Effect of Baseline Veterans RAND-12 Mental Composite Score on Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Cervical Disk Replacement.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of baseline Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) Mental Composite Score (MCS) on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cervical disk replacement (CDR) for herniated disk. BACKGROUND: Few studies in spine surgery have evaluated the impact of preoperative VR-12 MCS on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing CDR. METHODS: Patients undergoing CDR for herniated disk were separated into 2 cohorts based on the VR-12 MCS standardized mean: VR-12 MCS<50 (worse mental health) and VR-12 MCS≥50 (better mental health). Patient-reported outcome measures of VR-12 MCS, VR-12 Physical Composite Score, Short Form-12 (SF-12) MCS, SF-12 Physical Composite Score, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Neck Pain, VAS Arm Pain, and Neck Disability Index were collected at preoperative and up to 2-year postoperative time points. RESULTS: In all, 109 patients were identified, with 50 patients in the worse mental health cohort. The worse mental health cohort reported inferior patient-reported outcome measures in all domains at preoperative, 6-week postoperative, and final postoperative time points. For 6-week postoperative improvement, the worse mental health cohort reported greater improvement for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9. For final postoperative improvement, the worse mental health cohort reported greater improvement in VR-12 MCS and SF-12 MCS. Minimum clinically important difference achievement rates were higher in the worse mental health cohort for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing cervical disk replacement for herniated disk with worse baseline mental health reported inferior clinical outcomes in mental health, physical function, pain, and disability outcomes throughout the postoperative period. Patients with worse baseline mental health demonstrated greater clinically meaningful improvement in mental health. In cervical disk replacement patients, those with worse baseline mental health may report inferior postoperative clinical outcomes but experience greater rates of tangible improvement in mental health.

Decisional regret following corrective adult spinal deformity surgery: a single institution study of incidence and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristics and risk factors for decisional regret following corrective adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery at our hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of a single-surgeon ASD database. Adult patients (> 40 years) who underwent ASD surgery from May 2016 to December 2020 with minimum 2-year follow-up were included (posterior-only, ≥ 4 levels fused to the pelvis) (n = 120). Ottawa decision regret questionnaires, a validated and reliable 5-item Likert scale, were sent to patients postoperatively. Regret scores were defined as (1) low regret: 0-39 (2) medium to high regret: 40-100. Risk factors for medium or high decisional regret were identified using multivariate models. RESULTS: Ninety patients were successfully contacted and 77 patients consented to participate. Nonparticipants were older, had a higher incidence of anxiety, and higher ASA class. There were 7 patients that reported medium or high decisional regret (9%). Ninety percentage of patients believed that surgery was the right decision, 86% believed that surgery was a wise choice, and 87% would do it again. 8% of patients regretted the surgery and 14% believed that surgery did them harm. 88% of patients felt better after surgery. On multivariate analysis, revision fusion surgery was independently associated with an increased risk of medium or high decisional regret (adjusted odds ratio: 6.000, 95% confidence interval: 1.074-33.534, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, we found a 9% incidence of decisional regret. Revision fusion was associated with increased decisional regret. Estimates for decisional regret should be based on single-institution experiences given differences in patient populations.

Influence of Anxiety and Depression on Opioid Use Following Lumbar Spine Fusion: A Large Database Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand how a mental health disorder, specifically anxiety and depression, influences a patient's postoperative opioid needs following single-level lumbar spine fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with spine pathology commonly demonstrate symptoms of an active psychiatric disorder. Mental health significantly influences how a patient perceives pain and a patient's opioid pain control needs after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Pearldiver Patient Claims Database was used to identify patients undergoing single-level posterior spine fusion within the United States between 2010 and 2020. Patients were placed into 1 of 4 groups: those with a diagnosis of depression, those with a diagnosis of anxiety, those with a diagnosis of both anxiety and depression, and a control group. χ 2 tests were used to assess differences in the number of patients filling initial and additional opioid prescriptions for up to 90 days following their fusion. RESULTS: The control group filled significantly more initial opioid prescriptions within the first 90 days following their spine fusion ( P <0.001). However, there was no difference among the study groups in regard to the additional need for prescriptions. CONCLUSION: Patients with mental health diagnoses may present as complex patients to spine surgeons; however, this study suggests they do not require additional opioid pain control following a single-level lumbar fusion.

Is removal of the internal fixation after successful intervertebral fusion necessary? A case-control study based on patient-reported quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral fusion and internal fixation are often applied to patients with lumbar spinal disease. Whether to remove the internal fixation after successful fusion remains uncertain, but such a question needs to be explored in light of concerns regarding patients' quality of life and health insurance. We sought to probe if the removal of internal fixation after successful lumbar intervertebral fusion affects patients' quality of life. METHODS: This was a real-world retrospective case-control study. Data of 102 patients who had undergone posterior lumbar fusion with cage and internal fixation to treat lumbar degenerative diseases were extracted from a single center from 2012 to 2020. Fifty-one patients had undergone internal fixation removal surgery, and 51 controls who retained internal fixations were matched according to demographic and medical characteristics. The quality of life of patients based on the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) scale and their self-assessment were surveyed. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the overall score of the SF-36 questionnaire between the two groups, but the general health (GH) subscore was lower in the case group than in the control group (P = 0.0284). Among those patients who underwent internal fixation removal, the quality of life was improved after instrument removal as indicated by an increased overall score (P = 0.0040), physical functioning (PF) (P = 0.0045), and bodily pain (BP) (P = 0.0008). Among patients with pre-surgery discomfort, instrument removal generated better outcomes in 25% and poor outcomes in 4.2%. Among patients without pre-surgery discomfort, instrument removal generated better outcomes in 7.4% and poor outcomes in 11.1%. CONCLUSION: Among patients who achieved successful posterior lumbar internal fixation, whether or not to remove the fixation instruments should be evaluated carefully. In patients experiencing discomfort, instrument removal could improve their quality of life, but the benefits and risks should be comprehensively explained to these patients. Instrument removal should not be routinely performed due to its limited or even negative effect in patients who do not report discomfort before surgery.

Relevant impact of surgery on quality of life for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis : a registry-based two-year follow-up cohort study.

AIMS: To determine the value of scoliosis surgery, it is necessary to evaluate outcomes in domains that matter to patients. Since randomized trials on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are scarce, prospective cohort studies with comparable outcome measures are important. To enhance comparison, a core set of patient-related outcome measures is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of AIS fusion surgery at two-year follow-up using the core outcomes set. METHODS: AIS patients were systematically enrolled in an institutional registry. In all, 144 AIS patients aged ≤ 25 years undergoing primary surgery (median age 15 years (interquartile range 14 to 17) were included. Patient-reported (condition-specific and health-related quality of life (QoL); functional status; back and leg pain intensity) and clinician-reported outcomes (complications, revision surgery) were recorded. Changes in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed using Friedman's analysis of variance. Clinical relevancy was determined using minimally important changes (Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22r), cut-off values for relevant effect on functioning (pain scores) and a patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS; Oswestry Disability Index). RESULTS: At baseline, 65 out of 144 patients (45%) reported numerical rating scale (NRS) back pain scores > 5. All PROMs significantly improved at two-year follow-up. Mean improvements in SRS-22r function (+ 1.2 (SD 0.6)), pain (+ 0.6 (SD 0.8)), and self-image (+ 1.1 (SD 0.7)) domain scores, and the SRS-22r total score (+ 0.5 (SD 0.5)), were clinically relevant. At two-year follow-up, 14 out of 144 patients (10%) reported NRS back pain > 5. Surgical site infections did not occur. Only one patient (0.7%) underwent revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Relevant improvement in functioning, condition-specific and health-related QoL, self-image, and a relevant decrease in pain is shown at two-year follow-up after fusion surgery for AIS, with few adverse events. Contrary to the general perception that AIS is a largely asymptomatic condition, nearly half of patients report significant preoperative back pain, which reduced to 10% at two-year follow-up. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):265-273.

Smoking Is Associated With Lower Satisfaction in Nondiabetic Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Single-level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected registry data. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of smoking on 2 years postoperative functional outcomes, satisfaction, and radiologic fusion in nondiabetic patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative spine conditions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is conflicting data on the effect of smoking on long-term functional outcomes following lumbar fusion. Moreover, there remains a paucity of literature on the influence of smoking within the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. METHODS: Prospectively collected registry data of nondiabetic patients who underwent primary single-level minimally invasive TLIF in a single institution was reviewed. Patients were stratified based on smoking history. All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale for back pain and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index, Short-Form 36 Physical and Mental Component Scores. Satisfaction was assessed using the North American Spine Society questionnaire. Radiographic fusion rates were compared. RESULTS: In total, 187 patients were included, of which 162 were nonsmokers, and 25 had a positive smoking history. In our multivariate analysis, smoking history was insignificant in predicting for minimal clinically important difference attainment rates in Physical Component Score and fusion grading outcomes. However, in terms of satisfaction score, positive smoking history remained a significant predictor (odds ratio=4.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-20.09, P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Nondiabetic patients with a positive smoking history had lower satisfaction scores but comparable functional outcomes and radiologic fusion 2 years after single-level TLIF. Thorough preoperative counseling and smoking cessation advice may help to improve patient satisfaction following minimally invasive spine surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-nonrandomized cohort study.

Quality of Life in Adult Patients Receiving Cervical Fusion for Fresh Subaxial Cervical Injury: The Role of Associated Spinal Cord Injury.

PURPOSE: To study postoperative Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) after instrumented fusion for fresh subaxial cervical trauma and the effect of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: From a total of 65 patients, 17 (26%) patients suffered on admission from SCI. Twenty-five patients underwent anterior, 25 posterior, and 15 circumferential cervical surgery for a single cervical injury. Sagittal roentgenographic parameters were measured in 65 age-matched asymptomatic controls and in patients on admission, eight months postoperatively and at final follow-up (lower C2-C7 curvature, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), spinocranial angle (SCA), T1-slope, neck tilt (NT), thorax inlet angle (TIA), cervical tilt (CT), cranial tilt (CrT), and occiput-C2 angle (C0-C2)). In the last evaluation, SCI patients were compared with their counterparts without SCI using national validated HRQOL instruments (SF-36 and neck disability index (NDI)). RESULTS: Fusion included an average of 3 vertebrae (range 2-4 vertebrae). All 65 patients were followed for an average of 5.5 years, (range 3-7 years) postoperatively. In the last evaluation, 10 (15.4%) patients with incomplete SCI improved postoperatively at 1-2 grades. At the last observation, patients with SCI showed poorer HRQOL scores than their counterparts without SCI. In particular, each SF-36 domain score was correlated with SCA, T1-slope, cSVA, and CT. At baseline, patients showed higher NT, CrT, and C0-C2 angle than controls. Eight months postoperatively, cSVA, NT, TIA, and cranial tilt (CrT) were increased in patients. In the last observation, there was difference in the sagittal roentgenographic parameters between patients with SCI compared to those without SCI. Patients aged ≥55 years had postoperatively increased cSVA, NT, and CrT compared to their younger counterparts. CONCLUSION: At the final observation, HRQOL scores were lower in patients with SCI than in their non-SCI counterparts, obviously because of the associated neurologic impairment. SF-36 scores correlated with several sagittal roentgenographic parameters. These correlations should be taken in consideration by spine surgeons when performing cervical spine surgery for fresh cervical spine injuries.

Development of a Shared Decision-Making Tool for Adolescents With Scoliosis to Decide Between Observation Versus Fusion Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent patients with moderate to severe idiopathic scoliosis who have completed their skeletal growth face a significant choice in their treatment path: watchful waiting or spinal fusion. Shared decision making (SDM) assists patients and clinicians to find treatments that make intellectual, practical and emotional sense. Our objective was to develop a tool that supports SDM for patients with scoliosis and their families. METHODS: We used a user-centered design approach that included collaboration between patients, surgeons and SDM experts, observation of clinician encounters, and literature review. We focused on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients 13 or more years of age with less than 1 year of growth remaining (Risser stage 3 or greater) and curves between 40 and 65 degrees. RESULTS: We included 22 patients, and collected 22 video recordings. From these videos, we identified salient patient priorities for decision making including treatment benefits, surgical complications, pain, scheduling and recovery, and cost. For each theme, we conducted a focused review to obtain the best estimate of effect. Then, an expert SDM designer developed an electronic prototype called Scoliosis Choice. CONCLUSIONS: The initial prototype of the scoliosis SDM was finalized and is currently being field tested in clinic. Scoliosis Choice may help patients and surgeons better understand the potential risks and benefits of spinal fusion vs. observation for scoliosis treatment and improve validated measures of quality in patient-parent-surgeon communication.

Achievement of a Minimum Clinically Important Difference for Back Disability Is a Suitable Predictor of Patient Satisfaction Among Lumbar Fusion Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Meeting patient expectations is believed to impact satisfaction scores; however, the influence of achieving a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is scarcely reported. This study aims to evaluate meeting patient expectations or MCID achievement for pain and disability as predictors of patient satisfaction. METHODS: A retrospective review of single or multilevel lumbar fusion patients was performed. Patients with missing preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) expectation questionnaires were excluded. Preoperative expectations and postoperative satisfaction scores for visual analog scale (VAS) back, VAS leg, and ODI were collected. Meeting expectations was defined as scores less than or equal to preoperative expectations. Achievement of MCID was evaluated. Improvement of all outcomes and correlations with satisfaction scores were evaluated using the Student's t-test and Pearson coefficient. Achievement of MCID or meeting expectations as predictors of satisfaction were evaluated and compared using linear regression and Suest test. RESULTS: The study included 144 patients. All outcomes significantly improved and demonstrated significant correlations with satisfaction scores (P < 0.001, all). Patients reported a mean expectation of 17.7 (ODI), 1.7 (VAS back), and 0.9 (VAS leg). The majority had their expectations met and achieved MCID. Meeting expectations and MCID achievement demonstrated significant associations with satisfaction scores for all outcomes and time points. Achievement of MCID was a stronger predictor of satisfaction for ODI and VAS back. CONCLUSIONS: Meeting preoperative expectations and achievement of an MCID for pain and disability measures was significantly associated with satisfaction. Achievement of MCID may be a more consistent and suitable replacement as a predictor of satisfaction over meeting patient expectations.

Psychological and Functional Comparison between Minimally Invasive and Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Single-Level Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF) causes patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) to experience less anxiety and better clinical efficacy than open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 86 patients, including 46 male patients and 41 female patients, who suffered from single-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis in our department between January 2016 and January 2018. They were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 46), for patients who underwent open TLIF surgery, and an experimental group (n = 40), for patients who underwent Mis-TLIF surgery. All patients were evaluated based on operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS), fusion rate, and complications (screw misplacement and loosening, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, infection, and delayed wound healing). Patient characteristics were compared within and between groups. RESULTS: The average incision length was 3.64 ± 0.476 cm in the experimental group, which was smaller than that (8.11 ± 2.406 cm) in the control group (P < 0.05). The operation time of the experimental group was a little longer than that of the control group. The intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay in the experimental group were less than those in the control group. The mean preoperative low back pain VAS score was 7.525 ± 1.432 in the experimental group and 7.087 ± 1.799 in the control group (P > 0.05). The low back pain VAS scores on postoperative day 3 and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were 5.000 ± 0.987, 4.075 ± 0.997, 2.150 ± 0.834, and 1.450 ± 0.639 in the experimental group, respectively; these scores were lower than those in the control group (6.870 ± 1.572, P < 0.05; 4.630 ± 1.103, P < 0.05; 2.630 ± 1.103, P < 0.05; and 2.326 ± 1.034, P < 0.05, respectively). There was no obvious difference in the leg pain VAS scores between the two groups at all follow-up points. The mean preoperative ODI score was 58.700% ± 19.703% in the experimental group and 61.696% ± 17.583% in the control group (P > 0.05). The ODI scores at postoperative months 3, 6, and 12 were 25.225% ± 5.554%, 20.150% ± 7.698%, and 16.125% ± 9.565% in the experimental group; these scores were lower than those in the control group (49.130% ± 14.805%, P < 0.05; 34.044% ± 15.148%, P < 0.05; and 29.282% ± 132.567%, P < 0.05, respectively). The mean preoperative HADS score was 14.475 ± 3.113 in the experimental group and 13.391 ± 2.824 in the control group (P > 0.05). However, the mean HADS scores on postoperative day 3 in the experimental group was 8.500 ± 2.000, decreasing obviously compared to the preoperative scores (P < 0.05). The mean postoperative HADS score on postoperative day 3 in the control group was 12.734 ± 1.949, which had not decreased significantly compared to the preoperative score (P > 0.05). The HADS scores in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group on postoperative day 3 (P < 0.05). In the correlation analysis, the incision length was correlated to the HADS scores on postoperative day 3 (r = 0.527, P < 0.05). The HADS scores on postoperative day 3 were positively correlated with the low back pain VAS scores on the same day (r = 0.388, P < 0.05). The HADS scores on postoperative day 3were positively correlated with the ODI scores at 3-month (r = 0.460, P < 0.05), 6-month (r = 0.429, P < 0.05), and 12-month follow up (r = 0.349, P < 0.05). Fusion rates were not significantly different between the two groups. There was no screw misplacement and loosening, infection, or delayed wound healing in either group. The cerebrospinal fluid leakage rate in the control group was higher than that in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing Mis-TLIF experience less anxiety and have better outcomes than those who undergo open TLIF. The lower level of anxiety experienced by patients undergoing Mis-TLIF is positively correlated with postoperative VAS and ODI scores.

Factors Associated with Improved Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate factors affecting the likelihood of achieving minimum clinically important difference (MCID) to patient-reported outcomes defined by the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) among patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Achieving MCID for SRS-22r parameters was a measure of surgical efficacy. Patient characteristics and surgical and radiographic factors that affect the likelihood of achieving MCID for SRS-22r parameters are unknown. METHODS: Data from patients with ASD who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis during 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Data from a total of 167 patients with ≥2 years of follow-up were included. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the likelihood of achieving MCID for each of the SRS-22r domains (Function, Pain, Subtotal) 2 years after surgery. The following MCID values were used: 0.90 for Function, 0.85 for Pain, and 1.05 for the Subtotal. RESULTS: MCID achievement rate was 36.5% for Function, 46.1% for Pain, and 44.3% for the Subtotal domain. In multivariate analysis, preoperative SRS-22r Function (odds ratio [OR] = 0.204, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.105-0.396) increased the likelihood of achieving MCID for SRS-22r Function. Preoperative SRS-22r Subtotal (OR = 0.211, 95% CI, 0.107-0.413), preoperative pelvic tilt (OR = 1.072, 95% CI, 1.012-1.136), preoperative pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (OR = 0.965, 95% CI, 0.934-0.997), and postoperative sagittal vertical axis (OR = 0.985, 95% CI, 0.974-0.995) affected the likelihood of achieving MCID for the SRS-22r Subtotal. CONCLUSION: Patients with poor preoperative health-related quality of life were more likely to achieve improvement in SRS-22r parameters after extensive corrective fusion surgery for ASD. Achieving postoperative sagittal alignment increased the likelihood of achieving MCID for the SRS-22r Subtotal domain.Level of Evidence: 3.

Long-term Patient Perception Following Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis if Dissatisfied at 2-year Follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the rate of patients who report low health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores at 2 years following surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) improves by 5 years postoperatively. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: HRQOL scores are dependent upon a number of factors and even in instances of good surgical correction of a spinal deformity, are not guaranteed to be high postoperatively. Understanding how a low HRQOL score varies over the postoperative period can help surgeons more effectively counsel patients and temper expectations. METHODS: A multicenter database was reviewed for patients with both 2 and 5-year follow-up after spinal fusion and instrumentation for AIS. From a cohort of 916 patients, 52 patients with low HRQOL scores at their 2-year follow-up were identified and reevaluated at 5-year follow-up. A low HRQOL outcome was defined as having SRS-22 domain or total scores less than 2 standard deviations below the mean score. Reoperations were also evaluated to determine if they were associated with HRQOL scores. RESULTS: Of those patients with low SRS-22 HRQOL scores at 2 years postoperatively, improvements were seen in all SRS-22 domains and total scores at the 5-year time point. The greatest change was seen in the satisfaction category where 41 patients showed improvement. The rate of reoperations during this period did not significantly impact patient-reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Having a low HRQOL score 2 years after surgery for AIS does not guarantee a low score 5 years after surgery. Promisingly, most patients demonstrate some improvement in all domains for patient-reported SRS-22 scores at 5-year compared to 2-year follow-up. Understanding the longer term postoperative evolution in patient-reported outcomes may help surgeons to effectively manage and counsel patients who are dissatisfied in the short term.Level of Evidence: 3.

Patient Expectations of Adult Spinal Deformity Correction Surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in examining preoperative expectations as a potential predictor of postoperative outcome. However, it has never been studied in the setting of adult spinal deformity (ASD). This study aims to characterize patient expectations before ASD surgery and examine the relationship between preoperative expectation and postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs). METHODS: Analysis of prospectively collected clinical and PRO data was performed on patients who underwent ASD surgery. Inclusion criteria were age >18 years, a diagnosis of ASD, >3 vertebral level instrumentation, and completed pre- and postoperative surveys. The preoperative expectation survey included expectations of surgical outcome, pain reduction, complications, and the duration of postoperative recovery. Relationships between patient expectations and PROs were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients who underwent operative management of ASD met the inclusion criteria. In their preoperative survey, 66% of patients expected highly successful surgery, whereas 22% had a moderate expectation of complications. Patients anticipated an average 71% reduction in back pain (range 42%-100%) and 68% reduction in leg pain (range 0%-100%). Patients who met their expectations of leg pain reduction had significantly greater satisfaction scores than those who did not. There were moderate-to-strong positive correlations between preoperative expectation and observed improvement in back pain, leg pain, and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: While substantial variability in patient expectation exists for the surgical management of ASD, patients anticipated a positive outcome with a significant reduction in pain. Greater postoperative satisfaction was associated with patients who met the expected improvement in leg pain. Preoperative expectation was positively correlated with change in pain and mental health scores.

Influence of Depressive Symptoms on the Outcome of Lumbar Spine Fusion-A 5-year Follow-up Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether depressive symptoms change the outcome of lumbar spine fusion (LSF) surgery at a 5-year follow-up. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous reports of the influence of depressive symptoms on the results of spine surgery are controversial, but the patient characteristics and indications for surgery varied widely between the studies. The influence of depressive symptoms on the 5-year outcome of LSF has not been studied. METHODS: The study was based on data from a local LSF database from two hospitals comprising 392 consecutive patients (mean age 61 years, 277 women) who underwent an instrumented LSF and fulfilled the 5-year follow-up. At the 5-year follow-up, the patients were compared with a control group from the general population (n = 477, age-, sex-, and residential area-matched) extracted from Official Statistics of Finland. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Depression Scale (DEPS; 0-30) and disability was evaluated by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; 0-100%). A DEPS score ≥12 was considered to indicate depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Before surgery, 35% of the patients had depressive symptoms. The proportion diminished to 13% at 3 months postoperatively and increased to 24% at 5 years. In the population, the prevalence was 11% at baseline and 10% at the 5-year follow-up. The preoperative ODI was 54 in the patients with depressive symptoms, and it was 41 in the patients with no depressive symptoms. The changes at 5-year follow-up were -20 and -18, correspondingly. The same congruence was preserved when analyzing short and long fusions separately. These changes were statistically and clinically significant. In the control population, the ODI remained around 24 in depressive people and 10 in nondepressive people. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that patients with and without depressive symptoms may benefit equally well from LSF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Does the Predominant Pain Location Influence Functional Outcomes, Satisfaction and Return to Work After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Radiculopathy?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively-collected registry data. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine how different combinations of preoperative neck pain (NP) and arm pain (AP) influence functional outcomes, patient satisfaction, and return-to-work in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical radiculopathy (DCR). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgeons often base decisions on the traditional belief that the predominance of radicular upper extremity symptoms is a stronger indication for cervical spine surgery than axial pain. However, there is a paucity of literature supporting this notion. METHODS: A prospectively maintained registry was reviewed for all patients who underwent primary ACDF for DCR. Patients were categorized into three groups depending on predominant pain location: AP predominant ([APP]; AP > NP), NP predominant ([NPP]; NP > AP), and equal pain predominance ([EPP]; NP = AP). Patients were prospectively followed for at least 2 years. RESULTS: In total, 303 patients were included: 27.4% APP, 38.9% NPP, and 33.7% EPP cases. The APP group was significantly older (P = 0.030), although there were no other preoperative differences among the three groups. After adjusting for baseline differences, the SF-36 Physical Component Summary was significantly better in the APP group at 6 months (P = 0.048) and 2 years (P = 0.039). In addition, they showed a trend towards better 6-month Neck Disability Index (P = 0.077) and 2-year SF-36 Mental Component Summary (P = 0.059). However, an equal proportion of patients in each group achieved the Minimal Clinically Important Difference for each outcome, were satisfied, and returned to work 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Although patients with NPP had slightly poorer function and quality of life, all patients experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in patient-reported outcomes, regardless of the predominant pain location. High rates of satisfaction and return-to-work were also achieved. In the context of proper indications, these findings suggest that ACDF can be equally effective for DCR patients with varying combinations of NP or AP.Level of Evidence: 3.

Parents'/Patients' Perception of the Informed Consent Process and Surgeons Accountability in Corrective Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Prospective Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the parents'/patients' perception on the informed consent process prior to posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Understanding parents/patients perspective on the process is important in order to achieve the goal of consent and prevent medico-legal implications. METHODS: Fifty AIS patients operated between August 2019 and November 2019 were prospectively recruited. Parents'/patients' perceptions on three sections were evaluated: the process of the informed consent, specific operative risk which they were most concerned with and the accountability of surgeons for the surgical risks. These data were ranked and scored using a 5-point Likert Scale. Preferences were reported in mean and standard deviation. Differences in terms of preferences were studied using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis and deemed significant when P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 30 females (60.0%) and 20 males (40.0%) with a mean age of 41.8 ±â€Š10.6 years. Majority of parents/patients preferred the inform consent to be explained more than once (P = 0.021), once during clinic consultation and once during admission (4.2 ±â€Š1.0). Consent taking by both attending surgeons was preferred (4.5 ±â€Š0.6) compared with other healthcare providers, P < 0.001. Death (60.0%) and neurological deficit (30.0%) were the two most concerned surgical risks. Parents/patients would still hold the surgeon accountable for any complications despite signing the informed consent and they felt that surgeons were directly responsible for screw-related injuries (3.9 ±â€Š0.9), neurological injury (3.8 ±â€Š0.9), and intraoperative bleeding (3.7 ±â€Š0.9). CONCLUSION: Parents/patients preferred the attending surgeons to personally explain the informed consent, more than once with the use of visual aid. They would still hold the surgeons accountable when complications occur despite acceptance of the informed consent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

A Validation of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for Cervical Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate depressive symptoms as measured by the PHQ-9 survey and correlated them with scores from the SF-12 and VR-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: With the rising incidence of depression and the need to identify modifiable risk factors before surgery, it is increasingly important to screen for preoperative depressive symptoms in spine surgery. Although the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) has favorable characteristics as a depressive symptom screening instrument, it has not been evaluated within cervical spine surgery. METHODS: A prospectively maintained surgical registry was reviewed for patients undergoing single or multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) from March 2016 until May 2019. Included patients underwent a procedure for degenerative spinal pathology. We collected demographic, baseline, and perioperative variables. The mean scores for postoperative PHQ-9, Short Form-12 (SF-12), and Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) surveys were calculated, and an average change between preoperative and postoperative scores. Scatterplots depicted the association of SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS with PHQ-9. We evaluated the relationship of PHQ-9 with SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS scores by calculating a Pearson correlation coefficient and time-independent partial correlation coefficient. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients underwent single or multilevel level cervical spine surgery (ACDF: 73% and CDR: 27%). The average age was 42.4 and 39% were female. Compared to preoperative scores, significant increases were observed among postoperative PHQ-9, SF-12, and VR-12 MCS surveys (P ≤ 0.001). We observed strong correlations between SF-12 and VR-12 MCS with PHQ-9 scores for both assessed correlations. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing ACDF or CDR demonstrated significant improvement with PHQ-9, SF-12 MCS, and VR-12 MCS instruments. PHQ-9 scores strongly correlated with SF-12 MCS and VR-12 MCS. Our findings indicate PHQ-9 is a valid tool to evaluate pre and postsurgical depressive symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Psychological predictors of quality of life after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for degenerative cervical spine disease.

We aimed to identify independent psychological predictors of quality of life (QOL) and functional outcome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical spine disease. We prospectively included patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative cervical disc herniation and stenosis. Patients completed a structured psychological assessment including the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (ADS-K), Post-Traumatic Stress Scale-10 (PTSS-10), State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety and - Trait Anxiety (STAI-S and STAI-T) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) before surgery, after 3 and 12 months. Outcome measures included EuroQol-5D (EQ), Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Of 104 included patients who underwent ACDF between March 2013 and November 2017, 92 completed follow-up after 3 and 12 months. The mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for neck pain (- 1.4; p < .001) and arm pain (- 1.8; p = .031) significantly decreased by 12 months. QOL scores significantly increased by 3 months (EQ: + 0.2; p < .001; SF-36 PCS: + 6.2; p < .001; SF-36 MCS: + 2.5; p = .044), a benefit which was retained at 12 months. Linear regression analyses identified statistically significant predictors in preoperative ASI-3, SF-36 MCS and STAI-S for postoperative QOL and ODI scores. There is a benefit for patients in terms of quality of life and function after undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical spine disease. With the ASI-3, SF-36 MCS and STAI-S there exist some predictors for postoperative QOL and ODI scores.

The patient generated index and decision regret in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

HYPOTHESIS: AIS patients and their parents will have distinct perspectives regarding the impact of AIS on patients' lives. INTRODUCTION: Current outcome assessment tools for AIS do not fully assess patient-specific disease impact and fail to distinguish between patient and parent perspectives. Patient Generated Index (PGI) has been used in other disease states to assess individual experiences. This study assesses PGI in operative AIS patients and their parents. DESIGN: Level 1, prospective multi-center study. METHODS: 44 AIS patient and parent pairs completed the PGI questionnaire comprised of three stages (S1, S2, S3) and decision regret (DR). S1 asks for five areas of the patient's life most affected by AIS and a 6th encompassing all other areas of their lives affected, S2 focuses on the magnitude of effect, S3 identifies desire to improve affected areas and DR if the surgery did not improve the specific area. S1 free responses were organized into 14 domains. Descriptive statistics were reported for stage scores; free-response format of PGI and DR limited ability for paired sample t test analysis. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 14.3 years, 84% female, and mean major curve magnitude was 61°. The three most common patient-reported concerns prior to surgery were (in descending order): sports, general function, and general fitness. However, the three most common parent-reported concerns were (in descending order): general function, sports, and appearance. Patients reported self-esteem and parents reported physical appearance as the most affected domain (S2). Patients reported pain and self-esteem and parents reported sleep and self-esteem as main operative aspirations (S3). Decision regret was the highest for uncertainty of future health in patients and sleep in parents. CONCLUSION: AIS patients and their parents reported different concerns and DR regarding surgical treatment. PGI provides insight into patient and parent views toward the disease as well as treatment aspirations.

Patient-reported Quality of Life Following Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion or Indirect Decompression Using Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) using reports from patients obtained at the 2-year postoperative follow-up. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Indirect decompression with LLIF is used to treat degenerative lumbar diseases that require neural decompression. However, the difference in improvement in QOL following indirect decompression compared with direct neural decompression using PLIF is unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 284 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the present study, 203 who underwent PLIF and 81 who underwent LLIF. All patients completed a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. We evaluated the effectiveness of surgery in each category of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). RESULTS: The results of preoperative JOABPEQ and the severity of thecal sac stenosis were not significantly different between PLIF and LLIF, neither was the rate of perioperative complications (14.8% and 15.4% for the PLIF and LLIF groups, respectively; P = 0.91). The effectiveness at 2 years postoperatively was almost the same for all five domains of the JOABPEQ: 62.6% and 68.9% for pain-related disorders (P = 0.34), 38.3% and 42.7% for lumbar spine dysfunction (P = 0.51), 65.8% and 67.5% for gait disturbance (P = 0.79), 53.5% and 48.8% for social life dysfunction (P = 0.47), and 29.1% and 33.3% for psychological disorders (P = 0.48) following PLIF and LLIF, respectively. Visual analogue scale results for back and lower-limb pain and numbness of the lower limbs were almost the same for both groups. No significant differences were observed in terms of perioperative complications and radiographical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Indirect decompression using LLIF improves QOL and radiographical outcomes to a comparable degree as direct decompression via PLIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.