Increase in spinal deformity surgery in patients age 60 and older is not associated with increased complications

Operative management of adult spinal deformity increased 3.4-fold among patients ≥60 years from 2004 to 2011, with an associated 1.8-fold increase in hospital charges. Although the exact reasons for the striking increase in hospital charges remain unclear, some of the increase is likely related to decreasing reimbursement of charges by payors over the same period of time. The large majority of cases were performed in large academic centers, and growth in deformity trained spine specialists in these centers may have contributed to this trend. Despite the increased utilization of surgery for adult spinal deformity, in-hospital complications remained stable across all ages.