Impact of Postoperative Length of Stay on Patient-Reported and Clinical Outcomes After Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Madhav R. Patel, Kevin C. Jacob, Frank A. Chavez, Alexander W. Parsons, Meenakshi Seetharaman, Hanna Pawlowski, Michael C. Prabhu, Nisheka N. Vanjani, Kern Singh
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Existing literature has not yet evaluated the impact of postoperative length of stay (LOS) on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). The authors investigates the influence of postoperative LOS following ALIF on PROMs and MCID achievement rates. METHODS: analysis. The rates of complications by LOS grouping and the relative risk among demographic and perioperative characteristics for a longer hospital stay of ≥45 hours were calculated. RESULTS: = 0.003) served as preoperative risk factors for postoperative stay ≥45 hours. CONCLUSION: Following single-level ALIF, patients with shorter LOS demonstrated significantly greater overall MCID achievement for most PROMs. POUR, fever, and total complications were associated with longer LOS and greater blood loss. Diabetes and higher preoperative leg pain were identified as risk factors for longer LOS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients undergoing ALIF with shorter LOS had greater MCID achievement for disability, physical function, and leg pain outcomes. Patients with greater preoperative leg pain and diabetes may be at risk for longer LOS.