Browsing by Author "Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee"

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    ItemOpen Access
    Complications in the surgical treatment of 19,360 cases of pediatric scoliosis: a review of the Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality database.
    (Spine, 2011-08) Reames, Davis L; Smith, Justin S; Fu, Kai-Ming G; Polly, David W; Ames, Christopher P; Berven, Sigurd H; Perra, Joseph H; Glassman, Steven D; McCarthy, Richard E; Knapp, Raymond D; Heary, Robert; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Study design

    Retrospective review of a multicenter database.

    Objective

    To determine the complication rates associated with surgical treatment of pediatric scoliosis and to assess variables associated with increased complication rates.

    Summary of background data

    Wide variability is reported for complications associated with the operative treatment of pediatric scoliosis. Limited number of patients, surgeons, and diagnoses occur in most reports. The Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) database aggregates deidentified data, permitting determination of complication rates from large numbers of patients and surgeons.

    Methods

    Cases of pediatric scoliosis (age ≤18 years), entered into the Scoliosis Research Society M&M database between 2004 and 2007, were analyzed. Age, scoliosis type, type of instrumentation used, and complications were assessed.

    Results

    A total of 19,360 cases fulfilled inclusion criteria. Of these, complications occurred in 1971 (10.2%) cases. Overall complication rates differed significantly among idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular cases (P < 0.001). Neuromuscular scoliosis had the highest rate of complications (17.9%), followed by congenital scoliosis (10.6%) and idiopathic scoliosis (6.3%). Rates of neurologic deficit also differed significantly based on the etiology of scoliosis (P < 0.001), with the highest rate among congenital cases (2.0%), followed by neuromuscular types (1.1%) and idiopathic scoliosis (0.8%). Neur-omuscular scoliosis and congenital scoliosis had the highest rates of mortality (0.3% each), followed by idiopathic scoliosis (0.02%). Higher rates of new neurologic deficits were associated with revision procedures (P < 0.001) and with the use of corrective osteotomies (P < 0.001). The rates of new neurologic deficit were significantly higher for procedures using anterior screw-only constructs (2.0%) or wire-only constructs (1.7%), compared with pedicle screw-only constructs (0.7%) (P < 0.001).

    Conclusion

    In this review of a large multicenter database of surgically treated pediatric scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis had the highest morbidity, but relatively high complication rates occurred in all groups. These data may be useful for preoperative counseling and surgical decision-making in the treatment of pediatric scoliosis.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Correlation of higher preoperative American Society of Anesthesiology grade and increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients undergoing spine surgery.
    (Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2011-04) Fu, Kai-Ming G; Smith, Justin S; Polly, David W; Ames, Christopher P; Berven, Sigurd H; Perra, Joseph H; McCarthy, Richard E; Knapp, D Raymond; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Object

    Patients with varied medical comorbidities often present with spinal pathology for which operative intervention is potentially indicated, but few studies have examined risk stratification in determining morbidity and mortality rates associated with the operative treatment of spinal disorders. This study provides an analysis of morbidity and mortality data associated with 22,857 cases reported in the multicenter, multisurgeon Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality database stratified by American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, a commonly used system to describe preoperative physical status and to predict operative morbidity.

    Methods

    The Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality database was queried for the year 2007, the year in which ASA data were collected. Inclusion criterion was a reported ASA grade. Cases were categorized by operation type and disease process. Details on the surgical approach and type of instrumentation were recorded. Major perioperative complications and deaths were evaluated. Two large subgroups--patients with adult degenerative lumbar disease and patients with major deformity--were also analyzed separately. Statistical analyses were performed with the chi-square test.

    Results

    The population studied comprised 22,857 patients. Spinal disease included degenerative disease (9409 cases), scoliosis (6782 cases), spondylolisthesis (2144 cases), trauma (1314 cases), kyphosis (831 cases), and other (2377 cases). The overall complication rate was 8.4%. Complication rates for ASA Grades 1 through 5 were 5.4%, 9.0%, 14.4%, 20.3%, and 50.0%, respectively (p = 0.001). In patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar diseases and major adult deformity, similarly increasing rates of morbidity were found in higher-grade patients. The mortality rate was also higher in higher-grade patients. The incidence of major complications, including wound infections, hematomas, respiratory problems, and thromboembolic events, was also greater in patients with higher ASA grades.

    Conclusions

    Patients with higher ASA grades undergoing spinal surgery had significantly higher rates of morbidity than those with lower ASA grades. Given the common application of the ASA system to surgical patients, this grade may prove helpful for surgical decision making and preoperative counseling with regard to risks of morbidity and mortality.
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    Does bone morphogenetic protein increase the incidence of perioperative complications in spinal fusion? A comparison of 55,862 cases of spinal fusion with and without bone morphogenetic protein.
    (Spine, 2011-09) Williams, Brian J; Smith, Justin S; Fu, Kai-Ming G; Hamilton, D Kojo; Polly, David W; Ames, Christopher P; Berven, Sigurd H; Perra, Joseph H; Knapp, Dennis R; McCarthy, Richard E; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Study design

    Retrospective review of a multi-institutional, multisurgeon database.

    Objective

    Assess for associations between bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) use and rate of complications in spinal fusion.

    Summary of background data

    BMP is commonly used in spinal surgery to augment fusion; however, there is limited evidence demonstrating its associated complications.

    Methods

    We performed a retrospective analysis of all fusion cases submitted by members of the Scoliosis Research Society from 2004 to 2007. We stratified on the basis of the use of BMP and evaluated for complications and associated characteristics.

    Results

    A total of 55,862 cases of spinal fusion were identified with BMP used in 21% (11,933) of the cases. Excluding anterior cervical fusions, there were no significant differences between fusions with and without BMP with regard to overall complications (8.4% vs. 8.5%; P = 0.5), wound infections (2.4% vs. 2.4%; P = 0.8), or epidural hematomas/seromas (0.2% vs. 0.2%; P = 0.3). Anterior cervical fusions with BMP were associated with more overall complications (5.8% vs. 2.4%; P < 0.001) and more wound infections (2.1% vs. 0.4%; P < 0.001) than fusions without BMP. On multivariate analysis for thoracolumbar and posterior cervical fusions, BMP use was not a significant predictor of complications (P = 0.334; odds ratio = 1.039; 95% confidence interval = 0.961-1.124; covariates were BMP use, patient age, revision vs. primary surgery). Multivariate analysis for anterior cervical spinal fusion demonstrated that BMP use remained a significant predictor of complications (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.516-1.721), after adjusting for the effects of patient age and whether the surgery was a revision procedure.

    Conclusion

    BMP use with anterior cervical fusion was associated with an increased incidence of complications. Use of BMP was not associated with more complications in thoracolumbar and posterior cervical fusions.
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    Morbidity and mortality associated with spinal surgery in children: a review of the Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database.
    (Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2011-01) Fu, Kai-Ming G; Smith, Justin S; Polly, David W; Ames, Christopher P; Berven, Sigurd H; Perra, Joseph H; Glassman, Steven D; McCarthy, Richard E; Knapp, D Raymond; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Object

    Currently, few studies regarding morbidity and mortality associated with operative treatment of spinal disorders in children are available to guide the surgeon. This study provides more detailed morbidity and mortality data with an analysis of 23,918 pediatric cases reported in the multicenter, multisurgeon Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database.

    Methods

    The Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database was queried for the years from 2004 to 2007. The inclusion criterion was age 18 years or younger. Cases were categorized by operation type and diagnosis. Details on the surgical approach, use of neurophysiological monitoring, and type of instrumentation were recorded. Major perioperative complications and deaths were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square testing, with a p value < 0.05 considered significant.

    Results

    A total of 23,918 patients were included. The mean age was 13 ± 3.6 years (± SD). Spinal pathology included the following: scoliosis (in 19,642 patients), kyphosis (in 1455), spondylolisthesis (in 748), trauma (in 478), and other (in 1595 patients). The overall complication rate was 8.5%. Major complications included wound infections (2.7%), new neurological deficits (1.4%), implant-related complications (1.6%), and hematomas (0.4%). The most common medical complications were respiratory related (0.9%). Morbidity rates differed based on pathology, with patients undergoing treatment for kyphosis and spondylolisthesis having higher overall rates of morbidity (14.7% and 9.6%, respectively). Patients undergoing revision procedures (2034) or corrective osteotomies (2787) were more likely to suffer a complication or new neurological deficit. The majority of these deficits improved at least partially. Thirty-one deaths were reported for an overall rate of 1.3 per 1000. Respiratory complications were the most common cause of mortality (13 cases). Twenty-six of the deaths occurred in children undergoing scoliosis correction.

    Conclusions

    Spinal surgery in children is associated with a range of complications depending on the type of operation. Mortality rates for all indications and operations were low. Patients undergoing more aggressive corrective procedures for deformity are more likely to suffer complications and new neurological deficits.
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    Rates of infection after spine surgery based on 108,419 procedures: a report from the Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee.
    (Spine, 2011-04) Smith, Justin S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Sansur, Charles A; Berven, Sigurd H; Fu, Kai-Ming G; Broadstone, Paul A; Choma, Theodore J; Goytan, Michael J; Noordeen, Hilali H; Knapp, Dennis R; Hart, Robert A; Donaldson, William F; Polly, David W; Perra, Joseph H; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Study design

    Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

    Objective

    Our objective was to assess the rates of postoperative wound infection associated with spine surgery.

    Summary of background data

    Although wound infection after spine surgery remains a common source of morbidity, estimates of its rates of occurrence remain relatively limited. The Scoliosis Research Society prospectively collects morbidity and mortality data from its members, including the occurrence of wound infection.

    Methods

    The Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database was queried for all reported spine surgery cases from 2004 to 2007. Cases were stratified based on factors including diagnosis, adult (≥ 21 years) versus pediatric (<21 years), primary versus revision, use of implants, and whether a minimally invasive approach was used. Superficial, deep, and total infection rates were calculated. RESULTS.: In total, 108,419 cases were identified, with an overall total infection rate of 2.1% (superficial = 0.8%, deep = 1.3%). Based on primary diagnosis, total postoperative wound infection rate for adults ranged from 1.4% for degenerative disease to 4.2% for kyphosis. Postoperative wound infection rates for pediatric patients ranged from 0.9% for degenerative disease to 5.4% for kyphosis. Rate of infection was further stratified based on subtype of degenerative disease, type of scoliosis, and type of kyphosis for both adult and pediatric patients. Factors associated with increased rate of infection included revision surgery (P < 0.001), performance of spinal fusion (P < 0.001), and use of implants (P < 0.001). Compared with a traditional open approach, use of a minimally invasive approach was associated with a lower rate of infection for lumbar discectomy (0.4% vs. 1.1%; P < 0.001) and for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (1.3% vs. 2.9%; P = 0.005).

    Conclusion

    Our data suggest that postsurgical infection, even among skilled spine surgeons, is an inherent potential complication. These data provide general benchmarks of infection rates as a basis for ongoing efforts to improve safety of care.
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    Rates of new neurological deficit associated with spine surgery based on 108,419 procedures: a report of the scoliosis research society morbidity and mortality committee.
    (Spine, 2011-07) Hamilton, D Kojo; Smith, Justin S; Sansur, Charles A; Glassman, Steven D; Ames, Christopher P; Berven, Sigurd H; Polly, David W; Perra, Joseph H; Knapp, Dennis Raymond; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; McCarthy, Richard E; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Study design

    Retrospective review of a prospectively collected, multicenter database.

    Objective

    To assess rates of new neurologic deficit (NND) associated with spine surgery.

    Summary of background data

    NND is a potential complication of spine surgery, but previously reported rates are often limited by small sample size and single-surgeon experiences.

    Methods

    The Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database was queried for spinal surgery cases complicated by NND from 2004 to 2007, including nerve root deficit (NRD), cauda equina deficit (CED), and spinal cord deficit (SCD). Use of neuromonitoring was assessed. Recovery was stratified as complete, partial, or none. Rates of NND were stratified based on diagnosis, age (pediatric < 21; adult ≥ 21), and surgical parameters.

    Results

    Of the 108,419 cases reported, NND was documented for 1064 (1.0%), including 662 NRDs, 74 CEDs, and 293 SCDs (deficit not specified for 35 cases). Rates of NND were calculated on the basis of diagnosis. Revision cases had a 41% higher rate of NND (1.25%) compared with primary cases (0.89%; P < 0.001). Pediatric cases had a 59% higher rate of NND (1.32%) compared with adult cases (0.83%; P < 0.001). The rate of NND for cases with implants was more than twice that for cases without implants (1.15% vs. 0.52%, P < 0.001). Neuromonitoring was used for 65% of cases, and for cases with new NRD, CED, and SCD, changes in neuromonitoring were reported in 11%, 8%, and 40%, respectively. The respective percentages of no recovery, partial, and complete recovery for NRD were 4.7%, 46.8%, and 47.1%, respectively; for CED were 9.6%, 45.2%, and 45.2%, respectively; and for SCD were 10.6%, 43%, and 45.7%, respectively.

    Conclusion

    Our data demonstrate that, even among skilled spinal deformity surgeons, new neurologic deficits are inherent potential complications of spine surgery. These data provide general benchmark rates for NND with spine surgery as a basis for patient counseling and for ongoing efforts to improve safety of care.