The Pfirrmann classification of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration: an independent inter- and intra-observer agreement assessment.

PURPOSE: Grading inter-vertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is important in the evaluation of many degenerative conditions, including patients with low back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the best imaging instrument to evaluate IDD. The Pfirrmann classification is commonly used to grade IDD; the authors describing this classification showed an adequate agreement using it; however, there has been a paucity of independent agreement studies using this grading system. The aim of this study was to perform an independent inter- and intra-observer agreement study using the Pfirrmann classification. METHODS: T2-weighted sagittal images of 79 patients consecutively studied with lumbar spine MRI were classified using the Pfirrmann grading system by six evaluators (three spine surgeons and three radiologists). After a 6-week interval, the 79 cases were presented to the same evaluators in a random sequence for repeat evaluation. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the weighted kappa (wκ) were used to determine the inter- and intra-observer agreement. RESULTS: The inter-observer agreement was excellent, with an ICC = 0.94 (0.93-0.95) and wκ = 0.83 (0.74-0.91). There were no differences between spine surgeons and radiologists. Likewise, there were no differences in agreement evaluating the different lumbar discs. Most differences among observers were only of one grade. Intra-observer agreement was also excellent with ICC = 0.86 (0.83-0.89) and wκ = 0.89 (0.85-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: In this independent study, the Pfirrmann classification demonstrated an adequate agreement among different observers and by the same observer on separate occasions. Furthermore, it allows communication between radiologists and spine surgeons.

Navigating the Indeterminate Zone: Surgeons' Decision-Making Factors in Treating Vertebral Metastases with Spinal Instability Scores of 7-12.

BACKGROUND: The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) classification system is a validated and the most widely accepted instrument for defining instability in vertebral metastasis (VM), in which lesions scoring between 7 and 12 are defined as indeterminate and the treatment is controversial. This study aimed to determine which variables more frequently are considered by spine surgeons for choosing between the conservative and the surgical treatment of VMs among patients with an indeterminate SINS. METHODS: A single-round online survey was conducted with 10 spine surgeons with expertise in the management of VMs from our AO Spine Region. In this survey, each surgeon independently reviewed demographic and cancer-related variables of 36 real-life cases of patients with vertebral metastases scored between 7 and 12 in the SINS. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant SINS and non-SINS variables influencing the decision-making on surgical treatment. RESULTS: The most commonly variables considered important were the SINS element "mechanical pain", rated important for 44.4% of the cases, "lesion type" for 36.1%, and "degree of vertebral collapse" and the non-SINS factor "tumor histology" rated for 13.9% of cases. By far the factor most commonly rated unimportant was "posterior element compromise" (in 72.2% of cases). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons relied on mechanical pain and type of metastatic lesion for treatment choices. Vertebral collapse, spinal malalignment, and mobility were less influential. Spinal mobility was a predictor of surgical versus non-surgical treatment. The only variables not identified either by surgeons themselves or as a predictor of surgery selection was the presence/degree of posterolateral/posterior element involvement.

Orthopedic postoperative infection profile and antibiotic sensitivity of 2038 patients across 24 countries - Call for region and institution specific surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Purpose: Improper utilization of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis frequently leads to increased risks of morbidity and mortality.This study aims to understand the common causative organism of postoperative orthopedic infection and document the surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol across various institutions in to order to strengthen surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis practice and provide higher-quality surgical care. Methods: This multicentric multinational retrospective study, includes 24 countries from five different regions (Asia Pacific, South Eastern Africa, Western Africa, Latin America, and Middle East). Patients who developed orthopedic surgical site infection between January 2021 and December 2022 were included. Demographic details, bacterial profile of surgical site infection, and antibiotic sensitivity pattern were documented. Results: 2038 patients from 24 countries were included. Among them 69.7 % were male patients and 64.1 % were between 20 and 60 years. 70.3 % patients underwent trauma surgery and instrumentation was used in 93.5 %. Ceftriaxone was the most common preferred in 53.4 %. Early SSI was seen in 55.2 % and deep SSI in 59.7 %. Western Africa (76 %) and Asia-Pacific (52.8 %) reported a higher number of gram-negative infections whereas gram-positive organisms were predominant in other regions. Most common gram positive organism was Staphylococcus aureus (35 %) and gram-negative was Klebsiella (17.2 %). Majority of the organisms showed variable sensitivity to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Conclusion: Our study strongly proves that every institution has to analyse their surgical site infection microbiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity of the organisms and plan their surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis accordingly. This will help to decrease the rate of surgical site infection, prevent the emergence of multidrug resistance and reduce the economic burden of treatment.

Full Endoscopic Treatment for a Fibrosis Complication after Psoas Abscess.

BACKGROUND: Psoas abscess is a challenging disease that may sometimes lead to a devastating prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory for better results in their treatments and to avoid complications. PURPOSE: There is no article regarding a fibrosis treatment of the psoas muscle with a psoas abscess that is treated with full endoscopic debridement (FED). STUDY DESIGN: a case report and literature review. RESULT: we successfully treated this case, who suffered from psoas fibrosis with a clinical and MRI diagnosis, with full endoscopic debridement. CONCLUSIONS: FED is a viable alternative to open debridement for this rare complication of a psoas muscle abscess.

Wound drain in lumbar arthrodesis for degenerative disease: an experimental, multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Drains for surgical wound management are frequently used in spine surgery. They are often used to decrease the incidence of postoperative hematoma and decrease wound tension. No conclusive evidence in the literature supports using drains to avoid complications in degenerative lumbar spine surgery. PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate wound drains in patients with lumbar arthrodesis for degenerative disorders based on clinical outcomes, complications, hematocrit, and length of stay. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter randomized prospective controlled clinical trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: We enrolled surgical candidates for posterior lumbar decompression and fusion surgery for degenerative disorders from October 2019 to August 2021. Patients were randomized into the drain or nondrain group at nine hospitals. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients aged 40 to 80 years with lumbar and radicular pain, lumbar degenerative disorder, and primary surgery up to three levels. The exclusion criteria were bleeding abnormalities, bleeding >2,500 mL and dural tears. OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative data including Oswestry disability index (ODI), SF-36, lumbar and lower extremity visual analog scale (VAS), body mass index (BMI), hematocrit, and temperature were recorded. Surgical parameters, including surgical time, complications, estimated blood loss (EBL), postoperative temperature and hematocrit (days 1 and 4), dressing saturation, and length of hospital stay (LOS), were registered. METHODS: The two groups were assessed preoperatively, perioperatively and at the 1-month follow-up. A REDCap database was used for registration. Data analysis was performed using classical statistics. RESULTS: One hundred one patients were enrolled using the Redcap database, and 93 patients were evaluated at the final follow-up. Forty-five patients were randomized to the drain group, and 48 were randomized to the nondrain group. The preoperative characteristics were equivalent in both groups: demographic aspects, pain, ODI, SF-36, BMI, hematocrit, and spine pathology. Surgical time, EBL and complications were similar, with no difference between the groups. No difference was found between BMI and complications. No difference was observed in dressing saturation or postoperative temperature between the groups. The postoperative day 4 hematocrit was higher in the nondrain group [36.4% (32-39)] than in the drain group [34% (29.7-37.6)] without statistically differences (p=.054). The LOS was higher in the drain group [4 (3-5) days] than in the nondrain group [3 (2-4) days] (p=.007). The quality-of-life score, SF-36, was higher in the nondrain group [67.9 (53.6-79.2)] than in the drain group [56.7 (49.1-66)] (p=.043). CONCLUSIONS: Nondrain patients presented shorter LOS and better outcomes, with similar complication rates. No difference was found between BMI and complications. Based on this study, in patients undergoing primary posterior spinal decompression and fusion up to three levels for degenerative lumbar disorders, we do not recommend the use of postoperative drains.

[Spinal lumbar stenosis: an update]. / Actualización en estenorraquis lumbar: diagnóstico, tratamiento y controversias.

Spinal lumbar stenosis is a disease that occurs mainly between the 5th and 7th decade of life and can be congenital or acquired. The latter has many etiologies, but a degenerative cause is the most common. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal diameter caused by many factors such as bulging discs, hypertrophy of flavum ligament, facet capsule thickening and osteophyte formation. The classical symptom of the disease is sciatic pain, that improves with lumbar flexion and worsens with ambulation. Neurological examination is often normal and the most useful imaging test is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conservative management consists in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and epidural - radicular infiltrations. Spinal infiltrations have a proven efficacy for pain management. A good result of this therapy predicts a favorable outcome after surgery. Surgical treatment consists in decompression with or without lumbar fusion. The addition of an arthrodesis is recommended for degenerative spondylolisthesis, correction of deformities, recurrent spinal stenosis with instability, sagittal or coronal imbalance and adjacent segment disease.

Surgeon Management of Osteoporosis in Instrumented Spine Surgery: AOSpine Latin America Survey.

STUDY DESIGN: Survey study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of osteoporosis (OP) in instrumented spine surgery among Latin American spine surgeons. METHODS: An electronic survey on aspects of instrumented spine surgery and OP was sent electronically to all members of AOSpine Latin America (AOSLA): 16 multiple-choice questions included incidence and type of complications experienced, strategies to avoid intraoperative complications, on prevention of complications and OP assessment and treatment prior to surgery. RESULTS: A total of 349 spine surgeons from a universe of 377 surgeons (230 orthopedic surgeons and 147 neurosurgeons), associated members of AOSLA answered the survey. About 80% recalled complications directly related to OP and 71% had revised instrumentation because of OP-related complications. Techniques for prevention of intraoperative complications varied; 65% extended instrumentation to additional segments, 63% performed vertebral body cement injection alone or associated with instrumentation. Preoperative screening was used by 19% but increased to 75% if patients had risk factors. A limit value of bone mineral density for delaying surgery was not established for 66.4% of respondents. Consultation for OP management was requested by 81%, mostly to endocrinology (56.3%). Interestingly, 19% personally managed their patient's OP. CONCLUSION: This study provides a global perspective on how Latin American spine surgeons manage patients with OP undergoing instrumented spine surgery. Most have faced complications associated with OP and have had to resolve them surgically. Spine surgeons frequently participate partially in managing patients with OP. Most refer patients with OP for treatment to the endocrinology.

Urotensin II and urotensin II-related peptide activate somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 5.

The UII and urotensin II-related peptide (URP) genes belong to the same superfamily as the somatostatin gene. It has been previously shown that somatostatin activates the UII-receptor (UTR). In contrast, the possible interaction between UII and URP and somatostatin receptors has remained scarcely analyzed. Herein, we have investigated the effects of UII and URP on cell proliferation and free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in CHO-K1 cells stably expressing the porcine somatostatin receptor subtypes sst2 and sst5. Results show that both UII and URP induce stimulation of cell proliferation mediated by sst2 receptors and UII provokes inhibition of cell proliferation mediated by sst5 receptors. UII and URP also provoked an increase of [Ca2+]i in both sst2- and sst5-transfected cells. Together, our present data demonstrate that UII and URP directly activate sst2 and sst5 and thus mimic the effect of somatostatin on its cognate receptors.

[Is instillation of bone marrow stem cells at the time of core decompression useful for osteonecrosis of the femoral head?]. / ¿Es útil la instilación de células madre de médula ósea al momento de la descompresión ósea en la osteonecrosis de cabeza femoral?

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head leads to degeneration of the head and finally to osteoarthritis of the hip. Decompression is the most widely used treatment, but its effectiveness is limited. It has been proposed instillation of stem cells in addition to decompression, would lead to better results. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified two systematic reviews including two randomized trials. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded instillation of bone marrow stem cells at the time of core decompression probably slows progression to osteoarthritis of the hip in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head and might reduce the need of subsequent surgeries. It is unclear whether it has any effect on the functionality because the certainty of the evidence is very low.

La osteonecrosis de cabeza femoral lleva a degeneración de la cabeza y finalmente al desarrollo de artrosis de cadera. La descompresión constituye el tratamiento más utilizado, sin embargo su eficacia es limitada. Se ha planteado que la instilación de células madre en conjunto con la descompresión tendría mejores resultados. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos dos revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen dos estudios controlados aleatorizados. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que instilar células madre de médula ósea al momento de la descompresión ósea en la osteonecrosis de cabeza femoral probablemente disminuye la progresión a artrosis de cadera y podría disminuir la necesidad de cirugías posteriores. No está claro si tiene algún efecto sobre la funcionalidad porque la certeza de la evidencia es muy baja.

La osteonecrosis de cabeza femoral lleva a degeneración de la cabeza y finalmente al desarrollo de artrosis de cadera. La descompresión constituye el tratamiento más utilizado, sin embargo su eficacia es limitada. Se ha planteado que la instilación de células madre en conjunto con la descompresión tendría mejores resultados. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos dos revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen dos estudios controlados aleatorizados. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que instilar células madre de médula ósea al momento de la descompresión ósea en la osteonecrosis de cabeza femoral probablemente disminuye la progresión a artrosis de cadera y podría disminuir la necesidad de cirugías posteriores. No está claro si tiene algún efecto sobre la funcionalidad porque la certeza de la evidencia es muy baja.

Conservative versus operative treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurologic deficit.

Thoracolumbar burst fractures account for up to 17% of major spinal fractures. Both conservative and operative treatments are widely used in clinical practice to manage thoracolumbar burst fractures. Previous studies showed good functional results with both treatments, but surgical approach has been associated with higher cost and risks of causing unnecessary adverse effects. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified 14 systematic reviews including 25 randomized trials. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded that operative treatment may decrease the risk of neurologic impairment, but in turn, could increase the risk of general complications. It is unclear whether there are differences in pain reduction, improvement in function and quality of life, need for subsequent surgery or radiographic progression of kyphosis in both groups.

Las fracturas toracolumbares tipo burst representan hasta el 17% de las fracturas de columna.Se ha planteado tanto el tratamiento conservador como el quirúrgico para este tipo de fracturas, observando buenos resultados funcionales con ambos, pero con un mayor costo y riesgo de producir efectos adversos con la cirugía. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos seis revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen cuatro estudios aleatorizados. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que el tratamiento quirúrgico podría disminuir el riesgo de deterioro neurológico pero con un mayor riesgo de complicaciones generales. Concluimos que no está claro si existen diferencias en dolor, funcionalidad, calidad de vida, necesidad de reintervención o progresión radiográfica de la cifosis entre el tratamiento conservador y el quirúrgico.

Estenosis lumbar degenerativa: conceptos básicos, evaluación clínica y manejo / Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: basic concepts, clinical evaluation, treatment

La estenorraquis lumbar es la disminución del volumen del canal raquídeo en la columna. Es la causa más frecuente de dolor lumbociático y lumbocrural en población mayor de 60 años. Existen múltiples causas. La más común es la degenerativa que consiste en una disminución del canal secundario a varios factores como protrusión del disco intervertebral, hipertrofia y abombamiento del ligamento amarillo, engrosamiento de la capsula articular y por osteofitos. Los síntomas principales son el dolor lumbar irradiado a extremidades inferiores tipo lumbociática o lumbocruralgia y la claudicación neural intermitente. Generalmente no hay déficit motor ni sensitivo. La resonancia magnética es el estudio de elección para el diagnóstico, pero debe complementarse con radiografías y con frecuencia con tac para una mejor valoración de la patología. El tratamiento inicial siempre es conservador, que incluye uso de antiinflamatorios, analgésicos, relajantes musculares, kinesioterapia e infiltraciones de columna (epidurales o radiculares). La mayoría de los pacientes responden satisfactoriamente a este manejo. El tratamiento quirúrgico está indicado a los pacientes que presentan un dolor intenso, que afecta su calidad de vida y que no mejora con el tratamiento conservador. Consiste en la descompresión quirúrgica de las raíces lumbares a través de laminectomía. En ocasiones se recomienda complementar la descompresión con artrodesis específicamente cuando la estenorraquis se asocia a otras condiciones como espondilolistesis degenerativa, escoliosis, desbalance sagital o coronal, inestabilidad segmentaria y en enfermedad del segmento adyacente.

Spinal lumbar stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar spine. Is the most frequent cause of sciatic pain or cruralgia in the elderly population over 60 years old. Exist many etiologies. The most common is degenerative caused by many factors including bulging disc, hypertrophy of flavum ligament as well as facet capsule thickening and by osteophytes formation. The main symptoms of spinal stenosis are radicular pain and neurogenic claudication. Lumbar flexion usually improves the symptom and deambulation often worsens the pain. Most of the time neurologic examination is normal. The gold standard study is mri but is necessary to complement with x rays and ct to obtain a better evaluation. Initial treatment is always conservative and consists in nsaid's, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and steroid spinal injections. Most of the patients respond well to this treatment. Surgical treatment is indicated when the patient has a severe pain, quality of life is miserable and conservative treatment fails. Decompression is the gold standard surgical treatment. The addition of an arthrodesis or spinal fusion is recommended in degenerative spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, sagital or coronal imbalance, deformity correction, recurrent spinal stenosis and in cases of adjacent level disease problem.

Is intramedullary nailing superior to plating in patients with extraarticular fracture of the distal tibia?

Distal tibial metaphyseal fractures are generally produced by high-energy trauma such as car accidents and can cause severe disability due to pain and deformity. In the management of these fractures, there are multiple surgical alternatives, but it is uncertain which the best option is. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified six systematic reviews including three randomized trials. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded it is not clear whether one surgical option is better than the other, because the certainty of the evidence is very low. Two ongoing randomized trials might help solving this uncertainty.

Las fracturas metafisarias de tibia distal se producen generalmente por traumatismos de alta energía, como accidentes automovilísticos, y pueden causar discapacidad severa por dolor y deformidad. En el manejo de estas fracturas existen múltiples alternativas quirúrgicas, sin embargo es incierto cuál es la mejor opción. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos seis revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen tres estudios aleatorizados. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que no está claro si existe superioridad de una intervención quirúrgica sobre la otra porque la certeza de la evidencia disponible es muy baja. Existen dos estudios clínicos aleatorizados en curso que podrían resolver esta interrogante.

Is epidural steroid injection effective for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis?

There are several nonsurgical alternatives to treat radicular pain in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Epidural steroid injections have been used for several decades, but the different studies have shown variable effects. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified nine systematic reviews including seven pertinent randomized controlled trials. We concluded epidural steroid injection probably leads to little or no effect on reducing radicular pain of spinal stenosis.

Existe una variada cantidad de alternativas no quirúrgicas para tratar el dolor radicular producido por la raquiestenosis lumbar degenerativa. Los corticoides epidurales se utilizan desde hace varias décadas, sin embargo la eficacia reportada en la literatura es muy variable. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos nueve revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen siete estudios aleatorizados. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que la inyección de corticoides epidurales probablemente tiene poco o nulo efecto en reducir el dolor radicular por estenorraquis.

Should we add vancomycin antibiotic powder to prevent post operative infection in spine surgery? - First update.

This Living FRISBEE (Living FRIendly Summary of the Body of Evidence using Epistemonikos) is an update of the summary published in June 2015, based on the detection of a new systematic review not identified in the previous version. Intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis is routinely administered to prevent surgical site infection in spinal surgery. Adding intrawound vancomycin powder before surgical closure might further decrease infection risk. However, its use is controversial. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified seven systematic reviews that considered 16 studies, including one randomized controlled trial. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded vancomycin probably does not decrease the risk of infection in low risk surgery, but there is uncertainty about its effects in populations or surgeries with a higher risk because the certainty of the evidence is very low.

Este resumen Epistemonikos (Living FRISBEE: Living FRIendly Summary of the Body of Evidence using Epistemonikos) es una actualización del resumen publicado en Junio de 2015, basado en la detección de una nueva revisión sistemática que no había sido identificada en la versión anterior. La profilaxis antibiótica endovenosa es de uso rutinario para la prevención de infección postoperatoria en cirugía de columna. Se ha planteado que la aplicación de vancomicina en polvo en el campo quirúrgico previo al cierre por planos podría tener un efecto adicional, sin embargo, su uso es controvertido. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos seis revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto consideran 16 estudios pertinentes, incluyendo un estudio controlado aleatorizado. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Se concluye que el uso de vancomicina probablemente no disminuye el riesgo de infección en cirugías de bajo riesgo, pero existe incertidumbre sobre el efecto en poblaciones o cirugías con un riesgo mayor porque la certeza de la evidencia es muy baja.

Does vitamin C prevent the occurrence of complex regional pain syndrome in patients with extremity trauma requiring surgery?

The complex regional pain syndrome is a neuroinflammatory pathology that affects the central and peripheral nervous system, characterized by disproportional pain in relation to the trauma experimented by the patient. It has been proposed that vitamin C could prevent the development of this syndrome in patients with limb trauma and surgery. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified two systematic reviews that indentified four primary studies, including one randomized controlled trial. We generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded it is uncertain whether vitamin C prevents complex regional pain syndrome because the certainty of the evidence is very low.

El síndrome de dolor regional complejo es una patología neuroinflamatoria que afecta tanto al sistema nervioso central como al periférico, y se caracteriza por dolor desproporcionado en relación al trauma experimentado por el paciente. Se ha planteado que el uso de vitamina C podría prevenir la aparición de este síndrome en pacientes con trauma y cirugía de extremidades. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos dos revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen sólo un estudio controlado aleatorizado. Realizamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que existe incertidumbre sobre si la vitamina C podría ser útil en la prevención del síndrome de dolor regional complejo en estos pacientes porque la certeza de la evidencia es muy baja.

Should we add vancomycin antibiotic powder to prevent post operative infection in spine surgery?

Intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis is routinely administered to prevent surgical site infection in spinal surgery. Adding intrawound vancomycin powder before surgical closure might further decrease infection risk. However, its use is controversial. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified six systematic reviews that considered 16 studies, including one randomized controlled trial. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded vancomycin probably does not decrease the risk of infection in low risk surgery, but there is uncertainty about its effects in populations or surgeries with a higher risk because the certainty of the evidence is very low.

La profilaxis antibiótica endovenosa es de uso rutinario para la prevención de infección postoperatoria en cirugía de columna. Se ha planteado que la aplicación de vancomicina en polvo en el campo quirúrgico previo al cierre por planos podría tener un efecto adicional, sin embargo, su uso es controvertido. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos seis revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto consideran 16 estudios pertinentes, incluyendo un estudio controlado aleatorizado. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Se concluye que el uso de vancomicina probablemente no disminuye el riesgo de infección en cirugías de bajo riesgo, pero existe incertidumbre sobre el efecto en poblaciones o cirugías con un riesgo mayor porque la certeza de la evidencia es muy baja.

The Spine Instability Neoplastic Score: an independent reliability and reproducibility analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic vertebral instability has not yet been clearly defined in the literature; there still exists a paucity of reliable criteria to assess the risk of vertebral collapse. PURPOSE: We performed an independent interobserver and intraobserver agreement evaluation of the Spine Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) and correlated the score with selected clinical cases and the treatment they received. STUDY DESIGN: Independent reliability study for the newly created SINS. PATIENT SAMPLE: Thirty patients who underwent either radiotherapy alone or surgery followed by radiotherapy were randomly selected from the orthopedic surgery and radiotherapy department's databases. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were rated and classified for spinal stability using SINS. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Fleiss's kappa measures were occupied for reliability analysis. METHODS: Patients who underwent either radiotherapy alone or surgery followed by radiotherapy were randomly selected and classified for spinal stability using the SINS by orthopedic surgeons and nonorthopedic oncology specialists. ICC and Fleiss's kappa were calculated for inter- and intraobserver agreement. A comparative analysis of SINS and the actual management was also conducted. RESULTS: Interobserver ICC reliability for the SINS was 0.79; κ values for location, pain, bone quality, alignment, vertebral body collapse, and posterolateral involvement were 0.81, 0.58, 0.21, 0.45, 0.42, and 0.29 respectively. Intraobserver ICC for the SINS scores was 0.96; ICC values for the same components were 0.98, 0.98, 0.87, 0.88, 0.92, and 0.86, respectively. Potentially unstable lesions (SINS score≥7) were operated on in 62.5%. CONCLUSIONS: SINS seem to be a reproducible tool that could be used equally by multiple specialists to estimate metastatic vertebral stability; however, prospective clinical validation is still pending.

Expression of functional KISS1 and KISS1R system is altered in human pituitary adenomas: evidence for apoptotic action of kisspeptin-10.

CONTEXT: KISS1 was originally identified as a metastasis-suppressor gene able to inhibit tumor progression. KISS1 gene products, the kisspeptins, bind to a G-protein-coupled receptor (KISS1R, formerly GPR54), which is highly expressed in placenta, pituitary, and pancreas, whereas KISS1 mRNA is mainly expressed in placenta, hypothalamus, striatum, and pituitary. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: KISS1/KISS1R pituitary expression profile, coupled to their anti-tumoral capacities, led us to hypothesize that this system may be involved in the biology of pituitary tumors. To explore this notion, expression levels of KISS1R and KISS1 were evaluated in normal and adenomatous pituitaries. Additionally, functionality of this system was assessed by treating dispersed pituitary adenoma cells in primary culture with kisspeptin-10 and evaluating intracellular calcium kinetics and apoptotic rate. RESULTS: Both KISS1 and KISS1R were expressed in normal pituitary, whereas this simultaneous expression was frequently lost in pituitary tumors, where diverse patterns of KISS1/KISS1R expression were observed that differed among distinct types of pituitary adenomas. Measurement of calcium kinetics revealed that kisspeptin-10 elicits a remarkable increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in individual cells from four out of the five GH-producing adenomas studied, whereas cells derived from non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA, n=45) did not respond. In contrast, kisspeptin-10 treatment increased the apoptotic rate in cells derived from both GH-producing and NFPA. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide primary evidence that KISS1 and KISS1R expression can be differentially lost in pituitary tumor subtypes, where this system can exert functional, proapoptotic actions, and thereby offer novel insights to investigate the biology and therapeutic options to treat these tumors.

Actualización en estenorraquis lumbar: diagnóstico, tratamiento y controversias / Spinal lumbar stenosis: An update

Spinal lumbar stenosis is a disease that occurs mainly between the 5th and 7th decade of life and can be congenital or acquired. The latter has many etiologies, but a degenerative cause is the most common. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal diameter caused by many factors such as bulging discs, hypertrophy of flavum ligament, facet capsule thickening and osteophyte formation. The classical symptom of the disease is sciatic pain, that improves with lumbar flexion and worsens with ambulation. Neurological examination is often normal and the most useful imaging test is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conservative management consists in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and epidural - radicular infiltrations. Spinal infiltrations have a proven efficacy for pain management. A good result of this therapy predicts a favorable outcome after surgery. Surgical treatment consists in decompression with or without lumbar fusion. The addition of an arthrodesis is recommended for degenerative spondylolisthesis, correction of deformities, recurrent spinal stenosis with instability, sagittal or coronal imbalance and adjacent segment disease.