Can Artificial Intelligence Improve the Readability of Patient Education Materials?

Background: The recommended readability of online health education materials is at or below the sixth- to eighth-grade level. Nevertheless, more than a decade of research has demonstrated that most online education materials pertaining to orthopaedic surgery do not meet these recommendations. The repeated evidence of this limited progress underscores that unaddressed barriers exist to improving readability, such as the added time and cost associated with writing easily readable materials that cover complex topics.

Few Randomized Controlled Trials in Spine Surgery in the United States Include Sociodemographic Patient Data: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: The importance of sociodemographic factors such as race, education, and income on spine surgery outcomes has been well established, yet the representation of sociodemographic data within randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in spine literature remains undefined in the United States (U.S).

Methods: Medical literature was reviewed within PubMed for RCTs with "spine" in the title or abstract published within the last 8 years (2014 to 2021) in seven major spine journals.

Reported Events Associated With Spine Robots: An Analysis of the Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Objectives: To summarize medical device reports (MDRs) between August 1, 2017 and November 30, 2021 relating to robot-assisted spine systems within the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database maintained by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Methods: The MAUDE database was abstract for all MDRs relating to each FDA-approved robot-assisted spine system.

To Use or Not Use Intraoperative Neuromonitoring: Utilization of Neuromonitoring During Spine Surgeries and Associated Conflicts of Interest, a Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Introduction: There are no universal guidelines that dictate the indications for the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in spine surgery resulting in its variable use. The choice to use IONM has been both cited in malpractice lawsuits and insurance claims, but no data exist regarding surgeons' rationale for making this choice. The goal of this study was to assess (1) the use of certain IONM modalities during common spine surgeries, (2) surgeons' rationale for use of IONM, and (3) IONM practices and potential conflicts of interest associated with its use.

Does Publication History Predict Future Publication Output in Orthopaedics?

Background The number of publications is widely used as a measure of academic productivity in the field of orthopaedics. How "productive" a physician is has a great influence on consideration for employment, compensation, and promotions. Predictors of potential high-output researchers would be of value to the orthopaedic department and university leadership for new faculty evaluation.

Nicotine Exposure Via Electronic Cigarettes Significantly Impedes Biomechanical Healing Properties of Tendon Healing in a Rat Model.

Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical and histologic effects on Achilles tendon repair of inhaled combusted tobacco versus nicotine exposure via electronic cigarette versus a control group in a small-animal model (Sprague-Dawley rat).

Methods: Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 3 groups: combusted tobacco, e-cigarettes, or control. Experimental rats were exposed to research cigarettes or e-cigarette vapor in a smoking chamber for 4 weeks.

Risk Factors For Prolonged Opioid Use After Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of prolonged post-operative opioid pain medication usage following spine surgery, as well as identify the risk of various post-operative complications that may be associated with pre-operative opioid usage.

Methods: The MarketScan commercial claims and encounters database includes approximately 39 million patients per year.

Opioid Use, Perioperative Risks, and Associated Postoperative Complications in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Introduction: Opioid abuse has become a national crisis. Published data demonstrate that patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery are left with excess narcotic medications postoperatively. The purpose of our study was to evaluate factors associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use following foot and ankle surgery and identify associations between preoperative opioid use and postoperative complications.

Quantifying Dysfunction of the Lumbar Multifidus Muscle After Radiofrequency Neurotomy and Fusion Surgery: A Preliminary Study.

The multifidus is an important muscle for the active stabilization of the spine. Unfortunately, clinical procedures such as posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) and radio frequency neurotomy (RFN) cause injury to these muscles affecting their function. However, evaluating multifidus function using traditional biomechanical methods is challenging due to its unique anatomical features.

Spine Fixation Hardware: An Update.

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the imaging of spine fixation hardware. As the prevalence of neck and back pain continues to increase, so does the number of surgical procedures used to treat such pain. Accordingly, new techniques and hardware designs are used, and the hardware will be seen on postoperative imaging.

Factors in Residency Decision Making for Female Neurosurgery Applicants.

Background: Neurosurgery remains a specialty with one of the largest gender gaps in the United States. Neurosurgery residency programs are highly motivated to attract the best female candidates in an effort to improve their program diversity, but no studies currently exist that examine the factors of highest importance to female applicants for neurosurgery residency selection. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that female neurosurgery residents used when selecting their residency.

Factors in Orthopaedic Residency Decision-making for Female Applicants: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Orthopaedics continues to remain the medical specialty with the lowest sex diversity in the United States. Orthopaedic residency programs are highly motivated to attract the best female candidates in an effort to improve their program diversity, but no studies currently exist that examine the factors of highest importance to female applicants for orthopaedic residency selection.

Methods: A two-part survey was sent to female orthopaedic residents by e-mails available in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery directory, residency program coordinators, Doximity, and institutional websites.

Authorship and study characteristic trends in spine publications from years 2004 to 2017.

Background: The goal of this study was to analyze the trends in authorship and study characteristics in using two overlapping ten-year time periods: 2004-2014 and 2007-2017. To our knowledge, no other literature reports study characteristics and authorship in the same time period for spine that would allow for the assessment of confounding factors of trends.

Methods: Authorship and study characteristic data was collected from all scientific manuscripts published in during the years of 2004, 2007, 2014, and 2017.

External Orthopaedic Implants in the Magnetic Resonance Environment: Current Concepts and Controversies.

MRI provides diagnostic three-dimensional imaging and remains extremely important in the diagnosis and management of spinal trauma as well as other acute traumatic injuries, including those of the extremities. The American Society for Testing and Materials has created standards against which all implantable medical devices are tested to ensure safety in an MR environment. Most implantable passive orthopaedic devices can undergo MRI without consequence to the patient.

Changes in Shear Modulus of the Lumbar Multifidus Muscle During Different Body Positions.

Multifidus function is important for active stabilization of the spine, but it can be compromised in patients with chronic low back pain and other spine pathologies. Force production and strength of back muscles are often evaluated using isometric or isokinetic tests, which lack the ability to quantify multifidi contribution independent of the erector spinae and adjacent hip musculature. The objective of this study is to evaluate localized force production capability in multifidus muscle using ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in healthy individuals.

Sarcopenia Is Predictive of 1-Year Mortality After Acetabular Fractures in Elderly Patients.

Objectives: To determine whether sarcopenia is an independent predictor of mortality in geriatric acetabular fractures.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: American College of Surgeons Level I trauma center.

Blood-loss Management in Spine Surgery.

Substantial blood loss during spine surgery can result in increased patient morbidity and mortality. Proper preoperative planning and communication with the patient, anesthesia team, and operating room staff can lessen perioperative blood loss. Advances in intraoperative antifibrinolytic agents and modified anesthesia techniques have shown promising results in safely reducing blood loss.

Avoiding and Managing Intraoperative Complications During Cervical Spine Surgery.

The incidence of intraoperative complications during cervical spine surgery is low; however, if they do occur, intraoperative complications have the potential to cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Spine surgeons should be familiar with methods to minimize intraoperative complications. If they do occur, surgeons must be prepared to immediately treat each potential complication to reduce any associated morbidity.

Increased Preoperative Narcotic Use and Its Association With Postoperative Complications and Length of Hospital Stay in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Prospective cohort analysis.

Objective: To assess the effect of preoperative narcotic use on the incidence of 30- and 90-day postoperative complications, as well as length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients undergoing spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous work has associated an increased incidence of complications and length of stay following surgery in patients with increased preoperative narcotic use.

Are Low Patient Satisfaction Scores Always Due to the Provider?: Determinants of Patient Satisfaction Scores During Spine Clinic Visits.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various components on patient satisfaction scores SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Patient satisfaction has become an important component of quality assessments.

Cervical dermatome overlap: frequently forgotten in search of a clear answer.

Rainville J, Laxer E, Keel J, Pena E, Kim D, Milam RA, et al. Exploration of sensory impairments associated with C6 and C7 radiculopathies. Spine J 2016:16:49-54 (in this issue).