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Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Purpose This study aims to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) subjective patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after 1- and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Overview of Literature The prevalence of cervical spondylosis and ACDF in expected to continue rising among the aging population of Asia. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity is also increasing. However, limited information is available about the mechanism by which BMI affects PRO after ACDF. Methods Total 878 patients underwent ACDF between 2000 and 2015. After excluding patients with previous cervical instrumentation, >2 levels fused, missing BMI measurement, or neoplastic/trauma indication for surgery, 535 patients were included. The PRO measures of the Neck Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for Neck Pain, NPRS for Limb Pain, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons–Neurogenic Symptom Score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association myelopathy score were used. Patients were grouped based on their preoperative BMI, as per the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian populations. PRO scores were collected preoperatively, at 6 months postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the relationship of BMI category with the individual score, accounting for several factors that are likely to affect the outcomes. Results Total 19 (3.4%) were underweight, 155 (28.0%) were normal weight, 112 (20.3%) were overweight, and 267 (48.3%) were obese. Patients across all BMI categories experienced significant and similar improvements in their postoperative PRO scores. There were no significant differences in the preoperative, 6-month postoperative, and 2-year postoperative PRO scores of the groups. Rate of reoperation was highest in patients with grade II obesity at 8.07%; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions Irrespective of the BMI, all patients exhibited similar satisfactory outcomes following ACDF. The results support surgery in all subgroups of patients with symptomatic nerve compression in the cervical spine.

Background: Although several studies have suggested that minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) may be especially beneficial in the elderly population due to lower operative morbidity and faster postoperative recovery, there are limited studies investigating the functional outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction in elderly patients after MIS-TLIF. Furthermore, existing studies had substantial clinical, diagnostic, and surgical heterogeneity.Questions/purposes: We asked if elderly patients could experience comparable (1) patient-reported pain, disability and quality of life, (2) perioperative complications, and (3) radiological fusion rates as their younger counterparts after MIS-TLIF.Methods: Prospectively collected registry data of patients undergoing primary, single-level, MIS-TLIF for degenerative spondylolisthesis between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed. We included 168 patients, 39 of whom were at least 70 years old. Of the 129 patients younger than 70 years old, propensity-score matching was used to select 39 younger controls with adjustment for sex, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and baseline clinical outcomes. Perioperative complications and radiologic data were compared.Results: There was no difference in back pain (mean difference -0.3 [95% confidence interval -1.0 to 0.5]; p = 0.52); leg pain (mean difference -0.1 [95% CI to 0.6-0.5]; p = 0.85); Oswestry Disability Index (mean difference -2.9 [95% CI -8.0 to 2.2]; p = 0.26); and SF-36 physical (mean difference 3.0 [95% CI -0.7 to 6.8]; p = 0.107); and mental component summary (mean difference 1.9 [95% CI -4.5 to 8.2]; p = 0.56); up to 2 years postoperatively; 85% of younger patients and 85% of elderly patients were satisfied (p > 0.99) while 87% and 80%, respectively, had fulfilled expectations (p = 0.36). Four perioperative adverse events occurred in each group. There was also no difference in the rate of fusion (87% in younger patients and 90% in elderly patients; p = 0.135).Conclusions: When clinical and surgical heterogeneity were minimized, elderly patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion not only had comparable rates of perioperative complications but also experienced similar improvements in pain, function, and quality of life. A high rate of satisfaction was achieved.Level Of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a technically demanding surgery. There is room for development of osteotomy reduction instruments like the one we present in this study, to better guide angular correction and closure of the osteotomy line., Objective: To present a new surgical instrument that optimizes PSOs of the thoracolumbar spine., Methods: Seventeen consecutive patients have been treated at 3 different European University Hospitals. All underwent a PSO of the lumbar spine to treat major sagittal imbalance. The amount of vertebral angular correction needed was calculated using the full balance integrated (FBI) method. A special plier, which allows to safely control the angular correction, was used intraoperatively. Preoperative and early postoperative global sagittal balance parameters were compared., Results: The mean preoperative calculated correction angle (FBI) was 33.8°; the mean postoperative correction obtained was 32.1°. Lumbar lordosis was statistically greater than preoperatively (55.8° vs 19.4°, P < .0001). The global sagittal balance was improved, as shown by the increase of the spino-sacral angle from 122° preoperatively to 128° postoperatively (P = .0547). None of the patients had an intraoperative or early postoperative neurologic complication. There were no mechanical intraoperative complications during correction nor at the first postoperative follow-up., Conclusion: The advantages of the instrument are safe, precise, and efficient reduction, by a rotation of the pedicle screws close to the osteotomy line, thus avoiding collapse and lack of correction, complications usually seen with the conventional technique. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results., (Copyright © 2018 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.)