Objective: The clinical prognostic value of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), in the context of vertebrectomy for neoplasia, has not yet been established. This retrospective study of 134 patients aims to evaluate the efficacy of the SINS to predict outcomes and survival after vertebrectomy for malignancy.
Methods: The patients were classified into 2 groups: indeterminate stability (SINS 7-12) and unstable (SINS 13-18). Outcomes assessed included survival days after procedure, neurological function (modified Frankel grade), operative time, blood loss, complications, construct failure, and length of inpatient stay.
Results: The indeterminate group included 68 patients, whereas the unstable group included 66 patients. No patients were classified as stable (SINS 0-6). The median survival was 225 days (interquartile range, 81-522 days). There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in survival days after vertebrectomy between the indeterminate group (435 days) and the unstable group (126 days). The majority of patients (119) had a favourable Frankel grade after procedure with no significant difference between SINS groups (P = 0.534). There were no differences in the operative time (234 vs. 210; P = 0.130), inpatient hospital length of stay (10 days vs. 11 days; P = 0.152), complications, or need for intensive care admission (intensive care unit) between the 2 cohorts. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.006) for intraoperative blood loss between the indeterminate group (1400 mL) and the unstable group (850 mL).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a statistically significant increased survival in the indeterminate cohort. These results demonstrate the potential ability of the SINS to act as a clinical prognostic tool with regard to survival time.
Keywords: Outcomes; Prognosis; Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS); Vertebral metastases; Vertebrectomy.
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