Predictors of reoperation for spinal disorders in Chiari malformation patients with prior surgical decompression

Chiari malformation (CM) is a cluster of related developmental anomalies of the posterior fossa ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. Cranial and spinal decompression can help alleviate symptoms of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure and correct spinal deformity. As surgical intervention for CM increases in frequency, understanding predictors of reoperation may help optimize neurosurgical planning.

This was a retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's California State Inpatient Database years 2004-2011. Chiari malformation Types 1-4 (queried with ICD-9 CM codes) with associated spinal pathologies undergoing stand-alone spinal decompression (queried with ICD-9 CM procedure codes) were included. Cranial decompressions were excluded.

One thousand four hundred and forty-six patients (29.28 years, 55.6% of females) were included. Fifty-eight patients (4.01%) required reoperation (67 reoperations). Patients aged 40-50 years had the most reoperations (11); however, patients aged 15-20 years had a significantly higher reoperation rate than all other groups (15.5% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.048). Female gender was significantly associated with reoperation (67.2% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.006). Medical comorbidities associated with reoperation included chronic lung disease (19% vs. 6.9%, P < 0.001), iron deficiency anemia (10.3% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.024), and renal failure (3.4% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.05). Associated significant cluster anomalies included spina bifida (48.3% vs. 34.8%, P = 0.035), tethered cord syndrome (6.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.015), syringomyelia (12.1% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.054), hydrocephalus (37.9% vs. 17.7%, P < 0.001), scoliosis (13.8% vs. 6.4%, P = 0.028), and ventricular septal defect (6.9% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.026).

Multiple medical and CM-specific comorbidities were associated with reoperation. Addressing them, where possible, may aid in improving CM surgery outcomes.