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Published on: February 14, 2025
Complications and Mortality in Octogenarians Undergoing Lumbopelvic Fixation
Alexander von Glinski1, Christopher Elia2, Darius Ansari3
1Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; Hansjörg Wyss Hip and Pelvic Center, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Trauma Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Background:
Advancements in modern medicine have led to longer life expectancy. Literature on spinopelvic fixation in elderly patients is limited. We investigated morbidity and mortality in octogenarians who underwent spinopelvic fixation.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent spinopelvic fixation from January 2014 through December 2018 at a single institution. Patients were grouped into the octogenarian group (OG), 80-89 years old, and comparison group (CG), 40-50 years old. Demographics; pathology; Charlson Comorbidity Index; Hounsfield units; surgery details; and clinical data including complications, intensive care unit and length of hospital stay, and mortality were collected and compared.
Results:
Inclusion criteria were met by 26 patients (OG: n = 14; CG: n = 12). Diagnoses in the OG were deformity (42.9%), pseudarthrosis (35.7%), fracture (7.1%), infection (7.1%), and tumor (7.1%). The only significant differences in baseline patient characteristics were that Charlson Comorbidity Index was significantly higher in the OG (6.0 ± 1.4) compared with the CG (1.1 ± 1.0) (P < 0.001) and the OG had lower Hounsfield units (P < 0.001), indicating poorer bone quality. More patients in the CG underwent staged and anterior approaches compared with the OG (P = 0.031). Major and minor complication rates were 57.1% and 42.9%, respectively, in the OG (P = 0.98) and 25% and 25% in the CG (P = 0.34). Mortality rate was 14.3%.
Conclusions:
With an aging population, the number of patients requiring spinopelvic fixation will continue to grow. Spine surgeons must carefully weigh benefits and risks in patients with multiple comorbidities.
