Reevaluating age restrictions of spinal metastasis surgery in elderly groups with over 2‑year follow‑up

This study investigates surgical outcomes for elderly patients with spinal metastasis focusing on those aged 65-79 and those 80+. It seeks to understand if age should limit surgical intervention. The study looks at patient data over a 16-year period, considering factors like age, comorbidities, and surgical outcomes to evaluate the benefits and risks of laminectomy in older patients. The findings suggest that age alone should not prevent necessary spine surgery, as surgery can improve functionality, though older patients may experience reduced survival times.

• 1
  Octogenarians had significantly higher age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores compared to the 65–79 age group, indicating a greater burden of comorbidities.
• 2
  The older group demonstrated more pronounced neurological and functional decline, evidenced by lower Karnofsky Performance Index (KPI) scores.
• 3
  Despite shorter decompression duration, the older group had more spinal levels needing decompression and experienced greater blood loss during surgery.