The study authors examined the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and gathered data for pediatric spinal fusion patients from 2002 to 2011. There were 72,483 primary fusions and 2,024 revision fusion procedures performed during the study period. The study authors found:
1. The length of stay at the hospital was longer for revision procedures — nearly eight days, compared with the primary surgery group, where average hospital stays lasted 6.6 days.
2. The total charges were $135,644 on average for primary fusions and $142,029 on average for revision procedures.
3. In the revision procedure group, 16.7 percent of patients developed at least one complication in the hospital, compared to 8.6 percent of the primary fusion group.
4. The complications that were more common in the revision group include:
• Reintubation: 4.3 percent, compared to 2.3 percent
• Hemorrhage or hematoma: 5 percent, compared to 2.5 percent
• Wound complications: 4 percent, compared to 1.1 percent
• Accidental vessel or nerve puncture: 2.6 percent compared to 0.8 percent
• Implant-related complications: 5.3 percent compared to 0.4 percent
• Incidental durotomy: 2.1 percent, compared to 0.3 percent
5. The risk factors for developing complications in addition to revision procedures were the male sex and fusion at eight or more levels.
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