STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, economic analysis. OBJECTIVE: To study patient profile associated with preoperative chronic opioid therapy (COT), and study COT as a risk factor for 90-day complications, emergency department (ED) visits, and readmission after primary one- to two-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) for degenerative spine disease. We also evaluated associated costs, risk factors, and adverse events related to long-term postoperative opioid use. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic opioid use is associated with poor outcomes and dependence after spine surgery. Risk factors, complications, readmissions, adverse events, and costs associated with COT in patients undergoing lumbar fusion are not entirely known. As providers look to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes, identification of modifiable risk factors is important. METHODS: Commercial insurance data from 2007 to Q3-2015 was used to study preoperative opioid use in patients undergoing primary one- to two-level PLF. Ninety-day complications, ED visits, readmissions, 1-year adverse events, and associated costs have been described. Multiple-variable regression analyses were done to study preoperative COT patient profile and opioid use as a risk factor for complications and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 24,610 patients with a mean age of 65.6 ± 11.5 years were included. Five thousand five hundred (22.3%) patients had documented opioid use for more than 6 months before surgery, and 87.4% of these had continued long-term use postoperatively. On adjusted analysis, preoperative COT was found to be a risk factor for 90-day wound complications, pain diagnoses, ED visits, readmission, and continued use postoperatively. Postspinal fusion long-term opioid users had an increased utilization of epidural/facet joint injections, risk for revision fusion, and increased incidence of new onset constipation within 1 year postsurgery. The cost associated with increase resource use in these patients has been reported. CONCLUSION: Preoperative COT is a modifiable risk factor for complications, readmission, adverse events, and increased costs after one- or two-level PLF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, economic analysis. OBJECTIVE: To study patient profile associated with preoperative chronic opioid therapy (COT), and study COT as a risk factor for 90-day complications, emergency department (ED) visits, and readmission after primary one- to two-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) for degenerative spine disease. We also evaluated associated costs, risk factors, and adverse events related to long-term postoperative opioid use. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic opioid use is associated with poor outcomes and dependence after spine surgery. Risk factors, complications, readmissions, adverse events, and costs associated with COT in patients undergoing lumbar fusion are not entirely known. As providers look to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes, identification of modifiable risk factors is important. METHODS: Commercial insurance data from 2007 to Q3-2015 was used to study preoperative opioid use in patients undergoing primary one- to two-level PLF. Ninety-day complications, ED visits, readmissions, 1-year adverse events, and associated costs have been described. Multiple-variable regression analyses were done to study preoperative COT patient profile and opioid use as a risk factor for complications and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 24,610 patients with a mean age of 65.6 ± 11.5 years were included. Five thousand five hundred (22.3%) patients had documented opioid use for more than 6 months before surgery, and 87.4% of these had continued long-term use postoperatively. On adjusted analysis, preoperative COT was found to be a risk factor for 90-day wound complications, pain diagnoses, ED visits, readmission, and continued use postoperatively. Postspinal fusion long-term opioid users had an increased utilization of epidural/facet joint injections, risk for revision fusion, and increased incidence of new onset constipation within 1 year postsurgery. The cost associated with increase resource use in these patients has been reported. CONCLUSION: Preoperative COT is a modifiable risk factor for complications, readmission, adverse events, and increased costs after one- or two-level PLF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
Authors: Alexandra Stratton; Eugene Wai; Stephen Kingwell; Philippe Phan; Darren Roffey; Mohamed El Koussy; Sean Christie; Peter Jarzem; Parham Rasoulinejad; Steve Casha; Jerome Paquet; Michael Johnson; Edward Abraham; Hamilton Hall; Greg McIntosh; Kenneth Thomas; Raja Rampersaud; Neil Manson; Charles Fisher Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2020-05-28 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: Martin I Sigurdsson; Solveig Helgadottir; Thorir E Long; Dadi Helgason; Nathan H Waldron; Runolfur Palsson; Olafur S Indridason; Ingibjorg J Gudmundsdottir; Tomas Gudbjartsson; Gisli H Sigurdsson Journal: JAMA Surg Date: 2019-08-21 Impact factor: 14.766
Authors: Samuel J Swiggett; Matthew L Ciminero; Miriam D Weisberg; Rushabh M Vakharia; Ramin Sadeghpour; Jack Choueka Journal: Shoulder Elbow Date: 2021-03-02
Authors: Andre M Samuel; Kyle W Morse; Yuri A Pompeu; Avani S Vaishnav; Catherine Himo Gang; Han Jo Kim; Sheeraz A Qureshi Journal: Spine Deform Date: 2022-01-22