Errors of level in spinal surgery: an evidence-based systematic review
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume
|October 31, 2012
Summary
Wrong-level surgery in spinal procedures is a significant concern. Current site-verification protocols are insufficient, highlighting the need for improved prevention strategies to enhance patient safety in spine surgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Wrong-level surgery, a subset of wrong-site surgery, poses unique risks in spinal procedures.
- This issue has garnered significant media attention, impacting both patients and healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the incidence and prevalence of wrong-level procedures in spinal surgery.
- To identify and evaluate effective prevention strategies for wrong-site surgery in the spine.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 12 studies reporting incidence or prevalence of wrong-site surgery and prevention strategies.
- Analysis focused on studies involving lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine procedures.
Main Results:
- A higher frequency of wrong-level surgery was observed in lumbar procedures compared to cervical procedures.
- One study indicated that existing site-verification protocols failed to prevent approximately one-third of wrong-site surgery cases.
Conclusions:
- The current literature lacks a definitive incidence estimate for wrong-site spinal surgery.
- There is insufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness of current site-verification protocols, necessitating the development of novel prevention strategies.
