Risk factors for metastatic disease at presentation with chordoma and its prognostic value.

Background: Chordoma is a rare bone cancer arising from the embryonic notochord with special predilection to the axial skeleton. The locally destructive nature and metastatic potential of chordomas can lead to devastating outcomes in terms of survival. The purpose of this study was to examine potential risk factors predictive of metastatic disease at presentation and prognostic factors in patients with metastasis.

Factors Associated With Unplanned Readmissions and Prolonged Length of Stay in Patients Undergoing Primary Fusion for Congenital Scoliosis.

Background: Approximately 50% of patients with congenital scoliosis will require surgical treatment to prevent further progression. Outcomes following congenital scoliosis are sparse in the literature. The purpose of this study was to identify independent risk factors associated with unplanned readmission and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing primary surgical treatment for congenital scoliosis.

Evaluating the Readability of Patient Education Materials for Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering, Distraction-Based Methods, and Posterior Spinal Fusion for the Treatment of Pediatric Spinal Deformity.

Background: The Internet is an important source of information for patients, but its effectiveness relies on the readability of its content. Patient education materials (PEMs) should be written at or below a sixth-grade reading level as outlined by agencies such as the American Medical Association. This study assessed PEMs' readability for the novel anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT), distraction-based methods, and posterior spinal fusion (PSF) in treating pediatric spinal deformity.

Use of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index to Assess Risk for Postoperative Complications Following Posterior Cervical Decompression/Fusion.

Background: Posterior cervical decompression with or without fusion (PCD/F) is used to manage degenerative spinal conditions. Malnutrition has been implicated for poor outcomes in spine surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) as a risk calculator for postoperative complications in patients undergoing PCD/F.

Enhanced Risk Stratification for Short-Term Complications Following Vertebral Augmentation for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Background: For patients with back pain from osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), vertebral augmentation remains the most utilized surgical intervention. Previous studies report 30-day readmission and mortality rates of up to 10% and 2%, respectively. These studies, however, have included patients with pathologic fractures and combined patients in different admission settings.

Efficacy and safety of intrawound antibiotics in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a nationwide database study.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of intrawound antibiotics in posterior fusions for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: The NSQIP-Pediatric databases 2016-2018 were utilized. Patients 10 years of age or older with AIS who underwent posterior fusion were selected and divided into two cohorts based on the receipt of intrawound antibiotics.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lumbar Giant Cell Tumor of the Spine: Update on Current Management Strategies.

(1) Background: Giant Cell Tumor of the spine remains a difficult tumor to treat. Recent advances in adjuvant therapy such as denosumab and innovations in surgical technique in the last 5 years have given providers new options for treatment after a successful diagnosis of the tumor. (2) Methods: Articles published between 1927 and 2021 were selected from PubMed and Scopus searches using key words "Giant Cell Tumor" AND "Lumbar Spine" AND "Treatment".

Is the Direct Anterior Approach to THA Cost-effective? A Markov Analysis.

Background: The use of the direct anterior approach, a muscle-sparing technique for THA, has increased over the years; however, this approach is associated with longer procedure times and a more expensive direct cost. Furthermore, studies have shown a higher revision rate in the early stages of the learning curve. Whether the clinical advantages of the direct anterior compared with the posterior approach-such as less soft tissue damage, decreased short-term postoperative pain, a lower dislocation rate, decreased length of stay in the hospital, and higher likelihood of being discharged home-outweigh the higher cost is still debatable.

Transdermal Scopolamine as an Adjunct to Multimodal Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after surgery degrades patient experience, tolerance of pain medication, rehabilitation progress, and functional outcomes. Given the importance of early rehabilitation following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), we asked whether transdermal scopolamine is effective in reducing rates of PONV and improving functional outcomes following TJA.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 1580 consecutive patients who underwent TJA between 2014 and 2017 and compared patients before the addition of the scopolamine patch (control group) to those after the addition (study group).

Partial Cystectomy for Primary Bladder Tumors in Contemporary Patients with Diverse Tumor Locations.

Introduction: Partial cystectomy use has historically been limited by stringent selection criteria. We compared outcomes following partial cystectomy at our institution with those in other contemporary series. Also, we specifically characterized outcomes in patients with tumors in bladder locations traditionally considered unamenable to partial cystectomy.