TY - JOUR AU - Elsamadicy, Aladine A. AU - Adogwa, Owoicho AU - Lubkin, David T. AU - Sergesketter, Amanda R. AU - Vatsia, Sohrab AU - Sankey, Eric W. AU - Cheng, Joseph AU - Bagley, Carlos A. AU - Karikari, Isaac O. PY - 2018 TI - Thirty-day complication and readmission rates associated with resection of metastatic spinal tumors: a single institutional experience JF - Journal of Spine Surgery; Vol 4, No 2 (June 30, 2018): Journal of Spine Surgery Y2 - 2018 KW - N2 - Background: This study aims to assess 30-day complication and unplanned readmission rates associated with resection of metastatic spinal tumors. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 135 adults who underwent elective resection of a spinal cord tumor. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics were collected. Tumor pathology was analyzed and diagnosed by a pathologist. The primary outcomes were intra- and 30-day post-operative complication and readmission rates. Results: Of the 135 spinal tumor resections, 30 (22.2%) cases were metastatic. The most common tumor pathology was bone (13.3%) and the most common locations were thoracic (45.2%), and cervical (32.7%). Most patients had an open surgery (96.7%), with a mean laminectomy/laminoplasty level of 1.9±1.5 and mean operative time of 328.4±658.0 min. There was a 3.3% incidence rate of intraoperative durotomies, with no spinal cord or nerve root injuries. Post-operatively, 44.8% of patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The most common post-operative complications were weakness (20.0%), new sensory deficits (16.7%), and hypotension (13.3%). The mean length of stay was 8.8±7.6 days, with the majority of patients discharged home (96.7%). The 30-day readmission rate was 9.7%, with the most common 30-day complications being uncontrolled pain (16.7%), sensory-motor deficits (13.3%), and fever (10.0%). Conclusions: Our study suggests that weakness, sensory deficits, and uncontrolled pain are the most common complications after resection of spinal metastases, with a relatively high associated 30-day readmission rate. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings and identify strategies to reduce complication and readmission rates after resection of spinal metastases. UR - https://jss.amegroups.org/article/view/4174