This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Spinal complication predictors proven to be realistic, clinically helpful
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Using a spinal complication predictor, physicians can potentially predict major and minor complications for specific patients based on their characteristics and other criteria, a speaker said here.
According to Maximilian Kasparek, MD, a new online complication calculator, SpineSage, was able to accurately predict minor and major complications in several patient groups.
“We can say the predictions of SpinalSage come very close to the clinical results,” Kasparek said.
The calculator used criteria such as hypertension, renal conditions, diabetes and other patient conditions and assigns a score to the procedure based on the Surgical Invasiveness Index, which ranges from 0 to 48. The information is then used to determine which complications the patient might expect, the risk of infection and the risk of a dural leak, Kasparek said.
Kasparek said 100 patients have been assessed since April 2014. Using the calculator, the mean risks were estimated to be 20.8% for minor complications and 7.2% for major complications. At final follow-up, the actual minor complications came in at 23% and major complications at 4%.
Kasparek concluded the complication calculator is effective in clinical practice and can be useful in counseling patients on their potential risks. – by Robert Linnehan
Reference: Kasparek M, et al. Paper #90. Presented at: EuroSpine Annual Meeting; Sept. 2-4, 2015; Copenhagen, Denmark.
Disclosure: Kasparek reports no relevant financial disclosures.