Predicting Complications in 153 Lumbar Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomies by a Single Surgeon Over a 6-Year Period.

Introduction: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a complex surgical procedure that provides correction of moderate sagittal imbalance. Surgical complications have adverse effects on patient outcomes and healthcare costs, making it imperative for clinical researchers to focus on minimizing complications. However, when it comes to risk modeling of PSO surgery, there is currently no consensus on which patient characteristics or measures should be used.

Does Surgical Day of the Week Affect Hospital Course and Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery?

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Objectives: Extended hospital length of stay (LOS) poses a significant cost burden to patients undergoing adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between late-week surgery and LOS in patients undergoing ASD surgery.

Hospital Course and Complications of Subaxial Cervical Trauma Patients With Tetraplegia or Paraplegia: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Study Design: A single-institution, retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The objective was to present demographic characteristics, mechanism of injuries, lengths of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) days, discharge locations, and causes of 90-day readmission for patients with subaxial spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia.

Summary Of Background Data: Spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia are rare injuries with debilitating outcomes.

The Surgical Outcomes of Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy per Different First Assistant: Retrospective Analysis of 312 Cases.

Introduction: Pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs) are complex spinal deformity surgeries that are associated with high complication rates. They are typically done by an experienced spine surgeon with another attending, resident, or physician assistant serving as the first assistant. The purpose of this study was to determine whether selecting a surgical team for single-level PSO based on case difficulty and fusion length could equalize intraoperative and perioperative outcomes among three groups: dual-attending (DA), attending and orthopaedic resident (RS), and attending and physician assistant (PA).

Differences in Financial Conflicts of Interest Among Participants in a National Spine Conference.

Study Design: Retrospective Study.

Objective: At the North American Spine Society (NASS) conference, participants may influence spine surgery practices and patient care through their contributions. Therefore, their financial conflicts of interest are of notable interest.

Demographic and Perioperative Factors Associated With Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Survey Completion.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate independent demographic and perioperative factors associated with lower Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) survey completion rates after spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: There has not been a study evaluating factors related to PROMIS PF survey completion following spine surgery.

Patient Perceptions of Physician Ownership in Spine Care.

Study Design: This was a prospective study.

Objective: This study aims to determine the perspectives of patients seeking spine care in regard to physician ownership of surgical facilities and to understand the importance of disclosing financial conflicts.

Summary Of Background Data: There has been limited investigation regarding patient perceptions of the proprietary structure of surgical facilities.

Improvements in Back and Leg Pain After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression.

Background: Few studies have quantified clinical improvement following minimally invasive lumbar decompression based on predominant back pain or leg pain.

Purpose: To quantify improvement in patient-reported outcomes following minimally invasive lumbar decompression and determine the degree of improvement in back pain, leg pain, and disability in patients who present with predominant back pain or predominant leg pain.

Methods: Patients who underwent primary, one-level minimally invasive lumbar decompression for degenerative pathology were retrospectively reviewed.

Static Versus Expandable Devices Provide Similar Clinical Outcomes Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Background: Few studies have analyzed differences in radiographic parameters and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between expandable and static interbody devices in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

Questions/purposes: To evaluate differences in radiographic parameters and PROs following MIS TLIF between static and expandable interbody devices.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary, single-level MIS TLIF between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively identified.

Patient Perceptions of Iliac Crest Bone Grafting in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine patients' perception of iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) harvesting and donor site pain following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: The incidence of donor site pain has been debated in the literature because of the varying techniques associated with its harvest.

Opioid Consumption Patterns After Lumbar Microdiscectomy or Decompression.

Study Design: Prospective observational study OBJECTIVE.: The aim of this study was to record daily opioid use and pain levels after 1-level lumbar decompression or microdiscectomy.

Summary Of Background Data: The standardization of opioid-prescribing practices through guidelines can decrease the risk of misuse and lower the number of pills available for diversion in this high-risk patient population.

Minimally invasive lumbar decompression in an ambulatory surgery center.

Background: There is limited data regarding clinical and surgical outcomes of minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MIS LD) as an outpatient procedure. In this context, our purpose is to evaluate a single surgeon's experience with performing MIS LD in the outpatient versus inpatient setting and determining if there are differences in surgical and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary, one- to three-level MIS LD were retrospectively reviewed and stratified by surgical setting: ambulatory surgical center (ASC) versus hospital.

Interbody options in lumbar fusion.

Interbody devices have revolutionized lumbar fusion surgery by enhancing mechanical stability, optimizing sagittal parameters, and maximizing fusion potential. There are several lumbar interbody fusion approaches available for varying pathologic etiologies, surgical index levels, or due to surgeon preference. With the advancement of spinal instrumentation and interbody devices, a variety of cage materials and dimensions have been engineered to accommodate various lumbar fusion approaches.

The Influence of Conflicts of Interest on Outcomes in the Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty Literature: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: A systematic review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between study outcomes and the presence of a conflict of interest (COI) in the lumbar disc arthroplasty (LDA) literature.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies have evaluated the efficacy of LDA as a surgical alternative to arthrodesis.

Postoperative satisfaction following lumbar spinal fusion surgery: patient expectation versus actuality.

Objective: Due to the reported benefits associated with minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS), patients seeking out minimally invasive surgery may have higher expectations regarding their outcomes. In this study the authors aimed to assess the effects of preoperative expectations and postoperative outcome actuality, and the difference between the two, on postoperative satisfaction following MIS for lumbar fusion procedures.

Methods: Patients scheduled for either a 1- or 2-level lumbar fusion MIS were administered confidential surveys preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively.

Does the Day of the Week Affect Length of Stay and Hospital Charges Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion?

Background: To reduce the economic impact of excessive costs, risk factors for increased length of stay (LOS) must be identified. Previous literature has demonstrated that surgeries later in the week can affect the LOS and costs following joint arthroplasty. However, few investigations regarding the day of surgery have been performed in the spine literature.

Risk Factors Associated With Failure to Reach Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Background: The minimum clinically importance difference (MCID) represents a threshold for improvements in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that patients deem important. No previous study has comprehensively examined risk factors for failure to achieve MCID after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures for radiculopathic symptomatology. The purpose of this study is to determine risk factors for failure to reach MCID for Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck pain, and VAS arm pain in patients undergoing 1- or 2-level ACDF procedures.

Swallowing Function Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With and Without Anterior Plating: A SWAL-QOL (Swallowing-Quality of Life) and Radiographic Assessment.

Objective: Anterior cervical plating in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures are associated with improved outcomes compared to stand-alone cages. However, concerns exist regarding increased rates of postoperative dysphagia following an ACDF. This study aims to quantify the effect of anterior plating on swallowing-quality of life (SWAL-QOL) scores and radiographic swelling assessments following a primary, single-level ACDF.

Impact of Iliac Crest Bone Grafting on Postoperative Outcomes and Complication Rates Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Objective: The relationship between bone graft technique and postoperative outcomes for minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) has not been well-defined. This study aims to determine the effect of iliac crest bone grafting (ICBG) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and complication rates following MIS TLIF.

Methods: Primary, single-level MIS TLIF patients were consecutively analyzed.

Patient Activation is Not Associated With Postoperative Outcomes Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study.

Objective: To determine whether an association exists between preoperative patient activation, as measured by the 10-Item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-10), and postoperative outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Summary Of Background Data: Patient motivation in maintaining positive health behaviors, a concept known as patient activation, has been established as an indicator for improvement in pain, disability, and physical function after surgery.

Sex Differences on Postoperative Pain and Disability Following Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To determine if sex is associated with differences in postoperative pain scores, narcotic consumption, and long-term improvements in pain and disability following minimally invasive lumbar discectomy (MIS LD).

Summary Of Background Data: There exists a question as to what extent sex influences surgical and clinical outcomes following MIS LD.

The Effect of Tobacco Use on Postoperative Pain Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To identify the differences in inpatient pain scores, narcotic consumption, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between tobacco users and nonusers following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies have investigated tobacco use as a risk factor for negative postsurgical outcomes following spine surgery; however, few studies have analyzed the effects of tobacco on pain following ACDF.