Incidental Durotomy During Spinal Surgery

In Brief Study Design. Multivariate analysis. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for incidental durotomy (ID) in modern spine surgery techniques. Summary of Background Data. ID, a relatively common complication of spine surgery, has been associated with postoperative complications such as durocutaneous fistulas, pseudomeningoceles, and arachnoiditis. Revision surgery may be necessary if the dural tear is not recognized and repaired during the initial procedure. Methods. ID was prospectively documented in patients who underwent spine surgery at a single institution during a 2-year period (n = 4822). Patients with ID (n = 182) from lumbar or thoracolumbar cases were matched 1:1 to a control cohort without ID. Demographic, diagnostic, and surgical procedure data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results. Multivariate analysis identified revision spine surgery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.84–8.06, P < 0.01), laminectomy (aOR: 3.82, 95% CI: 2.02–7.22, P < 0.01), and older age (aOR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04, P < 0.01) as independent risk factors for ID. Fusion (aOR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35–0.99, P = 0.04), foraminectomy, (aOR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.25–0.69, P < 0.01), and lateral approach (aOR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14–0.61, P < 0.01) were independent protective factors. Conclusion. Prior spine surgery, laminectomy, and older age were significant independent risk factors for ID. The recently developed lateral approach to interbody fusion was identified as a significant protective factor for ID, along with fusion and foraminectomy. These findings may help guide future surgical decisions regarding ID and aid in the patient informed-consent process. Level of Evidence: 3 A total of 182 patients diagnosed with an incidental durotomy (ID) were retrospectively analyzed. A lateral approach to interbody fusion, fusion, and foraminectomy were identified as significant protective factors for ID, whereas revision spine surgery, laminectomy, and older age were found to increase the risk of an ID.