Post-traumatic cervical spine epidural hematoma: Incidence and risk factors.

Background: The incidence and risk factors for post-traumatic cervical epidural hematoma are not well described in the current literature. Our aim was to determine the incidence and associated risk factors for post-traumatic cervical spine epidural hematoma (SEH).

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our institution's prospectively collected data submitted to the state trauma registry, using ICD-9 codes, for all patients activated as a trauma with cervical spine injuries, between the years 2010 and 2014.

Improvements in Neck and Arm Pain Following an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify improvements in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Short Form-12 (SF-12) Mental (MCS) and Physical (PCS) Composite scores following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Summary Of Background Data: ACDF is evaluated with patient-reported outcomes.

Quantifying the Relationship Between the Transverse Acetabular Ligament and the Radiographic Teardrop.

Background: The transverse acetabular ligament (TAL) has been described as an anatomic landmark to guide in the positioning of the acetabular component during total hip arthroplasty. On plain films, the radiographic teardrop (RT) has similarly been used as a measure of appropriate cup positioning. The goal of this study is to quantify the distance and location between the anatomic TAL and RT landmarks to aid in the positioning of acetabular component.

Closed Rupture of the Flexor Profundus Tendon of Ring Finger: Case Report and Treatment Recommendations.

Zone III midsubstance flexor tendon rupture without underlying pathology is rare. The most common mechanism of injury for a spontaneous rupture is forced extension of an actively flexed distal interphalangeal joint. We describe a patient who experienced closed midsubstance zone III rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon of the ring finger at the lumbrical origin in the palm while lifting a heavy object.

Comparison of revision surgeries for one- to two-level cervical TDR and ACDF from 2002 to 2011.

Background Context: Cervical total disc replacement (TDR) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) provide comparable outcomes for degenerative cervical pathology. However, revisions of these procedures are not well characterized.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the rates, epidemiology, perioperative complications, and costs between the revision procedures and to compare these outcomes with those of primary cases.

Complications after lumbar spine surgery between teaching and nonteaching hospitals.

Study Design: Retrospective national database analysis.

Objective: A national population-based database was analyzed to characterize the perioperative complications of lumbar spine procedures performed at teaching and nonteaching hospitals.

Summary Of Background Data: Perception biases exist regarding the complications of lumbar spine surgery based upon the hospital teaching environment.

Perioperative characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion in July: analysis of the "July effect".

Study Design: Retrospective national database analysis.

Objective: A national population-based database was analyzed to characterize the "July effect" on the perioperative outcomes of anterior cervical fusions (ACFs).

Summary Of Background Data: Perception biases exist regarding the outcomes of cervical spine surgery based upon the month of admission.

Cerebral vascular accidents after lumbar spine fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To determine the impact of a cerebral vascular accident (CVA) after lumbar spinal fusion, a population-based database was analyzed to identify the incidence, potential risk factors, hospital resource utilization, and the early postoperative outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: A lumbar fusion (LF) is an effective surgical procedure to treat lumbar degenerative pathology.

Current trends in demographics, practice, and in-hospital outcomes in cervical spine surgery: a national database analysis between 2002 and 2011.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To investigate national trends of cervical spine surgical procedures from 2002 to 2011.

Summary Of Background Data: There is a paucity of literature assessing the current practice trends and outcomes of cervical spine surgery following the 2008 Food and Drug Administration public health notifications regarding bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) utilization in cervical spine surgical procedures.

Epidemiological trends in the utilization of bone morphogenetic protein in spinal fusions from 2002 to 2011.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: A nationwide population-based database was analyzed to assess the utilization trends of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in spine fusion surgery from 2002-2011.

Summary Of Background Data: The utilization of off-label BMP in spine procedures is not well characterized.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes and cost of spinal fusion for cervical trauma: weekday versus weekend admissions.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To characterize the impact of the admission day (weekday vs. weekend) on the length of stay, costs, complications, and mortality in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery for spinal trauma.

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of silicate-substituted calcium phosphate versus rhBMP-2 in a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: To compare arthrodesis rates between patients undergoing a primary single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) with either Actifuse or recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2).

Summary Of Background Data: Preclinical animal studies suggest that silicate-substituted calcium phosphate (Actifuse) bone graft substitute offers equivalent or an increased fusion rate compared with other graft enhancers/extenders and rhBMP-2.

A perioperative cost analysis comparing single-level minimally invasive and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Background Context: Emerging literature suggests superior clinical short- and long-term outcomes of MIS (minimally invasive surgery) TLIFs (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) versus open fusions. Few studies to date have analyzed the cost differences between the two techniques and their relationship to acute clinical outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the differences in hospitalization costs and payments for patients treated with primary single-level MIS versus open TLIF.

Incidence and risk factors for perioperative visual loss after spinal fusion.

Background Context: Perioperative visual loss (POVL) is a rare but devastating complication that may follow spinal surgeries. The incidence of POVL after spinal fusion is not well characterized during the past decade.

Purpose: A population-based database was analyzed to characterize the incidence and risk factors for POVL associated with spinal fusion surgery on a national level.

Incidence and risk factors for postoperative ileus following anterior, posterior, and circumferential lumbar fusion.

Background Context: Postoperative ileus is a known complication of surgery. The incidence and risk factors for ileus after lumbar fusion surgery is not well characterized.

Purpose: To determine rates of postoperative ileus, a population-based database was analyzed to identify incidence, mortality, and risk factors associated with anterior (ALF), posterior (PLF), and combined anterior/posterior (APLF) lumbar fusions.

Incidence, outcomes, and mortality of reintubation after anterior cervical fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To compare perioperative patient characteristics, hospital resource utilization, and early postoperative outcomes in patients requiring reintubation after anterior cervical fusion (ACF).

Summary Of Background Data: Airway compromise is a potential complication after anterior cervical surgery.

Comparison between cervical total disc replacement and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of 1 to 2 levels from 2002 to 2009.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To compare the perioperative patient characteristics, early postoperative outcomes, and costs between anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical total disc replacement (TDR) in the United States.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical TDR and ACDF are indicated to treat symptomatic cervical degenerative pathology.

Clinical sequelae after rhBMP-2 use in a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Background Context: Recent reports of postoperative radiculitis, bone osteolysis, and symptomatic ectopic bone formation after recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) use in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions (TLIFs) are a cause for concern.

Purpose: To determine the clinical and radiographic complications associated with BMP utilization in a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) environment.

Study Design/setting: Retrospective clinical case series at a single institution.

Complications of spinal fusion with utilization of bone morphogenetic protein: a systematic review of the literature.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: A systematic review was performed to identify the types of complications and complication rates associated with the use of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in both anterior and posterior cervical and lumbar spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: There has been an increase in BMP use in various clinical situations typically in an "off-label" fashion.

Incidence and risk factors for dysphagia after anterior cervical fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To determine the national incidence, mortality, and risk factors for dysphagia associated with anterior cervical spinal fusion surgery in the United States.

Summary Of Background Data: Dysphagia is a known complication associated with anterior cervical fusion (ACF).

Incidence and risk factors for postoperative delirium after lumbar spine surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: A population-based database was analyzed to characterize the incidence, hospital costs, mortality, and risk factors associated with postoperative delirium after lumbar decompression (LD) and lumbar fusion (LF) surgical procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: Postoperative delirium is a common complication after surgery in the elderly that leads to increased hospitalization, cost, and other adverse outcomes.

Incidence, risk factors, and mortality associated with aspiration in cervical spine surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective national database analysis.

Objective: A population-based database was analyzed to characterize the incidence, mortality, and associated risk factors for aspiration pneumonia in cervical spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Aspiration pneumonia represents a potentially fatal complication of any surgical procedure.

Incidence and risk factors for gastrointestinal hemorrhage after lumbar fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis.

Objective: To determine rates of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage after lumbar fusions, a population-based database was analyzed to identify incidence, mortality, and risk factors associated with anterior (ALF), posterior (PLF), and simultaneous anterior/posterior (APLF) lumbar fusions.

Summary Of Background Data: GI hemorrhage after lumbar surgery is a rare complication that can have devastating consequences.

Incidence and mortality of cardiac events in lumbar spine surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective national database analysis.

Objective: A population-based database was analyzed to characterize the incidence, mortality, and associated risk factors for cardiac events in lumbar spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Cardiac events are a leading cause of perioperative mortality in spinal surgery.