Transversus Abdominis Plane Block as Part of a Multimodal Analgesic Regimen in Patients Undergoing Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Opioids are a mainstay for pain control in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery but are associated with a high risk of dependence and significant adverse effects. Efforts continue to be made to utilize non-narcotic agents such as regional nerve block for pain control as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen. Recently, transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have proven beneficial for patients undergoing lumbar fusion procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of TAP blocks for postoperative pain control and the effect on opioid consumption and hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing elective ALIF included collection of data on demographics, LOS, pain scores using visual analog scale (VAS), opioid consumption using morphine milligram equivalents (MME) from postoperative day (POD) 0 to 5, and any complications. Patients who underwent primary ALIF or ALIF with concomitant posterolateral lumbar fusion were included. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients met inclusion criteria; 47 had a preoperative TAP block and 52 did not. Demographic data and number of levels fused were equally distributed between the groups. The TAP group had significantly lower MME consumption postoperatively during POD 0 to 2 and 0 to 5. VAS pain scores were lower for TAP block patients on POD 3 and 4; otherwise, there was no significant difference. LOS and complication rates were not significantly different. A multiple regression analysis found male sex to be a predictor of increased postoperative MME, while age and TAP block were significant predictors of decreased MME. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TAP block for patients undergoing ALIF was associated with less cumulative MME consumption in the immediate postoperative period. TAP block may be an effective tool for reducing postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing ALIF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The data in this study provide clinical relevance supporting the use of TAP blocks for patients undergoing ALIF procedures.

Reoperation for Medulloblastoma Prior to Adjuvant Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Surgery remains an integral part of the treatment of medulloblastoma. We present our experience with repeat surgery for this tumor before initiation of adjuvant therapy. OBJECTIVE: To report what was found intraoperatively and where at time of second-look surgery and detail any postoperative events or readmissions within 90 days of surgery. METHODS: Two separate institutional databases were queried to identify patients who underwent repeat resection of suspected residual medulloblastoma from January 2003 to January 2017. RESULTS: We identified 51 patients (36 male, 15 female) who underwent repeat surgery. Average age at diagnosis was 8.31 years (range, 1.3-21.2). Imaging prior to repeat surgery demonstrated unequivocal residual tumor in 37 patients, but indeterminate in 14 patients. All but 1 patient had histopathologically confirmed residual tumor (50/51, 98%). The fourth ventricle was the primary site in 39 (76%) cases, compared with hemispheric in 12 cases (24%). Thirty (59%) tumors were non-WNT/non-SHH. All indeterminate cases (except for 1 patient) had residual tumor. Hemostatic agents were found within the resection cavity in 80% of indeterminate cases. The most common sites of residual tumor were lateral (26/39, 67%, lateral recess and/or foramen of Luschka) and roof (25/39, 64%); the superior medullary velum was the most common region of the roof (19/25, 76%). Eight (16%) patients developed new neurological deficits: cranial nerve palsies in 5 patients and posterior fossa syndrome in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Meticulous inspection of the resection cavity is necessary, paying particular attention to the roof and lateral recess. Hemostatic agents can conceal residual tumor.

A Review of Industry Funding in Randomized Controlled Trials Published in the Neurosurgical Literature-The Elephant in the Room.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of industry sponsorship of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published exclusively in 3 major North American neurosurgical journals. METHODS: Our primary objective was to determine whether an association exists between study conclusion(s) in favor of industry sponsored drugs, devices/implants, or surgical techniques and industry sponsorship. The secondary objective was to describe the quality/quantity of these neurosurgical RCTs. RESULTS: A total of 110 RCTs were analyzed, the majority were published in the Journal of Neurosurgery (85%) and were international in origin (55%). The most common subspecialty was spine (n = 29) and drug study was the most common type (n = 49). Overall quality was good with median Jadad and Detsky scores of 4 (range, 1-5) and 18 (range, 8-21), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in RCTs with industry funding (31/40, 78%) versus those without (9/70, 13%) that published a favorable conclusion of the new drug, device/implant, or surgical technique (odds ratio [OR], 23.35; P < .0001). Multiple binomial logistic regression analysis identified "number of authors" as mildly protective (OR, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.91; P = .001) and "industry funding" strongly predictive (OR, 12.34; 95% confidence interval, 2.97-51.29; P = .001) of a positive trial. CONCLUSION: Industry funding was associated with a much greater chance of positive findings in RCTs published in neurosurgical journals. Further efforts are needed to define the relationship between the authors and financial sponsors of neurosurgical research and explore the reasons for this finding.

Chemical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in neurosurgical patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication. The risk of serious hemorrhagic complications when starting chemical prophylaxis for VTE prevention is a substantial concern for neurosurgeons. The objective of this study was to perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if the rates of VTE and bleeding complications are different in patients undergoing chemoprophylaxis compared with placebo or mechanical prophylaxis alone following cranial or spinal procedures. METHODS: In February 2016 a systematic literature review was performed identifying 3944 articles from 4 different databases. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed after identifying the articles that met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Nine articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. The quality of the studies was good, with all of them being classified as Level 2 evidence, with moderate Jadad scores. A meta-analysis comparing chemoprophylaxis with placebo in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis showed a significant benefit to chemical prophylaxis (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71; p < 0.0001). No significant increase in major intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.60), major extracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.98), or minor bleeding complications (p = 0.60) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Based on moderate-to-good quality of evidence, chemoprophylaxis is beneficial in preventing VTE, with no significant increase in either major or minor bleeding complications in patients undergoing cranial and spinal procedures. Further research is needed to determine whether this conclusion holds true for more specific subpopulations.

The Posterior Transcallosal Approach to the Pineal Region and Posterior Third Ventricle: Intervenous and Paravenous Variants.

BACKGROUND: There are a number of surgical approaches to the posterior third ventricle and pineal region, each with its associated advantages and disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with the posterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach and to analyze the indications, technique, and outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to identify and analyze all children and young adults who underwent the posterior transcallosal approach from July 2010 to March 2015. Perioperative data included patient demographics, signs and symptoms on presentation, tumor characteristics (type, origin, and size), complications, and clinical and radiographic outcome at final follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (9 female, 13 male) were identified in 24 cases with a mean age of 10.5 years (range, 3-32 years). The most common tumor type was pineoblastoma (n = 6). Eleven patients underwent gross total resections; 11 underwent subtotal resections; and 2 tumors were biopsied. The intervenous operative corridor was used in 15 cases; the paravenous was used in 9. Of the 22 patients, 19 experienced 31 total postoperative events. There were 12 instances of contralateral weakness. Retraction-related hemiparesis was usually temporary; resection-related hemiparesis lasted longer. There were no complications related to occlusion of one or more bridging cortical veins or from thrombosis of 1 internal cerebral vein. Eight patients have died of tumor progression, and of the remaining 14 patients, only 1 patient to date has developed local progression. CONCLUSION: The posterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach allows resection of tumors located within the pineal region, posterior third ventricle, and thalamus. New postoperative neurological deficits can occur; however, many will improve significantly or resolve completely over time.

Technical strategies for the transcallosal transforaminal approach to third ventricle tumors: expanding the operative corridor.

OBJECT: There are a number of surgical approaches to the third ventricle, each with advantages and disadvantages. Which approach to use depends on the location of the lesion within the ventricle, the goals of the operation, and the surgeon's experience. The authors present their results in children with a modified approach through the expanded foramen of Monro. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to identify and analyze all children who underwent what the authors term the "expanded transforaminal" approach to the third ventricle between 2010 and 2013. Perioperative data included patient demographics, signs and symptoms on presentation, tumor characteristics (type, origin, and size), complications, and clinical and radiographic outcome at final follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve patients were identified (5 female, 7 male) with a mean age of 9 years (range 2-19 years). Two patients underwent gross-total resections, whereas 10 resections were less than total. There were no instances of venous infarction, significant intraoperative bleeding, or short-term memory deficits. Of the 12 patients, 7 suffered a total of 17 complications. Disruption of neuroendocrine function occurred in 4 patients: 2 with transient diabetes insipidus, 2 with permanent panhypopituitarism, and 1 with central hypothroidism (1 patient had 2 complications). The most common group of complications were CSF-related, including 2 patients requiring a new shunt. There was 1 approach-related injury to the fornix, which did not result in any clinical deficits. One child with an aggressive malignancy died of tumor progression 6 months after surgery. Of the remaining 11 patients, none have experienced tumor recurrence or progression to date. CONCLUSIONS: The expanded transcallosal transforaminal approach is a safe and relatively easy method of exploiting a natural pathway to the third ventricle, but there remain blind zones in the anterosuperior and posterosuperior regions of the third ventricle.