Surgical Outcomes data (Surgical Results):
This section provides information regarding the results or clinical outcomes following surgery for a number of spinal conditions/diagnoses and common spinal operations.
The information provided is sourced from self-reported questionnaires, kindly completed by patients who have undergone surgery by Dr Sears. Questionnaires are completed pre-operatively and at 3-months, 6-months, 12-months, 2-years, 3-years and up to 10-years post surgery.
Dr Sears began recording his patients' surgical data and clinical outcomes in 1993. Initially, the database only recorded surgical data and clinical outcomes for lumbar spinal fusions (using the PLIF technique). The early database recorded clinical assessments made by Dr Sears himself until September 2000 when, in line with evolving international standards, the method of outcome assessment was changed to that of patient self-reporting: using PROMs or Patient-Reported Outcome Measures. Since September 2000, all clinical outcomes have been measured by administering (via mail) internationally standard questionnaires that provide 'illness specific' (Oswestry) and 'health-related quality-of-life' (SF-36) data, as well as recording patients' pain levels and overall satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the efficacy of their surgery.
In November 2007, Dr Sears expanded the record of self-reported surgical results to include all his spinal operations.
Since September 2000, pre-operative quality-of-life questionnaires have been completed by 3699 patients. Of the 3523 patients who completed pre-op questionnaires and underwent surgery at least 12-months ago, post-operative (follow-up) questionnaires have now been completed by 3187 patients (90.5%).
'Last follow-up' patient questionnaires have been completed at an average 38.9 months following surgery (median 27.8 months, range: 1.1 - 208.5 months). 12-month+ follow-up data is available for 77.4% of patients. (Follow-up statistics updated: July 8th, 2022)
Dr Sears employs a research assistant to manage the database and to administer, score and collate the patient questionnaires.
Information in this section is provided regarding:
- the number of patients who have undergone each procedure, by Dr Sears.
- the average length of patient follow-up.
- the percentage of operated patients who have provided outcome data by completing questionnaires.
- the patients' average age and range of ages
Outcome data reported includes:
- Pain scores - Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in which patients are asked to rate their recent pain (average/best/worst) on a scale from 0/10 (no pain) to 10/10 (worst possible pain). Scores are given for neck or back pain and for arm or leg pain.
- Oswestry Disability Index (Neck - NDI or low back - ODI)
The Oswestry Disability Index is a measure of disability that is specific to patients suffering from a spinal disorder - either low back or neck. It is derived from responses to a written questionnaire and provides a measure or estimate of a patient's spinal disability - low back or neck.
- SF-36 (PCS and MCS).
The Short Form - 36 questionnaire uses the responses to 36 questions to provide a measure or estimate of a patient's health-related quality-of-life. It may be used for measuring quality of life following any illness or surgery and is not specific to patients suffering from spinal disorders. SF-36 scores may be expressed in terms of a physical component summary score (PCS) or a mental component summary score (MCS).
- Overall patient satisfaction:
"How would you rate the success of your surgery?" - Excellent, Good, Fair, Unchanged or Worse.
"Was your surgery worthwhile?" - Yes, No or Uncertain
"Under similar circumstances would you undergo the surgery again?" - Yes, No or Uncertain
Of
The information provided is sourced from self-reported questionnaires, kindly completed by patients who have undergone surgery by Dr Sears. Questionnaires are completed pre-operatively and at 3-months, 6-months, 12-months, 2-years, 3-years and up to 10-years post surgery.
Dr Sears began recording his patients' surgical data and clinical outcomes in 1993. Initially, the database only recorded surgical data and clinical outcomes for lumbar spinal fusions (using the PLIF technique). The early database recorded clinical assessments made by Dr Sears himself until September 2000 when, in line with evolving international standards, the method of outcome assessment was changed to that of patient self-reporting: using PROMs or Patient-Reported Outcome Measures. Since September 2000, all clinical outcomes have been measured by administering (via mail) internationally standard questionnaires that provide 'illness specific' (Oswestry) and 'health-related quality-of-life' (SF-36) data, as well as recording patients' pain levels and overall satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the efficacy of their surgery.
In November 2007, Dr Sears expanded the record of self-reported surgical results to include all his spinal operations.
Since September 2000, pre-operative quality-of-life questionnaires have been completed by 3699 patients. Of the 3523 patients who completed pre-op questionnaires and underwent surgery at least 12-months ago, post-operative (follow-up) questionnaires have now been completed by 3187 patients (90.5%).
'Last follow-up' patient questionnaires have been completed at an average 38.9 months following surgery (median 27.8 months, range: 1.1 - 208.5 months). 12-month+ follow-up data is available for 77.4% of patients. (Follow-up statistics updated: July 8th, 2022)
Dr Sears employs a research assistant to manage the database and to administer, score and collate the patient questionnaires.
Information in this section is provided regarding:
- the number of patients who have undergone each procedure, by Dr Sears.
- the average length of patient follow-up.
- the percentage of operated patients who have provided outcome data by completing questionnaires.
- the patients' average age and range of ages
Outcome data reported includes:
- Pain scores - Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in which patients are asked to rate their recent pain (average/best/worst) on a scale from 0/10 (no pain) to 10/10 (worst possible pain). Scores are given for neck or back pain and for arm or leg pain.
- Oswestry Disability Index (Neck - NDI or low back - ODI)
The Oswestry Disability Index is a measure of disability that is specific to patients suffering from a spinal disorder - either low back or neck. It is derived from responses to a written questionnaire and provides a measure or estimate of a patient's spinal disability - low back or neck.
- SF-36 (PCS and MCS).
The Short Form - 36 questionnaire uses the responses to 36 questions to provide a measure or estimate of a patient's health-related quality-of-life. It may be used for measuring quality of life following any illness or surgery and is not specific to patients suffering from spinal disorders. SF-36 scores may be expressed in terms of a physical component summary score (PCS) or a mental component summary score (MCS).
- Overall patient satisfaction:
"How would you rate the success of your surgery?" - Excellent, Good, Fair, Unchanged or Worse.
"Was your surgery worthwhile?" - Yes, No or Uncertain
"Under similar circumstances would you undergo the surgery again?" - Yes, No or Uncertain
Of