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Influence of curve magnitude and other variables on operative time, blood loss and transfusion requirements in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) typically requires lengthy operating time and may be associated with significant blood loss and subsequent transfusion. This study aimed to identify factors predictive of duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in an Irish AIS cohort.

Methods

A retrospective review of 77 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent single-stage posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion over a two-year period at two Dublin tertiary hospitals was performed. Data were collected prospectively and parameters under analysis included pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements, intraoperative blood loss, surgical duration, blood products required, laboratory blood values and perioperative complications.

Results

Mean preoperative primary curve Cobb angle was 62.3°; mean surgical duration was 5.6 h. The perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion rate was 42.8 % with a median requirement of 1 unit. Larger curve magnitudes were positively correlated with longer fusion segments, increased operative time and greater estimated intraoperative blood loss. Preoperative Cobb angles greater than 70° [Relative Risk (RR) 4.42, p = 0.003] and estimated intraoperative blood loss greater than 1400 ml (RR 3.01, p = 0.037) were independent predictors of red blood cell transfusion risk.

Conclusion

Larger preoperative curve magnitudes in AIS increase operative time and intraoperative blood loss; preoperative Cobb angles greater than 70o and intraoperative blood loss greater than 1400 ml are predictive of red blood cell transfusion requirement in this patient group.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are very grateful to the National Children’s Research Centre, Dublin 12, Ireland, for funding this study. They thank Ms. Gloria Crispino-O’Connell for providing statistical support, and acknowledge the assistance of the staff at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and the Blackrock Clinic throughout the study. This study was exclusively funded by The National Children’s Research Centre, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland.

Conflict of interest

None.

Ethical standard

This study was approved by the Ethics Committees of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland and the Blackrock Clinic, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland

    M. Nugent, R. C. Tarrant, D. P. Moore & P. J. Kiely

  2. The National Children’s Research Centre, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland

    R. C. Tarrant

  3. SpR in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland

    J. M. Queally

  4. Department of Anaesthetics, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland

    P. Sheeran

  5. Blackrock Clinic, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

    P. Sheeran, D. P. Moore & P. J. Kiely

Authors
  1. M. Nugent
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Correspondence to M. Nugent.

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Nugent, M., Tarrant, R.C., Queally, J.M. et al. Influence of curve magnitude and other variables on operative time, blood loss and transfusion requirements in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Ir J Med Sci 185, 513–520 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-015-1306-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-015-1306-5

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