Publications by authors named "P Mastrokostas"

Introduction: Lumbar disk arthroplasty (LDA) is a relatively novel procedure with limited indications and use in the United States, especially relative to lumbar fusion (LF). This study aimed to determine surgical trends between LDA versus LF over the past 10 years to quantify absolute/relative surgical volume over time and compare baseline patient demographics, readmission, 2-year revision rates, and costs-of-care.

Methods: A total of 714,268 patients were identified from a nationwide database who underwent LF (n = 710,527) or LDA (n = 3,741) from 2010 to 2021.

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A 50-year-old female from Uzbekistan presented to our emergency department with severe right hip pain and loss of ambulation. Her history included multiple hepatic echinococcal cyst resections. After a fall, she underwent a proximal femur open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and revision in Uzbekistan, which revealed broken screws and cystic lesions.

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Study Design: Narrative review.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions: (1) What is the quality of informed consent in spine surgery, including both neurosurgery and orthopaedic spine surgery? (2) What limitations impede the ability of surgeons to engage in effective shared decision-making (SDM) and obtain adequate informed consent? (3) What strategies and solutions may improve the quality of informed consent and SDM? (4) What factors decrease the incidence of litigation in spine surgery?

Methods: N/A.

Results: SDM is a collaborative process where patients are involved in their treatment choices through open communication about risks, alternatives, and postoperative expectations.

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Background Context: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has become an increasingly popular alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, offering benefits such as motion preservation and reduced risk of adjacent segment disease. Despite its advantages, understanding the economic implications associated with varying patient and hospital factors remains critical.

Purpose: To evaluate how hospital size, geographic region, and patient-specific variables influence charges associated with the primary admission period following CDA.

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Article Synopsis
  • This pilot study explores how using monetary incentives via an app can help improve patients' adherence to important preoperative and postoperative instructions.
  • Conducted at Maimonides Medical Center, participants received rewards for completing specific health-related tasks through the TheraPay Rewards app, targeting both English and Spanish speakers.
  • The results showed high adherence rates for preoperative tasks (about 98.7%), but significantly lower rates for postoperative tasks (around 60%), indicating the potential of financial incentives while also noting the need for improved support post-surgery.
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