Total Deformity Angular Ratio as a Risk Factor for Complications after Posterior Vertebral Column Resection Surgery

Area of Science:

• Spine Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) is a complex spinal deformity correction procedure.
• Identifying risk factors for complications after PVCR is crucial for patient safety and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the deformity angular ratio (DAR) impacts complication rates after PVCR.
• To establish a predictive cut-off value for DAR in relation to PVCR complications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 36 patients undergoing PVCR.
• Analysis of total, sagittal, and coronal DAR in relation to complications using receiver operator characteristic curves.
• Comparison of outcomes between patient groups stratified by established DAR cut-off values.

Main Results:

• Cut-off values for total DAR (T-DAR) and sagittal DAR (S-DAR) were identified as 20.2 and 16.4, respectively.
• Higher T-DAR (>20.2) correlated with increased total and late-onset complications.
• Higher S-DAR (>16.4) correlated with a greater number of patients experiencing complications and overall complication burden.

Conclusions:

• Both T-DAR and S-DAR are significant risk factors for complications after PVCR.
• Patients with T-DAR >20.2 or S-DAR >16.4 face an elevated risk of complications.
• These findings aid in risk stratification and surgical planning for PVCR.