Deformity Considerations in Cervical Laminoplasty: A Narrative Review.

Objectives: We discuss the incidence of postoperative kyphosis following laminoplasty and its impact on outcomes, as well as critical radiographic parameters, intraoperative technical factors, and postoperative protocols that can be used to improve results.

Summary Of Background Data: When appropriately selected, cervical laminoplasty is a motion-sparing treatment option for cervical myelopathy and is a valid alternative to laminectomy and fusion procedures. However, like other posterior-based cervical decompression techniques, laminoplasty can cause postoperative kyphosis.

Response to Preoperative Steroid Injections Predicts Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The decision to pursue operative intervention for patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis is complex. Although steroid injections are a well-accepted therapeutic modality that may delay or obviate surgery, little is known regarding their ability to predict surgical outcomes.

Potential Selection Bias in Observational Studies Comparing Cervical Disc Arthroplasty to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective study using a national administrative database.

Objective: To define the cohort differences in patient characteristics between patients undergoing cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in a large national sample, and to describe the impact of those baseline patient characteristics on analyses of costs and complications.

Summary Of Background Data: CDA was initially studied in high quality, randomized trials with strict inclusion criteria.

Mobile messaging and smartphone apps for patient communication and engagement in spine surgery.

Mobile health (mHealth) applications are rapidly becoming increasingly available to patients. These interventions utilize simple mobile messaging (SMS) and software applications on mobile devices for a variety of purposes. In the surgical population mHealth applications have shown promise in increasing medication and protocol adherence, monitoring patients after surgery, and helping modify behaviors associated with poor surgical outcomes.

Defining Instability in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Surgeon Views.

Study Design: Surgeon survey.

Objective: To examine factors influencing surgeons' definition of instability in grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and assess treatment preferences for both stable and unstable DS.

Summary Of Background Data: DS treatment options are broadly classified as decompression with or without fusion.

Lumbar Interbody Fusions for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Review of Techniques, Indications, and Outcomes.

Study Design: Broad narrative review.

Objectives: To review and summarize the current literature on the outcomes, techniques, and indications of lumbar interbody fusion in degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Methods: A thorough review of peer-reviewed literature was performed on the outcomes, techniques, and indications of lumbar interbody fusions in degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Software-Based Postoperative Communication With Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Observational study.

Objectives: Perioperative patient anxiety is a major concern in orthopedic surgery. Mobile messaging applications have been used in a number of healthcare settings.

Physical function computer adaptive test outcomes in diabetic lumbar spine surgical patients.

Background Context: Diabetes is a highly prevalent comorbid condition among patients undergoing spine surgery. Several studies have used legacy patient-reported outcome measures to implicate diabetes as a predictor of increased disability, pain, and decreased physical function and quality of life following spine surgery. The effect of diabetes on postoperative physical function has not yet been studied using the PROMIS Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (PF CAT).

Evidence of an Inherited Predisposition for Spinal Cord Tumors.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objectives: To determine familial clustering of primary spinal cord tumors using a statewide genealogy database.

Methods: The Utah Population Database (UPDB) was queried using ICD-Oncology (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology) codes for primary spinal cord tumors.

Failure of facet replacement system with metal-on-metal bearing surface and subsequent discovery of cobalt allergy: report of 2 cases.

The aim of this study was to report on 2 patients in whom metal-on-metal (MOM) facet replacements failed, with subsequent positive findings on allergy testing. Motion-preserving devices have been used with limited success when instrumentation is indicated in the mobile spine. MOM-bearing surfaces in orthopedics were developed to increase implant longevity, yet have been associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including local tissue reactions, pseudotumors, metallosis, and the need for revision surgery.

The utility of preoperative laboratories in predicting postoperative complications following posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Background Context: Several studies have suggested that laboratory results have minimal impact on clinical decision making in surgery. Despite the widespread use of preoperative testing in spine surgery and the large volume of posterolateral lumbar fusions (PLFs) being performed each year, no study has assessed the ability of preoperative laboratories to predict adverse events following PLF.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between commonly obtained preoperative laboratory results and postoperative complications following one- to two-level PLF.

Optimal Entry Point and Trajectory for Anterior C1 Lateral Mass Screw.

Study Design: A radiographic analysis of the anatomy of the C1 lateral mass using computed tomography (CT) scans and Mimics software.

Objective: To define the anatomy of the C1 lateral mass and make recommendations for optimal entry point and trajectory for anterior C1 lateral mass screws.

Summary Of Background Data: Although various posterior insertion angles and entry points for screw insertion have been proposed for posterior C1 lateral mass screws, no large series have been performed to assess the ideal entry point and optimal trajectory for anterior C1 lateral mass screw placement.

PROMIS PF CAT Outperforms the ODI and SF-36 Physical Function Domain in Spine Patients.

Study Design: The Oswestry Disability Index v2.0 (ODI), SF36 Physical Function Domain (SF-36 PFD), and PROMIS Physical Function CAT v1.2 (PF CAT) questionnaires were prospectively collected from 1607 patients complaining of back or leg pain, visiting a university-based spine clinic.

Patient Satisfaction is Not Associated With Self-reported Disability in a Spine Patient Population.

Study Design: This is a retrospective review.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between patient functional status and self-assessment of disability as measured by 3 commonly used clinical assessment instruments-the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the EuroQol (EQ)-5D and patient satisfaction scores in a spine surgery clinic population.

Summary Of Background Data: Patient satisfaction surveys, which measure the "patient experience of care" are becoming an increasingly important measure of the quality of medical care.

A comparative study on the accuracy of pedicle screw placement assisted by personalized rapid prototyping template between pre- and post-operation in patients with relatively normal mid-upper thoracic spine.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of rapid prototyping drill template technique for placing pedicle screws in the mid-upper thoracic vertebrae in clinics.

Methods: 151 consecutive patients underwent thoracic instrumentation and fusion for a total of 582 pedicle screws placed in the mid-upper thoracic vertebrae. Using computer software, the authors constructed drill templates that fit onto the posterior elements of the mid-upper thoracic vertebrae with drill guides designed to instrument the pedicles.

An anatomic study to determine the optimal entry point, medial angles, and effective length for safe fixation using posterior C1 lateral mass screws.

Study Design: Anatomic study of the C1 lateral mass using fine-cut computed tomographic scans and Mimics software.

Objective: To investigate the optimal entry point, medial angles, and effective length for safe fixation using posterior C1 lateral mass screws.

Summary Of Background Data: Placing posterior C1 lateral mass screws is technically demanding, and a misplaced screw can result in injury to the vertebral artery, spinal cord, or internal carotid artery.

Deviation analysis of C2 translaminar screw placement assisted by a novel rapid prototyping drill template: a cadaveric study.

Purpose: The goal of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of patient-specific CT-based rapid prototype drill templates for C2 translaminar screw insertion.

Methods: Volumetric CT scanning was performed in 32 cadaveric cervical spines. Using computer software, the authors constructed drill templates that fit onto the posterior surface of the C2 vertebrae with drill guides to match the slope of the patient's lamina.

Surgical versus injection treatment for injection-confirmed chronic sacroiliac joint pain.

Study Design:  Systematic review.

Study Rationale:  Chronic sacroiliac joint pain (CSJP) is a common clinical entity with highly controversial treatment options. A recent systematic review compared surgery with denervation, but the current systematic review compares outcomes of surgical intervention with therapeutic injection for the treatment of CSJP and serves as the next step for evaluating current evidence on the comparative effectiveness of treatments for non-traumatic sacroiliac joint pain.

Evidence for an inherited predisposition to lumbar disc disease.

Background: A genetic predisposition for the development of symptomatic lumbar disc disease has been suggested by several twin sibling studies and subsequent genetic marker studies. The purpose of the present study was to define population-based familial clustering among individuals with a diagnosis of, or treated for, lumbar disc herniation or disc degeneration.

Methods: The Utah Population Database allows analysis of combined health and genealogic data for over one million Utah residents.

Evidence of an inherited predisposition for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Study Design: A retrospective, population-based study cross-referencing a genealogic database of over 2 million Utah residents with 10 years of clinical diagnosis data from a large tertiary hospital.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the presence or absence of an inherited predisposition to the development of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Summary Of Background Data: A genetic predisposition for the development of cervical spondylosis has been discussed in the literature with low-quality evidence.