Multicentre analysis of severe perioperative adverse events in children undergoing surgery who were infected with SARS-CoV-2: a propensity score-adjusted analysis.

Background: The incidence of severe adverse events in children with SARS-CoV-2 undergoing anaesthesia has not been well established. We examined the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe perioperative adverse events in children.

Methods: This multicentre (21 North American institutions), retrospective cohort study included children <18 years old, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA PS) of 1-4 and non-severe SARS-CoV-2, who underwent general anaesthesia between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective observational study of respiratory events in the immediate recovery period after adenotonsillectomy.

Background: Adenotonsillectomy is often curative for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, yet children remain at high risk of respiratory complications in the postoperative period. We sought to determine the incidence and risk factors for respiratory depression and airway obstruction, as well as clinically apparent respiratory events in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in high-risk children after adenotonsillectomy.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled 60 high-risk children having adenotonsillectomy.

Association between preoperative respiratory symptoms and perioperative respiratory adverse events in pediatric patients with positive viral testing.

Study Objective: To determine the association between the presence of upper respiratory tract viral infection symptoms and occurrence of perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAE) in children with positive viral screening, and to analyze the risk of PRAE in children with SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary, freestanding pediatric hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Surgical treatment of double major adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to excessive lumbar lordosis in the instrumented segments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the sagittal spine in AIS patients with double major curves fused into the lumbar spine to determine the effects of posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation (PSFI) on global and segmental lumbar sagittal parameters.

Methods: A consecutive series of AIS patients undergoing a PSFI from 2012 to 2017 having Lenke 3, 4 or 6 curves were analyzed. Sagittal parameters included pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), and segmental lordosis were measured.

Angelman and Prader-Willi Syndromes: Sister Imprinting Disorders With High Complication Rates Following Spinal Deformity Surgery.

We sought to examine the modern surgical treatment of spinal deformity associated with sister imprinting disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS), with emphasis on the specific complications encountered in these patient populations. Fifteen patients with PWS and 5 patients with AS who underwent surgical intervention for spinal deformity between 2000 and 2018 were identified. Postoperative complications were classified using the modified Clavien-Dindo-Sink (CDS) system and further categorized into specific subtypes including excessive drainage, dehiscence, implant failure, infection, and delayed wound healing.

Curve Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Scoliosis Associated With Childhood Sternotomy or Thoracotomy.

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe curve characteristics and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing spinal fusion (SF) to treat thoracogenic scoliosis related to sternotomy and/or thoracotomy as a growing child.

Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records of all patients with Post-Chest Incision scoliosis treated with SF was performed at 2 tertiary care pediatric institutions over a 19-year period. Curve characteristics, inpatient, and outpatient postoperative outcomes are reported.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: a 28-year retrospective study.

Aim: To identify all patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita presenting to a specialized pediatric orthopedic institution over a 28-year period; classify them into three groups (general arthrogryposis not otherwise specified [NOS], amyoplasia, or distal arthrogryposis); report the frequency of various musculoskeletal features; and determine the rate of operative treatment.

Method: Patients with arthrogryposis under the age of 18 years who presented between 1990 and 2017 were included. Patients were placed into one of three groups based on clinical features and family history when available.

Use of transcranial motor-evoked potentials to provide reliable intraoperative neuromonitoring for the Charcot-Marie-Tooth population undergoing spine deformity surgery.

Purpose: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has historically been difficult to obtain in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Transcranial motor-evoked potentials (TcMEPs) have been found to be safe and effective for other spinal deformity patients. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of TcMEP monitoring in patients with CMT.

Surgical Outcomes of Obese Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis From Endemic Areas of Obesity in the United States.

Background: Obesity rates continue to rise among children and adolescents across the globe. A multicenter research consortium composed of institutions in the Southern US, located in states endemic for childhood obesity, was formed to evaluate the effect of obesity on pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. This study evaluates the effect of body mass index (BMI) percentile and socioeconomic status (SES) on surgical site infections (SSIs) and perioperative complications in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated with posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

Lack of in-brace x-rays in compliant AIS patients wearing full-time TLSO braces associates with failure.

Background: In-brace correction and brace compliance with thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthotic (TLSO) braces are associated with successful treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This paper compares patients who had consistent radiographic documentation of in-brace correction to those who did not.

Methods: All skeletally immature (Risser 0-2) patients were treated for AIS (25-45°) with full-time TLSO braces that had compliance temperature monitors.

Ponte osteotomies in a matched series of large AIS curves increase surgical risk without improving outcomes.

Purpose: The routine use of Ponte osteotomies in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery is controversial with conflicting data for coronal plane correction and little analysis in the sagittal plane. The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of Ponte osteotomies in large curve AIS.

Methods: A single institution, prospectively-collected series of consecutive AIS patients who had Ponte osteotomies (P cohort) was directly matched to patients with no Pontes (NP cohort) by age, gender, Lenke classification, surgeon, coronal, and sagittal Cobb angles.

Spinal balance and lumbar curve stability after selective thoracic fusion in idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: Selective thoracic fusion (STF) for double curve patterns in idiopathic scoliosis is an attractive treatment option. However, short-term coronal decompensation and truncal imbalance are known findings. Previous studies with hook constructs showed that eventually balance is achieved via an increase in lumbar curve magnitude, as the lumbosacral obliquity did not change following surgery.

Continued deterioration in pulmonary function at average 23-year follow-up from early thoracic fusion in non-neuromuscular scoliosis.

Purpose: Historically, early-onset scoliosis was treated with early fusion to prevent further deformity at the expense of thoracic growth. This has proven to have a detrimental effect on pulmonary function. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patients' pulmonary and functional status at long-term follow-up after undergoing thoracic fusion at a young age.

Two AIS spine surgeries on the same day by the same surgeon: is performance and outcome the same for the second patient?

Study Design: Retrospective case-controlled study.

Objectives: To analyze the overall performance and outcome of two-a-day surgery days for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). As a method to improve efficiency and operating room utilization, some surgeons are now performing two surgeries for AIS in a single day.

Intraoperative Prone Radiographs During Scheuermann Kyphosis Correction Closely Estimate Standing Thoracic and Lumbar Parameters at 2 Years.

Background: In patients with Scheuermann kyphosis (SK) undergoing posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation (PSFI), intraoperative lateral radiographs assess deformity correction in the prone position. The relationship between thoracic and (partially un-instrumented) lumbar parameters on prone intraoperative versus standing postoperative radiographs is unknown.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients with SK who underwent PSFI between 2007 and 2014 were reviewed.

The incidence and risk factors for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in primary idiopathic scoliosis surgery.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Objectives: Evaluate the rate and risk factors for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) in primary idiopathic scoliosis surgery at a single institution. Avoiding perioperative ABT is ideal as transfusions are associated with adverse reactions, increased rates of infection, prolonged hospitalization, additional laboratory testing, and increased cost.

Paper #1: Continued deterioration in pulmonary function at minimum 18-year follow-up from early thoracic fusion in non-neuromuscular scoliosis.

Patients who underwent thoracic spinal fusion at a young age returned at minimum 18-year follow-up for pulmonary function and functional activity testing. There was a statistically significant decline in their pulmonary function test results when compared to previous values from 11-year follow-up, and their functional activity was limited.