Diabetes and Outcomes of Degenerative Lumbar Spine Surgery

Conclusion

Diagnosis of DM confers significant perioperative morbidity and increased risk of mortality in patients undergoing degenerative lumbar spine surgery, and this is particularly notable in patients with uncontrolled DM. Uncontrolled patients with DM scheduled for elective lumbar spine surgery will benefit from improved glycemic control. Overall, patients with superior glucose control as represented by patients with controlled or no DM, are likely to achieve better outcomes when undergoing degenerative lumbar surgery compared with patients with uncontrolled DM.