A new study published in Spine examined the risk factors for early postoperative complications after posterior cervical fusion.
Study authors examined data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for surgeries performed from 2010 to 2014. There were 1,573 cases included in the study. Here are key findings:
1. The average serum albumin level was 2.9 after posterior cervical fusion procedures.
2. Around 16 percent of the patients had hypoalbuminemia, and those patients were at an increased risk of staying at the hospital for more than five days.
3. Hypoalbuminemia was an independent risk factor for complications such as:
● Pulmonary complications
● Intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusions
● Sepsis
● Venous thromboembolism
4. Study authors concluded baseline serum albumin less than 3.5 g/dL "may serve as a valuable prognostic measure for the development of several complications following PCF surgery."