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Study Design: Retrospective analysis., Objective: To determine patient demographics, incidence of comorbidities, and procedure-related complications and identify risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality after spinal surgery for cauda equina syndrome (CES)., Summary of Background Data: To our knowledge, no study has provided nationwide estimates of patient characteristics and procedure-related complication rates after spinal surgery for CES relative to an unaffected population., Methods: Nationwide Inpatient Sample data collected between 2001 and 2010 were analyzed. Discharges with procedural codes for lumbar spinal fusion, decompression, or discectomy were included. The CES cohort included diagnoses of CES, and the unaffected cohort included lumbar spinal pathology diagnoses. Patient demographics, incidence of comorbidities and procedure-related complications, and risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality were compared., Results: Discharges for 11,207 CES and 689,799 unaffected patients were identified. Differences between cohorts were found for demographic and hospital data. Average comorbidity indices for the CES cohort were found to be increased (0.23 vs. 0.13, P < 0.0001), as well as the incidence of total procedure-related complications (18.63% vs. 13.12%, P < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality rate was significantly increased for the CES cohort (0.30% vs. 0.08%, P < 0.0001). A number of comorbidities associated with additional risk for morbidity and mortality among the CES cohort were identified., Conclusion: Relative to an unaffected population undergoing similar treatment, patients with CES were more likely to have increased associated comorbidities on presentation, as well as increased complication rates with a prolonged hospital course postoperatively. CES was found to carry an increased incidence of procedure-related complications as well as in-hospital mortality. A number of comorbidities associated with additional risk for morbidity and mortality among the CES cohort were identified. This study provides clinically useful data for surgeons to educate patients at risk for morbidity and mortality as well as direct future research to improve patient outcomes., Level of Evidence: 3.

Study Design: Retrospective review., Objective: To analyze the trends in complications and mortality after spinal fusions., Summary of Background Data: Utilization of spinal fusions has been increasing during the past decade. It is essential to evaluate surgical outcomes to better identify patients who benefit most from surgical intervention. Integration of empiric evidence from large administrative databases into clinical decision making is instrumental in providing higher-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care., Methods: This study used Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2001 through 2010. Patients who underwent spinal fusions were identified using the CCS (Clinical Classifications Software) and ICD-9 (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision) codes. Data on patient comorbidities, primary diagnosis, and postoperative complications were obtained via ICD-9 diagnosis codes and via CCS categories. National estimates were calculated using weights provided as part of the database. Time trend analysis for average length of stay, total charges, mortality, and comorbidity burden was performed. Univariate and multivariate models were constructed to identify predictors of mortality and postoperative complications., Results: An estimated 3,552,873 spinal fusions were performed in the United States between 2001 and 2010. The national bill for spinal fusions increased from $10 billion to $46.8 billion. Today, patients are older and have a greater comorbidity burden than 10 years ago. Mortality remained relatively constant at 0.46%, 1.2%, and 0.14% for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar fusions, respectively. Morbidity rates showed an increasing trend at all levels. Multivariate analysis of 19 procedures and patient-related risk factors and 9 perioperative complications identified 85 statistically significant (P< 0.01) interactions., Conclusion: The data on perioperative risks and risk factors for postoperative complications of spinal fusions presented in this study is pivotal to appropriate surgical patient selection and well-informed risk-benefit evaluation of surgical intervention., Level of Evidence: N/A.