Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
10:09
Transtubular Endoscopic Posterolateral Decompression for L5-S1 Lumbar Lateral Disc Herniation
Published on: October 14, 2022
Lumbar decompression and fusion in a centenarian
Ryan M Garcia1, Jonathan Belding, Henry H Bohlman
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. ryangarcia78@gmail.com
Orthopedics
|July 13, 2012
Summary
This case study highlights a 101-year-old patient who successfully underwent spinal surgery for severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. It suggests that advanced age should not automatically preclude elderly patients from receiving surgical treatment for debilitating spinal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Aging population faces increasing chronic and debilitating spinal conditions.
- Spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis significantly impair quality of life in the elderly.
- Surgical intervention is often sought but carries high risks for extreme elderly patients.
Observation:
- A 101-year-old patient with severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis experienced a significant decline in quality of life.
- This patient was previously denied surgery due to advanced age and perceived high surgical risks.
- The patient underwent primary lumbar decompression and fusion, a procedure rarely performed at such an advanced age.
Findings:
- Successful surgical outcome achieved, with significant improvement in physical functioning and social participation.
- The patient lived for 3 years post-surgery, free from spinal-related limitations, before passing from unrelated causes.
- This case demonstrates the potential for positive outcomes in extreme elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery.
Implications:
- Challenges the conventional criteria for surgical intervention in extreme elderly patients with spinal conditions.
- Suggests that advanced age alone should not preclude surgical consideration for debilitating spinal disorders.
- Highlights the potential for spinal surgery to enhance the quality of life for carefully selected elderly patients who have failed conservative treatments.
