A new study published in Spine examines complication rates associated with posterior lumbar fusion.
The study authors gathered data from the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for elective PLF procedures performed from 2011 to 2014. There were 7,761 patients who met study criteria. Researchers found:
1. A quarter of the patients developed one major complication while 3.2 percent developed two major complications and 1.9 percent developed three major complications.
2. Intraoperative and postoperative red blood cell transfusions were the most common issues, accounting for 23.2 percent of the complications.
3. The patient variables associated with complications include:
● Osteotomy
● Pelvic fixation
● Operative time of four hours or more
● Bleeding disorders
● American Society of Anesthesiology Class III or higher
4. Study authors concluded, "Identification of these factors can improve the selection of appropriate surgical candidates, patient risk stratification and patient postoperative safety."