A Prospective, Randomized Comparison Of Drainage Techniques After One- Or Two-Level Open Posterior Lumbar Decompression Or Decompression And Fusion

A Prospective, Randomized Comparison Of Drainage Techniques After One- Or Two-Level Open Posterior Lumbar Decompression Or Decompression And Fusion

This project is being done to understand if a drain reduces recovery problems after surgery, such as infection or the need for more surgery.

The primary objective is to prospectively evaluate drains used in lumbar spine surgery in patients undergoing one- or two-level open posterior lumbar decompression or decompression and fusion for the relative risk of return to the operating room within 90 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• One or two-level open spinal decompression or decompression and fusion for the treatment of lumbar stenosis and/or spondylolisthesis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infection, tumor, or trauma
• Prior lumbar fusion surgery
• Lumbar fusion surgery at more than 2 levels
• Anterior lumbar surgery
• Perioperative anticoagulation treatment
• Intraoperative incidental durotomy
• Intraoperative or postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage
• Intraoperative EBL greater than one liter