Same-Day versus Staged Anterior-Posterior Spinal Surgeryin a Neuromuscular Scoliosis Population: The Evaluation of Medical Complications

• Published in: Journal of pediatric orthopaedics Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 293 - 303
• Main Authors: Ferguson, Ron L, Hansen, Michelle M, Nicholas, Deb A, Allen, Ben L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lippincott-Raven Publishers 01-05-1996
• ISSN: 0271-6798; 1539-2570
• DOI: 10.1097/00004694-199605000-00003

SUMMARYThe medical complications occurring in 29 patients with neuromuscular spinal deformity undergoing two-stage anterior-posterior spinal fusion (“staged”) were compared with 16 neuromuscular patients undergoing single-stage anterior-posterior spinal fusion (“same day”). Thirty-six (124%) major and minor medical complications occurred postoperatively in the staged patients, whereas 14 (88%) major or minor complication were present in same-day surgery patients. Thirty-five percent of staged patients had no complications, whereas 63% of same-day patients were without complications. Associated findings comparing the two-stage procedure to the single-stage surgery included operative and anesthesia time increase, increased blood-volume loss, increased blood transfusion, decreased nutritional parameters, and longer hospital stays. With either approach, there is the risk of significant complications in this vulnerable population.