Clinical Outcomes After Spine Surgery for Traumatic Injury in the Octogenarian Population

Objective: To review the surgical outcomes of the octogenarian population at a single institution after spinal traumatic injury. Methods: Patients with both radiographic and clinical evidence of acute traumatic spine injury were reviewed using an institutional trauma survey to determine patient demographics and outcome data in a population of patients aged 80 years and older. Results: Thirty-nine patients aged 80 years and older underwent surgical intervention for acute spinal trauma. There were 25 cases of cervical spine and 14 cases of thoracolumbar spine surgical intervention. Falls were the number one cause of acute spinal injury (31/39, 71%). Major respiratory disorders were the most common postoperative adverse event (12/39, 31%). Five patients experienced superficial wound dehiscence, fascial dehiscence, superficial infection, or delayed wound erosion. Patients were either discharged to home (10.5%), inpatient rehabilitation, (38.5%), skilled nursing facilities (17.9%), or long-term care facilities (17.9%). The postoperative mortality was 10.3%. Conclusions: Although the octogenarian population has increased risk for postoperative events after acute spinal injuries, surgical intervention may be worthwhile in the elderly population. Although direct surgical complication rates are not higher, medical risks are significantly higher after surgery.