In a retrospective cohort of 581 elective lumbar-fusion patients, 57.2% ambulated within 24 hours. Early ambulators had 3.9% versus 20.4% complications and median stays of seven versus nine days, but retrospective association does not establish that ambulation caused better outcomes.
Key findings
- ASA I-II was associated with early ambulation (OR 1.60), anesthesia under 200 minutes with OR 2.04 and intravenous parecoxib with OR 3.45. Early ambulators had lower median cost and complications, while 30-day readmission did not differ significantly.
Why this matters globally
Early mobility is central to enhanced recovery worldwide. Provincial-hospital data add real-world evidence and can help identify patients needing more intensive mobilization support.
Thai researcher contribution
Phichit Provincial Hospital collaborated with Chiang Mai University anesthesia, orthopedics and clinical-epidemiology teams, linking service delivery with analysis.
Limitations to consider
Postoperative group assignment invites confounding by indication and reverse causation: complications or complex surgery may delay walking. One center and seven years of evolving practice limit generalizability, and the parecoxib association is not prescribing evidence.
Verify the original sources
Journal of Clinical MedicineRead the original article↗DOI: 10.3390/jcm15135307