Gram-negative rods are associated with prolonged treatment in patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis after minimally invasive posterior fixation compared with gram-positive cocci: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study compared patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and antibiotic durations between patients undergoing posterior fixation for gram-negative rods (GNR) or gram-positive cocci (GPC) thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, 53 patients who underwent minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis were categorized into a GPC or GNR group based on the identified causative organisms. Patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative infection control were compared between the two groups to identify factors affecting antibiotic duration.

Posterior fixation without debridement for pyogenic spondylodiscitis can promote infection control: initial evaluation of a pyogenic spondylodiscitis posterior fixation rat model.

Purpose: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a significant health concern, particularly in older individuals. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as posterior fixation, are promising for infection control; however, their mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify how posterior fixation promotes infection control in an animal model.

Unexpected Neurological Deterioration Following Occipitocervical Fusion Surgery: A Case Report.

Occipitocervical posterior decompression and fusion (O-C fusion) surgery is occasionally required for treating high cervical myelopathy due to atlantoaxial subluxation. The advance of the instrumentation systems has led to favorable clinical outcomes following O-C fusion surgery. However, the rate of perioperative complications in O-C fusion surgery is relatively high, including instrumentation failure, respiratory complications, and dysphagia.

Risk factors for residual neuropathic pain using specific screening tools in postoperative patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine.

Purpose: Ageing, long illness duration, and poor preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were reported to be risk factors for residual pain after cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (cOPLL). In this study, we focused on residual neuropathic pain (NeP) and aimed to elucidate risk factors for residual NeP after cOPLL.

Methods: Total of 234 patients who underwent cOPLL surgery were included.

Utilization of SURGIFLO® Hemostatic Matrix Reduces Intraoperative Blood Loss During Posterior Instrumented Thoracolumbar Spinal Surgery for Patients With Adult Spinal Deformity.

Background Massive blood loss is a major complication of posterior instrumented thoracolumbar surgery for adult spinal deformities. The use of flowable and absorbable hemostatic products, such as SURGIFLO Hemostatic Matrix (SURGIFLO; ETHICON, Inc., Raritan, NJ, US), has become feasible for spinal surgery.

Efficacy and Limitations of Continuous Local Antibiotic Perfusion in Treating Surgical Site Infections Following Instrumented Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most serious postoperative complications following instrumented spinal surgery. We previously reported the potential of continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) to retain implants for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study to elucidate the efficacy and limitations of CLAP for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery.

Comparison of Disc Degeneration between Pyogenic Spondylitis and Noninfected Lumbar Spondylosis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study with Propensity Score Matching.

Introduction: Disc degeneration is a risk factor of pyogenic spondylitis. However, its degree in patients with pyogenic spondylitis is unknown. This study aimed to determine differences in disc degeneration between patients with pyogenic spondylitis and those with noninfectious lumbar spondylosis.

Unique characteristics of bone union at the infected vertebrae after minimally invasive posterior fixation without bone grafting in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the bone union rate between infected vertebrae after minimally invasive posterior fixation without bone grafting in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study evaluated 75 patients of posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis that have been recorded at six relevant institutions from January 2016 to December 2022. Data on age, sex, location of infected vertebrae, number of infected disks, comorbidity, Pola classification, number of vertebrae fixed according to surgery, implant failure requiring revision surgery, and distance according to the type of infected vertebrae after surgery were evaluated.

A study on the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to promote bone fusion in lateral interbody fusion of the lumbar spine using artificial bone.

Background: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) via a retroperitoneum approach has gained popularity due to minimal invasiveness, which avoids resection of the spinous process and laminae. However, as challenges in grafting autogenous bone persist, artificial bone has been tested in Japan to fill the spinal cage. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines to promote cellular proliferation and repair damaged tissues.

Factors prolonging antibiotic duration and impact of early surgery in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis treated with minimally invasive posterior fixation.

Purpose: A standard 6-12-week course of antibiotics is recommended for pyogenic spondylitis. Recent evidence supports early minimally invasive posterior fixation surgery; however, its effect on antibiotic treatment duration is unclear. This study aims to identify factors associated with prolonged antibiotic treatment in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis patients resistant to conservative treatment and assess whether early surgery can reduce treatment duration.

Do Stainless-Steel Pins Coated with Fibroblast Growth Factor-Calcium Phosphatase Composite Layers Have Anti-Infective Effects?

The most problematic complication of external fixation is infection at the pin insertion site. Technology that improves the adhesion of the external fixation pin to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and bone may prevent infection at the pin site. The purpose of this study is to formulate a calcium phosphate-fibroblast growth factor (Cp-FGF) coating on a stainless-steel external fixation pin and to verify its effectiveness in reducing infection at the pin site and its possible influence on bone fixation in animal experiments.

Surgical Apgar Score and Controlling Nutritional Status Score can be predictors of major postoperative complications after spine surgery.

Assessing intraoperative hemodynamics with Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) and preoperative nutritional status with the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score are said to be useful to predict postoperative complications in many surgical services, but little is reported in the field of spinal surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of SAS and the CONUT score for predicting the risk of major postoperative complications after spinal surgery. We included 659 people who undergone spinal surgery in our institute in eight consecutive years.

Impact of causative organism identification on clinical outcomes after minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis: multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the difference in treatment duration and unplanned additional surgeries between patients with unidentified causative organisms on empiric antibiotics and those with identified organisms on selective antibiotics in treating thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis with minimally invasive posterior fixation.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients with thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis refractory to conservative treatment who underwent minimally invasive posterior fixation. Patients were divided into the identified (known causative organism) and unidentified groups (unknown causative organism).

Safety and feasibility of intravenous administration of a single dose of allogenic-Muse cells to treat human cervical traumatic spinal cord injury: a clinical trial.

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating injury and remains one of the largest medical and social burdens because of its intractable nature. According to the recent advances in stem cell biology, the possibility of spinal cord regeneration and functional restoration has been suggested by introducing appropriate stem cells. Multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells are a type of nontumorigenic endogenous reparative stem cell.

Exploring factors affecting activities of daily living in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures managed conservatively: a post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Study Design: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors at the time of injury associated with declining activities of daily living (ADLs) in the chronic phase of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) managed conservatively.

Overview Of Literature: Although a conservative approach is the treatment of choice for OVFs, ADLs do not improve or eventually decrease in some cases.

Multimodal Deep Learning-based Radiomics Approach for Predicting Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis.

Objective: This research sought to develop a predictive model for surgical outcomes in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) using deep learning and machine learning (ML) techniques.

Summary Of Background Data: Determining surgical outcomes assists surgeons in communicating prognosis to patients and setting their expectations.

Pedicle screw insertion into infected vertebrae reduces operative time and range of fixation in minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Minimally invasive posterior fixation surgery for pyogenic spondylitis is known to reduce invasiveness and complication rates; however, the outcomes of concomitant insertion of pedicle screws (PS) into the infected vertebrae via the posterior approach are undetermined. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of PS insertion into infected vertebrae in minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 70 patients undergoing minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis across nine institutions.

Early Recurrence of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum After Posterior Decompression Surgery: A Case Report.

Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is known to result in spinal canal stenosis and myelopathy. It is typically treated through decompressive laminectomy and resection of the ossified ligament, which is known to improve neurological deficits. However, the recurrence of OLF post-surgery remains a relatively undocumented and complex issue.

The association between variations in the number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and rib morphology in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: Preoperative counting of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae is crucial in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) due to reported anatomical variations and potential surgical site misidentification. This study investigated characteristics associated with the vertebral number variations AIS, particularly focusing on rib morphology.

Methods: Based on three-dimensional computed tomography, patients were categorized into the non-variant number group, comprising individuals with 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar vertebrae, and the variant number group, comprising individuals with different numbers of vertebrae.

Safety and feasibility of in-hospital autonomous transportation using a driverless mobility for patients with musculoskeletal disorders: preliminary clinical study to achieve mobility as a service in medical care.

Background: Recent advancements in and the proliferation of autonomous mobility technology, such as intelligent wheelchairs, have made it possible to provide mobility services for patients with reduced mobility due to musculoskeletal disorders. In the present study, we conducted a preliminary clinical study to assess the safety and feasibility of in-hospital autonomous transportation using a driverless mobility (wheelchair) for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: From January to February 2022, 51 patients with musculoskeletal disorders exhibiting gait disturbance who presented to our institution were included in the present study.

Factors Influencing Optimal Bracing Compliance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Single Center Prospective Cohort Study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To identify factors contributing to optimal bracing compliance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: Poor brace compliance is a key factor affecting brace treatment success in AIS.

Bone union-promoting effect of romosozumab in an ovariectomized rat posterolateral lumbar fusion model.

Spinal fixation surgery has been increasingly performed in patients with osteoporosis. Romosozumab, a drug that was introduced in Japan recently, is known to possibly promote bone healing. However, few studies have reported the therapeutic effects of romosozumab in clinical practice in Japan.