A guide to interpreting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in neurosurgery and surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) are methods of data analysis used to synthesize information presented in multiple publications on the same topic. A thorough understanding of the steps involved in conducting this type of research and approaches to data analysis is critical for appropriate understanding, interpretation, and application of the findings of these reviews. METHODS: We reviewed reference texts in clinical neuroepidemiology, neurostatistics and research methods and other previously related articles on meta-analyses (MAs) in surgery. Based on existing theories and models and our cumulative years of expertise in conducting MAs, we have synthesized and presented a detailed pragmatic approach to interpreting MAs in Neurosurgery. RESULTS: Herein we have briefly defined SRs sand MAs and related terminologies, succinctly outlined the essential steps to conduct and critically appraise SRs and MAs. A practical approach to interpreting MAs for neurosurgeons is described in details. Based on summary outcome measures, we have used hypothetical examples to illustrate the Interpretation of the three commonest types of MAs in neurosurgery: MAs of Binary Outcome Measures (Pairwise MAs), MAs of proportions and MAs of Continuous Variables. Furthermore, we have elucidated on the concepts of heterogeneity, modeling, certainty, and bias essential for the robust and transparent interpretation of MAs. The basics for the Interpretation of Forest plots, the preferred graphical display of data in MAs are summarized. Additionally, a condensation of the assessment of the overall quality of methodology and reporting of MA and the applicability of evidence to patient care is presented. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of pragmatic guides to appraise MAs for surgeons who are non-statisticians. This article serves as a detailed guide for the interpretation of systematic reviews and meta-analyses with examples of applications for clinical neurosurgeons.

Practice-Pattern Variation in Sedation of Neurotrauma Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: An International Survey.

Background: Analgo-sedation plays an important role during intensive care management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, however, limited evidence is available to guide practice. We sought to quantify practice-pattern variation in neurotrauma sedation management, surveying an international sample of providers. Methods: An electronic survey consisting of 56 questions was distributed internationally to neurocritical care providers utilizing the Research Electronic Data Capture platform. Descriptive statistics were used to quantitatively describe and summarize the responses. Results: Ninety-five providers from 37 countries responded. 56.8% were attending physicians with primary medical training most commonly in intensive care medicine (68.4%) and anesthesiology (26.3%). Institutional sedation guidelines for TBI patients were available in 43.2%. Most common sedative agents for induction and maintenance, respectively, were propofol (87.5% and 88.4%), opioids (60.2% and 70.5%), and benzodiazepines (53.4% and 68.4%). Induction and maintenance sedatives, respectively, are mostly chosen according to provider preference (68.2% and 58.9%) rather than institutional guidelines (26.1% and 35.8%). Sedation duration for patients with intracranial hypertension ranged from 24 h to 14 days. Neurological wake-up testing (NWT) was routinely performed in 70.5%. The most common NWT frequency was every 24 h (47.8%), although 20.8% performed NWT at least every 2 h. Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale targets varied from deep sedation (34.7%) to alert and calm (17.9%). Conclusions: Among critically ill TBI patients, sedation management follows provider preference rather than institutional sedation guidelines. Wide practice-pattern variation exists for the type, duration, and target of sedative management and NWT performance. Future comparative effectiveness research investigating these differences may help optimize sedation strategies to promote recovery.

Cervical Myelopathy and Social Media: Mixed Methods Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurologic condition caused by age-related degeneration of the cervical spine. Social media has become a crucial part of many patients' lives; however, little is known about social media use pertaining to DCM. OBJECTIVE: This manuscript describes the landscape of social media use and DCM in patients, caretakers, clinicians, and researchers. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the entire Twitter application programing interface database from inception to March 2022 was performed to identify all tweets about cervical myelopathy. Data on Twitter users included geographic location, number of followers, and number of tweets. The number of tweet likes, retweets, quotes, and total engagement were collected. Tweets were also categorized based on their underlying themes. Mentions pertaining to past or upcoming surgical procedures were recorded. A natural language processing algorithm was used to assign a polarity score, subjectivity score, and analysis label to each tweet for sentiment analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1859 unique tweets from 1769 accounts met the inclusion criteria. The highest frequency of tweets was seen in 2018 and 2019, and tweets decreased significantly in 2020 and 2021. Most (888/1769, 50.2%) of the tweets' authors were from the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada. Account categorization showed that 668 of 1769 (37.8%) users discussing DCM on Twitter were medical doctors or researchers, 415 of 1769 (23.5%) were patients or caregivers, and 201 of 1769 (11.4%) were news media outlets. The 1859 tweets most often discussed research (n=761, 40.9%), followed by spreading awareness or informing the public on DCM (n=559, 30.1%). Tweets describing personal patient perspectives on living with DCM were seen in 296 (15.9%) posts, with 65 (24%) of these discussing upcoming or past surgical experiences. Few tweets were related to advertising (n=31, 1.7%) or fundraising (n=7, 0.4%). A total of 930 (50%) tweets included a link, 260 (14%) included media (ie, photos or videos), and 595 (32%) included a hashtag. Overall, 847 of the 1859 tweets (45.6%) were classified as neutral, 717 (38.6%) as positive, and 295 (15.9%) as negative. CONCLUSIONS: When categorized thematically, most tweets were related to research, followed by spreading awareness or informing the public on DCM. Almost 25% (65/296) of tweets describing patients' personal experiences with DCM discussed past or upcoming surgical interventions. Few posts pertained to advertising or fundraising. These data can help identify areas for improvement of public awareness online, particularly regarding education, support, and fundraising.

Palliative Care in Severe Neurotrauma Patients in the Intensive Care Unit.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and many patients with TBI require intensive care unit (ICU) management. When facing a life-threatening illness, such as TBI, a palliative care approach that focuses on noncurative aspects of care should always be considered in the ICU. Research shows that neurosurgical patients in the ICU receive palliative care less frequently than the medical patients in the ICU, which is a missed opportunity for these patients. However, providing appropriate palliative care to neurotrauma patients in an ICU can be difficult, particularly for young adult patients. The patients' prognoses are often unclear, the likelihood of advance directives is small, and the bereaved families must act as decision-makers. This article highlights the different aspects of the palliative care approach as well as barriers and challenges that accompany the TBI patient population, with a particular focus on young adult patients with TBI and the role of their family members. The article concludes with recommendations for physicians for effective and adequate communication to successfully implement the palliative care approach into standard ICU care and to improve quality of care for patients with TBI and their families.

Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Surgery: An Institutional Survey of Harvard Medical School Students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate current medical student perceptions on barriers to a career in surgery, with a particular focus on gender-specific differences. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although gender parity in medical school composition has been reached, women continue to be underrepresented in the field of surgery. METHODS: An anonymous, single-institution, internet-based survey conducted at Harvard Medical School. RESULTS: Approximately 720 medical students were surveyed and 261 completed the questionnaire (36.3%; 58.6% women, 41% men, 0.4% transgender). Overall, there was no significant gender difference in intention to pursue surgery (27% of men, 22% of women; P = 0.38). Sixty-nine percent of all students and 75% of those pursuing surgery reported verbal discouragement from pursuing a surgical career. Women were significantly more likely to perceive that the verbal discouragement was based on gender (P < 0.0001), age (P < 0.0001), and family aspirations (P = 0.043) compared to men. Surgical work hours and time for outside interests were the greatest deterrents for both genders. Significantly more women reported concerns about time to date or marry (P = 0.042), time to spend with family (P = 0.015), finding time during residency to have a child (P < 0.0001), taking maternity/paternity leave during residency (P < 0.0001), and being too old after residency to have a child (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both men and women reported high rates of verbal discouragement, but more women perceived that the discouragement was gender-based. Concerns about marriage and childbearing/rearing significantly deterred more women than men. Family aspirations were also a significant factor for men to choose an alternative career path. Additional support within the surgical field is needed to mitigate these concerns and support trainees in both their career and familial aspirations.

Primary and radiation induced skull base osteosarcoma: a systematic review of clinical features and treatment outcomes.

PURPOSE: We aim to systematically review and summarize the demographics, clinical features, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of primary and radiation-induced skull-base osteosarcoma (SBO). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were used to identify relevant articles. Papers including SBO cases and sufficient clinical outcome data were included. A comprehensive clinical characteristic review and survival analysis were also conducted. RESULTS: Forty-one studies describing 67 patients were included. The median age was 31 years (male = 59.7%). The middle skull-base was most commonly involved (52.7%), followed by anterior (34.5%) and posterior (12.7%) skull-base. Headache (27%), exophthalmos (18%), and diplopia (10%) were common presenting symptoms. Sixty-eight percent of patients had primary SBO, while 25% had radiation-induced SBO. Surgery was the main treatment modality in 89% of cases. Chemotherapy was administered in 65.7% and radiotherapy in 50%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12 months, and the overall 5-year survival was 22%. The five-year survival rates of radiation-induced SBO and primary SBO were 39% and 16%, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SBO is a malignant disease with poor survival outcomes. Surgical resection is the primary management modality, in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Radiation-induced SBO has a superior survival outcome as compared to its primary counterpart. Complete surgical resection showed a statistically insignificant survival benefit as compared to partial resection.

Thalamic gliomas in adults: a systematic review of clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes.

PURPOSE: Thalamic gliomas are rare neoplasms that pose significant surgical challenges. The literature is limited to single-institution retrospective case series. We systematically review the literature and describe the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes of adult thalamic gliomas. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified on PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Papers containing cases of adult thalamic gliomas with clinical outcome data were included. A comprehensive review of clinical characteristics and survival analysis was conducted. RESULTS: We included 25 studies comprising 617 patients. The median age was 45 years (male = 58.6%). Glioblastoma was the most frequent histological type (47.2%), and 82 tumors were H3 K27M-mutant. Motor deficit was the most common presenting symptom (51.8%). Surgical resection was performed in 69.1% of cases while adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered in 56.3% and 72.6%, respectively. Other treatments included laser interstitial thermal therapy, which was performed in 15 patients (2.4%). The lesion laterality (P = 0.754) and the surgical approach (P = 0.111) did not correlate with overall survival. The median progression-free survival was 9 months, and the overall two-year survival rate was 19.7%. The two-year survival rates of low-grade and high-grade thalamic gliomas were 31.0% and 16.5%, respectively. H3 K27M-mutant gliomas showed worse overall survival (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Adult thalamic gliomas are associated with poor survival. Complete surgical resection is associated with improved survival rates but is not always feasible. H3 K27M mutation is associated with worse survival and a more aggressive approach should be considered for mutant neoplasms.

The Woven EndoBridge device for ruptured intracranial aneurysms: international multicenter experience and updated meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) can be used to treat wide-necked aneurysms without antiplatelet medications, suggesting it may have advantages in the setting of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The goal was assessment of safety and efficacy of WEB in aSAH given the delayed nature of aneurysmal thrombosis. METHODS: An international retrospective analysis of patients with aSAH treated with WEB was conducted at 7 tertiary centers from 2016 to 2020. Outcomes included rates of rebleeding, retreatment, complications, and complete occlusion. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted from 2011 to 2020 assessing the same outcomes. All pooled event rates were calculated using a random effect model. RESULTS: Consecutive patients with aSAH harbored 25 aneurysms that were treated with 29 WEB devices. The mean age was 53 years, and 65% were female. Zero experienced rebleeding, 2 were retreated, 2 experienced complications, 16 were completely occluded at 3 months, and 21 were completed occluded at 9-12 months. Meta-analysis of 309 WEB treatments for aSAH from 7 case series revealed 2.5% (95% CI 1-5%) had rebleeding, 9% (95% CI 4-17%) were retreated, 17% (95% CI 10-30%) had complications, and 61% (95% CI 51-71%) were completely occluded at 3-6 months. CONCLUSION: WEB embolization in the setting of aSAH provides similar protection against rebleeding with comparable retreatment rates to traditional approaches. However, there is a higher rate of incomplete radiographic occlusion and operative complications compared to WEB embolization of unruptured aneurysms. Long-term prospective studies are needed to fully delineate the role of WEB embolization in aSAH.

Investing in the future: a call for strategies to empower and expand representation of women in neurosurgery worldwide.

As progress is gradually being made toward increased representation and retention of women in neurosurgery, the neurosurgical community should elevate effective efforts that may be driving positive change. Here, the authors describe explicit efforts by the neurosurgery community to empower and expand representation of women in neurosurgery, among which they identified four themes: 1) formal mentorship channels; 2) scholarships and awards; 3) training and exposure opportunities; and 4) infrastructural approaches. Ultimately, a data-driven approach is needed to improve representation and empowerment of women in neurosurgery and to best direct the neurosurgical community's efforts across the globe.

Decompressive craniotomy: an international survey of practice.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke have devastating consequences and are major global public health issues. For patients that require a cerebral decompression after suffering a TBI or stroke, a decompressive craniectomy (DC) is the most commonly performed operation. However, retrospective non-randomized studies suggest that a decompressive craniotomy (DCO; also known as hinge or floating craniotomy), where a bone flap is replaced but not rigidly fixed, has comparable outcomes to DC. The primary aim of this project was to understand the current extent of usage of DC and DCO for TBI and stroke worldwide. METHOD: A questionnaire was designed and disseminated globally via emailing lists and social media to practicing neurosurgeons between June and November 2019. RESULTS: We received 208 responses from 60 countries [40 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)]. DC is used more frequently than DCO, however, about one-quarter of respondents are using a DCO in more than 25% of their patients. The three top indications for a DCO were an acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and a GCS of 9-12, ASDH with contusions and a GCS of 3-8, and ASDH with contusions and a GCS of 9-12. There were 8 DCO techniques used with the majority (60/125) loosely tying sutures to the bone flap. The majority (82%) stated that they were interested in collaborating on a randomized trial of DCO vs. DC. CONCLUSION: Our results show that DCO is a procedure carried out for TBI and stroke, especially in LMICs, and most commonly for an ASDH. The majority of the respondents were interested in collaborating on a is a future randomized trial.

The IDEAL framework in neurosurgery: a bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment and Long-term study (IDEAL) framework was created to provide a structured way for assessing and evaluating novel surgical techniques and devices. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was to investigate the utilization of the IDEAL framework within neurosurgery, and to identify factors influencing implementation. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis of the 7 key IDEAL papers on Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases (2009-2019) was performed. A second journal-specific search then identified additional papers citing the IDEAL framework. Publications identified were screened by two independent reviewers to select neurosurgery-specific articles. RESULTS: The citation search identified 1336 articles. The journal search identified another 16 articles. Following deduplication and review, 51 relevant articles remained; 14 primary papers (27%) and 37 secondary papers (73%). Of the primary papers, 5 (36%) papers applied the IDEAL framework to their research correctly; two were aligned to the pre-IDEAL stage, one to the Idea and Development stages, and two to the Exploration stage. Of the secondary papers, 21 (57%) explicitly discussed the IDEAL framework. Eighteen (86%) of these were supportive of implementing the framework, while one was not, and two were neutral. CONCLUSION: The adoption of the IDEAL framework in neurosurgery has been slow, particularly for early-stage neurosurgical techniques and inventions. However, the largely positive reviews in secondary literature suggest potential for increased use that may be achieved with education and publicity.

Online Impact and Presence of a Specialized Social Media Team for the Journal of Neurosurgery: Descriptive Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Social media use continues to gain momentum in academic neurosurgery. To increase journal impact and broaden engagement, many scholarly publications have turned to social media to disseminate research. The Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG) established a dedicated, specialized social media team (SMT) in November 2016 to provide targeted improvement in digital outreach. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of the JNSPG SMT as measured by increased engagement. METHODS: We analyzed various metrics, including impressions, engagements, retweets, likes, profile clicks, and URL clicks, from consecutive social media posts from the JNSPG's Twitter and Facebook platforms between February 1, 2015 and February 28, 2019. Standard descriptive statistics were utilized. RESULTS: Between February 2015 and October 2016, when a specialized SMT was created, 170 tweets (8.1 tweets/month) were posted compared to 3220 tweets (115.0 tweets/month) between November 2016 and February 2019. All metrics significantly increased, including the impressions per tweet (mean 1646.3, SD 934.9 vs mean 4605.6, SD 65,546.5; P=.01), engagements per tweet (mean 35.2, SD 40.6 vs mean 198.2, SD 1037.2; P<.001), retweets (mean 2.5, SD 2.8 vs mean 10.5, SD 15.3; P<.001), likes (mean 2.5, SD 4.0 vs mean 18.0, SD 37.9; P<.001), profile clicks (mean 1.5, SD 2.0 vs mean 5.2, SD 43.3; P<.001), and URL clicks (mean 13.1, SD 14.9 vs mean 38.3, SD 67.9; P<.001). Tweets that were posted on the weekend compared to weekdays had significantly more retweets (mean 9.2, SD 9.8 vs mean 13.4, SD 25.6; P<.001), likes (mean 15.3, SD 17.9 vs mean 23.7, SD 70.4; P=.001), and URL clicks (mean 33.4, SD 40.5 vs mean 49.5, SD 117.3; P<.001). Between November 2015 and October 2016, 49 Facebook posts (2.3 posts/month) were sent compared to 2282 posts (81.5 posts/month) sent between November 2016 and February 2019. All Facebook metrics significantly increased, including impressions (mean 5475.9, SD 5483.0 vs mean 8506.1, SD 13,113.9; P<.001), engagements (mean 119.3, SD 194.8 vs mean 283.8, SD 733.8; P<.001), and reach (mean 2266.6, SD 2388.3 vs mean 5344.1, SD 8399.2; P<.001). Weekend Facebook posts had significantly more impressions per post (mean 7967.9, SD 9901.0 vs mean 9737.8, SD 19,013.4; P=.03) and a higher total reach (mean 4975.8, SD 6309.8 vs mean 6108.2, SD 12,219.7; P=.03) than weekday posts. CONCLUSIONS: Social media has been established as a crucial tool for the propagation of neurosurgical research and education. Implementation of the JNSPG specialized SMT had a demonstrable impact on increasing the online visibility of social media content.

Laparoscopy in Rwanda: A National Assessment of Utilization, Demands, and Perceived Challenges.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy has proven to be feasible and effective at reducing surgical morbidity and mortality in low resource settings. In Rwanda, the demand for and perceived challenges to laparoscopy use remain unclear. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was performed at the four Rwandan national referral teaching hospitals. Retrospective logbook reviews (July 2014-June 2015) assessed procedure volume and staff involvement. Web-based surveys and semi-structured interviews investigated barriers to laparoscopy expansion. RESULTS: During the study period, 209 laparoscopic procedures were completed: 57 (27.3%) general surgery cases; 152 (72.7%) ob/gyn cases. The majority (58.9%, 125/209) occurred at the private hospital, which performed 82.6% of cholecystectomies laparoscopically (38/46). The three public hospitals, respectively, performed 25% (7/28), 15% (12/80), and 0% (denominator indeterminate) of cholecystectomies laparoscopically. Notably, the two hospitals with the highest laparoscopy volume relied on a single surgeon for more than 85% of cases. The four ob/gyn departments performed between 4 and 87 laparoscopic cases (mostly diagnostic). Survey respondents at all sites listed a dearth of trainers as the most significant barrier to performing laparoscopy (65.7%; 23/35). Other obstacles included limited access to training equipment and courses. Equipment and material costs, equipment functionality, and material supply were perceived as lesser barriers. Twenty-two interviews revealed widespread interest in laparoscopy, insufficient laparoscopy exposure, and a need for trainers. CONCLUSION: While many studies identify cost as the most prohibitive barrier to laparoscopy utilization in low resource settings, logbook review and workforce perception indicate that a paucity of trainers is currently the greatest obstacle in Rwanda.

Timing of Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Stroke: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous clinical trials were not designed to discern the optimal timing of decompressive craniectomy for stroke, and the ideal surgical timing in patients with space-occupying infarction who do not exhibit deterioration within 48 hours is debated. METHODS: Patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for stroke were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002-2011). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association of surgical timing with mortality, discharge to institutional care, and poor outcome (a composite end point including death, tracheostomy and gastrostomy, or discharge to institutional care). Covariates included patient demographics, comorbidities, year of admission, and hospital characteristics. However, standard stroke severity scales and infarct volume were not available. RESULTS: Among 1301 admissions, 55.8% (n=726) underwent surgery within 48 hours. Teaching hospital admission was associated with earlier surgery (P=0.02). The timing of intervention was not associated with in-hospital mortality. However, when evaluated continuously, later surgery was associated with increased odds of discharge to institutional care (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.31, P=0.005) and of a poor outcome (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.23; P=0.02). When evaluated dichotomously, the odds of discharge to institutional care and of a poor outcome did not differ at 48 hours after hospital admission, but increased when surgery was pursued after 72 hours. Subgroup analyses found no association of surgical timing with outcomes among patients who had not sustained herniation. CONCLUSION: s-In this nationwide analysis, early decompressive craniectomy was associated with superior outcomes. However, performing decompression before herniation may be the most important temporal consideration.

An appraisal of the learning curve in robotic general surgery.

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted surgery is used with increasing frequency in general surgery for a variety of applications. In spite of this increase in usage, the learning curve is not yet defined. This study reviews the literature on the learning curve in robotic general surgery to inform adopters of the technology. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE searches yielded 3690 abstracts published between July 1986 and March 2016. The abstracts were evaluated based on the following inclusion criteria: written in English, reporting original work, focus on general surgery operations, and with explicit statistical methods. RESULTS: Twenty-six full-length articles were included in final analysis. The articles described the learning curves in colorectal (9 articles, 35%), foregut/bariatric (8, 31%), biliary (5, 19%), and solid organ (4, 15%) surgery. Eighteen of 26 (69%) articles report single-surgeon experiences. Time was used as a measure of the learning curve in all studies (100%); outcomes were examined in 10 (38%). In 12 studies (46%), the authors identified three phases of the learning curve. Numbers of cases needed to achieve plateau performance were wide-ranging but overlapping for different kinds of operations: 19-128 cases for colorectal, 8-95 for foregut/bariatric, 20-48 for biliary, and 10-80 for solid organ surgery. CONCLUSION: Although robotic surgery is increasingly utilized in general surgery, the literature provides few guidelines on the learning curve for adoption. In this heterogeneous sample of reviewed articles, the number of cases needed to achieve plateau performance varies by case type and the learning curve may have multiple phases as surgeons add more complex cases to their case mix with growing experience. Time is the most common determinant for the learning curve. The literature lacks a uniform assessment of outcomes and complications, which would arguably reflect expertise in a more meaningful way than time to perform the operation alone.

Patient Age and the Outcomes after Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Stroke: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) for space-occupying cerebral infarction in older adults remains controversial, and there are limited nationwide data evaluating the outcomes after craniectomy for stroke by patient age. METHODS: Patients who underwent DHC for ischemic stroke were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002-2011). Multivariable logistic regression examined in-hospital mortality and a poor outcome (death, tracheostomy and gastrostomy, or discharge to institutional care). Covariates included year of admission, comorbidities, severity indices, and treatment variables (including the timing of decompression). RESULTS: Craniectomy was performed in 1673 patients: 62.4 % were aged 18-60 years, 20.6 % aged 61-70 years, and 17.0 % aged greater than 70 years. DHC was associated with reduced adjusted odds of in-hospital death compared with medical treatment alone among patients with cerebral edema in all age categories, including those older than 70 years (p ≤ 0.008). However, among surgical patients, the adjusted odds of mortality were significantly greater for patients aged 61-70 (30.7 %, p = 0.02) and greater than 70 years (34.5 %, p = 0.02), but not different for patients aged 51-60 (22.8 %), compared to those aged 18-50 years (19.7 %). The adjusted odds of a poor outcome also increased significantly with age, particularly for patients greater than 60 years. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide analysis, DHC was associated with reduced mortality regardless of patient age, including among those aged greater than 70 years. However, patients aged greater than 60 years treated surgically experienced higher odds of mortality (32.4 %), discharge to institutional care (47.1 %), and a poor outcome (77.0 %) compared with younger patients.

The Role of Policy in Global Neurosurgery.

There have been tremendous strides over the past decade to institute strong policy as means to facilitate alignment on goals and strategies for global neurosurgical systems strengthening. In this chapter, we highlight key historic policy milestones in the global neurosurgery movement. We discuss the role of international organizations in neurosurgery, and the incorporation of neurosurgery into global health agendas. We then delve into specific examples of policies that have been established (such as comprehensive recommendations for neurotrauma, spina bifida, and hydrocephalus), highlight the role of international organizations in shaping neurosurgical policies, emphasize the importance of advocacy, and explore future directions.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of the Neurological Surgeons Section on Tumors Guidelines: Assessing Their Impact on Brain Tumor Clinical Practice.

Clinical guidelines direct healthcare professionals toward evidence-based practices. Evaluating guideline impact can elucidate information penetration, relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with evolving medical knowledge and technological advancements. As the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Tumors marks its 40th anniversary in 2024, this article reflects on the tumor guidelines established by the Section over the past decade and explores their impact on other publications, patents, and information dissemination. Six tumor guideline categories were reviewed: low-grade glioma, newly diagnosed glioblastoma, progressive glioblastoma, metastatic brain tumors, vestibular schwannoma, and pituitary adenomas. Citation data were collected from Google Scholar and PubMed. Further online statistics, such as social media reach, and features in policy, news, and patents were sourced from Altmetric. Online engagement was assessed through website and CNS+ mobile application visits. Data were normalized to time since publication. Metastatic Tumor guidelines (2019) had the highest PubMed citation rate at 26.1 per year and webpage visits (29 100 page views 1/1/2019-9/30/2023). Notably, this guideline had two endorsement publications by partner societies, the Society of Neuro-Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology, concerning antiepileptic prophylaxis and steroid use, and the greatest reach on X (19.7 mentions/y). Citation rates on Google Scholar were led by Vestibular Schwannoma (2018). Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma led Mendeley reads. News, patent, or policy publications were led by low-grade glioma at 1.5/year. Our study shows that the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Tumors guidelines go beyond citations in peer-reviewed publications to include patents, online engagement, and information dissemination to the public.

Reducing the Gap in Neurosurgical Education in LMICs: A Report of a Non-Profit Educational Program.

INTRODUCTION: Central to neurosurgical care, neurosurgical education is particularly needed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where opportunities for neurosurgical training are limited due to social and economic constraints and an inadequate workforce. The present paper aims (1) to evaluate the validity and usability of a cadaver-free hybrid system in the context of LMICs and (2) to report their learning needs and whether the courses meet those needs via a comprehensive survey. METHODS: From April to November 2021, a non-profit initiative consisting of a series of innovative cadaver-free courses based on virtual and practical training was organized. This project emerged from a collaboration between the Young Neurosurgeons Forum of the World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS), the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Neurotrauma, and UpSurgeOn, an Italian hi-tech company specialized in simulation technologies, creator of the UpSurgeOn Box, a hyper-realistic simulator of cranial approaches fused with augmented reality. Over that period, 11 cadaver-free courses were held in LMICs using remote hands-on Box simulators. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight participants completed an online survey after course completion of the course. The anatomical accuracy of simulators was overall rated high by the participant. The simulator provided a challenging but manageable learning curve, and 86% of participants found the Box to be very intuitive to use. When asked if the sequence of mental training (app), hybrid training (Augmented Reality), and manual training (the Box) was an effective method of training to fill the gap between theoretical knowledge and practice on a real patient/cadaver, 83% of participants agreed. Overall, the hands-on activities on the simulators have been satisfactory, as well as the integration between physical and digital simulation. CONCLUSIONS: This project demonstrated that a cadaver-free hybrid (virtual/hands-on) training system could potentially participate in accelerating the learning curve of neurosurgical residents, especially in the setting of limited training possibilities such as LMICs, which were only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.