Prospective Multicenter Assessment of Early Complication Rates Associated With Adult Cervical Deformity Surgery in 78 Patients.

Abstract

Background

Few reports have focused on treatment of adult cervical deformity (ACD).

Objective

To present early complication rates associated with ACD surgery.

Methods

A prospective multicenter database of consecutive operative ACD patients was reviewed for early (≤30 days from surgery) complications. Enrollment required at least 1 of the following: cervical kyphosis >10 degrees, cervical scoliosis >10 degrees, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis >4 cm, or chin-brow vertical angle >25 degrees.

Results

Seventy-eight patients underwent surgical treatment for ACD (mean age, 60.8 years). Surgical approaches included anterior-only (14%), posterior-only (49%), anterior-posterior (35%), and posterior-anterior-posterior (3%). Mean numbers of fused anterior and posterior vertebral levels were 4.7 and 9.4, respectively. A total of 52 early complications were reported, including 26 minor and 26 major. Twenty-two (28.2%) patients had at least 1 minor complication, and 19 (24.4%) had at least 1 major complication. Overall, 34 (43.6%) patients had at least 1 complication. The most common complications included dysphagia (11.5%), deep wound infection (6.4%), new C5 motor deficit (6.4%), and respiratory failure (5.1%). One (1.3%) mortality occurred. Early complication rates differed significantly by surgical approach: anterior-only (27.3%), posterior-only (68.4%), and anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior-posterior (79.3%) (P = .007).

Conclusion

This report provides benchmark rates for overall and specific ACD surgery complications. Although the surgical approach(es) used were likely driven by the type and complexity of deformity, there were significantly higher complication rates associated with combined and posterior-only approaches compared with anterior-only approaches. These findings may prove useful in treatment planning, patient counseling, and ongoing efforts to improve safety of care.

Abbreviations

3CO, 3-column osteotomiesACD, adult cervical deformityEBL, estimated blood lossISSG, International Spine Study groupSVA, sagittal vertical axis.

Department

Description

Provenance

Citation

Published Version (Please cite this version)

10.1227/neu.0000000000001129

Publication Info

Smith, Justin S, Subaraman Ramchandran, Virginie Lafage, Christopher I Shaffrey, Tamir Ailon, Eric Klineberg, Themistocles Protopsaltis, Frank J Schwab, et al. (2016). Prospective Multicenter Assessment of Early Complication Rates Associated With Adult Cervical Deformity Surgery in 78 Patients. Neurosurgery, 79(3). pp. 378–388. 10.1227/neu.0000000000001129 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/28410.

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Scholars@Duke

Shaffrey

Christopher Ignatius Shaffrey

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications.

Peter Passias

Instructor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

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