A new study published in Spine examines the complications and risks for cervical decompression and cervical fusion among elderly patients.
The study authors examined Medicare patients who underwent decompression or fusion between 2010 and 2012. There were 1,519 patients who underwent cervical decompression and 1,273 patients who underwent cervical fusions. Here are five key notes on the findings:
1. The most common complications for cervical decompression were:
• Respiratory: 12.1 percent
• Urinary retention: 8.2 percent
• Acute delirium: 5.3 percent
• Nausea/vomiting: 2 percent
2. The most common cervical fusion complications were:
• Respiratory: 14.6 percent
• Urinary retention: 9.1 percent
• Acute delirium: 6 percent
• Nausea/vomiting: 3.1 percent
3. The patients who were older were at a higher risk of respirator complications among both procedure groups.
4. The cervical decompression patients who reported Charleston scores at 1 to 2 and 5-plus reported higher risks of respiratory complications, while male patients had a higher risk of urinary retention.
5. In both groups, the patients with dementia were more at risk for acute delirium. Female patients were more likely to report nausea and vomiting in both groups.
6. The cervical decompression patients who were 85 years old and older, as well as those with transient ischemic attacks and strokes, were at a higher risk for acute delirium.
7. Among spinal fusion patients, age was a risk factor for acute delirium.