Surgical morbidity in patients with neurologic dysfunction

Mortality and morbidity data were collected on 388 patients treated by operations to correct extremity deformities caused by stroke, head trauma and neurologic disease. A total of 613 procedures were performed, requiring 524 general, 2 spinal and 16 regional anesthesias. There were no postoperative deaths. None of the patients showed further neurologic deterioration. The incidence of medical complications was 6.4% and all patients responded to medical treatment. Sixteen wound complications responded to routine care. Age appeared to be the primary risk factor to postoperative morbidity. It is generally safe to perform elective orthopedic surgery to correct extremity deformities in the neurologically involved patient.