Adult Spinal Deformity Correction in Patients with Parkinson Disease: Assessment of Surgical Complications, Reoperation, and Cost

Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that manifests with postural instability and gait imbalance. Correction of spinal deformity in patients with PD presents unique challenges.

The PearlDiver database was queried between 2010 and 2020 to identify adult patients with spinal deformity before undergoing deformity correction with posterior spinal fusion. Two cohorts were created representing patients with and without a preoperative diagnosis of PD. Outcome measures included reoperation rates, surgical technique, cost, surgical complications, and medical complications. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for Charlson Comorbidity Index, age, gender, 3-column osteotomy, pelvic fixation, and number of levels fused was used to assess rates of reoperation and complications.

In total, 26,984 patients met the inclusion criteria and were retained for analysis. Of these patients, 725 had a diagnosis of PD before deformity correction. Patients with PD underwent higher rates of pelvic fixation (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; P < 0.001) and 3-column osteotomies (OR, 1.53; P < 0.001). On adjusted regression, patients with PD showed increased rates of reoperation at 1 year (OR, 1.37; P < 0.001), 5 years (OR, 1.32; P < 0.001), and overall (OR, 1.33; P < 0.001). Patients with PD also experienced an increased rate of medical complications within 30 days after deformity correction including deep venous thrombosis (OR, 1.60; P = 0.021), pneumonia (OR, 1.44; P = 0.039), and urinary tract infections (OR, 1.54; P < 0.001). Deformity correction in patients with PD was associated with higher 90-day cost (P = 0.007).

Patients with PD undergoing long fusion for deformity correction are at significantly increased risk of 30-day medical complications and revision procedures after 1 year, controlling for comorbidities, age, and invasiveness. Surgeons should consider the risk of complications, subsequent revision procedures, and increased cost.