Focused Perioperative Nutritional Supplementation Reduces Wound Complications in Patients Undergoing Spinal Fusion Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate intensive postoperative nutritional supplementation on wound healing complications and outcomes after spinal fusion surgery.

Background: Poor nutritional status leads to inferior postoperative outcomes by increasing mortality and predisposing patients to infection and wound healing complications.

Formal Radiologist Interpretations of Intraoperative Spine Radiographs Have Low Clinical Value.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical relevance, usefulness, and financial implications of intraoperative radiograph interpretation by radiologists in spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Due to rising health care costs, spine surgery is under scrutiny to maximize value-based care.

More anterior placement of femoral tunnel position in ACL-R is associated with postoperative meniscus tears.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between tunnel position in ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) and postoperative meniscus tears.

Methods: This was a single institution, case-control study of 170 patients status-post ACL-R (2010-2019) separated into two matched groups (sex, age, BMI, graft type). Group 1-symptomatic, operative meniscus tears (both de novo and recurrent) after ACL-R.

Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes With or Without Prophylactic Carpal Tunnel Release After Distal Radius Fracture Stabilization.

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are frequently complicated by acute carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which, if unrecognized, can cause permanent median neuropathy. Some surgeons recommend "prophylactic" carpal tunnel release (CTR) during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of DRF. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and safety data regarding prophylactic vs symptomatic CTR strategies during DRF fixation are lacking.

The L3 Flexion Angle Predicts Failure of Non-Operative Management in Patients with Tandem Spondylolithesis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Determine impact of standard/novel spinopelvic parameters on global sagittal imbalance, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores, and clinical outcomes in patients with multi-level, tandem degenerative spondylolisthesis (TDS).

Methods: Single institution analysis; 49 patients with TDS.

Should We Hire Our Current Fellow? Hiring Trends and Preferences in Spine Surgery.

Objective: To provide insight into hiring trends/preferences in Academic Orthopaedic Spine Surgery after fellowship training.

Methods: Fellowship directors (FDs) listed by the North American Spine Society were surveyed regarding new faculty hiring preferences. Surveys were analyzed/stratified by response using the Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn multiple comparisons test, the Fisher exact test, and the Mann-Whitney U test for univariate comparisons.

First-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: current concepts.

The management of first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations has been a topic of extensive study yet remains controversial. Development of a treatment plan requires an understanding of patient-specific considerations, including demographics, functional demands, and extent of pathology. Each of these can influence rates of recurrence and return to activity.

Preoperative and Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Scores in Patients Treated for Benign Versus Malignant Soft Tissue Tumors.

Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assesses multiple aspects of patient well-being but has not been thoroughly studied amongst orthopedic oncology patients.

Questions/purposes: How do preoperative/early postoperative PROMIS scores compare in patients with benign versus malignant soft tissue tumors (STTs) for (1) physical function, (2) pain interference, and (3) depression? Are the differences clinically relevant? What other patient/tumor factors impact PROMIS?

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 314 STT patients who underwent resection of a benign (n = 187) or malignant (n = 127) STT over a period of 4.25 years at a single institution.

Use of L5-S1 transdiscal screws in the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis: a technical note.

Surgical treatment of L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis consists of a combination of decompression and fusion. One previously discussed mode of fusion is via transdiscal screws. Biomechanical studies of transdiscal screws have demonstrated greater rigidity than traditional pedicle screw fixation, which theoretically translates to a higher fusion rate.

Current trends in the anterior cruciate ligament part II: evaluation, surgical technique, prevention, and rehabilitation.

Clinical evaluation and management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most widely researched topics in orthopedic sports medicine, giving providers ample data on which to base their practices. The ACL is also the most commonly treated knee ligament. This study reports on current topics and research in clinical management of ACL injury, starting with evaluation, operative versus nonoperative management, and considerations in unique populations.

Biomechanical Evaluation of Cervicothoracic Junction Fusion Constructs.

Objective: We studied the effect of different cervicothoracic construct design variables on biomechanical stability in vitro.

Methods: Six fresh-frozen human cadaveric spines (C5-T4) were used. After intact analysis, each specimen was destabilized and reconstructed, with all groups having 4.

Impact of Connector Placement and Design on Bending Stiffness of Spinal Constructs.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of multiple rod-connector construct designs using a mechanical 4-point bending testing frame.

Methods: A mechanical study was used to evaluate the bending stiffness of 3 connectors across 12 different configurations of rod-connector-rod constructs. Stability was evaluated in flexion-extension and lateral bending.