To observe the safety and efficacy of a minimally destructive decompressive technique without fusion in patients with lumbar stenosis secondary to degenerative spondylolisthesis. 30 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) were consecutively managed by a single consultant spinal surgeon. All patients presented with neurogenic claudication secondary to DS. All patients were managed operatively with lumbar decompression utilising an approach technique of “spinous process osteotomy” (1). Briefly, this approach requires only unilateral muscle stripping with preservation of the interspinous ligament. A standard centrolateral decompression is then performed. Data consisting of VAS back and leg pain and ODI were collected pre and post-operatively.Purpose
Methods
To audit patient satisfaction throughout the perioperative period amongst emergency and elective admissions in the spinal team. 92 patients were identified whom underwent operations within a 3 month period using the operating database. A self administered postal questionnaire was sent to assess preoperative waiting time, quality of preoperative assessment and information given, assessment of their admission, their experience throughout hospital stay and the quality of their post operative assessment and discharge. Patient reported outcomes (PROMS) Response rate 35% (32/92) of which 24 (14F 10M) were elective admissions and 8 emergency admissions (2F 6M). Average wait for elective procedure was 5.7 weeks (median 2). 63% of elective patients were seen in prescreening clinic and 79% of these received an information booklet prior to operation. 22% of patients had delayed discharge due to non clinical causes including awaiting transport, awaiting medications and physiotherapy clearance. 88% of patients reported they were given adequate information regarding post-operative daily activities. 79% of elective patients reported seeing a doctor on the day of their discharge however only 38% reported seeing a physiotherapist postoperatively. This fell to 0% for patients operated on a Friday. Although 94% of patients reported that they were satisfied with the overall care they were given, they reported certain aspects of their clinical care being less than optimal. Trust wide assessment of patient reported outcomes to assess and improve the quality of care against national guidelines. Ethics Approval: Self questionnaire approved by ethics committee
