Cervical disc arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: an analysis of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative Database.

Background Context: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) are established surgical options for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, and cervical degenerative disc disease. However, current literature does not demonstrate a clear superiority between ACDF and CDA.

Purpose: To investigate procedural and patient-reported outcomes of ACDF and CDA among patients included in the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) database.

Intraoperative and Postoperative Management of Incidental Durotomies During Open Degenerative Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Summary Of Background Data: Incidental durotomy is a common intraoperative complication of lumbar spine surgery. Intra and postoperative protocols in the management of this common complication vary considerably, with no consensus in the literature.

Objective: To systematically review (1) lumbar dural repair techniques for open degenerative procedures; (2) review described postoperative protocols after lumbar dural repairs.

Are resident research projects correlated to future subspecialty choice in orthopaedic surgery? A ten-year retrospective review of a single centre's experience.

Aim: To determine (1) frequency of resident research projects being in the same orthopaedic subspecialty that they ultimately choose for fellowship and practice; (2) percentage of research projects that were published.

Methods: Resident Thesis Day programs were independently assessed by two reviewers from 2010 to 2020. Reviewers classified projects based on orthopaedic subspecialty: Spine, Joints, Trauma, Hand, Foot and Ankle, Sports, Pediatrics, Oncology, and Shoulder Elbow.

Evaluating a novel, low-cost technique for cervical-spine immobilization for application in resource-limited LMICs: a non-inferiority trial.

Study Design: Non-inferiority trial.

Objective: Limited cervical spinal (c-spine) immobilization in resource-limited settings of LMICs suggests alternatives are necessary for patients with traumatic injuries. We propose a novel method of c-spine immobilization using folded towels.

Intravenous lidocaine in spine surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the role of intravenous lidocaine as a supplemental pain control modality in patients undergoing spine surgery.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the use of supplemental intravenous lidocaine in spine surgery. We developed a comprehensive search strategy to adequately screen for randomized controlled trials involving intravenous lidocaine in spine surgery.

Robot-assisted versus conventional percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation for posterior pelvic ring injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Robot-assisted pelvic screw fixation is a new technology with promising benefits on intraoperative outcomes for patients with posterior pelvic ring injuries. We aim to compare robot-assisted pelvic screw fixation to the traditional fluoroscopy-assisted technique with regards to intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used along with a search of electronic information to identify all studies comparing the outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional screw fixation in patients with posterior pelvic ring injuries.

Lateral mass screw placement in the atlas: description of a novel surgical technique, radiographic parameters, and review of the literature.

Background: Numerous techniques of C1 lateral mass screw placement have been described. We sought to delineate the radiographic angle of safety medially and laterally and describe a novel surgical technique of C1 lateral mass screw placement. We sought to (I) determine the angle of safety medially and laterally of the C1 lateral mass; (II) assess the size available of the lateral mass in the AP and coronal planes; (III) describe novel technique of insertion of a C1 lateral mass screw utilizing navigation and a novel start point.

A Multicenter Evaluation of the Feasibility, Patient/Provider Satisfaction, and Value of Virtual Spine Consultation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, patient/provider satisfaction, and perceived value of telehealth spine consultation after rapid conversion from traditional in-office visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data were obtained for patients undergoing telehealth visits with spine surgeons in the first 3 weeks after government restriction of elective surgical care at 4 sites (March 23, 2020, to April 17, 2020). Demographic factors, technique-specific elements of the telehealth experience, provider confidence in diagnostic and therapeutic assessment, patient/surgeon satisfaction, and perceived value were collected.

Robotic navigation system utilization for percutaneous sacroiliac screw placement: surgical setup and technique.

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pathology is a common cause of significant pain and disability, and operative treatment consisting of SIJ fusion can be performed in cases where non-operative measures fail to provide sustained relief. Through the years, SIJ fusion has evolved from an open invasive procedure, to more recently, being performed through minimally invasive techniques. Intraoperative navigation systems and robotic guidance are becoming popularized for SIJ fusion, as well as other routine and complex spinal cases.

Prehospital care for traumatic spinal cord injury by first responders in 8 sub-Saharan African countries and 6 other low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review.

Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) constitutes a considerable portion of the global injury burden, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Prehospital care can address TSCI morbidity and mortality, but emergency medical services are lacking in LMICs. The current standard of prehospital care for TSCI in sub-Saharan Africa and other LMICs is unknown.

Disparities in outcomes after spine surgery: a Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative study.

Objective: Most studies on racial disparities in spine surgery lack data granularity to control for both comorbidities and self-assessment metrics. Analyses from large, multicenter surgical registries can provide an enhanced platform for understanding different factors that influence outcome. In this study, the authors aimed to determine the effects of race on outcomes after lumbar surgery, using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in 3 areas: the North American Spine Society patient satisfaction index, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low-back pain, and return to work.

Perioperative Corticosteroids Reduce Dysphagia Severity Following Anterior Cervical Spinal Fusion: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The anterior approach to the cervical spine is commonly used to treat cervical pathology. It is, however, associated with high rates of dysphagia, which may be associated with substantial patient morbidity. Perioperative corticosteroid administration has been advocated to decrease dysphagia rates; its efficacy, however, remains uncertain.

Impact of Michigan's new opioid prescribing laws on spine surgery patients: analysis of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative.

Objective: In 2017, Michigan passed new legislation designed to reduce opioid abuse. This study evaluated the impact of these new restrictive laws on preoperative narcotic use, short-term outcomes, and readmission rates after spinal surgery.

Methods: Patient data from 1 year before and 1 year after initiation of the new opioid laws (beginning July 1, 2018) were queried from the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative database.

Surgical correction of rigid cervicothoracic deformity in a transgender patient: case report.

A number of spinal pathologies result in fusion of the spine, including ankylosing spondylitis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), as well as severe degenerative arthropathies. This fusion of spinal elements may result in spinal deformity affecting any region of the spine. Cervicothoracic deformity resulting in chin on chest deformity is poorly tolerated due to inability to maintain a horizontal gaze.

3D-printed Patient-specific Spine Implants: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To review the current clinical use of 3-dimensional printed (3DP) patient-specific implants in the spine.

Summary Of Background Data: Additive manufacturing is a transformative manufacturing method now being applied to spinal implants.

Cervical spine pathology and treatment: a global overview.

Cervical spine pathology is becoming increasingly prevalent with an aging world population and is associated with significant morbidity, affecting all areas of the world. This review was undertaken to provide a global perspective on cervical spine pathology, including epidemiology, burden of disease, access to care, and plan of care in both developed and developing low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We found that epidemiology, access to care, plan of care, and health outcomes were relatively similar between nations with similar economies.

Infection prevention in cervical spine surgery.

Surgical site infections (SSI) following cervical spine surgery can lead to significant patient morbidity and costs. Prevention of SSIs is multifactorial and can be divided in to preoperative patient optimization and intraoperative surgical factors. We performed a literature review to identify methods that can be used to prevent SSI development specifically in the cervical spine.

Computer-assisted navigation in complex cervical spine surgery: tips and tricks.

Stereotactic navigation is quickly establishing itself as the gold standard for accurate placement of spinal instrumentation and providing real-time anatomic referencing. There have been substantial improvements in computer-aided navigation over the last decade producing improved accuracy with intraoperative scanning while shortening registration time. The newest iterations of modeling software create robust maps of the anatomy while tracking software localizes instruments in multiple display modes.

Surgical Site Infection Prevention Following Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Literature review.

Objectives: Surgical site infection (SSI) following spine surgery leads to significant patient morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. The purpose of this article is to identify risk factors and strategies to prevent SSIs following spine surgery, with particular focus on avoiding infections in posterior cervical surgery.

Clinical Level of Evidence Presented at the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) Annual Meeting Over 10 Years (2008-2017): A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: We systematically reviewed the level of clinical evidence presented at Cervical Spine Research Society annual meetings from 2008 through 2017.

Summary Of Background Data: The Cervical Spine Research Society is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the cervical spine to promote evidence-based care.

Effects of Bracing on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Following Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures in Neurologically Intact Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials to determine the effect of the use of an orthosis (as compared with no orthosis) on clinical and radiographic outcomes in neurologically intact patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. Optimal nonoperative treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures in neurologically intact patients remains inconclusive. Conventional care prescribes spine precautions and a thoracolumbar orthosis.

A Novel Anatomic Landmark to Assess Adequate Decompression in Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: The Posterior Endplate Valley (PEV).

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objectives: (1) To assess the reliability of using the posterior endplate valley (PEV) to predict the cranial-caudal location of the cervical pedicle intraoperatively; (2) to assess the impact of age on the cervical PEV-pedicle relationship, interpedicular distance, and foraminal height.

Summary Of Background Data: The cervical pedicle, which is the anatomic landmark defining the boundaries of the foramen, is hidden from view intraoperatively in the anterior cervical approach, potentially leading to incomplete foraminal decompression.

Patient Demographic and Surgical Factors that Affect Completion of Patient-Reported Outcomes 90 Days and 1 Year After Spine Surgery: Analysis from the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC).

Background: The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative is a statewide multicenter quality improvement registry. Because missing data can affect registry results, we used MSSIC to find demographic and surgical characteristics that affect the completion of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at 90 days and 1 year.

Methods: A total of 24,404 patients who had lumbar surgery (17,813 patients) or cervical surgery (6591 patients) were included.

Clinical Level of Evidence Presented at the Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) Annual Meeting Over 10 Years (2008-2017): A Systematic Review.

Study Design: A systematic review.

Objective: The Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the lumbar spine to promote evidence-based care. We sought to systematically review the level of clinical evidence presented at LSRS annual meetings from 2008 through 2017.