Alessandro Siccoli1,2, Victor E Staartjes3,4, Marlies P de Wispelaere5, Marc L Schröder1. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Bergman Clinics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Bergman Clinics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. victor.staartjes@gmail.com. 4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. victor.staartjes@gmail.com. 5. Department of Clinical Informatics, Bergman Clinics, c/o Bergman Clinics, Naarden, Rijksweg 69, 1411 GE, Naarden, The Netherlands.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Physicians are increasingly confronted with degenerative spinal pathologies and the possibility of elective surgical treatment in older adults. Little is known on safety and effectiveness of short-stay, elective lumbar spine surgery in this population. We aim to describe patient profiles of older adults undergoing surgery at a specialized short-stay clinic, and describe associated risk profiles and outcomes. METHODS: From a prospective registry, patients older than 65 were compared to younger controls. All patients underwent a strict anesthesiologic screening preoperatively, leading to a carefully selected cohort of relatively robust older adults suited for safe treatment at a short-stay clinic. A range of perioperative data and reoperations were available from all patients, and a subgroup of patients completed outcome assessments for disability, pain, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: Of the 3279 included patients, 382 (12%) were older than 65. Older patients presented more often with spinal stenosis, and index levels were placed higher (p < 0.001). While there was no difference in complications, reoperations, and blood loss (p > 0.05), older people had longer surgical times and length of stay, although not by a clinically relevant margin (p < 0.001). Long-term patient-reported outcomes were equal (p > 0.05). However, older adults had worse 6-week outcomes for leg pain, functional disability, and HRQOL (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher age should not be considered a contraindication for elective lumbar spine surgery at short-stay clinics. If the anesthesiologic risk can be controlled, conservative treatments have failed, and muscle-sparing techniques are applied, favorable outcomes can be achieved with an acceptable risk profile in a safe manner.
PURPOSE: Physicians are increasingly confronted with degenerative spinal pathologies and the possibility of elective surgical treatment in older adults. Little is known on safety and effectiveness of short-stay, elective lumbar spine surgery in this population. We aim to describe patient profiles of older adults undergoing surgery at a specialized short-stay clinic, and describe associated risk profiles and outcomes. METHODS: From a prospective registry, patients older than 65 were compared to younger controls. All patients underwent a strict anesthesiologic screening preoperatively, leading to a carefully selected cohort of relatively robust older adults suited for safe treatment at a short-stay clinic. A range of perioperative data and reoperations were available from all patients, and a subgroup of patients completed outcome assessments for disability, pain, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: Of the 3279 included patients, 382 (12%) were older than 65. Older patients presented more often with spinal stenosis, and index levels were placed higher (p < 0.001). While there was no difference in complications, reoperations, and blood loss (p > 0.05), older people had longer surgical times and length of stay, although not by a clinically relevant margin (p < 0.001). Long-term patient-reported outcomes were equal (p > 0.05). However, older adults had worse 6-week outcomes for leg pain, functional disability, and HRQOL (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher age should not be considered a contraindication for elective lumbar spine surgery at short-stay clinics. If the anesthesiologic risk can be controlled, conservative treatments have failed, and muscle-sparing techniques are applied, favorable outcomes can be achieved with an acceptable risk profile in a safe manner.