Modified Frailty Index as a Predictor of Postoperative Complications in Surgery for Pyogenic Spinal Infections
Abstract
Introduction: Pyogenic spinal infection is a potentially deadly and disabling condition with specific surgical indications. Its surgical management requires a precise risk-benefit assessment. Our objective was to evaluate the modified frailty index as a predictor of early postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational, analytical, and retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for pyogenic spondylodiscitis between 2022 and 2025. The association between the modified frailty index and the incidence of postoperative complications (classified according to Clavien-Dindo), as well as clinical, microbiological, and surgical variables, was analyzed. Results: Serious complications were recorded in 54.5% of patients, with a mortality rate of 13.6%. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between serious complications and male sex, diabetes, cervical location, neurological deficit, and hypoalbuminemia. Although a modified frailty index ≥0.27 did not reach statistical significance as a categorical variable (p=0.082), its analysis as a continuous variable revealed a significantly higher value in the group with serious complications (p=0.006). Conclusion: Preoperative frailty, assessed by the modified frailty index as a continuous variable, was significantly associated with severe postoperative complications.Downloads
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