Clinical outcomes following spine surgery for traumatic injury in the octogenarian population

Abstract Objective To review the surgical outcomes of the octogenarian population at a single institution after spinal traumatic injury. Methods Patients with both radiographic and clinical evidence of acute traumatic spine injury were reviewed utilizing an institutional trauma survey to determine patient demographics and outcome data in a population of patients aged 80 years and older. Results 39 patients underwent surgical intervention for acute spinal trauma in patients aged 80 years and older. There were 25 cases of cervical spine and 14 cases of thoracolumbar spine surgical intervention. Falls were the number one cause of acute spinal injury (31/39, 71%). Major respiratory disorders were the most common post-operative adverse event (12/39, 31%). Five patients experienced either superficial wound dehiscence, fascial dehiscence, superficial infection, and delayed wound erosion. Patients were either discharged to home (10.5%), inpatient rehabilitation, (38.5%), skilled nursing facilities (17.9%), or long-term care facilities (17.9%). Post-operative mortality rate was 10.3%. Conclusions Although the octogenarian population has increased risk for post-operative events after acute spinal injuries, surgical intervention may be worthwhile in the elderly population. While direct surgical complication rates are not higher, medical risks are significantly higher following surgery.