Classification of perioperative complications in spine surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPerioperative complications affect surgical outcomes. Classification systems of perioperative complications are well established and widely applied in many surgical fields other than spine surgery.PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to construct and validate a comprehensive classification system for perioperative complications in spine surgery.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective case series.METHODSA comprehensive classification system was constructed to stratify complications in spinal surgery and consequently applied to 934 patients who consecutively underwent spine surgery in a university hospital setting. A complication was defined as any kind of deviation from the normal perioperative course, ranging from a postoperative anemia to death. The comprehensive classifications system stratifies complications according to (1) complexity of index procedure (2) immediate cause of complication (surgical vs. medical) (3) the required treatment, and (4) potentially associated long-term functional deficits resulting from neural injury. Subsequently, the proposed classification system was validated by applying the duration of cumulative hospital stay as the primary outcome.RESULTSPerioperative complications were recorded in 135 (14.3%) out of 934 cases. There was a significant difference in the hospital stay between complications stratified according to therapeutic consequences, grade A: 5.6±1.6 (range: 3–8) days, grade B: 7.9±3.8 (range: 3–21) days, grade C: 13.1±8.1 (range: 4–59) days, and grade D: 55.2±56.6 (range: 14–198) days, respectively (p≤.001). Also, there was a significant difference in hospital stay between groups of increasing point difference of neurologic deficit, 0 versus −1 and −1 versus −2, respectively.CONCLUSIONA comprehensive classification system for perioperative complications in spine surgery (considering four categories) is presented and validated. The categories therapeutic consequence (A–E) and decrease in neurological function correlate strongly with hospital stay.     

超高龄胆道手术患者围手术期危险因素分析

目的分析80岁以上超高龄患者胆道手术围手术期的危险因素。方法回顾性分析我院自2012年1月至2015年10月间收治的255例超高龄胆道疾病患者的临床资料。结果全组255例,治愈252例,并存疾病209例次,占总病例数的81.96%。手术治愈率为98.82%,死亡率为1.18%,手术并发症发生率为20.39%。结论糖尿病、冠心病、高血压、慢性呼吸道感染、多次手术后是80岁超高龄患者胆道手术围手术期的危险因素。     

Postoperative complications in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy

Background/PurposeTo assess surgical outcomes of patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and if they differ from patients without CP.MethodsThe NSQIP-Pediatric database from 2012 to 2019 was used to compare differences in presenting characteristics and outcomes between patients with and without CP. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to determine significance.Results119,712 patients, 433 (0.4%) with CP, 119,279 (99.6%) without, were identified. Patients with CP had more postoperative complications (19.4% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001) with an OR of 3.2, (95%CI 2.5–4.1, p < 0.001) on univariable analysis. They underwent fewer laparoscopic procedures (79.1% vs. 90.8%, p < 0.001), had more readmissions (10.2% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001), reoperations (5.1% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001), and longer length of stays (LOS) (median 3 versus 1 day, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, having CP did not increase the odds of postoperative morbidity (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.7–1.3), but higher ASA class, congenital lung malformation, gastrointestinal disease, coagulopathy, preoperative inotropic support, oxygen use, nutritional support, and steroid use significantly increase the odds of morbidity, all of which were more common in patients with CP.ConclusionPatients with CP have more postoperative complications, open procedures, and longer LOS. Patient complexity may account for these differences and risk-directed perioperative planning may improve outcomes.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.     

Risk factors for perioperative cardiac complications after lumbar fusion surgery

Cardiac complication is a leading cause of death in the perioperative period after non-cardiac surgery. The present study retrospectively investigated perioperative cardiac complications after spinal fusion surgery in 901 consecutive adult patients who underwent fusion surgery in the lumbar spine from January 2005 to December 2006. Cardiac complications developed in seven patients (0.8%), four males and three females aged 62 to 75 years (mean 66.6 years), in the perioperative period (myocardial infarction in 6 and angina pectoris in 1). Cardiac complications developed after mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in four patients and after anterior lumbar interbody fusion in three. No patient had any symptoms related to cardiac disease before surgery. Common features were age over 60 years, a medical history of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, and presence of calcified atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and/or common iliac arteries. Five patients improved after conservative medical treatment in an intensive care unit. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed in one patient and coronary artery bypass graft surgery in one. The possibility of perioperative cardiac complications should be considered before lumbar fusion surgery, especially in elderly patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, and calcified atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and/or common iliac arteries.     

Risk factors and complications in hip reconstruction for nonambulatory patients with cerebral palsy

Background

Hip dysplasia is prevalent in nonambulatory children with cerebral palsy, and may contribute to a decreased quality of life (Lonstein in J Pediatr Orthop 6:521–526, 1). Reconstructive procedures such as a femoral varus derotation osteotomy with or without a pelvic osteotomy are commonly employed with the goal of achieving and maintaining well reduced hips.

Purposes

The goals of this study are both to characterize the complications of reconstructive procedures and to identify risk factors that may contribute to these complications.

Patients and methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted among 61 nonambulatory children (93 hips) with cerebral palsy who underwent a femoral varus derotation osteotomy, with or without an open reduction and/or pelvic osteotomy, from 1992 through 2008 at our institution. The average patient age was 8.1 years (2.6–14.7) and the mean follow-up time was 5.9 years (2.1–15.9).

Results

The cumulative complication rate per patient including failures to cure was 47.6 %. Spica casting was found to be a risk factor for all complications (P = 0.023); whereas patients younger than 6 years old (P = 0.013) and children with a tracheostomy (P = 0.004) were found to be risk factors for resubluxation following surgery.

Conclusions

Although reported complication rates of hip reconstructive procedures performed upon children with cerebral palsy have varied considerably, those with more severe disease have experienced more complications. We report our tertiary referral center’s complication rate and our institutional experiences with risk factors for complications and failures to cure.

Level of evidence

IV, Retrospective case series.     

Thromboembolic complications after arthroscopic knee surgery: Incidence and risk factors in 101 patients

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are less common after knee arthroscopy than after elective hip and knee arthroplasties. There is no consensus on the optimal prophylaxis. In this prospective cohort study, we used ultrasound, phlebography and lung scan pre-and postoperatively to assess the incidence of thromboembolic complications in 101 consecutive patients who underwent knee arthroscopy. Preoperatively, patients were screened for typical risk factors for DVT such as age, obesity, varicose veins, contraceptive pills and nicotine abuse. All patients received a once-daily injection of 5000 IU of low molecular weight heparin, at least 12 hours prior to surgery.

5 weeks after surgery, the same screening tests were repeated. In 12 of the 101 patients either DVT or PE was diagnosed. DVT occurred in 8 cases, 4 of which were silent and 4 symptomatic. The number of PEs was 9, 8 silent and 1 symptomatic. We found no correlation between DVT or PE and individual clinical risk factors, but there was a tendency towards the development of DVT and PE, with a higher number of risk factors. We found no correlation between DVT and intraoperative risk factors such as use of a tourniquet, type of anesthesia or duration of surgery. The relatively high rate of thromboembolic events after knee arthroscopy in our study suggests the need of all patients for routine use of thromboprophylaxis, probably in a higher dose than given.     

Pulmonary complications after spine surgery

Spine surgery is one of the fastest growing branches of orthopedic surgery. Patients often present with a relatively high acuity and, depending on surgical approach, morbidity and mortality can be comparatively high. Among the most prevalent and most frequently fatality-bound perioperative complications are those affecting the pulmonary system; evidence of clinical or subclinical lung injury triggered by spine surgical procedures is emerging. Increasing burden of comorbidity among the patient population further increases the likelihood of adverse outcome. This review is intended to give an overview over some of the most important causes of pulmonary complications after spine surgery, their pathophysiology and possible ways to reduce harm associated with those conditions. We discuss factors surrounding surgical trauma, timing of surgery, bone marrow and debris embolization, transfusion associated lung injury, and ventilator associated lung injury.     

Influence of perioperative resuscitation status on postoperative spine surgery complications

Background contextRestrictive transfusion criteria have led to decreased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Their use has been extended to other patient groups. In adult spine surgery, ongoing postoperative blood losses and soft-tissue trauma may make these patients not appropriate for restrictive transfusion practices.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the influence of postoperative hemoglobin (HGB) level and use of packed red blood cells (pRBC) or fresh frozen plasma on postoperative patient morbidity, mortality, and hospital length of stay (LOS).Study design/settingThis was a retrospective study in a high-volume tertiary hospital.Patient sampleThe sample comprised 300 consecutive patients who underwent spinal surgeries with blood losses of more than 2 L.Outcome measuresThe outcome measures were postoperative patient morbidity, mortality, and LOS.MethodsThe records of patients who underwent adult spinal surgeries with blood loss of 2 or more L (N=300) were abstracted for patient characteristics, operative characteristics, transfusion, and HGB level over time. Intensive care unit and hospital LOS, discharge location, death, pulmonary embolism, stroke, seizures, surgical site infections (SSI), and myocardial infarctions were noted. Logistic regression analyses (SAS software version 9.2) were used.ResultsTwelve (3%) patients had a postoperative HGB level of less than 8 g/dL, 126 (41.3%) had 8 g/dL or more but less than 10 g/dL, and 167 (54.8%) had 10 g/dL or more. There was no significant difference in morbidity or mortality between the two groups with higher HGB levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed that patients with initial postoperative HGB level of less than 8 g/dL were six times more likely to develop SSI (odds ratio 6.37, 95% confidence interval 1.15–35.28). Deep SSI rates were increased with greater postoperative pRBC use (p=.002). Fresh frozen plasma use in the operation room was lower in cases that developed SSI (1.50 vs. 2.69, p=.042). Intensive care unit and ward LOS were longer with increased postoperative blood product use.ConclusionPatients with high blood loss (more than 2 L) during spine surgery who are under-resuscitated (HGB level less than 8 g/dL) have a significant increased risk of SSI.     

大动脉炎开放手术围手术期并发症的危险因素分析

目的：探讨影响大动脉炎（TA）患者行开放手术治疗发生围手术期并发症的相关危险因素。 方法：回顾性分析2003年1月—2018年12月136例行开放血管重建治疗的TA患者资料,采用单因素及多因素Logistic统计学方法分析影响开放手术围手术期并发症的相关危险因素。 结果：136例患者共行开放手术141例次,涉及病变257处。围手术期并发症共发生36例次（25.5%）,其中5例患者（3.7%）死亡。单因素分析结果显示,脑梗死病史、术前CRP升高、颈动脉受累、围手术期输血、血管受累数量、动脉阻断时间及术中出血量与围手术期并发症的发生有关（均P<0.05）;多因素Logistic分析显示,脑梗死病史（OR=3.141,95% CI=1.062~9.288,P=0.039）、血管受累数量（OR=1.280,95% CI=1.016~1.612,P=0.036）和术中动脉阻断时间（OR=1.045,95% CI= 1.007~1.084,P=0.019）是围手术期并发症的独立危险因素。 结论：术前脑梗死病史,血管受累数量多和术中动脉阻断时间长会增加TA患者开放手术围手术期并发症的风险。     

Neurologic complications after lumbar spine surgery

With the increasing complexity and number of lumbar spine operations being performed, the potential number of patients who will sustain perioperative complications, including those that involve neural structures, has also increased. Neurologic complications after lumbar spine surgery can be categorized by the perioperative time period during which they occur and by their mechanism of injury. Although the overall incidence of neurologic complications after lumbar surgery is low, the severity of these injuries mandates careful preoperative planning, awareness of risk, and meticulous attention to perioperative details.     

脊柱外科术后感染的影响因素分析

目的分析脊柱外科手术后发生感染的独立危险因素。方法分析脊柱外科接受手术治疗的病例资料,40例术后30 d内发生感染的患者作为病例组,同时匹配同期40例未发生感染的患者作为对照组。收集可能影响术后感染的相关因素,采用单因素条件多因素条件Logistic回归分析对纳入的单因素进行逐步筛选,之后采用多因素条件Logistic回归分析进一步明确可造成脊柱外科术后感染的独立危险因素。结果单因素Logistic回归分析初步筛选出术后感染与年龄、营养状况、糖尿病、既往手术史、手术范围、术后转入ICU和预防性抗生素使用不当因素相关性较高(P0.05)。进一步采用多因素Logistic回归分析发现营养状况、糖尿病、术后转入ICU和预防性抗生素使用不当是影响脊柱外科术后感染的独立危险因素。结论营养状况、糖尿病、术后转入ICU和预防性抗生素使用不当是导致脊柱外科术后感染的独立危险因素,临床上应密切关注,以防感染。     

肝移植围手术期的危险因素与术后肺部并发症的关系分析

目的探讨肝移植围手术期的危险因素与术后肺部并发症的关系。方法回顾性分析我院2003年4月至2007年3月行肝移植手术的终末期肝病患者107例,单因素兼多因素Logistic回归分析患者术前、术中和术后的一些因素与肝移植术后肺部并发症情况的相关性。结果本研究所有患者的肺部并发症发生率为60．8％。术前Neld评分≥25分（P=0．041）,术中输液总量〉10L（P=0．026）,输血液制品总量〉4L（P=0．033）是术后发生肺部并发症的危险因素,而术后前3d至少有2d的液体平衡≤-300ml（P=0．021）是保护因素。结论肝移植术前改善基础状况,术中控制输液量、减少输血液制品量,术后尽早实现液体出人量的负平衡可减少术后肺部并发症的发生率。