OUTCOME OF LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY USING SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN NIGERIA: A MULTI - CENTRE REVIEW

Background: Lumbar spine surgery is traditionally performed under general anaesthesia (GA). However, spinal anaesthesia (SA) has emerged as a safe and effective alternative, offering potential benefits in perioperative outcomes, cost, and recovery. This multi-centre study evaluated the outcomes of lumbar spine surgery performed under SA in Nigeria and identified predictors of favourable outcomes. Methods: A retrospective multi‑centre cohort study of 232 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery under SA across four tertiary centers in Nigeria from January 2010 to December 2024 was conductedProcedures included discectomy (n=98), laminectomy (n=89), and fusion (n=45). Outcomes measured included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, length of hospitalization, opioid use, functional independence (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), return to work, sexual satisfaction, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of favourable outcomes.