Complications in spinal deformity surgery in the United Kingdom: 5-year results of the annual British Scoliosis Society National Audit of Morbidity and Mortality

Purpose To provide a 5-year national overview of corrective spinal deformity surgery in the United Kingdom. Methods Since 2008, the British Scoliosis Society has collected predefined data on spinal deformity surgeries carried out by its members. Participating units collect and submit annual anonymised data pertaining to the number of deformity surgeries performed, age groups, aetiology (idiopathic versus non-idiopathic), mortality, deep infections and neurological deficit (complete, incomplete without resolution and incomplete with resolution). Overall aetiology proportions and complication rates were calculated, as well as funnel plots with control limits of individual complication rates by cases performed. Results Between 2008 and 2012, 9,295 corrective spinal deformity procedures were performed. 4,445 (48 %) were recorded as idiopathic and 2,917 (31 %) as non-idiopathic. There were a total of 339 complications (3.6 %). Deep infections occurred in 222 (2.82 %), incomplete neurological deficit with resolution in 59 (0.65 %), incomplete neurological deficit without resolution in 29 (0.32 %), complete neurological deficit in 12 (0.13 %) and mortality in 17 (0.19 %). Conclusion The complication rates reported in this study compare well with previously published studies. These reported results will hopefully serve to provide a benchmark for units in the UK providing corrective spinal deformity surgery to allow individual units to compare their complication rates against national averages and to provide national complication figures to aid in the consenting process of patients. Use of a spinal deformity registry, such as the British Spine Registry, is required to ensure ongoing service development and optimal healthcare provision.