Same-day discharge following lumbar spine neural decompression.
Halil Bulut1, Maria Maestre2, Daniel Tomey3
1Houston Methodist, Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education, Houston, TX, USA; Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
Summary
Same-day discharge after lumbar spine decompression surgery is safe and effective, showing better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. This approach offers advantages over traditional hospitalization for spine decompression patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Health Services Research
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Same-day discharge after lumbar spine decompression surgery was introduced in the 1980s.
- It offers potential benefits like efficiency, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.
- However, concerns about patient safety and complications remain.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess same-day discharge rates for lumbar spine decompression.
- Identify preoperative predictors of same-day discharge.
- Compare outcomes between same-day discharge and hospitalization.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective comparative analysis of 58,430 patients from the ACS NSQIP database (2016-2021).
- Statistical analysis using SPSS software.
- Comparison of preoperative factors, operative variables, and postoperative outcomes.
Main Results:
- Significant differences found in preoperative comorbidities, operative time, and approach (minimally invasive).
- Same-day discharge showed superior outcomes: lower unplanned intubation, readmission, and reoperation rates.
- Hospitalized patients had longer lengths of stay and higher 30-day mortality rates.
Conclusions:
- Same-day discharge following lumbar spine decompression is a safe and effective practice.
- It offers advantages in patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization.
- Standardized protocols are needed to maximize benefits and ensure patient safety.
Keywords:
Lumbar spine decompressionMinimally invasive approachesPostoperative outcomesSame-day discharge
