Surgical outcomes and challenges in spinal cord tumor resection: a comparative study of elderly vs. young patients

Abstract

Background

Primary spinal cord tumors present significant diagnostic and clinical challenges, particularly in elderly patients, due to their impact on the neural axis and the complexity of treatment. This study aims to compare surgical outcomes, complications, and long-term functional recovery between elderly vs younger patients undergoing spinal cord tumor resection.

Methods

A chart review of 100 patients at Baghdad Medical City from 2021 through 2023 divided them into two groups: young adults (18–60 years) and elderly (60 + years). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters, including demographics, surgical duration, blood loss, complications, hospital stay, postoperative assessment, and recovery outcomes, were collected from medical records.

Results

Elderly patients had significantly longer surgeries (160 ± 40 vs. 120 ± 30 min) and greater blood loss (300 ± 90 vs. 250 ± 80 mL) than young adults for both intramural and extramural spinal cord tumors. Complications in the elderly group (30 % vs. 10 %), with 24 % requiring blood transfusions compared to 8 %. Postoperatively, elderly patients had longer hospital stays (7 ± 4 vs. 5 ± 2 days) and higher pain scores (6 ± 2 vs. 4 ± 2). Mobility recovery was slower in elderly patients, averaging 14 ± 5 versus 8 ± 3 days for younger patients. Elderly patients experienced a higher rate of postoperative delirium (10 % vs. none).

Conclusion

Elderly patients undergoing spinal cord tumor resection face higher risks of intraoperative complications, blood loss, and prolonged recovery. This underscores the need for age-adjusted surgical techniques and postoperative care to improve outcomes for elderly patients with spinal cord tumors.