Search

STUDY DESIGN Single institution retrospective clinical review. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between levels fused and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing open and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) lumbar fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Minimally invasive spinal fusion aims to reduce the morbidity associated with conventional open surgery. As multilevel arthrodesis procedures are increasingly performed using MIS techniques, it is necessary to weigh the risks and benefits of multilevel MIS lumbar fusion as a function of fusion length. METHODS Patients undergoing

The AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) has requested the correction of the result Tables 1–3 of this study: All stated numbers below 10 shall be modified to read “

Study Design.Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.Objective.To assess the clinical impact and economic burden of the three most common hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) that occur within 30-day postoperatively for all spine surgeries and to compare these rates with other common sur

Introduction This study assessed the incidence and risk factors for pseudarthrosis among primary spine fusion patients. Methods Retrospective review of ACS-NSQIP (2005–2013). Differences in comorbidities between spine fusion patients with and without pseudarthrosis (Pseud, N-Pseud) were assessed using chi-squared tests and Independent Samples t-tests. Binary logistic regression assessed patient-related and procedure-related predictors for pseudarthrosis. Results 52,402 patients (57yrs, 53%F, 0.4% w/pseudarthrosis). Alcohol consumption (OR:2.6[1.2–5.7]) and prior history of surgical revision (OR:1.6[1.4–1.8]) were risk factors for pseudarthrosis operation. Pseud patients at higher risk for deep incisional SSI (at 30-days:OR:6.6[2.0–21.8]). Pseud patients had more perioperative complications (avg:0.24 ± 0.43v0.18 ± 0.39,p=0.026). Conclusions Alcoholism and surgical revision are major risk factors for pseudarthrosis in patients undergoing spine fusion.

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.To assess the clinical impact and economic burden of the three most common hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) that occur within 30-day postoperatively for all spine surgeries and to compare these rates with other common surgical procedures.HACs are part of a non-payment policy by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and thus prompt hospitals to improve patient outcomes and safety.Patients more than 18 years who underwent elective spine surgery were identified in American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2005 to 2013. Primary outcomes were cost associated with the occurrence of three most common HACs. Cost associated with HAC occurrence derived from the PearlDiver database.Ninety thousand five hundred fifty one elective spine surgery patients were identified, where 3021 (3.3%) developed at least one HAC. Surgical site infection (SSI) was the most common HAC (1.4%), then urinary tract infection (UTI) (1.3%) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) (0.8%). Length of stay (LOS) was longer for patients who experienced a HAC (5.1 vs. 3.2 d, P 0.001). When adjusted for age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, LOS was 1.48 ± 0.04 days longer (P 0.001) and payments were $8893 ± $148 greater (P 0.001) for patients with at least one HAC. With the exception of craniotomy, patients undergoing common procedures with HAC had increased LOS and higher payments (P 0.001). Adjusted additional LOS was 0.44 ± 0.02 and 0.38 ± 0.03 days for total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty, and payments were $1974 and $1882 greater. HACs following hip fracture repair were associated with 1.30 ± 0.11 days LOS and $4842 in payments (P 0.001). Compared with elective spine surgery, only bariatric and cardiothoracic surgery demonstrated greater adjusted additional payments for patients with at least one HAC ($9975 and $10,868, respectively).HACs in elective spine surgery are associated with a substantial cost burden to the health care system. When adjusted for demographic factors and comorbidities, average LOS is 1.48 days longer and episode payments are $8893 greater for patients who experience at least one HAC compared with those who do not.3.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is an increasingly common treatment for morbid obesity that has the potential to effect bone and mineral metabolism. The effect of prior BS on spine surgery outcomes has not been well established. The aim of this study was to assess differences in complication rates following spinal surgery for patients with and without a history of BS. Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected New York State Inpatient Database (NYSID) years 2004–2013. BS patients and morbidly obese patients (non-BS) were divided into cervical and thoracolumbar surgical groups and propensity score matched for age, gender, and invasiveness and complications compared. One thousand nine hundred thirty-nine spine surgery patients with a history of BS were compared to 1625 non-BS spine surgery patients. The average time from bariatric surgery to spine surgery is 2.95 years. After propensity score matching, 740 BS patients were compared to 740 non-BS patients undergoing thoracolumbar surgery, with similar comorbidity rates. The overall complication rate for BS thoracolumbar patients was lower than non-BS (45.8% vs 58.1%, P

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Common indications for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) include foraminal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. Although minimally invasive surgical techniques (MIS) for TLIF have been shown to provide adequate postoperative sagittal alignment, it is unclear whether these procedures result in adequate reduction of canal compressive forces. PURPOSE Assess baseline to postoperative changes in cross-sectional canal area in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective clinical review of a prospective surgeon-maintained MIS database. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 16 patients undergoing MIS TLIF. OUTCOME MEASURES Spinal canal cross-sectional area, stenotic levels. METHODS Consecutive patients >18years undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via minimally invasive surgical technique were included. Patients with preoperative lumbar MRIs and postoperative lumbar MRI or CT scans were assessed for spinal canal cross sectional area at operative interspace levels. Stenotic levels were defined as canal cross sectional area RESULTS Overall, 16 patients met inclusion criteria and underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Mean patient age was 54.3±12.1years, 63% of patients were female, and mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 0.86±1.10. Patients presented with three primary diagnoses: herniated nucleus pulposis (36.8%), stenosis (42.1%) and spondylosis (21.1%). On average, patients underwent fusions spanning 1.69±1.13 levels, and 37.5% of patients underwent multilevel fusion. 93.7% of cases involved laminotomy, 31.3% laminectomy, 81.3% foraminotomy. Mean operative time was 349 minutes and blood loss was 389±486 ccs. From baseline to postoperative intervals, 87.5% of patients showed an increase in mean operative interspace canal cross sectional area, with the overall cohort showing significant improvement in canal cross sectional area (207.6 mm2 to 301.6 mm2, p CONCLUSIONS Following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, patients showed a significant increase in spinal canal cross sectional area. This increase in canal cross sectional area corresponded with an overall decrease in the rate of lumbar stenosis, suggesting MIS TLIF procedures have the potential to provide adequate relief of spinal canal compressive forces.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Recent studies show similar clinical outcomes between primary and revision lumbar interbody fusion procedures performed using conventional open techniques. As an increasing number of lumbar fusions are performed using minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques, it is important to assess the corresponding complication risks between primary and revision lumbar interbody fusion procedures. PURPOSE Assess differences in perioperative outcomes between primary and revision MIS lumbar interbody fusion patients, and compare to those of patients undergoing corresponding procedures utilizing an open technique. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective chart review at single academic institution. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 154 lumbar interbody fusion patients (77 primary, 77 revision; 44 MIS, 110 open). OUTCOME MEASURES Perioperative complications, length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL) METHODS Patients >18 years undergoing primary and revision lumbar interbody fusion were propensity score matched (PSM) for comorbidities and levels fused. Cases were grouped by surgical technique: MIS or open. demographics, charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores, surgical factors, and perioperative complications incidences were compared between primary and revision cases using means comparison tests, as appropriate. Significance was set to p RESULTS Included: 154 lumbar interbody fusion patients (62±12 year, 62%F, 29±6 kg/m2). Fourty-four (29%) cases were MIS, and 110 (71%) were open. Proportion of revision cases within the MIS and open groups were 40.9% and 53.6%, respectively. Within both MIS and open groups, there were no differences between primary and revision cases in age, sex, BMI, CCI, or levels fused (all p>.05). For both MIS and open patients, there were no differences between primary and revision cases in surgical approach, rates of laminectomy, or number of interbodies (all p>.05). For both MIS and open techniques, primary and revision patients did not differ in EBL, op time, LOS, or ICU LOS (all p>.05). Similarly, within both MIS and open groups, there were no differences between primary and revision surgeries in overall rates of postop complications, including cardiac, pulmonary, urinary, infection, and anemia complications (all p>.05). Primary MIS cases had higher rates of intraoperative complications as compared to revision cases (19% vs. 0.0%, p=.048), unlike open procedures, in which primary cases had lower intraoperative complication rates (0% vs. 7%, p=.058). Whereas MIS and open groups did not differ in operative time of primary surgery (279 minutes vs. 280, p=.976), MIS revision procedures were shorter than open (244 minutes vs. 296, p=.024). For both primary and revision procedures, there were no differences between MIS and open groups in overall rates of postoperative complications(all p>.05); however, primary MIS cases had higher intraoperative complication rates than primary open cases (19% vs. 0%, p=.001). CONCLUSIONS Clinical outcomes of revision MIS lumbar interbody fusion were similar to those of primary surgery, with no differences in operative time, inpatient length of stay, blood loss, or rates of postoperative complications. Despite higher intraoperative complication rates for primary MIS fusions, postoperative clinical outcomes were similar between MIS and open groups for both primary and revision procedures. These results point to revision MIS lumbar interbody fusion as a comparable alternative to similar fusions preformed using conventional open techniques. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Recent research has identified increased C2-T3 angle as a risk factor for persistent sagittal malalignment following thoracolumbar surgery. Despite this, no ideal cervicothoracic alignment thresholds exist in the literature. As several studies have demonstrated a clear relationship between the normal aging spine and sagittal spinal alignment, such ideal-alignment thresholds should also account for patient age. PURPOSE This study proposes age-specific cervicothoracic alignment targets using previously published age-specific normative Neck Disability Index (NDI) values. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Single center retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 223 patients with available biplanar full-body stereographic x-rays. OUTCOME MEASURES C2-T3 lordosis; Neck Disability Index score. METHODS Patients >18 years with cervical sagittal vertical axis RESULTS Overall, 223 patients (50±20years, 65% F) met inclusion criteria, presenting with a mean sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of 17.8±47.7 mm, cervical SVA 19.8±11.2 mm, T1 Slope-C2-C7 lordosis 24.7°±16.2°, and C2-T3 of 2.1°±16.5°. At baseline, increased C2-T3 angle was significantly correlated with both NDI score (r=0.266, p 75 years: 27.8. Liner regression analysis showed a significant relationship between NDI score, age, and baseline cervicothoracic alignment, as assessed by C2-T3 angle (r=0.497, p 75 years: 6.7°. CONCLUSIONS Significant relationships exist between age, neck disability, and cervicothoracic alignment, suggesting broad measurements across the cervicothoracic junction may be clinically relevant in predicting postoperative outcomes of surgical spine deformity patients. Taking into account patient age and USA-normative values of neck disability, this study offers a set of ideal age-adjusted alignment targets for C2-T3. By proposing a set of normative, age-specific cervicothoracic alignment targets, this study better facilitates individual optimization of surgical planning.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT A T1 Slope minus cervical lordosis (TS-CL) angle of 20° has been described in the literature as a significant cutoff to define cervical deformity, however recent studies suggest that this cutoff needs to be redefined. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to develop a novel TS-CL threshold indicative of moderate to severe cervical disability. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Single-center retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 69 cervical patients indicated for surgical treatment were included. OUTCOME MEASURES T1 slope minus cervical lordosis, neck disability index (NDI). METHODS Patients age 18years old with a primary cervical diagnosis indicated for surgical treatment were included. Patients with active infection, tumors or trauma were excluded. We tested possible cutoffs for TS-CL against the percentage of individuals meeting normative, mild, moderate (>25) and severe (>35) NDI scores at baseline. The TS-CL cutoff with the highest sensitivity to predict a normative, mild, moderate (>25) and severe (>35) NDI score was selected. RESULTS A total of 69 cervical patients indicated for surgical treatment were included (mean age 55.4±9.9years, 45% female, mean BMI 29.1±6.6 kg/m2). The average baseline NDI score was 39.9±20.9 for this cohort. At baseline, average TS-CL was 27.3°±18.8°, CL was 1.7°±17.6°, cSVA was 28.3 mm±17.3 mm. Spino-pelvic alignment parameters at baseline were as follows: PT 16.1°±8.3°, PI-LL −2.8°±11.9°, TK 38.8°±12.7° and SVA −6.3 mm±51.8 mm. Using previously established TS-CL severity breakdowns, 13 (18.8%) patients had mild TS-CL ( 20°). Using this cutoff of 20° as severe TS-CL, it did not correlate with NDI score (P=.390). After testing possible cutoffs of TS-CL that relate to moderate to severe NDI scores, a novel cutoff of 30.65° for TS-CL was related to an NDI score of ³25 points. CONCLUSIONS In a cohort of cervical surgery patients, a novel cutoff of 30.65°for TS-CL was predictive of moderate to severe neck disability, as described as an NDI score greater than or equal to 25 points. This criterion can be applied to cervical spine patients to better assess cervical disability.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Current preoperative planning for surgical adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients takes into account patient age when establishing postoperative alignment targets for sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt (PT) and spino-pelvic-mismatch (PI-LL). Patient height and pelvic incidence (PI), however, have yet to be evaluated for their individual effects on achieving age-adjusted alignment targets. PURPOSE This study assesses the individual effects of patient height and PI on age-adjusted alignment outcomes of surgical ASD patients. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Single center retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 205 operative ASD patients. OUTCOME MEASURES Postoperative alignment parameters (PT, SVA, PI-LL, and SS); health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores. METHODS Surgical ASD patients >18 years with full-body stereographic x-ray imaging at baseline (BL) and early postoperative follow-up ( 75th) for both BL height and PI. Correction groups were generated at postoperative follow-up for actual alignment compared to age-adjusted ideal values for PT, PI-LL, and SVA, and PI-adjusted ideal alignment values for SS, as derived from clinically relevant formulas. Chi-squared tests assessed differences in rates of matching age-adjusted alignment ideal (±10years threshold for age-adjusted targets; −7° to 5° measured minus ideal for SS target) across height and PI groups. Subanalysis of patients matching age-adjusted alignment ideal used ANOVA to compare clinical outcomes across height and PI groups. RESULTS Included: 205 ASD patients (59±16 year, 64% F, 27±6 kg/m2). Following surgery, patients showed significant improvement in PT, PI-LL and SVA (all p .05). Height groups also did not differ in age or BMI (all p>.05), although female patients comprised a greater proportion of the low (96% F vs. 4% M) and normative (75% F vs. 25% M) height groups (p 0.05). Although there were no differences across PI groups in rates of achieving ideal alignment for PI-LL, SVA or SS (all p>.05), patients with high PI reached age-adjusted ideal alignment for PT at a significantly lower rate (15%) than patients with normative (36%) or low PI (33%, p=.031). Of the 58% of patients that matched any adjusted alignment target in early follow-up, there were no significant differences in postoperative HRQL outcomes across patient height or PI groups (all p>.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with high pelvic incidence reached ideal postoperative age-adjusted PT alignment at a significantly lower rate than patients with normative and low pelvic incidence. In contrast, patient height had no impact on postoperative age-adjusted alignment outcomes. These results suggest that current postoperative ideal alignment targets may warrant adjustment to account for the morphological factor of pelvic incidence.