Impact of Elderly Age on Complications and Clinical Outcomes following Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery

Abstract Background Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) is a surgical technique used to treat patients with a variety of lumbar pathologies. Identification of risk factors leading to complication following ALIF surgery may allow surgeons to better judge candidacy and optimize care for high-risk patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a prospectively collected database of 137 patients who all underwent ALIF surgery by a single primary spine surgeon. Patients were separated into age-based cohorts (≤49, 50-63, and ≥64 years of age). Chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test, and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors. Results A total of 137 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into age-based tertiles as following: Group 1 (