Reduction in mortality in pediatric non-idiopathic scoliosis by implementing a multidisciplinary screening process

• Published in: Spine deformity 2021-01, Vol.9 (1), p.119-124
• Main Authors: Deveza, Lorenzo, Heydemann, John, Jain, Mohit, Liu, David, Chhabra, Barkha, Spoede, Elizabeth, Kocab, Ken, Phillips, William, Hanson, Darrell, Gerow, Frank, Wesson, David, Dahl, Benny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Series; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Orthopedics
• ISSN: 2212-134X; 2212-1358
• DOI: 10.1007/s43390-020-00202-5

Study design Retrospective comparative study. Objectives To compare complications before and after implementation of the Multi-D screening protocol in complex pediatric patients undergoing spinal instrumentation for non-idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of background data Pediatric patients undergoing surgery for non-idiopathic scoliosis experience significantly more complications than those with idiopathic scoliosis. Operating on these patients can lead to serious complications including death. Recent reports have demonstrated the benefits of establishing a multidisciplinary-based system to reduce complications in adult spinal deformity during the perioperative period. However, there are limited studies examining these benefits in a complex pediatric spine population. Methods This was a retrospective review of all cases involving spinal instrumentation at our institution for 2 years before and after the initiation of our Neuromuscular Spine Surgery Care Plan in July 2014. Study sample was n  = 129 cases (107 patients) prior to the initiation of the process and n  = 122 cases (109 patients) thereafter. Primary outcome measures included: mortality at 30 days and 1 year; post-operative neurologic deficit, and surgical site infections (SSI). Secondary outcome measures included: instrument failure in 1 year; readmission in 30 days; return to OR in 90 days. Results The study populations were matched by age and gender. Patients passing the Multi-D conference had higher BMI. Implementation of the Multi-D conference reduced mortality at 30 days (2 vs 0, p  = 0.17) and at 1 year (4 vs 0, p  = 0.04), as well as reduced post-operative neurologic deficit (2 vs 0, p  = 0.17). The rate of SSI remained unchanged. All other secondary outcome measures also remained unchanged. Conclusions Implementation of a Multi-D conference led to a significant reduction in mortality at 1 year, and is an important safety process to reduce serious complications after non-idiopathic scoliosis surgery. Level of evidence Level III.