Spine surgery and readmission: Risk factors in lumbar corpectomy patients

Area of Science:

• Spine Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes
• Readmission Rates

Background:

• Lumbar corpectomy is a common spinal procedure.
• Previous research focused on surgical techniques, not comprehensive risk factors.
• This study addresses the gap by analyzing readmission and adverse event factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the 90-day all-cause readmission rate for lumbar corpectomy.
• To identify independent risk factors associated with adverse events post-procedure.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database for adult lumbar corpectomy patients.
• Exclusion of patients with adult deformity or degenerative conditions.
• Multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for readmission.

Main Results:

• A 20.8% readmission rate was observed in 3,238 patients.
• Malignancy (OR 3.172) and spondylodiscitis (OR 2.177) were significant risk factors for readmission.
• Older age and higher comorbidity burden were associated with increased readmissions.

Conclusions:

• The 20.8% readmission rate highlights the severity of lumbar corpectomy.
• Underlying pathologies are more impactful on readmission than medical comorbidities.
• Emphasizes the importance of preoperative patient selection for invasive spinal procedures.