Risk factors for pulmonary complications after spine surgery

Felix Imposti; Amy Cizik; Richard Bransford; Carlo Bellabarba; Michael J Lee

doi:10.1055/s-0028-1100911

Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal, Table of Contents

Evid Based Spine Care J 2010; 1(2): 26-33
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1100911

Original research

Risk factors for pulmonary complications after spine surgery

Felix Imposti¹ , Amy Cizik² , Richard Bransford¹ , Carlo Bellabarba¹ , Michael J. Lee²

¹ Harborview Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
² University of Washington, Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

Abstract

Full Text

References

REFERENCES

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EDITORIAL STAFF PERSPECTIVE

This is an excellent study regarding complications in spine surgery. We are unaware of a similar undertaking. Of course an interesting follow-up study would be to see if any specific care measures that have been changed by the investigators have reduced the incidence of pulmonary complications. This would require a prospective follow-up study.

The other point not directly addressed in this study is the influence of antibiotics, application of a standardized postoperative respiratory care protocol for known at-risk patients, and intraoperative anesthesiologic management of patients. For instance, presence of intraoperative hypotension, requiring resuscitation, the number of blood transfusions, fresh frozen plasma or colloids as well as type and duration of intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis may be variables to consider. These are variables which usually can not readily be gathered from a retrospective study.

The value of a study like this, is that a potentially underestimated clinical problem can now be studied prospectively in a more detailed fashion. No doubt this study advances our awareness of pulmonary problems and more invasive spine surgery in an ill population.