Outcomes and complications associated with spinal fusion in dialysis patients: A systematic review

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease who are dialysis-dependent are living longer, leading to an increased incidence of long-term dialysis complications, including those related to spondyloarthropathy requiring fusions. Here, we investigated the outcomes and complications associated with spinal fusion in patients undergoing dialysis. Methods: We performed 3 separate searches involving the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine using MEDLINE PubMed and Boolean operators. Results: Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Conclusion: Although outcomes for lumbar and cervical spinal fusion in dialysis patients were comparable, complication and mortality rates were higher, likely due to the overall increased morbidity attributed to end-stage renal disease.