Introduction: Certain medical comorbidities likely influence postoperative readmission rates in adult patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery.
Methods: Patients undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery from 2011-2012 were identified by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes in the ACS NSQIP database. Those readmitted within 30 days after surgery were identified. The association between patient characteristics and the odds of readmission were analyzed using stepwise multivariable logistic regression.
Results: 2,171 adult patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery were identified, of which 109 (5.0%) were readmitted within 30 days. Independent predictors of readmission included Body Mass Index >30 (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.6, p = 0.03), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.7, p = 0.04), presence of bleeding disorder (OR: 3.5, p = 0.01), and operative time greater than four hours (OR: 1.6, p = 0.02). Patients who underwent primary anterior fusion had a lower risk of readmission (OR: 0.4, p < 0.00).
Conclusions: Several patient characteristics have a significant impact on the risk of 30 day readmission after spinal deformity surgery, including obesity, diabets, presence of bleeding disorder, and longer operative times. This information may aid in preoperative risk stratification for readmission.
Patient Care: The research from this paper may serve as an aid in preoperative risk stratification for readmission which can improve patient care.
Learning Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and predictors of readmission after adult spinal deformity surgery and to attempt to create an algorithm to identify patients who are a higher risk for readmission.