Patient outcomes after lumbar spinal fusions.
OBJECTIVE
To determine success and complication rates for lumbar spinal fusion surgery, predictors of good outcomes, and whether fusion improves success rates of laminectomy for specific low back disorders.


METHODS
English-language journal articles published from 1966 through April 1991, identified through MEDLINE searching (spinal fusion plus limiting terms), bibliography review, and expert consultation.


METHODS
Articles were selected only if they reported at least 1 year of follow-up data enabling the classification of clinical outcomes as satisfactory or unsatisfactory for at least 30 patients.


METHODS
Two reviewers independently extracted data on patient characteristics, surgical methods, patient outcomes, and quality of study methods.


RESULTS
Of 47 articles, there were no randomized trials. Four nonrandomized studies compared surgery with and without fusion for herniated disks; three found no advantage for fusion. On average, 68% of patients had a satisfactory outcome after fusion, but the range was wide (16% to 95%), and the satisfactory outcome rate was lower in prospective than in retrospective studies. The most frequently reported complications were pseudarthrosis (14%) and chronic pain at the bone graft donor site (9%). Clinical outcomes did not differ by diagnosis or fusion technique, but were worse in studies with a greater number of previously operated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
For several low back disorders no advantage has been demonstrated for fusion over surgery without fusion, and complications of fusions are common. Randomized controlled trials are needed to compare fusion, surgery without fusion, and nonsurgical treatments in rigorously defined patient groups.
Turner
J A
JA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Ersek
M
M
Herron
L
L
Haselkorn
J
J
Kent
D
D
Ciol
M A
MA
Deyo
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome