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We sought to investigate the effect of preoperative polypharmacy (PP) on the 90-day all-cause readmission rate in older adults undergoing corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity.Older adults with a diagnosis of adult spinal deformity undergoing spinal surgery at a quaternary medical center from January 2016 to March 2019 were enrolled in this study. Patients were dichotomized into 2 groups stratified by the number of preoperative prescription medications, with PP defined as 5 or more prescription medications. The primary outcome measure was 90-day all-cause readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included postoperative changes in health-related quality of life measures.Among 161 patients (mean [standard deviation], 69.59 [8.79] years), 97 patients were included in the PP cohort and 64 in the nonpolypharmacy (non-PP) cohort. Both groups were balanced at baseline. Duration of hospital stay (5.82 [1.93] vs. 6.50 [4.00] days), mean number of fusion levels, and duration of surgery were statistically similar between both groups (P0.05). There was no difference in the proportion of patients discharged directly home (31.25% vs. 40.42%, P = 0.36). The 90-day all-cause readmission rate was 3-fold higher in the PP cohort compared with the non-PP cohort. After adjusting for preoperative patient optimization, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, surgical invasiveness, smoking, depression, and baseline functional disability, older adults with PP had a 9.79 increased odds of 90-day all-cause hospital readmission (P = 0.04). Changes in health-related quality of life measures were similar between both groups.This study's findings indicate that despite preoperative optimization, older adults exposed to polypharmacy are at a significantly increased risk of hospital readmission within 90 days of surgery.

While there are several reports on the impact of smoking tobacco on spinal fusion outcomes, there is minimal literature on the influence of modern smoking cessation therapies on such outcomes. Our study explores the outcomes of single-level lumbar fusion surgery in active smokers and in smokers undergoing recent cessation therapy.MARINER30, an all-payer claims database, was utilized to identify patients undergoing single-level lumbar fusions between 2010 and 2019. The primary outcomes were the rates of any complication, symptomatic pseudarthrosis, need for revision surgery, and all-cause readmission within 30 and 90 days.The exact matched population analyzed in this study contained 31,935 patients undergoing single-level lumbar fusion with 10,645 (33%) in each of the following groups: (1) active smokers; (2) patients on smoking cessation therapy; and (3) those without any smoking history. Patients undergoing smoking cessation therapy have reduced odds of developing any complication following surgery (odds ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.80-0.93) when compared with actively smoking patients. Nonsmokers and patients on cessation therapy had a significantly lower rate of any complication compared with the smoking group (9.5% vs. 17% vs. 19%, respectively).When compared with active smoking, preoperative smoking cessation therapy within 90 days of surgery decreases the likelihood of all-cause postoperative complications. However, there were no between-group differences in the likelihood of pseudarthrosis, revision surgery, or readmission within 90 days.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether presence of an infolded limbus on hip arthrogram at index closed reduction was associated with increased residual dysplasia or secondary surgery.We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent closed reduction for dysplasia of the hip with a minimum 2-year follow-up between 1980 and 2016. Demographic data was obtained including the age at reduction and severity of dislocation based on the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) classification. Arthrograms performed at time of closed reduction were separately reviewed by 3 fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeons to evaluate for an infolded limbus. The primary radiographic outcome was acetabular indices at 2 and 4 years postreduction. We also assessed the presence of avascular necrosis and rate of secondary reconstructive surgery for residual dysplasia.A total of 182 hips in 165 patients underwent closed reduction at a mean age of 9.8±4.5 mo and were followed a mean of 9.0±4.9 y. An infolded limbus was identified in 20.3% (37/182) hips with substantial agreement among the 3 graders (Fleiss κ=0.75). The frequency of labral infolding increased with the severity of dislocation (8.8%% of IHDI II, 26.7% IHDI III, and 25.0% of IHDI IV hips; P=0.03). Hips with infolded limbus were older at reduction (12.4±5.3 vs. 9.2±5.8 mo, P=0.001). The mean acetabular index was higher in hips with infolded limbus than hips without at 2 years postreduction (34.8±4.8 vs. 32.6±5.8 degrees, respectively; P=0.04). However, multivariate analysis revealed that only the severity of dislocation predicted dysplasia at 2 years postreduction. No significant difference in acetabular index was seen at 4 years postreduction (27.2±7.4 vs. 25.4±6.5 degrees, P=0.24). There was no difference in avascular necrosis between groups (P=0.74). There was no difference in rate of secondary surgery between hips with labral infolding and those without (35% vs. 30%, respectively; P=0.52).An infolded limbus was more common in older patients with more severe dislocations. However, it is not associated with increased residual dysplasia or secondary surgery and may have limited utility in decision-making during closed reduction.Level II-prognostic study.

The coprevalence of age-related comorbidities such as cognitive impairment and spinal disorders is increasing. No studies to date have assessed the postoperative spine surgery outcomes of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or severe cognitive impairment (dementia) compared with those without preexisting cognitive impairment.Using all-payer claims database, 235,123 persons undergoing either cervical or lumbar spine procedures between January 2010 and October 2020 were identified. Exact 1:1:1 matching based on baseline patient demographics and comorbidities was used to create a dementia group, MCI group, and control group without MCI/dementia (n = 3636). The primary outcome was the rate of any 30-day major postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included the rates of revision surgery, readmission rates within 30 days, and health care costs within 1 year postoperatively.Compared with the control group, patients with dementia had an 8-fold and 5.4-fold increase in all-cause 30-day complications after undergoing cervical and lumbar spine procedures, respectively. Similarly, patients with MCI had a 3.1-fold and 2.2-fold increase in all-cause 30-day complications, respectively. Patients with either MCI or dementia had increased rates of pneumonia and urinary tract infection after either spine procedure compared with control (P0.01). Odds of revision surgery were increased in the lumbar surgery cohort for dementia (3.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-6.95) and for MCI (2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-5.05).This is the first study to characterize the postoperative complications profile of patients with preexisting dementia or MCI undergoing cervical and lumbar spine surgery. Both dementia and MCI are associated with increased postoperative complications within 30 days.

The purpose of this study is to describe curve characteristics and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing spinal fusion (SF) to treat thoracogenic scoliosis related to sternotomy and/or thoracotomy as a growing child.A retrospective review of electronic medical records of all patients with Post-Chest Incision scoliosis treated with SF was performed at 2 tertiary care pediatric institutions over a 19-year period. Curve characteristics, inpatient, and outpatient postoperative outcomes are reported.Thirty-nine patients (62% female) were identified. Eighteen had sternotomy alone, 14 had thoracotomy alone, and 7 had both. Mean age at the time of first chest wall surgery was 2.5 years (range: 1.0 d to 14.2 y). Eighty-five percent of patients had a main thoracic curve (mean major curve angle 72 degrees, range: 40 to 116 degrees) and 15% had a main lumbar curve (mean major curve angle 76 degrees, range: 59 to 83 degrees). Mean thoracic kyphosis was 40 degrees (range: 4 to 84 degrees). Mean age at the time of SF was 14 years (range: 8.2 to 19.9 y). Thirty-six patients had posterior fusions and 3 had combined anterior/posterior. Mean coronal curve correction measured at the first postoperative encounter was 53% (range: 9% to 78%). There were 5 (13%) neuromonitoring alerts and 2 (5%) patients with transient neurological deficits. Mean length of hospital stay was 9±13 days. At an average follow-up time of 3.1±2.4 years, 17 complications (10 medical and 7 surgical) were noted in 9 patients for an overall complication rate of 23%. There was 1 spinal reoperation in the cohort. 2/17 (12%) complications were Clavien-Dindo-Sink class III and 5/17 (29%) were class IV.Kyphotic thoracic curves predominate in patients with Post-Chest Incision scoliosis undergoing SF. Although good coronal and sagittal plane deformity can be expected after a fusion procedure, postoperative complications are not uncommon in medically complex patients, often necessitating longer postoperative stays.Level III.

Retrospective cohort.Over 44 million adults are estimated to have either osteoporosis or osteopenia. Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is estimated to affect between 32 and 68% of the elderly population.Retrospective investigation comparing rates of postoperative complications following thoracolumbar scoliosis surgery in patients with normal bone mineral density (BMD) to those with osteopenia or osteoporosis in addition to analyzing the effects of pretreatment with anti-osteoporotic medications in patients with low BMD.Using administrative database of Humana beneficiaries, ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes were used to identify ASD patients undergoing multilevel thoracolumbar fusions between 2007 and 2017.The propensity matched population analyzed in this study contained 1044 patients equally represented by those with a history of osteopenia, osteoporosis, or normal BMD. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were associated with increased odds of revision surgery (OR 2.01 95% CI 1.36-2.96 and OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.35), respectively. Similarly, there was an almost twofold increased odds of proximal and distal junctional kyphosis in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.40-2.74 and OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.34-2.64), respectively. A total of 258 (37.1%) patients with osteoporosis were pretreated with anti-osteoporotic medications and there was no statistically significant decrease in odds of proximal or distal junctional kyphosis or revision surgery in these patients.Patients with ASD undergoing multilevel thoracolumbar fusion surgery have significantly higher rates of postoperative pseudarthrosis, proximal and distal junctional kyphosis, and revision surgery rates compared to patients with normal BMD.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion within the healthcare workforce are conducive to providing culturally competent care. However, few existing studies have assessed the level of racial and ethnic diversity among resident physicians and residency applicants. Our objective was to provide a comparative analysis of the trends in racial and ethnic representation within different subspecialties in medicine.Using data from the American Association of Medical Colleges and the Journal of the American Medical Association, we evaluated the racial and ethnic identification of residency applicants and current residents in 9 procedural-focused specialties from 2005 to 2019 and performed a descriptive analysis to compare the different levels of racial and ethnic diversity in these specialties.Among the specialties analyzed during the study period, neurosurgery had the greatest magnitude of differences between Black/African-American residency applicants and current residents. The percentage of Black/African-American applicants was 92% greater than that of Black/African-American residents (10% of applicants vs. 5.2% of residents). In contrast, the percentage of White neurosurgery residents was 17.6% greater than that of White neurosurgery applicants (53.9% of applicants vs. 63.4% of residents). Similar trends were noted in all the specialties evaluated. Obstetrics and gynecology demonstrated the least disparity between Black/African-American applicants and residents (13.7% of applicants vs. 10.2% of residents; 35.4% difference). Hispanic and Asian representation varied widely between specialties.Among the surveyed specialties, neurosurgery demonstrated the greatest disparity between the percentage of Black/African-American residency applicants and current residents. To further drive progress in this domain, we advocate for a series of initiatives designed to increase underrepresented minority participation in neurosurgery practice and scholarship.

Study design Retrospective. Objective To investigate the prevalence of decisional regret among older adults undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity(ASD). Summary of background data Among older adults (> 65 years old), ASD is a leading cause of disability, with a population prevalence of 60-70%. While surgery is beneficial and results in functional improvement, in over 20% of older adults outcomes from surgery are less desirable. Methods Older adults with ASD who underwent spinal surgery at a quaternary medical center from 1/1/2016 to 3/1/2019, were enrolled in this study. Patients were categorized into medium/high or low-decisional regret cohorts based on their responses to the Ottawa decision regret questionnaire. Decisional regret assessments were completed 24 months after surgery. The primary outcome measure was prevalence of decisional regret after surgery. Factors associated with high decisional regret were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 155 patients (mean age, 69.5 years) met the study inclusion criteria. Overall, 80% agreed that having surgery was the right decision for them, and 77% would make the same choice in future. A total of 21% regretted the choice that they made, and 21% responded that surgery caused them harm. Comparing patient cohorts reporting medium/high- versus low-decisional regret, there were no differences in baseline demographics, comorbidities, invasiveness of surgery, LOS, discharge disposition, or extent of functional improvement 12-months after surgery. After adjusting for gender, ASA score, invasiveness of surgery, and presence of a postoperative complication, older adults with pre-operative depression had a 4.0 fold increased odds of high-decisional regret (p = 0.04). Change in HRQOL measures were similar between all groups at 12-months after surgery. Conclusion While the majority of older adults were appropriately counselled and satisfied with their decision, one-in-five older adults regret their decision to undergo surgery. Preoperative depression was associated with medium/high decisional regret on multivariate analysis.Level of Evidence: 4.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective. OBJECTIVE To understand patients' and spine surgeons' perspectives about decision-making around surgery for adult spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Surgery for correction of adult spinal deformity is often beneficial, however, in over 20% of older adults (≥65 years of age), outcomes from surgery are less desirable. METHODS We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 6 patients and 5 spine surgeons. Two investigators independently coded the transcripts using constant comparative method, as well as an integrative, team-based approach to identify themes. RESULTS Patients themes: (1) patients felt surgery was their only choice because they were running out of time to undergo invasive procedures; (2) patients mentally committed to surgery prior to the initial encounter with their surgeon and contextualized the desired benefits while minimizing the potential risks; (3) patients felt that the current decision support tools were ineffective in preparing them for surgery; and (4) patients felt that pain management was the most difficult part of recovery from surgery. Surgeons themes: (1) surgeons varied substantially in their interpretations of shared decision making; (2) surgeons did not consider patients' chronological age as a major contraindication to undergoing surgery; (3) there is a goal mismatch between patients and surgeons in the desired outcomes from surgery, where patients prioritize complete pain relief whereas surgeons prioritize concrete functional improvement; and (4) surgeons felt that patient expectations from surgery were often established prior to their initial surgery visit, and frequently required recalibration. CONCLUSION Older adult patients viewed the decision to have surgery as time-sensitive, whereas spine surgeons expressed the need for recalibrating patient expectations and balancing the risks and benefits when considering surgery. These findings highlight the need for improved understanding of both sides of shared decision making which should involve the needs and priorities of older adults to help convey patient-specific risks and choice awareness.Level of Evidence: 3.

OBJECTIVE Methods of reducing complications in individuals electing to undergo anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) rely upon understanding at-risk patient populations, among other factors. This study aims to investigate the interplay between social determinants of health (SDOH) and postoperative complication rates, length of stay, revision surgery, and rates of postoperative readmission at 30 and 90 days in individuals electing to have single-level ACDF. METHODS Using MARINER30, a database that contains claims information from all payers, patients were identified who underwent single-level ACDF between 2010 and 2019. Identification of patients experiencing disparities in 1 of 6 categories of SDOH was completed using ICD-9 and ICD-10 (International Classifications of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions) codes. The population was propensity matched into 2 cohorts based on comorbidity status: those with SDOH versus those without. RESULTS A total of 10,030 patients were analyzed; there were 5015 (50.0%) in each cohort. The rates of any postoperative complication (12.0% vs 4.6%, p < 0.001); pseudarthrosis (3.4% vs 2.6%, p = 0.017); instrumentation removal (1.8% vs 1.2%, p = 0.033); length of stay (2.54 ± 5.9 days vs 2.08 ± 5.07 days, p < 0.001 [mean ± SD]); and revision surgery (9.7% vs 4.2%, p < 0.001) were higher in the SDOH group compared to patients without SDOH, respectively. Patients with any SDOH had higher odds of perioperative complications (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.43–3.33), pseudarthrosis (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.06–1.68), revision surgery (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.04–2.85), and instrumentation removal (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.04–2.00). CONCLUSIONS In patients who underwent single-level ACDF, there is an association between SDOH and higher complication rates, longer stay, increased need for instrumentation removal, and likelihood of revision surgery.

While several studies explore the impact of smoking tobacco on spinal fusion outcomes, there is a paucity of literature on the influence of modern smoking cessation therapies on such outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).Our study explores the outcomes of single-level ACDF surgery in nonsmokers, active smokers, and smokers undergoing cessation therapy.MARINER30, an all-payer claims database, was utilized to identify patients undergoing single-level ACDF between 2010 and 2019. The primary outcomes were the rates of composite surgical complications, dysphagia, hematoma, symptomatic pseudarthrosis, instrumentation removal, need for revision surgery, and all-cause readmission rates within 30 and 90-days.The matched population consisted of 5769 patients undergoing single-level ACDF with 1923 (33.33%) in each of the following groups: (1) nonsmokers; (2) active smokers; and (3) patients undergoing smoking cessation therapy. Nonsmokers had significantly lower rates of composite surgical complications (3.74% vs 13.05% vs 15.08%), revision surgery (4.06% vs 20.07% vs 22.88%), instrumentation removal (0.83% vs. 2.08% vs. 2.76%), and dysphagia (0.36% vs 0.99% vs 0.62%) when compared to patients in the active smoking and smoking cessation groups, respectively.Patients using smoking cessation therapy were more likely to develop postoperative dysphagia and undergo revision surgery when compared to their actively smoking counterparts. While surgeons routinely recommend smoking cessation prior to surgery, the effects of smoking cessation therapies on surgical outcomes are not well characterized.

OBJECTIVEPatients with osteopenia or osteoporosis who require surgery for symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis may have higher rates of postoperative pseudarthrosis and need for revision surgery than patients with normal bone mineral densities (BMDs). To this end, the authors compared rates of postoperative pseudarthrosis and need for revision surgery following single-level lumbar fusion in patients with normal BMD with those in patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis. The secondary outcome was to investigate the effects of pretreatment with medications that prevent bone loss (e.g., teriparatide, bisphosphonates, and denosumab) on these adverse outcomes in this patient cohort.METHODSPatients undergoing single-level lumbar fusion between 2007 and 2017 were identified. Based on 1:1 propensity matching for baseline demographic characteristics and comorbidities, 3 patient groups were created: osteopenia (n = 1723, 33.3%), osteoporosis (n = 1723, 33.3%), and normal BMD (n = 1723, 33.3%). The rates of postoperative pseudarthrosis and revision surgery were compared between groups.RESULTSThe matched populations analyzed in this study included a total of 5169 patients in 3 groups balanced at baseline, with equal numbers (n = 1723, 33.3%) in each group: patients with a history of osteopenia, those with a history of osteoporosis, and a control group of patients with no history of osteopenia or osteoporosis and with normal BMD. A total of 597 complications were recorded within a 2-year follow-up period, with pseudarthrosis (n = 321, 6.2%) being slightly more common than revision surgery (n = 276, 5.3%). The odds of pseudarthrosis and revision surgery in patients with osteopenia were almost 2-fold (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.26–2.30) and 3-fold (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.89–3.94) higher, respectively, than those in patients in the control group. Similarly, the odds of pseudarthrosis and revision surgery in patients with osteoporosis were almost 2-fold (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.43–2.59) and > 3-fold (OR 3.25, 95% CI 2.27–4.65) higher, respectively, than those in patients in the control group. Pretreatment with medications to prevent bone loss prior to surgery was associated with lower pseudarthrosis and revision surgery rates, although the differences did not reach statistical significance.CONCLUSIONSPostoperative pseudarthrosis and revision surgery rates following single-level lumbar spinal fusion are significantly higher in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis than in patients with normal BMD. Pretreatment with medications to prevent bone loss prior to surgery decreased these complication rates, although the observed differences did not reach statistical significance.