Effects of the 2016 CDC opioid prescription guidelines on opioid use and worker compensation case length in patients with back pain.

BACKGROUND: Narcotic consumption in the workers' compensation population contributes to prolonged case duration, worse clinical outcomes, and opioid dependence. In 2016, the CDC provided recommendations guiding clinicians on prescribing opioids to adult patients with chronic pain. The objective of our study was to evaluate a cause-and-effect relationship between narcotic consumption and worker compensation claim length before and following guideline revision. METHODS: An administration database was retrospectively queried to identify patients evaluated for spine-related workers' compensation claimants from 2011 to 2021. Data was recorded for age, sex, BMI, case length, narcotic usage, and injury location. Cases were grouped together by exam date before (2011-2016) and after (2017-2021) the 2016 CDC opioid guideline revision. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty-five patients were evaluated. Males composed 58% of the study population. From 2011 to 2016, narcotic consumption was reported in 54% of subjects versus no narcotic consumption in 46% of subjects (135 cases). From 2017 to 2021, narcotic consumption decreased to 37% (P = 0.00298). Prior to the guideline revision, mean case length was 635 days. Following CDC guideline revision, there was a significant decline in mean case length duration to 438 days (31% reduction) (P = 0.000868). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that following revised opioid prescription recommendations by the CDC in 2016, there was a statistically significant decline in opioid consumption and workers' compensation case length duration. Opioid use may influence prolonged worker disability and delayed return to work.

Thoracic arachnoid cyst resection.

Arachnoid cysts in the spinal cord may be asymptomatic. In some cases arachnoid cysts may exert mass effect on the thoracic spinal cord and lead to pain and myelopathy symptoms. Arachnoid cysts may be difficult to visualize on an MRI scan because the thin walled arachnoid may not be visible. Focal displacement of the thoracic spinal cord and effacement of the spinal cord with apparent widening of the cerebrospinal fluid space is seen. This video demonstrates surgical techniques to remove a dorsal arachnoid cyst causing spinal cord compression. The surgery involves a thoracic laminectomy. The dura is opened sharply with care taken not to open the arachnoid so that the cyst can be well visualized. The thickened arachnoid walls of the cyst are removed to alleviate the compression caused by the arachnoid cyst. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/pgUrl9xvsD0.

Postoperative Adjacent Segment Disease in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Adjacent Laminectomy for Grade I-II Spondylolisthesis and Adjacent Spinal Stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have demonstrated increased risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after open fusion with adjacent-level laminectomy, with rates ranging from 16%-47%, potentially related to disruption of the posterior ligamentous complex. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches may offer a more durable result. We report institutional outcomes of simultaneous MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MISTLIF) and adjacent-level laminectomy for patients with low grade spondylolisthesis and ASD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent MISTLIF with adjacent level laminectomy to treat grade I-II spondylolisthesis with adjacent stenosis at a single institution from 2007-2022. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients met criteria, with mean follow-up of 23.1 months. In total, 37 levels were fused and 45 laminectomies performed. In this group, 21 patients received a single level laminectomy and single-level MISTLIF, 10 patients received a 2-level laminectomy and single-level MISTLIF, 2 patients received a single-level laminectomy and 2-level MISTLIF, and 1 patient received a 2-level laminectomy and 2-level MISTLIF. Three (8.8%) patients experienced clinically significant postoperative ASD requiring reoperation. Three other patients required reoperation for other reasons. Multiple logistic regression did not reveal any association between development of ASD and surgical covariates. CONCLUSION: MISTLIF with adjacent-level laminectomy demonstrated a favorable safety profile with rates of postoperative ASD lower than published rates after open fusion and on par with the published rates of ASD from MISTLIF alone. Future prospective studies may better elucidate the durability of adjacent-level laminectomies when performed alongside MISTLIF, but retrospective data suggests it is safe and durable.

The Impact of L4-5 Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion on Two-year Adjacent-Level Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the impact of L4-5 minimally invasive surgery (MIS)-TLIF on adjacent-level parameters. METHODS: This is a retrospective study performed on consecutive patients between January 2015-December 2019. The index- and adjacent-level segmental lordosis (SL) and disc angle (DA) were measured. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected preoperatively and at 3-24 months postoperatively. Factors influencing changes in adjacent-level parameters and the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASDeg) were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen adult patients, averaging 65.5 years of age and slight preponderance of female (56.4%), were analyzed. L4-5 SL decreased at 2 years (p<0.05), but L4-5 DA significantly increased at all timepoints (p<0.05). While L3-4 SL and DA significantly decreased at all timepoints (p<0.05), L5-S1 SL decreased at 3 and 12 months (p<0.05) and L5-S1 DA only significantly decreased at 2 years (p<0.05). All PROs improved significantly (p<0.0001). The ASDeg rate was 19.7% at 2.2 years. Cephalad and caudal ASDeg rates were 12.0% and 10.3%, respectively. Eight patients (6.8%) required adjacent-level reoperations, mainly at L3-4 (6 cases). The use of expandable cage significantly reduced the odds of caudal ASDeg (OR 0.15, p=0.037), but had no significant effect on cephalad ASDeg.. CONCLUSIONS: L4-5 MIS-TLIF had a more consistent effect on L3-4 than L5-S1. Although adjacent-level SL and DA decreased over time, their association with ASDeg appears limited, suggesting a multifactorial etiology. L4-5 MIS-TLIF provides demonstrable clinical benefits with lasting PRO improvements and low adjacent-level reoperations.

Lumbar Facet Arthroplasty Versus Fusion for Grade-I Degenerative Spondylolisthesis with Stenosis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The comparative effectiveness of decompression plus lumbar facet arthroplasty versus decompression plus instrumented lumbar spinal fusion in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and grade-I degenerative spondylolisthesis is unknown. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption trial, we assigned patients who had single-level lumbar spinal stenosis and grade-I degenerative spondylolisthesis to undergo decompression plus lumbar facet arthroplasty (arthroplasty group) or decompression plus fusion (fusion group). The primary outcome was a predetermined composite clinical success score. Secondary outcomes included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg pain, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), Short Form (SF)-12, radiographic parameters, surgical variables, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 321 adult patients were randomized in a 2:1 fashion, with 219 patients assigned to undergo facet arthroplasty and 102 patients assigned to undergo fusion. Of these, 113 patients (51.6%) in the arthroplasty group and 47 (46.1%) in the fusion group who had either reached 24 months of postoperative follow-up or were deemed early clinical failures were included in the primary outcome analysis. The arthroplasty group had a higher proportion of patients who achieved composite clinical success than did the fusion group (73.5% versus 25.5%; p < 0.001), equating to a between-group difference of 47.9% (95% confidence interval, 33.0% to 62.8%). The arthroplasty group outperformed the fusion group in most patient-reported outcome measures (including the ODI, VAS back pain, and all ZCQ component scores) at 24 months postoperatively. There were no significant differences between groups in surgical variables or complications, except that the fusion group had a higher rate of developing symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and grade-I degenerative spondylolisthesis, lumbar facet arthroplasty was associated with a higher rate of composite clinical success than fusion was at 24 months postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Minimally invasive lumbar foraminotomy.

Lumbar radiculopathy is a common problem. Nerve root compression can occur at different places along a nerve root's course including in the foramina. Minimal invasive approaches allow easier exposure of the lateral foramina and decompression of the nerve root in the foramina. This video demonstrates a minimally invasive approach to decompress the lumbar nerve root in the foramina with a lateral to medial decompression. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/jqa61HSpzIA.

Minimally invasive transpedicular approach for evacuation of epidural abscess and debridement of disc space in a patient with discitis in the thoracic spine.

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) often requires prompt surgical decompression to prevent potential devastating neurological deficits. Dorsally located SEA usually can be evacuated via simple laminectomies. Ventral SEA often requires an anterior approach such as thoracotomy to achieve adequate exposure and decompression. We report a case of ventral thoracic SEA associated with discitis and osteomyelitis that was successfully treated via minimally invasive transpedicular approach. The patient had immediate and dramatic symptomatic improvement and was ambulatory on post-operative Day 1. The minimally invasive transpedicular approach avoids the surgical morbidity associated with anterior approach and is effective surgical alternative to treat ventral SEA. The video can be found The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/do-K1VWYhi4.

Effect of total lumbar disc replacement on lumbosacral lordosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Original article OBJECTIVE: : To study effect of lumbar disc replacement on lumbosacral lordosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There has been a growing interest in total disc replacement (TDR) for back pain with the rising concern of adjacent segment degeneration. Lumbar fusion surgery has been shown to lead to decrease in lumbar lordosis, which may account for postfusion pain resulting in less acceptable clinical outcome after successful fusion. TDR has recently emerged as an alternative treatment for back pain. There have been very few studies reporting lumbar sagittal outcome after TDR. METHODS: Retrospective study of radiographic data of 17 patients who underwent TDR for single level degenerative disc disease at the author's institution was carried out. Study included measurement of preoperative and postoperative segmental and global lumbar lordosis and angle of lordosis. RESULTS: Patients age varied from 19 to 54 (mean, 35) years. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. TDR was performed at L4-5 level in 3 patients and L5-S1 level in 14 patients. The average values for segmental lordosis, global lordosis, and angle of lordosis at the operated level before and after surgery were 17.3, 49.7, and 8.6 degrees and 21.6, 54, and 9.5 degrees, respectively. There was a trend toward significant (P=0.02) and near significant (P=0.057) increase in segmental and global lordosis, respectively after TDR. Although prosthesis increased angle of lordosis at the level implanted in majority of the patients, the difference in preoperative and postoperative angle of lordosis was not significant (P=0.438). In addition, there was no correlation between the angle of implant of chosen and postoperative angle of lordosis at the operated level. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of TDR on sagittal balance appears favorable with an increase in global and segmental lumbar lordosis after single level TDR for degenerative disc disease. The degree of postoperative angle of lordosis was not affected by the angle of implant chosen at the operated level and varied independently of the implant angle.

Clinical Outcomes After 4- and 5-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Treatment of Symptomatic Multilevel Cervical Spondylosis.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) data on 4-level and 5-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The largest series to date solely focused on complications. This retrospective series evaluates PROMs after 4-level and 5-level ACDF. METHODS: Pertinent data from adult patients treated with a 4-level or 5-level ACDF in 2011-2019 were analyzed. PROMs and minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) were assessed. Factors associated with favorable and unfavorable outcomes were identified. RESULTS: There were 34 patients (30 underwent 4-level and 4 underwent 5-level ACDFs) with a mean age of 59.6 years; 55.9% were women. At 3 months, there were significant improvements in PROMs except Short-Form 12-Item Survey (SF-12) mental component subscale, which showed modest improvement. At 12 months, there were significant improvements in PROMs except SF-12 physical component subscale (PCS), which showed moderate improvement. The proportions of patients who met the MCID cutoffs ranged from 35.3% (numeric rating scale [NRS]-neck) to 75% (Veteran RAND 12-Item Survey [VR-12] PCS) at 3 months and 38.2% (NRS-arm) to 65.5% (VR-12 mental component subscale) at 12 months. Shorter symptom duration was associated with significantly reduced postoperative pain and Neck Disability Index scores. Shorter length of stay was associated with significantly improved postoperative functional outcomes. patients undergoing 4-level compared with 5-level ACDF achieved better postoperative PROMs. Shorter procedure duration was associated with improved PROMs at 3 months. No patient returned to the operating room within 30 days. Patients who required reoperation achieved significantly inferior Neck Disability Index, NRS-neck, and SF-12 PCS scores at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed satisfactory PROMs up to 12 months after 4-level and 5-level ACDF despite the complication rate. With thorough preoperative planning and meticulous technique, performing this procedure in carefully selected patients may be associated with acceptable PROMs.

Comparison of Fusion versus Nonunion After 4-Level and 5-Level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion With Anterior Plate Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Nonunion remains a concern in multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), yet there are limited data on nonunion after 4 to 5-level ACDF. In fact, the largest series on 4-level or 5-level ACDF focused specifically on the swallowing outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess nonunion after 4 to 5-level ACDF. METHODS: Forty-one patients treated with 4 to 5-level ACDF with minimum of 12-month radiographic follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Nonunion was found in 25 patients (61%) and 42 levels (25%) and complete fusion in 16 (39%) patients and 126 levels (75%). The 2 groups were further compared. RESULTS: One-level nonunion was by far the most common pattern compared with multilevel nonunion. Nonunion occurred more frequently at the caudal than the cranial or middle segments ( P < .0001). There were significantly more subsidence ( P < .0001) and screw fractures/pullouts ( P < .0001) in the nonunion compared with the fusion group. The symptomatic patients were significantly younger than the asymptomatic patients ( P = .044). The symptomatic levels were significantly more than asymptomatic levels ( P = .048). Equal proportion of patients implanted with allograft and polyetheretherketone had nonunion. However, there were markedly more nonunion than fused levels with allograft and more fused than nonunion levels with polyetheretherketone ( P = .023). The reoperation rate was 24.4% and mostly due to nonunion. There were no reoperations within 90 days of the primary surgery. CONCLUSION: The nonunion rate for 4-level and 5-level ACDF may be higher than previously reported. Symptomatic nonunion remains a major reason for reoperation after multilevel ACDF. Baseline characteristics that negatively affect fusion may be obviated by careful patient selection.

Cervical Alignment Analysis Comparing Two-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty with Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Anterior Plate Fixation.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses cervical alignments after 2-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior plate fixation. METHODS: Eighty-two patients who underwent 2-level CDA or ACDF in 2014-2019 were identified. Cervical alignment parameters were compared between the 2 cohorts. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine factors that differentiate alignment outcomes between the 2 procedures. RESULTS: Although both cohorts achieved significant focal lordosis (FL) and overall cervical lordotic (CL) gains, CDA cohorts achieved significantly greater 12-month FL gain (P = 0.022). However, in a multivariate analysis controlling for preoperative variables, FL gain was no longer significant. Although the CDA cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) significantly improved at 3 (P = 0.030) and 12 (P = 0.007) months, these improvements were not superior to the ACDF cSVA. Male patients undergoing CDA achieved greater 12-month CL gain. Patients undergoing CDA with body mass index >25 kg/m2 achieved greater 12-month FL gain. Patients undergoing CDA with symptom duration >12 months achieved greater FL gain at 3 and 12 months. Patients undergoing CDA with high baseline T1 slope or cSVA achieved greater 12-month cSVA reduction. Clinical outcomes were comparable between the 2 cohorts. Unlike the ACDF group, CL gain in the CDA group was significantly correlated with the cSVA reduction, which was associated with significant improvement in the Neck Disability Index, arm pain, and 12-Item Short-Form Mental Component Scores. Heterotopic ossification was not found to significantly affect patient outcome and cervical alignment in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: ACDF and CDA are viable options for 2-level degenerative disc disease in carefully selected patients. Both approaches produced equivalent postoperative alignment changes in a 2-level operation.

The modified frailty index and patient outcomes following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery for single-level degenerative spine disease.

OBJECTIVE: The modified frailty index (mFI) is a simple tool that measures physiological reserve based on a thorough history and physical examination. Its use has been validated in several surgical specialties, including spinal deformity surgery. Prior research has suggested no significant differences in clinical outcomes between elderly and nonelderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion. The authors sought to investigate the use of the mFI in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and the relationship between frailty scores and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 198 patients who underwent a single-level TLIF over a 60-month period at a single institution. For all patients, an mFI score was computed incorporating a set of 11 clinical factors to assess preexisting comorbidities and functional status. Clinical follow-up and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) scores were obtained at baseline and regular intervals of 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery. RESULTS: Patients were grouped according to their level of frailty: no frailty (mFI = 0), mild frailty (mFI = 0.09), moderate frailty (mFI = 0.18), and severe frailty (mFI ≥ 0.27). One-way ANOVA revealed increasing levels of frailty to be associated with an increased rate of complications, from 10.3% to 63.6%. In addition, increasing levels of frailty were associated with longer hospital length of stay (LOS), from 3.1 days to 6.5 days, and lower rates of disposition to home. At the 1-year follow-up, increased levels of frailty were associated with worse HRQOL measures. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing mFI score was associated with higher morbidity, longer inpatient LOS, and a lower probability of discharge to home in patients undergoing single-level TLIF. Consideration of the mFI may help surgeons improve decision-making across the spectrum of patients who are at risk from frailty.

Multilevel Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression: Clinical Efficacy and Durability to 2 Years.

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy of single-level minimally invasive lumbar decompression and/or microdiscectomy is well established, with improved postoperative functional outcome and pain scores. However, there is a paucity of clinical data supporting the use of minimally invasive (MIS) techniques in a single operation to address pathology at multiple lumbar levels, and this study attempts to address this issue. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis and/or disc herniations who underwent multilevel minimally invasive decompression or microdiscectomy from November 2014 to February 2018 was conducted at a single academic medical center. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Physical Component Summary Score (PCS) and Mental Component Summary Score (MCS), and Scoliosis Research Society survey (SRS-30), were prospectively collected before surgery and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: During the study period, 92 patients received multilevel (≥2 level) MIS lumbar decompression and/or discectomy (69 two level, 21 three level, 2 four level). The mean age at surgery was 69.7 years, and 23 (25%) patients were women. Patient-reported outcomes were significantly improved both in the short and long term except for the SF-12 MCS. Average improvement from baseline was (at 3 months and 2 years, respectively): VAS back, -3.9 and -2.8; VAS leg, -3.6 and -2.6; ODI, -13 and -14.6; SF-12 MCS, 2.8 and -0.3; SF-12 PCS, 6.9 and 10.1; and SRS-30, 0.57 and 0.55. Minimal clinically important difference for the study population was reached for every PROM except SF-12 MCS. Surgical complications occurred in 16 patients (17.4%), and 8 patients (8.6%) required postoperative fusions within 2 years. CONCLUSION: The use of MIS techniques to perform lumbar decompression and/or discectomy at multiple levels was found to be both clinically effective and durable. Fusion rates remained low 2 years after the index surgery and were consistent with literature data for open procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway for Single-Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Decreases Length of Stay and Opioid Consumption.

BACKGROUND: Opioid requirements in the perioperative period in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion surgery remain problematic. Although minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques have been developed, there still remain substantial challenges to reducing length of hospital stay (LOS) because of postoperative opioid requirements. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of implementing an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway in patients undergoing a 1-level MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) at our institution. METHODS: We implemented an ERAS pathway in patients undergoing an elective single-level MIS TLIF for degenerative changes at a single institution. Consecutive patients were enrolled over a 20-mo period and compared with a pre-ERAS group prior to the implementation of the ERAS protocol. The primary outcome was LOS. Secondary outcomes included reduction in morphine milligram equivalent units (MME), pain scores, postoperative urinary retention (POUR), and incidence of postoperative delirium. Patients were compared using the chi-square and Welch's 2-sample t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 299 patients were evaluated in this study: 87 in the ERAS group and 212 in the pre-ERAS group. In the ERAS group, there was a significant reduction in LOS (3.13 ± 1.53 vs 3.71 ± 2.07 d, P = .019), total admission MME (252.74 ± 317.38 vs 455.91 ± 498.78 MME, P = .001), and the number of patients with POUR (48.3% vs 65.6%, P = .008). There were no differences in pain scores. CONCLUSION: This is the largest ERAS MIS fusion cohort published to date evaluating a single cohort of patients in a generalizable manner. This ERAS pathway has shown a substantial decrease in LOS and opioid requirements in the immediate perioperative and postoperative period. There is further work to be done to evaluate patients undergoing other complex spine surgical interventions.

A retrospective comparison of radiographic and clinical outcomes in single-level degenerative lumbar disease undergoing anterior versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

BACKGROUND: Single-level lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) remains a significant cause of morbidity in adulthood. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are surgical techniques developed to treat this condition. With limited studies on intermediate term outcomes in a single cohort, we compare radiographic and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ALIF and TLIF. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 164 patients (111 TLIF; 53 ALIF) over a 60-month period. X-ray radiographs obtained pre-operatively, prior to discharge, and at one year were utilized for radiographic assessment. Segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis and HRQOL scores were measured preoperatively and at one-year timepoints. RESULTS: Changes in lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis were significantly greater after ALIF (4.6° vs. -0.6°, P=0.05; 4.7° vs. -0.7°, P<0.05) at one year (mean time, 366±20 days). At one year or greater, there was a greater reduction in mean VAS-leg score in TLIF patients (3.4 vs. 0.6, P<0.05) and ODI score (16.2 vs. 5.4, P<0.05). Similar outcomes were seen for VAS-back, SF-12 Physical Health, and SRS-30 Function/Activity. SF-12 Mental Health scores were found to be lower in patients undergoing TLIF (-3.5 vs. 2.7, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ALIF demonstrated a superior method of increasing lumbar and segmental lordosis. TLIF was utilized more in patients with higher pre-operative VAS-leg pain scores and therefore, showed a greater magnitude of VAS-leg pain improvement. TLIF also demonstrated a greater improvement in ODI scores despite similar baseline scores, suggesting a possible enhanced functional outcome.

Nonunion Rates After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Comparison of Polyetheretherketone vs Structural Allograft Implants.

BACKGROUND: Although advances in implant materials, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), have been developed aimed to improve outcome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), it is essential to confirm whether these changes translate into clinically important sustained benefits. OBJECTIVE: To compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing up to 3-level ACDF with PEEK vs structural allograft implants. METHODS: In this cohort study, radiographic and symptomatic nonunion rates were compared in consecutive patients who underwent 1 to 3 level ACDF with allograft or PEEK implant. Prospectively collected clinical data and patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores were compared between the allograft and PEEK groups. Regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of nonunion. RESULTS: In total, 194 of 404 patients met the inclusion criteria (79% allograft vs 21% PEEK). Preoperative demographic variables were comparable between the 2 groups except for age. The rate of radiographic nonunion was higher with PEEK implants (39% vs 27%, P = .0035). However, a higher proportion of nonunion in the allograft cohort required posterior instrumentation (14% vs 3%, P = .039). Patients with multilevel procedures and PEEK implants had up to 5.8 times the risk of radiographic nonunion, whereas younger patients, active smokers, and multilevel procedures were at higher risk of symptomatic nonunion. CONCLUSION: Along with implant material, factors such as younger age, active smoking status, and the number of operated levels were independent predictors of fusion failure. Given the impact of nonunion on PRO, perioperative optimization of modifiable factors and surgical planning are essential to ensure a successful outcome.

Pain outcomes after surgery in patients with intramedullary spinal cord cavernous malformations.

OBJECT: The objective of the study was to quantify the improvement in pain levels for patients who have undergone surgery for intramedullary spinal cord cavernous malformations (SCCMs). METHODS: The author reviewed medical records of patients who underwent surgery for an intramedullary SCCM between 2003 and 2010. Numerical pain scores (range 0-10) were recorded preoperatively and at follow-up. The follow-up period exceeded 1 year. Neurological status and subjective outcomes were assessed. Each patient underwent follow-up MR imaging. RESULTS: Five patients were identified with SCCMs who underwent surgery: 4 with thoracic and 1 with cervical lesions. Patients had been conservatively managed for an average of 5 years prior to surgery, and none had a history of acute hemorrhage or neurological deterioration during the observation period. The primary indication for surgery in each patient was pain, although 4 of 5 patients had some evidence of myelopathy on examination. Pain improved from a mean preoperative score of 8.6 to mean score of 2.0 (p < 0.01) at 1 month. Pain scores then increased to 3.7 (p < 0.01) at 1 year. All patients had some improvement in pain. No new motor weakness was noted, but all patients had increased symptoms of posterior-column dysfunction and numbness after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord intramedullary cavernous malformations are increasingly being diagnosed early with patients presenting with mostly pain symptoms. Removal of the lesion is reliably associated with improvement in pain scores but often the pain improvement is transient. While long-term worsening of pain scores occurs, at 1-year follow-up, patients reported pain scores were improved over preoperative scores. In all patients some degree of postoperative posterior-column dysfunction was present. Some of the immediate pain relief may be due to analgesia related to the myelotomy of newly described posterior column pain pathways. In patients with severe pain, surgery to remove SCCMs reduced the overall pain level at 1 year.

The predictive value of the baseline Oswestry Disability Index in lumbar disc arthroplasty.

OBJECT: The goal of the study was to determine patient factors predictive of good outcome after lumbar disc arthroplasty. Specifically, the paper examines the relationship of the preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to patient outcome at 1 year. METHODS: The study is a retrospective review of 20 patients undergoing a 1-level lumbar disc arthroplasty at the author's institution between 2004 and 2008. All data were collected prospectively. Data included the ODI, visual analog scale scores, and patient demographics. RESULTS: All patients underwent a 1-level disc arthroplasty at L4-5 or L5-S1. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on their baseline ODI. Patients with an ODI between 38 and 59 demonstrated better outcomes with lumbar disc arthroplasty. Only 1 (20%) of 5 patients with a baseline ODI higher than 60 reported a good outcome. In contrast, 13 (87%) of 15 patients with an ODI between 38 and 59 showed a good outcome (p = 0.03). The negative predictive value of using ODI > 60 is 60% in patients who are determined to be candidates for lumbar arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar arthroplasty is very effective in some patients. Other patients do not improve after surgery. The baseline ODI results are predictive of outcome in patients selected for lumbar disc arthroplasty. A baseline ODI > 60 is predictive of poor outcome. A high ODI may be indicative of psychosocial overlay.