Evaluating the Success of Revision Spine Surgery in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Prospective Study

Background: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome poses a significant challenge due to persistent pain following spinal surgery, greatly affecting patient quality of life and healthcare resources. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of revision spine surgery in FBSS patients, identifying key predictors for improved clinical outcomes. Method: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary-level hospital in Bangladesh, involving 98 FBSS patients undergoing revision spine surgery from June 2020 to June 2023. Outcome measures included pain reduction (Visual Analog Scale), functional improvement (Oswestry Disability Index), and patient-reported quality of life. Result: Six months post-surgery, 74% of patients experienced clinically significant pain reduction (>50% on VAS), while 63% showed notable functional improvement with a reduction in ODI scores of over 40%. Quality of life improved for 68% of patients, with 25% reporting a complete return to daily activities. Among surgical types, decompression led to a 58% improvement in mobility, while fusion procedures resulted in a 70% pain reduction. However, 12% of patients reported little to no improvement, and 5% experienced worsened symptoms, underscoring the variability in outcomes. Predictive success factors included shorter intervals between surgeries and lower initial pain levels (p < 0.05). Overall, revision surgery was beneficial for the majority, but not all patients achieved desired outcomes. Conclusion: Revision spine surgery in FBSS patients can lead to significant improvements, though outcomes vary. Identifying predictive factors is essential to guide surgical planning and enhance patient selection.