J Korean Neurotraumatol Soc.  2010 Dec;6(2):138-142. 10.13004/jknts.2010.6.2.138.

Complications and Surgical Results of Operative Management for Spinal Stenosis in Elderly Patients

• Kim SH
• Choi JH
• Lee HK
• Moon JG
• Kim CH

• KMID: 2106800
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/jknts.2010.6.2.138

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Spinal stenosis and spondylosis are major causes of morbidity among the elderly. Surgical decompression is an effective treatment, but elderly patients are not considered candidates for surgery, because of age and comorbidities. The aim of this study is to validate the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment of spinal stenosis in elderly patients by examining perioperative complication and surgical results.
METHODS
Medical records of patients older than 70 years who underwent spinal stenosis surgery were retrospectively reviewed. For investigation of relationship between comorbidities and complications, comorbid medical illnesses were analyzed using Charlson Comorbidity index score. Data gathered included intraoperative and postoperative complications and surgical results. Complications were classified as the surgical and systemic (anesthetic, cardiopulmonary, and thromboembolic). Surgical results were evaluated change of VAS score and ambulatory functions.
RESULTS
From 2000 to 2009, 56 patients were included. Forty patients were women and average follow-up period was 22.5+/-3.72 months. Surgical complications occurred in 6 patients (10.7%) and systemic complications were occurred in 3 patients (5.4%). The age and Charlson Comorbidity index score were not predictive of complications. The average operation time and the number of operated level were predictive of the risk of complications. Visual analogue scale score was decreased from 8.0+/-1.12 to 4.2+/-1.13. For patients' satisfaction and change of ambulatory function, 7 patients were in excellent, 36 patients were in good, and 11 and 2 patients were in fair and poor grade respectively.
CONCLUSION
If operation time could be saved, the surgical treatment would have effects in the elderly patients without complications even with comorbid diseases.

Keyword

Spinal stenosis; Laminectomy; Complication; Old age

MeSH Terms

Aged
Comorbidity
Decompression, Surgical
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Laminectomy
Medical Records
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylosis

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