Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Three-dimensional Navigation-guided, Prone, Single-position, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique
Published on: July 15, 2021
Charlson Comorbidity Index score predicts adverse post-operative outcomes after far lateral lumbar discectomy
Austin J Borja1, John Connolly1, Svetlana Kvint1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Insights
The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score predicts adverse outcomes in far lateral disc herniation (FLDH) surgery. Higher CCI scores correlate with increased readmissions, emergency visits, and reoperations after FLDH repair.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spine Surgery
- Health Outcomes Research
Background:
- The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a validated predictor of mortality and complications.
- Its utility in predicting outcomes for far lateral disc herniation (FLDH) surgery is unknown.
- This study investigates the CCI's role in FLDH patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the CCI score can predict adverse outcomes after discectomy for FLDH.
- To correlate CCI scores with specific postoperative complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 144 patients undergoing discectomy for FLDH (2013-2020).
- CCI scores were calculated for all patients.
- Univariate logistic regression analyzed the association between CCI score and adverse outcomes.
Main Results:
- Each point increase in CCI score significantly correlated with higher 30-day and 30-90-day readmission rates.
- Higher CCI scores predicted increased emergency department visits within 30 days.
- CCI score was a significant predictor of reoperation and repeat neurosurgical intervention within 30 and 90 days.
Conclusions:
- The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a valuable tool for predicting various adverse postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing discectomy for FLDH.
- CCI score can aid in risk stratification and patient management for FLDH surgery.
Introduction:
The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score has been shown to predict 10-year all-cause mortality and post-neurosurgical complications but has never been examined in a far lateral disc herniation (FLDH) population. This study aims to correlate CCI score with adverse outcomes following FLDH repair.
Patients And Methods:
All patients (n = 144) undergoing discectomy for FLDH at a single, multihospital academic medical system (2013-2020) were retrospectively analyzed. CCI scores were determined for all patients. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the ability of CCI score to predict adverse outcomes.
Results:
Mean age of the population was 61.72 ± 11.55 years, 69 (47.9%) were female, and 126 (87.5%) were non-Hispanic white. Patients underwent either open (n = 92) or endoscopic (n = 52) FLDH repair. Average CCI score among the patient population was 2.87 ± 2.42. Each additional point in CCI score was significantly associated with higher rates of readmission (p = 0.022, p = 0.014) in the 30-day and 30-90-day post-surgery window, respectively, and emergency department visits (p = 0.011) within 30-days. CCI score also predicted risk of reoperation of any kind (p = 0.013) within 30 days of the index operation. In addition, CCI score was predictive of risk of reoperation of any kind (p = 0.008, p < 0.001; respectively) and repeat neurosurgical intervention (p = 0.027, p = 0.027) within 30-days and 90-days of the index admission (either during the same admission or after discharge).
Conclusions:
This study suggests that CCI score is a useful metric to predict of numerous adverse postoperative outcomes following discectomy for FLDH.
