Complications in Scoliosis Surgery: A Systematic Review
Author Information
Author(s): Hans-Rudolf Weiss, Deborah Goodall
Primary Institution: Asklepios Katharina Schroth Spinal Deformities Rehabilitation Centre, Bad Sobernheim, Germany
Hypothesis
What is the rate of complications associated with scoliosis surgery?
Conclusion
Scoliosis surgery has a varying but high rate of complications, and a clear medical indication for this treatment cannot be established due to the lack of evidence.
Supporting Evidence
- The rate of complications varied between 0 and 89% depending on the aetiology of the entity investigated.
- Long-term rates of complications have not yet been reported upon.
- Mandatory reporting for all spinal implants in a standardized way should be established.
Takeaway
Scoliosis surgery can lead to many problems, and it's not always clear if it's the best choice for patients.
Methodology
A systematic review of studies reporting on the rate of complications related to scoliosis surgery, using Pub Med and the SOSORT scoliosis library.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the voluntary reporting of complications by clinicians and the lack of mandatory reporting.
Limitations
The review is limited to the Pub Med/Medline and SOSORT databases, and the lack of standardization in reporting complications makes it difficult to draw final conclusions.
Participant Demographics
Patients with any type of scoliosis were included, while those with complications not due to scoliosis surgery were excluded.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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