P3. Preoperative risk assessment calculators in spine surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Spinal surgeries carry significant risks, requiring careful preoperative assessment to optimize patient outcomes. Traditional risk evaluation relies on clinical judgment, often leading to variability in decision-making. To address this, multiple preoperative risk calculators have been developed, providing objective, data-driven estimates of complications, length of hospital stay, and post-surgical recovery.

PURPOSE

This study reviews existing preoperative risk assessment tools in spine surgery, evaluating their applicability, and limitations. The goal is to provide clinicians with insights into selecting appropriate calculators for individualized patient risks stratification.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

N/A

PATIENT SAMPLE

N/A

OUTCOME MEASURES

N/A

METHODS

A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Articles published in English from all countries were included if they specifically described, analyzed, or validated preoperative risk calculators for spine surgery. Studies on general surgical risk assessment tools were excluded.

RESULTS

A comprehensive review of over 30 studies identified seven major risk calculators: SpineSage, Seattle Spine Score, Lubelski Web-Based Calculators, Carolina Semmes Grading Scale, Global Spine Tumor Group Risk Calculator, The Dialogue Support, and Modified Frailty Index. These calculators assess various factors, including patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical complexity, and expected postoperative outcomes. While all tools demonstrated utility in predicting complications, their applicability varied based on patient populations and surgical settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative risk calculators enhance decision-making in spine surgery by offering individualized risk assessments. While these tools provide valuable predictive insights, they should complement, rather than replace, clinical judgment. The adoption of such calculators by clinicians in developing countries like Uzbekistan could improve patient counseling and perioperative management, bridging the gap between global advancements and local healthcare practices. Future research should focus on the applicability of these models for broader demographics and populations.

FDA Device/Drug Status

This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.