Faculty Bibliography

Background/UNASSIGNED:Effects of nonoperative treatments on surgical outcomes for patients who failed conservative management for cervical spine pathologies remain unknown. The objective is to describe conservative modality use in patients indicated for surgery for degenerative cervical spine conditions and its impact on perioperative outcomes. Methods/UNASSIGNED:tests were performed to determine differences between groups and impact on outcomes. Results/UNASSIGNED: < .05). Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Radiculopathy patients receiving epidurals returned to work after 1 year more frequently. PT was associated with shorter hospitalizations, greater SF-36 bodily pain norm and physical component score improvements, and increased return-to-work rates after 1 and 2 years. No statistically significant nonoperative treatment was associated with return-to-work rate in myelopathy patients. Clinical Relevance/UNASSIGNED:These findings suggest certain preoperative conservative treatment modalities are associated with improved outcomes in radiculopathy patients.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Consensus-building using the Delphi and nominal group technique. OBJECTIVE:To establish best practice guidelines using formal techniques of consensus building among a group of experienced spinal deformity surgeons to avert wrong-level spinal deformity surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA/BACKGROUND:Numerous previous studies have demonstrated that wrong-level spinal deformity occurs at a substantial rate, with more than half of all spine surgeons reporting direct or indirect experience operating on the wrong levels. Nevertheless, currently, guidelines to avert wrong-level spinal deformity surgery have not been developed. METHODS:The Delphi process and nominal group technique were used to formally derive consensus among 16 fellowship-trained spine surgeons. Surgeons were surveyed for current practices, presented with the results of a systematic review, and asked to vote anonymously for or against item inclusion during three iterative rounds. Agreement of 80% or higher was considered consensus. Items near consensus (70% to 80% agreement) were probed in detail using the nominal group technique in a facilitated group meeting. RESULTS:Participants had a mean of 13.4 years of practice (range: 2-32 years) and 103.1 (range: 50-250) annual spinal deformity surgeries, with a combined total of 24,200 procedures. Consensus was reached for the creation of best practice guidelines (BPGs) consisting of 17 interventions to avert wrong-level surgery. A final checklist consisting of preoperative and intraoperative methods, including standardized vertebral-level counting and optimal imaging criteria, was supported by 100% of participants. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We developed consensus-based best practice guidelines for the prevention of wrong-vertebral-level surgery. This can serve as a tool to reduce the variability in preoperative and intraoperative practices and guide research regarding the effectiveness of such interventions on the incidence of wrong-level surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level V.

Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques offer promising improvements in the management of thoracolumbar trauma. Recent advances in MIS techniques and instrumentation for degenerative conditions have heralded a growing interest in employing these techniques for thoracolumbar trauma. Specifically, surgeons have applied these techniques to help manage flexion- and extension-distraction injuries, neurologically intact burst fractures, and cases of damage control. Minimally invasive surgical techniques offer a means to decrease blood loss, shorten operative time, reduce infection risk, and shorten hospital stays. Herein, we review thoracolumbar minimally invasive surgery with an emphasis on thoracolumbar trauma classification, minimally invasive spinal stabilization, surgical indications, patient outcomes, technical considerations, and potential complications.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Chiari malformations type 1 (CM-1), a developmental anomaly of the posterior fossa, usually presents in adolescence or early adulthood. There are few studies on the national incidence of CM-1, taking into account outcomes based on concurrent diagnoses. To quantify trends in treatment and associated diagnoses, as retrospective review of the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) from 2003-2012 was conducted. Methods/UNASSIGNED:-tests for categorical and numerical variables, respectively. Trends in diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results/UNASSIGNED:4.7%). Seven point four percent of patients experienced at least one peri-operative complication (nervous system, dysphagia, respiratory most common). Patients with concurrent hydrocephalus had increased; nervous system, respiratory and urinary complications (P<0.006) and syringomyelia increased the rate of respiratory complications (P=0.037). Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:CM-1 diagnoses have increased in the last decade. Despite the decrease in overall complication rates, fusions are becoming more common and are associated with higher peri-operative complication rates. Commonly associated diagnoses including syringomyelia and hydrocephalus, can dramatically increase complication rates.

BACKGROUND: Adult cervical deformity (ACD) classifications have not been implemented in a prospective ACD population and in conjunction with adult spinal deformity (ASD) classifications. OBJECTIVE: To characterize cervical deformity type and malalignment with 2 classifications (Ames-ACD and Schwab-ASD). METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospective multicenter ACD database. Inclusion: patients >/=18 yr with pre- and postoperative radiographs. Patients were classified with Ames-ACD and Schwab-ASD schemes. Ames-ACD descriptors (C = cervical, CT = cervicothoracic, T = thoracic, S = coronal, CVJ = craniovertebral) and alignment modifiers (cervical sagittal vertical axis [cSVA], T1 slope minus cervical lordosis [TS-CL], modified Japanese Ortphopaedic Association [mJOA] score, horizontal gaze) were assigned. Schwab-ASD curve type stratification and modifier grades were also designated. Deformity and alignment group distributions were compared with Pearson chi 2 /ANOVA. RESULTS: Ames-ACD descriptors in 84 patients: C = 49 (58.3%), CT = 20 (23.8%), T = 9 (10.7%), S = 6 (7.1%). cSVA modifier grades differed in C, CT, and T deformities ( P < .019). In C, TS-CL grade prevalence differed ( P = .031). Among Ames-ACD modifiers, high (1+2) cSVA grades differed across deformities (C = 47.7%, CT = 89.5%, T = 77.8%, S = 50.0%, P = .013). Schwab-ASD curve type and presence (n = 74, T = 2, L = 6, D = 2) differed significantly in S deformities ( P < .001). Higher Schwab-ASD pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis grades were less likely in Ames-ACD CT deformities ( P = .027). Higher pelvic tilt grades were greater in high (1+2) cSVA (71.4% vs 36.0%, P = .015) and high (2+3) mJOA (24.0% vs 38.1%, P = .021) scores. Postoperatively, C and CT deformities had a trend toward lower cSVA grades, but only C deformities differed in TS-CL grade prevalence (0 = 31.3%, 1 = 12.2%, 2 = 56.1%, P = .007). CONCLUSION: Cervical deformities displayed higher TS-CL grades and different cSVA grade distributions. Preoperative associations with global alignment modifiers and Ames-ACD descriptors were observed, though only cervical modifiers showed postoperative differences.

BACKGROUND: Global sagittal deformity is an established cause of disability. However, measurements of sagittal alignment are often ignored when patients present with symptoms localizing to the cervical or lumbar spine. OBJECTIVE: To develop scoring scales to predict the risk of sagittal malalignment in patients with only cervical or lumbar spine radiographs. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained multicenter adult spinal deformity database was performed. Primary outcome (sagittal malalignment) was defined as a C7 plumbline >/= 50 mm. Two multivariate logistic regressions were performed using patient characteristics and measurements derived from cervical or lumbar radiographs as covariates. Point scores were assigned to age, body mass index (BMI), and lumbar lordosis or T1 slope by rounding their ss coefficients to the nearest integer. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventy-nine patients were included, with 652 randomly assigned to the derivation cohort (used to build the score) and 327 comprising the validation set. Final cervical score for the primary outcome included BMI >/= 25 (1 point), age >/= 55 yr (2 points), and T1 slope >/= 27 o (2 points). Final lumbar score for the primary outcome included BMI >/= 25 (1 point), age >/= 55 yr (1 point), and lumbar lordosis >/= 45 o (-1 points). High scores for both the cervical and lumbar spine presented with high specificity and positive likelihood ratios of sagittal malalignment. CONCLUSION: We developed scoring scales to predict global sagittal malalignment utilizing clinical covariates and cervical or lumbar radiographs. Patients with high scores may prompt imaging with long-cassette plain films to evaluate for global sagittal imbalance.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Non-operative management is a common initial treatment for adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients despite reported superiority of surgery with regard to outcomes. Ineffective medical care is a large source of resource drain on the health system. Characterization of ASD patients likely to elect for operative treatment from nonoperative management may allow for more efficient patient counseling and cost savings. PURPOSE: To identify deformity and disability characteristics of ASD patients that ultimately convert to operative treatment compared to those that remain non-operative and those that initially choose surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE: 510 ASD patients (189 non-operative, 321 operative) with minimum 2-year follow-up. OUTCOME MEASURES: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short-Form 36 Health Assessment (SF-36), Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-22r), and spino-pelvic radiographic alignment. METHODS: Demographic, radiographic and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) from a cohort of ASD patients prospectively enrolled into a multi-center database were evaluated. Patients were divided into 3 treatment cohorts: Non-operative (NON=initial non-operative treatment and remained non-operative), Operative (OP=initial operative treatment), and Crossover (CROSS=initial non-operative treatment with subsequent conversion to operative treatment). NON and OP groups were propensity score matched (PSM) to CROSS for to baseline demographics (age, BMI, CCI). Time to crossover was divided into early (<1yr) and late ( >1yr). Outcome measures were compared across and within treatment groups at 4 time points (baseline, 6-week, 1-, and 2-years). RESULTS: Following PSM, 118 patients were included (NON=39, OP=38, CROSS=41). Crossover rate was 21.7% (41/189). Mean time to crossover was 394 days. All groups had similar baseline sagittal alignment, but CROSS had larger PI-LL mismatch than NON (11.9 degrees vs. 3.1 degrees , p=0.032). CROSS and OP had similar baseline PROM scores, however CROSS had worse baseline ODI, PCS, SRS-22r (p<0.05). At time of crossover, CROSS had worse ODI (35.7 vs. 27.8) and SRS Satisfaction (2.6 vs. 3.3) compared to NON (p<0.05). Alignment remained similar for CROSS from baseline to conversion however PROMs (ODI, PCS, SRS Activity/Pain/Total) worsened (p<0.05). Early and late crossover evaluation demonstrated CROSS-early (n=25) had worsening ODI, SRS Activity/Pain at time of crossover (p<0.05). From time of crossover to 2yr follow-up, CROSS-early had less SRS Appearance/Mental improvement compared to OP. Both CROSS-early/late had worse baseline, but greater improvements, in ODI, PCS, SRS Pain/Total compared to NON (p<0.05). Baseline alignment and disability parameters increased crossover odds - Non with Schwab T/L/D curves and ODI>/=40 (OR: 3.05, p=0.031), and Non with high PI-LL modifier grades ('+'/'++') and ODI>/=40 (OR: 5.57, p=0.007) were at increased crossover risk. CONCLUSIONS: High baseline and increasing disability over time drives conversion from non-operative to operative ASD care. CROSS patients had similar spinal deformity but worse PROMs than NON. CROSS achieved similar 2-year outcome scores as OP. Profiling at first visit for patients at risk of crossover may optimize physician counseling and cost savings.

OBJECTIVE: The etiologies and epidemiology of traumatic cervical spine fracture have not been described with sufficient power or recency. Our goal is to describe demographics, incidence, etiology, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), concurrent injuries, treatments, and complications of traumatic cervical spine fractures. METHODS: Retrospective review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. ICD-9 E-Codes identified trauma cases from 2005-2013. Patients with cervical fracture were isolated. Demographics, incidence, etiology, fracture levels, concurrent injuries, surgical procedures, and complications were analyzed. T-tests elucidated significance for continuous variables, chi-square for categorical variables. Level of significance P<0.05. RESULTS: 488,262 patients isolated (age:55.96, male:60.0%, white:77.5%). Incidence (2005:4.1% vs 2013:5.4%), Charlson-Comorbidity-Index (2005:0.6150 vs. 2013:1.1178), and total charges (2005:$71,228.60 vs. 2013:$108,119.29) have increased since 2005, while length of stay (LOS) decreased (2005:9.22 vs. 2013:7.86) (all P<0.05). Most common etiologies were MVA (29.3%), falls (23.7%) and pedestrian accidents (15.7%). Most frequent fracture types were closed at C2 (32.0%) and C7 (20.9%). Concurrent injury rates have significantly increased since 2005 (2005:62.3% vs. 2013:67.6%). Common concurrent injuries included fractures to the rib/sternum/larynx/trachea (19.6%). Overall fusion rates have increased since 2005 (2005:15.7% vs 2013:18.0%), while decompressions and halo insertion rates have decreased (all P<0.05). SCIs have significantly decreased since 2005, except for upper-cervical central cord syndrome. Complication rates have significantly increased since 2005 (2005:31.6% vs. 2013:36.2%). Common complications included Anemia (7.7%), Mortality (6.6%), and ARDS (6.6%). CONCLUSION: Incidence, complications, concurrent injuries, and fusions have increased since 2005. LOS, SCIs, decompressions and halo insertions have decreased. Indicated trends should guide future research in management guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rate, and other metrics are increasingly being used to evaluate quality of surgical care. The factors most relevant to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) are not yet established. OBJECTIVE: To identify peri-operative factors associated with extended LOS and/or 30-day readmission following elective surgery for CSM. METHODS: Surgical CSM patients at institutions represented by the American-College-of-Surgeons-National-Surgical-Quality-Improvement-Program (ACS-NSQIP) from 2010-2012 were included. Patients with fracture, >/=9 levels fused, or cancer were excluded. Extended LOS was defined as 75th percentile of the cohort. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors for extended LOS, 30-day readmission, and reoperation. Linear regression modeling was used to evaluate variables. RESULTS: 3057 surgical CSM cases were isolated. Age (OR-1.496), diabetes (OR-1.691), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class (OR-2.081), posterior surgical approach (OR-2.695), and operative time (OR-1.008) were all positive predictors (P<0.05) for extended LOS (>/=4 days). 32% of the cohort (976 patients) had 30-day readmission data. Among these, 915 patients were not readmitted (93.8%), while 61 (6.2%) were. Diabetes (OR-1.460) and ASA-class (OR-2.539) were significant positive predictors for hospital readmission. Age (OR-0.918) was a negative predictor of re-operation in readmitted patients, and pulmonary comorbidities (OR-4.584) were a positive predictor (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes and higher ASA-Class were at increased risk for extended LOS and readmission within 30-days. Patients with increased operative time have greater risk for extended LOS. Pre-operative pulmonary comorbidities increased reoperation risk, while increased age reduced the risk. Attention to these factors may benefit CSM patients.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Patients with lumbar spine and hip disorders may, during the course of their treatment, undergo spinal fusion and THA. There is disagreement among prior studies regarding whether patients who undergo THA and spinal fusion are at increased risk of THA dislocation and other hip-related complications. QUESTIONS/ PURPOSES/UNASSIGNED:Is short or long spinal fusion associated with an increased rate of postoperative complications in patients who underwent a prior THA? PATIENTS AND METHODS/METHODS:A retrospective study of New York State's Department of Health database (SPARCS) was performed. SPARCS has a unique identification code for each patient, allowing investigators to track the patient across multiple admissions. The SPARCS dataset spans visit data of patients of all ages and races across urban and rural locations. The SPARCs dataset encompasses all facilities covered under New York State Article 28 and uses measures to further representative reporting of data concerning all races. Owing to the nature of the SPARCS dataset, we are unable to comment on data leakage, as there is no way to discern between a patient who does not subsequently seek care and a patient who seeks care outside New York State. ICD-9-Clinical Modification codes identified adult patients who underwent elective THA from 2009 to 2011. Patients who had subsequent spinal fusion (short: 2-3 levels, or long: ≥ 4 levels) with a diagnosis of adult idiopathic scoliosis or degenerative disc disease were identified. Forty-nine thousand nine hundred twenty patients met the inclusion criteria of the study. In our inclusion and exclusion criteria, there was no variation with respect to the distribution of sex and race across the three groups of interest. Patients who underwent a spinal procedure (short versus long fusion) had comparable age. However, patients who did not undergo a spinal procedure were older than patients who had short fusion (65 ± 12.4 years versus 63 ± 10.7 years; p < 0.001). Multivariate binary logistic regression models that controlled for age, sex, and Deyo/Charlson scores were used to investigate the association between spinal fusion and THA revisions, postoperative dislocation, contralateral THAs, and total surgical complications to the end of 2013. A total of 49,920 patients who had THAs were included in one of three groups (no subsequent spinal fusion: n = 49,209; short fusion: n = 478; long fusion: n = 233). RESULTS:Regression models revealed that short and long spinal fusions were associated with increased odds for hip dislocation, with associated odds ratios (ORs) of 2.2 (95% CI, 1.4-3.6; p = 0.002), and 4.4 (95% CI, 2.7-7.3; p < 0.001), respectively. Patients who underwent THA and spinal surgery also had an increased odds for THA revision, with ORs of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4-2.8; p < 0.001) and 3.2 (95% CI, 2.1-4.8; p < 0.001) for short and long fusion, respectively. However, spinal fusions were not associated with contralateral THAs. Further, short and long spinal fusions were associated with increased surgical complication rates (OR = 2.8, 95% CI, 2.1-3.8, p < 0.001; OR = 5.3, 95% CI, 3.8-7.4, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We showed that spinal fusion in adults is associated with an increased frequency of complications and revisions in patients who have had a prior THA. Specifically, patients who had a long spinal fusion after THA had 340% higher odds of experiencing a hip dislocation and 220% higher odds of having to undergo a revision THA. Further research is necessary to determine whether this relationship is associated with the surgical order, or whether more patient-specific surgical goals of revision THA should be developed for patients with a spinal deformity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III, therapeutic study.