Complications of spine surgery for metastasis

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2020 Jan;30(1):37-56. doi: 10.1007/s00590-019-02541-0. Epub 2019 Aug 31.

Abstract

The spinal column represents the third most common site for metastases after the lungs and the liver, and the most common site for metastatic bone disease. With life-extending advances in the systemic treatment of cancer patients, the surgical procedures performed for spinal metastases will increase, and their related complications will increase unavoidably. Furthermore, considering the high complication rates reported in the spinal literature regarding spine surgery overall, it becomes clear that a better understanding of complications that the cancer patients with spinal metastases may experience is necessary. This article aims to summarize and critically examine the current evidence for complications after spine surgery for metastatic spinal disease, in both the perioperative and postoperative period. This paper would be useful for the treating physicians of these patients in their clinical practice.

Keywords: Cancer; Complications; Metastasis; Spine; Surgery; Survival.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / mortality
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Bone Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedic Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods
  • Postoperative Complications / mortality*
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Spinal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome