Early reoperations do not adversely affect long-term pain and activity scores in adult deformity patients

To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients reoperated within six months of their index surgery to patients without readmissions/reoperations and note any similarities/dissimilarities in activity and pain outcomes.

ASD patients who underwent spinal fusion at a single institution with minimum two years follow-up were included. Patients without readmissions/reoperations (No Reops) were compared to those requiring early reoperation resolved by six months post-index procedure (Early Reop) cohort. Outcomes included 2Y PROs, improvement, and MCID attainment. Question 22 from the SRS-22r, assessing likelihood of choosing the same treatment, was separately evaluated.

238 patients [211(89%) No Reops; 27(11%) Early Reop] were included. Early reoperations were associated with PJK/DJK (29.63%, n = 8), implant dislodgement (18.52%, n = 5), and pedicle/vertebral fracture (14.81%, n = 4). There was no difference in demographics, operative characteristics, baseline alignment, and preoperative PROs. PRO improvement was not significantly different for SRS Activity (p = 0.392), Pain (p = 0.291), Appearance (p = 0.179), Mental Health (p = 0.840), Satisfaction (p = 0.098), Total score (p = 0.152), and ODI (p = 0.564). MCID achievement was comparable for SRS Activity (p = 0.536), Pain (p = 0.115), Appearance (p = 0.269), Mental Health (p > 0.999), Satisfaction (p = 0.149), and ODI (p = 0.403). SRS total score MCID attainment was greater for No Reops Cohort (82% vs 70%, p = 0.048). In addition, a greater proportion of No Reop patients endorsed that they would choose the same operative management (86% vs 70%, p = 0.046) if they had to choose again.

Early reoperations within 6 months after ASD surgery that addresses the reason for the revision surgery do not adversely affect two-year functional and pain outcomes. However, only 70% would choose the same treatment again vs 86% of those who didn't undergo a reoperation with greater SRS22r total score MCID attainment among the No Reop cohort.