Perioperative and delayed complications associated with the surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy based on 302 patients from the AOSpine North America Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Study
Object Rates of complications associated with the surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) are not clear. Appreciating these risks is important for patient counseling and quality improvement. The authors sought to assess the rates of and risk factors associated with perioperative and delayed complications associated with the surgical treatment of CSM. Methods Data from the AOSpine North America Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Study, a prospective, multicenter study, were analyzed. Outcomes data, including adverse events, were collected in a standardized manner and externally monitored. Rates of perioperative complications (within 30 days of surgery) and delayed complications (31 days to 2 years following surgery) were tabulated and stratified based on clinical factors. Results The study enrolled 302 patients (mean age 57 years, range 29–86) years. Of 332 reported adverse events, 73 were classified as perioperative complications (25 major and 48 minor) in 47 patients (overall perioperative complication rate of 15.6%). The most common perioperative complications included minor cardiopulmonary events (3.0%), dysphagia (3.0%), and superficial wound infection (2.3%). Perioperative worsening of myelopathy was reported in 4 patients (1.3%). Based on 275 patients who completed 2 years of follow-up, there were 14 delayed complications (8 minor, 6 major) in 12 patients, for an overall delayed complication rate of 4.4%. Of patients treated with anterior-only (n = 176), posterior-only (n = 107), and combined anterior-posterior (n = 19) procedures, 11%, 19%, and 37%, respectively, had 1 or more perioperative complications. Compared with anterior-only approaches, posterior-only approaches had a higher rate of wound infection (0.6% vs 4.7%, p = 0.030). Dysphagia was more common with combined anterior-posterior procedures (21.1%) compared with anterior-only procedures (2.3%) or posterior-only procedures (0.9%) (p < 0.001). The incidence of C-5 radiculopathy was not associated with the surgical approach (p = 0.8). The occurrence of perioperative complications was associated with increased age (p = 0.006), combined anterior-posterior procedures (p = 0.016), increased operative time (p = 0.009), and increased operative blood loss (p = 0.005), but it was not associated with comorbidity score, body mass index, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, smoking status, anterior-only versus posterior-only approach, or specific procedures. Multivariate analysis of factors associated with minor or major complications identified age (OR 1.029, 95% CI 1.002–1.057, p = 0.035) and operative time (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.002–1.008, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis of factors associated with major complications identified age (OR 1.054, 95% CI 1.015–1.094, p = 0.006) and combined anterior-posterior procedures (OR 5.297, 95% CI 1.626–17.256, p = 0.006). Conclusions For the surgical treatment of CSM, the vast majority of complications were treatable and without long-term impact. Multivariate factors associated with an increased risk of complications include greater age, increased operative time, and use of combined anterior-posterior procedures.
CAG repeat expansion in Huntington disease determines age at onset in a fully dominant fashion
P2‐191: Investigating the association between fasting serum glucose levels and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose in brain regions affected by Alzheimer's disease
Introduction Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is a popular procedure for the treatment of wrist arthritis; however, the long-term clinical outcomes of this procedure are not well-characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term results with PRC and to identify factors that may improve clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was performed on all patients who underwent proximal row carpectomy between January 1967 and January 1992. Medical records and available radiographs were reviewed. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, and Patient Rated Wrist Exam, as well as hand motion diagrams were sent to all surviving patients. The contralateral extremity was used as a control. Data was analyzed using multivariant analysis and a Student's t test. Results Eighty-one patients underwent PRC. Average age at the time of surgery was 41 years. Average follow-up was 19.8 years. Sixty-one patients responded to the questionnaires. On final follow-up, wrist motion and grip strength were not significantly different from preoperative values. Radiographic follow-up beyond 2 years revealed joint narrowing and arthritic changes within the radiocapitate joint. Forty-six patients (74%) were not satisfied with the results of their surgery due to persistent pain or inability to return to previous occupational activities. Fifty-two patients required daily pain medication for wrist pain. Twelve patients had undergone a wrist arthrodesis. Conclusions Post-operative motion and grip strength values following PRC appear to remain stable over time. Surgical failure rates with conversion to wrist fusion occurred early within the post-operative follow-up. Many patients continued to complain of pain requiring daily medication and were unable to return to manual labor type jobs. The results of this study suggest that long-term patient satisfaction following PRC can be poor and the surgeon may wish to consider alternative treatment options for younger patients and those with high-demand jobs.