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To radiographically compare lateral entry point S2-alar-iliac (L-S2AI) screw with conventional S2AI (C-S2AI) and conventional iliac screw (CIS) lengths and trajectories.Twenty-five preoperative CT scans of consecutive patients undergoing adult spinal deformity realignment surgery over a random 2-year period were analysed. Maximum in-bone length, caudal and lateral trajectories of CIS, C-S2AI, and L-S2AI screws were measured and compared using One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc tests. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of high screw length discrepancy between C-S2AI and L-S2AI.Potential screw length was longest for CIS, followed by L-S2AI, then C-S2AI (114.5 ± 8.3 mm vs 101.4 ± 9.6 mm vs 80.6 ± 5.9 mm, respectively) in all patients (p 0.001). Actual screw lengths found both CIS and L-S2AI to be longer than C-S2AI (95.3 ± 8.5 mm and 93.4 ± 7.5 mm vs 82.1 ± 7.3 mm; p = 0.008 and 0.003). Potential lateral angulation was smallest for CIS, followed by L-S2AI, then C-S2AI (21.9 ± 7.0° vs 31.9 ± 7.1° vs 40.9 ± 6.7°, respectively) in all patients (p 0.001). L-S2AI and C-S2AI had the same caudal angulation (24.9 ± 6.8°), which was smaller than CIS (30.8 ± 5.8°) in all patients (p 0.001). Univariate, but not multivariate analysis, revealed that lumbar lordosis 40° (OR 7.2, p = 0.041), diagnosis of degenerative spondylolisthesis (OR 10.5, p = 0.017), and 7 instrumented levels (OR 2.6, p = 0.049) were significantly associated with high screw discrepancies.The L-S2AI screw combines advantages of CIS and C-S2AI screws, which includes increased screw length, reduced lateral angulation, a low-profile screw head, ease of connection to proximal hardware, and the biomechanical advantage of a quadcortical purchase.

Objectives Pars repair is less explored in adults due to associated disc degeneration with advancing age. The aim of our systematic review was to define optimal characteristics of adults with spondylolysis/grade-I spondylolisthesis suitable for pars repair and evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of standard repair techniques in these adults. Methods This systematic review is reported in line with PRISMA-P and protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020189208). Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science in June 2020 using systematic search strategy. Studies involving adults aged ≥18-years with spondylolysis/grade-1 isthmic spondylolisthesis treated with standard pars repair techniques were considered eligible. A two-staged (titles/abstracts and full-text) screening was conducted independently by three authors followed by quality assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for selection of final articles for narrative synthesis. Results A total of 5,813-articles were retrieved using systematic search strategy. First screening followed by removal of duplicates resulted in 111-articles. Second (full-text) screening resulted in exclusion of 64-articles. A final 47-articles were considered for data extraction after quality assessment. A total of 590-adults were enrolled across 47-studies; 93% were ‘young adults’ (18–35 years); 82% were males. Persistent low back pain was the common presenting complaint. Lysis defect was primarily bilateral (96.4%) and L5 was the most involved level (68.5%). Majority had no disc degeneration (83.5%) and had spondylolysis as the primary diagnosis (86%); only 14% had grade-I spondylolisthesis. Pars infiltration test was conducted in 22-studies and discography in 8-studies. Duration of prior conservative therapy was 3 to 72-months. Buck's repair was the commonest technique (27-studies, 372-adults). Successful repair was reported in 86% of patients treated with Buck's and ≥90% treated with Scott's, Morscher's and pedicle-screw-based techniques. Improvement in pain/functional outcomes, union rate and rate-of-return to sports/activity was high and comparable across all techniques. Intraoperative blood loss was low with minimally invasive versus traditional repair. The overall complication rate was 11.9%, with implant failure being the major complication. Conclusions Our systematic review establishes a definite place for lysis repair in carefully selected adults with spondylolysis/grade-I spondylolisthesis. We propose a treatment algorithm for optimizing patient selection and outcomes. We conclude that adults with age 18 to 45 years, no/mild disc or facet degenerative changes, positive diagnostic infiltration test, and normal preoperative discography will have successful outcomes with pars repair, regardless of the technique.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a progressive, debilitating disease most commonly affecting the cervical spine. When compared to other degenerative pathologies, OPLL procedures carry a significantly higher risk of complications owing to increased case complexity and technical difficulties. Most previous studies have focused on functional outcomes and few have reported on risk factors for postoperative complications in OPLL patients.To identify clinical and radiological risk factors of surgical complications following treatment for cervical OPLL STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review PATIENT SAMPLE: One hundred thirty-one patients with cervical myelopathy secondary to OPLL who underwent surgical decompression with complete 2-year follow-up.Surgical and medical postoperative complications were analyzed. Revision surgery rates and mortality rates were recorded.Clinical, surgical, and radiological characteristics were collected for each patient. Complications within 30 days were identified. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify risk factors for surgical complications.There were 39 (29.8%) surgical complications in the cohort, which included C5 palsy (7.6%), dural tear (3.1%), surgical site infection (3.1%), and epidural hematoma (1.5%). 2-year revision and mortality rates were 4.6% and 2.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that blood loss ≥750mL (OR 3.42, p=0.028), operative duration ≥5.5 hours (OR 3.16, p=0.008), hill-type OPLL (OR 3.08, p=0.011), K-line (-) OPLL (OR 5.39, p0.001), and presence of a double-layer sign (OR 3.79, p=0.002) were significant risk factors. In multivariate analysis, only hill-type OPLL (OR 2.61, p=0.048) and K-line (-) OPLL (OR 2.98, p=0.031) were found to be significant. Patients with both hill-type and K-line (-) OPLL had a 3.5 times risk of developing surgical complications (p=0.009).Patients with OPLL have a higher risk of perioperative surgical complications if they had a hill-shaped OPLL and K-line (-) OPLL on preoperative imaging studies. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to link hill-type and K-line (-) OPLL morphology as risk factors for perioperative surgical complications.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of patients who underwent multilevel posterior cervical interfacet distraction and fusion (PCIDF) using cages for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). OBJECTIVE To determine clinical and radiographic outcomes following multilevel PCIDF. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has long been the standard of treatment for CSR. Advancements in surgery have employed minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopic discectomy, foraminotomy, and PCIDF. Studies on single-level PCIDF have reported good clinical outcomes, short hospital stays, and rare complications, but its application in multilevel disease is still evolving. METHODS Patients with CSR and confirmed radiologic evidence of multilevel foraminal stenosis without central canal stenosis were reviewed. Two-year outcomes of multilevel PCIDF included Neck Disability Index, neck and arm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), radiographic cervical alignment parameters, evidence of fusion, and incidence of adjacent segment degeneration were compared at different time points. RESULTS Thirty patients (mean age 54.6 ± 8.3) were included in the study with an average of 3.4 ± 0.8 levels treated. Mean surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss was 143.2 ± 69.7 minutes and 27.7 ± 28.7 mL, respectively, with an average length of stay at 1.8 ± 1.5 days. Neck Disability Index, VAS-neck, and VAS-arm all significantly improved at 2 weeks (P

Instrumentation during metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) provides stability to the spinal column in patients with pathologic fracture or iatrogenic instability produced while undergoing extensive decompression. Titanium is the current implant material of choice in MSTS. However, it hinders radiotherapy planning and generates artifacts, with magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans used for postoperative evaluation of tumor recurrence and/or complications. The high modulus of elasticity of titanium (110 GPa) results in stress shielding, which may lead to construct failure at the bone-implant interface. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a thermoplastic polymer, is an emerging alternative to titanium for use in MSTS. The modulus of elasticity of PEEK (3.6 GPa) is close to that of cortical bone (17-21 GPa), resulting in minimal stress shielding. Its radiolucent and nonmetallic properties cause minimal interference with magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. PEEK also causes low-dose perturbation for radiotherapy planning. However, PEEK has reduced bioactivity with bone and lacks sufficient rigidity to be used as rods in MSTS. The reduced bioactivity of PEEK may be addressed by 1) surface modification (introducing porosity or bioactive coating with hydroxyapatite [HA] or titanium) and 2) forming composites with HA/titanium. The mechanical properties of PEEK may be improved by forming composites with HA or carbon fiber. Despite these modifications, all PEEK and PEEK-based implants are difficult to handle and contour intraoperatively. Our review provides a comprehensive overview of PEEK and modified PEEK implants, with a description of their properties and limitations, potentially serving as a basis for their future development and use in MSTS.

The aim of this study was to investigate rates, causes, and risk factors of unplanned hospital readmissions (UHR) within 30 days, 90 days, 1 year and 2 years after metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS) to augment multi-disciplinary treatment planning and improve patient education. We retrospectively reviewed 272-patients who underwent MSTS between 2005 and 2016. Hospital records were utilised to obtain demographics, oncological, procedural details, and postoperative outcomes. All UHR within 2 years were reviewed. Primary outcomes were rates, causes, and risk factors of UHR. Risk factors for UHR were evaluated utilising multivariate logistic regression analysis. Thirty-day, 90 day, 1 year, and 2 year UHR-rates after MSTS were 17.2%, 31.1%, 46.2%, and 52.7%, respectively. Lung cancer primaries had the highest UHR-events (24.7%) whilst renal/thyroid displayed the least (6.6%). Disease-related causes (16.2%) were the most common reason for readmissions across all timeframes, followed by respiratory (13.7%) and progression of metastatic spine disease (12.7%). Urological conditions accounted for majority of readmissions within 30-days; disease-related causes, symptomatic spinal metastases, and respiratory conditions represented the most common causes at 30–90 days, 90 days–1 year, and 1–2 years, respectively. An ECOG >1 (p = 0.057), CCI >7 (p = 0.01), and primary lung tumour (p = 0.02) significantly increased UHR-risk on multivariate analysis. Seventy-four percent of patients had at least one UHR within 2 years of MSTS and majority were secondary to disease-related causes. Majority of first UHR occurred between 30 and 90 days post-surgery. Local disease progression and overall disease progression account for the highest UHR-events at 90 days–1 year and 1–2 year timeframes, respectively. We define UHR in specific timeframes, thus enabling better surveillance and reducing unnecessary morbidity.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the postoperative single-shot bolus of epidural Fentanyl and Bupivicaine in providing pain relief postlumbar decompression surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Despite lumbar decompression's success in alleviating symptoms of sciatica, radiculopathy, and neurogenic claudication, transient back and buttock pain has been a common complaint postoperatively. Providing good postoperative pain alleviation predicts patient's quality of recovery. METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial. Forty-five patients scheduled for lumbar decompression for a year's period who were randomly assigned to receive a postoperative bolus of 10-mL solution of 50 mcg of Fentanyl, 0.125% Bupivacaine, and 0.9% saline solution via an intraoperatively placed epidural catheter immediately after wound closure, before dressing application. Facial pain scale scores (from 0 to 10) were measured at three time points after surgery (fully awake at recovery room, transfer to ward, first postoperative day). Postoperative need for oral analgesics, time to independent ambulation, associated adverse events, and time to hospital discharge were also evaluated. RESULTS: Pain scores were noted to be significantly lower at all time points in the epidural group (P 

Study design A cross-sectional study on a randomly selected prospective cohort of patients presenting to a single tertiary spine center. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic parameters of patients with S- and C-shaped thoracolumbar sagittal spinal profiles, and to identify predictors of these profiles in a natural, relaxed sitting posture. Summary of background data Sagittal realignment in adult spinal deformity surgery has to consider the sitting profile to minimize the risks of junctional failure. Persistence of an S-shaped sagittal profile in the natural, relaxed sitting posture may reflect a lesser need to accommodate for this posture during surgical realignment. Methods Consecutive patients with low back pain underwent whole body anteroposterior and lateral radiographs in both standing and sitting. Baseline clinical data of patients and radiographic parameters of both standing and sitting sagittal profiles were compared using χ, unpaired t tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Subsequently, using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, predictors of S-shaped curves were identified while adjusting for confounders. Results Of the 120 patients included, 54.2% had S-shaped curves when sitting. The most common diagnoses were lumbar spondylosis (26.7%) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (26.7%). When comparing between patients with S- and C-shaped spines in the sitting posture, only diagnoses of degenerative spondylolisthesis (odds ratio [OR], 5.44; P = 0.01) and degenerative scoliosis (OR, 2.00; P = 0.039), and pelvic incidence (PI) >52.5° (OR, 5.48; P = 0.008), were predictive of an S-shaped sitting sagittal spinal alignment on multivariate analysis. Conclusion Stiffer lumbar curves (e.g., patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and degenerative scoliosis) or those who have a predilection for an S-shaped standing sagittal profile when sitting (e.g., high PI) may be more amenable to fusion in accordance with previously studied sagittal realignment targets. In contrast, more flexible curves may benefit from less aggressive lordotic realignment to prevent potential junctional failures. Level of evidence 3.

The management of wound complications following metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) remains a formidable task. Plastic coverage procedures after MSTS are challenging due to unhealthy donor sites following previous radiotherapy and prolonged nonambulation. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is usually not recommended after MSTS due to fear of tumor seeding and excessive blood loss. However, in certain patients post-MSTS, who may be considered as receiving palliative treatment, NPWT can be effective in managing wound complications. We describe our initial experience with the use of NPWT in a 57-year-old lady diagnosed with multiple lumbar and cervicothoracic vertebral metastases secondary to non-small cell lung carcinoma. She underwent 2 cycles of preoperative radiotherapy followed by decompression and posterior instrumentation of lumbosacral and cervicothoracic regions succeeded by another cycle of radiotherapy. The patient developed wound dehiscence and poly-microbial surgical site infection that was not responsive to regular debridements and antibiotics. Hence, we applied NPWT as an alternative treatment to plastic surgical procedures. The patient clinically improved with a reduced quantity of wound discharge, increased granulation tissue, and a downward trend in the inflammatory markers. Subsequently, wound was secondarily closed after 14 days. The patient was discharged after a total hospital stay of 41 days. The intravenous antibiotics (piperacillin/tazobactam) were changed to oral (ciprofloxacin) after 6 weeks and continued for 4 months. The patient survived for 3 years without any wound complications. Our case report suggests that NPWT can be a potential treatment option for managing wound complications following MSTS.