Ten-Year Heterogeneity of Minimal Important Change and Patient Acceptable Symptom State After Lumbar Fusions.

Study Design: Cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate heterogeneity (fluctuation) in minimal important change (MIC) and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) for patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) through 10 years after lumbar fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: PROMs have become key determinants in spine surgery outcomes studies.

Nonlinear Effect of Preexisting Cranial Adjacent Disc Degeneration on Cumulative 12-Year Revision Risk Following Lumbar Fusions.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To evaluate how preexisting adjacent segment degeneration status impacts revision risk for adjacent segment disease (ASD) after lumbar fusions.

Summary Of Background Data: ASD incurs late reoperations after lumbar fusion surgeries.

Stress hormone response to instrumented elective lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Purpose: To understand the systemic effect of major spine surgery, we investigated stress, anabolic and catabolic hormonal levels and their association with interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients undergoing elective lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Methods: Blood samples were collected preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 42, 90 days postoperatively (POD) from 49 patients who underwent elective lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Results: Serum concentration of cortisol was below the preoperative value at POD 1 but did not differ from the baseline values thereafter.

Benefits of lumbar spine fusion surgery reach 10 years with various surgical indications.

Background Context: Lumbar spine fusion (LSF) surgery is a viable form of treatment for several spinal disorders. Treatment effects are preferably to be endorsed in real-life settings.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated the 10-year outcomes of LSF.

The Diagnostic Process of Spinal Post-traumatic Deformity: An Expert Survey of 7 Cases, Consensus on Clinical Relevance Does Exist.

Study Design: Survey of cases.

Objective: To evaluate the opinion of experts in the diagnostic process of clinically relevant Spinal Post-traumatic Deformity (SPTD).

Summary Of Background Data: SPTD is a potential complication of spine trauma that can cause decreased function and quality of life impairment.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgeons Worldwide: A One Year Prospective Comparative Study.

Study Design: Survey.

Objective: In March of 2020, an original study by Louie et al investigated the impact of COVID-19 on 902 spine surgeons internationally. Since then, due to varying government responses and public health initiatives to the pandemic, individual countries and regions of the world have been affected differently.

The importance of management in promoting hospital staff's mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic-A survey.

Aim: To describe hospital staff's experiences of management actions to promote their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental well-being was examined on the basis of four entities: level of anxiety, support and encouragement from the manager, and the opportunity to discuss concerns about COVID-19 with the manager.

Background: The workload of COVID-19 affects the mental well-being of staff.

Gorham-Stout disease with life-threatening pleural effusion treated with a pleuro-peritoneal shunt: a case report.

Summary: Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare bone disease characterized by massive osteolysis and lymphatic proliferation. The origin of the condition is unknown, and no established treatment protocol exists. Massive pleural effusion is a frequent complication of GSD in the thoracic region.

Appropriate Telemedicine Utilization in Spine Surgery: Results From a Delphi Study.

Study Design: Delphi expert panel consensus.

Objective: To obtain expert consensus on best practices for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Several studies have shown high patient satisfaction associated with telemedicine during the COVID-19 peak pandemic period as well as after easing of restrictions.

Isthmic Spondylolisthesis is Associated with Less Revisions for Adjacent Segment Disease After Lumbar Spine Fusion Than Degenerative Spinal Conditions: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

Study Design: Prospective, follow-up study.

Objective: We aim to compare the rate of revisions for ASD after LSF surgery between patients with IS and DLSD.

Summary Of Background Data: ASD is a major reason for late reoperations after LSF surgery.

Research Practices and Needs Among Spine Surgeons Worldwide.

Objective: Resource allocation to research activities is challenging and there is limited evidence to justify decisions. Members of AO Spine were surveyed to understand the research practices and needs of spine surgeons worldwide.

Methods: An 84-item survey was distributed to the AO Spine community in September of 2020.

Return to work after lumbar disc herniation surgery: an occupational cohort study.

Background and purpose - Lumbar disc herniation is a common surgically treated condition in the working-age population. We assessed health-related risk factors for return to work (RTW) after excision of lumbar disc herniation. Previous studies on the subject have had partly contradictory findings.

Telemedicine in Spine Surgery: Global Perspectives and Practices.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, anonymous, international survey.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the rapid adoption of telemedicine in spine surgery. This study sought to determine the extent of adoption and global perspectives on telemedicine in spine surgery.

Telemedicine in research and training: spine surgeon perspectives and practices worldwide.

Purpose: To utilize a global survey to elucidate spine surgeons' perspectives towards research and resident education within telemedicine.

Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous email survey was circulated to the members of AO Spine, an international organization consisting of spine surgeons from around the world. Questions were selected and revised using a Delphi approach.

COVID-19 and the rise of virtual medicine in spine surgery: a worldwide study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic forced many surgeons to adopt "virtual medicine" practices, defined as telehealth services for patient care and online platforms for continuing medical education. The purpose of this study was to assess spine surgeon reliance on virtual medicine during the pandemic and to discuss the future of virtual medicine in spine surgery.

Methods: A comprehensive survey addressing demographic data and virtual medicine practices was distributed to spine surgeons worldwide between March 27, 2020, and April 4, 2020.

Spine surgeon perceptions of the challenges and benefits of telemedicine: an international study.

Introduction: While telemedicine usage has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains little consensus about how spine surgeons perceive virtual care. The purpose of this study was to explore international perspectives of spine providers on the challenges and benefits of telemedicine.

Methods: Responses from 485 members of AO Spine were analyzed, covering provider perceptions of the challenges and benefits of telemedicine.

COVID-19: Current and future challenges in spine care and education - a worldwide study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted spine care around the globe. Much uncertainty remains regarding the immediate and long-term future of spine care and education in this COVID-19 era.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, international study of spine surgeons.

COVID-19: anxiety among hospital staff and associated factors.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital staff have experienced a variety of mental health challenges. European research on anxiety and stress among hospital workers during the pandemic is limited. This study aimed to describe the anxiety levels of Finnish hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provider confidence in the telemedicine spine evaluation: results from a global study.

Purpose: To utilize data from a global spine surgeon survey to elucidate (1) overall confidence in the telemedicine evaluation and (2) determinants of provider confidence.

Methods: Members of AO Spine International were sent a survey encompassing participant's experience with, perception of, and comparison of telemedicine to in-person visits. The survey was designed through a Delphi approach, with four rounds of question review by the multi-disciplinary authors.

Disability, Health-Related Quality of Life and Mortality in Lumbar Spine Fusion Patients-A 5-Year Follow-Up and Comparison With a Population Sample.

Study Design: Prospective follow-up study.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effect of lumbar spine fusion (LSF) on disability, health-related quality of life and mortality in a 5-year follow-up, and to compare these results with the general population.

Methods: 523 consecutive LSF operations were included in a prospective follow-up.

Influence of Depressive Symptoms on the Outcome of Lumbar Spine Fusion-A 5-year Follow-up Study.

Study Design: Prospective follow-up study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether depressive symptoms change the outcome of lumbar spine fusion (LSF) surgery at a 5-year follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous reports of the influence of depressive symptoms on the results of spine surgery are controversial, but the patient characteristics and indications for surgery varied widely between the studies.

National trends in lumbar spine decompression and fusion surgery in Finland, 1997-2018.

Background and purpose - During recent years, spine surgery techniques have advanced, the population has become older, and multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials that support surgical treatment for degenerative spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis have been published. We assess the incidence and trends in spine fusion and decompression surgery in Finland between 1997 and 2018.Patients and methods - We used nationwide data from the Finnish nationwide National Hospital Discharge Register.