Charlson comorbidity index is predictive of postoperative clinical outcome after single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

BACKGROUND: In several previous studies, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score was associated with postoperative complications, mortality, and re-admission. There are few reports about the influence of CCI score on postoperative clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of comorbidities as calculated with CCI on postoperative clinical outcomes after PLIF. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-six patients who underwent an elective primary single-level PLIF were included. Postoperative clinical outcome was evaluated with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association lumbar score (JOA score). The correlation coefficient between the CCI score and postoperative improvement in JOA score was investigated. Patients were divided into three groups according to their CCI score (0, 1, and 2+). JOA improvement rate, length of stay (LOS), and direct cost were compared between each group. Postoperative complications were also investigated. RESULTS: There was a weak negative relationship between CCI score and JOA improvement rate (r = - 0.20). LOS and direct cost had almost no correlation with CCI score. The JOA improvement rate of group 0 and group 1 was significantly higher than group 2+. LOS and direct cost were also significantly different between group 0 and group 2+. There were 14 postoperative complications. Adverse postoperative complications were equivalently distributed in each group, and not associated with the number of comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: A higher CCI score leads to a poor postoperative outcome. The recovery rate of patients with two or more comorbidities was significantly higher than in patients without comorbidities. However, the CCI score did not influence LOS and increased direct costs. The surgeon must take into consideration the patient's comorbidities when planning a surgical intervention in order to achieve a good clinical outcome.

The effectiveness of preoperative assessment using a patient-specific three-dimensional pseudoarticulation model for minimally invasive posterior resection in a patient with Bertolotti's syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bertolotti's syndrome is widely known to cause low back pain in young patients and must be considered as a differential diagnosis. Its treatment such as conservative therapy or surgery remains controversial. Surgical procedure is recommended for intractable low back pain. The three-dimensional (3D) lumbosacral transitional vertebrae anatomy should be completely understood for a successful surgery. Using an intraoperative 3D navigation and preoperative preliminary surgical planning with a patient-specific 3D plaster model contribute for safe surgery and good outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of a 22-year-old Japanese male patient with intractable left low back pain due to lumbosacral transitional vertebrae with Bertolotti's syndrome. The symptom resisted the conservative treatment, and anesthetic injection at pseudoarticulation only provided a short-term pain relief. Posterior resection using intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) navigation has been performed through microendoscopic view. Pseudoarticulation was totally and successfully resected in a safe manner. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative surgical planning and rehearsal using a patient-specific 3D plaster model was greatly useful and effective for surgeons in performing accurate and safe pseudoarticulation resection.