A Current Update on Pelvifemoral Conditions That Should be in the Differential Diagnosis for Patients With Lower Extremity Radiculopathy.

Patients presenting to an outpatient spine clinic frequently report symptoms of low back pain with associated buttock, groin, and lower extremity pain. While many of these individuals suffer from lumbar spine radiculopathy, a number of different orthopedic pathologies can mimic these symptoms. Management depends substantially on a detailed history and physical examination, in addition to working from a broad list of differential diagnoses when evaluating these patients. It is imperative that spine practitioners have a comprehensive understanding of the differential diagnoses that may mimic those originating from the lumbar spine, especially when a patient's symptoms are atypical from classic radicular pain. Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary testing and treatment, while delaying an accurate clinical assessment and treatment plan. This review highlights common orthopedic diagnoses that may present similar to lumbar spine pathologies and the evidence-based evaluation of these conditions.

Evidence-Based Management of Spinal Conditions in the Elite Athlete.

Spinal injuries are common and are a significant burden in the professional athlete population. From single-level disk herniation to career-ending fractures, the consequences of these conditions vary widely. Both contact and noncontact injuries can substantially affect the health and performance of elite athletes competing in a variety of sports. The nature and severity of these injuries have great influence on the prospects for full recovery and successful return to play. Common spinal injuries, management decisions, and return to play prospects are important considerations in the professional athlete population.

Pelvic incidence in a femoroacetabular impingement population.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to determine if pelvic incidence (PI) differed between a symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) population and a control. METHODS: We retrospectively identified a cohort of symptomatic FAI patients and compared measured PI to a control group. RESULTS: The PI was significantly lower in the FAI group compared to the control (51.32±1.07 vs. 55.63±1.04; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The mean PI was significantly decreased in the FAI population compared to a control.

Burden of Sciatica on US Medicare Recipients.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the disease burden of sciatica on the US Medicare cohort. BACKGROUND DATA: Sciatica is a common disability that has important physical, mental, and economic effects. The Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) is a demographic and outcomes survey used to monitor the performance of Medicare Advantage health plans in the United States. The HOS includes data on demographics, chronic medical conditions, and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Medicare HOS data for cohorts from 2007 to 2013 were obtained. Patients were placed into two categories based on the survey results: with or without a history of sciatica. Baseline demographics, chronic medical conditions, and physical health symptoms were aggregated. In addition, average VR-12 physical component summary and mental component summary scores were calculated for each group at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. A Fisher exact test was used to assess significance for categorical variables, and a t-test was used for continuous variables. VR-12 changes as small as 1 to 2 units have been found to be clinically and socially relevant. RESULTS: The baseline cohort data of 1,000,952 patients yielded 250,869 patients (25%) who reported the diagnosis of sciatica, compared with 750,083 patients (75%) without sciatica. Patients with a history of sciatica tended to be younger, less educated, and notably with more medical comorbidities. Physical component summary outcomes were approximately 8 units lower in the sciatica group at baseline and 7 units lower at 2-year follow-up. Mental component summary outcomes were 6 units lower in the sciatica group at baseline and 5 units lower at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: A large percentage of the US Medicare cohort suffers from symptomatic sciatica. Our study identified a 25% prevalence in the Medicare cohort. In addition, sciatica is associated with an increased incidence of comorbid medical conditions and poor health-related quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III STUDY DESIGN:: Observational-Cohort Study.

Can the American College of Surgeons Risk Calculator Predict 30-day Complications After Spine Surgery?

MINI: It is unclear whether the ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator can predict 30-day complications after lumbar and cervical spinal fusions. This study shows that the Risk Calculator is only of marginal benefit in predicting outcomes in cervical fusion and unlikely to be of benefit in lumbar fusions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Risk Calculator's ability to predict 30-day complications after spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical risk calculators may identify patients at increased risk for complications, improve outcomes, enhance the informed consent process, and help modify risk factors. The ACS NSQIP Risk Calculator was developed from a cohort of >1.4 million patients, using 2805 unique CPT codes. It uses 21 patient predictors and the planned procedure to predict the risk of 12 different outcomes within 30 days following surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent primary lumbar and cervical fusions with at least 30-day postoperative follow-up between 2009 and 2015 at a single-institution. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the overall sample, anterior versus posterior fusion (cervical only), and single versus multilevel fusion. Logistic regression models were fit with actual complication occurrence as the dependent variable in each model and ACS estimated risk as the independent variable. The c-statistic was used as the measure of concordance for each model. Receiver-operating charateristic curves depicted the predictive ability of the estimated risks. Acceptable concordance was set at c >0.80. RESULTS: A total of 237 lumbar and 404 cervical patients were included in the study. The Risk Calculator risk estimates significantly predicted (P < 0.001) "any complication" and "discharge to skilled nursing facility" among the cervical cohort and demonstrated no significant outcome prediction the lumbar cohort. CONCLUSION: The ACS Risk-Calculator accurately predicted complications in the categories of "any complication" and "discharge to skilled nursing facility" for our cervical cohort and failed to demonstrate benefit for our lumbar cohort. Although the ACS Risk-Calculator may be useful in general surgery, our findings demonstrate that it does not necessarily provide accurate information for patients undergoing spinal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Retrospective cohort study. The aim of this study was to assess the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Risk Calculator's ability to predict 30-day complications after spine surgery. Surgical risk calculators may identify patients at increased risk for complications, improve outcomes, enhance the informed consent process, and help modify risk factors. The ACS NSQIP Risk Calculator was developed from a cohort of >1.4 million patients, using 2805 unique CPT codes. It uses 21 patient predictors and the planned procedure to predict the risk of 12 different outcomes within 30 days following surgery. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent primary lumbar and cervical fusions with at least 30-day postoperative follow-up between 2009 and 2015 at a single-institution. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the overall sample, anterior versus posterior fusion (cervical only), and single versus multilevel fusion. Logistic regression models were fit with actual complication occurrence as the dependent variable in each model and ACS estimated risk as the independent variable. The c-statistic was used as the measure of concordance for each model. Receiver-operating charateristic curves depicted the predictive ability of the estimated risks. Acceptable concordance was set at c >0.80. A total of 237 lumbar and 404 cervical patients were included in the study. The Risk Calculator risk estimates significantly predicted (P < 0.001) "any complication" and "discharge to skilled nursing facility" among the cervical cohort and demonstrated no significant outcome prediction the lumbar cohort. The ACS Risk-Calculator accurately predicted complications in the categories of "any complication" and "discharge to skilled nursing facility" for our cervical cohort and failed to demonstrate benefit for our lumbar cohort. Although the ACS Risk-Calculator may be useful in general surgery, our findings demonstrate that it does not necessarily provide accurate information for patients undergoing spinal surgery. Level of Evidence: 3.

Can the American College of Surgeons Risk Calculator Predict 30-Day Complications After Cervical Spine Surgery?

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Risk Calculator's ability to accurately predict complications after cervical spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical risk calculators exist in many fields and may assist in the identification of patients at increased risk for complications and readmissions. Risk calculators may allow for improved outcomes, an enhanced informed consent process, and management of modifiable risk factors. The American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Risk Calculator was developed from a cohort of over 1.4 million patients, using 2805 unique Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. The risk calculator uses 21 patient predictors (eg, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, body mass index, hypertension) and the planned procedure (CPT code) to predict the chance that patients will have any of 12 different outcomes (eg, death, any complication, serious complication, reoperation) within 30 days following surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine if the ACS NISQIP risk calculator can predict 30-day complications after cervical fusion. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients that underwent primary cervical fusions between January 2009 and 2015 at a single institution, utilizing cervical fusion CPT codes. Patients without 30 days of postoperative follow-up were excluded. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the overall sample, anterior versus posterior fusion, and single versus multilevel fusion. Logistic regression models were fit with actual complication occurrence as the dependent variable in each model and ACS estimated risk as the independent variable. The c-statistic was used as the measure of concordance for each model. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to visually depict the predictive ability of the estimated risks. Acceptable concordance was set at c>0.80. All analyses were conducted using SAS, v9.4. RESULTS: A total of 404 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Age, body mass index, sex, and a number of levels of fusion were gathered as input data the ACS NSQIP Risk Calculator. Results of Risk Calculator were compared with observed complication rates. Descriptive statistics of the Risk Calculator risk estimates showed a significant prediction of "any complication" and "discharge to skilled nursing facility" among the cohort. Because there were no deaths or urinary tract infections, no models were fit for these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The ACS Risk Calculator accurately predicted complications in the categories of "any complication" (P<0.0001) and "discharge to the skilled nursing facility" (P<0.001) for our cohort. We conclude that the ACS Risk Calculator was unable to accurately predict specific complications on a more granular basis for the patients of this study. Although the ACS risk calculator may be useful in the field of general surgery and in the development of new institutional strategies for risk mitigation, our findings demonstrate that it does not necessarily provide accurate information for patients undergoing cervical spinal surgery.

The use of a novel tablet application to quantify dysfunction in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Despite the prevalence and importance of myelopathy, there is a paucity of objective and quantitative clinical measures. The most commonly used diagnostic tools available are nonquantitative physical exam findings (eg, pathologic reflexes, and gait disturbance) and subjective scoring systems (eg, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association [mJOA]). A decline in fine motor coordination is a hallmark of early myelopathy, which may be useful for quantitative testing. PURPOSE: To identify if a novel tablet application could provide a quantitative measure of upper extremity dysfunction in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective cohort study Patient Sample: Adult patients with a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy from a board-certified, spine surgeon were compared with age-matched, healthy, and adult control patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported function was assessed via the mJOA. Upper extremity function was measured via the fine motor skills (FiMS) tablet test. METHODS: Subjects and controls prospectively completed the mJOA paper survey and the FiMS tablet testing, which consisted of four challenges. RESULTS: After age-matching, 65 controls and 28 myelopathic patients were available for comparison. The mean mJOA was 13.5 ± 2.9 in the myelopathic cohort and 17.3 ± 1.1 in the control cohort (p < .0001). The average scores for challenges 1-4 in control patients were 24.4, 16.3, 3.2, and 6.6, respectively, whereas the average scores for the myelopathic patients were 16.6, 10.5, 1.4, and 1.8, respectively (p values for all four challenges <.001). Based upon the 15 control subjects who repeated FiMS testing four sequential times, intrarater reliability was excellent, yielding an interclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 CONCLUSIONS: The FiMS tablet application produced significantly lower scores in a myelopathic cohort when compared with an age-matched control cohort. This is true for all four challenges in the FiMS tablet application. The test can be completed in 1.5 minutes, producing a reliable, quantitative measure of cervical myelopathy upper extremity function. In summary, the FiMS tablet application is a novel, easily administered, objectively quantifiable test for analyzing cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures.

Thoracolumbar burst fractures are high-energy vertebral injuries, which commonly can be treated nonoperatively. Consideration of the injury pattern, extent of comminution, neurological status, and integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex may help determine whether operative management is appropriate. Several classification systems are contingent upon these factors to assist with clinical decision-making. A multitude of operative procedures have been shown to have good radiographic and clinical outcomes with extended follow-up, and treatment choice should be based on the individual's clinical and radiographic presentation.

The Effectiveness of Bioskills Training for Simulated Open Lumbar Laminectomy.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective study within an orthopedic surgery resident program at a large urban academic medical center. OBJECTIVES: To develop an inexpensive, user-friendly, and reproducible lumbar laminectomy bioskills training module and evaluation protocol that can be readily implemented into residency training programs to augment the clinical education of orthopedic and neurosurgical physicians-in-training. METHODS: Twenty participants comprising senior medical students and orthopedic surgical residents. Participants were randomized to control (n = 9) or intervention (n = 11) groups controlling for level of experience (medical students, junior resident, or senior resident). The intervention group underwent a 40-minute bioskills training module, while the control group spent the same time with self-directed study. Pre- and posttest performance was self-reported by each participant (Physician Performance Diagnostic Inventory Scale [PPDIS]). Objective outcome scores were obtained from a blinded fellowship-trained attending orthopedic spine surgeon using Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and Objective Decompression Score metrics. RESULTS: When compared with the control group, the intervention group yielded a significant mean improvement in OSATS (P = .022) and PPDIS (P = .0001) scores. The Objective Decompression Scores improved in the intervention group with a trend toward significance (P = .058). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a concise lumbar laminectomy bioskills training session can be a useful educational tool for to augment clinical education. Although no direct clinical correlation can be concluded from this study, the improvement in trainee's technical and procedural skills suggests that Sawbones training modules can be an efficient and effective tool for teaching fundamental spine surgical skills outside of the operating room.

Iatrogenic Flatback and Flatback Syndrome: Evaluation, Management, and Prevention.

Flatback syndrome can be a significant source of disability, affecting stance and gait, and resulting in significant pain. Although the historical instrumentation options for thoracolumbar fusion procedures have been commonly regarded as the etiology of iatrogenic flatback, inappropriate selection, or application of modern instrumentation can similarly produce flatback deformities. Patients initially compensate with increased lordosis at adjacent lumbar segments and reduction of thoracic kyphosis. As paraspinal musculature fatigues and discs degenerate, maintaining sagittal balance requires increasing pelvic retroversion and hip extension. Ultimately, disc degeneration at adjacent levels overcomes compensatory mechanisms, resulting in sagittal imbalance and worsening symptoms. Nonoperative management for sagittally imbalanced (sagittal vertical axis>5 cm) flatback syndrome is frequently unsuccessful. Despite significant complication rates, surgical management to recreate lumbar lordosis using interbody fusions and/or osteotomies can significantly improve quality of life.

The Triangle Model of Congenital Cervical Stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study OBJECTIVE.: Identify the pathoanatomical features of the cervical spine associated with congenital stenosis SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Congenital cervical stenosis (CCS) describes a patient with a decreased spinal canal diameter at multiple levels of the cervical spine in the absence of degenerative changes. Despite recognition of CCS throughout the literature, the anatomical features that lead to this condition have not been established. Knowledge of the pathoanatomy behind CCS may lead to alterations in surgical technique for this patient population that may improve outcomes. METHODS: From 1000 cervical MRIs between January 2000 and December 2014, CCS was identified in 68 patients using a strict definition of age less than 50 years with mid-sagittal canal diameters (mid-SCD) (<10  mm) at multiple sub-axial cervical levels (C3-C7). A total of 68 patients met the inclusion criteria for this group. Fourteen controls with normal SCDs (>14  mm) at all cervical levels were used for comparison. Anatomic measurements obtained at each level (C3-C7) included: coronal vertebral body, AP vertebral body, pedicle width, pedicle length, laminar length, AP lateral mass, posterior canal distance, lamina-pedicle angle, and lamina-disc angle (LDA). Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.01. RESULTS: CCS patients demonstrated significantly different anatomical measurements when compared with controls. Significantly smaller lateral masses, lamina lengths, lamina-pedicle angles, and larger LDAs were identified at levels C3 to C7 in the CCS group (P < 0.01). These anatomic components form a right triangle that illustrates the cumulative narrowing effect on space for the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: The pathoanatomy of CCS is associated with a decrease in the lamina-pedicle angle and an increase in the LDA ultimately leading to a smaller SCD. The global changes in CCS are best illustrated by this triangle model and are driven by the posterior elements of the cervical spine. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Accessibility of the Cervicothoracic Junction Through an Anterior Approach: An MRI-based Algorithm.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. OBJECTIVE: To formulate a reliable method and modality for preoperative planning and to determine the effects of height, body mass index (BMI), and age on accessibility to the upper thoracic vertebrae through an anterior cervical approach. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Various modalities have been proposed to determine the lowest spinal-level accessible through a traditional anterolateral cervical approach and the consequent need for manubriotomy. Past methods have routinely involved a variety of imaging studies such as plain radiographs and computed tomography but the reliability of these methods has not been assessed. METHODS: The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) images of 180 patients classified by age and gender were evaluated and the most caudal accessible intervertebral disc space was determined from an approach angle beginning at the suprasternal notch. Plain cervical radiographs were also reviewed when available. In patients with multiple imaging studies, the reliability of the measurements was compared. Rate of accessibility was compared across different heights, BMIs, and ages. RESULTS: A novel algorithm that utilized both the scout and mid-sagittal T2 MRIs was able to determine the most caudal cervicothoracic level accessible for anterior access in 93.3% of patients with a reliability of 96.8%. Conversely, plain radiograph evaluation led to low reliability (66.7%) and low agreement with MRI (60%) with an average error of one spinal level. In this patient sample, the T1 to T2 disc space was accessible in 82.7% of patients. Age and BMI were independent variables associated with accessibility (p < 0.01) while height was determined not to be significant (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Data in this study suggest an MRI-based algorithm with a combination of scout and sagittal T2 images offers a reliable and consistent assessment of accessibility to upper thoracic levels through an anterior approach. Age and body mass index are major determinants of accessibility.

Differences in bone mineral density of fixation points between lumbar cortical and traditional pedicle screws.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The use of a novel lumbar pedicle cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw has recently gained popularity, allowing for a minimally invasive approach and potentially improved screw purchase. However, to date, no studies have identified the ideal patient population to utilize this technology. PURPOSE: This study reports the bone mineral density (BMD) using Hounsfield units (HUs) along a CBT screw pathway. Patients with a greater difference in density of bone in the lumbar vertebrae between the fixation points of the CBT and traditional pedicle screw may be optimal candidates to realize the advantages of this technique. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A cross-sectional observational anatomic study was carried out. PATIENT SAMPLE: The sample comprised 180 randomly selected patients with lumbar computed tomography imaging from L1 to L5 spinal levels. OUTCOME MEASURES: This study used computed tomography image-derived HUs as a metric for BMD. METHODS: A total of 180 patients without previous lumbar surgery with computed tomography imaging of the lumbar spine met the inclusion criteria. Patients were chosen randomly from an institutional database based on age (evenly distributed by decade of life) and gender. Hounsfield units were measured at the expected end fixation point for both a cortical (superior/posterior portion of the vertebral body) and traditional pedicle trajectory (mid-vertebral body). RESULTS: Hounsfield unit values measured at the end fixation point for the CBT screw were significantly greater than that of the traditional pedicle screw in all age groups. The relative difference in HU values significantly increased with each decade of age (p<.001) and caudal lumbar level (p<.001). In the osteoporotic group, as determined by well-established HU values, there was a significantly greater difference in the BMD of the CBT fixation point compared with the traditional trajectory (p=.048-<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bone mineral density as measured by HU values for the fixation point of the CBT screw is significantly greater than that of the traditional pedicle screw. This difference is even more pronounced when comparing osteoporotic and elderly patients to the general population. The data in this study suggest that the potential advantages from the CBT screw such as screw purchase may increase linearly with age and in osteoporotic patients.

Surgical Site Infections in Spinal Surgery.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a potentially devastating complication of spine surgery. SSIs are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as occurring within 30 days of surgery or within 12 months of placement of foreign bodies, such as spinal instrumentation. SSIs are commonly categorized by the depth of surgical tissue involvement (ie, superficial, deep incisional, or organ and surrounding space). Postoperative infections result in increased costs and postoperative morbidity. Because continued research has improved the evaluation and management of spinal infections, spine surgeons must be aware of these modalities. The controversies in evaluation and management of SSIs in spine surgery will be reviewed.

Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Spinal Epidural Abscess: An Evidence-based Review.

Spinal infections have historically been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current treatment protocols have improved patient outcomes through prompt and accurate infection identification, medical treatment, and surgical interventions. Medical and surgical management, however, remains controversial because of a paucity of high-level evidence to guide decision making. Despite this, an awareness of presenting symptoms, pertinent risk factors, and common imaging findings are critical for treating spine infections. The purpose of this article is to review the recent literature and present the latest evidence-based recommendations for the most commonly encountered primary spinal infections: vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscess.

Is polymethyl methacrylate a viable option for salvaging lateral mass screw failure in the subaxial cervical spine?

Study Design Biomechanical analysis of lateral mass screw pullout strength. Objective We compare the pullout strength of our bone cement-revised lateral mass screw with the standard lateral mass screw. Methods In cadaveric cervical spines, we simulated lateral mass screw "cutouts" unilaterally from C3 to C7. We salvaged fixation in the cutout side with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or Cortoss cement (Orthovita, Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States), allowed the cement to harden, and then drilled and placed lateral mass screws back into the cement-augmented lateral masses. On the contralateral side, we placed standard lateral mass screws into the native, or normal lateral, masses and then compared pullout strength of the cement-augmented side to the standard lateral mass screw. For pullout testing, each augmentation group was fixed to a servohydraulic load frame and a specially designed pullout fixture was attached to each lateral mass screw head. Results Quick-mix PMMA-salvaged lateral mass screws required greater force to fail when compared with native lateral mass screws. Cortoss cement and PMMA standard-mix cement-augmented screws demonstrated less strength of fixation when compared with control-side lateral mass screws. Attempts at a second round of cement salvage of the same lateral masses led to more variations in load to failure, but quick-mix PMMA again demonstrated greater load to failure when compared with the nonaugmented control lateral mass screws. Conclusion Quick-mix PMMA cement revision equips the spinal surgeon with a much needed salvage option for a failed lateral mass screw in the subaxial cervical spine.

Preoperative predictors of increased hospital costs in elective anterior cervical fusions: a single-institution analysis of 1,082 patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The frequency of anterior cervical fusion (ACF) surgery and total hospital costs in spine surgery have substantially increased in the last several years. PURPOSE: To determine which patient comorbidities are associated with increased total hospital costs after elective one- or two-level ACFs. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: Individuals who have undergone elective one- or two-level ACFs at our single institution. The total number of patients amounted to 1,082. OUTCOME MEASURES: Total hospital costs during single admission. METHODS: Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze independent effects of preoperative patient characteristics on total hospital costs. Univariate analysis was used to examine association of these characteristics on operative time, length of hospital stay (LOS), and complications. RESULTS: Age, obesity, and diabetes were independently associated with increased average hospital costs of $1,404 (95% confidence interval [CI], $857-$1,951; p<.001), $681 (95% CI, $285-$1,076; p=.001), and $1,877 (95% CI, $726-$3,072; p=.001), respectively. Age was associated with increased LOS (p<.001) and complications (p<.001) but not operative time (p=.431). Diabetes was associated with increased LOS (p<.001) and complications (p=.042) but not operative time (p=.234). Obesity was not associated with increased LOS (p=.164), complications (p=.890), or operative time (p=.067). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the patient comorbidities associated with increased hospital costs after one- or two-level ACFs and the potential drivers of these costs.