FFREQUENCY OF POST-OPERATIVE BACK PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH LAMINECTOMY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/7nqa0d24Keywords:
laminectomy, , Back Pain, Diabetes Mellitus, Pain Measurement, Postoperative Complications, , Risk Factors, Spine SurgeryAbstract
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major global health concern and a leading cause of disability. Surgical procedures like laminectomy are often employed when conservative management fails. However, a significant proportion of patients continue to report post-operative pain, termed post-laminectomy syndrome or failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Despite international recognition of this issue, limited local data exists regarding its frequency and predictors, which are crucial for improving patient outcomes in regional healthcare settings.
Objective: To determine the frequency and early predictors of post-operative back pain in patients undergoing laminectomy.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted over six months in the Department of Neurosurgery at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. A total of 114 consecutive patients aged 18 to 60 years undergoing laminectomy were enrolled using non-probability sampling. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, clinical variables, and comorbidities. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 24 and 72 hours post-operatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to identify significant predictors, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 114 patients (mean age 41.0 ± 12.0 years; 60 males, 54 females), the mean VAS score decreased from 5.7 ± 2.3 at 24 hours to 5.0 ± 3.2 at 72 hours post-laminectomy. Persistent pain (VAS > 4) at 72 hours was reported in 33 patients (28.9%). Diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0009) and lumbar laminectomy (p = 0.0440) were significantly associated with persistent pain. Logistic regression revealed increased odds of pain in diabetic patients (OR: 2.51) and those with higher BMI, though not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Post-operative back pain remains prevalent following laminectomy, especially among diabetic patients and those undergoing lumbar procedures. Timely identification of high-risk individuals may improve pain outcomes and guide individualized perioperative care strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Abbas Qadir Khan, Mian Ifthikhar Ul Haq, Muhammad Ali Noman (Author)
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