Unplanned hospital readmission after surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis: incidence and causative factors

Abstract Background To assess the incidence and causative factors of unplanned hospital readmission within 90 days after surgical treatment thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS). Methods Hospital administrative database was queried to identify patients who underwent TSS from July 2010 through December 2017. All readmissions discharge were reviewed for causes rate calculated. Patients matched 1:3 a control cohort without readmission. Results Twenty-one (incidence 1.7 % in 1239 patients) presented 90-day period enrolled as study group, 63 non-readmission (a proportion 1: 3) randomly selected group. Causes include pseudomeningocele (8 patients; 38 %), CSF leakage combined with poor incision healing (6 29 wound dehiscence (2 patient; 9 site infection epidural hematoma (1 5 inadequate original decompression %). Mean duration re-admission first surgery 39.6 ± 28.2 days, most readmitted at 40 (66.7 %, 14/21 patients). When compared non-readmitted patients, diagnosis OPLL + OFL, circumferential decompression, dural injury, long stay more be seen patients. Conclusions The is common readmission, peak occurred 10 surgery, should closely followed up this period.