Neurological Outcomes Following Craniotomy for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage: Case Series and Literature Review.

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a potential complication associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which has been increasingly utilized in recent years. A paucity of data exists describing patient outcomes following invasive neurosurgical interventions in patients receiving ECMO therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and functional outcomes in patients who underwent cranial neurosurgery for the management of an ECMO-associated intracranial complication.

Effective and Successful Control of Symptomatic Vertebral Hemangiomas With Epidural Extension Using Stereotactic Spine Radiosurgery.

Background And Objectives: We present our experience in the management of symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas with epidural extension (SVHEE) using spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS).

Methods: An Institutional Review Board approved retrospective review of all SVHEE patients treated with SSRS at our institution (2007-2022) was performed. Baseline patient demographics, clinical presentation, lesion volume, and Bilsky grade (to directly evaluate the epidural component) were determined.

Risk assessment of early therapeutic anticoagulation following cranial surgery: an institutional case series.

Objective: Postoperative thrombotic complications represent a unique challenge in cranial neurosurgery as primary treatment involves therapeutic anticoagulation. The decision to initiate therapy and its timing is nuanced, as surgeons must balance the risk of catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). With limited existing evidence to guide management, current practice patterns are subjective and inconsistent.

The Use of Cranial Aneurysm Clips for Repair of Incidental Lumbar Durotomy: Operative Technique and Case Series.

Background: Incidental durotomy is a common complication of posterior lumbar spine surgery; however, effective and durable methods for primary repair remain elusive. Multiple existing techniques have previously been reported and extensively described, including sutured repair and the use of nonpenetrating titanium clips. The use of cranial aneurysm clips for primary repair of lumbar durotomy serves as a safe and effective alternative to obtain watertight closure of a dural tear.

Clinical presentation and extent of resection impacts progression-free survival in spinal ependymomas.

Purpose: Primary treatment of spinal ependymomas involves surgical resection, however recurrence ranges between 50 and 70%. While the association of survival outcomes with lesion extent of resection (EOR) has been studied, existing analyses are limited by small samples and archaic data resulting in an inhomogeneous population. We investigated the relationship between EOR and survival outcomes, chiefly overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), in a large contemporary cohort of spinal ependymoma patients.

Characterizing the Next Generation of Neurosurgeons: A Descriptive Analysis and Publicly Available Web Application of Neurosurgery Residency Programs' Website Data.

Objective: Neurosurgery program websites serve as a valuable resource for applicants. However, each website exists in isolation, and it can be difficult to understand the general trends in U.S.

A comparison of successful versus failed nonoperative treatment approaches in patients with degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine.

Identifying an optimal composition of nonoperative therapies to trial in patients suffering from degenerative lumbar spine conditions prior to surgical management remains challenging. Contrasting successful versus failed nonoperative treatment approaches may provide clinicians with valuable insight. The purpose of this study was to compare the nonoperative therapy regimens in degenerative lumbar spine disorder patients successfully managed conservatively versus patients who failed primary treatment and opted for lumbar fusion surgery.

Years of potential life lost secondary to COVID-19: Cook County, Illinois.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to substantial morbidity and mortality world-wide. Evidence suggests that ethnic and racial minorities have been disproportionately affected in the United States, particularly within major population centers. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cook County, Illinois, and found that the rate of years of potential life lost (YPLL) was 4.

Comparison of Postoperative Opioid Utilization in an ACDF Cohort: Narcotic Naive Patients Versus Preoperative Opioid Users.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the postoperative opioid utilization rates and costs after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures between groups of patients who were preoperative opioid users versus opioid naive.

Summary Of Background Data: Opioid medications are frequently prescribed after ACDF procedures.

A comparison of prolonged nonoperative management strategies in cervical stenosis patients: Successes versus failures.

A paucity of evidence exists regarding the optimal composition of conservative therapies to best treat patients diagnosed with cervical stenosis prior to consideration of surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the nonoperative therapy utilization strategies in cervical stenosis patients successfully managed with conservative treatments versus those that failed medical management and opted for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. Medical records from adult patients with a diagnosis of cervical stenosis from 2007 to 2017 were collected retrospectively from a large insurance database.

Regional differences in prolonged non-operative therapy utilization prior to primary ACDF surgery.

There is a paucity of data characterizing regional variations in the utilization and costs of conservative management in patients suffering from cervical stenosis prior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. An understating of these regional trends becomes critical as outcomes-based reimbursement strategies become standard. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate for regional differences in the utilization and overall costs of maximal non-operative therapy (MNT) prior to ACDF surgery.

An Assessment of Nonoperative Management Strategies in a Herniated Lumbar Disc Population: Successes Versus Failures.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the utilization of conservative treatments in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniations who were successfully managed nonoperatively versus patients who failed conservative therapies and elected to undergo surgery (microdiscectomy).

Methods: Clinical records from adult patients with an initial herniated lumbar disc between 2007 and 2017 were selected from a large insurance database.

Gender differences in use of prolonged non-operative therapies prior to index ACDF surgery.

Prior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery, patients suffering from cervical stenosis traditionally trial non-operative treatments for pain management. There is a paucity of data evaluating gender disparities in the prolonged utilization of conservative therapy prior to ACDF surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess for gender-based differences in the utilization and cost of maximal non-operative therapy (MNT) for cervical stenosis prior to ACDF surgery.

Gender differences in the 3-month utilization of nonoperative therapies prior to primary lumbar microdiscectomy.

Patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation classically trial a brief course of conservative management prior to microdiscectomy surgery. Gender differences have previously been identified in the selection and symptomatic response to commonly-utilized nonoperative treatments. However, whether gender differences exist in the degree and cost of nonoperative therapy in this cohort remains unknown.

Racial Differences in Perioperative Opioid Utilization in Lumbar Decompression and Fusion Surgery for Symptomatic Lumbar Stenosis or Spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To assess for racial differences in opioid utilization prior to and after lumbar fusion surgery for patients with lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Clinical records from patients with lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis undergoing primary <3-level lumbar fusion from 2007 to 2016 were gathered from a comprehensive insurance database.

Regional Variation in Nonoperative Therapy Utilization for Symptomatic Lumbar Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis: A 2-Year Costs Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To characterize regional variations in maximal nonoperative therapy (MNT) costs in patients suffering from lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Medical records from patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis undergoing primary ≤3-level lumbar decompression and fusion procedures from 2007 to 2016 were gathered from a large insurance database.

Adjunct Analgesia Reduces Pain and Opioid Consumption After Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Patients who undergo hip arthroscopy inevitably experience pain postoperatively; however, the efficacy and safety of adjunct analgesia to prevent or reduce pain are not well-understood.

Purpose: To perform a comprehensive qualitative synthesis of available randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of adjunct analgesia on postoperative (1) pain, (2) opioid use, and (3) length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Reduction in Narcotic Use After Lumbar Decompression and Fusion in Patients With Symptomatic Lumbar Stenosis or Spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess change in opioid use before and after lumbar decompression and fusion surgery for patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis.

Methods: A large insurance database was queried for patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis undergoing index lumbar decompression and fusion procedures between 2007 and 2016.

A 2-Year Cost Analysis of Maximum Nonoperative Treatments in Patients With Symptomatic Lumbar Stenosis or Spondylolisthesis That Ultimately Required Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to characterize the utilization and costs of maximal nonoperative therapies (MNTs) within 2 years prior to spinal fusion surgery in patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis.

Methods: A large insurance database was queried for patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis undergoing index 1-, 2-, or 3-level lumbar decompression and fusion procedures between 2007 and 2016.

Regional Differences in the Cost and Utilization of Nonoperative Management Within 3 Months Prior to Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the regional variations in the use of nonoperative therapies in patients diagnosed with a lumbar intervertebral disc herniation 3 months prior to undergoing microdiscectomy surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Regional variations in the management of chronic pain conditions have been previously identified.

Sex Differences in Opioid Use in Patients With Symptomatic Lumbar Stenosis or Spondylolisthesis Undergoing Lumbar Decompression and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Objective: To investigate sex differences in opioid use after lumbar decompression and fusion surgery for patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Recent studies have demonstrated higher prevalence of chronic pain states and greater pain sensitivity among women compared with men.

Total Health Care Expenditure in Patients With a Herniated Lumbar Disk That Ultimately Require Surgery: A 3- and 6-month Cost Comparison of Maximum Nonoperative Treatment.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the cost of maximum nonoperative therapy (MNT) in patients diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disk undergoing primary (1-3 mo) versus prolonged (4-6 mo) conservative management before microdiscectomy.

Summary Of Background Data: Patients diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disk often attempt a 3-month trial of conservative management before microdiscectomy.

Retraction: Limited post-operative dexamethasone use does not affect lumbar fusion: a single institutional experience.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.21037/jss.2018.

A Two-Year Cost Analysis of Maximum Nonoperative Treatments in Patients with Cervical Stenosis that Ultimately Required Surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study is to characterize the use and associated costs of maximal nonoperative therapy (MNT) received within 2-years before anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery in patients with symptomatic cervical stenosis.

Methods: An insurance database, including private/commercially insured and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, was queried for patients undergoing 1-level, 2-level, or 3-level ACDF procedures between 2007 and 2016. Research records were searchable by International Classification of Diseases diagnosis and procedure, Current Procedural Terminology, and generic drug codes.