Risk factors and morbidity associated with surgical site infection subtypes following adult neurosurgical procedures

OBJECTIVE

Studies on surgical site infection (SSI) in adult neurosurgery have presented all subtypes of SSIs as the general 'SSI'. Given that SSIs constitute a broad range of infections, we hypothesized that clinical outcomes and management vary based on SSI subtype.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all neurosurgical SSI from 2012-2019 was conducted at a tertiary care institution. SSI subtypes were categorized as deep and superficial incisional SSI, brain, dural or spinal abscesses, meningitis or ventriculitis, and osteomyelitis.

RESULTS

9620 craniotomy, shunt, and fusion procedures were studied. 147 procedures (1.5%) resulted in postoperative SSI. 87 (59.2%) of these were associated with craniotomy, 36 (24.5%) with spinal fusion, and 24 (16.3%) with ventricular shunting. Compared with superficial incisional primary SSI, rates of reoperation to treat SSI were highest for deep incisional primary SSI (91.2% vs 38.9% for superficial, p < 0.001) and second-highest for intracranial SSI (90.9% vs 38.9%, p = 0.0001). Postoperative meningitis was associated with the highest mortality rate (14.9%). Compared with superficial incisional SSI, the rate of readmission for intracranial SSI was highest (57.6% vs 16.7%, p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Deep incisional and organ space SSI demonstrate a greater association with morbidity relative to superficial incisional SSI. Future studies should assess subtypes of SSI given these differences.

Length of Stay Beyond Medical Readiness in a Neurosurgical Patient Population and Associated Healthcare Costs

BACKGROUND

Length of stay beyond medical readiness (LOS-BMR) leads to increased expenses and higher morbidity related to hospital-acquired conditions.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of admitted neurosurgical patients who have LOS-BMR and associated risk factors and costs.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, cohort analysis of all neurosurgical patients admitted to our institution over 5 mo. LOS-BMR was assessed daily by the attending neurosurgeon and neuro-intensivist with a standardized criterion. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 884 patients admitted, 229 (25.9%) had a LOS-BMR. The average LOS-BMR was 2.7 ± 3.1 d at an average daily cost of $9 148.28 ± $12 983.10, which resulted in a total cost of $2 076 659.32 over the 5-mo period. Patients with LOS-BMR were significantly more likely to be older and to have hemiplegia, dementia, liver disease, renal disease, and diabetes mellitus. Patients with a LOS-BMR were significantly more likely to be discharged to a subacute rehabilitation/skilled nursing facility (40.2% vs 4.1%) or an acute/inpatient rehabilitation facility (22.7% vs 1.7%, P < .0001). Patients with Medicare insurance were more likely to have a LOS-BMR, whereas patients with private insurance were less likely (P = .048).

CONCLUSION

The most common reason for LOS-BMR was inefficient discharge of patients to rehabilitation and nursing facilities secondary to unavailability of beds at discharge locations, insurance clearance delays, and family-related issues.