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STUDY DESIGN: Ambispective observational cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Synthetic graft usage avoids morbidity associated with harvest and reduces operative time. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of anterior cervical stabilization surgery using a synthetic cage in comparison with iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) following cervical spine trauma. METHODS: An ambispective review was conducted on patients from the Alfred Trauma Registry. Consecutive patients treated at a level 1 trauma center, aged 18 years and older who were treated with standalone anterior cervical stabilization following spine trauma (2011-2016) were included in the study. Primary outcome measures were patient overall satisfaction, Neck Disability Index (NDI), neck pain 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS-neck) and arm pain 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS-arm). Secondary outcome measures were radiographic evidence of fusion and rate of revision surgery. All patients had follow-up for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2016, 114 traumatic disc levels in 104 patients were treated. ICBG was used in 32% and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in 68% of the patients. Both groups had similar demographic metrics. There was no significant difference in primary outcome measures between the graft types: (1) patient satisfaction (P = .15), (2) NDI (P = .11), (3) VAS-neck (P = .13), and (4) VAS-arm (P = .20). Radiology based fusion assessment 6 months postsurgery did not show statistical significance (P = .10). The rates of revision surgery were similar. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no significant difference in patient-reported outcome measures when comparing the usage of PEEK cage and ICBG in anterior stand alone cervical spine stabilization. Level 1 evidence studies are required to further investigate this finding.
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BACKGROUND: Panspinal infection usually presents with fever, back pain, neurological deficit, and in advanced cases multi-organ failure and septic shock. The choice of treatment for panspinal infection is challenging because these patients are usually medically unstable with severe neurological compromise. The objective of this study is to review management and long term outcomes for patients with panspinal infection. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with panspinal infection treated in our center over a 5-year period [Jan 2010-Dec 2014] and a review of the current published literatures was undertaken. RESULTS: We identified 4 patients with panspinal infection. One case was managed medically due to high perioperative risk, whilst the other three were managed surgically whilst on antibiotic therapy. All 3 cases managed surgically improved neurologically and infection subsided, whereas the patient managed medically did not change neurologically and infection subsided. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with panspinal infection should be treated surgically unless the medical risk of surgery or anaesthesia is prohibitive.
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STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: Assess the learning curve of pedicle screw (PS) placement of a Spinal Surgery Fellow (SSF) with no previous experience with the technique. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recent studies have attempted to identify the learning curve for different surgical procedures to define training requirements. Several authors have described a learning curve for PS placement. However, no one has defined the number of PS necessary to be competent in this skill. METHODS: All patients who had PS inserted by the SSF under the supervision of an Attending Spinal Consultant (ASC) and had adequate postoperative radiographs and computed tomography scans available, were included in this study. PS position was assessed by 2 blinded independent observers using a grading scale. PS placement by the SSF was evaluated by examining the assessed position in chronological groups of 40 screws. RESULTS.: Ninety-four patients underwent internal fixation of the spine with 582 PS. Eight cases (40 screws) were excluded because of lack of imaging studies. Of the 542 screws under evaluation, 320 (59%) were performed by the SSF, 187 (34.5%) by the ASC, and 35 (6.5%) by advanced orthopedic or neurosurgical trainees.The rate of misplaced PS performed by the SSF for the first 80 PS was 12.5% and dropped to 3.4% for the remaining 240 screws, which is a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). Evaluation of computed tomography of vertebrae with PS placed by the SSF on one side and by the ASC on the other showed that the ASC achieved better placement during the first 80 PS (P < 0.01). However, this difference disappeared in the last 240 (P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate a learning curve for PS placement. In this series, the asymptote for this technique for an inexperienced SSF, started after about 80 screws (approximately 25 cases).