The Utility of Routinely Obtaining Postoperative Laboratory Studies Following a Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis. Objective: To test the hypothesis that there is limited utility in routinely obtaining postoperative laboratory values following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Background Data: At many institutions, it is routine to obtain a complete blood count and basic metabolic profile (BMP) following a MIS TLIF. However, the utility of this practice has not been well characterized. Methods: A total of 332 consecutive patients who underwent a primary, 1-level MIS TLIF for degenerative spinal pathology between 2007 and 2013 were identified. Patients were stratified into low-risk and high-risk cohorts based upon risk for postoperative laboratory abnormalities. Inclusion criteria for the high-risk cohort were malignancy, complicated diabetes, renal failure, liver disease, hematologic disease, or significant intraoperative blood loss (>300 mL). Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and BMP values were compared. Any interventions that were potentially related to laboratory values were identified. Results: Totals of 270 low-risk and 62 high-risk patients were identified. Mean postoperative Hb, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, and calcium values were decreased compared with preoperative values (P
Source: Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques - Category: Surgery Tags: Primary Research Source Type: research