Ambulatory spine surgery

Is outpatient spine surgery associated with new, persistent opioid use in opioid-naïve patients? A retrospective national claims database analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Although spine procedures have historically been performed inpatient, there has been a recent shift to the outpatient setting for selected cases due to increased patient satisfaction and reduced cost. Effective postoperative pain management while limiting over-prescribing of opioids, which may lead to persistent opioid use, is critical to performing spine surgery in the outpatient setting.

PURPOSE

To assess if there is an increased risk for new, persistent opioid use between inpatient and outpatient spine procedures.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis using national administrative claims database.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A total of 390,049 opioid-naïve patients with a perioperative opioid prescription who underwent an inpatient or outpatient spine surgery.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients with perioperative opioid prescriptions who filled ≥ 1 opioid prescription between 90- and 180-days following surgery were defined as new, persistent opioid users.

METHODS

We utilized a claims database to identify opioid-naïve patients who underwent lumbar or cervical fusion, total disc arthroplasty, or decompression procedures. We constructed a multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between inpatient versus outpatient surgery and the development of new, persistent opioid use while adjusting for several patient factors.

RESULTS

A total of 19,205 (11.7%) inpatient and 18,546 (8.2%) outpatient patients developed new, persistent opioid use. Outpatient lumbar and cervical spine surgery patients were significantly less likely to develop new, persistent opioid use following surgery compared to inpatient spine surgery patients (OR = 0.71 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.69, 0.73], p < .001). Average morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) (inpatient = 1,476 MME +/- 22.7, outpatient = 1,072 MME +/- 18.5, p < .001) and average MMEs per day (inpatient = 91.6 MME +/- 0.32, outpatient = 77.7 MME +/- 0.28, p < .001) were lower in the outpatient cohort compared to the inpatient.

CONCLUSION

Our results support the shift from inpatient to outpatient spine procedures, as outpatient procedures were not associated with an increased risk for new, persistent opioid use. As more patients become candidates for outpatient spine surgery, predictors of new, persistent opioid use should be considered during risk stratification.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III Prognostic Study.

MINI ABSTRACT

We utilized a national administrative claims database to identify opioid-naïve patients who underwent common spine procedures. Outpatient lumbar and cervical spine surgery patients were significantly less likely to be new, persistent opioid users following surgery compared to inpatient spine surgery patients. Our results support the shift to outpatient spine procedures.

Preoperative predictors of prolonged hospitalization in patients undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion

PURPOSE

We aim to examine the preoperative factors associated with increased postoperative length of stay in patients undergoing LLIF in the hospital setting.

METHODS

Patient demographics, perioperative characteristics, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected from a single-surgeon database. Patients undergoing LLIF in the hospital setting were separated into postoperative LOS <48 h (H) and LOS ≥ 48H. Univariate analysis for preoperative characteristics was utilized to determine covariates for multivariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression was then utilized to determine significant predictors of extended postoperative length of stay. Secondary univariate analysis of inpatient complications, operative, and postoperative characteristics were calculated to determine postoperative factors associated with prolonged hospitalization.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and forty patients were identified with 115 patients' LOS ≥ 48H. Univariate analysis identified age/Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score/gender/insurance type/number of contiguous fused levels/preoperative PROMs of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) back/VAS leg/Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-PF)/Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)/degenerative spondylolisthesis diagnoses/foraminal stenosis/central stenosis for multivariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression calculated significant positive predictors of LOS ≥ 48H to be age/3-level fusion/preoperative ODI scores. Negative predictors of LOS ≥ 48H were the diagnosis of foraminal stenosis/preoperative PROMIS-PF/male gender. The secondary analysis determined that patients with longer operative time/estimated blood loss/transfusion/postoperative day 0 and 1 pain and narcotic consumption/complications of altered mental status/postoperative anemia/fever/ileus/urinary retention were associated with prolonged hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Older patients undergoing LLIF with greater preoperative disability and 3-level fusion were more likely to require prolonged hospitalization. Male patients with higher preoperative physical function and who were diagnosed with foraminal stenosis were less likely to require prolonged hospitalization.

Comparison of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the Ambulatory Surgery Center and Traditional Hospital Settings, Part 1: Multi-Center Assessment of Surgical Safety

(1) Background: The technological advances achieved with minimally-invasive surgery have enabled procedures to be undertaken in outpatient settings, and there has been growing acceptance of performing minimally-invasive transforaminal interbody fusion (TLIF) in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC). The purposeof this study was to determine the comparative 30 day safety profile for patients treated with TLIF in the ASC versus the hospital setting. (2) Methods: This multi-center study retrospectively collected baseline characteristics, perioperative variables, and 30 day postoperative safety outcomes for patients having a TLIF using the VariLift^®-LX expandable lumbar interbody fusion device. Outcomes were compared between patients undergoing TLIF in the ASC (n = 53) versus in the hospital (n = 114). (3) Results: Patients treated in-hospital were significantly older, frailer and more likely to have had previous spinal surgery than ASC patients. Preoperative back and leg pain scores were similar between study groups (median, 7). ASC patients had almost exclusively one-level procedures (98%) vs. 20% of hospital procedures involving two-levels (p = 0.004). Most procedures (>90%) employed a stand-alone device. The median length of stay for hospital patients was five times greater than for ASC patients (1.4 days vs. 0.3 days, p = 0.001). Emergency department visits, re-admissions and reoperations were rare whether the patients were managed in the traditional hospital setting or the ASC. (4) Conclusions: There were equivalent 30 day postoperative safety profiles for patients undergoing a minimally-invasive TLIF irrespective of surgical setting. For appropriately selected surgical candidates, the ASC offers a viable and attractive option for their TLIF procedure with the advantage of same-day discharge and at-home recovery.

Propensity Scored Analysis of Outpatient Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: No Increased Complications

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim were to (1) evaluate differences in postoperative outcomes and cost associated with outpatient anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) compared with inpatient ALIF, and to (2) identify independent factors contributing to complications after outpatient ALIF.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND

While lumbar fusion is traditionally performed inpatient, outpatient spinal surgery is becoming more commonplace as surgical techniques improve.

METHODS

The study population included all patients below 85 years of age who underwent elective ALIF (CPT-22558). Patients were then divided into those who underwent single-level fusion and multilevel fusion using the corresponding additional level fusion codes (CPT-22585). These resulting populations were then split into outpatient and inpatient cohorts by using a service location modifier. To account for selection bias, propensity score matching was performed; the inpatient cohorts were matched with respect to the outpatient cohorts based on age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05 and the Bonferroni correction was used for each multiple comparison (P<0.004).

RESULTS

Patients undergoing outpatient procedure had decreased rates of medical complications following both single-level and multilevel ALIF. In addition, age above 60, female sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index>3, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and tobacco use were all identified as independent risk factors for increased complications. Finally, the cost of outpatient ALIF was $12,013 while the cost of inpatient ALIF was $27,271 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings add to the growing body of literature advocating for the utilization of ALIF in the outpatient setting for a properly selected group of patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Bilateral Outpatient Breast Reconstruction with Stacked DIEP and Vertical PAP Flaps

Background:

Stacking free flaps for breast reconstruction is far from novel, even in the case of a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) plus profunda artery perforator (PAP) configuration, where the latter is always described in the traditional transverse configuration. We present a series of consecutive patients undergoing bilateral breast reconstruction with stacked DIEP and vertical PAP flaps.

Methods:

Patients with inadequate abdominal donor tissue were offered the possibility of a stacking breast reconstruction. The DIEP flap was harvested via microfascial incisions, whereas the vertical PAP flap was harvested in the lithotomy position, following the course of the gracilis muscle.

Results:

In total, 28 consecutive patients with a mean BMI of 24.9 underwent bilateral breast reconstruction with stacked DIEP and vertical PAP flaps. The internal mammary artery and vein were used as recipient vessels in all 56 stacked flaps. Fifty-three PAP flaps were anastomosed to the distal portion of the (primary) DIEP flaps utilizing a sequential flap anastomosis technique, and one DIEP flap was anastomosed to the distal portion of the (primary) PAP flap. Hospitalization for the initial eight patients averaged 35 hours, whereas the following 20 patients were discharged within 23 hours. There were no postoperative takebacks or vascular complications.

Conclusions:

Stacked DIEP/PAP flaps offer an excellent option for patients who require more volume than available from DIEP flaps alone. When compared with transverse PAP flaps, the vertical PAP offers excellent variability of volume and ease of shaping to allow for excellent results, while minimizing donor site tension in the seated position and preserving the gluteal fold.

Considering healthcare value and associated risk factors with postoperative urinary retention after elective laminectomy

BACKGROUND

Mitigating common complications such as postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following elective spine surgery is prudent. Identifying patients at risk for POUR and recognizing associated factors, to avoid a more complicated postoperative episode should be a priority and easily achievable. Understanding the financial burden of complications, such as POUR, is also important for value-based healthcare, not only for providers, but for employers and payors as well.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine patient and surgical factors that may lead to increased risk for POUR and its associated cost following elective lumbar laminectomies.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This is a retrospective study of the incidence of postoperative urinary retention after elective one- and two-level primary lumbar laminectomies.

PATIENT SAMPLE

We followed patients undergoing one- and two-level primary elective lumbar laminectomies performed between April 2014 and December 2016.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient factors included age, gender, body-mass index, and comorbidities. Surgical factors included surgical time, intraoperative fluid volume requirements, anesthesia type, and surgical levels involved. Other outcome variables included length of stay, discharge disposition, 30-day all-cause readmissions and emergency department visits, 90-day complications, and variable direct costs.

METHODS

The incidence of POUR was evaluated and compared with patient and surgical factors and cost-specific variables to identify correlations and potential risk for POUR after one- and two-level primary lumbar laminectomies.

RESULTS

Analysis included 333 patients - 203 one-level laminectomies and 130 two-level laminectomies. The overall incidence of POUR was 17.4%. Age, male gender, and history of urinary retention were significantly associated with POUR. There was a significantly increased risk of POUR with increased surgical time, but not with anesthesia type. There were also no significant differences in body-mass index, other study comorbidities, intraoperative fluid requirements, readmission, emergency department visit, and complication rates between groups. On average, patients with POUR had a significantly longer length of stay than patients without POUR. In addition, more POUR patients were discharged to acute rehabilitation facilities and had higher average variable direct cost compared tonon-POUR patients.

CONCLUSIONS

POUR is a significant risk after elective laminectomy. This study supports several widely accepted beliefs regarding POUR risk, while challenging others. It also highlights the burden of POUR development after surgery. At our institution, we developed a protocol supported by these findings.