A new study published in Spine examines complication timing after spinal fusion.
The study examines 12,067 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and 11,807 patients who underwent posterior lumbar fusion with or without interbody. For ACDF patients, the researchers found the average day after surgery of diagnosis for complications was:
1. Anemia requiring transfusion: 0
2. Myocardial infarction: 2
3. Pneumonia: 4
4. Pulmonary embolism: 5
5. Deep vein thrombosis: 10
6. Sepsis: 10.5
7. Surgical site infection: 13
8. Urinary tract infection: 17
Among patients with PLF, the average day of diagnosis was:
1. Anemia requiring transfusion: 0
2. Myocardial infarction: 2
3. Pneumonia: 4
4. Pulmonary embolism: 5
5. Deep vein thrombosis: 8
6. Sepsis: 9
7. Surgical site infection: 17
8. Urinary tract infection: 7
"Spine surgeons should have the lowest threshold for testing each complication during the time period of greatest risk," concluded the study authors.