylolisthesis or scoliosis. However, patients with scoliosis, particularly those with lateral listhesis, have a significantly higher revision rate that needs to be considered in operative decision-making.

Complications in spine surgery

OBJECT

The overall incidence of complications or adverse events in spinal surgery is unknown. Both prospective and retrospective analyses have been performed, but the results have not been critically assessed. Procedures for different regions of the spine (cervical and thoracolumbar) and the incidence of complications for each have been reported but not compared. Authors of previous reports have concentrated on complications in terms of their incidence relevant to healthcare providers: medical versus surgical etiology and the relevance of perioperative complications to perioperative events. Few authors have assessed complication incidence from the patient's perspective. In this report the authors summarize the spine surgery complications literature and address the effect of study design on reported complication incidence.

METHODS

A systematic evidence-based review was completed to identify within the published literature complication rates in spinal surgery. The MEDLINE database was queried using the key words "spine surgery" and "complications." This initial search revealed more than 700 articles, which were further limited through an exclusion process. Each abstract was reviewed and papers were obtained. The authors gathered 105 relevant articles detailing 80 thoracolumbar and 25 cervical studies. Among the 105 articles were 84 retrospective studies and 21 prospective studies. The authors evaluated the study designs and compared cervical, thoracolumbar, prospective, and retrospective studies as well as the durations of follow-up for each study.

RESULTS

In the 105 articles reviewed, there were 79,471 patients with 13,067 reported complications for an overall complication incidence of 16.4% per patient. Complications were more common in thoracolumbar (17.8%) than cervical procedures (8.9%; p < 0.0001, OR 2.23). Prospective studies yielded a higher incidence of complications (19.9%) than retrospective studies (16.1%; p < 0.0001, OR 1.3). The complication incidence for prospective thoracolumbar studies (20.4%) was greater than that for retrospective series (17.5%; p < 0.0001). This difference between prospective and retrospective reviews was not found in the cervical studies. The year of study publication did not correlate with the complication incidence, although the duration of follow-up did correlate with the complication incidence (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Retrospective reviews significantly underestimate the overall incidence of complications in spine surgery. This analysis is the first to critically assess differing complication incidences reported in prospective and retrospective cervical and thoracolumbar spine surgery studies.

How to avoid wrong-level and wrong-side errors in lumbar microdiscectomy

OBJECT

When performing a single-level lumbar decompressive procedure, the first of all errors to avoid is operating at the wrong level or on the wrong side. In this report the authors describe their method of trying to minimize this potential risk.

METHODS

A 3-step procedure-the IRACE (intraoperative radiograph and confirming exclamation) method-was designed and adopted for single-level lumbar decompressive surgeries. Before skin incision, a wire is placed in the spinous process and lateral fluoroscopy is performed. Subsequently and also before skin incision, the assistant nurse provides oral confirmation of the level and side. Additional fluoroscopic control is provided before starting the laminotomy. The clinical records of 818 consecutive patients who had undergone lumbar microdiscectomy as an initial operation between 2001 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical charts as well as clinical and neuroimaging follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTS

No patient clinically and/or neuroradiologically demonstrated a level or side error. In 1 (0.12%) of 818 surgical procedures a wrong level was initially explored. The absence of frank disc herniation and the discrepancy with preoperative neuroimages led to fluoroscopic control in this case, and the correct level was then approached. No clinically apparent method-related complications were registered.

CONCLUSIONS

The problem of an incorrect level or side in lumbar surgery remains unresolved. The authors propose a useful and easily applied procedure to reduce such a risk. Larger studies comparing different methods of avoiding such errors will probably lead to the definition and wide adoption of a surgical behavior aiming to reach a near-zero error rate.

Obesity and spine surgery: reassessment based on a prospective evaluation of perioperative complications in elective degenerative thoracolumbar procedures

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The correlation between obesity and incidence of complications in spine surgery is unclear, with some reports suggesting linear relationships between body mass index (BMI) and complication incidence and others noting no relationship.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article was to assess the relationship between obesity and occurrence of perioperative complications in an elective thoracolumbar surgery cohort.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Prospective observational cohort study at a tertiary care facility.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Cohort of 87 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery for degenerative thoracolumbar pathologies over a 6-month period (May to December 2008).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of perioperative complications (those occurring within 30 days of surgery).

METHODS

A prospective assessment of perioperative spine surgery complications was completed, and data were prospectively entered into a central database. Two independent auditors assessed for the presence and severity of perioperative complications. Previously validated binary definitions of major and minor complications were used. Patient data and early complications (those occurring within 30 days of index surgery) were analyzed using multivariate regression.

RESULTS

Mean BMI in this cohort was 31.3; 40.8% of patients were obese (BMI>30) and 10 patients (11.5%) were morbidly obese (BMI>40). The overall complication incidence was 67%. Minor complications occurred in 50% of patients, and major complications occurred in 17.8% of patients. No positioning palsies occurred in this series. Age correlated with an increase in complication risk (p=.006) as did hypertension (p=.004) and performance of a fusion (p<.0001). BMI did not correlate with the incidence of minor, major, or any complications (p=.58).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective assessment of perioperative complications in elective degenerative thoracolumbar procedures shows no relationship between patient BMI and the incidence of perioperative minor or major complications. Specific care in perioperative positioning may limit the risk of perioperative positioning palsies in obese patients.

Surgeon perceptions and reported complications in spine surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

To define the term "complications" from the spine surgery literature and contrast this with definitions from other federal institutions, to summarize the incidence of adverse events in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine surgery, to include the factors that contribute to these events, and to determine the relationship between complications and patient centered outcomes.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Efforts to understand and reduce complications in medicine, and spine surgery in particular have been hampered as a result of the lack of a meaningful and universally acceptable definition. The complex field of spine surgery has been a particularly challenging area for the development of a consensus to constructively describe these "undesirable/unanticipated developments arising during or out of the delivery of health care." Furthermore, an overall understanding of expected complication rates after major spine surgery is lacking.

METHODS

A systematic review of the English literature was undertaken for articles published between 1990 and December 2008. Electronic and federal databases and reference lists of key articles were searched to identify articles defining complications and reporting rates of spine surgical complications. Two independent reviewers assessed the level of evidence quality using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria and disagreements were resolved by consensus. RESULTS.: The definitions for complications in the spine literature and federal agencies are inconsistent and at times conflicting. Mortality rates for cervical spine and lumbar spine surgery are <1%. For thoracic spine surgery, rates range from 0.3% to 7%. Complication rates range from 5% to 19%, 7% to 18%, and 4% to 14% after cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine surgery, respectively. Findings from a single study indicate that major complications may have an impact on 1-year self-perceived general health. However, minor complications may not.

CONCLUSION

We define a complication as an unintended and undesirable diagnostic or therapeutic event that may impact the patient's care. Complications should be recorded and analyzed relative to disease severity, patient comorbidities, and ultimately their effect on patient outcomes. Further work needs to be done to develop a complication risk impact index that has the ability to help us assess and communicate the interaction of patient comorbidities and complication severity on patient centered outcomes.

Spine adverse events severity system: content validation and interobserver reliability assessment

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective validation study, preliminary single-center report.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the content validity and interobserver reliability of a simple severity classification system for adverse events (AEs) associated with spinal surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

In the surgical literature what is defined as an AE, the severity of an AE, and the reporting of AEs are variable. Consequently, valid comparison of AEs within or among specialties or surgical centers for the same or different procedures is often impossible.

METHODS

Since 2002, a Spine Adverse Events Severity system (SAVES) has been locally developed and prospectively used. AEs were graded as I (requires none/minimal treatment, minimal effect [<1-2 days] on length of stay [LOS]), II (requires treatment and/or increases LOS [3-7 days] with no long-term sequelae), III (requires treatment and/or increased LOS [>7 days] with long-term sequelae [>6 months]), and IV (death). Content validity of the grading system was assessed using the hospital chart abstraction (current defacto gold standard) compared with the SAVES from 200 randomly selected patients. Interobserver reliability was assessed in consecutive operative cases for 1 spine surgeon during a 1-year period (2006) using 3 raters (staff surgeon, fellow, and/or resident).

RESULTS

The prospectively administered form reported a higher number of surgical AEs (n = 43 vs. n = 30) and a similar number of medical AEs (n = 31 vs. n = 27). Compared with the chart, the AE form displayed substantial agreement for number (70%; weighted Kappa [wK] = 0.60) and type (75%; wK = 0.67) of AE. The interobserver reliability was near perfect (kappa = 0.8) for the actual grade of AE and moderate (kappa = 0.5) for the criteria behind the grading (i.e., clinical effect of the AE or the effect of the AE on LOS or both).

CONCLUSION

The result of this study demonstrates improved capture of surgical AEs using SAVES. Excellent interobserver reliability between surgeons at different level of training was demonstrated with minimal education or training regarding the use of SAVES.

Feasibility and safety of en bloc resection for primary spine tumors: a systematic review by the Spine Oncology Study Group

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the general feasibility and safety of en bloc resection for primary spine tumors by analyzing (1) the effect of incisional biopsy performed before definitive en bloc resection and (2) the rate of achievement of disease-free margins, morbidity, mortality, and health resource utilization.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The feasibility of en bloc resection is determined by careful surgical and oncologic staging, and a key step in this process is obtaining a tissue diagnosis. There is currently good evidence to support the premise that the best chance for surgical cure in primary tumors of the spine is by en bloc resection with disease-free margins; however, the early morbidity of these procedures begs the question of whether they are justified.

METHODS

A formal systematic review with search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases was undertaken. Included reports described patients with low grade malignant spine tumors, the method of staging and surgical resection, and the complications. Two blinded, independent reviewers used a standardized study selection worksheet.

RESULTS

About 89 articles were identified, with 8 selected after excluding small case series and studies that included other pathologies (e.g., metastatic disease). Weinstein, Boriani, Biagini staging accurately predicted the attainment of wide or marginal en bloc resection in 88% of cases. There was a clear increase in tumor recurrence when intralesional procedures were performed before the definitive en bloc resection. Tumor recurrence significantly shortened patient survival. Surgical complication rates ranged from 13% to 56% and mortality ranged from 0% to 7.7%.

CONCLUSION

(1) Incisional biopsy or intralesional resection significantly increases the risk of local recurrence, therefore, transcutaneous computed tomography-guided trocar biopsy is recommended. When there is a suspicion of primary spine tumor, the surgeon who performs the definitive surgery should ideally perform or direct the biopsy procedure. (2) En bloc resection is achievable if staging determines that it is feasible. The adverse event profile of these surgeries is high even at experienced centers. Therefore, experienced, multidisciplinary teams should perform these surgeries. (3) Grade of Recommendation can be "strong recommendation, low-quality evidence."

[Operative treatment of traumatic fractures of the thorax and lumbar spine. Part II: surgical treatment and radiological findings]

The Spine Study Group (AG WS) of the German Trauma Association (DGU) presents its second prospective Internet-based multicenter study (MCS II) for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal injuries. This second part of the study report focuses on the surgical treatment, course of treatment, and radiological findings in a study population of 865 patients. A total of 158 (18,3%) thoracic, 595 (68,8%) thoracolumbar, and 112 (12,9%) lumbar spine injuries were treated. Of these, 733 patients received operative treatment (OP group). Fifty-two patients were treated non-operatively and 69 patients were treated with kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty without additional instrumentation (Plasty group). In the OP group, 380 (51.8%) patients were instrumented from a posterior (dorsal) position, 34 (4.6%) from an anterior (ventral) position, and 319 (43.5%) cases with a combined posteroanterior procedure. Angular stable internal spine fixator systems were used in 86-97% of the cases for posterior and/or combined posteroanterior procedures. For anterior procedures, angular stable plate systems were used in a majority of cases (51.1%) for the instrumentation of mainly one or two segment lesions (72.7%). In 188 cases (53,3%), vertebral body replacement implants (cages) were used and were mainly implanted via endoscopic approaches (67,4%) to the thoracic spine and/or the thoracolumbar junction. The average operating time was 152 min in posterior-, 208 min in anterior-, and 298 min in combined postero-anterior procedures (p<0,001). The average blood loss was highest in combined operations, measuring 959 ml vs. 650 ml in posterior vs. 534 ml in anterior operations (p<0,001).Computer-assisted intraoperative navigation systems were used in 95 cases. At the time of hospital admission, 58,7% of the patients had spinal canal narrowing of an average of 36% (5-95%) at the level of their injury. The average spinal canal narrowing in patients with a complete spinal cord injury (Frankel/ASIA A) was calculated to be 70%, vs. 50% in patients with incomplete neurologic deficits (Frankel/ASIA B-D), and 20% in patients without neurologic deficits (Frankel/ASIS E; p<0,001). The average procedure in the plasty treatment subgroup was 50 min (18-145 min) to address one (n=59) or two (n=10) injured vertebral bodies. In patients with nonoperative treatment mainly three-point-corsets (n=36) were administered for a duration of 6-12 weeks. During their hospital stay 93 of 195 (44,7%) patients with initial neurologic deficits improved at least one Frankel/ASIA grade until the day of discharge. Two patients (0,2%) showed a neurologic deterioration. The highest rate of complete spinal cord injury (n=36, 23%) was associated with thoracic spine injuries. Nine (1%) patients died during the initial course of treatment. A total of 105 (14,3%) cases with intraoperative (n=56) and/or postoperative complications (n=69) were registered. The most common intraoperative complication was bleeding (n=35, 4,8%). A higher relative frequency of intraoperative complications was noticed in combined (n=34, 10,7%) vs. isolated posterior (n=22, 5,9%; p=0,021) procedures. The most common postoperative complication was associated with wound healing problems in 14 (1,9%) patients. Except in the non-operative treatment subgroup, a correction of the posttraumatic measured radiological deformity was achieved to a different extent within every treatment subgroup. There were no statistically significant differences between the postoperative radiological results of the treatment subgroups (dorsal vs. combination), taking into consideration the influence of relevant parameters such as different fracture types, patient age, and the amount of posttraumatic deformity (p=0,34, ANOVA).

Complications in spinal surgery: comparative survey of spine surgeons and patients who underwent spinal surgery

OBJECT

Definitions of complications in spinal surgery are not clear. Therefore, the authors assessed a group of practicing spine surgeons and, through the surgeons' responses to an online and emailed survey, developed a simple definition of operative complications due to spinal surgery. To validate this assessment, the authors revised their survey to make it appropriate for a lay audience and repeated the assessment with a cohort of patients who underwent spine surgery.

METHODS

The authors surveyed a cohort of practicing spine surgeons via email and a web-based survey. Surgeons were presented with various complication scenarios and were asked to grade the presence or absence of a complication as well as complication severity, with responses limited to "major complication" and "minor complication/adverse event." The authors administered a similar assessment, modified for lay persons, to patients in a spinal surgery clinic.

RESULTS

Complete responses were obtained from 229 surgeons; orthopedic surgeons comprised the majority of respondents (73%). The authors obtained completed surveys from 197 patients. Overall, there was consistent agreement between physicians and patients regarding the presence or absence of a complication in the majority of scenarios (8 [73%] of 11 scenarios with agreement that a complication was present). The overall kappa value, evaluating major versus minor complication, and presence or absence of a complication over the entire cohort, was fair (kappa = 0.21). The authors found greater variation between the cohorts when evaluating complication severity. Patients were consistently more critical than physicians in the majority of scenarios in which a difference was evident. In 4 scenarios, patients were more likely than surgeons to deem the scenario a complication and to grade the complication as major versus minor (p < 0.01). In 3 additional scenarios, patients were more likely than physicians to grade a major complication as opposed to minor complication (p < 0.01). In only 1 scenario were patients less likely than physicians to report a complication (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Comparing responses of spine surgeons and patients who underwent spinal surgery in assessing a group of common postoperative events, the authors found significant agreement on perception of presence of a complication in the majority of scenarios reviewed. However, patients were consistently more critical than surgeons when differences in reporting were found. The authors' data underscore the importance of reconciling differing opinions regarding complications through open discussions between physicians and patients to ensure accurate patient expectations of planned medical or surgical interventions.

Effect of fibrin glue on the prevention of persistent cerebral spinal fluid leakage after incidental durotomy during lumbar spinal surgery

Approximately one million spinal surgeries are performed in the United States each year. The risk of an incidental durotomy (ID) and resultant persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a significant concern for surgeons, as this complication has been associated with increased length of hospitalization, worse neurological outcome, and the development of CSF fistulae. Augmentation of standard dural suture repair with the application of fibrin glue has been suggested to reduce the frequency of these complications. This study examined unintended durotomies during lumbar spine surgery in a large surgical patient cohort and the impact of fibrin glue usage as part of the ID repair on the incidence of persistent CSF leakage. A retrospective analysis of 4,835 surgical procedures of the lumbar spine from a single institution over a 10-year period was performed to determine the rate of ID. The 90-day clinical course of these patients was evaluated. Clinical examination, B-2 transferrin assay, and radiographic imaging were utilized to determine the number of persistent CSF leaks after repair with or without fibrin glue. Five hundred forty-seven patients (11.3%) experienced a durotomy during surgery. Of this cohort, fibrin glue was used in the dural repair in 278 patients (50.8%). Logistic models evaluating age, sex, redo surgery, and the use of fibrin glue revealed that prior lumbar spinal surgery was the only univariate predictor of persistent CSF leak, conferring a 2.8-fold increase in risk. A persistent CSF leak, defined as continued drainage of CSF from the operative incision within 90 days of the surgery that required an intervention greater than simple bed rest or over-sewing of the wound, was noted in a total of 64 patients (11.7%). This persistent CSF leak rate was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients with prior lumbar surgery (21%) versus those undergoing their first spine surgery (9%). There was no statistical difference in persistent CSF leak between those cases in which fibrin glue was used at the time of surgery and those in which fibrin glue was not used. There were no complications associated with the use of fibrin glue. A history of prior surgery significantly increases the incidence of durotomy during elective lumbar spine surgery. In patients who experienced a durotomy during lumbar spine surgery, the use of fibrin glue for dural repair did not significantly decrease the incidence of a persistent CSF leak.

An analysis of general surgery-related complications in a series of 412 minilaparotomic anterior lumbosacral procedures

OBJECT

Anterior lumbar surgery is associated with certain perioperative visceral and vascular complications. The aim of this study was to document all general surgery-related adverse events and complications following minilaparotomic retroperitoneal lumbar procedures and to discuss strategies for their management or prevention.

METHODS

The authors analyzed data obtained in 412 patients who underwent anterior lumbosacral surgery between 2003 and 2005. The series comprised 114 men and 298 women whose mean age was 56 years (range 34-79 years). Preoperative diagnoses were as follows: isthmic spondylolisthesis (32%), degenerative spondylolisthesis (24%), instability/stenosis (15%), degenerative disc disease (15%), failed-back surgery syndrome (7%), and lumbar degenerative kyphosis or scoliosis (7%). A single level was exposed in 264 patients (64%), 2 in 118 (29%), and 3 or 4 in 30 (7%). The average follow-up period was 16 months.

RESULTS

Overall, 52 instances of complications and adverse events occurred in 50 patients (12.1%), including sympathetic dysfunction in 25 (6.06%), vascular injury repaired with/without direct suture in 12 (2.9%), ileus lasting > 3 days in 5 (1.2%), pleural effusion in 4 (0.97%), wound dehiscence in 2 (0.49%), symptomatic retroperitoneal hematoma in 2 (0.49%), angina in 1 (0.24%), and bowel laceration in 1 patient (0.24%). There was no instance of retrograde ejaculation in male patients, and most complications had no long-term sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

This report presents a detailed analysis of complications related to anterior lumbar surgery. Although the incidence of complications appears low considering the magnitude of the procedure, surgeons should be aware of these potential complications and their management.

A century of spine surgery: what can patients expect?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the hypothesis that spinal fusion surgery is an effective method to address spinal deformity-associated clinical problems, including magnitude of curvature (Cobb angle), pulmonary dysfunction, and pain.

METHOD

A systematic review was carried out using Science Citation Index (SCI) Expanded (1900 - present), Social Sciences Citation Index (1956 - present), Arts and Humanities Citation Index (1965 - present), Medline (1950 - present) and PubMed Central databases (1887 - present) to access information regarding efficacy of spine surgery in preventing or improving the health and function of patients diagnosed with scoliosis in adolescence.

RESULTS

Since 1950, more than 12,600 articles on scoliosis have been published, and nearly 50% (5721) focus on methods, rationale, outcome, and complications of surgical intervention. Among these, 82 articles have documented outcome for groups of > or =10 patients, treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and followed for at least 2 years after treatment. These data provide an overview of the impact of spine surgery on scoliosis for 5780 patients as surgery methods and approaches have evolved.

CONCLUSIONS

For most patients, a reduced magnitude of spinal curvature can be achieved through one or more spinal fusion surgeries. There is no evidence to support the premise that this result is correlated with improved pulmonary function or reduced pain.

Comparison of adverse events between the Bryan artificial cervical disc and anterior cervical arthrodesis

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rates of adverse events associated with disc arthroplasty versus those of anterior cervical discectomy and arthrodesis with allograft and plate.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cervical disc arthroplasty as a substitute for fusion has been developed to maintain motion and, theoretically, prevent adjacent segment degeneration. Currently, cervical arthroplasty devices are undergoing clinical testing for safety and efficacy. The evaluation of safety is performed by critical analysis of all adverse occurrences following surgery to determine if the new device has a beneficial risk profile for the patient.

METHODS

Adverse events associated with Bryan Disc arthroplasty and arthrodesis were compared in a prospective randomized study. Four hundred sixty-three (463) patients having cervical radiculopathy and or myelopathy at a single level were treated at 31 sites. A total of 242 patients received the disc and 221 patients had anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. All patients were evaluated before surgery and at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Adverse events were recorded concurrently and categorized by severity and as medically or surgically related.

RESULTS

No differences in overall medical events occurred between groups. Surgically related events occurred more frequently in the investigational group secondary to more complaints of postoperative dysphagia and late medical events occurred more frequently in the investigational patients. However, the more severe World Health Organization Grade 3 and 4 events occurred more frequently in the arthrodesis patients related to treatment of pseudarthrosis and persistent symptoms. Significantly, more cervical spine reoperations occurred in the fusion group. Only one spinal cord injury occurred and it was in the arthrodesis group and no patients had deep infection or death related to either procedure.

CONCLUSION

Bryan cervical disc replacement and anterior cervical fusion are both safe procedures with a low incidence of significant adverse events related to the procedure. Statistically, more serious adverse events and reoperations occurred in the fusion group while a greater number of less serious surgically related events were seen in the investigational group.

Perioperative outcomes and complications related to teaching residents and fellows in scoliosis surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Single-surgeon retrospective case series of 303 consecutive operative patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for IS as a function of the experience level of the surgical assistant.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The experience level of the surgical assistant, who is often a resident or fellow, has never before been evaluated as an independent factor in predicting perioperative outcomes and morbidity in scoliosis surgery. We hypothesize that there is no difference in perioperative outcomes with varying experience level of the surgical assistant.

METHODS

We evaluated the clinical, radiographic, and operative records from 303 consecutive operative patients from consecutive patients with IS. Group I was comprised of residents or spine fellows as assistants (teaching service, n = 175), and Group II consisted of junior or senior attendings as assistants (private practice service, n = 128). Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between experience level of the assistant and curve correction, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, transfusions, and length of stay.

RESULTS

In the posterior spinal fusion group (PSF, n = 164), there were no statistically significant differences in operative times between Groups I and II. Group I operative time was significantly increased, however, in patients undergoing anterior spinal surgery (ASF, P = 0.01), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (P = 0.0004), and combined anterior/posterior surgeries (ASF/PSF, P = 0.0063). There were no differences in EBL in ASF, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or PSF surgeries, however, Group I had significantly higher EBL in the ASF/PSF group (P = 0.0016). No group differences were detected with respect to curve correction, transfusion rates, length of stay, or early complication rates.

CONCLUSION

The experience level of surgical assistant had little bearing on perioperative morbidity or radiographic outcomes in scoliosis surgery. Marginally increased operative times and EBL, without an increase in transfusions or complications, is an acceptably safe tradeoff for educating orthopedic residents and fellows.

Use of osteogenic protein-1 in patients at high risk for spinal pseudarthrosis: a prospective cohort study assessing safety, health-related quality of life, and radiographic fusion. Invited submission from the Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, March 2007

OBJECT

The capability of osteogenic protein (OP)-1 to induce bone formation has led to an increasing interest in its use in fusion surgery. This prospective study examines the safety and efficacy of OP-1 use in patients considered to be at a high risk for developing pseudarthrosis following reconstructive spinal surgery.

METHODS

Outcome measures included documentation of adverse events, radiographic evaluation of fusion by an independent musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to treatment, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments (ODI and SF-36) were given at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the surgical OP-1 implant.

RESULTS

The study consisted of 17 male and 13 female patients, with a mean age of 53 years (range 20-77 years). Fourteen patients underwent operations for cervical disease, and 16 for lumbar disease, with a median postoperative follow-up of 24 months (range 13-46 months). There were significant improvements in the physical health (from 28.7 +/- 1.5 to 34.2 +/- 3; p = 0.025) and mental health (from 43.7 +/- 2 to 47.5 +/- 3.1; p = 0.015) summary scores on the SF-36. The mean postoperative ODI score at 6, 9, 12, and 18 months was significantly lower than the baseline ODI score, after taking into consideration a 10-point measurement error (p = 0.0003, p = 0.003, p = 0.004, and p = 0.032, respectively). At 24 months, however, the differences in ODI scores were no longer significant. Of the 30 patients, 24 (80%) were deemed to have a solid fusion. There were no allergic reactions to OP-1 and no symptomatic postoperative hematomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the use of OP-1 is safe and may contribute to high fusion rates, as demonstrated by radiographs, reduced levels of disability, and improved HRQOL in patients considered to be at a high risk for developing a nonunion after spinal reconstructive surgery.