Complications of Posterior Vertebral Resection for Spinal Deformity

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of complications following posterior vertebral resection (PVR) for spinal deformity. METHODS: A review of 233 patients treated with PVR at one institution over a nine-year period (1997 to 2005) was performed. The average age was 33.5 years. Complications were assessed in terms of surgical techniques (posterior vertebral column resection [PVCR] and decancellation osteotomy) and etiologies of deformity. RESULTS: Local kyphosis was corrected from 51.4degrees to 2.7degrees, thoracic scoliosis 63.9degrees to 24.5degrees (62.6% correction), and thoracolumbar or lumbar scoliosis 50.1degrees to 17.1degrees (67.6%). The overall incidence of complications was 40.3%. There was no significant difference between PVCR and decancellation osteotomy in the incidence of complications. There were more complications in the older patients (>35 years) than the younger (p 0.05). There was 1 mortality case by heart failure. Revision surgery was performed in 15 patients for metal failure or progressing curve. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of complications of PVR was 40.3%. Older age, abundant blood loss, preoperative kyphosis, and long fusion were risk factors for complications.