Reassessing the Role of Routine Radiographs After Spinal Fusion Surgery

NCT07200557 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: S68783
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 978
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Routine radiographs are commonly obtained after spinal fusion surgery to monitor postoperative evolution and detect complications. However, the actual contribution of these radiographs to clinical decision-making remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study evaluates the frequency and clinical impact of routine postoperative radiographs in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery at University Hospitals Leuven.

Conditions

Radiography; Spinal Fusion

Keywords

Routine radiographs; Spinal fusion; Clinical utility; Spinal fusion surgery; Radiographs

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Proportion of radiographs that led to further diagnostic tests or therapeutic interventions within 12 months post-surgery

  Percentage of follow-up visits with routine radiographs in which the radiograph resulted in further diagnostic testing (e.g., CT, MRI) or a therapeutic intervention (e.g., medication change, reoperation).

  Within 12 months after spinal fusion surgery

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Proportion of abnormal versus normal radiographs

  Within 12 months after spinal fusion surgery

• Correlation between clinical course and management decisions

  Within 12 months after spinal fusion surgery

• Correlation of demographic factors with radiographic utility

  Within 12 months after spinal fusion surgery

• Correlation of surgical factors with radiographic utility

  Within 12 months after spinal fusion surgery

Study Arms (1)

Patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery (2011-2021) at University Hospitals Leuven

Retrospective cohort of adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent spinal fusion surgery for degenerative spinal conditions at University Hospitals Leuven between 2011 and 2021. Patients were followed for at least 12 months after surgery, with data collected from postoperative follow-up visits, including clinical course, radiographic findings, and subsequent management decisions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery (2011-2021) for degenerative conditions at University Hospitals Leuven

You may qualify if:

• Patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery at UZ Leuven, including the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine for a degenerative condition
• Adults of 18 years and older
• Follow up at least 3 months after surgery

You may not qualify if:

• Non-degenerative (kypho) scoliosis
• Indications other than degenerative conditions and (adult) isthmic spondylolisthesis (e.g. tumor, septic arthritis, trauma,…)
• Chronic neuromuscular disease

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven: lead

Study Sites (1)

UZ Leuven

Leuven, Belgium

Location

Study Officials

• Sofie Rummens, MD, PhD

  UZ Leuven

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 10, 2025
• First Posted: October 1, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 31, 2025
• Study Completion: August 31, 2025
• Last Updated: October 1, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)