J Bone Joint Surg Br
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J Bone Joint Surg Br · Mar 2012
National in-hospital morbidity and mortality trends after lumbar fusion surgery between 1998 and 2008.
Increasing numbers of posterior lumbar fusions are being performed. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in demographics, mortality and major complications in patients undergoing primary posterior lumbar fusion. We accessed data collected for the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for each year between 1998 and 2008 and analysed trends in the number of lumbar fusions, mean patient age, comorbidity burden, length of hospital stay, discharge status, major peri-operative complications and mortality. ⋯ However, a significant increase was observed in peri-operative septic, pulmonary and cardiac complications. Although in-hospital mortality rates did not change over time in the setting of increases in mean patient age and comorbidity burden, some major peri-operative complications increased. These trends highlight the need for appropriate peri-operative services to optimise outcomes in an increasingly morbid and older population of patients undergoing lumbar fusion.
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J Bone Joint Surg Br · Mar 2012
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion using spinous process and laminae.
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is indicated for many patients with pain and/or instability of the lumbar spine. We performed 36 PLIF procedures using the patient's lumbar spinous process and laminae, which were inserted as a bone graft between two vertebral bodies without using a cage. ⋯ There were no serious complications. These results suggest that this procedure is safe and effective.