Sagittal alignment changes and postoperative complications following surgery for adult spinal deformity in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been reported to increase the risk of postoperative complications in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, those studies are limited, and few have made direct comparisons with patients who do not have PD. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. We retrospectively reviewed all surgically treated ASD patients with at least a 2-year follow-up. Among them, 27 had PD (PD(+) group). Clinical data were collected on early and late postoperative complications as well as any revision surgery. Radiographic parameters were evaluated before and immediately after surgery and at final follow-up, including sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt. We compared the surgical outcomes and radiographic parameters of PD patients with those of non-PD patients. Results: For early complications, the PD(+) group demonstrated a higher rate of delirium than the PD(−) group. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism rates tended to be higher in the PD(+) group. With regard to late complications, the rate of pseudarthrosis was significantly higher in the PD(+) group. Rates of rod failure and revision surgery due to mechanical complications also tended to be higher, but not significantly, in the PD(+) group ( p = 0.17, p = 0.13, respectively). SVA at final follow-up and loss of correction in SVA were significantly higher in the PD(+) group. Conclusion: Extra attention should be paid to perioperative complications, especially delirium and thrombosis, in PD patients undergoing surgery for ASD. Furthermore, loss of correction and rate of pseudarthrosis were greater in these patients.