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.