New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery has identified several key patient indicators that can predict which patients may not improve, or in some cases worsen, following minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery.
A study led by HSS research fellow Junho Song studied 448 patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion, laminectomy, or microdiscectomy at the hospital between 2017 and 2021.
During a six-month follow up, patients were characterized as better, same or worse. Among the 66 patients with no significant improvements and 35 who worsened, the majority were older or obese.
Smoking was also a factor for patients who did not fare well following the procedure, according to a March 9 press release.
The researchers said this information may be used to improve the selection of candidates for minimally invasive spine surgery. The findings were presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting.