AANS: 8% of Adult Spinal Surgeries Result in Major Complications

More than 8 percent of adult spinal surgeries result in major perioperative complications, such as excessive blood loss, returns to the OR for deep infections, pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, according to research presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 79th Annual Meeting and published in Medscape Medical News.

Researchers conducted a retrospective study of 953 patients, including matched controls. Results showed 99 total major complications from the patient cohort, with an average 1.4 complication per patient. A break-out analysis showed 11 patients experienced excessive blood loss, 11 patients returned to the OR for deep-wound infections and 10 patients experienced pulmonary embolism. According to researchers, the main risk factor that is under the surgeons’ control is the number of surgery stages and the surgical approach.

Read the news report about complications from adult spinal surgery.

Read other coverage about spine surgery:

– Scoliosis Surgery Can Boost Adolescent Patients’ Self-Esteem

– Study Points to Risk Factors for Cervical Spine Reconstruction Failure

– Age, Gender, Race, BMI: Predictors of Adult Scoliosis

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