Researchers analyzed whether common medical conditions impacted anterior lumbar interbody fusion outcomes, according to a Clinical Spine Surgery-published study.
The study included 231 patients who underwent ALIF. Researchers accounted for "age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, history of smoking, previous lumbar surgery, operative parameters and complications." The researchers used two models to predict Prolo outcome scores. One model involved variables of BMI and sex interaction and the other model involved variables of sex, surgery level, diabetes mellitus presence and BMI.
Here are seven observations:
1. Researchers found a successful fusion rate of 99 percent at follow-up.
2. The study revealed an overall complication rate of 13.8 percent.
3. The researchers did not find an association between complications and demographics, comorbidities, smoking or former lumbar surgery.
4. The study found ALIF at T12 to L4 to be the only factor correlating with poor patient outcomes. Therefore, the researchers concluded ALIF surgical level associated with poor patient outcomes based on a Prolo functional scale.
5. The Prolo models successfully predicted outcomes.
6. Additionally, BMI proved a predictor of Prolo total score.
7. Researchers found no correlation between surgical or follow-up complications and preoperative status.