ArticleSpine2021
COVID-19 Significantly Impacted Hospital Length of Stay and Discharge Patterns for Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.
Article in Spine, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 20 citations in OpenAlex.
- Delayed diagnostic imaging but stable treatment initiation for kidney cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Hungarian cohort study.Pathology oncology research : POR · 2026Article
- Enhanced Clinical Outcomes in Frail Patients Who Underwent Short Lumbar Fusion Surgery With the Implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol.Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Trends in spinal surgery pre- and post-pandemic in a large metropolitan area.Neurosurgical review · 2025Article
- Changes in pituitary adenoma patient presentation and outcomes during the COVID pandemic at a Pituitary Center of Excellence.Pituitary · 2024Article
- Gender-Specific Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopedic and Traumatology Care: An Analysis of Hospital Admissions and Length of Stay.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Outcomes and Perioperative Factors Associated with Posterior Cervical Fusion.Spine surgery and related research · 2024Article
- Article
- Colorectal Surgery Outcomes in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic.The Journal of surgical research · 2023Article
- Lumbar fusion during the COVID-19 pandemic: greater rates of morbidity and longer procedures.Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) · 2023Article
- Temporal trends in neurosurgical volume and length of stay in a public healthcare system: A decade in review with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic.Surgical neurology international · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
11 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
STUDY
designRetrospective review.
objectiveThe primary aim was to compare length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition of adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients undergoing surgery before and during the pandemic. Secondary aims were to compare the rates of 30-day complications, reoperations, readmissions, and unplanned emergency department (ED) visits. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ASD patients often require extended LOS and non-routine discharge. Given resource limitations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and caution regarding hospital stays, surgeons modified standard postoperative protocols to minimize patient exposure.
methodsWe identified all patients who underwent elective thoracolumbar ASD surgery with more than or equal to five levels fusion at a tertiary care center during two distinct time intervals: July to December 2019 (Pre-COVID, N = 60) and July to December 2020 (During-COVID, N = 57). Outcome measures included LOS and discharge disposition (home vs. non-home), as well as 30-day major complications, reoperations, readmissions, and ED visits. Regression analyses controlled for demographic and surgical factors.
resultsPatients who underwent ASD surgery during the pandemic were younger (61 vs. 67 yrs) and had longer fusion constructs (nine vs. eight levels) compared with before the pandemic (P < 0.05 for both). On bivariate analysis, patients undergoing surgery during the pandemic had shorter LOS (6 vs. 9 days) and were more likely to be discharged home (70% vs. 28%) (P < 0.05 for both). After controlling for age and levels fused on multivariable regression, patients who had surgery during the pandemic had shorter LOS (IRR = 0.83, P = 0.015) and greater odds of home discharge (odds ratios [OR] = 7.2, P < 0.001). Notably, there were no differences in major complications, reoperations, readmissions, or ED visits between the two groups.
conclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, LOS for patients undergoing thoracolumbar ASD surgery decreased, and more patients were discharged home without adversely affecting complication or readmission rates. Lessons learned during the pandemic may help improve resource utilization without negatively influencing short-term outcomes.Level of Evidence: 3.
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