@article{JSS4708,
author = {Abhiraj D. Bhimani and Ashley N. Selner and Jay B. Patel and Jonathan G. Hobbs and Darian R. Esfahani and Mandana Behbahani and Zaid Zayyad and Demetrios Nikas and Ankit I. Mehta},
title = {Pediatric tethered cord release: an epidemiological and postoperative complication analysis},
journal = {Journal of Spine Surgery},
volume = {5},
number = {3},
year = {2019},
keywords = {},
abstract = {Background: Tethered cord release (TCR) is a common procedure in pediatric neurosurgery. Despite a reputation for being relatively safe, the risk factors for postoperative complications are poorly understood.
Methods: In this study, the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric Database (ACS-NSQIP-P) was reviewed to identify the demographics, risk factors, and 30-day postoperative complications for tethered cord release using univariate and multivariate analysis. A detailed analysis of reasons for readmission and reoperation was also performed.
Results: Three thousand and six hundred eighty-two pediatric patients were studied. Males undergoing TCR were younger (5.6 vs. 6.1 years) and had a higher rate of pre-operative comorbidities but lower 30-day complication rate versus females. Patients who later developed complications were more likely to require a microscope intraoperatively, had longer operative times, and worse preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class.
Conclusions: Despite being a relatively safe procedure, TCR in the pediatric population carries a finite risk of complications. In this large, international database study, males were found to have a greater number of risk factors prior to TCR, while females exhibit a higher risk of developing postoperative complications. This paper provides a large sample size of multi institutional pediatric patients undergoing TCR and may serve as a contemporary “snapshot” for future studies.},
issn = {2414-4630}, url = {https://jss.amegroups.org/article/view/4708}
}