Introduction
Spine ambulatory surgery (AMS) is reported to have similar quality of care compared to conventional inpatient spine surgery. Recently, AMS for lumbar decompression has increased due to its cost-effectiveness and safety. However, there are certain AMS patients who unexpectedly stay in the hospital for a longer time and several studies have identified risk factors for this AMS conversion. Nomograms are used to calculate the possibility of generating clinical events through complex computational formulas. With the help of nomograms, clinicians can assess the risk of clinical events. This study aimed to develop and validate a clinical predictive nomogram for risk factors for AMS conversion to extended stay for lumbar decompression patients.
Material and Methods
The electronic medical records of all patients who underwent lumbar decompression surgery planned as AMS between 2019 and 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant data affecting AMS conversion to extended stay were collected. Predictors were screened using univariate and multi-factor logistic analysis to construct a nomogram. The nomogram was validated using a validation cohort.
Results
The data of 1096 AMS patients was included for establishing the nomogram using multivariable regression model and setting AMS conversion as the outcome variable. The conversion rate from AMS to extended stay was 58%. Age >80 years (Odds ratio 4.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-12.6), estimated blood loss (Odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00), drain use (Odds ratio 1.83, 95% CI 1.33-2.51) and surgery duration time (Odds ratio 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.00) were identified for risk factors of AMS conversion. A nomogram was made using these results.
Conclusion
In this study, we established a nomogram effectively predicting ambulatory surgery conversion to extended stay among lumbar decompression patients. This nomogram can be used for screening high-risk patients of AMS conversion.