The study authors analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and pulled data for 2,320 lumbar spinal surgery patients who were 80 years old or older. The researchers found:
1. More than 16 percent of the patients reported a complication or death; 3.23 percent experienced a major complication while 14.57 percent reported a minor complication.
2. There were 86 patients, or 6.39 percent, who were readmitted at the hospital within 30 days of their initial procedure.
3. Ten patients died within 30 days after spine surgery.
4. The patients who had longer operative times — more than 180 minutes — were more likely to report perioperative complications. Patients who underwent instrumented and/or fusion procedures were also likely to increase their risk of complication.
5. Risk of readmission increased among patients who were underweight — less than 18.5 BMI — and those who were “functionally debilitated” when they were admitted.
More articles on spine surgery:
9 spine surgeons & neurosurgeons on the move in March 2017
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Dr. James Lynch first Nevada surgeon to use Titan Spine technology—5 takeaways
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