Purpose:

Lumbar fusion is widely used to treat degenerative and traumatic conditions of the spine, with various perioperative complications. This study compared lumbar fusion complications in patients with and without chronic hyperlipidemia.

Methods:

Using the MSpine division of the PearlDiver database, patients with or without chronic hyperlipidemia who underwent lumbar fusions were identified. The appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes identified patients with single- or multi-level lumbar spinal fusion surgeries. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and ICD-10) codes identified patients with chronic hyperlipidemia. The surgical and medical complications were obtained utilizing the appropriate ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT codes. Propensity score matching analysis was used to control for confounding factors. Chi-square test was applied to compare the incidence of complications among different groups.

Results:

In single-level fusion group, patients with hyperlipidemia had a higher incidence of wound complications (P < 0.001), surgical site infection (P < 0.001), failed back syndrome (P < 0.001), hardware removal (P < 0.001), deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (P = 0.031), myocardial infarction (P < 0.001) cerebrovascular accident (P < 0.001), renal failure (P < 0.001), sepsis (P < 0.001), and urinary tract infection/incontinence (P < 0.001). In multi-level fusion group, patients with hyperlipidemia had a higher incidence of nerve root injury (P = 0.034), wound complications (P < 0.001), surgical site infection (P < 0.001), failed back syndrome (P < 0.001), hardware removal (P < 0.001), revision (P = 0.002), myocardial infarction (P < 0.001), renal failure (P < 0.001), and urinary tract infection/incontinence (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Following lumbar fusion, patients with chronic hyperlipidemia have an increased risk of perioperative complications, including wound complications, surgical site infection, failed back surgery syndrome, hardware removal, myocardial infarction, renal failure, and urinary tract infection/incontinence.