The Long-term Reoperation Rate Following Surgery for Lumbar Stenosis
Jong-myung Jung, Chun Kee Chung, Chi Heon Kim, Yunhee Choi, Min Jung Kim, Dahae Yim, Seung Heon Yang, Chang-Hyun Lee, Sung Hwan Hwang, Dong Hwan Kim, Joon Ho Yoon, Sung Bae Park
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of a nationwide sample database. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to compare the long-term incidence of reoperation for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) after anterior fusion, posterior fusion, and decompression. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical treatment for LSS can be largely divided into 2 categories: decompression only and decompression with fusion. A previous nationwide study reported that fusion surgery was performed in 10% of patients with LSS, and the 10-year reoperation rate was approximately 17%. However, with the development of surgical techniques and changes in surgical trends, these results should be reassessed. METHODS: The National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort of the Republic of Korea was utilized to establish a cohort of adult patients (N = 1400) who first underwent surgery for LSS during 2005 to 2007. Patients were followed for 8 to 10 years. Considering death before reoperation as a competing event, reoperation hazards were compared among surgical techniques using a Fine and Gray regression model after adjustment for sex, age, diabetes, osteoporosis, Charlson comorbidity index, severity of disability, type of medical coverage, and type of hospital. RESULTS: The overall cumulative incidence of reoperation was 6.2% at 2 years, 10.8% at 5 years, and 18.4% at 10 years. The cumulative incidence of reoperation was 20.6%, 12.6%, and 18.6% after anterior fusion, posterior fusion, and decompression, respectively, at 10 years postoperatively (P = 0.44). The first surgical technique did not affect the reoperation type (P = 0.27). Decompression was selected as the surgical technique for reoperation in 83.5% of patients after decompression, in 72.7% of patients after anterior fusion, and in 64.3% of patients after posterior fusion. CONCLUSION: The initial surgical technique did not affect reoperation during the 10-year follow-up period. Decompression was the most commonly used technique for reoperation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.