Hypermucoviscous presenting as sternocleidomastoid pyomyositis with subsequent lower extremity necrotising fasciitis.

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a severe, rapidly progressing infection of the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissue. Monomicrobial NF from hypermucoviscous (hvKP-NF) is rare but highly virulent, most common in East Asia. This report reviews a unique case of hvKP-NF in a US male in his 40s with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, presenting with severe sepsis, neck swelling and calf pain.

An evaluation of fusion status following lumbar fusion surgery utilizing multi-planar computed tomography.

Purpose: To report the rate of fusion in a sample of patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery and assess interrater reliability of computed tomography (CT)-based parameters for the assessment of fusion.

Methods: All adult patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery from 2017 to 2021 were retrospectively identified. Patient demographics and surgical characteristics were collected through chart review of the electronic medical records.

Predictors of Blood Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

Objective: To determine risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion after lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent lumbar fusion at a single, urban tertiary academic center was retrospectively retrieved. Our primary outcome, blood transfusion, was collected via chart query.

Creation of a Risk Calculator for Predicting New-Onset Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion.

Introduction: As an increasing number of lumbar fusion procedures are being conducted at specialty hospitals and surgery centers, appropriate patient selection and risk stratification is critical to minimizing patient transfers. Postoperative cardiac arrhythmia has been linked to worse patient outcomes and is a common cause of patient transfer. Therefore, we created a risk calculator to predict a patient's likelihood of developing a new-onset postoperative cardiac arrhythmia after lumbar spinal fusion, which may improve preoperative facility selection.

Impact of Heart Disease History on Safety of Telemedicine Cardiac Clearance Appointments.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare complication, readmission, mortality, and cancellation rates between patients who had either an in-person or telemedicine preoperative cardiac clearance visit before spine surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent a spine procedure at a single tertiary academic center from February 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Cancellations, inpatient complications, 90-day readmissions, and inpatient and 90-day mortality rates were compared between in-person and telemedicine cardiac clearance visits.

Trends in Single-Level Lumbar Fusions Over the Past Decade Using a National Database.

Objective: To compare rates of different fusion techniques using a nationwide database over the last decade and identify differences in complications and readmissions based on fusion technique.

Methods: All elective, single-level lumbar fusions performed by orthopaedic surgeons from 2011 to 2020 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Rates of lumbar fusion technique posterolateral decompression and fusion [PLDF], combined transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and PLDF, anterior lumbar or lateral lumbar interbody fusion [ALIF/LLIF], and combined ALIF/LLIF and PLDF were recorded, and 30-day complications and readmissions were compared.