Charlson Comorbidity Index score predicts adverse post-operative outcomes after far lateral lumbar discectomy

Abstract

IntroductionThe Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score has been shown to predict 10-year all-cause mortality and post-neurosurgical complications but has never been examined in a far lateral disc herniation (FLDH) population. This study aims to correlate CCI score with adverse outcomes following FLDH repair. Patients and MethodsAll patients (n = 144) undergoing discectomy for FLDH at a single, multihospital academic medical system (2013—2020) were retrospectively analyzed. CCI scores were determined for all patients. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the ability of CCI score to predict adverse outcomes. ResultsMean age of the population was 61.72 ± 11.55 years, 69 (47.9%) were female, and 126 (87.5%) were non-Hispanic white. Patients underwent either open (n = 92) or endoscopic (n = 52) FLDH repair. Average CCI score among the patient population was 2.87 ± 2.42. Each additional point in CCI score was significantly associated with higher rates of readmission (p = 0.022, p = 0.014) in the 30-day and 30–90-day post-surgery window, respectively, and emergency department visits (p = 0.011) within 30-days. CCI score also predicted risk of reoperation of any kind (p = 0.013) within 30 days of the index operation. In addition, CCI score was predictive of risk of reoperation of any kind (p = 0.008, p < 0.001; respectively) and repeat neurosurgical intervention (p = 0.027, p = 0.027) within 30-days and 90-days of the index admission (either during the same admission or after discharge). ConclusionsThis study suggests that CCI score is a useful metric to predict of numerous adverse postoperative outcomes following discectomy for FLDH.