P127. Factors influencing length of stay following cervical spine surgery: a comparison of myelopathy and radiculopathy patients

• Published in: The spine journal Vol. 19; no. 9; pp. S216 - S217
• Main Authors: Pierce, Katherine E., Bortz, Cole, Alas, Haddy, Brown, Avery, Woo, Dainn, Vasquez-Montes, Dennis, Ayres, Ethan W., Abotsi, Edem J., Wang, Erik, Varlotta, Christopher, Manning, Jordan H., Maglaras, Constance, Buckland, Aaron J., Protopsaltis, Themistocles S., Gerling, Michael C., Passias, Peter G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.09.2019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2019.05.552
• ISSN: 1529-9430

In the current value-based health care climate where spinal surgery is shifting to the ambulatory setting, factors influencing postoperative patient length of stay (LOS) have significance to both surgeons and hospital administrators. Underlying patient factors including the diagnosis of radiculopathy and myelopathy have not been investigated in this context. Identify predictors extended LOS(E-LOS) between myelopathy(M), radiculopathy(R), and patients with both (MR). Retrospective review of a single-center stereographic database. A total of 718 surgical cervical spine patients. Postoperative LOS, patient factors, preoperative HRQL, complications, predictors of E-LOS. Surgical cervical spine patients ≥18yrs diagnosed with M or R primary diagnoses were isolated in the single-center Comprehensive Spine Quality Database (Quality). Patients were stratified by surgical approach: Anterior, Posterior or Combined. Top-quartile LOS values were labeled as extended. M and R patients were compared using chi-squared and independent samples t-tests, as appropriate. Univariate tests assessed differences in baseline patient-related and surgical data between M and R, and extended/non-extended LOS. Univariate/multivariate analyses were run to assess predictive factors of E-LOS in each diagnosis group. Regression with stepwise model selection was employed to explore factors potentially significant in predicting LOS. A total of 718 patients (54.5 years, 41.1%F, 29.1kg/m2). Mean CCI score: 1.11. Within the cohort, 177 patients (24.7%) had a diagnosis of myelopathy, 383 (53.3%) radiculopathy, and 22% with a diagnosis of myeloradiculopathy. Patients with M primary diagnosis were significantly older (62.2 vs 49.8yrs, p<0.001) and had a greater CCI score (1.64 vs 0.82, p<0.001) when compared to R patients. By approach: 76.7% anterior (57.6% of M, 90.6%R, 64.6%MR; p<0.001), 16.4% (35%M, 6%R, 20.9%MR; p<0.001) posterior, 6.5% (6.8%M, 3.4%R, 13.9%MR; p<0.001) combined. Average LOS: M(3.8days), R(1.5 days), MR(2.9 days) p<0.001. LOS for anterior approach in each diagnosis was as follows, M: 2.21, R: 1.21, MR: 1.69 days, p<0.001. Meanwhile, posterior approach LOS, M:6.06, R:2.91, MR:5.0, p<0.001; combined approach M: 5.17, R: 6.23, MR: 5.59, P=0.881. A total of 195 patients were categorized as E-LOS (Avg: 5.87 days), 87 M, 43 R, 65 MR. Major surgical approach of E-LOS for M (60.9%) and MR (44.6%) was posterior; whereas R E-LOS patients majorly underwent anterior procedures (53.5%). Generalized linear regression modeling found that the following combination of factors predicted E-LOS in R patients (R2=0.736, p=0.003):BMI, durotomy, CCI, anterior and combined approaches, and cardiac complications. An additional model discovered the predictors of E-LOS in M patients (R2= 0.312, p<0.001): age, hypertension, CCI, anterior and combined approaches, intraoperative complications, neuro complications, ileus, and return to OR in 90 days. Lastly, the model for E-LOS in MR patients consisted of (R2 = 0.267, p=0.001): age, durotomy, BL EQ5D, hypertension, posterior and combined approaches and postoperative complications, specifically neuro. Independent of surgical approach, patients with a primary diagnosis of myelopathy, though older aged and higher comorbidity profile, had consistently longer overall postop LOS when compared to radiculopathy or myeloradiculopathy patients. The heightened risk in myelopathy patients for extended LOS should be considered when determining admission status for patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.