Effect of intraoperative cell salvage on the number and viability of cancer cells in salvaged autologous blood from patients undergoing liver cancer surgery / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) on the number and viability of cancer cells in salvaged autologous blood from the patients undergoing liver cancer surgery.Methods:Twenty patients undergoing open radical primary hepatocellular carcinoma were selected, and blood from the operative field was collected after exposing the liver and treated with ICS. Blood specimens 20 ml from the surgical field (S 1), blood specimens 20 ml before ICS treatment-leukocyte depletion filter (LDF) filtration (S 2) and blood specimens 20 ml after LDF filtration (S 3) were collected and enriched, of which the blood sample 10 ml was used for cancer cell identification and count by immunofluorescence staining, and the remaining blood sample 10 ml was continuously cultured for 3 weeks, and then cell viability was observed by immunofluorescence method. Results:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells were identified in 19 S 1 specimens, 18 S 2 specimens, and 16 S 3 specimens, but there was no significant difference in the detection rate among the three specimens ( P>0.05). Compared with S 1 specimens, HCC cell count was significantly reduced in S 2 and S 3 specimens ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the HCC cell count between S 3 specimens and S 2 specimens ( P>0.05). After 3 weeks of culture, the results of light microscopy showed that: hepatocellular carcinoma cell clusters were found in S1 specimens, and no hepatocellular carcinoma cell cluster was found in S 2 and S 3 specimens; the results of fluorescence microscopy showed that: 400 and 14 mixed epithelial-mesenchymal HCC cells and 100 and 21 mesenchymal HCC cells were found in S 1 and S 2 specimens, respectively, while no HCC cells were identified in S 3 specimens, among which HCC cells mainly presented as clusters of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in S 1 specimen, while no clusters of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were found in S 2 and S 3 specimens. Conclusions:After treatment with ICS or ICS-LDF, the number and viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in salvaged autologous blood are significantly reduced, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells exist as single cells and fail to develop clusters of hepatocellular carcinoma cells; LDF can reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma cell autotransfusion to a certain extent, although it can not effectively filter out hepatocellular carcinoma cells continuously.

Effect of compound electrolyte injection on phosphatidylserine exposure in erythrocytes after blood salvage-retransfusion in dogs / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of compound electrolyte injection on phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in erythrocytes after blood salvage-retransfusion in dogs.Methods Twenty healthy mongrel dogs,weighing 10-15 kg,aged 3-5 weeks,were divided into 2 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table method:normal saline group (group NS) and compound electrolyte injection group (group MEI).The process of intraoperative blood salvage-retransfusion was simulated in both groups:femoral vein was cannulated for blood withdrawal until the volume of blood lost was 400 ml,and the shed blood was salvaged by a blood recovery machine.The washing solution was normal saline in group NS and compound electrolyte injection in group MEI.The erythrocytes were retransfused after being labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate.Blood samples were obtained before and after blood salvage for determination of erythrocyte ATP content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Blood samples were obtained at 24,48 and 72 h after blood retransfusion,and the PS exposure rate of the salvaged erythrocytes was determined by flow cytometry.The spleen was taken at 72 h after retransfusion to detect the phagocytosis rate of salvaged erythrocytes by monocytes.Results There was no significant difference in ATP content before and after blood salvage between the two groups (P＞0.05).Compared with NS group,the PS exposure rate of the salvaged erythrocytes at each time point after retransfusion and phagocytosis rate of salvaged erythrocytes by monocytes were significantly decreased in MEI group (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compound electrolyte injection as a washing solution for intraoperative blood salvage can reduce the PS exposure in salvaged erythrocytes and is helpful in prolonging the lifespan of erythrocytes after retransfusion in dogs.

Effect of compound electrolyte injection on phosphatidylserine exposure in erythrocytes after blood salvage-retransfusion in dogs / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the effect of compound electrolyte injection on phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in erythrocytes after blood salvage-retransfusion in dogs.@*Methods@#Twenty healthy mongrel dogs, weighing 10-15 kg, aged 3-5 weeks, were divided into 2 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table method: normal saline group (group NS) and compound electrolyte injection group (group MEI). The process of intraoperative blood salvage-retransfusion was simulated in both groups: femoral vein was cannulated for blood withdrawal until the volume of blood lost was 400 ml, and the shed blood was salvaged by a blood recovery machine.The washing solution was normal saline in group NS and compound electrolyte injection in group MEI.The erythrocytes were retransfused after being labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate.Blood samples were obtained before and after blood salvage for determination of erythrocyte ATP content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Blood samples were obtained at 24, 48 and 72 h after blood retransfusion, and the PS exposure rate of the salvaged erythrocytes was determined by flow cytometry.The spleen was taken at 72 h after retransfusion to detect the phagocytosis rate of salvaged erythrocytes by monocytes.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in ATP content before and after blood salvage between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with NS group, the PS exposure rate of the salvaged erythrocytes at each time point after retransfusion and phagocytosis rate of salvaged erythrocytes by monocytes were significantly decreased in MEI group (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Compound electrolyte injection as a washing solution for intraoperative blood salvage can reduce the PS exposure in salvaged erythrocytes and is helpful in prolonging the lifespan of erythrocytes after retransfusion in dogs.

Perioperative Blood Management: Pros and Cons of ANH and Cell Salvage / 한양의대학술지

Increasingly, autologous blood transfusion has been arousing concern owing to awareness of adverse effects of allogenic blood transfusion, blood shortage and patients, having religious or personal issues. With the development of medicine, Cell Salvage and Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) has been proposed as an alternative to allogenic blood transfusion. This review looked at the use of ANH and cell salvage and evaluated the benefits and usefulness based on the strengths and indications. Although not consistent with all cases of ANH, there were benefits in the amount of hemorrhage and transfusion, and no supplementary plasma or platelet transfusion was needed after surgery when employing ANH. But, it showed a cutoff value only for massive bleeding surgery (at least 500 mL). In the case of cell salvage, the amount of blood transfusion was reduced in most cases and platelet or plasma transfusion was not required in most cases. When the Leukoreduction filter (LDF) was utilized, it showed the effect of removing bacterial infection or tumor cells. Nonetheless, the effectiveness and benefits for patients in certain condition of cell salvage and ANH is ambiguous with discrepancies among studies or patients. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide clinical knowledge relative to the procedure, measure the efficacy and usefulness of peri-operative blood management mentioned above and discuss the forthcoming prospects and challenges.

Influence of intraoperative blood salvage on surgery for scoliosis / Influência da recuperação intraoperatória de sangue em cirurgias para escoliose / Influencia de la recuperación intraoperatoria de la sangre en cirugía para la escoliosis

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) in reducing allogeneic transfusion in patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis. Methods: Retrospective case-control study with 69 patients who underwent surgical treatment for scoliosis correction from August 2008 to December 2014 in a teaching hospital. We used the IBS in 43 patients and it was not used in 26. The groups were compared according to the medical records, and the data were processed on SPSS 20.0. For the associations between the variable IBS and non-IBS and the independent variables we applied the χ 2 and the likelihood ratio tests, and the strength of which was calculated by their 95% CI. The means were compared by Student's t and Mann-Whitney tests. The confidence level was 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences between groups with the variables age, sex, preoperative weight, postoperative blood drainage and surgical time. There was a significant reduction of intraoperative allogeneic transfusion in the IBS group submitted to posterior arthrodesis compared with the control group, with no difference in the transfusion of red blood cells between the two groups postoperatively. In the 24 patients who underwent combined arthrodesis, there was no significant difference in allogeneic transfusion in the intra- and postoperative periods between the groups. Conclusion: The system proved to be effective in reducing allogeneic transfusion during surgery in patients undergoing posterior arthrodesis for scoliosis, but it was not effective in reducing allogeneic transfusion in the intra- and postoperative periods of those undergoing combined arthrodesis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da recuperação intraoperatória de sangue (RIOS) na redução da transfusão alogênica em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para escoliose. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de caso-controle, com 69 pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico corretivo para escoliose, de agosto de 2008 a dezembro de 2014, em hospital-escola. Utilizou-se a RIOS em 43 pacientes e não foi usada em 26. Os grupos foram comparados conforme os prontuários, e os dados foram processados no SPSS 20.0. Nas associações entre a variável RIOS e não-RIOS e as variáveis independentes aplicaram-se os testes do χ2 e de razão de verossimilhança, sendo a força dessas calculada pelo seu IC de 95%. As médias foram comparadas pelos testes t de Student e de Mann-Whitney. O nível de confiança foi 0,05. Resultados: Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos com as variáveis idade, sexo, peso pré-operatório, drenagem sanguínea pós-operatória e tempo cirúrgico. Evidenciou-se redução significativa da transfusão alogênica intraoperatória no grupo RIOS submetido à artrodese posterior em comparação com o grupo-controle, sem diferença na transfusão de concentrado de hemácias entre os dois grupos no pós-operatório. Nos 24 pacientes submetidos à artrodese combinada, não houve diferença significativa na transfusão alogênica no intra e no pós-operatório entre os grupos. Conclusão: O sistema revelou-se eficaz em reduzir a transfusão alogênica no intraoperatório de pacientes submetidos à artrodese posterior para escoliose, mas não foi eficaz em reduzir a transfusão alogênica no intra e no pós-operatório daqueles submetidos à artrodese por via combinada.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de la recuperación de sangre intraoperatoria (RSI) en la reducción de la transfusión alogénica en pacientes sometidos a cirugía para la escoliosis. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles, con 69 pacientes sometidos a cirugía correctora de la escoliosis, entre agosto de 2008 y diciembre de 2014 en un hospital universitario. Se utilizó la RSI en 43 pacientes y no se utilizó en 26. Los grupos se compararon según los datos de los registros médicos y los datos fueron procesados en el programa SPSS 20.0. En las asociaciones entre la variable RSI y no-RSI y las variables independientes se aplicaron las pruebas de χ2 y la razón de verosimilitud, siendo la fuerza de éstas calculada por su IC de 95%. Los promedios se compararon mediante la pruebas de la t de Student y de Mann-Whitney. El nivel de confianza fue de 0,05. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en las variables edad, sexo, peso preoperatorio, drenaje de sangre postoperatoria y tiempo quirúrgico. Se mostró una reducción significativa de la transfusión alogénica durante la cirugía en el grupo RSI sometido a la artrodesis posterior en comparación con el grupo de control, sin diferencia en la transfusión de células rojas de la sangre entre los dos grupos después de la operación. En los 24 pacientes que se sometieron a la artrodesis combinada, no hubo diferencia significativa en la transfusión alogénica en el intra y postoperatorio entre los grupos. Conclusión: El sistema ha demostrado su eficacia en la reducción de la transfusión alogénica durante la cirugía en pacientes sometidos a artrodesis posterior para la escoliosis, pero no fue efectivo en la reducción de la transfusión alogénica en el intra y postoperatorio en los que se sometieron a la artrodesis por vía combinada.

Liver transplantation in Jehovah's Witnesses: two cases report / 대한마취과학회지

Liver transplantation is especially challenging in patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses because their religious beliefs prohibit the receipt of blood products. We present two cases of living donor liver transplantation performed in adult Jehovah's Witnesses in South Korea without the use of blood products. In the first case, preoperative erythropoiesisstimulation therapy increased hemoglobin levels from 8.1 to 13.1 g/dl after 9 weeks. In the second case, hemoglobin levels increased from 7.4 to 10.8 g/dl after 6 months of erythropoiesis-stimulation therapy. With the combination of acute normovolemic hemodilution, intraoperative cell salvage, and use of transfusion alternatives, liver transplantation was successfully performed without transfusion of blood products.

Opções terapêuticas para minimizar transfusões de sangue alogênico e seus efeitos adversos em cirurgia cardíaca: Revisão sistemática / Therapeutic options to minimize allogeneic blood transfusions and their adverse effects in cardiac surgery: A systematic review

Introdução: O sangue alogênico é um recurso terapêutico esgotável. Novas evidências demonstram um consumo excessivo de sangue e uma diminuição das doações, resultando em estoques de sangue reduzidos em todo o mundo. As transfusões de sangue estão relacionadas a aumento na morbimortalidade e maiores custos hospitalares. Deste modo, torna-se necessário procurar outras opções de tratamento. Estas alternativas existem, porém são pouco conhecidas e raramente utilizadas. Objetivo: Reunir e descrever de maneira sistemática, objetiva e prática todas as estratégias clínicas e cirúrgicas, como opções terapêuticas eficazes para minimizar ou evitar transfusões de sangue alogênico e seus efeitos adversos nos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Métodos: Foi efetuada uma pesquisa bibliográfica com busca ao descritor “Blood transfusion” (MeSH) e aos termos “Cardiac surgery” e “Blood management”. Estudos com títulos não relacionados diretamente ao tema da pesquisa, estudos que não continham nos resumos dados relacionados à pesquisa, estudos mais antigos que relataram estratégias repetidas foram excluídos. Resultados: Tratar anemia e plaquetopenia, suspender anticoagulantes e antiplaquetários, reduzir flebotomias rotineiras, técnica cirúrgica menos traumática com hipotermia e hipotensão moderada, hemostasia meticulosa, uso de agentes hemostáticos sistêmicos e tópicos, hemodiluição normovolêmica aguda, recuperação sanguínea intraoperatória, tolerância à anemia (oxigênio suplementar e normotermia), bem como várias outras opções terapêuticas mostram ser estratégias eficazes em reduzir transfusões de sangue alogênico. Conclusão: Existem múltiplas estratégias clínicas e cirúrgicas para otimizar a massa eritrocitária e o estado de coagulação, minimizar a perda de sangue e melhorar tolerância à anemia. Estes recursos terapêuticos deveriam ser incorporados à prática médica mundial, visando diminuir o consumo de hemocomponentes, ...

Introdution: Allogeneic blood is an exhaustible therapeutic resource. New evidence indicates that blood consumption is excessive and that donations have decreased, resulting in reduced blood supplies worldwide. Blood transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as higher hospital costs. This makes it necessary to seek out new treatment options. Such options exist but are still virtually unknown and are rarely utilized. Objective: To gather and describe in a systematic, objective, and practical way all clinical and surgical strategies as effective therapeutic options to minimize or avoid allogeneic blood transfusions and their adverse effects in surgical cardiac patients. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted using the MeSH term “Blood Transfusion” and the terms “Cardiac Surgery” and “Blood Management.” Studies with titles not directly related to this research or that did not contain information related to it in their abstracts as well as older studies reporting on the same strategies were not included. Results: Treating anemia and thrombocytopenia, suspending anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, reducing routine phlebotomies, utilizing less traumatic surgical techniques with moderate hypothermia and hypotension, meticulous hemostasis, use of topical and systemic hemostatic agents, acute normovolemic hemodilution, cell salvage, anemia tolerance (supplementary oxygen and normothermia), as well as various other therapeutic options have proved to be effective strategies for reducing allogeneic blood transfusions. Conclusion: There are a number of clinical and surgical strategies that can be used to optimize erythrocyte mass and coagulation status, minimize blood loss, and improve anemia tolerance. In order to decrease the consumption of blood components, diminish morbidity and mortality, and reduce hospital costs, these treatment strategies should be incorporated ...

Benefício do uso de recuperadores de hemácias em cirurgias cardiovasculares / Benefit from using recycling red blood cells in cardiovascular surgery

Objetivo: Avaliar se o uso de recuperadores de hemácias está indicado nos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular com o uso de circulação extracorpórea. Métodos: Foram estudados 77 pacientes submetidos a cirurgias cardíacas com uso de recuperadores de hemácias e circulação extracorpórea de novembro de 2010 a junho de 2012. A amostra foi subdividida em três grupos, conforme o tempo de circulação extracorpórea. No grupo A ,o tempo de circulação extracorpórea foi menor que 45, no grupo B, de 45 a 90 e, no grupo C, maior que 90 minutos. Analisou-se o volume recuperado e infundido de hemácias, a hemoglobina de pré, trans e pós-operatório, número de unidades de concentrado de hemácias transfundidas, volume globular e hemoglobina do sangue infundido. Resultados: A idade média, dos pacientes, foi de 60,44±12,09 anos, sendo 71,43% do sexo masculino. O grupo A é formado por 5,19%, o B por 81,82% e o C por 12,99% dos pacientes. O volume recuperado e infundido foi, respectivamente, de 1.360,50±511,37 ml e 339,75±87,71 ml no grupo A, 1.436,63±516,06 ml e 518,83±183,0 ml no B e 2.137,00±925,04 ml e 526,20±227,15 ml no C. Em relação às transfusões de concentrado de hemácias, no grupo A foram transfundidas 1,00±2,00 concentrado de hemácias, no B 1,27±1,85 concentrado de hemácias e no C 2,56±2,01 concentrado de hemácias. O sangue infundido tinha um volume globular de 50,97±12,06% e hemoglobina de 19,57±8,35 g/dl. Conclusão: O recuperadores de hemácias podem ser usados em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular com circulação extracorpórea, mas somente em cirurgias com tempo de circulação extracorpórea acima de 45 minutos o reaproveitamento de sangue ...

Objective: To show if blood salvage is indicated in all patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: We studied 77 consecutive patients submitted to cardiac surgery with use of blood salvage and cardiopulmonary bypass from November 2010 to June 2012. The sample was divided in three groups, depending on the time of cardiopulmonary bypass. In group A, the time of cardiopulmonary bypass was smaller than 45, in group B from 45 to 90 and in group C greater than 90 minutes. We analyzed the volume of red cells recovered and infused, the pre, intra and post-operative hemoglobin, the number of packed red cells units which were transfused and hematocrit and hemoglobin blood infused. Results: The average group age was 60.44±12.09 years old, of whom 71.43% were males. The group A was formed by 5.19% of the patients, B by 81.82% and C by 12.99%. The volume of erythrocytes recovered and infused was respectively 1,360.50±511.37 ml and 339.75±87.71 ml in group A, 1,436.63±516.06 ml and 518.83±183.0 ml in B and 2,137.00±925.04 ml and 526.20±227.15 ml in C. About packed red cells transfusions, in group A 1,00±2,00 packed red cells were transfused, in B 1.27±1.85 packed red cells and in C 2.56±2.01 packed red cells. The infused blood had a hematocrit of 50.97±12.06% and hemoglobin of 19.57±8.35 g/dl. Conclusion: That blood salvage can be used in patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. However, it is only cost-effective in surgeries in which the time of cardiopulmonary bypass is greater than 45 minutes. .

O uso de recuperador de sangue em cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea / The use of cell saver system in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

INTRODUÇÃO: O uso de recuperador de sangue (RS) em cirurgia cardíaca é proposto para diminuir o uso de unidades de concentrado de hemácias estocadas (UCH), que aumenta morbidade, mortalidade e reações inflamatórias. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se o uso do RS diminui o emprego de UCH, é custo/efetivo e traz benefícios ao paciente. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo realizado entre novembro de 2009 e outubro de 2011, em 100 pacientes consecutivos, submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular com circulação extracorpórea (CEC), hemodiluição mínima e hemofiltração. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupo 1 (sem RS) e 2 (com RS). Os critérios para a reposição de UCH foram instabilidade hemodinâmica e hemoglobina (Hb) <7-8g/dl. Foram analisados dados demográficos, Hb, hematócrito (Ht), drenagem mediastinal e reposição de UCH, em diversos intervalos, e tempos de CEC, UTI e hospital. RESULTADOS: Nos grupos 1 e 2, a idade média foi de 64,2 e 60,6 anos, com predominância do sexo masculino, o EuroSCORE logístico de 10,3 e 9,6 e a mortalidade de 2% e 4%, não relacionada ao estudo. O grupo 2 apresentou incidência de reoperações superior (12 x 6%), mas o número de UCH usado (4,31x1,25) e o tempo de internamento hospitalar (10,8x7,4) foram menores. Realizada análise uni e multivariada, que não demonstrou valores estatisticamente significativos, exceto no uso de UCH. A relação entre o custo do RS e das UCH foi custo/efetiva e o tempo de internamento, menor. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de RS diminui o número de UCH usadas, não é custo/efetivo e mostrou benefícios ao paciente.

INTRODUCTION: The use of cell saver (CS) in cardiac surgery is proposed to reduce the use of units of packed red blood cells stored (URBC), which increases morbidity, mortality and causes inflammatory reactions. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to evaluate whether the use of CS decreases the use URBC, is cost /effective and beneficial to the patient. METHODS: In a prospective study, between November 2009 and October 2011, 100 consecutive patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery with CPB, hemodilution and hemofiltration, were enrolled. Patients were divided into group 1 (no CS) and 2 (CS). The criteria for the replacement of RBC were hemodynamic instability and hemoglobin (Hb) <7-8g/dl. Demographic data, as well as Hb and hematocrit, mediastinal drainage, number of URBC and CPB, ICU and hospital time, were analysed. RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2 the average age was 64.1 and 60.6 years; predominantly male; the logistic EuroSCORE 10.3 and 9.4; mortality 2% and 4%. Group 2 had a higher incidence of reoperations (12% versus 6%), but the average of URBC used (4.31 versus 1.25) and mean length of hospital stay (10.8 versus 7.4 days) was lower. Univariate and multivariate analysis, were performed, which showed no statistically significant values, except in the use of URBC. The relationship between the CS and the cost of RBC was not cost /effective and length of stay was shorter. CONCLUSION: The use of CS decreases the number of used URBC, is not cost /effective but has shown benefits for patients.

Role of Intraoperative Red Cell Salvage and Autologus Transfusion in Metastatic Spine Surgery: A Pilot Study and Review of Literature

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PURPOSE: There has been no research examining the use of intraoperative cell salvage during metastatic spinal surgery. The present work is a pilot study investigating the role of cell salvage during metastatic spine surgery. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There is no spinal literature about role of cell salvage and autologus transfusion in metastatic spinal cancer. METHODS: Sixteen spinal metastases patients who received red cell salvage using a leucocyte depletion filter were enrolled. Of these, ten patients who received salvaged blood transfusion were included in the final analysis. Data collection involved looking at the case notes, operating room records and the prospectively updated metastatic spinal cancer database maintained in the spinal department. Cell salvage data was recovered from the central cell salvage database maintained in the anesthetic department. RESULTS: Amount of salvaged blood ranged from 120 to 600 mL (average, 318 mL). The average drop in hemoglobin was 1.65 units (range, 0.4-2.7 units). Three patients (30%) required postoperative allogenic blood transfusion. The average follow up was 9.5 months (range, 6-6 months). One patient developed new lung metastasis, at seven months. No patient developed new liver metastases. Preoperatively, six patients had diffuse skeletal metastases. Of this subgroup, three developed new skeletal metastases. No cases showed any wound related problems in the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: In our study transfusion of intraoperatively salvaged blood did not result in disseminated metastatic cancer. We would suggest that red cell salvage might have a role during metastatic spine surgery.