Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Surgical Approach and Complications of Stand-alone Lateral Trans-Psoas Interbody Fusion
Published on: February 14, 2025
Trends and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Scoliosis Repair: A Population-Based Study
Kathryn DelPizzo1,2, Lauren A Wilson1, Megan Fiasconaro1
1From the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
Insights
Pediatric scoliosis surgery complications decreased over time but remain high at 17%. Younger age, high comorbidity, and low hospital volume were linked to complications, guiding future interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Surgical Outcomes Research
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Congenital scoliosis surgery is the definitive treatment.
- Limited data exists on perioperative complications in pediatric scoliosis surgery.
- Understanding trends and risk factors is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify trends in perioperative complications after pediatric scoliosis surgery.
- To determine factors associated with these complications.
- To inform strategies for enhancing patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of patients under 21 years old from 2006-2016.
- Analysis of complications, blood transfusions, ICU admission, length of stay, and cost.
- Multivariable logistic regression to identify associated factors.
Main Results:
- 17% of 9351 patients experienced complications; 12% were cardiopulmonary.
- Blood transfusions (42%) and ICU admission (62%) were common.
- Complications, transfusions, length of stay, and cost significantly decreased over time.
- Younger age, high comorbidity, low institutional volume, and teaching hospital status were associated with complications.
Conclusions:
- Despite a downward trend, perioperative complications in pediatric scoliosis surgery remain significant at 17%.
- Identified factors can guide targeted interventions to improve surgical outcomes.
- Further research may focus on optimizing care in high-risk patient and hospital settings.
Background:
Although surgery represents the only definitive treatment for congenital scoliosis, comprehensive information regarding trends in perioperative complications, particularly in the pediatric setting, is lacking. We sought to identify trends in and factors associated with perioperative complications following pediatric scoliosis surgery.
Methods:
In this retrospective cohort study, patients below the age of 21 years undergoing a scoliosis repair procedure were identified from the Premier Healthcare database (2006-2016). The primary outcomes of interest were any complication, cardiopulmonary complications, blood transfusions, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of stay (LOS), and cost of hospitalization. Trends in these outcomes over time were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were run to identify factors associated with each of the perioperative outcomes.
Results:
In the full cohort of 9351 scoliosis patients, 17% experienced any complication, 12% of which were cardiopulmonary in nature, 42% required blood transfusions, and 62% were admitted to the ICU. Median LOS was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 4-6) and median cost was $56,375 (IQR, $40,053-$76,311). Annual incidence of complications and blood transfusions as well as LOS and cost decreased significantly throughout the study period. The most consistently observed factors associated with complications were younger age, high comorbidity burden, low institutional case volume, and hospital teaching status.
Conclusions:
Although the incidence of the studied adverse outcomes in scoliosis surgery has decreased over time, this study shows it remains relatively high (17%). The associations demonstrated help clarify factors associated with complications and may be useful in guiding interventions to improve outcomes.
More Related Videos
04:19Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
08:08Cell-based Assay Protocol for the Prognostic Prediction of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Cellular Dielectric Spectroscopy
Published on: October 16, 2013