Predicting massive transfusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing corrective surgery: Association of preoperative radiographic findings

Corrective surgery with a posterior approach for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is often accompanied by considerable bleeding. Massive transfusion after excessive hemorrhage is associated with complications such as hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acid–base imbalance. Therefore, prediction and prevention of massive transfusion are necessary to improve the clinical outcome of AIS patients. We aimed to identify the factors associated with massive transfusion in AIS patients undergoing corrective surgery. We also evaluated the clinical outcomes after massive transfusion. We included and analyzed AIS patients who underwent corrective surgery with a posterior approach from January 2008 to February 2015. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 765 consecutive patients. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the factors related to massive transfusion. Furthermore, we compared the effects of massive transfusion on clinical outcomes, including postoperative morbidity and hospital stay. Of 765 patients, 74 (9.7%) received massive transfusion. Body mass index (odds ratio [OR] 0.782, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.691–0.885, P < .001) and the number of fused vertebrae (OR 1.322, 95% CI 1.027–1.703, P = .03) were associated with massive transfusion. In the comparison among the different Lenke curve types, Lenke type 4 showed the highest prevalence of massive transfusion. Patients in the massive transfusion group showed a higher incidence rate of postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. Massive transfusion was required in 9.7% of AIS patients who underwent corrective surgery with a posterior approach. A lower body mass index and higher number of fused vertebrae were associated with massive transfusion. Massive transfusion is related to poor clinical outcomes in AIS patients.