In-hospital outcomes following fusion for spinal deformity in children with spinal cord injury: Analysis using the National Inpatient Sample

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hospital outcomes of surgical corrections of spinal deformity in children with spinal cord injury (SCI). STUDY DESIGN: : Cross-sectional study. SETTING: National Inpatient Sample (1998-2021) was used to identify in-hospital outcomes of spinal fusion for spinal deformity. PARTICIPANTS: : 768 children (0-17) with SCI. INTERVENTIONS: : Not applicable. OUTCOMES MEASURES: Critical care intervention (CCI) complications, hospital length of stay, charges, and discharge disposition. Individual and hospital characteristics were noted. RESULTS: Average age 14 (SD = 6), 48% females, 65% non-Hispanic White. Most cases were incomplete-SCI (38% thoracic, 31% cervical). Most surgeries occurred in large (66%) and urban teaching (93%) hospitals. A quarter received CCI and 43% developed complications. Median length of stay was 8 days (interquartile range: 5-14) and median charges were $230,136 (interquartile range: $150,131-$356,481). Mortality was low (