Publications by authors named "Dominick A Tuason"

Study Design: Review article.

Objective: To review the literature on the effect of specialized pediatric spine teams on clinical outcomes.

Results: Thirty-eight studies were identified in the review.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A study examined how opioid consumption affects hospital stay lengths after posterior spinal fusion in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, using data from the Premier Healthcare Database from 2016-2017.
  • Patients were categorized based on their morphine milligram equivalent (MME) intake into Low, Medium, and High groups, with a focus on demographics, post-operative complications, and costs.
  • Results showed that a higher opioid intake was linked to longer hospital stays, with 19.7% of High cohort patients experiencing extended stays compared to 6.5% of Low cohort patients, while the Low cohort faced higher admission costs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Goldenhar syndrome is a rare congenital disease that presents with a spectrum of clinical sequelae related to the vertebrae and other organs. The spinal manifestations of the syndrome are associated with scoliosis for which fusion may be considered. The current study aimed to evaluate the risks of adverse events and reoperations following posterior spinal fusion for those with Goldenhar syndrome relative to those with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing posterior spinal instrumented fusion (PSIF). However, there are relatively few studies investigating the effect of regular multidisciplinary team meetings on level selection, surgical performance parameters, and patient outcomes after PSIF for AIS. The aim of this study was to assess changes in intra- and postoperative outcomes following multidisciplinary team meeting implementation for patients undergoing PSIF for AIS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates risk factors contributing to delayed ambulation after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, highlighting how this delay impacts recovery and healthcare costs.
  • - Researchers analyzed medical records from 129 adolescents, categorizing them into early, intermediate, and late ambulators, finding that most patients (over 89%) ambulated later than one day post-surgery.
  • - Key findings indicate that younger patients, those with more severe spinal deformities, and those requiring more intensive surgical procedures were more likely to ambulate later, which also correlated with longer hospital stays and increased healthcare utilization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Transitioning from intravenous (IV) to oral opioids after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is necessary during the postoperative course. However, few studies have assessed the effects of longer transition times on hospital length of stay (LOS). This study investigated the impact of longer IV to oral opioid transition times on LOS after PSF for AIS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Insurance disparities have been suggested to influence the medical and surgical outcomes of adult patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), with a paucity of studies demonstrating their impact on the outcomes of pediatric and adolescent SCI patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of insurance status on healthcare utilization and outcomes in adolescent patients presenting with SCI.

Methods: An administrative database study was performed using the 2017 admission year from 753 facilities using the National Trauma Data Bank.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printed guides are finding increasing applications in the field of orthopaedic surgery and more recently spine surgery. This retrospective cohort study compares benefits and costs of 3D printed guides in surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) compared to freehand techniques.

Methods: Intraoperative screw placement was conducted either with 3D printed guides (3D cohort) or traditional freehand technique (freehand cohort) for AIS patients undergoing spinal fusion at a single institution.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of race on hospital length of stay (LOS) and hospital complications among pediatric patients with cervical/thoracic injury.

Methods: A retrospective cohort was performed using the 2017 admission year from 753 facilities utilizing the National Trauma Data Bank. All pediatric patients with cervical/thoracic spine injuries were identified using the ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding system.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In the era of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, surgical intervention seems to be increasingly common as an adjunct to treatment for pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO). The purpose of this study is to identify objective clinical and laboratory parameters that are associated with repeated surgical intervention during the acute phase of treatment.

Methods: Fifty-seven children who were consecutively evaluated and treated for AHO at a single institution during 2009 were studied retrospectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The differential diagnosis for chronic ankle pain is quite broad. Ankle pain can be caused by intra-articular or extra-articular pathology and may be a result of a traumatic or nontraumatic event. A detailed patient history and physical examination, coupled with judicious selection of the appropriate imaging modalities, are vital in making an accurate diagnosis and providing effective treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF