Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.16(1) > 1035850

Lee, Lee, Shon, and Wang: Complication and Treatment Outcome of Degenerative Spinal Deformity Surgery in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Study Design

A retrospective study

Objective

To analyze the complications, clinical outcome and any correlative risk factors of degenerative spinal deformity surgery in elderly patients.

Summary of Literature Review

There is some controversy regarding the postoperative complications and the factors influencing them in the elderly patients who had undergone degenerative spinal deformity surgery.

Materials and Methods

Seventy eight patients, who underwent posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion requiring a minimum 3 level fusion for a degenerative spinal deformity associated with spinal stenosis between May, 2001 and May, 2006, were reviewed after a follow-up period of at least 1 year. This study compared the postoperative complications and clinical outcomes of patients over 65 years (group A) with patients between 50~64 years (group B). The risk factors that could influence the complications and clinical outcomes were evaluated and analyzed statistically.

Results

The postoperative complication rate was 53% in group A and 40% in group B without statistical significance. However, group A had a significantly higher frequency of minor complications than group B, particularly in urinary retention and postoperative delirium. There was an association between diabetes and deep wound infection as a major complication in groups A and B. Being male was a risk factor for urinary retention and longer surgery time, and abundant blood loss was significant risk factors for postoperative delirium in group A.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in the treatment result for degenerative spinal deformity between patients older than 65 and younger than 65. It is considered that the blood sugar should be controlled strictly before and after surgery, and appropriate management is needed for postoperative delirium and urinary retention in elderly patients.

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Table 1.
Comparative analysis between group A and group B
  Group A (N∗=40) Group B (N=38) P-value
Gender      
  Male 10 (25.0%) 5 (13.2%) 0.185
  Female 30 (75.0%) 33 (86.8%)  
Preoperative diagnosis      
  DLS∗∗∗ 29 (72.5%) 28 (73.7%)  
  LDK∗∗∗∗ 6 (15.0%) 5 (13.2%)  
DLS+LDK 1 (02.5%) 3 (07.9%) 0.696
  Postsurgical scoliosis 2 (05.0%) 0 (00.0%)  
  Postlaminectomy kyphosis 2 (05.0%) 2 (05.3%)  
Existence of comorbidity 21 (52.5%) 21 (55.3%) 0.807
Average fusion level (n∗∗) 3.65±0.864 3.74±0.921 0.922
Average operative time (min) 151.00±39.210 156.05±29.550 0.521
Average blood loss (ml) 1372.50±646.881 1660.53±755.981 0.373
Average transfusion (ml) 1229.75±706.760 1458.42±746.924 0.216
Complication 21 (52.5%) 15 (39.5%) 0.249
  Major 7 (17.5%) 9 (23.7%) 0.499
  Minor 18 (45.0%) 9 (23.7%) 0.040
Clinical outcome      
  Excellent 1 (02.5%) 3 (07.9%)  
  Good 23 (57.5%) 26 (68.4%) 0.324
  Poor 15 (37.5%) 8 (21.1%)  
  Fair 1 (02.5%) 1 (02.6%)  

N; number of patient,

∗∗ n; number of fusion level,

∗∗∗ DLS; degenerative lumbar scoliosis,

∗∗∗∗ LDK; lumbar degenerative kyphosis

Table 2.
Detail analysis of patient's comorbidity between group A and group B
  Group A (N∗=40) Group B (N=38) P-value
Hypertension 17 (42.5%) 11 (28.9%) 0.212
Diabete mellitus 5 (12.5%) 9 (23.7%) 0.198
Asthma 1 (2.5%) 1 (2.6%) 1.000
Thyroid disease 1 (2.5%) 2 (5.3%) 0.610
Rheumatoid arthritis 1 (2.5%) 2 (5.3%) 0.610
Total (n∗∗) 25 (N=21) 25 (N=21) 0.807

N; number of patient,

∗∗ n; number of case

Table 3.
Detail analysis of postoperative complication between group A and group B
  Group A (N∗=40) Group B (N=38) P-value
Major complication (n∗∗) 7 (N=7) 9 (N=9) 0.499
  Neurologic deficit 0 0 -
  Deep wound infection 3 (7.5%) 4 (10.5%) 0.708
  Pneumonia 2 (5.0%) 3 (7.9%) 1.000
  Pulmonary embolism 1 (2.5%) 1 (2.6%) 1.000
  Acute myocardial infarction 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.5%) 1.000
  Acute renal failure 1 (2.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0.487
Minor complication (n) 22 (N=18) 9 (N=9) 0.040
  Superficial wound infection 1 (2.5%) 1 (2.6%) 1.000
  Ileus 1 (2.5%) 2 (5.3%) 0.610
  Acute gastritis 4 (10.0%) 3 (7.9%) 1.000
  Urinary tract infection 4 (10.0%) 2 (5.3%) 0.676
  Urinary retention 5 (12.5%) 0 (0.0%) 0.031
  Transient delirium 7 (17.5%) 1 (2.6%) 0.033
Total (n) 29 (N=21) 18 (N=15) 0.249

N; number of patient,

∗∗ n; number of case

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