Readmission and complications within 30 days after intrathecal baclofen pump placement.

AIM

To describe 30-day outcomes after intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump placement in children and identify risk factors for readmission, reoperation, and perioperative complication using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) database.

METHOD

Patients aged 0 to 18 years who underwent ITB pump placement (2012-2014) comprised the study cohort defined in the database. Multivariate regression analysis was performed using preoperative and perioperative data from the American College of Surgeons' NSQIP-P database. Outcomes of interest within 30 days of surgery were (1) unplanned reoperation; (2) unplanned readmission; and (3) composite postoperative event, including complication, reoperation, and/or readmission.

RESULTS

We identified 423 surgeries; 246 (58.2%) patients were male, 177 (41.8%) patients were female. Median age was 12 years and 11 months. Median operative time was 70 minutes (interquartile range 56-97min). Mean length of stay was 3.8 days. The patient population had a high number of medical comorbidities. The overall readmission rate was 7.3%; mean postoperative admission date was 14.1 days after surgery. Of readmitted patients, 64.5% underwent reoperation. The most common indication for reoperation was surgical site infection. Female sex was associated with decreased risk of readmission (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.65; p=0.01); American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification of greater than or equal to 3 was associated with decreased risk of unplanned return to surgery (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.66; p=0.04); length of stay greater than or equal to 3 days at index surgery was associated with increased risk of composite 30-day perioperative event (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.29-4.20; p=0.01).

INTERPRETATION

Our data provide national perspectives on 30-day perioperative outcomes for ITB pump placement in children. Results illustrate NSQIP-P database collection methodology and highlight opportunities for quality improvement in clinical practice.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Seven percent of patients who underwent intrathecal baclofen pump placement required readmission within 30 days. The most common indication for reoperation was surgical site infection.