Complications and outcomes of surgery for spinal meningioma: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample analysis from 2003 to 2010

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the practice patterns, complications and outcome following surgery for spinal meningioma in the United States.

Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2003 to 2010. In-patient mortality and discharge disposition were the outcome predictors.

Results: A total of 13,792 admissions for surgically managed spinal meningioma were identified. The number of admissions increased from 12.6% in 2003 to 14.7% in 2010. 1.2% patients were ≤18 years and 28.4% ≥70 years. 8.3% patients had high co-morbidity score. The total in-hospital complication rate was 6.4%. 42% of the admissions were discharged to facilities other than home or self-care. Patients in the pediatric and adult age groups had a significantly higher rate of adverse outcome. There was no difference in complication rates and adverse discharge disposition between the hospitals with varying case volumes.

Conclusions: Caucasian patients with private insurance without co-morbidity had significantly lower complication rate and good outcome. Occurrence of spinal meningioma in the pediatric and adult age groups does not carry worse prognosis.

Keywords: Meningioma; Nationwide Inpatient Sample; Outcome; Spinal.