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This retrospective study investigated the long-term incidence and risk of postoperative complications following spinal fusion. This study included 640,366 participants from a National Health Examination cohort in the Republic of Korea. Among them, 11,699 individuals underwent spinal fusion, and 56,667 individuals who underwent non-fusion spinal procedures served as controls. Propensity score matching was used to account for patient characteristics including demographic factors, comorbidities, and other relevant variables. The participants were followed for 8 years to assess the occurrence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hemorrhagic infarction (HA), ischemic infarction (II), occlusion and stenosis, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). The incidence rates of CVD and IHD were found to be 27.58 and 31.45 per 1,000 person-years in the spinal fusion group compared to 18.68 and 25.73 per 1,000 person-years in the control group (p <.001), respectively. Patients who underwent spinal fusion had a higher risk of CVD, HA, and IHD than those in the control group (all p <.001). In the subgroup analysis, thoracolumbar and noncervical spinal fusion were associated with a higher risk of CVD, II, and IHD (all p <.005). Patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion may have an increased association with CVD, II in cerebral arteries, and IHD. This suggests a need for careful consideration of vascular risks in such patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dog-ear and bird-beak deformities are common after transosseous-equivalent repair (suture bridge technique). The natural course of deformities after rotator cuff (RC) repair using the suture bridge technique is unclear. The remodeling potential of these deformities has not been investigated. Purpose: To evaluate remodeling and retear rates associated with deformities after RC repair. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between November 2011 and February 2012, we studied 99 consecutive shoulders. All patients underwent arthroscopic RC repair via the suture bridge technique with or without additional sutures. Two groups were formed: no deformity (n= 46) and deformity (n = 53). Deformity was defined as marginal detachment and protrusion of the RC after repair, involving inappropriate compression of the suture limbs from the anchors. Tendon height was measured from the highest point of the most protruding portion of the cuff to the cortex on semi-coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Change in tendon height was evaluated on MRI scan at 1 week and 6 months postoperatively. Clinical assessment at every patient visit included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant shoulder score, and visual analog scale for pain (pVAS) score. Results: No significant differences were found in age, sex, symptom duration, tear size, and preoperative ASES, Constant, and pVAS scores (P >.05) between the 2 groups. The initial tendon height was 7.4 ± 1.5 mm in the no-deformity group and 9.3 ± 2.0 mm in the deformity group. Follow-up height was 6.3 ± 2.1 mm in the no-deformity group and 6.4 ± 1.6 mm in the deformity group. Mean postoperative tendon heights were 90.1% ± 23.8% of the initial height in the no-deformity group and 73.2% ± 15.1% in the deformity group. Clinical scores (ASES, Constant, and pVAS) were not significantly different between the groups at 6 months. There were 4 shoulders in each group that experienced retearing (types 4 and 5 according to the Sugaya classification) at 6 months postoperatively. There was no difference in retear rate (P >.999). Conclusion: Most deformities after RC repair were remodeled with no effect on retears. Clinical outcomes were not affected by deformities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that assessed the variables affecting the footprint repair coverage in rotator cuff repair. The researchers examined the differences in retear rate and clinical outcomes between complete and incomplete footprint coverage in rotator cuff surgery. A total of 85 repairs for rotator cuff tears were identified from 2007 to 2009 as having complete or incomplete coverage of original footprints. Tear size in the coronal plane was the only factor affecting the coverage.