Many studies have evaluated patient satisfaction surgeries for primary cancers. No studies have evaluated patient satisfaction in metastasectomies. The authors examined patient and family satisfaction with en bloc total resection of solitary spinal metastases and evaluated the factors that correlated with dissatisfaction. From 1998 to 2010, total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) was performed in 110 patients with solitary spinal metastases at the authors' institution. Questionnaires were sent by mail to 110 patients and their families in January 2012. Questionnaire included a subjective assessment of the results of surgery and the following questions: (1) Would you have the surgery again if you were returned to your presurgery status? and (2) Do you feel that you are a patient without cancer? To identify factors for dissatisfaction with the outcomes of TES, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Questionnaires were successfully delivered to 104 patients and their families. Responses were collected from 47 patients and 61 family members. Forty-five patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcomes of TES, and the other 2 were neutral. Fifty-four family members were very satisfied or satisfied, 5 were neutral, and 2 were dissatisfied. Forty-five patients indicated they would have the surgeries again. Thirteen patients indicated that they felt like patients without cancer. In multivariate analysis, patient death less than 2 years postoperatively and major postoperative complications were associated significantly with dissatisfaction.
Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.