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There remains a dearth of information regarding the surgical complications following multilevel spine surgery in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. This retrospective cohort study was performed to address this issue on a nationwide level using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2001 to 2012. More than 25 postoperative variables were analyzed to assess the impact of fusion construct length on each variable. Subsequently, the same analysis was performed on admissions without PD. 4301 PD patients with spine fusion were identified, of whom 934 (21.7%) underwent fusion of at least three levels; the remaining 3367 underwent fusion of 1-2 levels. Patients with 3+ level fusions were more likely to suffer paraplegia (P=.001; OR=3.0; 95%CI=1.5-6.1), hematoma/seroma (P=.009; OR=1.9; 95%CI=1.2-3.2), IVC filter placement (P=.018; OR=2.1; 95%CI=1.1-3.9), RBC transfusion (P<.001; OR=3.2; 95%CI=2.7-3.8), PE (P=.027; OR=4.5; 95%CI=1.2-16.9), postoperative shock (P=.023; OR=7.3; 95%CI=1.3-39.6), ARDS (P<.001; OR=4.1; 95%CI=2.7-6.3), VTE (P=.006; OR=2.6; 95%CI=1.3-5.4), acute posthemorrhagic anemia (P<.001; OR=2.0; 95%CI=1.7-2.4), device-related complications (P<.001; OR=3.1; 95%CI=2.3-4.2), and in-hospital mortality (P=.005; OR=3.4; 95%CI=1.5-7.4). 3+ level fusions were also more likely to have LOS>1week (P<.001; OR=2.1; 95%CI=1.8-2.5), and a nonroutine discharge (P=.005; OR=1.9; 95%CI=1.4-2.4). 692,173 non-PD patients with spine fusion were identified; 123,964 (17.9%) underwent 3+ level fusion. Differences between 3+ versus 1-2 level fusions were similar to those in PD patient, but unlike PD patients, postoperative infection was significant while in-hospital mortality, PE and VTE were not. Fusion of at least three levels increased morbidity, mortality, and adverse discharge disposition compared with 1-2 level fusions. Nearly 80% of all spine fusions performed in the United States are fewer than three levels. These findings are worth considering during operative decision-making in both PD and non-PD patients., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Parkinson disease (PD) is increasingly prevalent in the aging population. Spine disorders in patients with PD may be degenerative in nature or may arise secondary to motor effects related to the parkinsonian disease process. Physicians providing care for patients with PD and spine pathologies must be aware of several factors that affect treatment, including the patterns of spinal deformity, complex drug interactions, and PD-associated osteoporosis. Following spine surgery, complication rates are higher in patients with PD than in those without the disease. Literature on spine surgery in this patient population is limited by small cohort size, the heterogeneous patient population, and variable treatment protocols. However, most studies emphasize the need for preoperative optimization of motor control with appropriate medications and deep brain stimulation, as well as consultation with a movement disorder specialist. Future studies must control for confounding variables, such as the type of surgery and PD severity, to improve understanding of spinal pathology and treatment options in this patient population.

Study Design: Retrospective review of spinal exostoses treated at our institution and literature review., Objectives: Review of 12 cases of spinal exostoses treated at our institution compared with 165 cases of spinal exostoses reported in the literature., Summary of Background Data: Spinal exostoses are uncommon. Most reports consist of 1 to 3 cases. The relationship between solitary exostoses and those associated with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE), as well as the incidence of intraspinal and extraspinal location, symptoms presentation, and results of treatment are unclear., Methods: The medical records, operative reports, and diagnostic imaging of 12 patients with spinal exostoses treated at our institution between 1972 and 2002 were reviewed. The literature was reviewed using MEDLINE search of English literature and bibliographies of published manuscripts., Results: Solitary spinal exostoses were more common than those associated with MHE. Lesions were most common in the upper cervical spine and originated from the posterior elements. Patients with exostoses associated with MHE were significantly younger and had a higher incidence of symptoms consistent with neural structure compression than patients with solitary exostoses. Complete excision resulted in resolution of preoperative symptoms. Intralesional excision resulted in recurrence in all cases., Conclusions: Spinal exostoses are more common than reported previously. Patients with MHE that present with back pain or neurological symptoms should produce a high index of suspicion. Evaluation should include both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to define the origin of the exostosis and the presence of neural structure compression. Surgical excision should be preformed en bloc.