Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jul 29;9(8):e24.00304.
doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00304. eCollection 2025 Aug 1.

Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Fusion Are at an Increased Odds of Perioperative Complications

Scott J Halperin  1 , Meera M Dhodapkar, Michael J Gouzoulis, Arya Varthi, Daniel R Rubio, Jonathan N Grauer
Affiliations

Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Fusion Are at an Increased Odds of Perioperative Complications

Scott J Halperin et al. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. .

Abstract

Introduction: Perioperative outcomes for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have not been previously described following spine surgery. This study used PearlDiver to examine the 90-day postoperative outcomes and 4-year revision rates after posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) for patients with CF compared with matched controls.

Methods: This study examined a cohort of PLF patients with versus without CF. Patients were matched 1:10 for age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, and the number of levels. Ninety-day postoperative outcomes and 4-year revision rates were compared.

Results: One hundred twenty-seven patients with CF were matched with 1263 controls without CF. On multivariable logistic regression, those with CF had statistically significantly increased 90-day odds of the following: venous thromboembolism (odds ratio [OR], 4.2), pleural effusion (OR, 3.4), dyspnea (OR, 3.2), respiratory failure (OR, 2.8), pneumonia (OR, 2.6), acute kidney injury (OR, 2.4), hospital readmissions, (OR, 2.2), and emergency department visits (OR, 2.1). Notably, patients with CF were not at increased odds of 4-year subsequent lumbar surgery.

Discussion: Patients with CF were at significantly increased odds of pulmonary and other defined adverse events. These findings are pertinent in the perioperative risk assessment, patient/family recommendations, and surgical preparations for patients with CF being considered for PLF.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Forest plot showing the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the 90-day postoperative outcomes and 4-year subsequent lumbar surgery rates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Kerem B, Rommens JM, Buchanan JA, et al. : Identification of the cystic fibrosis gene: Genetic analysis. Science 1989;245:1073-1080. - PubMed
    1. Andersen DH, Hodges RG: Celiac syndrome; genetics of cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, with a consideration of etiology. Am J Dis Child (1911) 1946;72:62-80. - PubMed
    1. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry: 2021 Annual Data Report. 2021;at https://www.cff.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/Patient-Registry-Annual-....
    1. CF Foundation Estimates Increase in CF Population. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 2022. https://www.cff.org/news/2022-07/cf-foundation-estimates-increase-cf-pop....
    1. de Meer K, Gulmans VA, van Der Laag J: Peripheral muscle weakness and exercise capacity in children with cystic fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999;159:748-754. - PubMed