Safety of Acetylsalicylic Acid Continuation in Mono- and Multi-Level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Multicenter Comparative Study on 332 Patients

Study designRetrospective Multicenter Comparative Study.ObjectiveThe population's aging is progressively increasing the number of elderly patients on antiplatelet medications undergoing lumbar fusion procedures. Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) has demonstrated valuable clinical and radiological advantages compared to conventional posterior fusion procedures in treating degenerative spine disorders. This study aims to evaluate the safety of continuing antiplatelet drug administration in the perioperative time for patients undergoing single- or multiple-level LLIF for degenerative lumbar disorders.MethodsThis is a multicenter retrospective study on the safety and efficacy of continuing acetyl salicylic acid therapy in patients undergoing single- or multiple-level LLIF. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, presence of diabetes mellitus, and relevant comorbidities were considered as independent variables in influencing clinical-radiological and surgical outcomes and complications.ResultsA total of 421 levels were operated on the 332 patients included in the study. The mean introperative blood loss was 42.3 ± 27.4 cc in the CG, and 47.2 ± 31.8 cc in the TG (<i>P</i> = 0.12). The drainage collected volume in the postoperative 24 h was 21.2 ± 13.9 cc in the CG, and 23.6 ± 11.9 cc in the TG (<i>P</i> = 0.11). No significant differences were reported in clinical, neurological, and radiological outcomes between the 2 groups.ConclusionsOur results suggest that acetylsalicylic acid discontinuation in patients undergoing single- or multiple-level XLIF for degenerative spine disorders is not supported, according to similar blood loss and complications' rate between patients discontinuing and those continuing antiplatelet drugs. Further dedicated clinical trials are needed to confirm our results.