Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Lymphocyte Percentage are Useful Predictors of Postoperative Complications after Lumbar Fusion  

Description

In this presentation, Dr. Temidayo Osunronbi, a doctor from Yorkshire, discusses a study examining whether various laboratory parameters can predict complications following lumbar spine fusion surgery. The effectiveness of lumbar spine fusion in treating pain and disability in patients with degenerative spine disease is acknowledged, though the procedure is associated with risks of complications such as surgical site infections, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and pneumonia. Dr. Osunronbi emphasizes the importance of risk stratification in surgical patient selection to enhance patient outcomes by enhancing surveillance for complications.



The study reviews existing risk stratification tools, such as the ASA grade and Charlson Comorbidity Index, noting their limitations. The research investigates alternative blood parameters, like the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte percentage, previously shown to correlate with complications in other surgical fields. Conducted as a single-center retrospective case-control study, it analyzes data from patients undergoing lumbar fusion from 2012 to 2019, including various patient demographics, surgical data, and laboratory parameters.



Findings reveal that complications occurred in 11 out of 88 patients, mostly surgical site infections and pneumonia. The analysis identified lymphocyte percentage and NLR as significant predictors for complications, with specific cutoffs established to flag high-risk patients. The presentation concludes with insights into the potential underlying mechanisms of these findings and a discussion on the need for further validation of the study's results in larger populations before clinical application.

Specialties