The Effect of Esophageal Temperature Probes on Postoperative Dysphagia Following Primary Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Randomized Prospective Study.

Background: The anterior approach to the cervical spine is associated with postoperative dysphagia. It is difficult to predict which patients are most at risk for dysphagia. The objective of this study was to determine if placing an esophageal temperature probe preoperatively would affect the severity and length of postoperative dysphagia.

Outcomes following outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of myelopathy.

Introduction: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of degenerative cervical disease. With continued increase in U.S.

Increased Rates of Septic Shock, Cardiac Arrest, and Mortality Associated With Chronic Steroid Use Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Stenosis.

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is an established treatment modality for cervical spondylosis. Many patients are on immunosuppressant therapy in the management of various inflammatory spinal pathologies and other comorbid conditions. The impact of chronic steroid use on postoperative complications has not been examined in cervical fusion procedures.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Urinary Tract Infections Following Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Background: Although risk factors contributing to UTI have been studied in posterior approaches to lumbar fusion, there is a lack of literature on factors contributing to UTI in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). Our purpose was to identify preoperative independent risk factors for postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) following anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) so that surgeons may be able to initiate preventative measures and minimize the risk of UTI-related morbidity following ALIF.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify 10 232 patients who had undergone ALIF from 2005 to 2016; 144 patients (1.

The impact of long-term corticosteroid use on acute postoperative complications following lumbar decompression surgery.

Background: Corticosteroids have a negative impact on the human immune system's ability to function at an optimal level. Studies have shown that patients on long-term corticosteroids have higher infection rates. However, the rates of infection and other complications following lumbar decompression surgery remains under-investigated.

A Case Series That Supports the Application of the S2AI Technique for Fractures and Failures After Lumbosacral Fusion.

Background: Sacral fractures and failures are uncommon after lumbosacral fusion but have received increasing attention in the surgical literature. They can be difficult to diagnose, making timely treatment difficult. No consensus has been reached on the characteristics of these complications or on optimal treatment.

Characterizing efficiency in the ambulatory surgery setting: An analysis of operating room time and cost savings in orthopaedic surgery.

Changing surgical settings for orthopaedic procedures could drive reductions in operative time and reduce healthcare costs. Time-cost differences were calculated using estimated operating room costs by utilizing the ACS-NSQIP database. Multivariate analyses were generated from propensity-matched cohorts to assess differences between inpatient/outpatient outcomes, and whether surgical length increased risk for complications.

A Review of Databases Used in Orthopaedic Surgery Research and an Analysis of Database Use in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how database use has changed over time in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery and to inform readers about available databases used in orthopaedic literature.

Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted to identify databases used in Arthroscopy and other orthopaedic literature. All articles published in Arthroscopy between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015, were reviewed.

Shoulder Arthroplasty: Disposition and Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With and Without Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Shoulder arthroplasty (SA) is used to treat pain and disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although SA is an effective procedure in patients with RA, more investigation of perioperative outcomes is needed. We conducted a study to compare the perioperative complication rates and demographics of patients with and without RA.

Outcomes and complications of the midline anterior approach 3 years after lumbar spine surgery.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new questionnaire to assess outcomes related to the midline anterior lumbar approach and to identify risk factors for negative patient responses. Methods.

The enthesis: a review of the tendon-to-bone insertion.

The integration of tendon into bone occurs at a specialized interface known as the enthesis. The fibrous tendon to bone enthesis is established through a structurally continuous gradient from uncalcified tendon to calcified bone. The enthesis exhibits gradients in tissue organization classified into four distinct zones with varying cellular compositions, mechanical properties, and functions in order to facilitate joint movement.

Tendon structure, disease, and imaging.

Tendon imaging plays a critical role in evaluating tendon diseases and injuries including mechanical, degenerative, and overuse disease, inflammatory enthesitis, as well as partial and full thickness tears. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), each with unique benefits and limitations, are commonly utilized to assist in diagnosing these diseases and conditions. This review delineates important structural properties of tendon and biochemical changes occurring in tendon pathology.

Venous Thromboembolic Events After Spinal Fusion: Which Patients Are at High Risk?

Background: Postoperative venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), which include pulmonary emboli and deep venous thromboses, are potentially preventable causes of death. The aim of this study was to investigate the patient and procedure-related risk factors for the occurrence of VTEs in patients undergoing spinal fusion.

Methods: We used ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification) procedure codes to identify patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for 2001 through 2010 who were treated with spinal fusion.

Comparative analysis of patients with cauda equina syndrome versus an unaffected population undergoing spinal surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Objective: To determine patient demographics, incidence of comorbidities, and procedure-related complications and identify risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality after spinal surgery for cauda equina syndrome (CES).

Summary Of Background Data: To our knowledge, no study has provided nationwide estimates of patient characteristics and procedure-related complication rates after spinal surgery for CES relative to an unaffected population.

Comparison of complications, costs, and length of stay of three different lumbar interbody fusion techniques: an analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database.

Background Context: Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) techniques have been used for years to treat a number of pathologies of the lower back. These procedures may use an anterior, posterior, or combined surgical approach. Each approach is associated with a unique set of complications, but the exact prevalence of complications associated with each approach remains unclear.

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: national outcomes and trends in utilization from 2005 through 2010.

Background Context: Vertebral compression fractures secondary to low bone mass are responsible for almost 130,000 inpatient admissions and 133,500 emergency department visits annually, totaling over $5 billion of direct inpatient costs. Although most vertebral compression fractures heal within a few months with conservative therapy, a significant portion fail to improve with conservative treatment and require long-term care, conservative treatment, or both. Fractures that fail conservative therapy are treated with vertebral augmentation procedures (VAPs) such as vertebroplasty (VP) and kyphoplasty (KP).

Perioperative complications and mortality after spinal fusions: analysis of trends and risk factors.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To analyze the trends in complications and mortality after spinal fusions.

Summary Of Background Data: Utilization of spinal fusions has been increasing during the past decade.