Endovascular Repair in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: Concerns Amid Controversy.

Endovascular aortic repair is widely used to treat patients with degenerative aneurysms or aortic dissection within the distal aorta. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is generally associated with fewer short-term complications than open surgical repair, which is particularly important for older patients with significant comorbid conditions. However, for patients with Marfan syndrome, a heritable thoracic aortic disease associated with aortic dilatation, dissection, and rupture, the utility of endovascular aortic repair remains questionable.

Improvement in some Ames-ISSG cervical deformity classification modifier grades may correlate with clinical improvement.

This retrospective cohort study describes adult cervical deformity(ACD) patients with Ames-ACD classification at baseline(BL) and 1-year post-operatively and assesses the relationship of improvement in Ames modifiers with clinical outcomes. Patients ≥ 18yrs with BL and post-op(1-year) radiographs were included. Patients were categorized with Ames classification by primary deformity descriptors (C = cervical; CT = cervicothoracic junction; T = thoracic; S = coronal) and alignment/myelopathy modifiers(C2-C7 Sagittal Vertical Axis[cSVA], T1 Slope-Cervical Lordosis[TS-CL], Horizontal Gaze[Horiz], mJOA).

Preoperative Assessment of Bone Quality in Spine Deformity Surgery: Correlation With Clinical Practice and Published Recommendations.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The goals of this study were to (A) evaluate preoperative bone quality assessment and intervention practice over time and (B) review the current evidence for bone evaluation in spine fusion surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Deformity spine surgery has demonstrated improved quality of life in patients; however, its cost has made it controversial.

Cluster analysis describes constellations of cardiac anomalies presenting in spinal anomaly patients.

Background: Cardiac anomalies are prevalent in patients with bony spinal anomalies. Prior studies evaluating incidences of bony congenital anomalies of the spine are limited. The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) yields national discharge estimates of rare pediatric conditions like congenital disorders.

Clinical Impact and Economic Burden of Hospital-Acquired Conditions Following Common Surgical Procedures.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To assess the clinical impact and economic burden of the three most common hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) that occur within 30-day postoperatively for all spine surgeries and to compare these rates with other common surgical procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: HACs are part of a non-payment policy by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and thus prompt hospitals to improve patient outcomes and safety.