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STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective study. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the influence of physical function and their influence on postoperative depressive symptom scores as measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) patients. BACKGROUND While ACDF is one of the most commonly performed ambulatory surgeries, research is limited on the predictive value of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores and their influence on depressive symptoms as measured by the PHQ-9. METHODS A prospectively maintained surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed from March 2016 to January 2019. Inclusion criteria were primary or revision ACDF procedures. Patients were grouped by preoperative PROMIS score (≥35.0

Background: The transition of minimally invasive (MIS) spine surgery from the inpatient to outpatient setting has been aided by advances in multimodal analgesic (MMA) protocols. This clinical case series of patients demonstrates the feasibility of ambulatory MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) procedures while using an enhanced MMA protocol. Methods: Consecutive MIS TLIF or LLIF procedures with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and direct decompression in the ambulatory setting were reviewed. The procedures were performed using an MMA protocol. The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) did not allow for observation of patients for periods of time greater than 23 hours. We recorded patient demographics, perioperative, and postoperative characteristics. Results: Fifty consecutive patients were identified from September 2016 to July 2019. Forty-one patients (82%) underwent MIS TLIF, and 9 patients underwent MIS LLIF (18.0%). All patients were discharged on the same day of surgery. The mean length of stay was 4.5 hours and 3.8 hours for the TLIF and LLIF cohorts, respectively. Our review of medical records revealed no postoperative complications following either the TLIF or the LLIF procedures. Conclusions: The present study of 50 consecutive patients is the largest clinical series of ASC patients undergoing lumbar fusion procedures in a stand-alone facility with no extended postoperative observation capability. While using MMA protocol within the ASC, no postoperative complications were observed for either MIS TLIF or LLIF procedures. All patients were discharged from the ambulatory surgical center on the day of surgery with well-controlled postoperative pain. Level of Evidence: 4. Clinical Relevance: The MMA protocol is an essential aspect in transitioning minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery to the ASC. Our findings indicate that MIS lumbar fusion spine surgery with an enhanced MMA protocol can lead to safe and timely ASC discharge while minimizing hospital admission.

BACKGROUND: Development and validation of Veterans RAND 12-item (VR-12) physical component survey (PCS) has been established among civilian and veteran populations but it has not been examined among anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) patients. PURPOSES/QUESTIONS: We sought to validate legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with VR-12 PCS among patients undergoing ACDF procedures. METHODS: A prospectively collected surgical registry was retrospectively evaluated for elective single or multi-level ACDFs performed for degenerative spinal pathologies from January 2014 to August 2019. Exclusion criteria included missing pre-operative surveys and surgery for trauma, metastasis, or infection. Demographic variables, baseline pathologies, and peri-operative variables were collected. A paired t test evaluated the change from the pre-operative score to each post-operative timepoint for VR-12 PCS, the 12-item Short-Form Survey (SF-12) PCS, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS-PF), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement was calculated at each timepoint. Correlation was evaluated with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient and time-independent partial correlation. RESULTS: Of the 202 patients who underwent ACDF, 41.1% were female and the average age was 49.5 years. All PROMs had statistically significantly increased from baseline when compared with post-operative timepoints (12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years). MCID achievement rates increased through 2 years. All timepoints revealed strong VR-12 PCS correlations with SF-12 PCS, PROMIS-PF, and NDI scores. CONCLUSION: VR-12 PCS was strongly correlated with the well-validated SF-12 PCS and NDI metrics as well as with the more recent PROMIS-PF. All PROMs demonstrated statistically significant improvement in patients post-operatively. VR-12 PCS is a valid measure of physical function among patients undergoing ACDF. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11420-020-09817-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

OBJECTIVEWhile the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedure may be amenable to ambulatory surgery, it has been hypothesized that limitations such as the risk of postoperative ileus and vascular complications have hindered transition of this procedure to the outpatient setting. Identification of independent risk factors predisposing patients to inpatient stays of ≥ 24 hours after ALIF may facilitate better postsurgical outcomes, target modifiable risk factors, and assist in the development of screening tools to transition appropriate patients to the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting for this procedure. The purpose of this study was to identify the most relevant risk factors that predispose patients to ≥ 24-hour admission following ALIF.METHODSA prospectively maintained surgical registry was reviewed for patients undergoing single ALIF between May 2006 and December 2019. Demographics, preoperative diagnosis, perioperative variables, and postoperative complications were evaluated according to their relative risk (RR) elevation for an inpatient stay of ≥ 24 hours. A Poisson regression model was used to evaluate predictors of inpatient stays of ≥ 24 hours. Risk factors for inpatient admission of ≥ 24 hours were identified with a stepwise backward regression model.RESULTSA total of 111 patients underwent single-level ALIF (50.9% female and 52.6% male, ≤ 50 years old). Eleven (9.5%) patients were discharged in < 24 hours and 116 remained admitted for ≥ 24 hours. The average inpatient stay was > 2 days (53.7 hours). The most common postoperative complications were fever (body temperature ≥ 100.4°F; n = 4, 3.5%) and blood transfusions (n = 4, 3.5%). Bivariate analysis revealed a preoperative diagnosis of retrolisthesis or lateral listhesis to elevate the RR for an inpatient stay of ≥ 24 hours (RR 1.11, p = 0.001, both diagnoses). Stepwise multivariate analysis demonstrated significant predictors for inpatient stays of ≥ 24 hours to be an operation on L4–5, coexisting degenerative disc disease (DDD) with foraminal stenosis, and herniated nucleus pulposus (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03–1.20, p = 0.009, all covariates).CONCLUSIONSThis study provides data regarding the incidence of demographic and perioperative characteristics and postoperative complications as they pertain to patients undergoing single-level ALIF. This preliminary investigation identified the most relevant risk factors to be considered before appropriately transitioning ALIF procedures to the ASC. Further studies of preoperative characteristics are needed to elucidate ideal ASC ALIF patients.

Purpose Our aim is to examine the gender performance of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) scores among patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar fusion (MIS TLIF). Methods A prospectively collected surgical dataset was retrospectively assessed for eligible patients from March 2015–June 2019. We included patients if they underwent primary MIS TLIF procedures on one or two vertebral levels. We collected baseline demographics, perioperative characteristics, and PROMIS-PF scores for each subject at pre and postoperative timepoints (e.g., 6-weeks, 3-months, 6-months, and 1-year). Chi-squared analyses were utilized to assess categorical variables and a Student’s t-tests analyzed continuous variables. A linear regression was used to analyze PROMIS-PF scores from baseline through all postoperative time points. Finally, we evaluated the PROMIS PF achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) among gender. Results 192 patients were included: 77 were females and 115 were males. No significant differences were observed among gender subgroups for PROMIS-PF scores at pre- or postoperative evaluations. Compared to males, females experienced significantly greater postoperative improvement with PROMIS-PF scores at the 3-month assessments, though no significant gender differences were observed during later follow-up evaluations at 6-months or one year. Females were observed to have significant PROMIS-PF score improvement from their preoperative evaluation to each postoperative score. Males were assessed to have statistically significant postoperative (e.g., at 3-months, 6-months, and 1-year) PROMIS-PF score improvement from their preoperative PROMIS-PF scores. There were no significant differences among gender in achieving MCID at any postoperative time interval. Conclusion Among gender, we observed no statistically significant difference in PROMIS-PF scores during the pre- or postoperative evaluations. Additionally, with no difference in the rate of achieving PROMIS-PF MCID postoperatively, this study established that both genders should experience similar functional outcomes following MIS TLIF.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the associations between preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) score, measured by PROMIS-PF and the change between pre- and postoperative PROMIS-PF scores. METHODS A prospectively maintained surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed for spine surgeries between May 2015-June 2019. Inclusion criteria were primary, single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions. Revisions, multilevel procedures, and patients missing preoperative surveys were excluded. Patients were grouped by preoperative PROMIS-PF scores of ≥ 35 and < 35, with higher scores indicating greater PF. A chi-squared and Student t-test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables respectively. Linear regression evaluated the relationship of PROMIS-PF score improvement. RESULTS Of the 180 subjects, 84 were in the PROMIS-PF < 35 group which had more obese patients (p < 0.001) and more males (p = 0.001). Length of stay was greater for the PROMIS-PF < 35 group (36.2 hours vs. 28.7 hours, p = 0.014). PROMIS-PF and Oswestry Disability Index scores were significantly different between subgroups at all timepoints. PROMIS-PF < 35 cohort had larger postoperative PROMIS-PF improvements at 6 weeks (p = 0.008) and 12 weeks (p = 0.003). Linear regression demonstrated a negative association between preoperative PROMIS-PF scores and improvement at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 2 years (p < 0.001). PROMIS-PF < 35 demonstrated significantly lower rate of achieving minimum clinically important difference at 6 months, otherwise no difference observed throughout the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION Up to 6 months postoperatively, lower preoperative PROMIS-PF scores were associated with larger PROMIS-PF improvements. Understanding the relationship preoperative PROMIS-PF scores have with postoperative improvement may enable better patient counseling.

Study design This is a retrospective study. Objective The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between preoperative depression, as quantified by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and postoperative improvement in pain and disability after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Summary of background data Few studies have quantified depression symptoms in the preoperative period using PHQ-9 and have tracked patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following ACDF. Methods Patients undergoing ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified by their preoperative PHQ-9 score. PROs, including Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) neck and arm pain, and 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) Physical Component Score (PCS), were measured preoperatively and at 6-week, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year postoperatively. PRO scores were analyzed amongst PHQ-9 cohorts using multiple linear regression. Achievement of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was compared using χ analysis. Results Higher PHQ-9 scores were associated with increased preoperative NDI, VAS neck, and VAS arm scores and significantly lower SF-12 PCS scores preoperatively. Cohorts experienced similar VAS pain scores up to 1-year following surgery, except for VAS neck pain at 3 months when patients with greater depression symptoms had more pain. High PHQ-9 patients had higher NDI values at 6 weeks and 3-month marks but had similar NDI scores at 6 months and 1-year. Similarly, SF-12 PCS scores were lower for patients with a higher PHQ-9 score at 3 and 6 months, however, both groups had similar scores at 1-year follow-up. A greater percentage of the high PHQ-9 cohort achieved MCID for NDI, however, there were no differences in MCID achievement for VAS neck, VAS arm, or SF-12 PCS. Conclusions Patients with worse preoperative mental health reported significantly greater preoperative disability and pain. However, both cohorts demonstrated similar clinical recovery at the 1-year follow-up. These findings suggest patients with worse preoperative mental health can expect significant improvements in PROs following surgery.

STUDY DESIGN This was a systematic review. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to review radiographic, clinical, and surgical outcomes of expandable interbody device implantation following lumbar fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Few studies have evaluated postsurgical outcomes of expandable implants following lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS A systematic review was performed to identify studies investigating expandable intervertebral body devices in lumbar fusion. Radiographic parameters, fusion assessments, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), complications, and revision data were recorded. A comparison of expandable and static devices was performed using a meta-analysis. RESULTS Eleven articles were included. Postoperative improvements for each radiographic parameters for expandable versus static device implantation ranged from: lumbar lordosis, +2.0 to +5.0 degrees (expandable) versus +1.0 to +4.4 degrees (static); segmental lordosis, +1.0 to +5.2 degrees (expandable) versus+1.1 to +2.3 degrees (static); disk height, +0.82 to +4.8 mm (expandable) versus +0.26 to +6.9 mm (static); foraminal height, +0.13 to +2.8 mm (expandable) versus and +0.05 to +3.0 mm (static). Fusion rates ranged from 72.1% at 6 months to 100% at terminal follow-up. Preoperative to final follow-up improvement for the various PROs assessed were: Oswestry Disability Index, -15.4 to -56.3 (expandable) versus -13.6 to -26.3 (static); Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Back, -3.2 to -6.0 (expandable) versus -3.1 to -4.1 (static); and VAS Leg, -2.9 to -7.1 (expandable) -3.0 versus -4.8 (static). Static cages had a reported complication rate ranging from 6.0% to 16.1% and a subsidence rate of 6.0%. Expandable cages had a reported complication rate that ranged from 0.0.% to 10.0% and a subsidence rate of 5.5%-10.0%. A meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the PRO Oswestry Disability Index, but not VAS Back, VAS Leg, or radiographic outcomes (disk height or foraminal height). CONCLUSION There is no clear evidence for the use of expandable interbody devices over static devices.

Objective To assess the relationship of preoperative physical function, as measured by Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF), to improvement in mental health, as evaluated by Short Form-12 Mental Component Summary (SF-12 MCS) following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods Patients undergoing primary ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified based on preoperative PROMIS PF scores. PROMIS PF cohorts were tested for an association with demographic characteristics and perioperative variables using chi-square analysis and multivariate linear regression. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to determine the association between PROMIS PF cohorts and improvement in SF-12 MCS. Results A total of 129 one- to 3-level ACDF patients were included: 73 had PROMIS PF < 40 (“low PROMIS”) and 56 had PROMIS PF ≥ 40 (“high PROMIS”). The low PROMIS cohort reported worse mental health preoperatively and at all postoperative timepoints except for 1 year. Both cohorts had similar changes in mental health from baseline through the 6-month follow-up. However, at 1 year. postoperatively, the low PROMIS cohort had a statistically greater change in mental health score. Conclusion Patients with worse preoperative physical function reported significantly worse preoperative and postoperative mental health. However, patients with worse preoperative physical function made significantly greater improvements in mental health from baseline. This suggests that patients with worse preoperative physical function can still expect significant improvements in mental health following surgery.

Study design This was a retrospective cohort study. Objective To determine the improvement of clinical outcomes in Workers' Compensation (WC) patients compared with non-WC patients utilizing Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Summary of background data To our knowledge, there has not been a study to evaluate clinical outcomes of WC patients utilizing the PROMIS PF survey. Methods and materials Patients undergoing a primary, 1 to 3-level ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified according to insurance (WC and non-WC). Demographic and perioperative characteristics were compared using χ test and independent t tests. Change in PROMIS PF scores was calculated using paired t tests. Differences in postoperative PROMIS PF scores and changes in PROMIS PF from baseline were compared using linear regression. Results In total, 124 1 to 3-level ACDF patients were included: 36 had WC insurance and 88 had non-WC insurance. WC patients were younger and more likely to be obese. WC patients reported significantly lower PROMIS PF scores preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months timepoints. However, both cohorts reported comparable PROMIS PF scores at the 1-year timepoint. WC patients demonstrated similar improvements from baseline through 1-year postoperatively compared with non-WC patients. For both non-WC and WC cohort, the change in the postoperative PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. However, in both cohorts, the change in the postoperative PROMIS PF score from baseline was not significantly different at 6 weeks. Conclusions In our study, WC patients had worse baseline physical function as indicated by lower preoperative PROMIS PF scores and reported lower PROMIS PF scores postoperatively. However, there were no significant differences when comparing the postoperative change from baseline between the cohorts. Both cohorts experienced significant postoperative improvements from baseline. This study established that PROMIS PF is an effective tool to evaluate recovery of WC patients following ACDF.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among patients undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) lumbar interbody fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Few studies have evaluated the utility and concurrent validity of the PHQ-9 survey in patients undergoing spinal procedures. METHODS Patients undergoing a one- or two-level MIS lumbar interbody fusion were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-reported outcome surveys were completed preoperatively and at 6-week, 12-week, 6-month, and 1-year timepoints. Postoperative survey scores were compared to preoperative values using paired t tests. PHQ-9 scores were compared with the Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of the Short Form-12 (SF-12) and the Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) surveys at each timepoint using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS A total of 215 patients were included in the analysis. The mean preoperative scores for the PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 MCS were 6.78, 49.55, and 50.39, respectively. Significant improvements in each survey outcome measure were observed at all postoperative timepoints. Strong correlations with PHQ-9 scores were identified for SF-12 MCS scores and VR-12 MCS scores at preoperative and postoperative timepoints (|r| ≥ 0.5 and P

Study design Retrospective. Objective To examine the relationship between American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and inpatient pain and narcotics consumption following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Summary of background data Higher ASA scores have been previously linked to increased postoperative complication rates, healthcare costs, length of stay, and hospital readmissions. However, to our knowledge, there have not been previous investigations into the association between ASA scores and postoperative inpatient pain and narcotics utilization following ACDF. Methods Patients who underwent a single-level, primary ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified into two cohorts based on ASA score less than or equal to 2 or ASA score more than 2. ASA score was tested for association with demographic variables and perioperative characteristics using student's t test, chi-squared analysis, and Fisher exact test. Inpatient pain scores and narcotics consumption on each postoperative day were then compared between cohorts using bivariate linear regression. Results Two hundred eleven patients who underwent ACDF were included: 184 had an ASA score less than or equal to 2 and 27 had an ASA score more than 2. Higher ASA score was associated with older age, higher comorbidity burden as measured by the modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and lower prevalence of obesity. Higher ASA scores were associated with longer duration of hospital stay, while other perioperative characteristics were similar between ASA score cohorts. There were no differences in inpatient Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, or hourly, daily, and cumulative inpatient narcotic consumption between cohorts on any postoperative day. Conclusion This retrospective investigation demonstrated that a higher ASA score is associated with increased operative time following ACDF. However, ASA score was determined not to be an independent risk factor that can predict postoperative pain or narcotics consumption among patients who undergo ACDF. Therefore, postoperative pain in the inpatient setting can be managed with similar modalities regardless of ASA score for patients undergoing ACDF. Level of evidence 3.

Study design Prospective. Objective To evaluate improvements in grip and pinch strength in patients with or without myelopathy and determine patient factors that are predictive of continued postoperative grip strength weakness. Summary of background data The degree to which cervical myelopathy can diminish upper extremity muscle strength has not been objectively characterized. Few studies have investigated the association between the expected improvements in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and strength in grip and pinch after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods Patients were asked to perform grip and pinch strength tests both preoperatively and at 6-month follow-up. Patients were also administered PRO surveys, which included Neck Disability Index, Short-Form-12 physical composite score and mental composite score, and Visual Analog Scale neck and arm pain scores. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimum cutoff values of preoperative patient factors to predict postoperative dominant handgrip weakness after ACDF. Results Patients with radiculopathy demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in Visual Analog Scale arm pain compared with patients with myelopathy. The ROC curve analysis determined the optimum cutoff for preoperative dominant handgrip strength to be 22 kgf. This value demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.89 and a specificity of 0.62. The area under the ROC curve value was 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.88), indicating fair prognostic accuracy of the cutoff for postoperative dominant handgrip weakness. Conclusions In this prospective, observational study, postoperative increase in grip and pinch strength demonstrated an association with improvement of pain and disability of the neck and overall quality of health regardless of the presence of cervical myelopathy. Preoperative grip strength weakness was found to be predictive of postoperative grip strength deficiency after ACDF. Our investigation suggests the recovery of hand function may be correlated with improvement of PROs after ACDF.

Background: Preoperative depression is associated with increased perioperative pain, worse physical function, reduced quality of life, and inferior outcomes. Few studies have evaluated depressive symptoms between genders for individuals undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). The purpose of this investigation was to assess the severity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores among patients with depressive symptoms before and after single-level MIS TLIF. Methods: A prospective surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed for spine surgeries between March 2016 and December 2018. We included patients with at least mild depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores ≥ 5) who underwent primary, single-level MIS TLIF and compared genders using χ2 tests and t tests. Genders were stratified by depressive symptom severity: mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), and moderately severe (≥15) and then analyzed at preoperative and postoperative intervals: 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Finally, PHQ-9 scores were validated with a Pearson correlation test against the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) Mental Composite Score (MCS) and the Veterans RAND (VR-12) MCS. Results: Of 75 subjects, 44.0% were women and the mean age was 49.9 years. The preoperative distribution among PHQ-9 subgroups was 38.7%, 26.6%, and 34.7% for mild, moderate, and moderately severe depressive symptoms, respectively. Among PHQ-9 stratifications both genders demonstrated intermittent statistically significant improvements in PHQ-9 scores. The moderately severe PHQ-9 subgroup had improvement at all postoperative time points. The PHQ-9 scores demonstrated a strong correlation with the SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS at all postoperative evaluations. Conclusion: At baseline and by the final 1-year follow-up there were no statistically significant PHQ-9 score differences between genders within any depressive symptom stratifications. Whereas some contend that men and women have substantial mental health differences, this study is aligned with growing evidence that demonstrates similar depressive symptoms between genders. Level of Evidence: 3. Clinical Relevance: Men and women may be at an equivalent risk for perioperative depressive symptoms.

Study design Retrospective. Objective To determine the association between preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) scores with postoperative pain, narcotics use, and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) following a single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure. Summary of background data There is a scarcity of prior literature on the ability of baseline PROMIS scores to predict clinical outcomes for patients undergoing ACDF procedures. Methods Patients who underwent a primary ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified into low and high disability cohorts. Preoperative PROMIS PF cohorts were tested for association with demographic and perioperative characteristics using chi-square analysis and one-way analysis of variance. Cohorts were tested for association with inpatient pain scores and narcotics consumption, as well as postoperative improvements in PROMIS PF, neck disability index (NDI), and visual analog scale (VAS) neck and arm pain using linear regression. Results Ninety one patients were included: 39 low disability and 52 high disability. Inpatient postoperative VAS pain scores and narcotic consumption are also compared between cohorts. Patients with greater disability reported higher VAS pain scores (P = 0.003). However, patients in both cohorts consumed comparable amounts of narcotics (P = 0.926). Patients with greater preoperative disability demonstrated lower PROMIS PF scores, greater NDI scores, and greater VAS Neck scores at the preoperative baseline. However, patients demonstrated similar improvement of VAS neck and arm pain, as well as NDI at all postoperative timepoints. Patients with low disability reported worsened physical function at the 6 weeks timepoint. Conclusion Patients with worse preoperative disability as measured by PROMIS PF reported increased pain but comparable narcotics consumption in the immediate postoperative period following a single-level ACDF procedure. Furthermore, patients experienced similar long-term postoperative improvement of PROs regardless of preoperative physical function. PROMIS PF can efficiently quantify physical function before and after the ACDF procedure as self-evaluated by patients. Level of evidence 3.

Study design Retrospective. Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate depressive symptoms as measured by the PHQ-9 survey and correlated them with scores from the SF-12 and VR-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS). Summary of background data With the rising incidence of depression and the need to identify modifiable risk factors before surgery, it is increasingly important to screen for preoperative depressive symptoms in spine surgery. Although the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) has favorable characteristics as a depressive symptom screening instrument, it has not been evaluated within cervical spine surgery. Methods A prospectively maintained surgical registry was reviewed for patients undergoing single or multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) from March 2016 until May 2019. Included patients underwent a procedure for degenerative spinal pathology. We collected demographic, baseline, and perioperative variables. The mean scores for postoperative PHQ-9, Short Form-12 (SF-12), and Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) surveys were calculated, and an average change between preoperative and postoperative scores. Scatterplots depicted the association of SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS with PHQ-9. We evaluated the relationship of PHQ-9 with SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS scores by calculating a Pearson correlation coefficient and time-independent partial correlation coefficient. Results One hundred fifty-two patients underwent single or multilevel level cervical spine surgery (ACDF: 73% and CDR: 27%). The average age was 42.4 and 39% were female. Compared to preoperative scores, significant increases were observed among postoperative PHQ-9, SF-12, and VR-12 MCS surveys (P ≤ 0.001). We observed strong correlations between SF-12 and VR-12 MCS with PHQ-9 scores for both assessed correlations. Conclusion Patients undergoing ACDF or CDR demonstrated significant improvement with PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 MCS instruments. PHQ-9 scores strongly correlated with SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS. Our findings indicate PHQ-9 is a valid tool to evaluate pre and postsurgical depressive symptoms. Level of evidence 4.

In this review, we discuss the demonstrated value of vitamin D in bone maintenance, fracture resistance, spinal health, and spine surgery outcomes. Despite this, the effect of vitamin D levels in spine surgery has not been well described. Through this review of literature, several conclusions were drawn. First, despite the fact that a high number of spine surgery patients are vitamin D deficient, screening is not commonly performed. Second, adequate vitamin D levels will not be achieved in a majority of these patients without supplementation. Last, inadequate vitamin D levels may increase the risk of pseudarthrosis. Given these findings, we suggest that many patients undergoing spinal surgery could be treated with vitamin D supplementation prior to surgery without the need for confirmatory testing for vitamin D deficiency. This is a more cost-effective method than screening all patients. However, future randomized trials and cost-effectiveness analyses are needed to determine the ultimate effects of vitamin D supplementation on clinical morbidity and surgical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN Literature review. OBJECTIVE To discern which social media outlets contribute most to spine surgery literature dissemination and to investigate how popular articles compare to articles with most citations. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Scientific literature is increasingly disseminated through social media. The Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) is defined as an automated, weighted score calculation from counts of all online attention received by various research outputs. Increasing AAS values indicate more online attention. For example, the overall top 100 Altmetric spine surgery peer-reviewed articles since 2010 had an AAS range from 78 to 1537. Among all spine surgery literature reviewed since 2010, the mean AAS was 5.3 with a median of 1.0. METHODS We performed an Altmetric database search of nine spine surgery journals from January 2010 to October 2019. Mean AAS was summarized alongside metrics including citation count and impact factor. We assessed correlations between AAS and online sources, readers, and citations. Journals were grouped by impact factor, and analysis-of-variance compared mean AAS. The 100 highest AAS articles were compared to the most cited. RESULTS 13,601 articles were included. The mean AAS was 5.3, with Twitter contributing the most. The three highest associations were news (P

Study design This was a retrospective study. Objective The objective of this study was to determine if preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) score is predictive of improvement in pain and physical function following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Summary of background data Few studies have investigated the predictive nature of PROMIS PF of patients undergoing spine surgery, such as ACDF. Methods Patients undergoing a primary, 1-3-level ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and were stratified into 3 cohorts according to preoperative PROMIS PF scores: minimal disability (score 50-60), mild disability (score 40-50), moderate disability (score 30-40), and severe disability (score 20-30). Preoperative PROMIS PF cohorts were tested for an association with demographics, perioperative characteristics, and improvement in Neck Disability Index (NDI), 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck and arm pain using χ analysis and multivariate linear regression. Results A total of 126 patients were included: 11 had a minimal disability, 44 had mild disability, 54 had moderate disability, and 17 had severe disability. Patients with a severe disability experienced no statistically significant increase in their length of stay. Greater preoperative disability demonstrated lower NDI and SF-12 PCS scores preoperatively and at each postoperative timepoint. Greater preoperative disability had worse VAS neck and arm pain preoperatively and 6-week and 3-month postoperatively. Although patients with severe disability trended worse VAS neck and arm pain at the 6-month follow-up, this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions In this investigation, patients with worse PROMIS PF scores reported greater pain and disability in the preoperative period and experienced less improvement in NDI, SF-12 PCS, and VAS back and leg following ACDF. PROMIS PF is an efficient and accurate instrument that can effectively evaluate strength, mobility, and coordination in the preoperative period and may be used to predict clinical outcomes following ACDF.

Study design A retrospective cohort study. Objective To examine the association between the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Summary of background data Few studies have investigated the correlation between ASA score and PROs after MIS TLIF. Methods Patients undergoing primary, single-level MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed and placed into 3 cohorts: ASA score ≤2 and outpatient status, ASA score ≤2 and inpatient status, and ASA score >2. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg pain, and Short Form-12 Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS) were administered preoperatively and at 6-week, 12-week, and 6-month time points. ASA scores were tested for association with improvements in PROs using linear regression. Results A total of 187 patients had an ASA score ≤2 and 41 patients had an ASA score >2. Higher ASA scores were associated with older age, obesity, higher comorbidity burden, and an increased length of stay. ASA subgroups demonstrated a significant difference in preoperative ODI and VAS back pain scores and improvement in VAS back pain scores at the 12-week and 6-month time points; however, there was no discernible pattern of improvement amongst cohorts. No statistically significant differences were observed with improvements in PROs. Conclusions The study suggests ASA scores are not associated with postoperative recovery in pain and disability after MIS TLIF. Our results indicate that regardless of the preoperative ASA score, patients are likely to achieve similar improvements in PROs through 6 months follow-up. Although using ASA as a risk stratification tool to predict perioperative complications, its utility in predicting improvement in PROs is still uncertain at this time.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT In recent years, a combination of improved anesthesia, surgical techniques, and technological advances have facilitated a rise in the use of ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). Despite the lower costs associated with ASCs, improved efficiency, and increased patient satisfaction, there is inconsistent reporting of complication rates. PURPOSE This study aims to review current literature in order to determine the outcomes and complication rates in relation to spine surgery in ambulatory surgical centers. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective. PATIENT SAMPLE One hundred and fifty articles on spine surgery complications in ambulatory surgical centers. OUTCOME MEASURES Postoperative complications (cardiac, GI, MSK, operative, pain, neurologic, pulmonary, urologic, vascular, and wounds). METHODS This systematic review was completed utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Pertinent studies were identified through Embase and Pubmed databases using the search string ((("ambulatory surgery center") AND "spine surgery") AND "complications"). Articles were excluded if they did not report outpatient surgery in an ASC, if they did not define complications in a language other than English, nonhuman studies, or if the articles were classified as reviews, book chapters, single case reports, or small case series (≤10 patients). Comparative studies were only included if they provided the number of both ambulatory and nonambulatory patients. The primary outcome was the frequency of complications with respect to the following categories: cardiac, gastrointestinal, MSK/spine/operative, pain, persistent neurologic, pulmonary, transient neurologic, urologic, vascular, and wound. RESULTS Our query identified 150 articles. After filtering relevance by title, abstract, and full text, 22 articles were included. After accounting for two studies that were conducted on the same study sample, a total of 11,245 patients were analyzed in this study. The most recent study reported results from May 2019. While five studies did not list their surgical technique, reported techniques by each study included open (6), MIS (2), endoscopic (4), microsurgery (1), and combined techniques (4). The following rates of complications were determined: cardiac 2/2168 (0.09%), gastrointestinal 2/1320 (0.15%), MSK/spine/operative 10/8210 (0.12%), pain 10/4634 (0.22%), persistent neurologic 5/3318 (0.15%), pulmonary 1/1839 (0.05%), transient neurologic 11/3821 (0.29%), urologic 2/250 (0.80%), vascular 6/5277 (0.11%), and wound 7/5733 (0.12%). CONCLUSIONS After literature review, this is the first study to comprehensively analyze the current state of literature reporting on the complication profile of all ASC spine surgery procedures. The most common complications were urologic (0.8%) and the most infrequent were pulmonary (0.05%). Case reports varied significantly with regard to the type and rate of complications reported. Although the patient population undergoing ASC spine surgery is likely to be screened more rigorously than the inpatient spine surgery population, this study provides complication profiles to assist surgeons in counseling patients on the most realistic expectations. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Patient selection and new anesthetic techniques, such as the refined multimodal analgesic (MMA) protocol, aide in performing lumbar decompression surgery procedures in the ambulatory surgical center (ASC) setting. PURPOSE To characterize a case series of patients who underwent lumbar decompression (LD) in the ASC setting with the use of an MMA protocol. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 499 patients who underwent single or multilevel LD. OUTCOME MEASURES Visual analog scale (VAS) pain, length of stay, oral morphine equivalents (OME). METHODS A prospective surgical registry was retrospectively assessed for patients who were eligible for this study. The senior author performed all procedures and had extensive experience operating in an ASC. Observation in excess of 23 hours was not permitted at the ASC. All patients were required to be discharged the same day. Consecutive patients were identified who underwent single or multilevel LD in the ambulatory setting between May 2013 until August 2019. Procedures were conducted using the aforementioned MMA protocol. Baseline characteristics were recorded including patient demographics such as: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, preoperative chronic medical conditions, and spinal diagnoses. Intraoperative characteristics were collected, including operative level, operative location, operative time (time from skin incision to skin closure), and estimated blood loss (EBL). Postoperative characteristics were recorded, including surgery center length-of-stay, patient-reported VAS pain scores prior to discharge, and the quantity of narcotic medications administered to patients prior to discharge were converted into units of oral morphine equivalents (OME) and summed across all types of narcotic medications prescribed. Postoperative complications while in the surgical center were also recorded. RESULTS A total of 499 patients who underwent lumbar decompression procedures were identified between April 2013 and September 2019. Of the total patients, 86.0% (429) underwent a single-level decompression procedure, 13.8% (69) underwent a two-level, and 0.2% (1) underwent a three-level procedure. Of the patients in this study, 83.6% (417) underwent a primary LD and 14.0% (70) underwent a revision decompression. The longest surgical case was 105 minutes with a mean of 44.1±13.3 minutes. The mean length of stay was 2.5±1.1 hours, with the longest was 7.6 hours. All other patients were discharged within 7.6 hours of the procedure end. CONCLUSIONS With the 499 patients in this ASC study on MMA protocol, this is the largest clinical case series focused on lumbar decompression procedures within an ASC requiring no planned 23-hour observation. This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing lumbar decompression surgery in an ASC with proper patient selection, surgical technique and a multimodal analgesia protocol. Postoperative pain was controlled for all patients, and all were discharged from the surgical center on the same day of surgery. Overall, the reduction in VAS and the rapidly treated yet minor postoperative complications suggest that lumbar decompressions can be safely performed in the ASC setting with an MMA protocol. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Central stenosis of the spinal canal can be surgically managed through decompression techniques. There is a lack of research on the influence of comorbidity burden on postoperative patient reported outcome (PRO) improvement and on the achievement of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) following lumbar decompression (LD). PURPOSE This study aims to detail the association between comorbidity burden and achievement of MCID following LD. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 314 patients undergoing primary or revision, 1 or 2 level MIS TLIF procedures. OUTCOME MEASURES VAS back, VAS leg, ODI, SF-12 Physical Composite Score (PCS), and PROMIS PF scores, MCID. METHODS A prospectively maintained surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed for eligible spine surgeries between May 2015 and July 2019. Inclusion criteria were primary, single or multilevel lumbar decompressions. Patients were excluded if they did not complete a preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS PF) survey. Patients were stratified based on Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score: 0 points (no comorbidities), 1–2 points (low CCI), ≥3 points (high CCI). A chi-squared test analyzed the association of CCI subgroups in the following variables: gender, smoking status, comorbid diagnoses, and body mass index (BMI). A t-test was used to evaluate subgroups for mean differences in continuous variables, such as age, operative time (from skin incision to closure), estimated blood loss, length of stay, and discharge day (Table 2). A chi-squared test evaluated the distribution of decompression levels. Postoperative improvement was assessed using linear regression to detect a difference between CCI groups for VAS back, VAS leg, ODI, SF-12 Physical Composite Score (PCS), and PROMIS PF scores pre- and postoperatively (eg, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year). Achievement rate of MCID was compared between CCI groups using chi-squared analysis (Table 4). MCID values utilized were VAS back = 1.2, VAS leg = 1.6, ODI = 12.8, SF-12 PCS = 4.0, and PROMIS PF = 8.0. RESULTS A total of 314 LD patients were included; 123 patients had no comorbidities, 100 had low CCI, and 91 had high CCI. Patients with a high CCI were older, more likely to be smokers, and to have the following comorbid diseases: myocardial infarction, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, PVD, neurological disease and cancer (all p CONCLUSIONS Patients with increased comorbidity burdens undergoing LD had significantly longer procedure times and hospital stays, but their postoperative evaluations demonstrated no difference in achieving MCID for pain (VAS back and VAS leg) or disability (ODI) metrics up to 1-year. Patients in the high CCI group did, however, have a lower rate of achieving MCID for their physical function surveys. Our results suggest that comorbidity burden influences improvement in physical function following LD. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Study design This was a retrospective study. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for postoperative complications following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Summary of background data The identification of independent risk factors that predispose patients to postoperative complications following MIS TLIF may allow for improved outcomes and the optimization of modifiable conditions before surgical intervention. Materials and methods Patients undergoing a single-level MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information and the presence of baseline medical conditions was recorded for all patients. Postsurgical complications that arose following the MIS TLIF procedure were recorded. The incidence of postoperative complications was tested for association with patient and surgical characteristics using bivariate Poisson regression. Independent risk factors for complications were identified through a backward stepwise regression model. Results A total of 421 patients who underwent a primary, single-level MIS TLIF procedure were included in our analysis. The most common complication was urinary retention requiring catheterization (n=43, 10.2%), followed by pseudarthrosis (n=37, 8.8%), and then altered mental status (n=11, 2.6%). Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the independent risk factors predictive of complications. The significant factors were obesity status (relative risk=2.2, P=0.001), the presence of diabetes (relative risk=2.6, P=0.002), and operative duration >105 minutes (relative risk=2.5, P=0.008). Conclusions The present study provides the incidence of complications following MIS TLIF, as well as risk factors that are predictive of complications that may arise following the procedure. Independent variables for increased complication rates included extended operative duration, obesity, and diabetes status. The identification of these factors may be clinically useful to spine surgeons in terms of preoperative discussion and planning.

Study design This was a retrospective cohort study. Objective To assess the utility of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) in assessing postoperative recovery on the basis of the comorbidity burden after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Summary of background data Few studies have evaluated the effect of comorbidity burden in long-term clinical recovery after MIS TLIF. Methods Patients undergoing primary, 1-level to 2-level MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified on the basis of Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score: 0 points (no comorbidities), 1-2 points (low CCI), ≥3 points (high CCI). CCI was tested for an association with demographic characteristics and perioperative variables using χ analysis and multivariate linear regression. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to determine the association between CCI cohorts and PROMIS PF. Results A total of 187 1-level and 2-level MIS TLIF patients were included: 53 had no comorbidities, 78 had a low CCI, and 56 a high CCI. One patient in the high CCI group experienced nonunion. Patients reported similar PROMIS PF scores preoperatively and up to 1-year postoperatively. Each cohort experienced a similar improvement in PROMIS PF scores from baseline at each postoperative time point. For patients without comorbidities, the change in the postoperative PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at every postoperative time point. However, for the patients with ≥1 comorbidities, the change in the postoperative PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at the 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year time points, however, the change from baseline to 6 weeks was not significant. Conclusions In this investigation, the authors compared the clinical recovery of patients with varying comorbidities undergoing an MIS TLIF using PROMIS PF. Regardless of comorbidity, patients reported similar preoperative PROMIS PF scores and had similar improvements throughout the 1-year follow-up. This study established that PROMIS PF is an effective tool to evaluate the recovery of patients with differing comorbidities after MIS TLIF.

The number of citations a publication receives has been regarded as one measure of its importance and clinical impact. However, studies have yet to investigate which characteristics are predictors of citation rates within the spine subspecialty literature. To explore this topic, all articles published in 2010 in Spine and from 2010 to 2011 in The Spine Journal and the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine were reviewed. The Web of Science search engine was used to determine the number of times each article was cited in the 5 years following its publication. Sample characteristics were collected and were compared with a χ test for differences Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to determine if collected study characteristics were associated with achievement of citation frequency higher than the median for the entire study sample. Among the 927 articles analyzed, the 5-year citation number ranged from 0 to 125, with a median of 8 (interquartile range: 4-16). Upon multivariate analysis, the following were identified as predictors of citation number higher than the median: North American origin (P=0.014), sample size >30 (P

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective. OBJECTIVE To determine clinical outcomes in obese patients compared with non-obese patients utilizing Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Although obesity is a risk factor for poor outcomes after spinal fusion, there has not been a study to evaluate clinical outcomes of obese patients utilizing the PROMIS PF survey. METHODS Patients undergoing MIS TLIF were stratified into three cohorts: non-obese (body mass index [BMI] ≤ 29.9 kg/m), obese I (BMI = 30.0-34.9 kg/m), and obese II-III (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m). Demographic and perioperative characteristics were compared using chi-squared analysis and linear regression. Change in PROMIS PF scores was calculated using paired t tests. Differences in PROMIS PF scores at each postoperative timepoint and changes in PROMIS PF from baseline were compared using linear regression. RESULTS One hundred eighty-six patients were included: 101 were non-obese, 41 were classified as obese I, and 44 were classified as obese II-III. Obese patients were more likely to be diabetic. Otherwise, no significant differences in demographic and perioperative characteristics were identified. Patients with higher BMIs reported significantly lower PROMIS PF scores at preoperative and all postoperative timepoints. However, patients experienced similar improvements through 6-month follow-up in PROMIS PF scores regardless of BMI. For the non-obese cohort, the change in the postoperative PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at every postoperative timepoint. However, for the obese I and obese II-III cohorts, the change in the PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at the 3-month and 6-month timepoints, but not at the 6-week timepoint. CONCLUSION Patients with higher BMI had lower preoperative PROMIS PF scores and experienced similar improvement in PROMIS PF scores in the postoperative period. This study established that PROMIS PF may be utilized to evaluate the recovery of obese patients following MIS TLIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.

Study design This was a prospective study. Objective To determine patient awareness of surgeon-industry relationships, how these relationships affect patient perceptions of surgeons, and which relationships cause the greatest concern to patients. Summary of background data The prevalence of orthopedic surgeon-industry relationships led to the establishment of a national database of physician-industry interaction [Open Payments Database (OPD)] as part of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA). Materials and methods A 10-item questionnaire was administered to patients before their first evaluation. Two questions asked about awareness of the surgeon's industry relationships and of the OPD. One question evaluated the importance of surgeon-industry relationships of patients when choosing a provider. Six questions assessed patient perception of specific types of surgeon-industry relationships. Lastly, each patient ranked specific types of surgeon-industry relationships (1-most concerning to 6-least/not concerning). The distribution of patient-perceptions was compared using a Friedman 2-way analysis of variance by Ranks test. Distributions across awareness were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Results A total of 205 patients completed the survey. A majority of patients were unaware of their surgeons' relationships with industry and the existence of the OPD. However, most patients considered surgeon-industry relationships an important, very important or most important part of choosing their physician. There were significant differences in how industry relationships affected patient perceptions. Research funding had the most positive impact on perception. Financial ownership was reported to be the most concerning relationship followed by royalty payments and consulting. Conclusions Our results suggest that despite a lack of awareness, most patients consider surgeon-industry relationships an important factor in choosing their doctor. Patients generally report a more positive view of surgeons that have active relationships with industry. These results emphasize the value of disclosure for surgeons; it provides transparency and improves their standing amongst a majority of their patients.

OBJECTIVE Assess preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) scores and differences between preoperative and postoperative PROMIS-PF scores for patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, a prospectively maintained surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed for elective spine surgeries of nontraumatic, degenerative pathology between 2015-2018. Inclusion criteria were primary or revision, single-level ACDF procedures. Multilevel procedures and patients without preoperative surveys were excluded. A preoperative PROMIS score cutoff of 35 divided patients into PROMIS-PF score categories (e.g. , ≥ 35.0, < 35.0). Categorical and continuous variables were evaluated with chi-square tests and t-tests. Linear regression analyzed PROMIS-PF score improvement. RESULTS Eighty-six patients were selected, the high and low PROMIS-PF subgroups only differed in mean age (49.1 vs. 41.3, p = 0.002). Significant differences in PROMIS-PF scores were observed among high and low preoperative PROMIS-PF score subgroups at 6 weeks (p = 0.006), 12 weeks (p = 0.006), and 6 months (p = 0.014). Mean differences between preoperative and postoperative PROMIS-PF scores were significantly different between the high and low PROMIS-PF subgroups at 6 weeks (p = 0.041) and 1 year (p = 0.038). A significant negative association was observed between preoperative PROMIS scores and magnitude of improvement at the 6-week postoperative time point (slope = -0.6291, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with low preoperative PROMIS-PF scores demonstrated greater improvements at 6 weeks and 1 year. Clinicians should consider patients with low preoperative PROMIS-PF scores to be in the unique position to potentially experience larger postoperative improvement magnitudes than patients with higher preoperative PROMIS-PF scores.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate whether preoperative mental health status can be predictive of postoperative functional outcomes as measured by Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There is a paucity of scientific investigations into the association between preoperative mental health as evaluated by a validated questionnaire such as the Short Form-12 Mental Health Composite Score (SF-12 MCS) and postoperative outcomes following MIS TLIF. METHODS Patients undergoing a primary MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified into cohorts based on preoperative SF-12 MCS scores. The Physical Function scores of PROMIS, of which there are other domains including Pain Interference, Sexual Function, and Cognitive Function, were compared between the cohorts. In addition, the improvement in PROMIS scores based on preoperative SF-12 MCS scores following MIS TLIF was analyzed using multivariate linear regression. RESULTS One hundred seventy-two patients were included: 85 patients (49.4%) had a preoperative SF-12 MCS score

Retrospective.This study aims to examine whether the time spanning from symptom onset to surgical intervention has an effect on postoperative clinical improvement in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).Evidence is limited regarding the influence of preoperative symptom duration on patient-reported outcomes (PROs).Patients undergoing a primary, single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion were retrospectively reviewed and stratified according to preoperative symptom duration (12 mo and ≥12 mo). Differences in PROs, including Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) back pain, and VAS leg pain, at each postoperative timepoint and were compared between duration of symptoms (DOS) cohorts using linear regression. Achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for PROs was compared using χ analysis.A total of 248 patients were included: 96 had a DOS12 months and 152 had a DOS12 months. When comparing PROs preoperatively, the shorter DOS cohort had significantly worse ODI, VAS leg pain, and SF-12 PCS compared with patients with longer DOS. However, there was no preoperative difference in VAS back pain between cohorts. Postoperatively, there were no significant differences in improvement of PROs throughout the 12-month timepoint. The shorter DOS cohort had a comparable number of patients achieving MCID for ODI, VAS back pain, VAS leg pain, and SF-12 PCS relative to the longer DOS cohort.In our study, patients with DOS12 months exhibited significantly worse ODI and VAS leg pain scores at the time of surgery compared with patients with longer DOS. However, these patients demonstrated similar clinical improvement postoperatively regardless of preoperative symptom duration. These findings suggest that delayed surgical intervention may not lead to impaired functional recovery in patients with degenerative lumbar disease.

To evaluate specific demographic and perioperative variables associated with higher inpatient pain scores following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Patients who underwent a single-level, primary MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative outcomes were collected, and postoperative inpatient VAS pain scores were measured. Both bivariate and stepwise multivariate Poisson regressions with robust error variance were used to assess risk factors for average inpatient pain score ≥ 5.0. A final backward stepwise regression model was created using age, gender, smoking status, diabetes status, insurance status, BMI, comorbidity burden, pedicle screw laterality, operative time, and estimated blood loss. A total of 255 patients undergoing primary, single-level MIS TLIF were included. Age less than 50 years, workers’ compensation insurance, preoperative VAS pain score ≥ 7, and operative duration ≥ 110 min were associated with greater postoperative pain. However, other variables such as gender, BMI, smoking status, comorbidity burden, diabetes status, and pedicle screw laterality were not associated with increased postoperative pain. The results of this study suggest that younger age, workers’ compensation, elevated preoperative pain scores, and longer operative times are independently associated with greater inpatient pain following TLIF. Surgeons can use this information to better assess which patients may require additional pain control following TLIF. Patient expectations of postoperative outcomes in regard to pain and recovery may also be better managed. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. (paragraph). Then process the ppt slide as graphical image.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT The transition of minimally invasive (MIS) spine surgery from the inpatient to outpatient setting has been aided by advances in multimodal analgesic (MMA) protocols. This clinical case series of patients demonstrates the feasibility of ambulatory MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and a lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) procedures while using an enhanced MMA protocol. PURPOSE To present a clinical case series of patients who underwent either a MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) or a lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) in the ambulatory surgery setting while using an enhanced MMA protocol. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 50 patients who underwent MIS TLIF or LLIF with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with direct decompression. OUTCOME MEASURES Postoperative pain, postoperative narcotics, postoperative complications. METHODS Consecutive patients who underwent outpatient MIS TLIF or LLIF procedures with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and direct decompression in the ambulatory setting were reviewed. The procedures were performed using an MMA protocol. The senior surgeon performing the cases had extensive experience, operating in an ambulatory surgical center. Patient demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded, including age, sex, smoking status, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and body mass index (BMI). Perioperative characteristics, postoperative pain scores and narcotics administered to patients prior to discharge from the ASC were recorded including any complications. RESULTS A total of 50 consecutive patients were identified from September 2016 to July 2019, of which 41 patients (82%) underwent MIS TLIF, and 9 patients underwent MIS LLIF (18.0%). The LLIF procedures involved percutaneous posterior pedicle screw instrumentation and direct tubular posterior decompression. All patients in our study population were discharged home on the day of surgery from the surgical center. The mean length of stay was 4.5±1.6 hours and 3.8±1.6 hours for the TLIF and LLIF cohorts respectively. There was an outlier of 8.8 hours following a TLIF procedure. This patient reported a high VAS pain score of 9 immediately following surgery that needed to be adequately controlled prior to discharge. Our review of medical records revealed no postoperative complications following either the TLIF or LLIF procedures. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the present study of 50 consecutive patients is the largest clinical series of patients who underwent outpatient lumbar fusion procedures in a stand-alone ambulatory surgery setting with no extended postoperative observation capability. Our study of patients who underwent outpatient MIS TLIF or LLIF procedures in the ambulatory surgery setting while using a well-developed multimodal analgesia protocol demonstrated no postoperative complications. Postoperative pain was adequately controlled and all patients were discharged from the ambulatory surgical center on the day of surgery approximately 4.5 (TLIF) and 3.8 (LLIF) hours after the procedure. The findings suggest that with proper preoperative patient selection, an enhanced MMA protocol can lead to discharge of patients from a surgical center and minimize admission to a hospital. Preventing these complications may help increase the likelihood of timely discharge facilitating the performance of lumbar fusion procedures in the ambulatory setting. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT This study aims to discern how social media outlets contributed to spine surgery literature dissemination and to investigate how popular articles compared to articles with most citations. Scientific literature is increasingly distributed via social media. The influence of social media on the promulgation of orthopedic spine surgery literature has not been investigated. The Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) is calculated from each article's social media presence in outlets such as news, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. PURPOSE This study will determine if any factors are associated with online popularity as measured by AAS. The primary aim of this investigation is to discern what social media outlets most contribute to dissemination of spine surgery literature. Our secondary purpose is to investigate how article popularity compares to traditional metrics such as citations and impact factors. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 13,601 peer-reviewed articles on spine surgery were included. OUTCOME MEASURES AAS, social media presence, citation number. METHODS The Altmetric database was used to perform a search of nine spine surgery journals from January 2010-October 2019. AAS-related variable averages were summarized alongside metrics such as citation count and impact factor. Spearman rank and time-controlled partial correlations examined the association between AAS and online sources, readers and citations. Journals were grouped by impact factor, and an analysis-of-variance compared mean AAS. The 100 highest AAS articles were compared to the 100 most cited. RESULTS A total of 13,601 articles included. The mean AAS was 5.3 ± 29.8, with Twitter contributing the most (4.5). The three highest associations were Twitter (0.649 vs 0.755), news (0.537 vs 0.857), and Facebook (0.409 vs 0.501). There was no significance between impact factor and AAS. Comparing the top 100 AAS articles to those with most citations, the most popular articles on social media had more article types (10 types vs 5 types), more prospective studies (42 vs 21), fewer retrospective studies (22 vs 40), fewer reviews (7 vs 17) and fewer systematic reviews (14 vs 20). Spine contributed the most articles in the top 100 AAS and citation sets. There is a weak correlation between impact factor and citation rate, and there is not statistically significant relationship between Altmetric attention score and impact factor (p CONCLUSIONS This is the first study using the AAS to evaluate social media underpinnings of peer-reviewed spine surgery literature dissemination. Our evaluation revealed Twitter, newsfeeds and Facebook were the most significant social media outlets. Compared to articles with the greatest citations, the most popular articles are prospective and encompass broader study designs. Social media plays an integral role in article dissemination in spine literature and the public sphere. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

As the number of advances in surgical techniques increases, it becomes increasingly important to assess and research the technology regarding spine surgery techniques in order to increase surgical accuracy, decrease overall length of surgery, and minimize overall radiation exposure. Currently, augmented reality and virtual reality have shown promising results in regard to their applicability beyond their current functions. At present, VR has been generally applied to a teaching and preparatory role, while AR has been utilized in surgical settings. As such, the following review attempts to provide an overview of both virtual reality and augmented reality, followed by a discussion of their current applications and future direction.