Pulmonary Complications following Thoracic Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gabel, Brandon C.; Schnell, Eric C.; Dettori, Joseph R.; Jeyamohan, Shiveindra; Oskouian, Rod
• Is Part Of: Global spine journal. Volume 6:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 303
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: pulmonary complications -- pulmonary effusion -- hemothorax -- pneumothorax -- thoracic spine -- anterior approach -- lateral approach -- posterior approach; Spine -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spine -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Spine -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Spine -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 616.73
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1582232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-5682

Abstract

Study Design: Systematic review. Objective: To determine the frequency of pulmonary effusion, pneumothorax, and hemothorax in adult patients undergoing thoracic corpectomy or osteotomy for any condition and to determine if these frequencies vary by surgical approach (i.e., anterior, posterior, or lateral). Methods: Electronic databases and reference lists of key articles were searched through September 21, 2015, to identify studies specifically evaluating the frequency of pulmonary effusion, pneumothorax, and hemothorax in patients undergoing thoracic spine surgery. Results: Fourteen studies, 13 retrospective and 1 prospective, met inclusion criteria. The frequency across studies of pulmonary effusion ranged from 0 to 77%; for hemothorax, 0 to 77%; and for pneumothorax, 0 to 50%. There was no clear pattern of pulmonary complications with respect to surgical approach. Conclusions: There is insufficient data to determine the risk of pulmonary complications following anterior, posterior, or lateral approaches to the thoracic spine. Methods for assessing pulmonary complications were not well reported, and data is sparse.