Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Applications for Surgical Rehearsal, Operative Execution, and Patient Education in Spine Surgery: A Scoping Review.

Background and Objectives: Advances in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies have resulted in their increased application across many medical specialties. VR's main application has been for teaching and preparatory roles, while AR has been mostly used as a surgical adjunct. The objective of this study is to discuss the various applications and prospects for VR, AR, and MR specifically as they relate to spine surgery. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted to examine the current applications of VR, AR, and MR with a focus on spine surgery. A literature search of two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The study quality was assessed using the MERSQI score for educational research studies, QUACS for cadaveric studies, and the JBI critical appraisal tools for clinical studies. Results: A total of 228 articles were identified in the primary literature review. Following title/abstract screening and full-text review, 46 articles were included in the review. These articles comprised nine studies performed in artificial models, nine cadaveric studies, four clinical case studies, nineteen clinical case series, one clinical case-control study, and four clinical parallel control studies. Teaching applications utilizing holographic overlays are the most intensively studied aspect of AR/VR; the most simulated surgical procedure is pedicle screw placement. Conclusions: VR provides a reproducible and robust medium for surgical training through surgical simulations and for patient education through various platforms. Existing AR/MR platforms enhance the accuracy and precision of spine surgeries and show promise as a surgical adjunct.

Utilization of Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display for the Surgical Management of Thoracolumbar Spinal Trauma.

Background and Objectives: Augmented reality head-mounted display (AR-HMD) is a novel technology that provides surgeons with a real-time CT-guided 3-dimensional recapitulation of a patient's spinal anatomy. In this case series, we explore the use of AR-HMD alongside more traditional robotic assistance in surgical spine trauma cases to determine their effect on operative costs and perioperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed trauma patients who underwent pedicle screw placement surgery guided by AR-HMD or robotic-assisted platforms at an academic tertiary care center between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022. Outcome distributions were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The AR cohort (n = 9) had a mean age of 66 years, BMI of 29.4 kg/m2, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of 4.1, and Surgical Invasiveness Index (SII) of 8.8. In total, 77 pedicle screws were placed in this cohort. Intra-operatively, there was a mean blood loss of 378 mL, 0.78 units transfused, 398 min spent in the operating room, and a 20-day LOS. The robotic cohort (n = 13) had a mean age of 56 years, BMI of 27.1 kg/m2, CCI of 3.8, and SII of 14.2. In total, 128 pedicle screws were placed in this cohort. Intra-operatively, there was a mean blood loss of 432 mL, 0.46 units transfused units used, 331 min spent in the operating room, and a 10.4-day LOS. No significant difference was found between the two cohorts in any outcome metrics. Conclusions: Although the need to address urgent spinal conditions poses a significant challenge to the implementation of innovative technologies in spine surgery, this study represents an initial effort to show that AR-HMD can yield comparable outcomes to traditional robotic surgical techniques. Moreover, it highlights the potential for AR-HMD to be readily integrated into Level 1 trauma centers without requiring extensive modifications or adjustments.

The optimal treatment of type II and III odontoid fractures in the elderly: an updated meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Odontoid fractures are the most common cervical spine fractures in the elderly, with a controversial optimal treatment. The objective of this review was to compare the outcome of surgical and conservative treatments in elderly (≥ 65 years), by updating a systematic review published by the authors in 2013. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in seven databases. Clinical outcome was the primary outcome. Fracture union- and stability were secondary outcomes. Pooled point estimates and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived using the random-effects model. A random-effects multivariable meta-regression model was used to correct for baseline co-variates when sufficiently reported. RESULTS: Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, of which forty were case series and one a cohort study. No clinical differences in outcomes including the Neck Disability Index (NDI, 700 patients), Visual Analogue Scale pain (VAS, 180 patients), and Smiley-Webster Scale (SWS, 231 patients) scores were identified between surgical and conservative treatments. However, fracture union was higher in surgically treated patients (pooled incidence 72.7%, 95% CI 66.1%, 78.5%, 31 studies, 988 patients) than in conservatively treated patients (40.2%, 95% CI 32.0%, 49.0%, 22 studies, 912 patients). This difference remained after correcting for age and fracture type. Fracture stability (41 studies, 1917 patients), although numerically favoring surgery, did not appear to differ between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: While surgically treated patients showed higher union rates than conservatively treated patients, no clinically relevant differences were observed in NDI, VAS pain, and SWS scores and stability rates. These results need to be further confirmed in well-designed comparative studies with proper adjustment for confounding, such as age, fracture characteristics, and osteoporosis degree.

Posterior Transdural Approach for Thoracic Corpectomies in the Setting of Complex Spine Deformity Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are many surgical approaches for execution of a thoracic corpectomy. In cases of challenging deformity, traditional posterior approaches might not be sufficient to complete the resection of the vertebral body. In this technical note, we describe indications and technique for a transdural multilevel high thoracic corpectomy. METHODS: A 25-year-old man with a history of neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with instrumentation failure after a previous T1-T12 posterior spinal fusion, extensive laminectomy, and tumor resection. The patient presented with progressive back pain, had broad dural ectasia, and a progressive kyphotic rotational and anteriorly translated spinal deformity. To resect the medial-most aspect of the vertebral body, a bilateral extracavitary approach was attempted, but was found insufficient. A transdural approach was subsequently performed. A left paramedian durotomy was made, followed by generous arachnoid dissection, bilateral dentate ligament division, and T4 rootlet sacrifice to mobilize the spinal cord. A ventral durotomy was then made and the ventral dura was reflected over the spinal cord to protect it while drilling. The corpectomy was then completed. The ventral and dorsal durotomies were closed primarily and reinforced with fibrin glue and fibrin sealant patch. The corpectomy defect was filled with nonstructural autograft. RESULTS: The focal kyphosis was corrected with a combination of rod contouring, compression, and in situ bending. During the surgery, the patient had stable neuromonitoring data, and postoperatively had no neurological deficits. On follow-up until 1 year, the patient presented with no signs of cerebrospinal spinal leaks, no motor or sensory deficits, minimal incisional pain, and significantly improved posture. CONCLUSION: Complex high thoracic (T3-5) ventral pathology inaccessible via a bilateral extracavitary approach may be accessed via a transdural approach as opposed to an anterior/lateral transthoracic approach that requires mobilization of cardiovascular structures or scapula.

Impact of Quality Improvement Bundle on Compliance with Resuscitation Guidelines during In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Children.

Introduction: Various quality improvement (QI) interventions have been individually assessed for the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to assess the QI bundle (hands-on training and debriefing) for the quality of CPR in our children's hospital. We hypothesized that the QI bundle improves the quality of CPR in hospitalized children. Methods: We initiated a QI bundle (hands-on training and debriefing) in August 2017. We conducted a before-after analysis comparing the CPR quality during July 2013-May 2017 (before) and January 2018-December 2020 (after). We collected data from the critical events logbook on CPR duration, chest compressions (CC) rate, ventilation rate (VR), the timing of first dose of epinephrine, blood pressure (BP), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), and vital signs monitoring during CPR. We performed univariate analysis and presented data as the median interquartile range (IQR) and in percentage as appropriate. Results: We compared data from 58 CPR events versus 41 CPR events before and after QI bundle implementation, respectively. The median (IQR) CPR duration for the pre- and post-QI bundle was 5 (1-13) minutes and 3 minutes (1.25-10), and the timing of the first dose of epinephrine was 2 (1-2) minutes and 2 minutes (1-5), respectively. We observed an improvement in compliance with the CC rate (100-120 per minute) from 72% events before versus 100% events after QI bundle implementation (p=0.0009). Similarly, there was a decrease in CC interruptions and hyperventilation rates from 100% to 50% (p=0.016) and 100% vs. 63% (p=<0.0001) events before vs. after QI bundle implementation, respectively. We also observed improvement in BP monitoring from 36% before versus 60% after QI bundle (p=0.014). Conclusion: Our QI bundle (hands-on training and debriefing) was associated with improved compliance with high-quality CPR in children.

Rapid Implementation of a 3-Dimensional-Printed Patient-Specific Titanium Sacrum Implant for Severe Neuropathic Spinal Arthropathy and Guide to Compassionate US Regulatory Approval.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rapid design and production of patient-specific 3-dimensional-printed implants (3DPIs) present a novel opportunity to restore the biomechanically demanding integrity of the lumbopelvic junction. We present a unique case of a 61-year-old patient with severe neuropathic spinal arthropathy (Charcot spine) who initially underwent a T4-to-sacrum spinal fusion. Massive bone destruction led to dissociation of his upper body from his pelvis and legs. Reconstruction of the spinopelvic continuity was planned with the aid of a personalized lumbosacral 3DPI. METHOD: Using high-resolution computed tomography scans, the custom 3DPI was made using additive titanium manufacturing. The unique 3DPI consisted of (1) a sacral platform with iliac screws, (2) modular corpectomy device with rigid connection to the sacral platform, and (3) anterior plate connection with screws for proximal fixation. The procedures to obtain compassionate use Food and Drug Administration approval were followed. The patient underwent debridement of a chronically open wound before undertaking the 3-stage reconstructive procedure. The custom 3DPI and additional instrumentation were inserted as part of a salvage rebuilding procedure. RESULTS: The chronology of the rapid implementation of the personalized sacral 3DPI from decision, design, manufacturing, Food and Drug Administration approval, and surgical execution lasted 28 days. The prosthesis was positioned in the defect according to the expected anatomic planes and secured using a screw-rod system and a vascularized fibular bone strut graft. The prosthesis provided an ideal repair of the lumbosacral junction and pelvic ring by merging spinal pelvic fixation, posterior pelvic ring fixation, and anterior spinal column fixation. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a multilevel lumbar, sacral, and sacropelvic neuropathic (Charcot) spine reconstruction using a 3DPI sacral prosthesis. As the prevalence of severe spine deformities continues to increase, adoption of 3DPIs is becoming more relevant to offer personalized treatment for complex deformities.