Propensity Score-based Analysis of Short-Term Complications in Patients with Lumbar Discectomy in the ACS-NSQIP Database

Lumbar discectomy is the most common spinal procedure performed, and can be done on an outpatient basis. In this study, we want to compare the incidence of complications in patients undergoing single level lumbar discectomy between the inpatient and outpatient settings, to determine baseline 30-day complication rates, and to identify independent risk factors for complications. To achieve those, patients undergoing lumbar discectomy between 2005 and 2010 were selected from the ACS NSQIP database, based on a single primary CPT code. Thirty-day postoperative complications and pre-operative patient characteristics were identified and compared. Propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to adjust for selection bias and identify predictors of 30-day morbidity. All analyses are performed via SAS software.