Development of predictive algorithms for length of stay greater than one day after one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Abstract Strategies for improving value-based healthcare in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) include a shift towards outpatient procedures. The primary outcomes was prolonged length of stay defined as length of stay greater than one day. Overall, 2917 patients underwent ACDF, of which 35.2% (n = 1027) had length of stay greater than one day. The variables used for prediction of prolonged LOS were age, sex, marital status, private insurance, myelopathy, patient-reported drug allergies, presence of at least one medical comorbidity, preoperative medications, and preoperative laboratory values. These models may be helpful for triaging the patients most likely to benefit from outpatient ACDF.