Day Case Lumbar Fusion Surgery
A recent study published in the journal Spine investigated the optimal time to initiate post-operative physical therapy (PT) following lumbar spinal fusion. The researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery at a large medical care center in the Midwest. The study compared the length of hospital stay between patients who started post-operative PT on the same day as surgery (day zero group) and those who started PT on the day following surgery (day one group). The results showed that patients in the day zero group had a shorter length of hospital stay compared to the day one group. This suggests that initiating a postoperative PT protocol on day zero can lead to a more efficient recovery process for patients
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : most advanced day surgery unit in London
Published article
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a postoperative physical therapy protocol initiated on day zero is associated with patients experiencing a shorter length of hospital stay compared to a similar PT protocol initiated on postoperative day one.
Lumbar Fusion Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Spine J. 2023 Aug 21:S1529-9430(23)03342-9. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.08.007. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND CONTEXT: Post-operative physical therapy (PT) following lumbar spinal fusion is an effective form of post-operative rehabilitation. However, it is unknown when a post-operative PT protocol should be optimally initiated.PURPOSE: This study sought to compare lengths of stay between patients on a day zero PT,
Spine J. 2023 Aug 21:S1529-9430(23)03342-9. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.08.007. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Post-operative physical therapy (PT) following lumbar spinal fusion is an effective form of post-operative rehabilitation. However, it is unknown when a post-operative PT protocol should be optimally initiated.
PURPOSE: This study sought to compare lengths of stay between patients on a day zero PT protocol and those on a day one PT protocol.
STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective chart review PATIENT SAMPLE: : Patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery at a large midwestern tertiary medical care center from January 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019 were eligible for their medical record’s inclusion.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Length of hospital stay following surgery METHODS: : Patients were stratified by having started postoperative PT on the same day as surgery (day zero) or having started postoperative PT on the day following surgery (day one).
RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were included in the study, 69 in the day zero group and 95 patients in the day one group. Most patients were female (59%, n=98), and patients’ average age was 62 years (SD=13). Average length of stay was 61 hours (SD=20) for those on the day zero protocol and 75 hours (SD=32) for those on the day one protocol.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a postoperative physical therapy protocol initiated on day zero is associated with patients experiencing a shorter length of hospital stay compared to a similar PT protocol initiated on postoperative day one.
PMID:37611874 | DOI:10.1016/j.spinee.2023.08.007
The London Spine Unit : most advanced day surgery unit in London
Read the original publication:
Day One vs Day Zero Postoperative Physical Therapy among Patients with Lumbar Spinal Fusion: A Length of Stay Comparison