Discrepancy between global- and disease-specific outcome measures following lumbar spine surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between patient-perceived changes in health and commonly utilized patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on consecutive patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy, lumbar decompression, or lumbar fusion at a single academic institution from 2017 to 2023. Correlation between the global rating of change (GRC) questionnaire, a 5-item Likert scale (much better, slightly better, about the same, slightly worse, and much worse), and PROMs (Oswestry Disability Index, visual analog scale for back and leg pain, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary, and PROMIS physical function) was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients.

Perioperative Infection Prophylaxis With Vancomycin is a Significant Risk Factor for Deep Surgical Site Infection in Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of cefazolin versus vancomycin for perioperative infection prophylaxis.

Summary Of Background Data: The relative efficacy of cefazolin alternatives for perioperative infection prophylaxis is poorly understood.

Preoperative cross-sectional area of psoas muscle correlates with short-term functional outcomes after posterior lumbar surgery.

Purpose: To determine the optimal level for the measurement of psoas cross-sectional area and examine the correlation with short-term functional outcomes of posterior lumbar surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent minimally invasive posterior lumbar surgery were included in this study. The cross-sectional area of psoas muscle was measured at each intervertebral level on T2-weighted axial images of preoperative MRI.

Patient-Reported Allergies Do Not Affect Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcome Measures After Spine Surgery.

Background: A gap in the literature exists regarding the association between number of allergies and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) for patients undergoing spine surgery.

Methods: Consecutive cervical or lumbar spine surgery patients were identified from a prospective registry from April 2017 to July 2020. Patients were grouped into those with 0, 1, 2, or ≥3 allergies.

Recovery Kinetics After Commonly Performed Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Procedures.

Study Design: Single-center, multisurgeon, retrospective review.

Objective: To evaluate the timing of return to commonly performed activities following minimally invasive spine surgery. Identify preoperative factors associated with these outcomes.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression Versus Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Treatment of Low-Grade Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort comparison study.

Objective: To compare perioperative outcomes, radiographic parameters, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between minimally invasive unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression (MIS-ULBD) versus MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for treatment of low-grade lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: While lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis is a common condition, optimal surgical treatment remains controversial.

Association Between Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function With Postoperative Pain, Narcotics Consumption, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine association between preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) scores with postoperative pain, narcotics consumption, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following single-level lumbar microdiscectomy.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent single-level lumbar microdiscectomy were identified from May 2017-May 2020.

Iodate Reduction by Requires Genes Encoding an Extracellular Dimethylsulfoxide Reductase.

Microbial iodate (IO ) reduction is a major component of the iodine biogeochemical reaction network in anaerobic marine basins and radioactive iodine-contaminated subsurface environments. Alternative iodine remediation technologies include microbial reduction of IO to iodide (I) and microbial methylation of I to volatile gases. The metal reduction pathway is required for anaerobic IO respiration by the gammaproteobacterium .

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Versus Cervical Disc Replacement in Patients With Significant Cervical Spondylosis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim was to compare clinical outcomes in patients with significant cervical spondylosis treated with cervical disc replacement (CDR) compared with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Summary Of Background Data: As CDR utilization has increased over the past decade, recent studies have investigated the outcomes of CDR in patients with more significant spondylotic changes and demonstrated improved postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Do preoperative clinical and radiographic characteristics impact patient outcomes following one-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion based upon presenting symptoms?

Background Context: Patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) frequently present with lower extremity neurologic symptoms with or without associated lower back pain. While symptomatic improvement of leg and back pain has been reported, the resolution of back pain when it is a predominant presenting symptom remains underreported following MI-TLIF.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes at 1 year of patients undergoing MI-TLIF with lower extremity neurologic symptoms with and without a significant component of back pain.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring During Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Objective: To review the evidence for the use of electromyography (EMG), motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) strategies during lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), as well as discuss the limitations associated with each technique.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature and compilation of findings relating to clinical studies investigating the efficacy of EMG, MEP, SSEP, or combined IONM strategies during LLIF.

Results: The evidence for the use of EMG is mixed with some studies demonstrating the efficacy of EMG in preventing postoperative neurologic injuries and other studies demonstrating a high rate of postoperative neurologic deficits with EMG monitoring.

Development and Initial Internal Validation of a Novel Classification System for Perioperative Expectations Following Minimally Invasive Degenerative Lumbar Spine Surgery.

Study Design: This was a prospective consecutive clinical cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to develop and provide an initial internal validation of a novel classification system that can help surgeons and patients better understand their postoperative course following the particular minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and approach that is utilized.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgeons and patients are often attracted to the option of minimally invasive spine surgery because of the perceived improvement in recovery time and postsurgical pain.

Impact of Nonlordotic Sagittal Alignment on Short-term Outcomes of Cervical Disc Replacement.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of cervical disc replacement (CDR) in patients with nonlordotic alignment.

Methods: Patients who underwent CDR were retrospectively reviewed and divided into 3 cohorts: (1) neutral/lordotic segmental and C2-7 Cobb angle (L), (2) nonlordotic segmental Cobb angle, lordotic C2-7 Cobb angle (NL-S), and (3) nonlordotic segmental and C2-7 Cobb angle (NL-SC). Radiographic and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) were compared.

How do high preoperative pain scores impact the clinical course and outcomes for patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy?

Objective: Preoperative pain assessment is often used to gauge the amount of disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation. How high preoperative pain scores impact the clinical course and outcomes of patients after lumbar microdiscectomy is not always clear. Here, the authors aimed to determine whether patients reporting higher preoperative pain scores have worse outcomes after lumbar microdiscectomy than those reporting lower preoperative scores.

Using minimally invasive techniques adds to the value equation for select patients.

Conditions of the spine are one of the most prevalent causes of global disability, and result in a considerable portion of total health expenditures. Surgical treatment of the spine has been demonstrated in multiple studies to be a cost-effective treatment option for many patients, especially with continuing improvements in surgical technique and instrumentation. Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), in particular, has evolved as a valuable option in treating certain patients.

Evaluation of Current Trends in Treatment of Single-level Cervical Radiculopathy.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to identify epidemiological trends, differences, and complications in patients undergoing surgical treatment for single-level cervical radiculopathy (SLCR).

Summary Of Background Data: SLCR that fails nonoperative management is effectively treated with either anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc replacement (CDR), or posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF).

Metal Reduction and Protein Secretion Genes Required for Iodate Reduction by Shewanella oneidensis.

The metal-reducing gammaproteobacterium reduces iodate (IO) as an anaerobic terminal electron acceptor. Microbial IO electron transport pathways are postulated to terminate with nitrate (NO) reductase, which reduces IO as an alternative electron acceptor. Recent studies with , however, have demonstrated that NO reductase is not involved in IO reduction.