Complications and outcomes of surgery for spinal meningioma: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample analysis from 2003 to 2010.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to analyze the practice patterns, complications and outcome following surgery for spinal meningioma in the United States.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2003 to 2010. In-patient mortality and discharge disposition were the outcome predictors.

RESULTS

A total of 13,792 admissions for surgically managed spinal meningioma were identified. The number of admissions increased from 12.6% in 2003 to 14.7% in 2010. 1.2% patients were ≤18 years and 28.4% ≥70 years. 8.3% patients had high co-morbidity score. The total in-hospital complication rate was 6.4%. 42% of the admissions were discharged to facilities other than home or self-care. Patients in the pediatric and adult age groups had a significantly higher rate of adverse outcome. There was no difference in complication rates and adverse discharge disposition between the hospitals with varying case volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

Caucasian patients with private insurance without co-morbidity had significantly lower complication rate and good outcome. Occurrence of spinal meningioma in the pediatric and adult age groups does not carry worse prognosis.