Obese patients receiving extreme lateral interbody fusion for degenerative disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine do not have more complications than non-obese patients, according to an article published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
A retrospective review of prospective data from 313 patients, including 156 obese and 157 non-obese, who received an extreme lateral interbody fusion was conducted by researchers at Spine Midwest, located in Jefferson City, Mo. The two groups were similar in age, prior surgeries, comorbidities and diagnoses.
The researchers found that diagnosis was the only variable significantly associated with the risk of complication. Patients with a primary diagnosis of degenerative disk disease and recurrent disk herniation were at a higher risk for complications than those with a diagnosis of stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The researchers concluded that the extreme lateral interbody fusion is a safe procedure for obese patients.
Read "Early Complications of Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion in the Obese" abstract.
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A retrospective review of prospective data from 313 patients, including 156 obese and 157 non-obese, who received an extreme lateral interbody fusion was conducted by researchers at Spine Midwest, located in Jefferson City, Mo. The two groups were similar in age, prior surgeries, comorbidities and diagnoses.
The researchers found that diagnosis was the only variable significantly associated with the risk of complication. Patients with a primary diagnosis of degenerative disk disease and recurrent disk herniation were at a higher risk for complications than those with a diagnosis of stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The researchers concluded that the extreme lateral interbody fusion is a safe procedure for obese patients.
Read "Early Complications of Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion in the Obese" abstract.
Read more coverage on spine surgery studies:
- CT Scans May Detect Upper Spine Injuries
- Dr. George Rappard First in the US to Present Superion Interspinous Spacer Clinical Results
- Most Patients Trust Surgeons to Choose Best Implant for Them