Spine surgery complexity score predicts outcomes in 671 consecutive spine surgery patients

Abstract

Background: The spine surgery complexity score (SSCS), previously reported by us, is a simple grading system to predict postoperative complications and hospital length of stay (LOS). This scale is based on the technical difficulty of the spinal procedures being performed. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review to validate SSCS in 671 consecutive patients undergoing spine procedures at a quaternary academic hospital. Results: The SSCS was predictive of the hospital LOS and postoperative complications (defined by the ClavienDindo score), based on linear regression analysis (P < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: Categorizing procedures according to the SSCS may enable neurosurgeons to assess surgical risk and predict longer LOS courses after spine surgery. Thus, it may prove useful in preoperative patient evaluation/ education and determining a prognosis based on surgical complexity.