Background:

Existing literature has not yet evaluated the impact of postoperative length of stay (LOS) on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). The authors investigates the influence of postoperative LOS following ALIF on PROMs and MCID achievement rates.

Methods:

A single-surgeon database was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing single-level ALIF. The following 2 cohorts were studied: patients with LOS <45 hours and patients with LOS ≥45 hours. The following PROMs were recorded at preoperative and 6-week, 12-week, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year postoperative timepoints: visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item short form (SF-12) physical composite score (PCS), and patient-reported outcome measurement information system physical function. MCID achievement was compared by LOS grouping using χ ² analysis. The rates of complications by LOS grouping and the relative risk among demographic and perioperative characteristics for a longer hospital stay of ≥45 hours were calculated.

Results:

A total of 52 subjects were included in each cohort. LOS ≥45 hours demonstrated worse ODI at 6 weeks and SF-12 PCS preoperative and at 12 weeks (P ≤ 0.026, all). LOS <45 hours demonstrated greater MCID rates for all PROMs except VAS back (P ≤ 0.004, all). Postoperative urinary retention (POUR), fever, and total complications (P ≤ 0.003, all) were associated with increased LOS. Diabetes (P = 0.037), preoperative VAS neck ≥7 (P = 0.012), and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥2 (P = 0.003) served as preoperative risk factors for postoperative stay ≥45 hours.

Conclusion:

Following single-level ALIF, patients with shorter LOS demonstrated significantly greater overall MCID achievement for most PROMs. POUR, fever, and total complications were associated with longer LOS and greater blood loss. Diabetes and higher preoperative leg pain were identified as risk factors for longer LOS.

Clinical relevance:

Patients undergoing ALIF with shorter LOS had greater MCID achievement for disability, physical function, and leg pain outcomes. Patients with greater preoperative leg pain and diabetes may be at risk for longer LOS.