Age-Stratified Analysis of Posterior Lumbar Fusion Surgeries

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort. OBJECTIVE: Compare surgical characteristics, complications, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by clinically relevant and easily applicable age-decade groups after posterior lumbar decompression and fusion surgery (PLDF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Due to an aging population and an increased utilization of spine surgery, spine surgeons must increasingly consider age as a variable that affects surgical risk and outcomes. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary/elective PLDF at one tertiary center (2017-2021) were included. Outcomes included rates of in-hospital and 30-day mortality, 90-day readmission, 1-year revision, and PROMs- Oswestry Disability Index, SF-12 Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS): Back and Leg. Patients were stratified and compared by age decade. RESULTS: 1100 patients were included (Age: