Comparison of Patient Preference, Understanding, and Sentiment for Minimally Invasive Versus Open Spine Surgery.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective questionnaire analysis. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze patients' understanding and preferences for minimally invasive spine (MIS) versus open spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA MIS surgery is increasing in prevalence. However, there is insufficient literature to evaluate how the availability of MIS surgery influences the patients' decision-making process and perceptions of spine procedures. METHODS: A survey was administered to patients who received a microdiscectomy or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion between 2016 and 2020. All eligible patients were stratified into two cohorts based on the use of minimally invasive techniques. Each cohort was administered a survey that evaluated patient preferences, perceptions, and understanding of their surgery. RESULTS: One hundred fifty two patients completed surveys (MIS 88, Open 64). There was no difference in time from surgery to survey (MIS 2.1 ±â€Š1.4 yrs, Open 1.9 ±â€Š1.4 yrs; P = 0.36) or sex (MIS 56.8% male, Open 53.1% male; P = 0.65). The MIS group was younger (MIS 53.0 ±â€Š16.9 yrs, Open 58.2 ±â€Š14.6 yrs; P = 0.05). More MIS patients reported that their technique influenced their surgeon choice (MIS 64.0%, Open 37.5%; P  < 0.00001) and increased their preoperative confidence (MIS 77.9%, Open 38.1%; P  < 0.00001). There was a trend towards the MIS group being less informed about the intraoperative specifics of their technique (MIS 35.2%, Open 23.4%; P = 0.12). More of the MIS cohort reported perceived advantages to their surgical technique (MIS 98.8%, Open 69.4%; P < 0.00001) and less reported disadvantages (MIS 12.9%, Open 68.8%; P < 0.00001). 98.9% and 87.1% of the MIS and open surgery cohorts reported a preference for MIS surgery in the future. CONCLUSION: Patients who received a MIS approach more frequently sought out their surgeons, were more confident in their procedure, and reported less perceived disadvantages following their surgery compared with the open surgery cohort. Both cohorts would prefer MIS surgery in the future. Overall, patients have positive perceptions of MIS surgery.Level of Evidence 3.