The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index Score Predicts Return to the Operating Room for Patients Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion for Traumatic Spine Injury

Abstract

Within the trauma spine surgery literature, the effect of patient frailty on postoperative outcomes for posterior spinal fusion (PSF) remains clear. In this study, the authors quantified the influence of the mFI-5 score on hospital length of stay (LOS), diagnosis of a postoperative infection, 30-day readmission and 90-day return to OR. The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with traumatic spine injury undergoing PSF by a single surgeon at our institution from 2016 to 2021. Data was extracted using manual chart review and the mFI-5 score was calculated using data on comorbidities. Bivariate (Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test) and multivariate regressions (linear and logistic) revealed whether there was an independent relationship between patient frailty and postoperative outcomes. The patient cohort included 263 patients (52.00 ± 19.04), 67 (25.5) were classified as frail, defined as having an mFI-5 sore greater than or equal to 2. Patients who were classified as frail were significantly more likely to have diabetes (OR = 21.53, p<0.001) and active cancer (OR = 10.03, p = 0.004). Patients with mFI-5 scores greater than or equal to 2 were also significantly older (p<0.001) and had higher BMIs (p=0.007) Patients with mFI-5 scores greater than 2 were more likely to return to the OR (OR = 2.43, p=0.037) on bivariate analysis. When controlling for demographics and clinical characteristics, mFI-5 score independently predicted return to OR (OR = 1.294, p-value = 0.041). Patient frailty independently predicted a return to OR in patients undergoing PSF for traumatic spine injury. Future studies can investigate methods for patient risk optimization to reduce morbidity and mortality.