Predictors of inpatient morbidity and mortality in adult spinal deformity surgery

Purpose: This nationwide study identifies ASD surgical risk factors for morbidity/mortality. Methods: NIS discharges from 2001 to 2010 aged 25+ with scoliosis diagnoses, 4+ levels fused, and procedural codes for anterior and/or posterior thoracic and/or lumbar spinal fusion and refusion were included. Demographics, comorbidities and procedure-related complications were determined for each subgroup (degenerative, congenital, idiopathic, other). Multivariate analysis reported as [OR (95 % CI)]. Results: 11,982 discharges were identified. Morbidity, excluding device-related, and mortality rates were 50.81 and 0.28 %, respectively. Certain comorbidities were associated with increased morbidity/mortality: congestive heart failure (CHF) [1.62 (1.42–1.84)] [5.67 (3.30–9.73)], coagulopathy [3.52 (3.22–3.85)] [2.32 (1.44–3.76)], electrolyte imbalance [2.65 (2.52–2.79)] [4.63 (3.15–6.81)], pulmonary circulation disorders [9.45 (7.45–11.99)] [8.94 (4.43–18.03)], renal failure [1.29 (1.13–1.47)] [5.51 (2.57–11.82)], and pathologic weight loss [2.38 (2.01–2.81)] [7.28 (4.36–12.14)]. Chronic pulmonary disease was associated with higher morbidity [1.08 (1.02–1.14)]; liver disease was linked to increased mortality [36.09 (16.16–80.59)]. 9+ level fusions had increased morbidity vs 4–8 level fusions [1.69 (1.61–1.78)] and refusions [1.08 (1.02–1.14)]. Idiopathic scoliosis was associated with decreased morbidity vs all other subgroups [0.85 (0.80–0.91)]. Age >65 was associated with increased morbidity and mortality vs 25–64 group [1.09 (1.05–1.14)] [3.49 (2.31–5.29)]. Females had increased morbidity [1.18 (1.13–1.23)] and decreased mortality [0.30 (0.21–0.44)]. Mean comorbidity index (0.55) and age (64.38) for degenerative cohort were higher vs all other subgroups (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Longer fusions were associated with increased morbidity. Age >65 was associated with increased morbidity/mortality, while females were associated with increased morbidity but decreased mortality. Idiopathic scoliosis had decreased morbidity. Degenerative ASD cases had higher comorbidity indices, potentially due to older age. This study is clinically useful for patient education, surgical decision-making, and optimizing patient outcomes.