Reoperation rate and risk factors of reoperation for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Revision surgery for OPLL is undesirable for both patients and physicians. However, the risk factors for reoperation are not clear. Thus, we sought to review the existing literature and determine the factors associated with higher reoperation rates in patients with OPLL. A search was performed using Pubmed, Embase, Web of Sciences, and Ovid to include studies regarding the risk factors of reoperation for OPLL. RoBANS (Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Nonrandomized Studies) was used for risk of bias analysis. Heterogeneity of studies and publication bias was assessed, and sensitivity analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with a p-value < 0.05 using SPSS software (version 23). Twenty studies with 129 reoperated and 2,793 non-reoperated patients were included. The pooled reoperation rate was 5% (95% CI: 4% to 7). The most common cause of reoperation was residual OPLL or OPLL progression (n = 51, 39.53%). An increased risk of additional surgery was found with pre-operative cervical or thoracic angle (Standardized mean difference = -0.44; 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.19; p = 0.0061), post-operative CSF leak (Odds ratio, OR = 4.97; 95% CI: 2.48 to 9.96; p = 0.0005), and graft and/or hardware failure (OR = 192.09; 95% CI: 6.68 to 5521.69; p = 0.0101). Apart from the factors identified in our study, the association of other variables with the risk of second surgery could not be ruled out, owing to the complexity of the relationship and significant bias in the current literature.