Lumbar Fusion Readmission Study

A new study in the European Spine Journal investigates co-morbidities which are associated with readmission after posterior lumbar fusion surgery. The purpose of the study was to predict 30-day readmission rates following posterior lumbar spinal fusion.

Variables

Variables included: age, female gender, race, insurance, anterior approach, cerebrovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hemiplegia/paraplegia, rheumatic disease, drug abuse, electrolyte disorder, osteoporosis, depression, obesity, and morbid obesity. 

Results

The study found that readmission rates can be accurately calculated. This will allow for a better pre-operative care and decision making.

The full study can be found here.