Does Spinal Cord Type Predict Intraoperative Neuro-Monitoring Alerts in Scoliosis Correction Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Operative and Radiologic Predictors.

Study Design: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Predicting patient risk of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) alerts preoperatively can aid patient counselling and surgical planning. Sielatycki et al established an axial-MRI-based spinal cord classification system to predict risk of IONM alerts in scoliosis correction surgery.

Sustainable surgical practices: A comprehensive approach to reducing environmental impact.

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the environmental impact of surgical procedures and highlights potential strategies to reduce the associated greenhouse gas emissions. We discuss procurement, waste management, and energy consumption, providing examples of successful interventions in each area. We also emphasize the importance of adopting the Green Theatre Checklist as a useful tool for clinicians aiming to implement sustainable surgical practices.

Adherence to the Obeid coronal malalignment classification and a residual malalignment below 20 mm can improve surgical outcomes in adult spine deformity surgery.

Purpose: Coronal balance is a major factor impacting the surgical outcomes in adult spinal deformity (ASD). The Obeid coronal malalignment (O-CM) classification has been proposed to improve the coronal alignment in ASD surgery. Aim of this study was to investigate whether a postoperative CM < 20 mm and adherence to the O-CM classification could improve surgical outcomes and decrease the rate of mechanical failure in a cohort of ASD patients.

When spinal instrumentation revision is not an option: Salvage vertebral augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate for mechanical complications: A systematic review.

Intoduction: Mechanical complications from spinal fusion including implant loosening or junctional failure result in poor outcomes, particularly in osteoporotic patients. While the use of percutaneous vertebral augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been studied for augmentation of junctional levels to offset against kyphosis and failure, its deployment around existing loose screws or in failing surrounding bone as a salvage percutaneous procedure has been described in small case series and merits review.

Research Question: How effective and safe is the use of PMMA as a salvage procedure for mechanical complications in failed spinal fusion?.

The Environmental Impact of Spine Surgery and the Path to Sustainability.

Study Design: Narrative literature review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review published literature discussing sustainable health care and to identify aspects that pertain to spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: In recent years, research has investigated the contribution of surgical specialties to climate change.

An age and sex matched study on the effect of obesity on the functional outcomes and complication rates in patients with adult spinal deformity undergoing primary multi-level thoracolumbar spinal fusion.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of obesity on the functional outcomes and complication rates of patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) undergoing multi-level thoracolumbar fusion.

Methods: An age and sex matched comparison of functional outcomes [Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) back and leg scores, Core Outcome Measurement Index (COMI) back scores, Scoliosis Research Society 22 (SRS22) satisfaction and total scores, Short Form 36 (SF36) general health scores, Physical Component Score (PCS), Mental Component Score (MCS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (including all domains)] at 6 months, 1, 2, 3 and 4 years and the complication rates at final follow-up between obese [body mass index (BMI) >30] and normal BMI (18.5-24.

Domino connector is an efficient tool to improve lumbar lordosis correction angle after pedicle subtraction osteotomy for adult spinal deformity.

Purpose: To compare the radiological outcomes and complications of adult spinal deformity patients who underwent a pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) below L2 but categorized according to their construct where either a domino connector was applied for osteotomy correction or not.

Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective, multicenter adult spinal deformity database (5 sites). Inclusion criteria were adult patients who underwent PSO between L3 and L5 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Obeid-Coronal Malalignment Classification Is Age Related and Independently Associated to Personal Reported Outcome Measurement Scores in the Nonfused Spine.

Objective: To evaluate Obeid-coronal malalignment (O-CM) modifiers according to age, sagittal alignment, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), in the mobile spine.

Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective multicenter adult spinal deformity (ASD) database with 1,243 (402 nonoperative, 841 operative) patients with no prior fusion surgery. Patients were included if they were aged over 18 years and were affected by spinal deformity defined by one of: Cobb angle ≥ 20°, pelvic tilt ≥ 25°, sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm, thoracic kyphosis ≥ 60°.

Relative pelvic version displays persistent compensatory measures with normalised sagittal vertical axis after deformity correction.

Purpose: A normal sagittal vertical axis (SVA) after spinal deformity correction can yield mechanical complications of up to 30%. Post-operative compensatory pelvic orientation can produce a normal SVA. We assess relative pelvic version (RPV), an individualised measure, for persistent post-operative compensatory measures.

Technical outcome of atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation without supplementary posterior construct for rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: transarticular screw (TAS) fixation without a supplementary posterior construct, even in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, provides sufficient stability with acceptable clinical results. Here, we present our experience with 15 RA patients who underwent atlantoaxial (AA) TAS fixation without utilizing a supplementary posterior fusion.

Methods: To treat AA instability, all 15 RA patients underwent C1-C2 TAS fixation without a supplementary posterior construct.

Clinical Performance and Concurrent Validity of the Adult Spinal Deformity Surgical Decision-making Score.

Study Design: Multicenter, retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the performance and concurrent validity of the adult spinal deformity surgical decision-making (ASD-SDM) score compared to decision-making factors in the ASD population.

Summary Of Background Data: The ASD-SDM score, which has been recently proposed, is a scoring system to guide the selection of treatment modality for the ASD population.

A new classification for coronal malalignment in adult spinal deformity: a validation and the role of lateral bending radiographs.

Purpose: Coronal malalignment (CM) causes pain, impairment of function and cosmetic problems for adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients in addition to sagittal malalignment. Certain types of CM are at risk of insufficient re-alignment after correction. However, CM has received minimal attention in the literature compared to sagittal malalignment.

Ten techniques for improving navigated spinal surgery.

With the identification of literature shortfalls on the techniques employed in intraoperative navigated (ION) spinal surgery, we outline a number of measures which have been synthesised into a coherent operative technique. These include positioning, dissection, management of the reference frame, the grip, the angle of attack, the drill, the template, the pedicle screw, the wire, and navigated intrathecal analgesia. Optimizing techniques to improve accuracy allow an overall reduction of the repetition of the surgical steps with its associated productivity benefits including time, cost, radiation, and safety.

The effect of increasing body mass index on the pain and function of patients with adult spinal deformity.

Background: Both adult spinal deformity (ASD) and obesity are growing concerns internationally. This study therefore aims to determine the effect of increasing body mass index (BMI) on the pain and function of patients with ASD.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a multicentre European database was undertaken.

Using lean principles to introduce intraoperative navigation for scoliosis surgery.

Aims: Intraoperative 3D navigation (ION) allows high accuracy to be achieved in spinal surgery, but poor workflow has prevented its widespread uptake. The technical demands on ION when used in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are higher than for other more established indications. Lean principles have been applied to industry and to health care with good effects.

Primary appendicular soft-tissue sarcoma resection: What tumour parameters affect wound closure planning?

Wound closure after wide, local excision of an appendicular soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) can be challenging. This study evaluates the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based tumour parameters in planning wound closure. A total of 71 patients with a primary limb-based STS, excluding vascular or osseous involvement, excluding the shoulder or hand and hip or foot were included.

Opioids and analgesics use after adult spinal deformity surgery correlates with sagittal alignment and preoperative analgesic pattern.

Purpose: To assess pain, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores and sagittal parameters of adult spinal deformity (ASD)-operated patients in the context of their analgesic consumption especially opioids (narcotics) over the first year postoperative period.

Methods: In total, 372 patients from a multicenter database were stratified into 3 groups at baseline: 241 patients in the minimal group (no analgesic, or NSAIDs/narcotics weekly or less), 64 in the NSAIDs every day group and 67 in the narcotics every day group. HRQOL and back and leg pain scores were evaluated at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Carbon-fibre cage reconstruction in anterior cervical corpectomy for multilevel cervical spondylosis: mid-term outcomes.

Background: Mid-term clinical and radiological evaluation of a carbon-fiber cage in multilevel cervical spondylosis (MCS). Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) using titanium mesh cages (TMC) has shown satisfactory outcomes, but with subsidence of up to 20%. Conventional long-fiber carbon fiber cages have shown a safe profile in discectomy/fusion (ACDF) but with minimal data in the setting of corpectomy.

Adult spinal deformity surgical decision-making score. Part 2: development and validation of a scoring system to guide the selection of treatment modalities for patients above 40 years with adult spinal deformity.

Purpose: We aimed to develop and internally validate a scoring system, the adult spinal deformity surgical decision-making (ASD-SDM) score, to guide the decision-making process for ASD patients aged above 40 years.

Methods: A multicentre prospective ASD database was retrospectively reviewed. The scoring system was developed using data from a derivation set and was internally validated in a validation set.

Adult spinal deformity surgical decision-making score : Part 1: development and validation of a scoring system to guide the selection of treatment modalities for patients below 40 years with adult spinal deformity.

Purpose: We aimed to develop and internally validate a simple scoring system: the adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgical decision-making (ASD-SDM) score, which is specific to the decision-making process for ASD patients aged below 40 years.

Methods: A multicentre prospective ASD database was retrospectively reviewed. The scoring system was developed using data from a derivation cohort and was internally validated in a validation cohort.