Systematic Review of Injuries and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Among High-speed Boat Operators.

INTRODUCTION: High-speed boat operators constitute a population at risk of work-related injuries and disabilities. This review aimed to summarize the available knowledge on workplace-related injuries and chronic musculoskeletal pain among high-speed boat operators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this systematic review, we searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library Database for studies, published from 1980 to 2022, on occupational health and hazards onboard high-speed boats. Studies and reports were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated, compared, used, or described harms associated with impact exposure onboard high-speed boats. Studies focusing on recreational injuries and operators of non-planing boats were excluded. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of acute injuries. The secondary outcome measures comprised the presence of chronic musculoskeletal disorders, pain medication use, and days off work. RESULTS: Of the 163 search results, 5 (2 prospective longitudinal and 3 cross-sectional cohort studies) were included in this systematic review. A total of 804 cases with 3,312 injuries sustained during 3,467 person-years onboard high-speed boats were included in the synthesis of the results. The pooled incidence rate was 1.0 per person-year. The most common injuries were related to the lower back (26%), followed by neck (16%) and head (12%) injuries. The pooled prevalence of chronic pain was 74% (95% CI: 73-75%) and 60% (95% CI: 59-62%) of the cohort consumed analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite very limited data, this review found evidence that high-speed boat operators have a higher rate of injuries and a higher prevalence of chronic pain than other naval service operators and the general workforce. Given the low certainty of these findings, further prospective research is required to verify the injury incidence and chronic pain prevalence among high-speed boat operators.

Supporting the Frontlines: A Scoping Review Addressing the Health Challenges of Military Personnel and Veterans.

(1) Background: Military personnel and veterans meet unique health challenges that stem from the complex interplay of their service experiences, the nature of warfare, and their interactions with both military and civilian healthcare systems. This study aims to examine the myriad of injuries and medical conditions specific to this population, encompassing physical and psychological traumas. (2) Methods: A scoping review (systematic search and non-systematic review) was performed to evaluate the current landscape of military healthcare. (3) Results: A significant change in the injury profile over time is identified, linked to shifts in combat strategies and the integration of advanced technologies in warfare. Environmental exposures to diverse chemical or natural agents further complicate the health of service members. Additionally, the stressors they face, ranging from routine stress to traumatic experiences, lead to various mental health challenges. A major concern is the gap in healthcare accessibility and quality, worsened by challenges in the civilian healthcare system's capacity to address these unique needs and the military healthcare system's limitations. (4) Conclusions: This review underscores the need for holistic, integrated approaches to care, rigorous research, and targeted interventions to better serve the health needs of military personnel and veterans.

The Use of Prehospital Intensive Care Units in Emergencies-A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Amidst a rising tide of trauma-related emergencies, emergency departments worldwide grapple with the challenges of overcrowding and prolonged patient wait times. Addressing these challenges, the integration of prehospital intensive care units has appeared as a promising solution, streamlining trauma care and enhancing patient safety. Nevertheless, the feasibility of such an initiative becomes murky when considered globally. This review delves into the intricacies of prehospital intensive care units' deployment for trauma care, scrutinizing their configurations, operational practices, and the inherent challenges and research priorities. METHODS: A scoping review was performed for eligible studies. The result was uploaded to the RAYYAN research platform, facilitating simultaneous evaluation of the studies by all researchers. RESULTS: A total of 42 studies were initially selected. Four studies were duplicates, and 25 studies were unanimously removed as irrelevant. The remaining studies (n = 13) were included in the review, and the outcomes were categorized into diverse subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: A country's emergency medical services must achieve specific milestones in education, competency, resource availability, and performance to effectively harness the potential of a prehospital intensive care unit. While certain nations are equipped, others lag, highlighting a global disparity in readiness for such advanced care modalities.

Determining surgical surge capacity with a hybrid simulation exercise.

Background: To help test and improve surgical surge capacity, mass casualty incident (MCI) exercises generate valuable information. Both large scale table-top exercises (TTX) and full-scale exercises (FSX) have limitations if you want to test an organisation's capability and structure. A hybrid exercise incorporating the advantages of TTX and FSX is a possible way forward, but is no standardised exercise method, yet. This study aims at evaluating the exercise results to determine the feasibility of a hybrid TTX/FSX exercise for an organization's capability and structure. Methods: A hybrid MCI simulation using moulaged figurants and simulation cards was designed, where the emergency department of a level 1 trauma centre receives 103 casualties over 4 h. After registration and triage, all casualties are expected to be resuscitated in real time and are transferred for further treatment inside the hospital (radiology, operating theatres, intensive care unit (ICU)/postop and wards). When reaching operation theatre, ICU or ward, figurants are replaced by simulation cards. Observers ensured that those procedures performed were adequate and adhered to realistic times. Use of resources (materials, drugs etc.) were registered. Primary endpoint was average time spent in the emergency department, from time of arrival, to transfer out. Secondary endpoints were related to patient flow and avoidable fatalities. Results: The hospital managed to deal with the flow of patients without collapse of existing systems. Operating theatres as well as ICU and ward beds were available at the end of the exercise. Several details in the hospital response were observed that had not been noticed during previous TTX. Conclusion: FSX have a valuable role in training, equipping, exercising, and evaluating MCI management. Hybrid simulations combining both FSX and TTX may optimise resource utilisation and allow more frequent exercises with similar organisational benefit.

Does climate change transform military medicine and defense medical support?

Background: Climate change has effects on multiple aspects of human life, such as access to food and water, expansion of endemic diseases as well as an increase of natural disasters and related diseases. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on climate change effects on military occupational health, military healthcare in a deployed setting, and defense medical logistics. Methods: Online databases and registers were searched on August 22nd, 2022 and 348 papers retrieved, published between 2000 and 2022, from which we selected 8 publications that described climate effects on military health. Papers were clustered according to a modified theoretical framework for climate change effects on health, and relevant items from each paper were summarized. Results: During the last decades a growing body of climate change related publications was identified, which report that climate change has a significant impact on human physiology, mental health, water- and vector borne infectious diseases, as well as air pollution. However, regarding the specific climate effects on military health the level of evidence is low. The effects on defense medical logistics include vulnerabilities in the cold supply chain, in medical devices functioning, in need for air conditioning, and in fresh water supply. Conclusions: Climate change may transform both the theoretical framework and practical implementations in military medicine and military healthcare systems. There are significant knowledge gaps on climate change effects on the health of military personnel in operations of both combat and non-combat nature, alerting the need for prevention and mitigation of climate-related health issues. Further research within the fields of disaster and military medicine is needed to explore this novel field. As climate effects on humans and the medical supply chain may degrade military capability, significant investments in military medical research and development are needed.

Teaching extent and military service improve undergraduate self-assessed knowledge in disaster medicine: An online survey study among Swedish medical and nursing students.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the possible needs for undergraduate disaster medicine education in Sweden and to make informed recommendations for the implementation of disaster medicine content in medical and nursing schools in Sweden. Methods: An online survey was distributed to undergraduate medical and nursing students through the directors of all medical and nursing programs at Swedish universities. The survey contained demographic questions, as well as questions about the amount of disaster medical education and previous experience with rescue, police, or military services. The final survey page contained self-assessments of disaster medical knowledge. Comparative statistics were applied between nursing and medical students, those with previous military service, and those without, as well as between universities. Results: A total of 500 medical and 408 nursing students participated in this study. A median of 2 h of disaster medicine education was provided to senior medical students and 4 h was provided to senior nursing students. Senior medical students scored their disaster medical knowledge lower than nursing students (t-test, p < 0.001). A proportion of 1% had served in rescue services or police, and 7% of the participants had a history of military service, of which 67% served in a medical role. Those who had served in rescue services, police, or the armed forces had a higher self-assessed disaster medical knowledge base than those who had not (p < 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Most medical and nursing students in this study rated their disaster medical knowledge as insufficient. The correlation between the amount of disaster medical education and self-assessed disaster medical knowledge should influence and help direct Swedish educational policies.

Predicting survival of patients with spinal metastatic disease using PathFx 3.0 - A validation study of 668 patients in Sweden.

Introduction: PathFx is a computer-based prediction model for estimating survival of patients with bone metastasis. The model has been validated in several studies, but this is the first validation using exclusively patients with spinal metastases. Research question: Is PathFx 3.0 a tool useful for predicting survival for patients with spinal metastatic disease? Material and methods: 668 patients (67% male, median age 67 years) presenting with spinal metastases at two university hospitals in Sweden 1991-2014 were included. Of those, the majority (82%, n â€‹= â€‹551) underwent surgery. Data on all patients was analyzed with PathFx version 3.0, generating a probability of survival at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. The predictions were compared to real survival data and the precision in estimation was evaluated with Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analysis where the Area Under Curve (AUC) was calculated. Brier score and decision curve analyses were also assessed. Results: The AUC for 1-, 3-, 6- and 12 months survival predictions were 0.64 (95% CI 0.5-0.71), 0.71 (95% CI 0.67-0.75), 0.70 (95% CI 0.66-0.77) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.70-0.78). For 18- and 24 months survival the AUC were 0.74 (95% CI 0.69-0.78) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.81). The Brier scores were all 0.23 or lower depending on the estimated survival time. Discussion and conclusion: PathFx 3.0 is a reasonably reliable tool for predicting survival in patients with spinal metastatic disease. As the PathFx computer model can be updated to reflect advancements in oncology, we suggest this type of model, rather than rigid point-based scoring systems, to be used for estimating survival in patients with metastatic spinal disease in the future.

Does Military High-speed Boat Slamming Cause Severe Injuries and Disability?

BACKGROUND: Many operators of professional high-speed boats suffer severe, acute, and permanent injuries caused by slamming-induced hull impacts. As the number of professional high-speed boats and their speed capabilities increase, operators are reporting increasing numbers and severity of injuries. However, the actual incidence rate of acute injuries and the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal disorders are still unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We sought to investigate, among professional high-speed boat operators, (1) the self-reported incidence rate of impact-induced injuries, (2) the most common types of injuries or injury locations, (3) what impact characteristics were reported, and (4) the prevalence of self-reported sick leave, disability, and medical or orthopaedic treatment. METHODS: This study was an internet-based survey among retired military high-speed boat operators. The survey was given to members of the Combatant Craft Crewman Association online user group (360 members). Participants answered questions on demographics, service branch, service years and capacity, boat type, types of events, injury location, severity, pain, disability, and need for treatment. Values are presented as the mean ± SD and proportions. Incidence rates are presented as injuries per person-year. A total of 214 members of the Combatant Craft Crewman Association participated in the survey (213 men, mean age 50 ± 9 years, mean BMI 29 ± 4 kg/m 2 ). A total of 59% (214 of 360) of those we surveyed provided responses; all provided complete survey responses. RESULTS: The self-reported incidence rate of impact-induced injuries was 1.1 injuries per person-year served onboard. A total of 32% (775 of 2460) of respondents reported injuries that affected the back, and 21% (509 of 2460) reported injuries that affected the neck. Among those who responded, 33% (70 of 214) reported loss of consciousness onboard, and 70% (149 of 214) reported having experienced impaired capacity to perform their job onboard because of impact exposure. A total of 49% (889 of 1827) of the reported injuries were attributed to impacts containing lateral forces, 18% (333 of 1827) to frontal impacts, and 12% (218 of 1827) were attributed to purely vertical impacts. Finally, 67% (144 of 214) of respondents reported at least one occasion of sick leave from training or missions. Seventy-two percent (155 of 214) applied for a Veterans Affairs disability rating, and 68% (105 of 155) of these had a rating of 50% or higher. Additionally, 39% (84 of 214) reported having had surgery during active duty, and 34% (72 of 214) reported surgery after leaving active service. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in the investigated military population, exposure to slamming-induced impacts onboard high-speed boats may cause more injuries than previously reported. Most reported injuries are musculoskeletal, but the high number of reported slamming-induced events of unconsciousness is concerning. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study.

Review of Military Casualties in Modern Conflicts-The Re-emergence of Casualties From Armored Warfare.

INTRODUCTION: The re-emergence of armored warfare in modern conflicts has resulted in a higher number of extremity injuries, burns, and brain injuries. Despite this dramatic increase, little is reported on the type of injuries caused and their management. This review summarizes the publicly available literature and reports on the rate and type of injuries related to armored warfare, their medical outcomes, and management limitations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This rapid evidence review involves a systematic literature search, followed by a non-systematic literature review. The reason for choosing this approach was the inherent lack of quantitative outcome data in the literature to satisfy the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. The study also used content analysis to study all peer-reviewed articles, focusing on similarities and differences in the findings necessary to formulate tentative results. The electronic search included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using the following search string: "Armored; Injuries; Mechanized; Morbidity; Mortality; War; Warfare", alone or in combination. RESULTS: Modern conflicts are associated with higher number of extremity injuries, burns, and brain injuries among military casualties. Several publications claim that the characteristics of armored warfare and anticipated injuries in this type of warfare might require the far forward deployment of medical support supported by a reliable casualty evacuation chain. Still the quality of the available casualty data is low. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the limited availability of reliable data or military trauma registries, up-to-date military casualty estimation remains a recognized knowledge gap, which needs to be addressed by armed forces worldwide. The future management of modern war casualties requires professional and well-trained staff in all levels, indicating a need for educational initiatives to provide both nurses and medics a greater proportion of medical care and management capabilities and responsibilities than in past conflicts.

Estimating the Number of Civilian Casualties in Modern Armed Conflicts-A Systematic Review.

Objective: To examine the possibility of estimating the number of civilian casualties in modern armed conflicts. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science search engines. The outcome was analyzed using a qualitative inductive thematic analysis. The scientific evidence of selected article was assessed, using the Health Evidence Quality Assessment Tool. Findings: The review of 66 included articles in this study indicates that with an increasing number of public health emergencies and the lack of vital elements of life such as water and food, emerging armed conflicts seem to be inevitable. In contrast to military-led cross-border traditional wars, modern armed conflicts affect internally on local communities and take civilian lives. Consequently, the measures and tools used in traditional military-led cross-border wars to adequately tally wounded and dead for many decades under the mandates of the International Humanitarian Law, is insufficient for modern warfare. While casualty counting during modern conflicts is deficient due to organizational, political or strategic reasons, the international organizations responsible for collecting such data (the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent and International Institute of Humanitarian Law) face difficulties to access the conflict scene, resulting in under-reported, unreliable or no-reported data. Conclusion: There are challenges in estimating and counting the number of civilian casualties in modern warfare. Although the global need for such data is evident, the risks and barriers to obtaining such data should be recognized, and the need for new international involvement in future armed conflicts should be emphasized.

Survival after surgery for spinal metastatic disease: a nationwide multiregistry cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate survival after surgery and indications for surgery due to spinal metastatic disease. DESIGN: A retrospective longitudinal multiregistry nationwide cohort study. SETTING: 19 public hospitals in Sweden with spine surgery service, where 6 university hospitals account for over 90% of the cases. PARTICIPANTS: 1820 patients 18 years or older undergoing surgery due to spinal metastatic disease 2006-2018 and registered in Swespine, the Swedish national spine surgery registry. INTERVENTIONS: Decompressive and/or stabilising spine surgery due to spinal metastatic disease. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Survival (median and mean) after surgery. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Indications for surgery, types of surgery and causes of death. RESULTS: The median estimated survival after surgery was 6.2 months (95% CI: 5.6 to 6.8) and the mean estimated survival time was 12.2 months (95% CI: 11.4 to 13.1). Neurologic deficit was the most common indication for surgery and posterior stabilisation was performed in 70.5% of the cases. A neoplasm was stated as the main cause of death for 97% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Both median and mean survival times were well above the generally accepted thresholds for surgical treatment for spinal metastases, suggesting that patient selection for surgical treatment on a national level is adequate. Further research on quality of life after surgery and prognostication is needed.

Does knowledge of the primary tumour affect survival after surgery for spinal metastatic disease? A retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare survival after surgery for patients with spinal metastatic disease with known primary tumour (KPT) versus patients with unknown primary tumour (UPT). PARTICIPANTS: 393 patients 18 years or older (270 men and 123 women, mean age 67.3 years) undergoing surgery at Uppsala University Hospital in Swedenbetween 2006 and 2016due to spinal metastatic disease . 271 patients (69%) had a KPT at the time of surgery and 122 (31%) had an UPT. INTERVENTIONS: Decompressive and/or stabilising spine surgery due to spinal metastatic disease. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Survival (median and mean) after surgery. RESULTS: The estimated median survival time after surgery for patients with KPT was 7.4 months (95% CI 6.0 to 8.7) and mean survival time was 21.6 months (95% CI 17.2 to 26.0). For patients with UPT, the median estimated survival time after surgery was 15.6 months (95% CI 7.5 to 23.7) and the mean survival time was 48.1 months (95% CI 37.3 to 59.0) (Breslow, p=0.001). Unknown primary cancer was a positive predictor of survival after surgery (Cox regression, HR=0.58, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.73). CONCLUSION: In this study, patients with spinal metastasis and UPT had a longer expected survival after surgery compared with patients with KPT. This suggests that patients with UPT and spinal metastasis should not be withheld from surgery only based on the fact that the primary tumour is unknown.

The Development of Swedish Military Healthcare System: Part II-Re-evaluating the Military and Civilian Healthcare Systems in Crises Through a Dialogue and Study Among Practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: Historical changes have transformed Sweden from being an offensive to a defensive and collaborative nation with national and international engagement, allowing it to finally achieve the ground for the civilian-military collaboration and the concept of a total defense healthcare. At the same time, with the decreasing number of international and interstate conflicts, and the military's involvement in national emergencies and humanitarian disaster relief, both the need and the role of the military healthcare system within the civilian society have been challenged. The recent impact of the COVID-19 in the USA and the necessity of military involvement have led health practitioners to anticipate and re-evaluate conditions that might exceed the civilian capacity of their own countries and the need to have collaboration with the military healthcare. This study investigated both these challenges and views from practitioners regarding the benefits of such collaboration and the manner in which it would be initiated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A primary study was conducted among responsive countries using a questionnaire created using the Nominal Group Technique. Relevant search subjects and keywords were extracted for a systematic review of the literature, according to the PRISMA model. RESULTS: The 14 countries responding to the questionnaire had either a well-developed military healthcare system or units created in collaboration with the civilian healthcare. The results from the questionnaire and the literature review indicated a need for transfer of military medical knowledge and resources in emergencies to the civilian health components, which in return, facilitated training opportunities for the military staff to maintain their skills and competencies. CONCLUSIONS: As the world witnesses a rapid change in the etiology of disasters and various crises, neither the military nor the civilian healthcare systems can address or manage the outcomes independently. There is an opportunity for both systems to develop future healthcare in collaboration. Rethinking education and training in war and conflict is indisputable. Collaborative educational initiatives in disaster medicine, public health and complex humanitarian emergencies, international humanitarian law, and the Geneva Convention, along with advanced training in competency-based skill sets, should be included in the undergraduate education of health professionals for the benefit of humanity.

The History of Swedish Military Healthcare System and Its Path Toward Civilian-Military Collaboration From a Total Defense Perspective.

INTRODUCTION: The interaction between military and civilian healthcare systems has contributed to the development of medical care. Swedish innovations such as the Seldinger technique for angiography, Leksell Gamma Knife for cranial surgery, and the introduction of pacemakers and ultrasound have contributed to the global development of medicine. Several authors have described the Swedish civilian healthcare system and its development. However, the development and history of its military healthcare system and its influence on the civilian healthcare system remain untold. This review aims to describe the historical development of the Swedish military healthcare system and its path toward civilian-military collaboration and a total defense healthcare system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search for all published scientific papers in Swedish and English, along with available legal documents and directives, was made. We used CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Gothenburg University's databases and search engines. The following keywords, Swedish, military, civilian, healthcare, collaboration, and development, were searched for, alone or in combination, using a PRISMA flow chart. Duplicates, abstracts, and nonscientific publications were excluded. RESULTS: Each of the four distinct periods of historical development in the Swedish military healthcare system can be characterized by the changes necessary for transforming Sweden from an aggressive to a defensive and collaborative nation, with national and international engagement. Collaboration not only encompasses readiness and willingness to share resources and information, and to adjust routines and guidelines, but also needs a culture of consensus and respect for each other's limitations and capabilities. The definition of military medicine and the military physician's role in Sweden is imperative for further civilian-military collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: Recent global sociopolitical changes necessitate civilian-military healthcare collaboration. Although civilian-military healthcare partnerships in various medical fields have been reported earlier, the Swedish concept of total defense's healthcare system integration and collaboration may be a more fruitful approach. The collaboration within the total defense healthcare system will result in technical achievements, innovations, and medical advancements for the benefit of the whole nation.

Swedish emergency hospital surgical surge capacity to mass casualty incidents.

BACKGROUND: In Sweden the surgical surge capacity for mass casualty incidents (MCI) is managed by county councils within their dedicated budget. It is unclear whether healthcare budget constraints have affected the regional MCI preparedness. This study was designed to investigate the current surgical MCI preparedness at Swedish emergency hospitals. METHODS: Surveys were distributed in 2015 to department heads of intensive care units (ICU) and surgery at 54 Swedish emergency hospitals. The survey contained quantitative measures as the number of (1) surgical trauma teams in hospital and available after activating the disaster plan, (2) surgical theatres suitable for multi-trauma care, and (3) surgical ICU beds. The survey was also distributed to the Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine. RESULTS: 53 hospitals responded to the survey (98%). Included were 10 university hospitals (19%), 42 county hospitals (79%), and 1 private hospital (2%). Within 8 h the surgical capacity could be increased from 105 to 399 surgical teams, while 433 surgical theatres and 480 ICU beds were made available. The surgical surge capacity differed between university hospitals and county hospitals, and regional differences were identified regarding the availability of surgical theatres and ICU beds. CONCLUSIONS: The MCI preparedness of Swedish emergency care hospitals needs further attention. To improve Swedish surgical MCI preparedness a national strategy for trauma care in disaster management is necessary.

Predictive Scores Underestimate Survival of Patients With Metastatic Spine Disease: A Retrospective Study of 315 Patients in Sweden.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To validate the precision of four predictive scoring systems for spinal metastatic disease and evaluate whether they underestimate or overestimate survival. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Metastatic spine disease is a common complication to malignancies. Several scoring systems are available to predict survival and to help the clinician to select surgical or nonsurgical treatment. METHODS: Three hundred fifteen adult patients (213 men, 102 women, mean age 67 yr) undergoing spinal surgery at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, due to metastatic spine disease 2006 to 2012 were included. Data were collected prospectively for the Swedish Spine Register and retrospectively from the medical records. Tokuhashi scores, Revised Tokuhashi Scores, Tomita scores, and Modified Bauer Scores were calculated and compared with actual survival data from the Swedish Population Register. RESULTS: The mean estimated survival time after surgery for all patients included was 12.4 months (confidence interval 10.6-14.2) and median 5.9 months (confidence interval 4.5-7.3). All four scores had significant correlation to survival (P < 0.0001) but tended to underestimate rather than overestimate survival. Modified Bauer Score was the best of the four scores to predict short survival, both regarding median and mean survival. Tokuhashi score was found to be the best of the scores to predict long survival, even though the predictions were inaccurate in 42% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Predictive scores underestimate survival for the patients which might affect important clinical decisions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Artificial disc replacement versus fusion in patients with cervical degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy: a randomized controlled trial with 5-year outcomes.

In BriefIn this study the authors compare cervical arthroplasty with fusion surgery in a randomized controlled trial using patient-reported outcome measures and MRI after 5 years of follow-up. Because the main purpose of arthroplasties is to prevent adjacent-segment pathology, it is important to investigate if that is actually realized in practice.

Characteristics of deformity surgery in patients with severe and rigid cervical kyphosis (CK): results of the CSRS-Europe multi-centre study project.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Little information exists on surgical characteristics, complications and outcomes with corrective surgery for rigid cervical kyphosis (CK). To collate the experience of international experts, the CSRS-Europe initiated an international multi-centre retrospective study. METHODS: Included were patients at all ages with rigid CK. Surgical and patient specific characteristics, complications and outcomes were studied. Radiographic assessment included global and regional sagittal parameters. Cervical sagittal balance was stratified according to the CSRS-Europe classification of sagittal cervical balance (types A-D). RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients with average age of 58 years were included. CK etiology was ankylosing spondlitis (n = 34), iatrogenic (n = 25), degenerative (n = 9), syndromatic (n = 6), neuromuscular (n = 4), traumatic (n = 5), and RA (n = 5). Blood loss averaged 957 ml and the osteotomy grade 4.CK-correction and blood loss increased with osteotomy grade (r = 0.4/0.6, p < .01). Patients with different preop sagittal balance types had different approaches, preop deformity parameters and postop alignment changes (e.g. C7-slope, C2-7 SVA, translation). Correction of the regional kyphosis angle (RKA) was average 34° (p < .01). CK-correction was increased in patients with osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebrae (POV, p = .006). 22% of patients experienced a major long-term complication and 14% needed revision surgery. Patients with complications had larger preop RKA (p = .01), RKA-change (p = .005), and postop increase in distal junctional kyphosis angle (p = .02). The POV-Group more often experienced postop complications (p < .0001) and revision surgery (p = .02). Patients with revision surgery had a larger RKA-change (p = .003) and postop translation (p = .04). 21% of patients had a postop segmental motor deficit and the risk was elevated in the POV-Group (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Preop patient specific, radiographic and surgical variables had a significant bearing on alignment changes, outcomes and complication occurrence in the treatment of rigid CK.

The Relationship between the Occipitocervical Junction and Thoracic Kyphosis in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 86 Cervical Fractures in Surgically Treated Patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. PURPOSE: To describe the radiological characteristics of the occipitocervical area in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using the novel measure X-angle and to describe the correlation between the ankylosed occipitoatlantoaxial (OAA) joint and thoracic kyphosis (TK). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: AS affects the axial skeleton, leading to progressive ankylosis of all vertebral segments. The effect of ankylosis on the upper cervical area of these patients is not well documented. METHODS: All patients with complete ankylosis of the spinal column between C3 and T1, treated for cervical spinal fracture between 2007 and 2014, were eligible for inclusion in this study. The level of cervical fracture was identified. The T1-12 and T5-12 angles were measured using preoperative lateral radiography. The progressive degeneration of the C0-C1-C2 joints was evaluated via the new indicator X-angle, through the measurement of the angle of the C0-C1-C2 articulations in the coronal plane using computed tomography. RESULTS: We included 86 consecutive patients with AS (67 males) aged 69±12 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degenerative change in the C0-C1 joint (62 patients with a mobile joint and 24 patients with an ankylosed joint). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age (p =0.094) and level of fracture (p =0.949). The most commonly affected level was C6. There was no requirement for revision due to non-union in any of the patients. There was a statistically significant difference observed in the T1-12, T5-12, and X-angles (p =0.004, 0.001, and <0.001, respectively). TK was greater in the ankylosed joint group than in the mobile joint group. The X-angle was also greater in the ankylosed joint group because of the vertical destruction of the OAA joint. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic hyperkyphosis resulted in degenerative changes in the C0-C1-C2 joint in patients with AS. The X-angle is a reliable method for measuring the integrity of the C0-C1-C2 joint in such patients.