Twenty-four month follow-up for reporting results of spinal implant studies: Is this guideline supported by the literature?

摘要

BackgroundTraditionally, spine societies and journals have set guidelines requiring a minimum 24-month follow-up for reporting results of surgical implant studies. However, the basis for this particular time period is not clear. The purpose of this study was to analyze prospective spinal implant studies reporting data at multiple specific follow-up periods to determine if there were significant changes in the clinical outcome throughout the 24-month follow-up period.