Minimizing Complications in Scoliosis Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Phoenix Children's Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cerebral Palsy

Treatments: Procedure: The use of two attending surgeons during posterior spinal fusion

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02547090

11-124

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background:

Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) carries a high risk of complications and mortality. Complication rates have been reported as high as 45%, and infection rates typically reported at 15%. Efforts to improve efficiency by reducing operative time and blood loss could decrease these risks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of utilizing two attending surgeons on blood loss, operative time, and complications in this population.

Methods:

This is a prospective, matched cohort analysis with a consecutive series of patients with CP who underwent PSF, with two attending surgeons, in 2012. These are matched with a control group that had a single-surgeon team (operative dates 2008-2010), assisted by a resident, PA, or RN-FA. The groups are compared using paired Student T-tests and chi square tests (significance set a p<0.05).

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: All

Ages: Under 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Cerebral palsy
• neuromuscular scoliosis requiring posterior spinal fusion (>50 degree Cobb)
• PSF from 2008-2012 at Phoenix Children's Hospital
• GMFCS IV or V

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis other than CP
• GMFCS I-III
• Previous spine deformity surgery

Trial design

50 participants in 2 patient groups

CP who underwent PSF by two attendings in 2012

Treatment:

Procedure: The use of two attending surgeons during posterior spinal fusion

CP who underwent PSF by a single surgeon from 2008-2010