Hospital-acquired conditions occur more frequently in elective spine surgery than for other common elective surgical procedures.

Hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) have been the focus of recent initiatives by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in an effort to improve patient safety and outcomes. Spine surgery can be complex and may carry significant comorbidity burden, including so called "never events." The objective was to determine the rates of common HACs that occur within 30-days post-operatively for elective spine surgeries and compare them to other common surgical procedures.

Correction to: Prior bariatric surgery lowers complication rates following spine surgery in obese patients.

The AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) has requested the correction of the result Tables 1-3 of this study: All stated numbers below 10 shall be modified to read "<10" instead.

Cost-utility of revisions for cervical deformity correction warrants minimization of reoperations.

Background: Cervical deformity (CD) surgery has become increasingly more common and complex, which has also led to reoperations for complications such as distal junctional kyphosis (DJK). Cost-utility analysis has yet to be used to analyze CD revision surgery in relation to the cost-utility of primary CD surgeries. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-utility of revision surgery for CD correction.

Prior bariatric surgery lowers complication rates following spine surgery in obese patients.

Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an increasingly common treatment for morbid obesity that has the potential to effect bone and mineral metabolism. The effect of prior BS on spine surgery outcomes has not been well established. The aim of this study was to assess differences in complication rates following spinal surgery for patients with and without a history of BS.

Fragility Fracture Risk in Elderly Patients With Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To identify and compare the incidences of fragility fractures amongst three elderly populations: the general population, patients with surgically treated cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), and patients with CSM not surgically treated.

Summary Of Background Data: CSM is a common disease in the elderly.

Clinical Impact and Economic Burden of Hospital-Acquired Conditions Following Common Surgical Procedures.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To assess the clinical impact and economic burden of the three most common hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) that occur within 30-day postoperatively for all spine surgeries and to compare these rates with other common surgical procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: HACs are part of a non-payment policy by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and thus prompt hospitals to improve patient outcomes and safety.

Risk Factors, Additional Length of Stay, and Cost Associated with Postoperative Ileus Following Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Elderly Patients.

Objective: To identify independent risk factors, additional length of stay, and additional cost associated with postoperative ileus following anterior lumbar interbody fusion in elderly patients.

Methods: The PearlDiver Patient Records Database was queried for all Medicare patients ≥65 years of age undergoing 1- or 2-level primary elective anterior lumbar interbody fusion from 2005 to 2014. Independent risk factors, additional length of stay, and additional cost associated with postoperative ileus were evaluated with multivariate analysis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Postoperative Infection and Revision Surgery in Elderly Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To identify the incidence and analyze the risk of postoperative complications amongst elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing anterior cervical fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies have reported elevated risks of postoperative complications for patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing orthopedic procedures.

Factors Affecting Long-Term Postoperative Narcotic Use in Discectomy Patients.

Background: Long-term narcotic use has risks and potentially life-threatening opioid-related side effects. Extended narcotic use in patients undergoing discectomy raises concerns of other underlying causes of pain or overprescription and/or abuse. The goal of this study was to determine which factors have an effect on active narcotic prescription >3 months after discectomy.