Introduction: The indication and use of lumbar spinal fusion surgery for degenerative conditions is being debated.
Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe recent trends in lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative conditions in Denmark.
Material and methods: A cohort study using a sample from the Danish National Patient Registry was used.
Results: In 2005 and 2006, 2,064 and 891 lumbar fusions were performed in 14 public and 6 private hospitals. The annual activity increased from 993 to 1,118 procedures at public hospitals and from 393 to 510 procedures at private hospitals. Lumbar disc arthroplasty was performed in 196 cases, anterior fusion in 162 case, posterior fusion in 2,309 cases, while combined anterior and posterior fusion were performed in 347 cases. The indications for surgery were based on the diagnosis spondylosis in 245 cases, spinal stenosis in 1,174 cases, discuss degeneration in 947 cases, degenerative spondylolisthesis in 600 cases and non-specific lumbar pain in 45 cases. Posterior fusion was performed in 74.3% and 81.9% in public and private hospitals, respectively. Combined anterior and posterior fusion was performed in 12.1% and 10.1% in public and private hospitals, respectively.
Conclusion: Lumbar fusion rates for degenerative conditions increased from 2005 to 2006 with variation in operative procedures in relation to diagnoses. We propose to monitor data in a database to improve registration of various fusion techniques for various indications and to support further research.