Effectiveness and outcome of spinal decompression surgery in overweight and obese patients

Abstract

Objectives: Minimal invasive spinal surgery (MISS) is a relatively new surgical approach that minimizes tissue damage, reduces blood loss, and promises faster post-operative recovery compared to the traditional open approach. The current retrospective study aimed to assess and compare the surgical time, blood loss during the procedures, post-operative mobility, hospital stay, post-operative pain, and post-surgery patient satisfaction between the two groups. Methods: Forty patients who underwent decompression procedures at our institute were included in this retrospective study. The patients were interviewed by a phone call by a single coinvestigator 1 year after surgery to survey their satisfaction. Results: Thirteen patients (32.5%) underwent MISS and 27 (67.5%) underwent traditional surgery. The mean operative time and blood loss volume for MISS and traditional surgery were found to be 166.08 ± 44.75 min and 193.14 ± 58.67 min, and 69.23 ± 25.31 mL and 367 ± 451.5, respectively. The hospital stay was 3.62 ± 1.38 days for the MISS and 6.48 ± 4.57 days for the traditional surgery. Post-operative mobilization was found to be the 1^st day for MISS and the 1.78^th day for the traditional surgery group. Statistical significance difference (P < 0.05) was observed in blood loss volume, hospitalization time, post-operative mobilization, and pain level after surgery in favor of MISS. Conclusion: MISS in obese patients was found superior to traditional (open) surgery in blood loss, operative time, post-operative mobilization, and post-operative pain.