Virtual modeling, stereolithography, and intraoperative CT guidance for the optimization of sagittal synostosis reconstruction: a technical note.

INTRODUCTION: Sagittal synostosis affects 1 in 1000 live births and may result in increased intracranial pressure, hindrance of normal neural development, and cosmetic deformity due to scaphocephaly. Historically, several approaches have been utilized for surgical correction and recently, computed tomography (CT)-guided reconstruction procedures are increasingly used. In this report, the authors describe the use of a CT-derived virtual and stereolithographic (3D printed) craniofacial models, which are used to guide intraoperative bone placement, and intraoperative CT guidance for confirmation of bone placement, to ensure the accuracy of surgical correction of scaphocephaly, as demonstrated to parents. METHODS: Preoperative high-resolution CT imaging was used to construct 3D image sets of the skulls of two infants (a 14-month-old female and a 6-month-old male) with scaphocephaly. These 3D image sets were then used to create a virtual model of the proposed surgical correction for each of the infants' deformities, which was then printed and made available for use intraoperatively to plan the bone flap, fashion the bone cuts, and optimize graft placement. After the remodeling, adherence to the preoperative plan was assessed by overlaying a CT scan of the remodeled skull with the virtual model. Deviations from the preoperative model were noted. RESULTS: Both patients had excellent postoperative cosmetic correction of head shape and contouring. The mean operative time was 5 h, blood loss was 100 ml, and one child required modification of the subocciput after intraoperative imaging showed a deviation of the reconstruction from the surgical goal as depicted by the preoperative model. CONCLUSION: The addition of neuro-navigation to stereolithographic modeling ensured the accuracy of the reconstruction for our patients and provided greater confidence to both surgeons and parents. While unisutural cases are presented for clarity, correction was still required for one patient. The cost of the models and the additional CT required must be weighed against the complexity of the procedure and possibly reserved for patients with potentially complicated corrections.

Minimally invasive transpedicular approach for the treatment of central calcified thoracic disc disease: a technical note.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of stereotactic navigation for the surgical treatment of ossified, paracentral thoracic discs via a minimally invasive (MI) transpedicular approach. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of cases with paracentral thoracic disc herniation resulting in myelopathy where a traditional MI approach would be difficult, who underwent a stereotactic assisted MI transpedicular approach via a tubular retractor system between 2011 and 2016. Five cases of patients over the age of 18 were selected. Collected data included patient age at surgery, sex, preoperative Nurick grade, number of levels treated, calcified disc presence, length of surgery, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), complication rate, postoperative Nurick grade, and length of follow-up. RESULTS: Five patients had a stereotaxic assisted MI transpedicular thoracic discectomy for paracentrally located calcified disc herniation. Intraoperative navigational images were acquired using intraoperative CT scans (O-arm) to plan and guide the surgical procedure, and real-time navigation was used for precise navigation around the cord to access and remove all fragments. MIS surgery was successfully performed in these otherwise contraindicated cases due to the use of intraoperative real-time stereotactic navigation. All patients had a successful decompression around the anterior aspect of the cord. CONCLUSION: The traditional MI transpedicular thoracic discectomy approach can be further refined and enhanced by stereotactic navigation to expand the limitations of the MIS technique allowing for an increased number and types of patients eligible for minimally invasive surgery. Therefore, MIS via a tubular retractor system with stereotactic navigation is a novel, safe, and effective improvement in feasibility from the traditional minimally invasive transpedicular thoracic discectomy technique.

Effect of body mass index on surgical outcomes after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE Obesity is an increasing public health concern in the pediatric population. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on 30-day outcomes after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database (2013 and 2014) was reviewed. Patients 10-18 years of age who had undergone fusion of 7 or more spinal levels for AIS were included. Thirty-day outcomes (complications, readmissions, and reoperations) were compared based on patient BMI per age- and sex-adjusted growth charts as follows: normal weight (NW; BMI < 85th percentile), overweight (OW; BMI 85th-95th percentile), and obese (OB; BMI > 95th percentile). RESULTS Patients eligible for study numbered 2712 (80.1% female and 19.9% male) and had a mean age of 14.4 ± 1.8 years. Average BMI for the entire cohort was 21.9 ± 5.0 kg/m2; 2010 patients (74.1%) were classified as NW, 345 (12.7%) as OW, and 357 (13.2%) as OB. The overall complication rate was 1.3% (36/2712). For NW and OW patients, the complication rate was 0.9% in each group; for OB patients, the rate was 4.2% (p < 0.001). The 30-day readmission rate was 2.0% (55/2712) for all patients, 1.6% for NW patients, 1.2% for OW patients, and 5.0% for OB patients (p < 0.001). The 30-day reoperation rate was 1.4% (39/2712). Based on BMI, this reoperation rate corresponded to 0.9%, 1.2%, and 4.8% for NW, OW, and OB patients, respectively (p < 0.001). After controlling for patient age, number of spinal levels fused, and operative/anesthesia time on multiple logistic regression analysis, obesity remained a significant risk factor for complications (OR 4.61), readmissions (OR 3.16), and reoperations (OR 5.33; all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Body mass index may be significantly associated with short-term outcomes after long-segment fusion procedures for AIS. Although NW and OW patients may have similar 30-day outcomes, OB patients had significantly higher wound complication, readmission, and reoperation rates and longer hospital stays than the NW patients. The findings of this study may help spine surgeons and patients in terms of preoperative risk stratification and perioperative expectations.

Thirty-day readmission and reoperation rates after single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion versus those after cervical disc replacement.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to compare 30-day readmission and reoperation rates after single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus those after cervical disc replacement (CDR). METHODS The authors used the 2013-2014 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Included were adult patients who underwent first-time single-level ACDF or CDR for cervical spondylosis or disc herniation. Primary outcome measures were readmission and/or reoperation within 30 days of the original surgery. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of the procedure (ACDF or CDR) on outcome, and results are presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS A total of 6077 patients met the inclusion criteria; 5590 (92.0%) patients underwent single-level ACDF, and 487 (8.0%) patients underwent CDR. The readmission rates were 2.6% for ACDF and 0.4% for CDR (p = 0.003). When stratified according to age groups, only patients between the ages of 41 and 60 years who underwent ACDF had a significantly higher readmission rate than those who underwent CDR (2.5% vs 0.7%, respectively; p = 0.028). After controlling for patient age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, hypertension, steroid use, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, patients who underwent CDR were significantly less likely to undergo readmission within 30 days than patients who underwent ACDF (OR 0.23 [95% CI 0.06-0.95]; p = 0.041). Patients with a history of COPD (OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.08-3.57]; p = 0.026) or hypertension (OR 1.62 [95% CI 1.10-2.38]; p = 0.013) and those at ASA Class IV (OR 14.6 [95% CI 1.69-125.75]; p = 0.015) were significantly more likely to require readmission within 30 days. The reoperation rates were 1.2% for ACDF and 0.4% for CDR (p = 0.086), and multivariate analysis revealed that CDR was not associated with lower odds of reoperation (OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.14-2.55]; p = 0.492). However, increasing age was associated with a higher risk (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.00-1.05]; p = 0.031) of reoperation; a 2% increase in risk per year of age was found. CONCLUSIONS Patients who underwent single-level ACDF had a higher readmission rate than those who underwent single-level CDR in this study. When stratified according to age, this effect was seen only in the 41- to 60-year age group. No significant difference in the 30-day single-level ACDF and single-level CDR reoperation rates was found. Although patients in the ACDF group were older and sicker, other unmeasured covariates might have accounted for the increased rate of readmission in this group, and further investigation is encouraged.

The use of a pedicle screw-cortical screw hybrid system for the surgical treatment of a patient with congenital multilevel spinal non-segmentation defect and spinal column deformity: a technical note.

INTRODUCTION: This technical note presents, to the authors' knowledge, the first reported case of a hybrid pedicle-cortical screw system for instrumented fusion in a patient with congenital vertebral column deformity. CASE: Cortical screws were navigated using stereotactic guidance to extend a prior non-segmented fusion mass, facilitating instrumentation in a circumstance with completely distorted anatomy. This technique provided a safe trajectory with excellent cortical purchase in an anatomically deformed spine. DISCUSSION: Cortical screw fixation may serve to be helpful in augmenting pedicle screw fixation and in circumstances in which the bone quality is suboptimal or the pedicles are compromised. Cortical screw fixation is a relatively new technology, but it may prove to be invaluable in providing an adjunct to pedicle screw constructs in anatomically distorted or osteoporotic spines.

Resection of spinal column tumors utilizing image-guided navigation: a multicenter analysis.

OBJECTIVE The use of intraoperative stereotactic navigation has become more available in spine surgery. The authors undertook this study to assess the utility of intraoperative CT navigation in the localization of spinal lesions and as an intraoperative tool to guide resection in patients with spinal lesions. METHODS This was a retrospective multicenter study including 50 patients from 2 different institutions who underwent biopsy and/or resection of spinal column tumors using image-guided navigation. Of the 50 cases reviewed, 4 illustrative cases are presented. In addition, the authors provide a description of surgical technique with image guidance. RESULTS The patient group included 27 male patients and 23 female patients. Their average age was 61 ± 17 years (range 14-87 years). The average operative time (incision to closure) was 311 ± 188 minutes (range 62-865 minutes). The average intraoperative blood loss was 882 ± 1194 ml (range 5-7000 ml). The average length of hospitalization was 10 ± 8.9 days (range 1-36 days). The postoperative complications included 2 deaths (4.0%) and 4 radiculopathies (8%) secondary to tumor burden. CONCLUSIONS O-arm 3D imaging with stereotactic navigation may be used to localize lesions intraoperatively with real-time dynamic feedback of tumor resection. Stereotactic guidance may augment resection or biopsy of primary and metastatic spinal tumors. It offers reduced radiation exposure to operating room personnel and the ability to use minimally invasive approaches that limit tissue injury. In addition, acquisition of intraoperative CT scans with real-time tracking allows for precise targeting of spinal lesions with minimal dissection.

Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation: A Review for the Pediatric Emergency Physician.

Pediatric emergency physicians must have a high clinical suspicion for atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS), particularly when a child presents with neck pain and an abnormal head posture without the ability to return to a neutral position. As shown in the neurosurgical literature, timely diagnosis and swift initiation of treatment have a greater chance of treatment success for the patient. However, timely treatment is complicated because torticollis can result from a variety of maladies, including: congenital abnormalities involving the C1-C2 joint or the surrounding supporting muscles and ligaments, central nervous system abnormalities, obstetric palsies from brachial plexus injuries, clavicle fractures, head and neck surgery, and infection. The treating pediatrician must discern the etiology of the underlying problem to determine both timing and treatment paradigms, which vary widely between these illnesses. We present a comprehensive review of AARS that is intended for pediatric emergency physicians. Management of AARS can vary widely bases on factors, such as duration of symptoms, as well as the patient's history. The goal of this review is to streamline the management paradigms and provide an inclusive review for pediatric emergency first responders.

Predictive value of hypoalbuminemia and severe hypoalbuminemia in oncologic spine surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected national database. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of hypoalbuminemia on outcomes in surgical spine oncology patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It is well documented that patients with hypoalbuminemia (albumin <3.5) have significantly higher rates of surgical morbidity and mortality than patients with normal albumin (>3.5 g/dl). We evaluated outcomes for metastatic oncologic spine surgery patients based on pre-operative albumin levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for metastatic spine disease were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2006 to 2016. Three groups were established: patients with normal albumin (>3.5 g/dl), mild hypoalbuminemia (2.6 g/dl - 3.4 g/dl), and severe hypoalbuminemia (<=2.5 g/dl). A multivariate analysis was used to assess the association between albumin levels and mortality within 30 days of surgical intervention. RESULTS: A total of 700 patients who underwent surgery for metastatic spinal disease and had pre-operative albumin levels available were identified; 64.0% had normal albumin (>3.5 g/dl), 29.6% had mild hypoalbuminemia, and 6.4% had severe hypoalbuminemia. The overall 30-day mortality was 7.6% for patients with normal albumin, 15.9% for patients with mild hypoalbuminemia, and 44.4% for patients with severe hypoalbuminemia. On multivariate analysis, patients with mild hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.7 95% CI: 1.0-3.0 p = 0.05) and severe hypoalbuminemia (OR 6.2 95% CI: 2.8-13.5 p < 0.001) were more likely to expire within 30 days compared to patients with preoperative albumin above 3.5 g/dl. CONCLUSION: In this study, albumin level was found to be an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients who underwent operative intervention for metastatic spinal disease. Patients with severe hypoalbuminemia had a 7-fold increased risk when compared with those who had normal albumin. While these findings need to be validated by future studies, we believe they will prove useful for preoperative risk stratification and surgical decision-making.

Comparison of 30-Day Outcomes in Patients with Cervical Spine Metastasis Undergoing Corpectomy Versus Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion: A 2006-2016 ACS-NSQIP Database Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with metastatic disease to the cervical spine have historically had poor outcomes, with an average survival of 15 months. Every effort should be made to avoid complications of surgical intervention for stabilization and decompression. METHODS: We identified patients who had undergone anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) or posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCLF) for metastatic disease of the cervical spine using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2016. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were subsequently propensity matched 1:1. We compared the overall complications, intensive care unit level complications, mortality, and return to the operating room between the 2 groups. RESULTS: After identifying the patients who met the inclusion criteria and propensity matching, a cohort of 240 patients was included, with 120 (50%) in the ACCF group and 120 (50%) in the PCLF group. The patients in the ACCF group were more likely to have experienced any complication (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.1; P = 0.026) but not severe complications or a return to the operating room (P = 0.406 and P = 0.450, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found that anterior surgical approaches (ACCF) for metastatic cervical spine disease resulted in a significantly greater rate of overall complications (2.1 times more) compared with PCLF in the first 30 days. Although more studies are required to further elucidate this relationship, the general belief that the anterior approach is better tolerated by patients might not apply to patients with metastatic tumors.

A Novel Endoscopic Technique for Biopsy and Tissue Diagnosis for a Paraspinal Thoracic Tumor in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Conventional approaches to the thoracic spine can require extensive tissue dissection, bony disruption, and instability that may warrant the need for instrumentation and fusion. Furthermore, anterior approaches may require the involvement of various surgeons from multiple disciplines to ensure a successful operation and mitigate complications. Currently, available minimally invasive approaches still require bony removal and usually rely heavily on computed tomography (CT)-guided imaging without direct gross visualization. Endoscopic spinal procedures have provided an ultra-minimally invasive alternative to access many areas in and around the spinal column. METHODS: We present a 12-year-old boy with a right-sided 2.0 × 3.2-cm paravertebral lesion at the level of T5. The patient successfully underwent an endoscopic approach to the lesion with minimal tissue and bony disruption for tissue diagnosis and tumor resection. RESULTS: At initial and 6-month follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic and without issues. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate here the feasibility and suggest the safety of a posterior ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spinal approach to obtain a tissue biopsy of an incidentally found ventrolateral paraspinal tumor in the thoracic region in a pediatric patient. This minimal approach can prove to achieve similar results as other approaches that may otherwise necessitate more extensive or transthoracic procedures.

Laparoscope-Assisted Guidance to the Pineal Region.

Tumors arising in the pineal region present a number of challenges when planning for effective removal. This report describes the successful resection of a falcotentorial meningioma occurring in a 56-year-old female using a supracerebellar infratentorial approach. In order to excise the pineal region mass, a unique combination of instrumentation was used, including a microscope, endoscope, and abdominal laparoscope. This technique afforded us passage to the pineal region, which allowed for enhanced visualization and maneuverability and was more amenable to decreasing the physical stress of the operating surgeon. This article is the first to detail the use of an abdominal laparoscope to remove a pineal tumor of this size for near-total resection. The various surgical approaches and tools traditionally used to remove pineal tumors are discussed, and the particular advantages and disadvantages of our hybrid approach are reviewed.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Non-Neurological Morbidity and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Vestibular Schwannoma.

Introduction We analyzed perioperative risk factors for morbidity and mortality for the patients undergoing surgical intervention for vestibular schwannoma along with rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks that required surgery. Materials and Methods Patients undergoing surgery vestibular schwannoma were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2016 using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for posterior fossa surgical approaches and International Classification of Diseases 9th revision (ICD 9) and ICD 10 codes for peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Preoperative laboratories, comorbidities, and operative times were analyzed along with CSF leaks and unplanned returns to the operating room. Results Nine-hundred ninety-three patients fit the inclusion criteria. Average age was 51, 41% were male, and 58% were female. Mortality within 30 days of the operation was very low at 0.4%, complications were 7% with infection being the most common at 2.3%, and unplanned reoperations happened in 7.4% of the cases. Dependent functional status (odds ratio [OR]: 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-16.6, p = 0.001), preoperative anemia (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-4.5, p = 0.009), and operative time over 8 hours (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.4, p = 0.017) were the only significant predictors of perioperative complications. CSF leak postoperatively occurred in 37 patients (3.7%). Reoperation for CSF leak was necessary in 56.3% of the cases. Operative time over 8 hours was the only independent significant predictor of postoperative CSF leak (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.3, p = 0.028). Conclusion Dependent functional status preoperatively, preoperative anemia, and duration of surgery over 8 hours are the greatest predictors of complications in the 30-day postoperative period.

Objective Indirect Assessment of Transverse Ligament Competence Using Quantitative Analysis of 3-Dimensional Segmented Flexion-Extension Computed Tomography Scan.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of transverse ligament (TL) competence in patients with suspected atlantoaxial instability is performed via indirect radiograph measurements or direct TL visualization on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Interpretation of these images can be limited by unique patient anatomy or imaging technique variability. We report a novel technique for evaluating TL competence using flexion-extension computed tomography (feCT) scan with 3-dimensional (3D) segmentation and quantitative analysis. METHODS: feCT scans of 11 patients were segmented to create 3D surface models. Six patients with atlantoaxial pathology were evaluated for possible instability based on clinical examination and imaging findings. The other 5 patients had no clinical or imaging evidence of atlantoaxial injury. Dynamic atlantodental interval (ADI) was calculated using point-to-point voxel changes between flexion and extension 3D models. Magnitude and direction of ADI changes were quantified and compared with available cervical spine flexion-extension radiograph and/or MRI findings. RESULTS: In the 5 patients without evidence of atlantoaxial injury, 94.3% of ADI vector changes were <3.0 mm. In the 3 patients with atlantoaxial pathology but TL competence, 92.4% of ADI vector changes were <3.0 mm. In the 3 patients with atlantoaxial pathology and TL incompetence, only 49.1% of ADI vector changes were <3.0 mm. In addition to the significant atlantoaxial subluxation in these 3 patients, there was significant rotational motion compared with the patients with an intact TL. CONCLUSIONS: 3D segmentation and quantitative analysis of feCT scan allow objective indirect assessment of TL integrity. Results are consistent with MRI findings and offer additional biomechanical information regarding the direction and distribution of atlantoaxial motion.

Biomechanical evaluation comparing zero-profile devices versus fixed profile systems in a cervical hybrid decompression model: a biomechanical in vitro study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The use of zero-profile devices and the need for posterior fixation in conjunction with a cervical hybrid decompression model have yet to be investigated. PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanics of zero-profile and fixed profile cervical hybrid constructs composed of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). Fixed profile devices included anterior plating, whereas zero-profile devices included integrated screws. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro cadaveric biomechanical study. METHODS: Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric spines (C2-C7) were divided into two groups of equal bone mineral density, fixed profile versus zero profile (n=6). Groups were instrumented from C3-C6 with either (1) an expandable ACCF device and a static ACDF spacer with an anterior plate (Hybrid-AP) or (2) a zero-profile ACCF spacer with adjacent zero-profile ACDF spacer (Hybrid-Z). Motion was captured for the (1) intact condition, (2) a hybrid model with lateral mass screws (LMS), (3) a hybrid model without LMS, and (4) a hybrid model without LMS following simulated repetitive loading (fatigue). RESULTS: Hybrid-AP with LMS reduced motion in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR) by 77%, 88%, and 82%, respectively, compared with intact. Likewise, Hybrid-Z with LMS exhibited the greatest reduction in motion relative to intact in FE, LB, and AR by 90%, 95%, and 66%, respectively. Following simulated in vivo fatiguing, an increase in motion was observed for both groups in all planes, particularly during Hybrid-Z postfatigue condition where motion increased relative to intact by 29%. Overall, biomechanical equivalency was observed between Hybrid-AP and Hybrid-Z groups (p>.05). Three (50%) of the Hybrid-Z group specimens exhibited signs of implant migration from the inferior endplate during testing. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed profile systems using an anterior plate for supplemental fixation is biomechanically more favorable to maintain stability and prevent dislodgement. Dislodgement of 50% of the Hybrid-Z group without LMS emphasizes the necessity for posterior fixation in a zero-profile cervical hybrid decompression model.

Prolonged delayed vasospasm in the setting of nonaneurysmal intraventricular hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Though still thought to be rare, in recent years, vasospasm as a result of primary intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has been increasingly recognized in patients with spontaneous primary intraventricular hemorrhage, of various etiologies. Unlike vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which has a well-defined time frame of 3-21 days, such a window is poorly defined for primary spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage from other vascular etiologies. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report on two cases of prolonged delayed proximal intracranial cerebral vasospasm occurring 29 and 22 days after the initial presentation. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of such delayed vasospasm in spontaneous primary intraventricular hemorrhage secondary to a dural arteriovenous fistula and cavernous malformation. Our two cases of vasospasm in patients with nontraumatic nonaneurysmal SAH with IVH presented outside the expected time period of 21 days. It is important to recognize that symptomatic vasospasm secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage is a rare but devastating complication that can have serious deleterious consequences if gone unrecognized and untreated.

A National Analysis on Predictors of Discharge to Rehabilitation After Corrective Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of a national database. OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence and risk factors for discharge to a rehabilitation facility after corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The vast majority of patients who undergo surgery for AIS are discharged home, with limited data on rates and causes for discharge to a rehabilitation facility. METHODS: The United States National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for the years 2012 to 2014. Inclusion criteria were children aged 10 to 18 who underwent surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. Studied data included patient demographics, operative parameters, length of stay, and hospital charges. Perioperative complications were also examined, along with their association with discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Statistical analysis was performed via chi-squared testing and multivariate analysis, with significance defined as a P-value <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 17,275 patients were included (76.3% female, mean age 14 yr). Out of the entire cohort, 4.8% of patients developed a complication and 0.6% were discharged to a rehabilitation facility. The most common complications included respiratory failure (2.3%), reintubation (0.8%), and postoperative hematoma (0.8%). Following multivariate analysis, male sex (Odds ratio (OR) 4.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.8-12.2; P = 0.002), revision surgery (OR 29.6; 95% CI, 5.7-153.5; P < 0.001), and development of a perioperative complication (OR 12.3; 95% CI, 4.7-32.4; P < 0.001) were found to be significant predictors of discharge to rehabilitation. Average length of stay was 8 ±â€Š6 versus 5 ±â€Š3 days and hospital charges were $254,425 versus $186,273 in the complication and control groups, respectively (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Discharge to rehabilitation after AIS surgery is uncommon. However, patients who are male, undergo revision procedures, or develop a complication may have a higher risk of a non-routine discharge. Complication occurrence also resulted in significantly longer lengths of stay and healthcare costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Cerebrospinal fluid leaks after spine tumor resection: avoidance, recognition and management.

Post-operative CSF leaks are a known complication of spine surgery in general, and patients undergoing surgical intervention for spinal tumors may be particularly predisposed due to the presence of intradural tumor and a number of other factors. Post-operative CSF leaks increase morbidity, lengthen hospital stays, prolong immobilization and subject patients to a number of associated complications. Intraoperative identification of unintended durotomies and effective primary repair of dural defects is an important first step in the prevention of post-operative CSF leaks, but in patients who develop post-operative pseudomeningoceles, durocutaneous fistulae or other CSF-leak-related sequelae, early recognition and secondary intervention are paramount to preventing further CSF-leak-related complications and achieving the best patient outcomes possible. In this article, the incidence, risk factors and complications of CSF leaks after spine tumor surgery are reviewed, with an emphasis on avoidance of post-operative CSF leaks, early post-operative identification and effective secondary intervention.

Outcomes of endoscopic discectomy compared with open microdiscectomy and tubular microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniations: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic discectomy (ED) has been advocated as a less-invasive alternative to open microdiscectomy (OM) and tubular microdiscectomy (TM) for lumbar disc herniations, with the potential to decrease postoperative pain and shorten recovery times. Large-scale, objective comparisons of outcomes between ED, OM, and TM, however, are lacking. The authors' objective in this study was to conduct a meta-analysis comparing outcomes of ED, OM, and TM. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for articles published as of February 1, 2019, for comparative studies reporting outcomes of some combination of ED, OM, and TM. A meta-analysis of outcome parameters was performed assuming random effects. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies describing the outcomes of 2577 patients were included. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher with OM than with both TM (p = 0.01) and ED (p < 0.00001). Length of stay was significantly longer with OM than with ED (p < 0.00001). Return to work time was significantly longer in OM than with ED (p = 0.001). Postoperative leg (p = 0.02) and back (p = 0.01) VAS scores, and Oswestry Disability Index scores (p = 0.006) at latest follow-up were significantly higher for OM than for ED. Serum creatine phosphokinase (p = 0.02) and C-reactive protein (p < 0.00001) levels on postoperative day 1 were significantly higher with OM than with ED. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of TM and OM for lumbar disc herniations are largely equivalent. While this analysis demonstrated that several clinical variables were significantly improved in patients undergoing ED when compared with OM, the magnitude of many of these differences was small and of uncertain clinical relevance, and several of the included studies were retrospective and subject to a high risk of bias. Further high-quality prospective studies are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the comparative efficacy of the various surgical treatments for lumbar disc herniations.

Surgical Site Infection as a Risk Factor for Long-Term Instrumentation Failure in Patients with Spinal Deformity: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a complication of spine deformity surgery. Although fusion/instrumentation failure in the setting of SSI has been reported, few studies have investigated the relationship between these entities. We examine the relationship between early SSI and fusion/instrumentation failure after instrumented fusion in patients with thoracolumbar scoliosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained case series for patients undergoing spine surgery between January 1, 2006, and October 3, 2017. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years and surgery performed for correction of thoracolumbar scoliosis. Data collected included various demographic, clinical, and operative variables. RESULTS: 532 patients met inclusion criteria, with 20 (4%) experiencing SSI. Diabetes mellitus was the only demographic risk factor for increased SSI (P = 0.026). Number of fused levels, blood volume loss, and operative time were similar between groups. Fusion/instrumentation failure occurred in 68 (13%) patients, 10 of whom (15%) had SSI, whereas of the 464 patients with no fusion/instrumentation failure, only 10 (2%) had SSI (P < 0.001). Of the 20 patients with SSI, 10 (50%) had fusion/instrumentation failure, whereas in the 512 patients with no infection, only 58 (11%) had fusion/instrumentation failure (P < 0.001). Patients with infection also experienced significantly shorter time to fusion/instrumentation failure (P = 0.025), higher need for revision surgery (P < 0.001), and shorter time to revision surgery (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Early SSI significantly increases the risk of fusion/instrumentation failure in patients with thoracolumbar scoliotic deformity, and it significantly shortens the time to failure. Patients with early SSI have a significantly higher likelihood of requiring revision surgery and after a significantly shorter time interval.

Maximizing Sacral Chordoma Resection by Precise 3-Dimensional Tumor Modeling in the Operating Room Using Intraoperative Computed Tomography Registration with Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fusion and Intraoperative Neuronavigation: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: The primary treatment for patients with sacral chordoma is en bloc surgical resection with negative margins, which has been shown to reduce local recurrence and tumor-related morbidity. Here we describe the use of intraoperative neuronavigation using preoperative spine magnetic resonance imaging fused to intraoperative computed tomography (CT) to create 3-dimensional tumor reconstructions in the operating room for intraoperative identification of bone and soft-tissue margins for maximal safe tumor resection. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective chart review was completed to encompass our experience of 6 consecutive patients who had sacral chordoma resections using our described navigation protocol. We collected data on patient demographics, previous surgeries, radiation therapy, preoperative examination, spinal levels involved, dural involvement, estimated blood loss, surgery time, tissue diagnosis, follow-up, postoperative examination, complications, and recurrence. Primary outcome was en bloc resection with negative margins as planned preoperatively. RESULTS: Negative surgical margins were achieved in 5 of 5 patients, who were preoperatively planned for en bloc resection with negative margins. The most common levels involved were S4-S5. All patients had a stable or improved neurologic examination after en bloc surgical resection. The average follow-up was 5.4 months ± 84.6 days. No patient had residual or recurrent tumor at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging-CT fusion and 3-dimensional reconstruction techniques using an intraoperative CT scanner with image-guided navigation to aid preoperative planning and surgical resection of sacral chordomas are not well represented in the literature. This technique can be used for planning en bloc surgical resections and for more precisely identifying tumor margins intraoperatively.