Smoking Does Not Negatively Impact Outcomes Following Cervical Laminoplasty: A Quality Outcomes Database Study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the impact of smoking on outcomes following elective cervical laminoplasty for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Summary Of Background Data: The detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on cervical spinal fusion surgery outcomes is well documented.

Flexibility-tilt agreement best predicts shoulder balance following posterior spine fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: We propose a novel concept, called flexibility-tilt agreement (FTA), which could be applied intra-operatively to improve shoulder balance following posterior spine fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). We retrospectively applied this concept to a cohort with thoracic-only curves, seeking to: (1) evaluate the impact of FTA and other peri-operative variables on post-operative shoulder balance, and (2) evaluate deformity characteristics associated with achieving FTA.

Methods: A single-institution registry was queried for patients undergoing PSF from 2000 to 2017 with main thoracic and double thoracic curves with at least 2-year follow-up.

Effect of Cervicothoracic Junction LIV Selection on Posterior Cervical Fusion Mechanical Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: Analyze and summarize literature evaluating the role of C7, T1, and T2 lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) selection in posterior cervical fusion (PCF) and if this affects the progression of mechanical failure and revision surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Literature evaluating mechanical failure and adjacent segment disease in the setting of PCF at or nearby the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) remains limited with studies reporting conflicting results.

L1-pelvic angle: a convenient measurement to attain optimal deformity correction.

Purpose: (1) Evaluate the associations between L1-pelvic angle (L1PA) and both sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and T1-pelvic angle (T1PA), and (2) assess the clinical impact of L1PA.

Methods: A single-institution retrospective cohort study was undertaken for patients undergoing adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery from 2013 to 2017. Ideal L1PA was defined as (0.

The importance of Hounsfield units in adult spinal deformity surgery: finding an optimal threshold to minimize the risk of mechanical complications.

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a well-established risk factor for mechanical complications following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Hounsfield units (HU) measured on computed tomography (CT) scans are a proxy of BMD. In ASD surgery, we sought to: (I) evaluate the association of HU with mechanical complications and reoperation, and (II) identify optimal HU threshold to predict the occurrence of mechanical complications.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes following correction of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescence vs young adulthood.

Purpose: The natural history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been well documented, but the impact of age at the time of surgical correction is relatively understudied. In this study, we matched patients undergoing surgical correction of adult idiopathic scoliosis (AdIS) with a cohort of AIS patients to compare: (1) coronal and sagittal radiographic correction, (2) operative variables, and (3) postoperative complications.

Methods: A single-institution scoliosis registry was queried for patients undergoing idiopathic scoliosis surgery from 2000-2017.

Comparative Utilization of Laminoplasty in the United States and Japan.

Introduction: Laminoplasty is a well-established technique used to manage cervical myelopathy (CM). Nevertheless, the degree to which United States surgeons have adopted laminoplasty from Japan to treat CM is less clear. The purpose of this study was to compare operative management strategies for CM in the United States (US) with Japan.

Radiographic Parameters in Cervical Myelopathy: Review of Current Literature.

Study Design: This was a narrative review.

Objectives: Provide a comprehensive review of radiographic alignment parameters and their effect on procedure selection, surgical decision-making, and clinical outcomes for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Summary Of Background Data: The use of radiographic parameters to predict prognosis and surgical outcomes in patients with CSM is an evolving field given the complex presentation of patients with this condition.

Outcomes Following Direct Versus Indirect Decompression Techniques for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: The aim was to compare outcomes at 3 and 12 months for patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with direct decompression (DD) versus indirect decompression (ID) techniques.

Summary Of Background Data: Debate persists regarding the optimal surgical strategy to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma.

Thoracolumbar spine trauma can result in potentially life-threatening consequences and requires careful management to ensure good outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the anatomy, diagnostic tools, non-operative, and operative treatments important when addressing thoracolumbar trauma.

Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes in Patients with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Commercial Insurance.

As more commercial insurance companies adopt a bundled reimbursement model, similar to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) algorithm for Medicare beneficiaries, accurate risk adjustment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is critical to ensure success. With this movement toward bundled reimbursement, it is unknown if a formula adjusting for similar risks in the Medicare population could be applied to PROs in commercially insured and Medicare Advantage populations undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study was performed to compare PROs after TKA in these insurance groups after adjusting for proposed risks.