Prolonged length of stay and discharge disposition to rehabilitation facilities following single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion for acquired spondylolisthesis

Discharge within 1 day following elective single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a propensityscore-matched analysis of predictors, complications, and readmission

Study Design

This was a retrospective case-control study using 8 years of data from a nationwide database of surgical outcomes in the United States.

Purpose

This study aimed to improve our understanding of the risk factors associated with a length of stay (LOS) >1 day and aid in reducing postoperative hospitalization and complications.

Overview of Literature

Despite the proven safety of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), some patients face prolonged postoperative hospitalization.

Methods

Data were collected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset from 2011 to 2018. The cohort was divided into patients with LOS up to 1 day (LOS ≤1 day), defined as same day or next-morning discharge, and patients with LOS >1 day (LOS >1 day). Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate predictors of LOS >1 day. Propensity-score matching was performed to compare pre- and postdischarge complication rates.

Results

A total of 12,664 eligible patients with TLIF were identified, of which 14.8% had LOS ≤1 day and 85.2% had LOS >1 day. LOS >1 day was positively associated with female sex, Hispanic ethnicity, diagnosis of spondylolisthesis, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 3, and operation length of >150 minutes. Patients with LOS >1 day were more likely to undergo intraoperative/postoperative blood transfusion (0.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and reoperation (0.1% vs. 0.6%, p=0.004). No significant differences in the rates of postdischarge complications were found between the matched groups.

Conclusions

Patients with worsened preoperative status, preoperative diagnosis of spondylolisthesis, and prolonged operative time are more likely to require prolonged hospitalization and blood transfusions and undergo unplanned reoperation. To reduce the risk of prolonged hospitalization and associated complications, patients indicated for TLIF should be carefully selected.

Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes, Complications, Readmissions, and Revisions in Posterior Lumbar Fusion With, Versus Without, an Interbody Device

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data.

OBJECTIVES

To compare posterior lumbar fusions with versus without an interbody in: (1) Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at 1 year and (2) postoperative complications, readmission, and reoperations.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Elective lumbar fusion is commonly used to treat various lumbar pathologies. Two common approaches for open posterior lumbar fusion include posterolateral fusion (PLF) alone without an interbody and with an interbody through techniques, like transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Whether fusion with or without an interbody leads to better outcomes remains an area of active research.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Lumbar Module of the Quality Outcomes Database was queried for adults undergoing elective primary posterior lumbar fusion with or without an interbody. Covariates included demographic variables, comorbidities, primary spine diagnosis, operative variables, and baseline PROs, including Oswestry Disability Index, North American Spine Society satisfaction index, numeric rating scale-back/leg pain, and Euroqol 5-dimension. Outcomes included complications, reoperations, readmissions, return to work/activities, and PROs. Propensity score matching and linear regression modeling were used to estimate the average treatment effect on the treated to assess the impact of interbody use on patient outcomes.

RESULTS

After propensity matching, there were 1044 patients with interbody and 215 patients undergoing PLF. The average treatment effect on the treated analysis showed that having an interbody or not had no significant impact on any outcome of interest, including 30-day complications and reoperations, 3-month readmissions, 12-month return to work, and 12-month PROs.

CONCLUSION

There were no discernible differences in outcomes between patients undergoing PLF alone versus with an interbody in elective posterior lumbar fusion. These results add to the growing body of evidence that posterior lumbar fusions with and without an interbody seem to have similar outcomes up to 1 year postoperatively when treating degenerative lumbar spine conditions.

The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index is Associated With Increased Risk of Reoperations and Adjacent Level Disease Following Single-Level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the predictive capability between the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) scores and adverse clinical and radiographic outcomes following single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

METHODS

All patients over the age of 50 undergoing single-level open or minimally invasive TLIF from 2012 to 2021 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were identified. Deformity, trauma, emergency, and tumor cases were excluded as were patients undergoing revision surgeries. An mFI-5 score was computed for each patient using a set of five factors which included hypertension requiring medication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and partially or fully dependent functional status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the impact of mFI-5 scores on readmissions, reoperations, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

156 patients were included and grouped according to their level of frailty: no-frailty (mFI = 0, n = 67), mild frailty (mFI = 1, n = 59), and severe frailty (mFI = 2+, n = 30). Multivariate analysis found high levels of frailty (mFI = 2+) to be independent predictors of reoperation (OR: 16.9, CI: 2.7 - 106.9, P = .003) and related readmissions (OR = 16.5, CI: 2.6 - 102.7, P = .003) as compared to the no-frailty group. An mFI-5 score of 2+ was also predictive of any complication (OR = 4.5, CI: 1.4 - 14.3, P = .01) and adjacent segment disease (ASD) (OR = 12.5, CI: 1.2 - 134.0, P = .037).

CONCLUSION

High levels of frailty were predictive of related readmissions, reoperations, any complications, and ASD in older adult patients undergoing single-level TLIF.

Patient Frailty Influences Outcome After Open, But Not Minimally Invasive, Transforaminal Interbody Fusion: A Case Series of 115 Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disease

BACKGROUND

For transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), there are equally good open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) options.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if frailty has a differential effect on outcome for open vs MIS TLIF.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 115 TLIF surgeries (1-3 levels) for lumbar degenerative disease performed at a single center; 44 MIS transforaminal interbody fusions and 71 open TLIFs were included. All patients had at least a 2-year follow up, and any revision surgery during that time was recorded. The Adult Spinal Deformity Frailty Index (ASD-FI) was used to separate patients into nonfrail (ASD-FI < 0.3) and frail (ASD-FI > 0.3) cohorts. The primary outcome variables were revision surgery and discharge disposition. Univariate analyses were performed to reveal associations in demographic, radiographic, and surgical data with the outcome variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess independent predictors of outcome.

RESULTS

Frailty uniquely predicted both reoperation (odds ratio 8.1, 95% CI 2.5-26.1, P = .0005) and discharge to a location other than home (odds ratio 3.9, 95% CI 1.2-12.7, P = .0239). Post hoc analysis indicated that frail patients undergoing open TLIF had a higher revision surgery rate (51.72%) compared with frail patients undergoing MIS-TLIF (16.7%). Nonfrail patients undergoing open and MIS TLIF had a revision surgery rate of 7.5% and 7.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Frailty was associated with increased revision rate and increased probability to discharge to a location other than home after open transforaminal interbody fusions, but not MIS transforaminal interbody fusions. These data suggest that patients with high frailty scores may benefit from MIS-TLIF procedures.

Clinical comparison of three-dimensional exoscope vs. operative microscope in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: A retrospective case-control study

Purpose

Here, we sought to determine the safety and feasibility of three-dimensional exoscope (3D EX). We compared data on surgery, complications, postoperative drainage, hematology, and clinical outcomes in the group that underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using an operative microscope (OM) relative to those treated using 3D EX.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records on 74 patients who underwent one- or two-level TLIF from August 2019 to October 2020. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare pre- and post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and oswestry disability index (ODI). We used analysis of covariance to compare pre- and post-operative erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct). Independent sample t-tests was used to compare postoperative drainage volume, total blood loss (TBL), visible blood loss (VBL) and hidden blood loss (HBL).

Results

There were no significant differences in VAS and ODI scores between the two groups at all time points (all p > 0.05). RBC and HBL did not differ significantly between the two groups (all p > 0.05). There were significant differences in postoperative drainage volume,TBL, Hb, and Hct values when using 3D EX relative to OM in two-level TLIF (all p < 0.05), but not for one-level TLIF (all p > 0.05). The two groups differed significantly with regards to VBL when used for one- or two-level TLIF (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data show that 3D EX is a suitable alternative to OM in TLIF. Relative to OM, 3D EX has important strengths in reducing perioperative bleeding in two-level TLIF.

Effects of preoperative nutritional status on complications and readmissions after posterior lumbar decompression and fusion for spondylolisthesis: A propensity-score analysis

INTRODUCTION

Malnutrition, common in the elderly, may adversely affect healthcare outcomes. In spine surgery, malnutrition is associated with higher rates of perioperative complications, unplanned readmission, and prolonged length of stay (LOS). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of malnutrition on adverse events (AEs), unplanned readmission, and LOS in patients undergoing spine surgery for spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2010 to 2016. Adult patients who underwent posterior decompression or fusion for spondylolisthesis were identified using the ICD-9-CM coding systems. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on preoperative serum albumin levels. propensity-score (PS) matching was used to create an age- and sex-matched Nourished cohort. Patient demographics, comorbidities, LOS, and postoperative complications were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of prolonged LOS, unplanned readmission, and AEs.

RESULTS

Of the 2196 patients identified, 4.5% were malnourished. Patients in the Malnourished cohort were found to have significantly longer average LOS (Malnourished: 4.51 ± 3.1 days vs PS-Matched Not Nourished: 3.7 ± 3.7, p = 0.002), higher rates of AEs (Malnourished: 14.3% vs PS-Matched Nourished: 5.8%, p = 0.007), reoperation (Malnourished: 8.4% vs PS-Matched Nourished: 3.2%, p = 0.026), and unplanned readmission (Malnourished: 15.3% vs PS-Matched Nourished: 6.1%, p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis considering only preoperative data, malnutrition was a significant independent predictor of AEs [OR: 2.13, CI (1.02, 4.46), p = 0.045]. However, after correcting for the occurrence of AEs, malnutrition was not associated with total LOS [aRR: 0.29, CI (-0.37, 0.95), p = 0.392] or 30-day unplanned readmissions [aOR: 2.24, CI (0.89, 5.60), p = 0.086].

CONCLUSION

Our study found that malnourished patients undergoing lumbar fusion for spondylolisthesis have significantly higher rates of AEs, unplanned readmission, and prolonged LOS than nourished patients. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings.

Modified-frailty index does not independently predict complications, hospital length of stay or 30-day readmission rates following posterior lumbar decompression and fusion for spondylolisthesis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Frailty has been associated with inferior surgical outcomes in various fields of spinal surgery. With increasing healthcare costs, hospital length of stay (LOS) and unplanned readmissions have emerged as clinical proxies reflecting overall value of care. However, there is a paucity of data assessing the impact that baseline frailty has on quality of care in patients with spondylolisthesis.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that frailty has on LOS, complication rate, and unplanned readmission after posterior lumbar spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2010 through 2016.

PATIENT SAMPLE

All adult (≥18 years old) patients who underwent lumbar spinal decompression and fusion for spondylolisthesis were identified using ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedural coding systems. We calculated the modified frailty index (mFI) for each patient using 5 dichotomous comorbidities - diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, hypertension requiring medication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dependent functional status. Each comorbidity is assigned 1 point and the points are summed to give a score between 0 and 5. As in previous literature, we defined a score of 0 as "not frail", 1 as "mild" frailty, and 2 or greater as "moderate to severe" frailty.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient demographics, comorbidities, complications, LOS, readmission, and reoperation were assessed.

METHODS

A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of adverse events (AEs), extended LOS, complications, and unplanned readmission.

RESULTS

There were a total of 5,296 patients identified, of which 2,030 (38.3%) were mFI=0, 2,319 (43.8%) patients mFI=1, and 947 (17.9%) were mFI ≥2. The mFI≥2 cohort was older (p≤.001) and had a greater average BMI (p≤.001). The mFI≥2 cohort had a slightly longer hospital stay (3.7 ± 2.3 days vs. mFI=1: 3.5 ± 2.8 days and mFI=0: 3.2 ± 2.1 days,p≤.001). Both surgical AEs and medical AEs were significantly greater in the mFI≥2 cohort than the other cohorts, (2.6% vs. mFI=1: 1.8% and mFI=0: 1.2%,p=.022) and (6.3% vs. mFI=1: 4.8% and mFI=0: 2.6%,p≤.001), respectively. While there was no significant difference in reoperation rates, the mFI≥2 cohort had greater unplanned 30-day readmission rates (8;4% vs. mFI=5.6: 4.8% and mFI=0: 3.4%,p≤.001). However, on multivariate regression analysis, mFI≥2 was not a significant independent predictor of LOS (p=.285), complications (p=.667), or 30-day unplanned readmission (p=.378).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that frailty, as measured by the mFI, does not significantly predict LOS, 30-day adverse events, or 30-day unplanned readmission in patients undergoing lumbar spinal decompression and fusion for spondylolisthesis. Further work is needed to better define variable inputs that make up frailty to optimize surgical outcome prediction tools that impact the value of care.

Patient- and hospital-related risk factors for non-routine discharge after lumbar decompression and fusion for spondylolisthesis

OBJECTIVE

In various spinal surgeries, non-routine discharges have been associated with inferior outcomes. However, there exists a paucity of data regarding the relationship between non-routine discharge and quality of care among patients with spondylolisthesis. The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors for non-routine discharge following spinal decompression and fusion for lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2010 through 2016. Adult patients (≥18 years old) who underwent spinal decompression and fusion for lumbar spondylolisthesis were identified using ICD-9-CM diagnosis and CPT procedural coding systems. The study population was divided into two cohorts based on discharge disposition: routine (RD) and non-routine discharge (NRD). Patient demographics, comorbidities, adverse events, LOS, reoperation, and readmission were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the independent predictors of non-home discharge and 30-day unplanned readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 5252 patients were identified, of which 4316 (82.2%) had a RD and 936 (18.8%) had a NRD. The NRD cohort tended to be older (p < 0.001) and have a higher BMI (p < 0.001). Patients who experienced a NRD had a longer LOS (NRD: 4.7 ± 3.7 days vs RD: 3.1 ± 2.0 days, p < 0.001), a higher proportion of adverse events (p < 0.001), higher rates of reoperation (p = 0.005) and unplanned 30-day readmission rates (p < 0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, age [OR: 1.08, 95% CI (1.06-1.10), p < 0.001], female sex [OR: 2.01, 95% (1.51-2.69), p < 0.001], non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity [OR: 2.10, 95% CI (1.36-3.24), p = 0.001], BMI [OR: 1.03, 95% CI (1.01-1.05), p = 0.007], dependent functional status [OR: 3.33, 95% CI (1.59 - 6.99), p = 0.001], malnourishment [OR: 2.14, 95% CI (1.27-3.62), p = 0.005], and LOS [OR: 1.26, 95% CI (1.18-1.33), p < 0.001] were all independent predictors for NRD. However, NRD did not independently predict an unplanned 30-day readmission on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

In our study we found that on univariate analysis NRD was associated with increased adverse events, length of stay and 30-day unplanned readmission. When controlling for patient- and hospital-related factors, we found that female sex, non-Hispanic Black race, BMI, dependent functional status, malnourishment and longer LOS were independently associated with NRD. However, NRD did not independently predict an unplanned 30-day readmission.