Perioperative neurologic complications during spinal fusion surgery: incidence and trends

The incidence rate of perioperative neurologic deficits associated with elective spine surgery documented in the NIS has increased over the time period from 1999 to 2011. The number of elective spine procedures performed has also increased over the same time period. Finally, outcomes data indicate that occurrence of perioperative neurologic complications is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as increased health-care use and cost. These trends indicate that the perioperative neurologic complications following spine surgery represent a growing problem in today's health-care system; further study is warranted to prevent and treat these complications to improve patient care and reduce health-care use and cost.