Prospective insights into spinal surgery outcomes and adverse events: A comparative study between patients 65-79 years vs. ≥80 years from a German tertiary center

Introduction: In light of an aging global population, understanding adverse events (AEs) in surgeries for older adults is crucial for optimal outcomes and patient safety.

Research question: Our study compares surgical outcomes and AEs in patients aged 65-79 with those aged ≥80, focusing on clinical outcomes, morbidity and mortality rates, and age-related risk factors for AEs.

Material and methods: Our study, from January 2019 to December 2022, involved patients aged 65-79 and ≥ 80 undergoing spinal surgery. Each patient was evaluated for AEs post-discharge, defined as negative clinical outcomes within 30 days post-surgery. Patients were categorized based on primary spinal diagnoses: degenerative, oncological, traumatic, and infectious.

Results: We enrolled 546 patients aged 65-79 and 184 octogenarians. Degenerative diseases were most common in both groups, with higher infection and tumor rates in the younger cohort. Octogenarians had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index and longer ICU/hospital stays. Surgery-related AE rates were 8.1% for 65-79-year-olds and 15.8% for octogenarians, with mortality around 2% in both groups.

Discussion and conclusion: Our prospective analysis shows octogenarians are more susceptible to surgical AEs, linked to greater health complexities. Despite higher AEs in older patients, low mortality rates across both age groups highlight the safety of spinal surgery. Tracking AEs is crucial for patient communication and impacts healthcare accreditation and funding.