Day-Case Spinal Decompression for Lumbar Canal Stenosis: Outcome Analysis from a Multi-Center Case Series in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is a common degenerative disorder in older individuals. It is marked by the constriction of the spinal canal, leading to symptoms like neurogenic claudication and radiating pain. The objective of this study is to assess the postoperative outcomes of day-case lumbar spinal decompression surgery conducted at three hospitals in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Methods: This research utilized a retrospective cohort approach in Sulaymaniyah in 2021-2022 to evaluate the outcomes in 50 patients who underwent day-case lumbar spinal decompression surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Patient data, including age and gender, were collected, and the levels of stenosis were categorized based on preoperative imaging. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated through follow-up visits, categorizing patients into groups based on improvement or no improvement.  Results: The study population had a mean age of 57.1 years, with a nearly balanced gender distribution (48% males, 52% females). Postoperative outcomes revealed that 46 patients (92.3%) experienced significant improvement, while 2 (7.7%) had no improvement. The most common stenosis levels were L3/L4 and L4/L5, with high improvement rates observed across various stenosis categories. No significant differences were found in improvement rates based on gender or year of surgery (p value>0.05). Conclusions: The findings support using day-case minimally invasive approaches for managing lumbar spinal stenosis, highlighting their potential to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.