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Liu DS, Farid AR, Linden GS, Cook D, Birch CM, Hresko MT, Hedequist DJ, Hogue GD. Utility of postoperative laboratory testing after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine Deform 2024; 12:375-381. [PMID: 37884756 DOI: 10.1007/s43390-023-00771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE With advancements to blood management strategies, risk of perioperative transfusion following surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has diminished. We hypothesize that routine laboratory testing on postoperative-day 1 (POD1) and beyond is unnecessary. The purpose of this study is to determine necessity of POD1 labs, particularly hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, following surgical management of AIS. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive AIS patients aged 11-19 who underwent posterior spinal fusion (PSF) at a single institution. Univariable logistic regression was utilized to determine factors associated with hematocrit ≤ 22% on POD1 or a postoperative transfusion. Firth's penalized logistic regression was used for any separation in data. Youden's index was utilized to determine the optimal point on the ROC curve that maximizes both sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS 527 patients qualified for this study. Among the eight total patients with POD1 hematocrit ≤ 22, none underwent transfusion. These patients had lower last intraoperative hematocrit levels compared to patients with POD1 hematocrit > 22% (24.1% vs 31.5%, p < 0.001), and these groups showed no difference in preoperative hematocrit levels (38.2% vs 39.8%, p = 0.11). Four patients underwent postoperative transfusion. Both preoperative hematocrit levels (34.0% vs 39.9%, p = 0.001) and last intraoperative hematocrit levels (25.1% vs 31.4%, p = 0.002) were lower compared to patients without transfusion. Intraoperative hematocrit < 26.2%, operative time of more than 35.8 min per level fused, or cell salvage > 241 cc were significant risk factors for postoperative transfusion. CONCLUSION Transfusion after PSF for AIS is exceedingly rare. POD1 labs should be considered when last intraoperative hematocrit < 26%, operative time per level fused > 35 min, or cell salvage amount > 241 cc. Otherwise, unless symptomatic, patients do not benefit from postoperative laboratory screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Liu
- Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Gabriel S Linden
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Danielle Cook
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Craig M Birch
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - M Timothy Hresko
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Daniel J Hedequist
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Grant D Hogue
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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