Microdiscectomy Insurance Medical Necessity Criteria Are Inconsistent and Unnecessarily Restrictive.

BACKGROUND: Microdiscectomy for patients with chronic lumbar radiculopathy refractory to conservative therapy has significantly better outcomes than continued nonoperative management. The North American Spine Society (NASS) outlined specific criteria to establish medical necessity for elective lumbar microdiscectomy. We hypothesized that insurance providers have substantial variability among one another and from the NASS guidelines. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of US national and local insurance companies was conducted to assess policies on coverage recommendations for lumbar microdiscectomy. Insurers were selected based on their enrollment data and market share of direct written premiums. The top 4 national insurance providers and the top 3 state-specific providers in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania were selected. Insurance coverage guidelines were accessed through a web-based search, provider account, or telephone call to the specific provider. If no policy was provided, it was documented as such. Preapproval criteria were entered as categorical variables and consolidated into 4 main categories: symptom criteria, examination criteria, imaging criteria, and conservative treatment. RESULTS: The 13 selected insurers composed roughly 31% of the market share in the United States and approximately 82%, 62%, and 76% of the market share for New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, respectively. Insurance descriptions of symptom criteria, imaging criteria, and the definition of conservative treatment had substantial differences as compared with those defined by NASS. CONCLUSION: Although a guideline to establish medical necessity was developed by NASS, many insurance companies have created their own guidelines, which have resulted in inconsistent management based on geographic location and selected provider. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Providers must be cognizant of the differing preapproval criteria needed for each in-network insurance company in order to provide effective and efficient care for patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Early Experience With Uniplanar Versus Biplanar Expandable Interbody Fusion Devices in Single-Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the early radiographic and clinical outcomes of expandable uniplanar versus biplanar interbody cages used for single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). METHODS: A retrospective review of 1-level MIS-TLIFs performed with uniplanar and biplanar polyetheretherketone cages was performed. Radiographic measurements were performed on radiographs taken preoperatively, at 6-week follow-up, and 1-year follow-up. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg at 3-month and 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients (41 uniplanar, 52 biplanar) were included. Both cage types provided significant postoperative improvements in anterior disc height, posterior disc height, and segmental lordosis at 1 year. No significant differences in cage subsidence rates were found between uniplanar (21.9%) and biplanar devices (32.7%) at 6 weeks (odds ratio, 2.015; 95% confidence interval, 0.651-6.235; p = 0.249) with no additional instances of subsidence at 1 year. No significant differences in the magnitude of improvements based on ODI, VAS back, or VAS leg at 3-month or 1-year follow-up between groups and the proportion of patients achieving the minimal clinically important difference in ODI, VAS back, or VAS leg at 1 year were not statistically significantly different (p > 0.05). Finally, there were no significant differences in complication rates (p = 0.283), 90-day readmission rates (p = 1.00), revision surgical procedures (p = 0.423), or fusion rates at 1 year (p = 0.457) between groups. CONCLUSION: Biplanar and uniplanar expandable cages offer a safe and effective means of improving anterior disc height, posterior disc height, segmental lordosis, and patient-reported outcome measures at 1 year postoperatively. No significant differences in radiographic outcomes, subsidence rates, mean subsidence distance, 1-year patient-reported outcomes, and postoperative complications were noted between groups.

Effect of Clinical and Radiographic Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Classification on Patient-reported Outcomes and Spinopelvic Parameters for Patients With Single-level L4-L5 Degenerative Spondylolisthesis After Lumbar Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether preoperative clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification is associated with differences in patient-reported outcomes and spinopelvic parameters after posterior decompression and fusion for L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). SUMMARY: The CARDS classification for lumbar DS, an alternative to the Meyerding system, considers additional radiographic findings such as disc space collapse and segmental kyphosis and stratifies DS into 4 radiographically distinct classes. Although CARDS has been shown to be a reliable and reproducible method for classifying DS, very few studies have assessed whether the CARDS types represent distinct clinical entities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients with L4-L5 DS who underwent posterior lumbar decompression and fusion. Changes in spinopelvic alignment and patient-reported outcomes measures, including recovery ratios and percentage of patients achieving the minimal clinically important difference, were compared among patients in each CARDS classification 1-year postoperatively using analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H with Dunn post hoc analysis. Multiple linear regression determined whether CARDS groups significantly predicted patient-reported outcomes measures, lumbar lordosis (LL), and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (PI-LL) while controlling for demographic and surgical characteristics. RESULTS: Preoperative type B spondylolisthesis predicted decreased improvement in "physical component and mental component score of the short form-12" compared with type A spondylolisthesis (ß-coefficient = -5.96, P = 0.031) at 1 year. Significant differences were found between CARDS groups with regards to ΔLL (A: -1.63 degrees vs B: -1.17 degrees vs C: 2.88 degrees vs D: 3.19 degrees, P = 0.010) and ΔPI-LL (A: 1.02 degrees vs B: 2.09 degrees vs C: -2.59 degrees vs D: -3.70 degrees, P = 0.012). Preoperative type C spondylolisthesis was found to predict increased LL (ß-coefficient = 4.46, P = 0.0054) and decreased PI-LL (ß-coefficient = -3.49, P = 0.025) at 1 year compared with type A spondylolisthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and radiographic outcomes differed significantly by preoperative CARDS classification type for patients undergoing posterior decompression and fusion for L4-L5 DS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Does a High Postoperative Opioid Dose Predict Chronic Use After ACDF?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine if increased postoperative prescription opioid dosing is an isolated predictor of chronic opioid use after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative diseases from 2016-2019 at a single institution was performed. Preoperative and postoperative opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions, including morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) and duration of use, were obtained from the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Univariate analysis compared patient demographics and surgical factors across groups on the basis of postoperative opioid dose (high: MME ≥90, low: MME <90) and chronicity of use (chronic: ≥120 days or >10 prescriptions). Logistic regressions identified predictors of high opioid dose and chronic use. RESULTS: A total of 385 patients were included. Preoperative opioid tolerance and tobacco use were associated with high postoperative opioid dose and chronic usage. Younger age correlated with high-dose prescriptions. Increased body mass index and preoperative benzodiazepine use were associated with chronic opioid use. Chronic postoperative opioid use correlated with high-dose prescriptions, change in opioid prescribed, private pay scripts, and more than 1 prescriber and pharmacy. Logistic regression identified high postoperative opioid dose, opioid tolerance, increased body mass index, and no prior cervical surgery as predictors of chronic opioid use. Regression analysis determined younger age, increased medical comorbidities, and opioid tolerance to be predictors for high MME prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: High postoperative opioid dose independently predicted chronic opioid use after ACDF regardless of preoperative opioid tolerance.

Static versus Expandable Interbody Fusion Devices: A Comparison of 1-Year Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: To compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of static versus expandable interbody cages in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using minimally invasive surgery (MIS-TLIF). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Expandable interbody cages may potentially improve radiographic and clinical outcomes following MIS-TLIF compared to static pages, but at a potentially higher cost and increased rates of subsidence. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 1- and 2-level MIS-TLIFs performed from 2014 to 2020 was reviewed. Radiographic measurements were obtained preoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and at final follow-up. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) back, and VAS leg were evaluated. Multivariate linear regression analysis determined the effect of cage type on the change in PROMs, controlling for demographic characteristics. Alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients underwent MIS-TLIF including 136 static and 85 expandable cages. Expandable cages had significantly greater anterior (static: 11.41 mm vs. expandable: 13.11 mm, p <0.001) and posterior disk heights (static: 7.22 mm vs. expandable: 8.11 mm, p <0.001) at 1-year follow-up. Expandable cages offered similar improvements in segmental lordosis at 6 weeks (static: 1.69° vs. expandable: 2.81°, p =0.243), but segmental lordosis was better maintained with expandable cages leading to significant differences at 1-year follow-up (static: 0.86° vs. expandable: 2.45°, p =0.001). No significant differences were noted in total complication (static: 12.5% vs. expandable: 16.5%, p =0.191) or cage subsidence rates (static: 19.7% vs. expandable: 22.4%, p =0.502) groups at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Expandable devices provide greater improvements in radiographic measurements including anterior disk height, posterior disk height, and segmental lordosis, but this did not lead to significant improvements in PROMs, complication rates, subsidence rates, or subsidence distance.

Clinical Outcomes of Robotic Versus Freehand Pedicle Screw Placement After One-to Three-Level Lumbar Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for patients undergoing one-to three-level lumbar fusion using robotically assisted vs freehand pedicle screw placement. METHODS: Patients who underwent either robotically assisted or freehand pedicle screw placement for one-to three-level lumbar fusion surgery from January 1, 2014 to August 31, 2020 at a single academic institution were identified. Propensity score matching was performed based on demographic variables. Clinical and surgical outcomes were compared between groups. Recovery Ratios (RR) and the proportion of patients achieving the minimally clinically important difference (%MCID) were calculated for Oswestry Disability Index, PCS-12, MCS-12, VAS Back, and VAS Leg at 1 year. Surgical outcomes included complication and revision rates. RESULTS: A total of 262 patients were included in the study (85 robotic and 177 freehand). No significant differences were found in ΔPROM scores, RR, or MCID between patients who underwent robotically assisted vs freehand screw placement. The rates of revision (1.70% freehand vs 1.18% robotic, P = 1.000) and complications (.57% freehand vs 1.18% robotic, P = .546) were not found to be statically different between the 2 groups. Controlling for demographic factors, procedure type (robotic vs freehand) did not emerge as a significant predictor of ΔPROM scores on multivariate linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Robotically assisted pedicle screw placement did not result in significantly improved clinical or surgical outcomes compared to conventional freehand screw placement for patients undergoing one-to three-level lumbar fusion.

No Difference in Neck Pain or Health-Related Quality Measures Between Patients With or Without Degenerative Cervical Spondylolisthesis.

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective case control. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine whether cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is associated with increased baseline neck/arm pain and inferior health quality states compared to a similar population without DS. METHODS: Patient demographics, pre-operative radiographs, and baseline PROMs were reviewed for 315 patients undergoing anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) with at least 1 year of follow-up. Patients were categorized based on the presence (S) or absence of a spondylolisthesis (NS). Statistically significant variables were further explored using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: 49/242 (20%) patients were diagnosed with DS, most commonly at the C4-5 level (27/49). The S group was significantly older than the NS group (58.0 ± 10.7 vs 51.9 ± 9.81, P = .001), but otherwise, no demographic differences were identified. Although a higher degree of C2 slope was found among the S cohort (22.5 ± 8.63 vs 19.8 ± 7.78, P = .044), no differences were identified in terms of preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) neck pain or NDI. In the univariate analysis, the NS group had significantly increased VAS arm pain relative to the S group (4.93 ± 3.16 vs 3.86 ± 3.30, P = .045), which was no longer significant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Although previous reports have suggested an association between cervical DS and neck pain, we could not associate the presence of DS with increased baseline neck or arm pain. Instead, DS appears to be a relatively frequent (20% in this series) age-related condition reflecting radiographic, rather than necessarily clinical, disease.

How does spinopelvic alignment influence short-term clinical outcomes after lumbar fusion in patients with single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis?

Context: Studies on adult spinal deformity have shown spinopelvic malalignment results in worse outcomes. However, it is unclear if this relationship exists in patients with single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) receiving short-segment fusions. Aims: To determine if spinopelvic alignment affects patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after posterior lumbar decompression and fusion (PLDF) with or without a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with L4-5 DS. Settings and Design: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients who underwent PLDF for L4-5 DS at a single tertiary referral academic medical center. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into groups based on preoperative cutoff values of 20° for pelvic tilt (PT) and 11° for pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (PI-LL) with subsequent reclassification based on correction to <20° PT or 11° PI-LL. Radiographic outcomes and PROMs were compared between the groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine whether radiographic cutoff values served as the independent predictors of change in PROMs. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 188 patients with completed PROMs were included for the analysis. Preoperative PT >20° was associated with significantly greater reduction in PI-LL (-2.41° vs. 1.21°, P = 0.004) and increase in sacral slope (SS) (1.06° vs. -1.86°, P = 0.005) compared to patients with preoperative PT <20°. On univariate analysis, no significant differences were observed between any groups with regard to PROMs. Preoperative sagittal alignment measures and postoperative correction were not found to be independent predictors of improvement in clinical outcomes. Conclusion: A preoperative PT >20° is associated with improved PI-LL reduction and an increase in SS. However, no differences in clinical outcomes were found 1 year postoperatively for patients with preoperative PT >20° and PI-LL ≥11° compared to patients below this threshold.

Does Interbody Cage Lordosis and Position Affect Radiographic Outcomes After Single-level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion?

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if the degree of interbody cage lordosis and cage positioning are associated with changes in postoperative sagittal alignment after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Ideal sagittal alignment and lumbopelvic alignment have been shown to correlate with postoperative clinical outcomes. TLIF is one technique that may improve these parameters, but whether the amount of cage lordosis improves either segmental or lumbar lordosis (LL) is unknown. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent single-level TLIF with either a 5-degree or a 12-degree lordotic cage. LL, segmental lordosis (SL), disk height, center point ratio, cage position, and cage subsidence were evaluated. Correlation between center point ratio and change in lordosis was assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Secondary analysis included multiple linear regression to determine independent predictors of change in SL. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included in the final analysis, with 51 patients receiving a 5-degree cage and 75 patients receiving a 12-degree cage. There were no differences in the postoperative minus preoperative LL (∆LL) (12-degree cage: -1.66 degrees vs. 5-degree cage: -2.88 degrees, P =0.528) or ∆SL (12-degree cage: -0.79 degrees vs. 5-degree cage: -1.68 degrees, P =0.513) at 1-month follow-up. Furthermore, no differences were found in ∆LL (12-degree cage: 2.40 degrees vs. 5-degree cage: 1.00 degrees, P =0.497) or ∆SL (12-degree cage: 1.24 degrees vs. 5-degree cage: 0.35 degrees, P =0.541) at final follow-up. Regression analysis failed to show demographic factors, cage positioning, or cage lordosis to be independent predictors of change in SL. No difference in subsidence was found between groups (12-degree cage: 25.5% vs. 5-degree cage: 32%, P =0.431). CONCLUSION: Lordotic cage angle and cage positioning were not associated with perioperative changes in LL, SL, or cage subsidence after single-level TLIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The impact of preoperative neurological symptom severity on postoperative outcomes in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Study Design: The study design is a retrospective cohort study. Objective: To compare patient-reported outcomes between patients with mild versus moderate-to-severe myelopathy following surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Summary of Background Data: Recent studies have demonstrated that decompression for CSM leads to improved quality of life when measured by patient-reported outcomes. However, it is unknown if preoperative myelopathy classification is predictive of superior postoperative improvements. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated surgically for CSM at a single institution from 2014 to 2015 was performed. Preoperative myelopathy severity was classified according to the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale as either mild (≥15) or moderate-to-severe (<15). Other outcomes included neck disability index (NDI), 12-item short-form survey (SF-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) for arm and neck pain. Differences in outcomes were tested by linear mixed-effects models followed by pairwise comparisons using least square means. Multiple linear regression determined whether any baseline outcomes or demographics predicted postoperative mJOA. Results: There were 67 patients with mild and 50 patients with moderate-to-severe myelopathy. Preoperatively, patients with moderate-to-severe myelopathy reported significantly worse outcomes compared to the mild group for NDI, Physical Component Score (PCS-12), and VAS arm (P = 0.031). While both groups experienced improvements in NDI, PCS-12, VAS Arm and Neck after surgery, only the moderate-to-severe patients achieved improved mJOA (+3.1 points, P < 0.001). However, mJOA was significantly worse in the moderate-to-severe when compared to the mild group postoperatively (-1.2 points, P = 0.017). Both younger age (P = 0.017, ß-coefficient = -0.05) and higher preoperative mJOA (P < 0.001, ß-coefficient = 0.37) predicted higher postoperative mJOA. Conclusions: Although patients with moderate-to-severe myelopathy improved for all outcomes, they did not achieve normal absolute neurological function, indicating potential irreversible spinal cord changes. Early surgical intervention should be considered in patients with mild myelopathy if they seek to prevent progressive neurological decline over time.

The Impact of Upper Cervical Spine Alignment on Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the upper cervical spine compensates for malalignment in the subaxial cervical spine, and how changes in upper cervical spine sagittal alignment affect patient-reported outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous research has investigated the relationship between clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters in the subaxial cervical spine following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, limited research exists regarding the upper cervical spine (occiput to C2), which accounts for up to 40% of neck movement and has been hypothesized to compensate for subaxial dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing ACDF for cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy at a single center with minimum 1-year follow-up were included. Radiographic parameters including cervical sagittal vertical axis, C0 angle, C1 inclination angle, C2 slope, Occiput-C1 angle (Oc-C1 degrees), Oc-C2 degrees, Oc-C7 degrees, C1-C2 degrees, C1-C7 degrees, and C2-C7 degrees cervical lordosis (CL) were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Delta (Δ) values were calculated by subtracting preoperative values from postoperative values. Correlation analysis as well as multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine relationships between radiographic and clinical outcomes. Alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were included (mean follow-up 20 mo). C2 slope significantly decreased for patients after surgery (Δ=-0.8, P =0.02), as did parameters of regional cervical lordosis (Oc-C7 degrees, C1-C7 degrees, and C2-C7 degrees; P <0.001, <0.001, and 0.01, respectively). Weak to moderate associations were observed between postoperative CL and C1 inclination ( r =-0.24, P <0.001), Oc-C1 degrees ( r =0.59, P <0.001), and C1-C2 degrees ( r =-0.23, P <0.001). Increased preoperative C1-C2 degrees and Oc-C2 degrees inversely correlated with preoperative SF-12 Mental Composite Score (MCS-12) scores ( r =-0.16, P =0.01 and r =-0.13, P =0.04). Cervical sagittal vertical axis was found to have weak but significant associations with Short Form-12 (SF-12) Physical Composite Score (PCS-12) ( r =-0.13, P =0.03) and MCS-12 ( r =0.12, P =0.05). CONCLUSION: No clinically significant relationship between upper cervical and subaxial cervical alignment was detected for patients undergoing ACDF for neurological symptoms. Upper cervical spine alignment was not found to be a significant predictor of patient-reported outcomes after ACDF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Appropriate Telemedicine Utilization in Spine Surgery: Results From a Delphi Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Delphi expert panel consensus. OBJECTIVE: To obtain expert consensus on best practices for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several studies have shown high patient satisfaction associated with telemedicine during the COVID-19 peak pandemic period as well as after easing of restrictions. As this technology will most likely continue to be employed, there is a need to define appropriate utilization. METHODS: An expert panel consisting of 27 spine surgeons from various countries was assembled in February 2021. A two-round consensus-based Delphi method was used to generate consensus statements on various aspects of telemedicine (separated as video visits or audio visits) including themes, such as patient location and impact of patient diagnosis, on assessment of new patients. Topics with ≥75% agreement were categorized as having achieved a consensus. RESULTS: The expert panel reviewed a total of 59 statements. Of these, 32 achieved consensus. The panel had consensus that video visits could be utilized regardless of patient location and that video visits are appropriate for evaluating as well as indicating for surgery multiple common spine pathologies, such as lumbar stenosis, lumbar radiculopathy, and cervical radiculopathy. Finally, the panel had consensus that video visits could be appropriate for a variety of visit types including early, midterm, longer term postoperative follow-up, follow-up for imaging review, and follow-up after an intervention (i.e., physical therapy, injection). CONCLUSION: Although telemedicine was initially introduced out of necessity, this technology most likely will remain due to evidence of high patient satisfaction and significant cost savings. This study was able to provide a framework for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery from a panel of experts. However, several questions remain for future research, such as whether or not an in-person consultation is necessary prior to surgery and which physical exam maneuvers are appropriate for telemedicine.Level of Evidence: 4.

The impact of case order and intraoperative staff changes on spine surgical efficiency.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Despite concerted efforts toward quality improvement in high-volume spine surgery, there remains concern that increases in case load may compromise the efficient and safe delivery of surgical care. There is a paucity of evidence to describe the effects of spine case order and operating room (OR) team structure on measures of intraoperative timing and OR efficiency. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine if intraoperative staff changes and surgical case order independently predict extensions in intraoperative timing after spinal surgery for spondylotic diseases. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Retrospective cohort analysis PATIENT SAMPLE: All patients over age 18 who underwent primary or revision decompression and/or fusion for degenerative spinal diseases between 2017 to 2019 at a single academic institution were retrospectively identified. Exclusion criteria included absence of descriptive data and intraoperative timing parameters as well as surgery for traumatic injury, infection, and malignancy. OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraoperative timing metrics including total theater time, wheels in to induction, induction start to cut, cut to close, and close to wheels out. Postoperative outcomes included length of hospital stay and 90-day hospital readmissions. METHODS: Surgical case order and intraoperative changes in staff (circulator and surgical scrub nurse or technician) were determined. Patient demographics, surgical factors, intraoperative timing and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Extensions in each operative stage were determined as a ratio of the actual duration of the parameter divided by the predicted duration of the parameter. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare outcomes within case order and staff change groups. RESULTS: A total of 1,108 patients met the inclusion criteria. First, second, and third start cases differed significantly in intraoperative extensions of total theater time, wheels in to induction, induction start to cut, cut to close, and close to wheels out. On regression, decreasing case order predicted extension in wheels in to induction time. Surgeries with intraoperative staff changes were associated with increases in total theater time, induction start to cut time, cut to close time, close to wheels out time, and length of hospital stay. Switch in primary circulator predicted extended theater time and cut to close time. Relief of primary circulator or scrub predicted extended total theater time, induction start to cut time, cut to close time, and close to wheels out time. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative staff change in spine surgery independently predicted extended operative duration. However, higher case order was not significantly associated with procedural time.

The impact of preoperative motor weakness on postoperative opioid use after ACDF.

This study aims to determine if preoperative weakness is an isolated risk factor for prolonged postoperative opioid use after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Patients with preoperative weakness were significantly more likely to have prolonged and inappropriate opioid use and have a single prescription mean morphine equivalent (MME) ≥ 200. Logistic regression isolated preoperative weakness, opioid tolerance, depression, and VAS Neck pain as independent predictors of extended opioid use. High postoperative opioid dose (MME ≥ 90) correlated with opioid tolerance, younger age, male sex, greater CCI, prior cervical surgery, and preoperative VAS Neck pain on regression.

A Rare T2-T3 Synovial Facet Cyst Causing Progressive Myelopathy.

Intraspinal extradural synovial cysts are a rare occurrence at the spinal cord level and thus a rare cause of myelopathy. Synovial cysts usually present in the more mobile lumbar and cervical parts of the spine; however, they may also arise in the thoracic spine. We present a case of a 59-year-old male with a left upper thoracic synovial cyst at T2-3 causing disabling, progressive myelopathy, and an incomplete spinal cord injury syndrome with inability to ambulate. An urgent decompressive laminectomy with bilateral facetectomies, cyst excision, and posterior fusion was performed. Subsequently, the patient recovered full function. Synovial cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progressive thoracic myelopathy. This is only the sixth reported case of a synovial cyst of this kind occurring between the levels of T1 and T7. Urgent surgical decompression is the recommended treatment.

Can Imaging Characteristics on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predict the Acuity of a Lumbar Disc Herniation?

BACKGROUND: Currently, no authors of existing studies have attempted to classify the signal characteristics of disc herniation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their temporal relationship to symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the MRI signal characteristics are predictive of acuity of symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients treated at an academic center for LDH from 2015 to 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on symptom duration (acute: ≤6 weeks; or chronic: >4 months). Two independent observers measured T1, T2 signal, and other MRI characteristics at the affected disc level. Univariate analysis was used to compare differences between groups. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine predictors of acuity. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included (33 acute, 56 chronic) with no significant baseline differences between groups. Rater 2 observed a higher proportion of disc bulges in the chronic group (P = .021) and a higher abnormal T1 herniation signal in the acute group (P = .048). Rater 1 found a higher Pfirrmann grade (P = .005) and a higher prevalence of vertebral body spurring (P = .007) in the chronic group. Interobserver agreement for T1 central and herniation signals demonstrated poor to fair agreement, whereas the remainder of the measurements showed moderate to substantial agreement (κ = 0.4-0.8). Multiple logistic regression showed that Pfirrmann Grade 5 (odds ratio = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [0.02, 0.74], P = .022) and anterior/posterior spurring (odds ratio = 0.053 [0.03, 0.85], P = .023) were not associated with acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Other than Pfirrmann grade or vertebral body spurring, no MRI characteristics could be reliably identified that correlate with acuity of symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

How Does the Presence of a Surgical Trainee Impact Patient Outcomes in Lumbar Fusion Surgery?

BACKGROUND: While the impact of trainee involvement in other surgical fields is well established, there is a paucity of literature assessing this relationship in orthopaedic spine surgery. The goal of this study was to further elucidate this relationship. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was initiated on patients undergoing 1-3 level lumbar spine fusion at a single academic center. Operative reports from cases were examined, and patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether a fellow or resident (F/R) or a physician's assistant (PA) was used as the primary assist. Patients with less than 1-year follow-up were excluded. Multiple linear regression was used to assess change in each patient-reported outcome, and multiple binary logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of revision, infection, and 30- or 90-day readmission. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-two patients were included in the F/R group compared with 178 patients in the PA group. No differences existed between groups for total surgery time, length of stay, 30- or 90-day readmissions, infection, or revision rates. No differences existed between groups in terms of patient-reported outcomes preoperatively or postoperatively. In addition, presence of a surgical trainee was not a significant predictor of patient outcomes or rates of infection, overall revision, or 30- and 90-day readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the presence of an orthopaedic spine F/R does not increase complication rates and does not affect short-term patient-reported outcomes in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Lumbar Pedicle Morphology and Vertebral Dimensions in Isthmic and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis-A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: The pedicle screw is the most common device used to achieve fixation in fusion of spondylolistheses. Safe and accurate placement with this technique relies on a thorough understanding of the bony anatomy. There is a paucity of literature comparing the surgically relevant osseous anatomy in patients with a degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and an isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS). The goal of this study was to determine the differences in the osseous anatomy in patients with a DS and those with an IS. METHODS: A retrospective comparative cohort study was conducted on patients with a single-level, symptomatic L4-L5 DS or a single-level, symptomatic L5-S1 IS. Magnetic resonance imaging for these patients was reviewed. Morphometries of the pedicle and vertebral body were analyzed by 2 independent observers for the levels from L3 to S1, and radiographic parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 572 levels in 143 patients were studied, including 103 patients with a DS and 40 with an IS. After accounting for confounders, IS and DS had an independent effect on transverse vertebral body width, pedicle height and width, and sagittal pedicle angle. Patients with an IS had a smaller pedicle height (P < .001) and pedicle width (P = .001) than patients with DS. In addition, the angulation of the pedicles varied on the basis of the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The osseous anatomy is significantly different in patients with a DS than with an IS. Patients with an IS have smaller pedicles in the lumbar spine. Also, the L4 and L5 pedicles are more caudally angulated and the S1 pedicle is less medialized. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the differences in pedicle anatomy is important for the safe placement of pedicle screws.

Combined Depression and Anxiety Influence Patient-Reported Outcomes after Lumbar Fusion.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no studies have assessed what effect the presence of both anxiety and depression may have on patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) compared to patients with a single or no mental health diagnosis. METHODS: Patients undergoing 1- to 3-level lumbar fusion at a single academic hospital were retrospectively queried. Anyone with depression and/or anxiety was identified using an existing clinical diagnosis in the medical chart. Patients were separated into 3 groups: no depression or anxiety (NDA), depression or anxiety alone (DOA), and combined depression and anxiety (DAA). Absolute PROMs, recovery ratios, and the percentage of patients achieving minimal clinically important difference (% MCID) between groups were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 391 patients included in the cohort, 323 (82.6%) were in the NDA group, 37 (9.5%) in the DOA group, and 31 (7.9%) in the DAA group. Patients in the DAA group had significantly worse outcome scores before and after surgery with respect to Short Form-12 mental component score (MCS-12) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (P <.001); however, the change in PROMs, recovery ratio, % MCID were not found to be significantly different between groups. Using multivariate analysis, the DAA group was found to be an independent predictor of worse improvement in MCS-12 and ODI scores (P = .026 and P = .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with combined anxiety and depression fared worse with respect to disability before and after surgery compared to patients with a single diagnosis or no mental health diagnosis; however, there were no significant differences in recovery ratio or % MCID. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Combined anxiety and depression may predict less improvement in MCS-12 and ODI after lumbar arthrodesis compared with single or no mental health diagnosis.