A new study published in Spine examines the clinical and economic impact of durotomy in primary short-segment lumbar fusion.
The researchers queried the National Inpatient Sample for all primary one- and two-level lumbar fusions performed in adults for lumbar spinal stenosis between 2009 and 2011. The elective cases were included. There were 17,232 cases included in the study.
Here are five key notes:
1. There were 802 incidental durotomies identified--4.65 percent of the patients.
2. The odds of durotomy among the oldest patients, age 73 or above, were 2.4 times greater than the odds of durotomy among patients who were 56 years old or younger.
3. The durotomy was associated with increased neurological complications and longer hospital stays. The longer hospital stays drove increased costs for patients with a durotomy.
4. The odds of dural tears in teaching hospitals were significantly higher than with nonteaching hospitals.
5. The durotomy was associated with $10,885 increase in total hospital charges. There was a $3,873 increase in estimated total costs when compared with patients who didn't have durotomy.