Readmission rate following surgical treatment for spinal deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Readmission after surgery for spinal deformities is linked to the recurrence of hospital stays and considerable healthcare expenditures. Yet, there is significant ambiguity surrounding the incidence and risks associated with hospital readmissions. The objective of this study was to provide a quantitative and thorough synthesis of the readmission rates and associated risk factors after spinal deformity surgery, thereby guiding the development of preventative measures.

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane Library from inception to September 1, 2025, for studies published in English or Chinese studies evaluating postoperative readmission rates and risk factors in spinal deformity. Eleven studies involving 222,307 patients were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to estimate pooled readmission rates and quantify risk factors.

The meta-analysis showed that the pooled 30-day readmission rate after surgical treatment in patients with spinal deformity was 10.2% (95% CI: 6.3–14.2%), while the pooled 90 - day readmission rate was 17.2% (95% CI: 11.6–22.7%). The pooled 30-day reoperation rate after surgical treatment in patients with spinal deformity was 5.8% (95% CI: 0.9–10.8%), and the pooled 90 - day reoperation rate was 6.2% (95% CI: 3.0–9.5%). Obesity was identified as a risk factor for readmission after surgical treatment in patients with spinal deformity (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14–1.49).

The pooled 30-day readmission rate after surgical treatment in patients with spinal deformity was 10.2%, and the pooled 90-day readmission rate was 17.2%. The pooled 30-day reoperation rate was 5.8%, and the pooled 90-day reoperation rate was 6.2%. Given the heterogeneity among the included studies, we believe that interpreting the readmission and reoperation rates in conjunction with their confidence intervals provides greater clinical relevance. In addition, this study identified obesity as a risk factor for postoperative readmission in patients with spinal deformity.