A New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery study examined anterior cervical discectomy and fusion outcomes, finding it safe for select patients in the outpatient setting.
Researchers studied 103 patients, 57 outpatient and 46 inpatients, examining outcomes for both groups.
What you should know:
1. HSS surgeons performed the procedure on an outpatient-basis more frequently when removing fewer discs.
2. Of 83 two-level ACDF cases, physicians performed 60.2 percent in outpatient settings. Of 20 three-level cases, physicians performed 35 percent in outpatient settings.
3. Outpatient surgeries were shorter (71 minutes versus 84 minutes) and resulted in a shorter length-of-stay (8.5 hours to 35.8 hours).
4. There was no difference in postoperative pain.
5. At six-months, both groups reported improved pain and function.
HSS' Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Patty and Jay Baker Chair Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, said, "In our study, the surgical setting did not impact patient-reported outcomes. The results suggest that multilevel ACDF can be performed safely in the outpatient setting without an increased risk of complications in appropriately selected patients."