6
SPINE
LEADERSHIP
6 Key Notes on Spinal Fusion Complications
& Length of Stay
By Laura Dyrda
A
new study published in
the Journal of Spinal Disorders
and Techniques examines the
factors affecting anterior cervical dis-
cectomy and fusion complications and
length of stay.
e researchers examined the
American College of Surgeons National
Surgical Quality Improvement Project
Database from 2005 to 2010 for patients
undergoing ACDF. e researchers
found:
1. e average length of stay was two
days, with a range of zero to 103 days.
2. Preoperative factors predicting an
extended length of stay include:
• Patients who were 65 years old or older
• Functional status
• Transfer from the facility
• Preoperative anemia
• Diabetes
3. Longer lengths of stay were also asso-
ciated with major and minor complica-
tions as well as extended surgery time.
e elongated effect of these variables
ranged from half a day to five days add-
ed to the length of stay.
4. ere were 71 patients who reported
92 major complications. e complica-
tions include:
• 40 returned to the operating room
• 13 reported venous thrombotic events
• 21 reported respiratory issues
• 6 reported cardiac issues
• 5 reported mortality
• 4 reported sepsis
• 3 reported organ space infection
5. e patients with ASA scores of three
or above, preoperative anemia and pa-
tients older than 65 years were predic-
tive of major complications. Extended
surgery time and male patients also
predicted major complications.
6. ere weren't any associations be-
tween the number of levels fused and
complications or extended length of
stay. n
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