Outcome of major spinal deformity surgery in high-risk patients: comparison between two departments

STUDY DESIGN  Retrospective cohort studyObjective: To describe the outcome and resource use in major spine surgery on high-risk patients, and analyze possible differences between two surgical departments. METHODS  Data from the deformity register and medical records of 136 patients, median age 12-years, with neuromuscular and congenital spinal deformities with and without intraspinal pathology, surgically treated by one surgeon from 1997 through 2004 at two departments. H1 with a pediatric multidisciplinary team, and H2 with focus on adult spine. Variables at baseline: age, gender, diagnosis, curve size, and type of surgical procedure. Result variables included clinical and radiographic outcome, surgery time, length of intensive care and hospital stay, relative blood loss, and occurrence of complications during 2 or more years follow-up. RESULTS  There was no perioperative or postoperative mortality, no spinal-cord damage, no neurological or ambulatory function deterioration. The overall complication rate was 36%, and the overall major complication rate was 15.4%. The mean loss of correction was 2° during the follow-up. There were statistically significant differences between the H1 and H2 departments. At H1, deformity correction was better and surgery time shorter. Infections were more frequent at H2 (P = .04; 6/65 at H1; 16/71 at H2), tendency (P = .06) of more department-related complications was higher at H2. CONCLUSIONS  Major spine surgery in high-risk patients can be performed safely and with good outcoms. Impact of organization and workplace culture on the outcome might be important and worth further study.