2Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye DOI : 10.5137/1019-5157.TND.3363 AIM: Sarcopenia is characterized by the reduction of functional muscle mass and a decrease in physical capacity. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of sarcopenia on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following lumbar canal stenosis surgery.
MATERIAL and METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively by examining demographic, radiological, and clinical data. A total of 85 patients who underwent surgical treatment for LCS between March and December 2024 were included. 5STS test and PMI at the L3 level were used to diagnose sarcopenia. The sample group was divided into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. Perioperative and postoperative (following 3 months) back pain and leg pain were compared using the VAS. Modified Macnab criteria were used to evaluate surgical satisfaction.
RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were considered to have possible sarcopenia. The PMI was below the threshold value, and the confirmed number of sarcopenic patients was 18 (78.3%). The overall prevalence in the sample was 21.1%. The mean PMI in sarcopenic patients was 3.16 cm2/m2 for females and 5.13 cm2/m2 for males. Sarcopenic patients reported higher postoperative back pain VAS scores compared to non-sarcopenic patients, but the difference was not significant. No differences were found in postoperative VAS scores or VAS improvement rates. Surgical satisfaction rates are relatively lower in the sarcopenia group. However, it is not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The presence of sarcopenia does not significantly affect the clinical outcomes of lumbar surgery. Surgical satisfaction is lower in sarcopenic patients. It is not a contraindication for surgical treatment, but rather requires careful management of these patients.
Anahtar Kelimeler : Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Psoas Muscle Index, Sarcopenia