Age - Does it really count? A study of the Perioperative Morbidity and Long-Term Outcome in Patients Above 70 Years of Age Undergoing Spine surgery for Lumbar Degenerative Disorders

Objective To assess the long-term outcome and perioperative morbidity in spine surgeries for lumbar degenerative disorders and, thereby, to evaluate the safety of surgery in the aging population. Methods Retrospective study of patients aged > 70 years, operated for degenerative lumbar disorders between 2011 and 2015. We evaluated patient demographic, clinical and surgical data; comorbidities, perioperative complications, pre & postoperative pain scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, patient satisfaction and overall mortality. Results A total of 103 patients (Males: Females55:48) with mean age 74.6 years (70–85yrs) were studied. 60 patients (58.2%) had decompression alone, while 43 (41.8%) had decompression & fusion. Mean hospital stay was 5.7days. Mean follow-up was 47.6months (24–73mnths). Patients reported significant improvement in backpain (Numerical pain score 7.7 vs 1.6; p < 0.001), leg pain (Numerical pain score 7.4 vs 1.7; p < 0.001), disability (ODI 82.3 vs 19.1; p < 0.001) and walking distance ( p < 0.001). 76% patients were satisfied with the results at the time of final follow-up. 26 patients (25.24%) had perioperative complications which were all minor, without mortality. Most common intraoperative & postoperative complications were dural tear (6.79%) & urinary tract infection (6.79%) respectively. Conclusions With meticulous perioperative care lumbar spine surgery is safe and effective in elderly population. Patients had longer mean hospital stay in view of the gradual and comprehensive rehabilitation program. Presence of comorbidities or minor perioperative complications did not increase the overall morbidity or affect the clinical outcomes of surgery in our study.