Jarvers et al reported risk factors for wound complications following surgery to stabilize spinal metastases. These can help to identify a patient who should be monitored more closely. the authors are from University Hospital Leipzig.
Patient selection: status post surgery to stabilize spinal instability due to metastatic disease.
Outcome: wound complication with 6 months after surgery, Complications included surgical site infection and/or delay in wound healing > 3 weeks
Risk factors for wound complications and/or need for surgical revision:
(1) body weight, obesity (BMI > 30 kg per square meter)
(2) ASA 3, 4 or 5
(3) start of radiation therapy within 21 days of surgery
(4) chemotherapy within 21 days of surgery
(5) surgery with hemilaminectomy
(6) current smoker
(7) therapeutic anticoagulation
(8) diabetes (p = 0.056)
where:
• Placement of hardware was not listed as being evaluated.
• The presence of anyone with ASA 5 was not stated.
The risk of complications increases with the number of risk factors present.
