Accepted
Early Postoperative Mortality and Morbidity Following Elective Spine Surgery in Patients Over 80 Years of Age
Key finding
In adults aged 80 and older having planned (non-emergency) spine surgery, 98% are alive 30 days later — but about 1 in 6 (16%) suffer a complication, and these patients were already the healthiest of the elderly.
Age alone shouldn't rule out spine surgery in patients over 80, but families need honest counseling that short-term survival is excellent while complications are common.
Shown by Daniel Nikitin
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