Utilizing previous patient opioid experiences for pain plan implementation: Role of opioid use categorization on inpatient and outpatient opioid use, length of stay, pain scores, and clinic resource utilization following elective spine surgery.

Background: A Pain Plan was formulated for all patients undergoing elective spine surgery at our institution. It was based on prior opioid experiences and developed collaboratively between the patient and the surgeon at a preoperative clinic visit. Category 1 patients had no previous opioid experience, Category 2 patients had remote previous opioid experience with acceptable pain control and no side effects, Category 3 patients had remote previous opioid experience with unacceptable pain control and/or side effects, and Category 4 patients had opioid use leading up to surgery.

Pain Plan Implementation Effect: Analysis of Postoperative Opioid Use, Hospital Length of Stay, and Clinic Resource Utilization for Patients Undergoing Elective Spine Surgery.

Introduction: The Pain Plan was developed collaboratively and implemented a unique systematic approach to reduce opioid usage in elective spine surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comparing patients who underwent elective spine surgery before and after Pain Plan implementation. The Pain Plan was implemented on May 1, 2019.

A Multicenter Evaluation of the Feasibility, Patient/Provider Satisfaction, and Value of Virtual Spine Consultation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, patient/provider satisfaction, and perceived value of telehealth spine consultation after rapid conversion from traditional in-office visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data were obtained for patients undergoing telehealth visits with spine surgeons in the first 3 weeks after government restriction of elective surgical care at 4 sites (March 23, 2020, to April 17, 2020). Demographic factors, technique-specific elements of the telehealth experience, provider confidence in diagnostic and therapeutic assessment, patient/surgeon satisfaction, and perceived value were collected.

Improving Secondary Fracture Prevention After Vertebroplasty: Implementation of a Fracture Liaison Service.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate a multidisciplinary fracture liaison service (FLS) to improve osteoporosis treatment and secondary fracture prevention for patients after vertebroplasty.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of consecutive vertebroplasty patients from January 2016 to January 2020. FLS began in December 2016 allowing for before-and-after comparison.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Lateral Interbody Fusion for Adjacent Segment Degeneration.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Assessment of outcomes in patients undergoing lateral interbody fusion as part of the surgical treatment of adjacent segment deterioration after previous lumbar spine fusion.

Methods: Adult patients with previous lumbar posterior spinal fusion who presented with adjacent segment degeneration and stenosis refractory to nonoperative treatment and who underwent lateral lumbar interbody fusion were retrospectively analyzed.

Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle aspiration of posterior epidural abscesses: a report of two cases.

Introduction: Spinal epidural abscesses are most commonly treated with surgical decompression and antibiotics or in specific instances managed medically with antibiotic therapy alone. Image-guided percutaneous aspiration as an alternative to surgery has only rarely been reported in the literature.

Case Presentation: We report two cases of successful fluoroscopy-guided needle aspiration of posterior epidural abscesses.

A Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of the Value of the On-Call Orthopedic Resident.

Background: Funding for graduate medical education is at risk despite the services provided by residents.

Objective: We quantified the potential monetary value of services provided by on-call orthopedic surgery residents.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter cohort study design.

Mediating the Secondary Effects of Spinal Cord Injury Through Optimization of Key Physiologic Parameters.

Spinal cord injury remains a challenging clinical entity with considerable socioeconomic impact on patients, their families, and the healthcare system. Advances in medical care and rehabilitation continue to improve, but treatment outcomes following tissue regeneration for spinal cord injury remain dismal. Therefore, attempts at mediating the secondary effects of spinal cord injury remain the mainstay of current treatment.