Posterior Instrumented Spinal Surgery Outcomes in the Elderly: A Comparison of the 5-Item and 11-Item Modified Frailty Indices.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort.

Objectives: To validate the most concise risk stratification system to date, the 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5), and compare its effectiveness with the established 11-item modified frailty index (mFI-11) in the elderly population undergoing posterior instrumented spine surgery.

Methods: A single centre retrospective review of posterior instrumented spine surgeries in patients aged 65 years and older was conducted.

The Impact of Preinjury Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Use on Elderly Patients with Moderate or Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Following Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma.

Background: Although it is often assumed that preinjury anticoagulant (AC) or antiplatelet (AP) use is associated with poorer outcomes among those with acute subdural hematoma (aSDH), previous studies have had varied results. This study examines the impact of preinjury AC and AP therapy on aSDH thickness, 30-day mortality, and extended Glasgow Outcome Scale at 6 months in elderly patients (aged ≥65).

Methods: A level 1 trauma center registry was interrogated to identify consecutive elderly patients who presented with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated traumatic aSDH between the first of January 2013 and the first of January 2018.

Implant Removal Versus Implant Retention Following Posterior Surgical Stabilization of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To compare biomechanical and functional outcomes between implant removal and implant retention following posterior surgical fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Methods: A search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Databases was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Risk Stratification of Elderly Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery Using the Modified Frailty Index.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objectives: To validate the 11-item modified Frailty Index (mFI) as a perioperative risk stratification tool in elderly patients undergoing spine surgery.

Methods: All consecutive cases of spine surgery in patients aged 65 years or older between July 2016 and June 2018 at a state-wide trauma center were retrospectively reviewed.

The Role of Spinal Orthoses in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures of the Elderly Population (Age 60 Years or Older): Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: Spinal orthoses have been generally used in the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in the elderly population with purported positive biomechanical and functional effects. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the literature examining the role of spinal orthoses in osteoporotic elderly patients who sustain low energy trauma vertebral fractures.

Intracranial peripherally enhancing lesions in cardiac transplant recipients: A rare case series and literature review.

Intracranial peripherally enhancing lesions in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients represent a unique diagnostic and management dilemma due to the vast array of differentials that demand consideration. Diagnosis of the underlying pathology is often guided by the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present the first published case series of three cardiac transplant recipients with significantly atypical neuroradiological findings contrary to the tenets of contemporary literature.

Correlation of Anterior Interbody Graft Choice With Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cervical Spine Trauma.

Study Design: Ambispective observational cohort study.

Objectives: Synthetic graft usage avoids morbidity associated with harvest and reduces operative time. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of anterior cervical stabilization surgery using a synthetic cage in comparison with iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) following cervical spine trauma.

Long-gap oesophageal atresia: comparison of delayed primary anastomosis and oesophageal replacement with gastric tube.

Background: Long-gap oesophageal atresia (LGOA) causes significant early and long-term morbidity. We conducted a retrospective 25-year review comparing outcomes of delayed primary anastomosis versus oesophageal replacement with greater curvature gastric tube.

Methods: Records of 44 consecutive patients undergoing LGOA repair (1986-2010) were obtained from OA database with ethics approval and were analysed for complication and long-term outcomes.

Changing epidemiology of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis and revisiting the risk factors.

Recent studies in Europe and the United States report increased incidence of metopic synostosis. Whether a similar trend had occurred in Australia remains unknown. This research aimed to determine changes in incidence and subtypes of craniosynostosis in Victoria and to identify perinatal risk factors.

Analysis of morbidity and mortality in surgical management of craniosynostosis.

Multidisciplinary care involving plastic surgery and neurosurgery is generally accepted as optimal to manage craniosynostosis to avoid complications and to identify patients at risk. We conducted a retrospective 30-year review of craniosynostosis surgery at a single major craniofacial institute to establish the rate and predictors of complications. Medical records of 796 consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery for craniosynostosis from 1981 to 2010 at our institute were analyzed for complications.