Complication rates for preexisting baclofen pumps and ventricular shunts following scoliosis correction: a preliminary study

• DOI: 10.3171/2018.2.peds17713
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04T13:55:39Z
• Authors: Jonathan Dallas; Katherine D. Sborov; Bradley S. Guidry; Silky Chotai; Christopher M. Bo...
• Keywords: Male; Baclofen; Adolescent; Muscle Relaxants, Central; Infusion Pumps, Implantable; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Postoperative Complications; Spinal Fusion; 0302 clinical medicine; Scoliosis; Humans; Female; Child; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE Many patients undergoing spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis have preexisting neurosurgical implants, including ventricular shunts (VSs) hydrocephalus and baclofen pumps (BPs) spastic cerebral palsy. Recent studies discussed a possible increase in implant complication rates following fusion, but published data are inconclusive. The authors therefore, sought to investigate: 1) the rate of complications 2) causes these complications, 3) factors that place at higher risk implant-related complications. METHODS Cases involving pediatric with VS or BP who underwent correction between 2005 2016 single tertiary children’s hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, characteristics, details, follow-up, 180 days recorded RESULTS Overall, 75 had implants: 39 BPs, 31 VSs, 5 both. patients’ mean age was 13.49 ± 2.78 years (range 3.62–18.81 years), time from most recent previous surgery 5.70 4.65 0.10–17.3 years). preoperative postoperative Cobb angles 62.4° 18.9° degrees 20.9°–109.0°) 23.5° 13.3° 2.00°–67.3°), respectively. No identified. Two BPs found (unintentional cutting their catheter during posterior fusion) within postfusion. There no infections, failures, fractures, dislodgements. Although 10 required least 1 surgical procedure irrigation debridement spine wound there abdominal cranial infections requiring revision, implants removal. CONCLUSIONS results this study suggest does not previously placed implants. A large-scale, prospective, multicenter is needed fully explore confirm finding.