Process Evaluation of Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgeries in Five Dutch Hospitals: A Qualitative Analysis

Background and Objectives: Only limited qualitative research concerning instrumented spine surgeries has been published, despite the increasing number of these surgeries and the evident importance of qualitative analysis of the processes surrounding these complex interventions. Current qualitative research is mainly limited to the experiences, emotions and expectations of patients. Insight into the full process, including experiences from the perspective of informal caregivers and healthcare professionals, remains scarce. Materials and Methods: Data were gathered by means of semi-structured face-to-face interviews. In total, there were 27 participants, including 11 patients, 7 informal caregivers and 9 healthcare professionals. The interview process was audiotaped, and each interview was transcribed verbatim. To systematically analyse the gathered data, software for qualitative analysis (NVivo) was used. After immersion in the raw data of transcripts and field notes, a list of broad categories for organising the data into meaningful clusters for analysis was developed. All interviews were coded by the first author, and 25% was independently assessed by the second author. Results: The results of our study describe several promoting and limiting factors concerning the process of lumbar fusion surgery from the perspective of patients, informal caregivers and healthcare providers. The most frequently mentioned promoting factors were: information and opportunities to ask questions during consultations; multidisciplinary consultations; good communication and guidance during hospitalization; and follow-up appointments. The most frequently mentioned limiting factors were: lack of educational material; lack of guidance and communication prior to, during and after hospitalisation. Conclusion: Overall, participants were satisfied with the current healthcare-process in lumbar fusion surgery. However, we found that lack of educational material and guidance during the process led to insecurity about complaints, surgery and recovery. To improve the process of lumbar interbody fusion and to increase patient satisfaction, healthcare providers should focus on guiding and educating patients and informal caregivers about the pre-operative trajectory, the surgery and the recovery. From the healthcare providers’ perspective, the process could be improved by multidisciplinary consultations and a dedicated spine team in the operation room. Although this study focusses on lumbar fusion surgery, results could be translated to other fields of spine surgery and surgery in general.

Effects of a WeChat-based individualized post-discharge rehabilitation program on patients with lumbar fusion surgery

BACKGROUND: Exercise training after lumbar fusion surgery (LFS) is important for regaining the strength in the spinal muscles, pain management, and minimizing dysfunction. It may be prudent to evaluate technologies such as web-based chat and social media apps for increasing the efficacy of post-surgery interventions in LFS patients. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of a WeChat-based individualized post-discharge rehabilitation program in patients with LFS. METHODS: Seventy-two eligible discharged LFS patients were enrolled from October 2018 to February 2019. The experimental group (36 cases) received a 10-week WeChat-based individualized rehabilitation program, while the control group (36 cases) received routine follow-up guidance. The outcomes were measured using the Exercise Compliance Questionnaire, Numerical Rating Scale, Oswestry Disability Index and Chinese version of the self-efficacy for exercise scale. RESULTS: The analysis using generalized estimation equations method shows significant differences in the interaction effect of group*time in exercise compliance (Wald c2= 7.459, P< 0.05), group effect in pain (Wald c2= 5.811, P< 0.05) and self-efficacy (Wald c2= 16.383, P< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the group effect in dysfunction improvement (Wald c2= 2.289, P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The WeChat-based rehabilitation intervention can improve exercise compliance and self-efficacy, and help achieve greater pain relief compared to the routine intervention. However, the WeChat-based intervention did not offer better improvement in the self-dysfunction in the post-discharge LFS patients.

Exercise Therapy Using the Lumbar-Type Hybrid Assistive Limb Ameliorates Locomotive Function after Lumbar Fusion Surgery in an Elderly Patient

The number of elderly people who undergo lumbar fusion surgery (LFS) has been increasing. Postoperative rehabilitation for them can be problematic due to lumbar stiffness. This is the first case report describing exercise therapy using the lumbar-type hybrid assistive limb (HAL) after multiple LFS in an elderly patient. An 83-year-old man underwent LFS at L4-S1. Additional fusion surgery at L2-3 for adjacent segment disease was performed 2 years after the primary surgery. Although the patient’s leg pain declined, he had severe locomotive dysfunction at 3 months after his final surgery. He started exercise therapy using the lumbar-type HAL including sit-to-stand training and squat training 4 months after his final surgery. He performed 3 sets of 20 sit-to-stand and 20 squat repetitions with adequate rests in between sets. The HAL training was safely conducted every day for 12 weeks without adverse event. Timed up and go test (TUG), 1-minute sit to stand test (1MSTS), one-leg stand test (OLST), and Berg balance scale (BBS) were assessed as locomotive function measurement. Before HAL therapy, TUG, 1MSTS, OLST, and BBS were 18.1 sec, 20 times, less than 1 sec, and 47, respectively. He could not walk without assistance. After the exercise therapy with the lumbar-type HAL, his locomotive function dramatically improved. TUG, 1MSTS, OLST, and BBS were 12.2 sec, 25 times, 3.9 sec, and 52, respectively. Moreover, the patient could walk 60 meters continuously without assistance. The unique characteristics of the lumbar-type HAL to prevent the lumbar overload and assist the voluntary hip joint motion during exercise therapy may be effective for this patient with lumbar stiffness after LFS. Sit-to-stand training and squat training using the lumbar-type HAL are promising options to improve locomotive function in elderly patients after LFS.

Reoperations after fusion surgeries for degenerative spinal diseases depending on cervical and lumbar regions: a national database study

Background Reoperation is one of the key factors affecting postoperative clinical outcomes. The reoperation rates of cervical surgeries might be different from those of lumbar surgeries due to the anatomical and biomechanical differences. However, there has been no study to compare the reoperation rate between them. The purpose is to compare reoperation rates after fusion surgeries for degenerative spinal diseases depending on the anatomic region of cervical and lumbar spines. Method We used the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service national database. Subjects were included if they had any of the primary procedures of fusion combined with the procedure of decompression procedures under the diagnosis of degenerative diseases (n = 42,060). We assigned the patients into two groups based on anatomical regions: cervical and lumbar fusion group (n = 11,784 vs 30,276). The primary endpoint of reoperation was the repeat of any aforementioned fusion procedures. Age, gender, presence of diabetes, associated comorbidities, and hospital types were considered potential confounding factors. Results The reoperation rate was higher in the patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery than in the patients who underwent cervical fusion surgery during the entire follow up period (p = 0.0275). A similar pattern was found during the late period (p = 0.0468). However, in the early period, there was no difference in reoperation rates between the two groups. Associated comorbidities and hospital type were noted to be risk factors for reoperation. Conclusions The incidence of reoperation was higher in the patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery than those who underwent cervical fusion surgery for degenerative spinal diseases.