Study Finds Poorer Lumbar-Fusion Outcomes for Obese Patients

Obese patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery had slightly poorer outcomes one year after surgery than patients of a normal weight, according to a new study in the journal Spine. The researchers, from the Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, asked patients at two hospitals who were having the surgery if they’d like to be part of the study. The study began in 2008 and concluded last year. Of the 805 patients who agreed to participate, 204 were classified as normal weight, 365 as overweight and 236 as obese, based on their body-mass index. Pre-operati...