Abstract
Objectives:
1) Examine postoperative complications of patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma excision. 2) Determine significant clinical predictors of postoperative complications.
Methods:
Case data for vestibular schwannoma excisions performed in California from 1996-2010 were examined using the California Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database (CHIDD). Cases were identified if they contained the principle procedure ICD-9-CM code 04.01. Postoperative complications were identified if cases contained ICD-9-CM codes for specific diagnoses and procedures.
Results:
Overall, 7,002 cases were examined. Most patients (76.2%) were 35-64 years old, 40.5% had ≥ 1 comorbidity, and 86.5% were at high volume centers (≥ 100 excisions performed during 1996-2010). Additionally, 24.4% had ≥ 1 of 34 pre-defined postoperative complications and 0.2% died. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage occurred in 2.8%, intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 0.4%, and ventriculostomy was required in 0.7%. Differences in complications between different volume centers (high, medium, and low) will be described. In 2006-2010, there were significantly more postoperative complications compared to 1996-2000. Presence of comorbidities was a significant predictor of having any postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.11-3.17, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Postoperative complication rates increased over the study period, likely reflecting larger tumors that are not being treated with radiosurgery. Presence of comorbidities was a positive predictor of postoperative complications.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.