STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Data on patient outcomes after surgery for spinal cord tumors have been derived from single-institution series. The objective of this study is to report inpatient complications, mortality and outcomes on a national level. SETTING: United States, national inpatient care database. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify 19,017 admissions for resection of a spinal cord tumor in the United States from 1993 to 2002. The effects of patient and hospital characteristics on inpatient outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate and the complication rate were 0.55 and 17.5%, respectively. Urinary and renal complications (3.7%), postoperative hemorrhages or hematomas (2.5%) and pulmonary complications (2.4%) were the most common complications reported. A single postoperative complication increased the length of stay by 4 days, increased the mortality rate by sixfold and added over $10,000 to hospital charges. Multivariate analysis showed that complications were more likely in African Americans and patients with multiple comorbidities. The odds of an adverse outcome increased significantly with age greater than 64, multiple comorbidities and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: A national perspective on inpatient outcomes after resection of spinal cord tumors has been provided. The significant negative impact of postoperative complications on mortality and resource utilization has been demonstrated. We have identified advanced age and multiple comorbidities as risk factors that predict adverse outcome. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of avoidance, recognition and prompt management of nonneurologic complications.