The researchers examined 95 consecutive patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery at the age of 75 or older. The patients were followed for two years as with 58 undergoing primary surgery and 41 undergoing revision operations.
The researchers found that revision patients had slightly worse scores for the visual analogue scale and oswestry disability index than the primary surgery patients at all intervals. Both groups showed improvement at one year postoperatively, but at two years the results among the revision group deteriorated, according to the report.
At the same time, results in the primary surgery group were maintained at two years.
There were generally a greater number of complications among the revision group.
More Articles on Spine Surgery:
Where the Spine Device Field is Headed: Q&A With Invibio’s Michael Veldman
Spine Surgeon Roundtable: Biggest Industry Concerns, ACOs & Goals
Spinal Cases in Ambulatory Surgery Centers: 2014 Opportunities & Challenges
