Factors determining length of hospitalization for patients having laminectomy surgery

The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with length of stay for patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy. Significant differences were identified related to method of payment for hospitalization, number of doses of analgesic medications, and presence of muscle spasms. Other factors studied were sex, pre- or postoperative administration of steroids, presence of complications, age, length of surgical procedure and types of antispasmodic medications administered. The study was conducted in an urban north Texas hospital, using a retrospective review of 30 charts selected randomly. Further study of factors related to length of hospitalization is necessary in this, as well as other patient populations, especially since the advent of prospective payment.