Do Grip Strength Dynamometer Readings Improve After Cervical Spine Surgery?

Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study.

Objectives: Hand function can be difficult to objectively assess perioperatively. In patients undergoing cervical spine surgery by a single-surgeon, we sought to: (1) use a hand dynamometer to report pre/postoperative grip strength, (2) distinguish grip strength changes in patients with radiculopathy-only vs myelopathy, and (3) assess predictors of grip strength improvement.

Revision Strategies for Cervical Disc Arthroplasty.

Study Design: Narrative review.

Objective: To review indications and strategies for revision of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA).

Summary Of Background Data: No data were generated as part of this review.

Can Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence Automate The Generation of Billing Codes From Operative Note Dictations?

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Using natural language processing (NLP) in combination with machine learning on standard operative notes may allow for efficient billing, maximization of collections, and minimization of coder error. This study was conducted as a pilot study to determine if a machine learning algorithm can accurately identify billing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes on patient operative notes.

What Is the Impact of Surgical Approach in the Treatment of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in Patients With OPLL? A Propensity-Score Matched, Multi-Center Analysis on Inpatient and Post-Discharge 90-Day Outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: Provide a comparison of surgical approach in the treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy in patients with OPLL.

Methods: A national database was queried to identify adult (≥18 years) patients with OPLL, who underwent at least a 2-level cervical decompression and fusion for cervical myelopathy from 2012-2014.

Respiratory Compromise After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Incidence, Subsequent Complications, and Independent Predictors.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Respiratory compromise (RC) is a rare but catastrophic complication of anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) commonly due to compressive fluid collections or generalized soft tissue swelling in the cervical spine. Established risk factors include operative duration, size of surgical exposure, myelopathy, among others.

Hybrid Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: An Analysis of Short-Term Complications, Reoperations, and Readmissions.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Although cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has become a well-established and effective treatment for symptomatic cervical degeneration, many patients with multilevel disease are not good candidates for CDA at all levels. For such patients, hybrid surgery (HS)-a combination of adjacent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and CDA-may be more appropriate.

Does screw length for primary two-level ACDF influence pseudarthrosis risk?

Background Context: Pseudarthrosis remains a major complication for patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF; 0%-15% at 1-year follow-up). Potentially modifiable risk factors are known in literature, such as smoking and osteoporosis. Biomechanical studies suggest that plates with locking screws can enhance the fixation rigidity and pull-out strength.