Accuracy and Workflow Improvements for Responsive Neurostimulation Hippocampal Depth Electrode Placement Using Robotic Stereotaxy.

Background: Robotic stereotaxy is increasingly common in epilepsy surgery for the implantation of stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) electrodes for intracranial seizure monitoring. The use of robots is also gaining popularity for permanent stereotactic lead implantation applications such as in deep brain stimulation and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) procedures. Objective: We describe the evolution of our robotic stereotactic implantation technique for placement of occipital-approach hippocampal RNS depth leads. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 10 consecutive patients who underwent robotic RNS hippocampal depth electrode implantation. Accuracy of depth lead implantation was measured by registering intraoperative post-implantation fluoroscopic CT images and post-operative CT scans with the stereotactic plan to measure implantation accuracy. Seizure data were also collected from the RNS devices and analyzed to obtain initial seizure control outcome estimates. Results: Ten patients underwent occipital-approach hippocampal RNS depth electrode placement for medically refractory epilepsy. A total of 18 depth electrodes were included in the analysis. Six patients (10 electrodes) were implanted in the supine position, with mean target radial error of 1.9 ± 0.9 mm (mean ± SD). Four patients (8 electrodes) were implanted in the prone position, with mean radial error of 0.8 ± 0.3 mm. The radial error was significantly smaller when electrodes were implanted in the prone position compared to the supine position (p = 0.002). Early results (median follow-up time 7.4 months) demonstrate mean seizure frequency reduction of 26% (n = 8), with 37.5% achieving ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency as measured by RNS long episode counts. Conclusion: Prone positioning for robotic implantation of occipital-approach hippocampal RNS depth electrodes led to lower radial target error compared to supine positioning. The robotic platform offers a number of workflow advantages over traditional frame-based approaches, including parallel rather than serial operation in a bilateral case, decreased concern regarding human error in setting frame coordinates, and surgeon comfort.

Incidence of Epilepsy and Associated Risk Factors in Perinatal Ischemic Stroke Survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a serious and often lifelong consequence of perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS). Variable incidences and risk factors for long-term epilepsy in PAIS have been reported. To determine the incidence of epilepsy in PAIS survivors and report factors associated with the risk of developing epilepsy, a meta-analysis and systematic review of prior publications was performed. METHODS: We examined studies on perinatal or neonatal patients (≤28 days of life) with arterial ischemic strokes in which the development of epilepsy was reported. EMBASE and MEDLINE/PubMed databases were systematically searched in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of 10 studies revealed a summary incidence of epilepsy in PAIS patients of 27.2% (95% confidence interval 16.6% to 41.4%) over a mean study duration of 10.4 years (range 1.5 to 17). More recent studies generally reported a lower epilepsy incidence. A systematic review identified seven possible risk factors for epilepsy in PAIS patients: hippocampal volume reduction, infarct on prenatal ultrasound, a modified Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography score ≥9, family history of seizures, cerebral palsy, and initial presentation with cognitive impairment or seizures. CONCLUSIONS: About a third of children with PAIS will develop epilepsy. While seven possible risk factors have been reported, further research is warranted to confirm the strength of their association with the development of epilepsy.

Type 2 diabetes is an independent negative prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgical resection of a WHO grade I meningioma.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, there has been increased recognition of the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and poor outcomes following a variety of surgical procedures. We sought to study the role of type 2 DM as a prognostic factor affecting the long-term survival of patients undergoing surgical resection of a WHO Grade I meningioma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 196 patients who had a WHO Grade I meningioma resected at our institution between 2001 and 2013. The medical record was reviewed to identify a pre-existing diagnosis of type 2 DM. Patient mortality was reviewed by medical record and Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Variables associated with survival in a univariate analysis were included in the multivariate Cox model if P<0.10. Variables with probability values >0.05 were then removed from the multivariate model in a step-wise fashion. RESULTS: 33 (17%) patients had pre-existing diagnoses of type 2 DM prior to clinical presentation. Mean survival time in diabetic patients was 52.1 months compared to 160.9 months in non-diabetics. The decreased survival rate and time in patients with type 2 DM were found to be statistically significant (p=0.008 and p<0.0001, respectively). In a multivariate Cox analysis, a pre-existing history of type 2 DM was independently associated with decreased survival following the resection of a WHO Grade I meningioma (HR=2.6, p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: A pre-existing diagnosis of type 2 DM is an independent negative prognostic indicator following the resection of a WHO Grade I meningioma.

Short-term postoperative surveillance imaging may be unnecessary in elderly patients with resected WHO Grade I meningiomas.

The optimal timing and frequency of postoperative imaging surveillance after a meningioma resection are not well-established. The low recurrence rates and slow growth of World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I meningiomas in particular have raised doubts about the utility of postoperative imaging surveillance. We sought to analyze the cost and utility of asymptomatic surveillance imaging in elderly patients after the resection of a WHO Grade I meningioma. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 45 patients who had a primary WHO Grade I meningioma resected at our institution between 2001-2013 at or above the age of 60 with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. All postoperative clinic notes were reviewed alongside imaging results to verify that patients were asymptomatic during the surveillance period. MRI and CT scan costs (all $USD) were estimated at $599.61 and $334.31 respectively based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid national averages. During an average follow-up period of 4.5 years, the average number of total imaging studies performed per asymptomatic patient was 3.58 with an average total cost of $2086.30 per patient. Forty-two (93%) patients had no new abnormal findings on any of their imaging. Three (7%) patients demonstrated either a new meningioma or progressive growth of the postoperative residual tumor on imaging. No asymptomatic patient underwent a reoperation. Our data suggest that elderly patients with resected WHO Grade I meningiomas are at low risk for recurrence and may not need asymptomatic surveillance imaging for the first several postoperative years.

Surgical site infection in orthopedic trauma: A case-control study evaluating risk factors and cost.

BACKGROUND: With the shift of our healthcare system toward a value-based system of reimbursement, complications such as surgical site infections (SSI) may not be reimbursed. The purpose of our study was to investigate the costs and risk factors of SSI for orthopedic trauma patients. METHODS: Through retrospective analysis, 1819 patients with isolated fractures were identified. Of those, 78 patients who developed SSIs were compared to 78 uninfected control patients. Patients were matched by fracture location, type of fracture, duration of surgery, and as close as possible to age, year of surgery, and type of procedure. Costs for treatment during primary hospitalization and initial readmission were determined and potential risk factors were collected from patient charts. A Wilcoxon test was used to compare the overall costs of treatment for case and control patients. Costs were further broken down into professional fees and technical charges for analysis. Risk factors for SSIs were analyzed through a chi-squared analysis. RESULTS: Median cost for treatment for patients with SSIs was $108,782 compared to $57,418 for uninfected patients (p < 0.001). Professional fees and technical charges were found to be significantly higher for infected patients. No significant risk factors for SSIs were determined. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the potential for financial losses in our new healthcare system due to uncompensated care. SSIs nearly double the cost of treatment for orthopedic trauma patients. There is no single driver of these costs. Reducing postoperative stay may be one method for reducing the cost of treating SSIs, whereas quality management programs may decrease risk of infection.

Ankle Fractures and Modality of Hospital Transport at a Single Level 1 Trauma Center: Does Transport by Helicopter or Ground Ambulance Influence the Incidence of Complications?

In an era of concern over the rising cost of health care, cost-effectiveness of auxiliary services merits careful evaluation. We compared costs and benefits of Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) with Ground Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) in patients with an isolated ankle fracture. A medical record review was conducted for patients with an isolated ankle fracture who had been transported to a level 1 trauma center by either HEMS or GEMS from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010. We abstracted demographic data, fracture grade, complications, and transportation mode. Transportation costs were obtained by examining medical center financial records. A total of 303 patients was included in the analysis. Of 87 (28.71%) HEMS patients, 53 (60.92%) had sustained closed injuries and 34 (39.08%) had open injuries. Of the 216 (71.29%) GEMS patients, 156 (72.22%) had closed injuries and 60 (27.78%) had open injuries. No significant difference was seen between the groups regarding the percentage of patients with open fractures or the grade of the open fracture (p = .07). No significant difference in the rate of complications was found between the 2 groups (p = 18). The mean baseline cost to transport a patient via HEMS was $10,220 + a $108/mile surcharge, whereas the mean transport cost using GEMS was $976 per patient + $16/mile. Because the HEMS mode of emergency transport did not significantly improve patient outcomes, health systems should reconsider the use of HEMS for patients with isolated ankle fractures.

Asking for the 22-modifier in isolated ankle fractures: does the operative note make the case?

We evaluated the operative notes for justification on the use of the 22-modifier in ankle fracture cases and compared the differences in physician billing and reimbursement. A total of 265 patients who had undergone operative management of isolated ankle fractures across a 10-year period were identified at a level I trauma center through a retrospective chart review. Of the 265 patients, 61 (23.0%) had been billed with the 22-modifier. The radiographs were reviewed by 3 surgeons to determine the complexity of the case. The amount of the professional fees and payments was obtained from the financial services department. Operative reports were reviewed for inclusion of eight 22-modifier criteria and word count. Mann-Whitney U tests of means were used to compare cases with and without the 22-modifier. From our analysis of preoperative radiographs, 37 (60%) showed evidence of a significantly complex fracture that justified the use of the 22-modifier. A review of the operative reports showed that 42 (68%) did not identify 2 or more reasons for requesting the 22-modifier in the report. Overall, the 22-modifier cases were not always reimbursed significantly greater amounts than the nonmodifier cases. No significant difference in the average word count of the operative notes was found. We have concluded that orthopedic trauma surgeons do not appropriately justify the use of the 22-modifier within their operative report. Further education on modifiers and the use of the operative report as billing documentation is required to ensure surgeons are adequately reimbursed for difficult trauma cases.