Reductions in length of stay, narcotics use, and pain following implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery program for 1- to 3-level lumbar fusion surgery.

OBJECTIVELumbar fusion is typically associated with high degrees of pain and immobility. The implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach has been successful in speeding the recovery after other surgical procedures. In this paper, the authors examined the results of early implementation of ERAS for lumbar fusion.METHODSBeginning in March 2018 at the authors' institution, all patients undergoing posterior, 1- to 3-level lumbar fusion surgery by any of 3 spine surgeons received an intraoperative injection of liposomal bupivacaine, immediate single postoperative infusion of 1-g intravenous acetaminophen, and daily postoperative visits from the authors' multidisciplinary ERAS care team. Non-English- or non-Spanish-speaking patients and those undergoing nonelective or staged procedures were excluded. Reviews of medical records were conducted for the ERAS cohort of 57 patients and a comparison group of 40 patients who underwent the same procedures during the 6 months before implementation.RESULTSGroups did not differ significantly with regard to sex, age, or BMI (all p > 0.05). Length of stay was significantly shorter in the ERAS cohort than in the control cohort (2.9 days vs 3.8 days; p = 0.01). Patients in the ERAS group consumed significantly less oxycodone-acetaminophen than the controls on postoperative day (POD) 0 (408.0 mg vs 1094.7 mg; p = 0.0004), POD 1 (1320.0 mg vs 1708.4 mg; p = 0.04), and POD 3 (1500.1 mg vs 2105.4 mg; p = 0.03). Postoperative pain scores recorded by the physical therapy and occupational therapy teams and nursing staff each day were lower in the ERAS cohort than in controls, with POD 1 achieving significance (4.2 vs 6.0; p = 0.006). The total amount of meperidine (8.8 mg vs 44.7 mg; p = 0.003) consumed was also significantly decreased in the ERAS group, as was ondansetron (2.8 mg vs 6.0 mg; p = 0.02). Distance ambulated on each POD was farther in the ERAS cohort, with ambulation on POD 1 (109.4 ft vs 41.4 ft; p = 0.002) achieving significance.CONCLUSIONSIn this very initial implementation of the first phase of an ERAS program for short-segment lumbar fusion, the authors were able to demonstrate substantial positive effects on the early recovery process. Importantly, these effects were not surgeon-specific and could be generalized across surgeons with disparate technical predilections. The authors plan additional iterations to their ERAS protocols for continued quality improvements.

Augmented-reality integrated robotics in neurosurgery: are we there yet?

Surgical robots have captured the interest-if not the widespread acceptance-of spinal neurosurgeons. But successful innovation, scientific or commercial, requires the majority to adopt a new practice. "Faster, better, cheaper" products should in theory conquer the market, but often fail. The psychology of change is complex, and the "follow the leader" mentality, common in the field today, lends little trust to the process of disseminating new technology. Beyond product quality, timing has proven to be a key factor in the inception, design, and execution of new technologies. Although the first robotic surgery was performed in 1985, scant progress was seen until the era of minimally invasive surgery. This movement increased neurosurgeons' dependence on navigation and fluoroscopy, intensifying the drive for enhanced precision. Outside the field of medicine, various technology companies have made great progress in popularizing co-robots ("cobots"), augmented reality, and processor chips. This has helped to ease practicing surgeons into familiarity with and acceptance of these technologies. The adoption among neurosurgeons in training is a "follow the leader" phenomenon, wherein new surgeons tend to adopt the technology used during residency. In neurosurgery today, robots are limited to computers functioning between the surgeon and patient. Their functions are confined to establishing a trajectory for navigation, with task execution solely in the surgeon's hands. In this review, the authors discuss significant untapped technologies waiting to be used for more meaningful applications. They explore the history and current manifestations of various modern technologies, and project what innovations may lie ahead.

Surgical outcomes of elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a meta-analysis of studies reporting on 2868 patients.

OBJECTIVE Cervical spondylotic myelopathy usually presents in the 5th decade of life or later but can also present earlier in patients with congenital spinal stenosis. As life expectancy continues to increase in the United States, the preconceived reluctance toward operating on the elderly population based on older publications must be rethought. It is a known fact that outcomes in the elderly cannot be as robust as those in the younger population. There are no publications with detailed meta-analyses to determine an acceptable level of outcome in this population. In this review, the authors compare elderly patients older than 75 years to a nonelderly population, and they discuss some of the relevant strategies to minimize complications. METHODS In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, the authors performed a PubMed database search to identify English-language literature published between 1995 and 2015. Combinations of the following phrases that describe the age group ("elderly," "non-elderly," "old," "age") and the disease of interest as well as management ("surgical outcome," "surgery," "cervical spondylotic myelopathy," "cervical degenerative myelopathy") were constructed when searching for relevant articles. Two reviewers independently assessed the outcomes, and any disagreement was discussed with the first author until it was resolved. A random-effects model was applied to assess pooled data due to high heterogeneity between studies. The mean difference (MD) and odds ratio were calculated for continuous and dichromatic parameters, respectively. RESULTS Eighteen studies comprising elderly (n = 1169) and nonelderly (n = 1699) patients who received surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were included in this meta-analysis. Of these studies, 5 were prospective and 13 were retrospective. Intraoperatively, both groups required a similar amount of operation time (p = 0.35). The elderly group had lower Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores (MD -1.36, 95% CI -1.62 to -1.09; p < 0.00001) to begin with compared with the nonelderly group. The nonelderly group also had a higher postoperative JOA score (MD -1.11, 95% CI -1.44 to -0.79; p < 0.00001), therefore demonstrating a higher recovery rate from surgeries (MD -11.98, 95% CI -16.16 to -7.79; p < 0.00001). The length of stay (MD 4.14, 95% CI 3.54-4.73; p < 0.00001) was slightly longer in the elderly group. In terms of radiological outcomes, the elderly group had a smaller postoperative Cobb angle but a greater increase in spinal canal diameter compared with the nonelderly group. The complication rates were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Cervical myelopathy is a disease of the elderly, and age is an independent factor for recovery from surgery. Postoperative and long-term outcomes have been remarkable in terms of improvement in mobility and independence requiring reduced nursing care. There is definitely a higher potential risk while operating on the elderly population, but no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications was noted. Withholding surgery from the elderly population can lead to increased morbidity due to rapid progression of symptoms in addition to deconditioning from lack of mobility and independence. Reduction in operative time under anesthesia, lower blood loss, and perioperative fluid management have been shown to minimize the complication rate. The authors request that neurosurgeons weigh the potential benefit against the risks for every patient before withholding surgery from elderly patients.

Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy to relieve sciatica and delay fusion in a 31-year-old man with pars defects and low-grade spondylolisthesis.

Isthmic spondylolisthesis due to pars defects resulting from trauma or spondylolysis is not uncommon. Symptomatic patients with such pars defects are traditionally treated with a variety of fusion surgeries. The authors present a unique case in which such a patient was successfully treated with endoscopic discectomy without iatrogenic destabilization. A 31-year-old man presented with a history of left radicular leg pain along the distribution of the sciatic nerve. He had a disc herniation at L5/S1 and bilateral pars defects with a Grade I spondylolisthesis. Dynamic radiographic studies did not show significant movement of L-5 over S-1. The patient did not desire to have a fusion. After induction of local anesthesia, the patient underwent an awake transforaminal endoscopic discectomy via the extraforaminal approach, with decompression of the L-5 and S-1 nerve roots. His preoperative pain resolved immediately, and he was discharged home the same day. His preoperative Oswestry Disability Index score was 74, and postoperatively it was noted to be 8. At 2-year follow-up he continued to be symptom free, and no radiographic progression of the listhesis was noted. In this case preservation of stabilizing structures, including the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments and the facet capsule, may have reduced the likelihood of iatrogenic instability while at the same time achieving symptom control. This may be a reasonable option for select patient symptoms confined to lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Early experience with endoscopic foraminotomy in patients with moderate degenerative deformity.

OBJECTIVE Asymmetrical degeneration of the disc is one of the most common causes of primary degenerative scoliosis in adults. Coronal deformity is usually less symptomatic than a sagittal deformity because there is less expenditure of energy and hence less effort to maintain upright posture. However, nerve root compression at the fractional curve or at the concave side of the main curve can give rise to debilitating radiculopathy. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of 16 patients with coronal deformity of between 10° and 20°. All patients underwent endoscopic foraminal decompression surgery. The pre- and postoperative Cobb angle, visual analog scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Oswestry Disability Index scores were measured. RESULTS The average age of the patients was 70.0 ± 15.5 years (mean ± SD, range 61-86 years), with a mean followup of 7.5 ± 5.3 months (range 2-14 months). The average coronal deformity was 16.8° ± 4.7° (range 10°-41°). In 8 patients the symptomatic foraminal stenosis was at the level of the fractional curve, and in the remaining patients it was at the concave side of the main curve. One of the patients included in the current cohort had to undergo a repeat operation within 1 week for another disc herniation at the adjacent level. One patient had CSF leakage, which was repaired intraoperatively, and no further complications were noted. On average, preoperative VAS and SF-36 scores showed a tendency for improvement, whereas a dramatic reduction of VAS, by 65% (p = 0.003), was observed in radicular leg pain. CONCLUSIONS Patients with mild to moderate spinal deformity are often compensated and have tolerable levels of back pain. However, unilateral radicular pain resulting from foraminal stenosis can be debilitating. In select cases, an endoscopic discectomy or foraminotomy enables the surgeon to decompress the symptomatic foramen with preservation of essential biomechanical structures, delaying the need for a major deformity correction surgery.

Early experience with endoscopic revision of lumbar spinal fusions.

Approximately half a million spinal fusion procedures are performed annually in the US. It is estimated that up to one-third of arthrodesis constructs require revision surgeries. In this study the authors present endoscopic treatment strategies targeting 3 types of complications following arthrodesis surgery: 1) adjacent-level foraminal stenosis; 2) foraminal stenosis at an arthrodesis segment; and 3) stenosis caused by a displaced interbody cage. A retrospective chart review of 11 patients with a mean age of 68 ± 15 years was performed (continuous variables are shown as the mean ± SEM). All patients had a history of lumbar arthrodesis surgery and suffered from unilateral radiculopathy. Endoscopic revision surgeries were done as outpatient procedures, and there were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. The cohort included 3 patients with foraminal stenosis at the level of previous arthrodesis. They presented with unilateral radicular leg pain (visual analog scale [VAS] score: 7.3 ± 2.1) and were severely disabled, as evidenced by an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) of 46 ± 4.9. Transforaminal endoscopic foraminotomies were performed, and at a mean follow-up time of 9.0 ± 2.5 months VAS was reduced by an average of 6.3. The cohort also includes 7 patients suffering unilateral radiculopathy due to adjacent-level foraminal stenosis. Preoperative VAS for leg pain of the symptomatic side was 6.0 ± 1.6, VAS for back pain was 5.2 ± 1.7, and ODI was 40 ± 6.33. Endoscopic decompression led to reduction of the ipsilateral leg VAS score by an average of 5, resulting in leg pain of 1 ± 0.5 at an average of 8 months of follow-up. The severity of back pain remained stable (VAS 4.2 ± 1.4). Two of these patients required revision surgery for recurrent symptoms. Finally, this study includes 1 patient who presented with weakness and pain due to retropulsion of an L5/S1 interbody spacer. The patient underwent an endoscopic interlaminar approach with partial resection of the interbody cage, which resulted in complete resolution of her radicular symptoms. Endoscopic surgery may be a useful adjunct for management of certain arthrodesis-related complications. Endoscopic foraminal decompression of previously fused segments and resection of displaced interbody cages appears to have excellent outcomes, whereas decompression of adjacent segments remains challenging and requires further investigation.

Pooled data analysis on anterior versus posterior approach for rheumatoid arthritis at the craniovertebral junction.

OBJECT: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most debilitating autoimmune diseases affecting the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). Patients predominantly present with myelopathic symptoms and intractable neck pain. The surgical approach traditionally has been either a combined anterior and posterior approach or a posterior-only approach. In this article, the authors review pooled data from the literature and discuss the benefits of the two types of approaches. METHODS: A search of the PubMed database was conducted using key words that describe spine deformities in RA and specific spinal interventions. The authors evaluated the neurological outcomes based on the Ranawat scale in both the groups through chi-square analysis. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to further examine for potential confounders. Any adverse sequalae resulting from either approach were also documented. Because all the procedures performed via a transoral approach in the analyzed articles also involved posterior fixation, for convenience of comparison, the combined procedures are referred to as "anterior approach" or "anterior-posterior" in the present study. RESULTS: The search yielded 233 articles, of which 11 described anterior approaches and 14 evaluated posterior approaches. The statistical analysis showed that patients treated with a posterior approach fared better than those treated with an anterior (combined) approach. It was noted that those patients in whom the cervical subluxations were reducible on traction predominantly underwent posterior approaches. CONCLUSIONS: CVJ instability is a serious complication of RA that requires surgical intervention. Although the anterior-posterior combined approach can provide direct decompression, it is associated with morbidity, and the analysis showed no statistically significant benefit to patients. In contrast, the posterior approach has been shown to provide statistically significant superiority with respect to stabilization and subsequent pannus reduction. Surgical approaches are undertaken based on the reducibility of subluxations with traction and the vector of compressive force. However, the choice of surgical approach should be based on the individual patient's pathology.

Direct lateral retroperitoneal approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar discitis and osteomyelitis.

OBJECT: The medical management of discitis and osteomyelitis with long-term antibiotic therapy and bracing usually results in eradicated infection. Surgical management is appropriate when medical management fails and in some cases with pyogenic deformity or neurological deficit. The success of surgery depends on adequate debridement of the necrotic infected disc and vertebral body, along with anterior column reconstruction and vertebral stabilization. Debridement is typically performed via an anterior retroperitoneal approach, which can necessitate mobilization of the great vessels for proper exposure. Mobilization can be technically difficult and lead to vascular injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an alternative technique for the surgical treatment of lumbar discitis and osteomyelitis using a direct lateral retroperitoneal approach, which allows for thorough debridement and anterior column reconstruction while avoiding the need to mobilize the great vessels. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was performed for all patients who had presented with lumbar discitis and osteomyelitis and had undergone surgical management via the direct lateral retroperitoneal approach in the period from 2006 to 2013. Collected data included surgical blood loss, perioperative complications (wound infection, vascular injury, approach-related complications, and neurological injury), need for secondary procedures, microbiological and laboratory results, and efficacy of infection eradication. Imaging studies were reviewed as well. RESULTS: Ten patients, 7 male and 3 female, underwent this procedure at the authors' institution in the defined period. Average blood loss was 272 ml (range 150-800 ml, with 800 ml in the only 2-level case). There were no vascular injuries. Average follow-up was 680 days, although 4 patients did not complete the follow-up beyond 6 months. Eight patients underwent immediate posterior pedicle screw instrumentation. Two patients did not undergo posterior instrumentation, and one of these developed a kyphotic deformity that required a secondary posterior procedure. Infection was eradicated in all patients according to a history, physical examination, imaging studies, and laboratory parameters (complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein). One patient developed a painful neuroma at the iliac crest harvest site, and one patient had a retroperitoneal hematoma. Otherwise, there were no approach-related neurological injuries or complications. Neither was there any postoperative surgical site infection. CONCLUSIONS: The direct lateral approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar discitis and osteomyelitis allows for thorough debridement and spinal reconstruction without the need to mobilize the great vessels. This technique effectively eradicated infection in all cases, with reasonable blood loss and no vascular injuries. This approach should be considered as an alternative to the open anterior approach. The authors recommend posterior instrumentation to prevent the development of kyphosis.

Predictors of long-term survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme: advancements from the last quarter century.

Over the last quarter century there has been significant progress toward identifying certain characteristics and patterns in GBM patients to predict survival times and outcomes. We sought to identify clinical predictors of survival in GBM patients from the past 24 years. We examined patient survival related to tumor locations, surgical treatment, postoperative course, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, patient age, GBM recurrence, imaging characteristics, serum, and molecular markers. We present predictors that may increase, decrease, or play no significant role in determining a GBM patient's long-term survival or affect the quality of life.

The management of incidental low-grade gliomas using magnetic resonance imaging: systematic review and optimal treatment paradigm.

OBJECT: The discovery of incidental low-grade gliomas (LGGs) on MR imaging is rare, and currently there is no existing protocol for management of these lesions. Various studies have approached the dilemma of managing patients with incidental LGGs. While some advocate surgery and radiotherapy, others reserve surgery until there is radiological evidence of growth. For neurosurgeons and radiologists, determining the course of action after routine brain imaging poses not only a medical but also an ethical dilemma. The authors conducted a systematic review of case reports and case series in hopes of enhancing the current understanding of the management options for these rare lesions. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed to include all relevant MR imaging studies in which management of suspected incidental LGG was reported. Comparisons were made between the surgical treatment arm and the active surveillance arm in terms of outcome, mode of discovery, reasons for treatment, and histology. RESULTS: Nine studies with 72 patients were included in this study (56 in the surgical arm and 16 in the active surveillance arm). Within the surgical arm, 49% remained deficit free after treatment, 25% showed evidence of tumor progression, 13% underwent a second treatment, and 7% died. The active surveillance group resulted in no unanticipated adverse events, with serial imaging revealing no tumor growth in all cases. Lesion regression was reported in 31% of this group. The surgical arm's mortality rate was 7% compared with 0% in the active surveillance arm. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment decisions for incidental LGG should be individualized based on presenting symptoms and radiological evidence of growth. The asymptomatic patient may be monitored safely with serial MR imaging and occasionally PET scanning before treatment is initiated. In patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms or concurrent symptomatic lesions, treatment may be initiated earlier to reduce potential morbidity. All treatment decisions must be tempered by patient factors and expectations of anticipated benefit.

Incidence and Clinical Outcomes of Hypothyroidism in Patients Undergoing Spinal Fusion.

Background Hypothyroidism has been independently associated with the development of several comorbidities and is known to increase complication rates in non-spinal surgeries. However, there are limited data regarding the effects of hypothyroidism in major spine surgery. Therefore, we present the largest retrospective analysis evaluating outcomes in hypothyroid patients undergoing spinal fusion. Methods A retrospective review of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2004-2014 was performed. Patients with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure code indicating spinal fusion (81.04-81.08, 81.34-81.38, 81.0x, 81.3x) were included. Patients with an ICD-9-CM diagnosis code indicating hypothyroidism (244.x) were compared to those without. Cervical and lumbar fusions were evaluated independently. Significant covariates in univariable logistic regression were utilized to construct multivariable models to analyze the effect of hypothyroidism on perioperative morbidity and mortality. Results A total of 4,149,125 patients were identified, of which 9.4% were hypothyroid. Although, hypothyroid patients had a higher risk of hematologic complications (lumbar - odds ratio [OR] 1.176, p < 0.0001; cervical - OR 1.162, p < 0.0001), they exhibited decreased in-hospital mortality (lumbar - OR .643, p < 0.0001; cervical - OR .606, p < 0.0001). Hypothyroid lumbar fusion patients also demonstrated decreased rates of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) (OR .851, p < 0.0001). All these results were independent of patient gender. Conclusions Hypothyroid patients undergoing spinal fusion demonstrated lower rates of inpatient mortality and, in lumbar fusions, also had lower rates of acute MI when compared to their euthyroid counterparts. This suggests that hypothyroidism may offer protection against all-cause mortality and may be cardioprotective in the postoperative period for lumbar spinal fusions independent of patient gender.

Effects of Body Mass Index on Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity has become a public health crisis and continues to be on the rise. An elevated body mass index has been linked to higher rates of spinal degenerative disease requiring surgical intervention. Limited studies exist that evaluate the effects of obesity on perioperative complications in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Our study aims to determine the incidence of obesity in the ACDF population and the effects it may have on postoperative inpatient complications. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was evaluated from 2004 to 2014 and discharges with International Classification of Diseases procedure codes indicating ACDF were identified. This cohort was stratified into patients with diagnosis codes indicating obesity. Separate univariable followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed for the likelihood of perioperative inpatient outcomes among the patients with obesity. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2014, estimated 1,212,475 ACDFs were identified in which 9.2% of the patients were obese. The incidence of obesity amongst ACDF patients has risen dramatically during those years from 5.8% to 13.4%. Obese ACDF patients had higher inpatient likelihood of dysphagia, neurological, respiratory, and hematologic complications as well as pulmonary emboli, and intraoperative durotomy. CONCLUSION: Obesity is a well-established modifiable comorbidity that leads to increased perioperative complications in various surgical specialties. We present one of the largest retrospective analyses evaluating the effects of obesity on inpatient complications following ACDF. Our data suggest that the number of obese patients undergoing ACDF is steadily increasing and had a higher inpatient likelihood of developing perioperative complications.

Do-It-Yourself Augmented Reality Heads-Up Display (DIY AR-HUD): A Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: We present a "Do-It-Yourself" method to build an affordable augmented reality heads-up display system (AR-HUD) capable of displaying intraoperative images. All components are commercially available products, which the surgeons may use in their own practice for educational and research purposes. METHODS: Moverio BT 35-E smart glasses were connected to operating room imaging modalities (ie, fluoroscopy and 3D navigation platforms) via a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) converter, allowing for continuous high-definition video transmission. The addition of an HDMI transmitter-receiver makes the AR-HUD system wireless. RESULTS: We used our AR-HUD system in 3 patients undergoing instrumented spinal fusion. AR-HUD projected fluoroscopy images onto the surgical field, eliminating shift of surgeon focus and procedure interruption, with only a 40- to 100-ms delay in transmission, which was not clinically impactful. CONCLUSIONS: An affordable AR-HUD capable of displaying real-time information into the surgeon's view can be easily designed, built, and tested in surgical practice. As wearable heads-up display technology continues to evolve rapidly, individual components presented here may be substituted to improve its functionality and usability. Surgeons are in a unique position to conduct clinical testing in the operating room environment to optimize the augmented reality system for surgical use.

Effects of menopausal state on lumbar decompression and fusion surgery.

Menopause leads to fluctuations in androgenic hormones which directly affect bone metabolism. Bone resorption, mineralization, and remodeling at fusion sites are essential in order to obtain a solid and biomechanically stable fusion mass. Bone metabolic imbalance seen in the postmenopausal state may predispose to fusion related complications. The aim of this study was to investigate fusion outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion surgery in women based on menopausal status. A retrospective analysis of all female patients who underwent posterior lumbar decompression and fusion at a single institution from 2013 to 2017 was performed. A total of 112 patients were identified and stratified into premenopausal (n = 25) and postmenopausal (n = 87) groups. Clinical and radiographic data was assessed at 1 year follow up. Postmenopausal patients had a higher rates of pseudarthrosis (11.63% vs 0%, p = 0.08), PJK (15.1% vs 4%, p = 0.14), and revision surgery (3.5% vs 0%, p = 0.35). The number of levels fused was associated with increased risk of pseudarthrosis (OR 1.4, p = 0.02); however, there was no association between age, hormonal use, prior tobacco use, or T-score. Age was associated with increased risk of developing PJK (OR = 1.11, p = 0.01); however, PJK was not associated with menopause, hormonal use, prior tobacco use, or T-score. Revision surgery was not associated with age, hormonal use, prior tobacco use, or T-score. This study suggests that postmenopausal women may be prone to have higher rates of pseudarthrosis, PJK and revision surgery, although our results were not statistically significant. Larger studies with longer follow up will help elucidate the true effects of menopause in spine surgery.

The History of and Controversy over Kambin's Triangle: A Historical Analysis of the Lumbar Transforaminal Corridor for Endoscopic and Surgical Approaches.

The transforaminal corridor in the lumbar spine allows access to the traversing and exiting nerve roots, the thecal sac, and the intervertebral disc space. Surgeons performing midline and minimally invasive approaches for lumbar interbody fusion access the disc space within the boundaries created by the exiting root of a segment and the traversing root after a complete facetectomy and removal of the pars interarticularis and lamina. Endoscopic surgeons and interventional pain management physicians approach the lumbar segment through a similar corridor, but with the bony anatomy intact. Although the boundaries of the corridor may seem the same, the angle of the trajectory and the bone work between the two differ. The overlap between these 2 distinct access corridors has led to an openhanded application of the term Kambin's triangle. Initially described for endoscopic approaches to the lumbar spine for microdiscectomy, this working triangle has been grafted into the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion literature. Given the similarities between these corridors, it is understandable how the lines of this nomenclature have blurred. The result has been an interchangeable application of the term Kambin's triangle for a variety of procedures in the spine literature. The objective of the current work is to add clarity to the various lumbar transforaminal corridors. The term Kambin's triangle should be limited to percutaneous access to the disc space for endoscopic procedures in the intact spine and should not be applied to transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion after laminectomy and facetectomy. Instead, the term expanded transforaminal corridor should be applied.

Fish-Mouth Thoracic Fracture Fixation with Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Reduction: A Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: Surgical stabilization of thoracic spine fractures is recommended for unstable patterns, yet much debate exists regarding the best approach for reduction. The aim of this article was to report the outcome of a novel method for stabilization of a fish-mouth thoracic spine fracture. METHODS: A retrospective patient chart review was conducted. Data collected included blood loss, operative time, length of stay, perioperative complications, neurologic deficits, and secondary procedures. The patient underwent percutaneous reduction of a hyperextension injury to the thoracic spine. Sufficient reduction was achieved through a percutaneous approach, followed by sequential distraction of 1 rod with sequential locking of the contralateral rod to maintain deformity correction. Electrophysiologic monitoring was used during the procedure. RESULTS: Sufficient fracture reduction was achieved and evaluated on postoperative computed tomography. Operative time was 145 minutes, and estimated blood loss was 120 mL. There were no cerebrospinal fluid leaks, iatrogenic neurologic deficits, implant failures, other systemic events or revisions during the 8-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This article describes the feasibility of using a novel model for reduction and stabilization of fish-mouth thoracic spine fracture with minimal soft tissue violation.

Spondylodiscitis in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVEDiscitis and osteomyelitis are seen in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients due to repeated vascular access for hemodialysis and urinary tract infections leading to recurrent bacteremia. Discitis and osteomyelitis are underdiagnosed due to the nonspecific initial presentation of back pain. In this article, we review the literature for better understanding of the problem and the importance of early diagnosis by primary care physicians and nephrologists. In addition, we discuss the decision-making, follow-up, management, and neurological outcomes.METHODSA detailed PubMed search was performed using the following terms: "end stage renal disease (ESRD)" and "chronic renal failure (CRF)," combined with "spine infections," "spondylodiscitis," "discitis," and "osteomyelitis." Search results were limited to articles written in English, case reports, and case series from 1973 to 2012. Editorials, reviews, and commentaries were excluded. Only studies involving human patients were included. The authors also included 4 patients from their own patient population.RESULTSA total of 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. Including the 4 patients from the authors' patient population, 212 patients with spine infections and maintenance dialysis were identified. The patients' ages ranged from 38 to 78 years. The duration of dialysis ranged from a few days to 16 years. The time from onset of back pain to diagnosis ranged from 3 days to 6 months. The most common causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and gram-negative bacteria. Most of the patients were treated with antibiotics alone (76.8%), although surgery was indicated when patients presented with neurological deficits (p < 0.011). Approximately one-quarter of the patients developed neurological deficits, with devastating consequences. Fever and neurological deficits at presentation, culture positive for methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and age > 65 years were highly correlated with mortality in our analysis.CONCLUSIONSSeveral risk factors lead to failure of antibiotics and progression of disease in patients with ESRD. Challenges to diagnosis include vague presenting symptoms, co-existing destructive spondyloarthropathy, poor immune response, chronic elevations of inflammatory markers, and recurrent bacteremia. Infectious processes are more likely to cause permanent neurological deficits than transient deficits. The authors recommend close observation and serial imaging of these patients for early signs of neurological deficits. Any signs of disease progression will require aggressive surgical debridement.

A novel technique for stabilization of high-grade spondylolisthesis with transvertebral fusion without reduction.

Surgical treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis and spondyloptosis is recommended in symptomatic patients, yet there exists much debate regarding the optimal surgical approach and the need for reduction. Similar to the Bohlman technique in that fixation is achieved across two vertebral endplates, we discuss a novel technique with the advantage of using bilateral threaded pedicle screws of large diameter and length instead of a single fibula allograft. Patients underwent posterior instrumented fusion without spondylolisthesis reduction using a novel technique placing pedicle screws with a transvertebral trajectory through the two end plates involved in the spondylolisthesis. Following screw placement, patients underwent decompression ±â€¯discectomy. Screws were connected to adjacent pedicle screws either in the upper adjacent vertebrae (i.e. L5) or the more rostral adjacent vertebrae (i.e. L4) if spinal alignment or instability necessitate including additional levels of fixation. Three patients were reviewed with ages of 67, 62, 58 years, operative times of 377-790 min, estimated blood loss 400-1050 cc, and follow-up times of 478-1082 days. There were no CSF leaks, intragenic neurologic deficits post-operatively, implant failures, revisions, or other systemic events. Two patients achieve radiographic fusion assessed by CT. At the time of final follow up, all patients were satisfied and essentially pain free. This one-stage technique offers the ability to manage local malalignment with a technique that inherently minimizes risk. The minimal complications and favorable outcomes make this technique an effective, efficient and safe procedure. Additional studies will focus on long term outcomes and should include larger patient samples.

Transsphenoidal Approach for Pituitary Adenomas in Elderly Patients.

INTRODUCTION: With a rapidly expanding elderly population in the United States, the incidence of pituitary adenomas in elderly will continue to rise. In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal resection for pituitary adenomas in the elderly population. METHODS: A retrospective review of 131 consecutive patients who underwent transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal resection for pituitary adenomas at the University of Miami Hospital between 2012 and 2016 was performed. Preoperative, intraoperative, and surgical outcomes were analyzed in elderly (>70 years) versus nonelderly (<70 years) patients. RESULTS: Of the 131 patients, 23 of them were >70 years (18%), of which 14 were septuagenarians and 9 were octogenarians. Elderly patients were more likely to present with vision loss (80.8% vs. 56.6%; P = 0.013) and larger tumors on imaging (2.7 ± 1.0 cm vs. 2.4 ± 1.3 cm; P = 0.042). Overall surgical and endocrinologic outcomes between the 2 groups were similar. However, patients <70 years old were more likely to have a gross total resection (86.7% vs. 65.4%; P = 0.011), as well as transient diabetes insipidus (54.3% vs. 26.9% P = 0.012) and intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak (83.5% vs. 58.5%; P = 0.013). However, permanent postoperative complication rates were similar including rate of permanent diabetes insipidus (4.3% elderly vs. 12.1% adult), cerebrospinal fluid leak (8.7% elderly vs. 8.4% adult), and meningitis (4.3% elderly vs. 2.8% adult). There were no medical complications or deaths in our cohort. CONCLUSION: The transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approach can be a safe and effective technique for resection of pituitary adenomas in patients >70 years old with appropriate patient selection.

Short-term safety of tranexamic acid use in posterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery.

Posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) can result in substantial blood loss, leading to blood transfusions and associated complications, such as infections, hypotension and organ damage. The antifibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TXA), an inhibitor of the activation of plasminogen, has been shown to be beneficial in multiple surgical procedures without any apparent increase in postoperative complications. However, there are only few studies reporting TXA utilization in cervical spine surgery and there is currently no literature detailing the short-term safety of its use in this setting. The purpose of our study is to determine the safety profile of TXA in posterior cervical decompression and fusion. From January 2015 to April 2018, 47 patients were identified to have undergone PCDF, 19 with the utilization of a TXA protocol at our institution. The incidence of adverse events was evaluated in the perioperative period and at 1 month follow-up. Of 39 patients, Nineteen (49%) received TXA as per our instructional protocol and 20 (51%) did not. Post-operative blood was significantly reduced (453 ml vs 701 ml; p = 0.03) in the group that received TXA. There was also a significant reduction in duration of surgery associated with TXA use (269 min vs 328 min; p = 0.05). There were no complications on the first 30 days after surgical intervention on the TXA group. TXA use during PCDF is a safe, effective method to reduce postoperative blood loss. Considering the limited number of patients in this study, these results should be validated on a larger group of patients.