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Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research article

Risk factors for failed back surgery syndrome following open posterior lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar disease

Authors: Wenbo Xu, Bingbing Ran, Jianhui Zhao, Wenqi Luo, Rui Gu

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

With the growing number of traditional posterior open surgery, the incidence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) increases gradually. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for FBSS following open posterior lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar disease (DLD).

Method

A multivariable regression analysis was performed for 333 consecutive patients to identify potential risk factors for FBSS. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the validated North American Spine Society (NASS) Questionnaire and numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain. Demographics, diagnostic characteristics, surgical data, radiographic parameters for each patient were analyzed.

Result

16.8% of the included patients were classified as FBSS. Univariate analysis showed that age, hypertension, symptom location, intermittent claudication, preoperative pain NRS-leg, HIZ, Modic changes (MCs), surgical strategy and postoperative rehabilitation were related to FBSS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative NRS-leg (OR:0.80, 95%CI:0.71–0.91, P = 0.001), hypertension (OR: 2.22, 95%CI: 1.10–4.51, P = 0.027), intermittent claudication with waking distance > 100 m (OR: 4.07, 95%CI: 1.75–9.47, P = 0.001) and waking distance ≤ 100 m (OR: 12.43, 95%CI: 5.54–27.92, P < 0.001), HIZ (OR: 8.26, 95%CI: 4.00–17.04, P < 0.001), MCs (OR: 3.41, 95%CI: 1.73–6.71, P < 0.001), postoperative rehabilitation (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 1.13–6.12, P = 0.024) were risk factors for FBSS.

Conclusion

Open posterior lumbar surgery is an effective treatment for DLD which provides pain reduction and lumbar curve improvement with a considerable satisfaction rate. Lower preoperative NRS-leg, hypertension, intermittent claudication, HIZ, MCs and postoperative rehabilitation are risk factors for FBSS, which can serve as a tool for clinicians to identify at-risk population and provide more effective management to mitigate the doctor-patient contradictions and further occupation of medical resources.
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Metadata
Title
Risk factors for failed back surgery syndrome following open posterior lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar disease
Authors
Wenbo Xu
Bingbing Ran
Jianhui Zhao
Wenqi Luo
Rui Gu
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-06066-2

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