What Proportion of Women Orthopaedic Surgeons Report Having Been Sexually Harassed During Residency Training? A Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The field of orthopaedic surgery is not free from sexual harassment, with one recent study revealing that 47% of surveyed American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) members reported experiencing sexual harassment during their careers. Further characterization of the reported sexual harassment experienced by orthopaedic surgeons is warranted, especially as it relates to women trainees. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the overall proportion of women orthopaedic surgeons who reported having experienced sexual harassment during their orthopaedic residency? (2) Is the proportion of current orthopaedic trainees who report having experienced sexual harassment at work lower than the proportion of women attending orthopaedic surgeons who recall having been sexually harassed during their residency years? (3) Does this finding differ based on location of residency training? METHODS: An anonymous 12-question online survey was distributed between October 2019 and December 2019 to the 682 active and resident members of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, a professional society for women orthopaedic surgeons. The survey was created by Speak Up, an organization that is dedicated to identifying and correcting sources of workplace sexual harassment. Though not validated, the authors felt that this survey was the most easily adaptable to reflect orthopaedic training, and the authors felt it had good face validity for the purpose in a study of this kind. A total of 37% (250 of 682) of those contacted returned completed surveys. Twenty percent (51 of 250) were current residents, and 80% (199 of 250) were currently in fellowship or in practice. All survey respondents self-identified as women. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics to determine the differences in proportions of sexual harassment among current residents and attendings, as well as differences in geographic locations. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent (171 of 250) of women reported having experienced sexual harassment during their orthopaedic training. We found no differences between current and past trainees in terms of the proportion who reported having experienced sexual harassment during residency training (59% [30 of 51] versus 71% [141 of 199], odds ratio 0.59 [95% CI 0.31 to 1.11]; p = 0.10). Compared with the northeast region of the United States, we found no differences in the proportion of women who reported having experienced sexual harassment during residency training in the South region (65% [55 of 84] versus 67% [36 of 54], OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.51 to 1.17]; p = 0.89), the Midwest region (75% [53 of 71], OR 1.55 [95% CI 0.77 to 3.12); p = 0.22), or the West region 66% [27 of 41], OR 1.02 [95% CI 0.46 to 2.23); p = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: We found that a high proportion of women orthopaedic trainees report having experienced sexual harassment during orthopaedic residency. Residency programs should take steps to further identify and combat the sources of sexual harassment by increasing the number of women in leadership roles within the department and by ensuring that women trainees have adequate mentorship from both women and men attendings. After such measures are implemented, future studies should aim to evaluate their efficacy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study.

Apocrine Fibroadenoma on the Face: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Apocrine fibroadenoma (AFA) is a common benign entity found in the breast but is rarely seen at other sites. Several studies have documented cases in the anogenital region, but to date, there have been only 4 cases (excluding the current case) of an AFA located in the skin on other parts of the body. The authors present a case of a 66-year-old woman with a 6-year history of a slow growing red nodule on her face. The histopathologic diagnosis was consistent with an AFA. An extensive review of the literature to elucidate a possible pathogenesis of these lesions and relationship to the anogenital counterparts is presented.

Increased utilization of emergency department and inpatient care by patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic cutaneous disease with acutely painful flares. In a prior study of all-cause utilization, patients with HS had higher utilization of emergency department (ED) and inpatient care. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess utilization of medical care specifically related to HS, especially high-cost settings. METHODS: The MarketScan medical claims database was examined for participants with either HS or psoriasis based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes, during the study period, January 2008 to December 2012. This was a cohort cost-identification study with analyses of utilization measures and direct costs. RESULTS: The proportion of the HS cohort hospitalized was 5.1% and was higher than the psoriasis cohort (1.6%) (P < .0001). The proportion of patients who used the ED was also higher in the HS cohort (7.4% vs 2.6%, P < .0001). When compared with a subset of patients with severe psoriasis, the proportions of patients with HS who used the ED (7.4% vs 4.2%, P < .0001) or inpatient care (5.1% vs 2.5%, P < .0001) remained elevated. LIMITATIONS: The study sample may not be generalizable to other patient populations and may represent those with more severe disease. Pharmaceutical costs were not included and confounding factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and insurance type were not investigated. CONCLUSION: Patients with HS had increased utilization of high-cost settings, such as the ED and inpatient care, compared with patients with psoriasis, another chronic inflammatory disease. Both patients and providers should be aware of this finding and further work is needed to incorporate assessment of patient outcomes.

Persistent Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Reaction: A Potential Clue to Underlying Immune Deficiency.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine complications in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) have been well documented in the literature. We present a case in which the BCG vaccine was administered to an infant who was later diagnosed with SCID and presented with worsening localized BCG reaction upon arrival in the United States. Although the BCG vaccine is not routinely administered in the United States, it is important for physicians to be aware of potential complications of BCG vaccination since prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

Distal tibia fractures: locked or non-locked plating? A systematic review of outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although plating is considered to be the treatment of choice in distal tibia fractures, controversies abound regarding the type of plating for optimal fixation. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate and compare the outcomes of locked plating and non-locked plating in treatment of distal tibia fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed to identify articles on the outcomes of plating in distal tibia fractures that were published up to June 2012. We included English language articles involving a minimum of 10 adult cases with acute fractures treated using single-plate, minimally invasive techniques. Study-level binomial regression on the pooled data was conducted to determine the effect of locking status on different outcomes, adjusted for age, sex, and other independent variables. RESULTS: 27 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis of 764 cases (499 locking, 265 non-locking). Based on descriptive analysis only, delayed union was reported in 6% of cases with locked plating and in 4% of cases with non-locked plating. Non-union was reported in 2% of cases with locked plating and 3% of cases with non-locked plating. Comparing locked and non-locked plating, the odds ratio (OR) for reoperation was 0.13 (95% CI: 0.03-0.57) and for malalignment it was 0.10 (95% CI: 0.02-0.42). Both values were statistically significant. INTERPRETATION: This study showed that locked plating reduces the odds of reoperation and malalignment after treatment for acute distal tibia fracture. Future studies should accurately assess causality and the clinical and economic impact of these findings.

Does Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery Increase the Likelihood of Developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea? A Pearldiver Study.

OBJECTIVES: Literature is sparse on the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after anterior cervical spine surgery and includes few case reports. Our objective is to evaluate the role of anterior cervical spine surgery as a risk factor for developing OSA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed utilizing the M157 subset of the PearlDiver national database. Two matched cohorts of patients were identified based on anterior cervical spine surgery using CPT codes. ICD-9 and 10 was used to identify patients who developed OSA within one year time frame in both the cohorts. Relative risk of OSA was calculated for the study and risk factors for developing OSA in the cohort of anterior cervical surgery were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The 2 cohorts contained 277,475 patients each. The 1-year incidence rate of OSA in those who undergo anterior cervical spine surgery is 3.5% and is 3.1% in the control group. The relative risk of OSA in the surgery group is 1.13 times compared to the control. Multilevel cervical spine surgery and surgery performed for spondylosis had a higher risk of developing OSA. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cervical spine surgery is associated with an increased risk of developing OSA within one year of surgery. Timely diagnosis and management of OSA in patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery can help prevent morbidity and improve quality of life (QOL).

Treatment approach for coexisting chest wall fractures and unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures in polytrauma patients requiring prone spine surgery.

Concomitant chest wall fractures (sternal and/or rib fractures) with unstable thoracolumbar fractures that require surgical fixation are rare but highly morbid injuries that mandate a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. There is limited evidence in the literature regarding optimal timing and order of surgical fixation of these patients with multiple injuries. Here, we present our experience with two patients at a single institution that demonstrates the challenges that present with this patient population. We advocate for earlier fixation of the chest wall fractures in the appropriately indicated patients, prior to prone positioning for spinal fixation.

Geographical and Specialty-specific Variation in the Utilization of Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: Level IV retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Despite the positive outcomes associated with laminoplasty, there is significant surgeon variability in the use of laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy in the United States. In this study, we explored how geographic and specialty-specific differences may influence the utilization of laminoplasty to treat cervical myelopathy. BACKGROUND: We queried the Mariner 157 database (PearlDiver, Inc.), a national administrative claims database containing diagnostic, procedural, and demographic records from over 157 million patients from 2010 to 2021. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision/International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes, we identified all patients with a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy who had undergone multilevel posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) or laminoplasty. We further analyzed patients' demographics, comorbidities, geographical location, and specialty of the surgeon (neurosurgery or orthopedic spine surgery). RESULTS: There were 34,432 patients with a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy, of which 4,033 (11.7%) underwent laminoplasty and 30,399 (88.3%) underwent multilevel PCDF. Northeast, South, and West regions had lower percentages of laminoplasty utilization compared with the Midwest in terms of total case mix between laminoplasty and PCDF. In addition, 2,300 (57.0%) of the laminoplasty cases were performed by orthopedic spine surgeons compared with 1,733 (43.0%) by neurosurgeons. Temporal trends in laminoplasty utilization were stable for orthopedic surgeons, whereas laminoplasty utilization decreased over time between 2010 and 2021 for neurosurgeons (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of laminoplasty in the United States is not well defined. Our results suggest a geographical and training-specific variation in the utilization of laminoplasty. Surgeons with orthopedic training were more likely to perform laminoplasty compared with surgeons with a neurosurgery training background. In addition, we found greater utilization of laminoplasty in the Midwest compared with other regions.

GPT-4 as a Source of Patient Information for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Comparative Analysis Against Google Web Search.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparative study. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare Google and GPT-4 in terms of (1) question types, (2) response readability, (3) source quality, and (4) numerical response accuracy for the top 10 most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: "Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion" was searched on Google and GPT-4 on December 18, 2023. Top 10 FAQs were classified according to the Rothwell system. Source quality was evaluated using JAMA benchmark criteria and readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid grade level. Differences in JAMA scores, Flesch-Kincaid grade level, Flesch Reading Ease, and word count between platforms were analyzed using Student's t-tests. Statistical significance was set at the .05 level. RESULTS: Frequently asked questions from Google were varied, while GPT-4 focused on technical details and indications/management. GPT-4 showed a higher Flesch-Kincaid grade level (12.96 vs 9.28, P = .003), lower Flesch Reading Ease score (37.07 vs 54.85, P = .005), and higher JAMA scores for source quality (3.333 vs 1.800, P = .016). Numerically, 6 out of 10 responses varied between platforms, with GPT-4 providing broader recovery timelines for ACDF. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates GPT-4's ability to elevate patient education by providing high-quality, diverse information tailored to those with advanced literacy levels. As AI technology evolves, refining these tools for accuracy and user-friendliness remains crucial, catering to patients' varying literacy levels and information needs in spine surgery.

Modern Internet Search Analytics: Is There a Difference in What Patients are Searching Regarding the Operative and Nonoperative Management of Scoliosis?

STUDY DESIGN: Observational Study. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the most searched types of questions and online resources implicated in the operative and nonoperative management of scoliosis. METHODS: Six terms related to operative and nonoperative scoliosis treatment were searched on Google's People Also Ask section on October 12, 2023. The Rothwell classification was used to sort questions into fact, policy, or value categories, and associated websites were classified by type. Fischer's exact tests compared question type and websites encountered between operative and nonoperative questions. Statistical significance was set at the .05 level. RESULTS: The most common questions concerning operative and nonoperative management were fact (53.4%) and value (35.5%) questions, respectively. The most common subcategory pertaining to operative and nonoperative questions were specific activities/restrictions (21.7%) and evaluation of treatment (33.3%), respectively. Questions on indications/management (13.2% vs 31.2%, P < .001) and evaluation of treatment (10.1% vs 33.3%, P < .001) were associated with nonoperative scoliosis management. Medical practice websites were the most common website to which questions concerning operative (31.9%) and nonoperative (51.4%) management were directed to. Operative questions were more likely to be directed to academic websites (21.7% vs 10.0%, P = .037) and less likely to be directed to medical practice websites (31.9% vs 51.4%, P = .007) than nonoperative questions. CONCLUSIONS: During scoliosis consultations, spine surgeons should emphasize the postoperative recovery process and efficacy of conservative treatment modalities for the operative and nonoperative management of scoliosis, respectively. Future research should assess the impact of website encounters on patients' decision-making.

Risk Factors for Readmission Following Surgical Decompression for Spinal Epidural Abscesses: An Analysis of 4595 Patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to (1) compare baseline demographics of patients undergoing surgery for SEA who were/were not readmitted; (2) identify risk factors for 90-day readmissions; and (3) quantify 90-day episode-of-care health care costs. BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA), while rare, occurring ~2.5-5.1/10,000 admissions, may lead to permanent neurologic deficits and mortality. Definitive treatment often involves surgical intervention via decompression. METHODS: A search of the PearlDiver database from 2010 to 2021 for patients undergoing decompression for SEA identified 4595 patients. Cohorts were identified through the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), ICD-10, and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Baseline demographics of patients who were/were not readmitted within 90 days following decompression were aggregated/compared, identifying factors associated with readmission. Using Bonferroni correction, a P -value<0.001 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Readmission within 90 days of surgical decompression occurred in 36.1% (1659/4595) of patients. While age/gender were not associated with readmission rate, alcohol use disorder, arrhythmia, chronic kidney disease, ischemic heart disease, and obesity were associated with readmission. Readmission risk factors included fluid/electrolyte abnormalities, obesity, paralysis, tobacco use, and pathologic weight loss ( P <0.0001). Mean same-day total costs ($17,920 vs. $8204, P <0.001) and mean 90-day costs ($46,050 vs. $15,200, P <0.001) were significantly higher in the readmission group. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of patients (36.1%) are readmitted within 90 days following surgical decompression for SEA. The top 5 risk factors in descending order are fluid/electrolyte abnormalities, pathologic weight loss, tobacco use, pre-existing paralysis, and obesity. This study highlights areas for perioperative medical optimization that may reduce health care utilization.

Marijuana Use is Not a Contraindication for Tranexamic Acid Utilization in Lumbar Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety in lumbar spinal fusion with tranexamic acid (TXA) utilization in patients using marijuana. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study involving a single surgeon's cases of 1 to 4 level lumbar fusion procedures. Two hundred and ninety-four patients were followed for ninety days post-operatively. Consecutive patients were self-reported for daily marijuana use (n = 146) and compared to a similar cohort of patients who denied usage of marijuana (n = 146). Outcomes were collected, which included length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL), post-operative myocardial infarction, seizures, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, death, readmission, need for further surgery, infection, anaphylaxis, acute renal injury, and need for blood product transfusion. RESULTS: Patients in the marijuana usage cohort had similar age (58.9 years ±12.9 vs 58.7 years ±14.8, P = .903) and distribution of levels fused (P = .431) compared to the non-usage cohort. Thromboembolic events were rare in both groups (marijuana usage: 1 vs non-usage: 2). Compared to the non-usage cohort, the marijuana usage cohort had a similar average EBL (329.9 ± 298.5 mL vs 374.5 ± 363.8 mL; P = .254). Multivariate regression modeling demonstrated that neither EBL (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.64-2.49) nor need for transfusion (OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.43-5.72) varied between cohorts. The non-usage cohort had twice the risk of prolonged LOS compared to the marijuana usage cohort (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.15-3.63). CONCLUSION: Marijuana use should not be considered a contraindication for TXA utilization in lumbar spine surgery.

Mindfulness Applications: Can They Serve as a Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout Reduction Tool in Orthopaedic Surgery Training? A Randomized Control Trial.

Stress and burnout are prevalent within the orthopaedic surgery community. Mindfulness techniques have been shown to improve wellness, yet traditional courses are generally time-intensive with low surgeon utilization. We sought to determine whether the introduction of a simple mindfulness-based phone application would help decrease stress, anxiety, and burnout in orthopaedic surgery residents. Methods: Twenty-four residents participated in this prospective, randomized controlled trial. After simple 1:1 randomization, the treatment group received access to a mindfulness-based phone application for 2 months while the control group did not receive access. All participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Maslach Burnout Inventory with emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment subscores to measure stress, anxiety, and burnout at baseline and after 2 months. Paired t tests were used to compare baseline scores and conclusion scores for both groups. Results: There was no difference in baseline burnout scores between groups, but the treatment group had higher stress and anxiety scores at baseline. On average, the treatment group spent approximately 8 minutes per day, 2 days per week using the mindfulness application. After 2 months, the treatment group had significantly decreased stress (mean = -7.42, p = 0.002), anxiety (mean = -6.16, p = 0.01), EE (mean = -10.83 ± 10.72, p = 0.005), and DP (mean = -5.17 ± 5.51, p = 0.01). The control group did not have any significant differences in stress, anxiety, or burnout subscores. Conclusions: Use of a mindfulness-based phone app for 2 months led to significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and burnout scores in orthopaedic surgery residents. Our results support the use of a mindfulness-based app to help decrease orthopaedic resident stress, anxiety, and burnout. Benefits were seen with only modest use, suggesting that intensive mindfulness training programs may not be necessary to effect a change in well-being. The higher baseline stress and anxiety in the treatment group may suggest that mindfulness techniques are particularly effective in those who perceive residency to be more stressful. Level of Evidence: I.

Should patients with lumbar stenosis and grade I spondylolisthesis be treated differently based on spinopelvic alignment? A retrospective, two-year, propensity matched, comparison of patient-reported outcome measures and clinical outcomes from multiple sites within a single health system.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is one of the most common pathologies addressed by surgeons. Recently, data demonstrated improved outcomes with fusion in conjunction with laminectomy compared to laminectomy alone. However, given not all degenerative spondylolistheses are clinically comparable, the best treatment option may depend on multiple parameters. Specifically, the impact of spinopelvic alignment on patient reported and clinical outcomes following fusion versus decompression for grade I spondylolisthesis has yet to be explored. PURPOSE: This study assessed two-year clinical outcomes and one-year patient reported outcomes following laminectomy with concomitant fusion versus laminectomy alone for management of grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis and stenosis. The present study is the first to examine the effect of spinopelvic alignment on patient-reported and clinical outcomes following decompression alone versus decompression with fusion. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective sub-group analysis of observational, prospectively collected cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: 679 patients treated with laminectomy with fusion or laminectomy alone for grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis and comorbid spinal stenosis performed by orthopaedic and neurosurgeons at three medical centers affiliated with a single, tertiary care center. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS), Global Physical Health (GPH), and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores at baseline and post-operatively at 4-6 and 10-12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included operative parameters (estimated blood loss and operative time), and two-year clinical outcomes including reoperations, duration of postoperative physical therapy, and discharge disposition. METHODS: Radiographs/MRIs assessed stenosis, spondylolisthesis, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt; from this data, two cohorts were created based on pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PILL), denoted as "high" and "low" mismatch. Patients underwent either decompression or decompression with fusion; propensity score matching (PSM) and coarsened exact matching (CEM) were used to create matched cohorts of "cases" (fusion) and "controls" (decompression). Binary comparisons used McNemar test; continuous outcomes used Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Between-group comparisons of changes in PROMIS GPH and GMH scores were analyzed using mixed-effects models; analyses were conducted separately for patients with high and low pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PILL) mismatch. RESULTS: 49.9% of patients (339) underwent lumbar decompression with fusion, while 50.1% (340) received decompression. In the high PLL mismatch cohort at 10-12 months postoperatively, fusion-treated patients reported improved PROs, including GMH (26.61 vs. 20.75, p<0.0001) and GPH (23.61 vs. 18.13, p<0.0001). They also required fewer months of outpatient physical therapy (1.61 vs. 3.65, p<0.0001) and had lower 2-year reoperation rates (12.63% vs. 17.89%, p=0.0442) compared to decompression-only patients. In contrast, in the low PLL mismatch cohort, fusion-treated patients demonstrated worse endpoint PROs (GMH: 18.67 vs. 21.52, p<0.0001; GPH: 16.08 vs. 20.74, p<0.0001). They were also more likely to require skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers (6.86% vs. 0.98%, p=0.0412) and extended outpatient physical therapy (2.47 vs. 1.34 months, p<0.0001) and had higher 2-year reoperation rates (25.49% vs. 14.71%,p=0.0152). CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar laminectomy with fusion was superior to laminectomy in health-related quality of life and reoperation rate at two years postoperatively only for patients with sagittal malalignment, represented by high PILL mismatch. In contrast, the addition of fusion for patients with low-grade spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and spinopelvic harmony (low PILL mismatch) resulted in worse quality of life outcomes and reoperation rates.

Association of Thoracic MRI Findings With Specialty and Training.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of positive pathology on thoracic MRI ordered by surgical spine specialists to those ordered by nonsurgical spine specialists. METHODS: Outpatient thoracic MRIs from January-March 2019 were evaluated from a single academic health care system. Studies without a known ordering provider, imaging report, or patients with known presence of malignancy, multiple sclerosis, recent trauma, or surgery were excluded (n = 320). Imaging studies were categorized by type of provider placing the order (resident, attending, or advanced practice practitioner) and department. MRIs were deemed positive if they showed relevant pathology that correlated with indication for exam as determined by a radiologist. One-sided chi-squared analysis was performed to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall, our data demonstrated 17.2% of studies with positive pathology. Compared to nonspecialty clinicians, subspecialists showed 35/184 (19.0%) positivity rate versus the non-specialist with 20/136 (14.7%) positivity rate (P = .156). Posthoc analysis demonstrated that surgical specialists who order thoracic MRIs yield significantly higher positivity rates at 19/79 (24.0%) compared to nonsurgical specialists at 36/241 (14.9%) (P < .05). Overall, neurosurgery demonstrated the highest rate of positive thoracic MRIs at 14/40 (35.0%). Comparison between the rate of positivity between physicians and advanced practitioners was insignificant (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical diagnosis of symptomatic thoracic spine degenerative disease requires an expert physical exam combined with careful attention to radiology findings. Although the percent of relevant pathology on thoracic MRI is low, our data suggests evaluation by a surgical specialist should precede ordering a thoracic spine MRI.

The Rise and Fall of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Throughout the United States.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Database Study. OBJECTIVE: Investigate utilization of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) between 2004 and 2014. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The utilization, particularly off-label utilization, of BMP-2 has been controversial and debated in the literature. Given the concerns regarding cancer and potential complications, the risk benefit profile of BMP must be weighed with each surgical case. The debate regarding the costs and potential side effects of BMP-2 compared with autologous iliac crest bone harvest has continued. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for the use of BMP-2 (ICD-9-CM 84.52) between 2004 and 2014 across 44 states. The NIS database represents a 20% sample of discharges, weighted to provide national estimates. BMP-2 utilization rates in spine surgery fusion procedures were calculated as a fraction of the total number of thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spinal fusion surgeries performed each year. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2014, BMP-2 was utilized in 927,275 spinal fusion surgeries. In 2004, BMP-2 was utilized in 28.3% of all cases (N=48,613). The relative use of BMP-2 in spine fusion surgeries peaked in 2008 at 47.0% (N=112,180). Since then, it has continued to steadily decline with an endpoint of 23.6% of cases in 2014 (N=60,863). CONCLUSIONS: Throughout the United States, the utilization of BMP-2 in thoracolumbar fusion surgeries increased from 28.3% to 47.0% between 2004 and 2008. However, from 2008 to 2014, the utilization of BMP-2 in thoracolumbar spine fusion surgeries decreased significantly from 47.0% to 23.4%. While this study provides information on the utilization of BMP-2 for the entire United States over an 11-year period, further research is needed to the determine the factors affecting these trends.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Vancomycin Powder in Lumbar Laminectomy.

STUDY DESIGN: Break-even cost analysis. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to examine the cost-effectiveness of vancomycin powder for preventing infection following lumbar laminectomy. METHODS: The product cost of vancomycin powder was obtained from our institution's purchasing records. Infection rates and revision costs for lumbar laminectomy and lumbar laminectomy with fusion were obtained from the literature. A break-even analysis was then performed to determine the absolute risk reduction (ARR) in infection rate to make prophylactic application of vancomycin powder cost-effective. Analysis of lumbar laminectomy with fusion was performed for comparison. RESULTS: Costing $3.06 per gram at our institution, vancomycin powder was determined to be cost-effective in lumbar laminectomy if the infection rate of 4.2% decreased by an ARR of 0.015%. Laminectomy with fusion was also determined to be cost-effective at the same cost of vancomycin powder if the infection rate of 8.5% decreased by an ARR of 0.0034%. The current highest cost reported in the literature, $44.00 per gram of vancomycin powder, remained cost-effective with ARRs of 0.21% and 0.048% for laminectomy and laminectomy with fusion, respectively. Varying the baseline infection rate did not influence the ARR for either procedure when the analysis was performed using the product cost of vancomycin at our institution. CONCLUSIONS: This break-even analysis demonstrates that prophylactic vancomycin powder can be highly cost-effective for lumbar laminectomy. At our institution, vancomycin powder is economically justified if it prevents at least one infection out of 6700 lumbar laminectomy surgeries.

The Effects of Marijuana Use on Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

MINI: This study compared clinical and patient-reported outcomes following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion between patients who use or do not use marijuana. We found that patients who use marijuana are younger, but do not demonstrate any differences in preoperative or postoperative Oswestry disability index scores or rates of fusion. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate marijuana usage and its effect on outcomes following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: As marijuana becomes legalized throughout the United States, its medicinal and recreational usage is becoming more mainstream. Clinicians currently have little guidance regarding both short-term and long-term effects of marijuana usage on surgical interventions. While the rate of lumbar spinal fusion in the United States continues to grow, the effect of marijuana usage on fusion remains uncertain. METHODS: One hundred two patients who underwent TLIF performed by the same surgeon were followed for 12 months. Patients were self-reported for marijuana usage (n = 36). Patient reported outcome measures included preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI), 6-month ODI, and 12-month ODI, as well as length of stay (LOS), complications, return to operating room (OR), revision surgery, and confirmed fusion. Continuous variables were compared using the independent two-sample t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA), whereas categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square or Fischer exact tests. Adjusted analysis was performed using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Marijuana usage was associated with a younger population (P < 0.001), but showed no difference regarding sex or body mass index compared with the non-usage group. There was no statistically significant difference in complications, return to OR, or revision surgery between groups. When controlling for factors such as age and preoperative ODI, multivariate analysis demonstrated that marijuana usage did not limit postoperative ODI reduction. The marijuana usage group demonstrated shorter LOS (2.42 vs. 3.00 d, P = 0.020). Fusion rates at 12 months were similar between groups (96% vs. 92.3%, P = 0.678). ODI was similar between groups at all time points. CONCLUSION: Perioperative outcomes were similar in patients who underwent TLIF regardless of marijuana usage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

A retrospective cohort study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate marijuana usage and its effect on outcomes following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). As marijuana becomes legalized throughout the United States, its medicinal and recreational usage is becoming more mainstream. Clinicians currently have little guidance regarding both short-term and long-term effects of marijuana usage on surgical interventions. While the rate of lumbar spinal fusion in the United States continues to grow, the effect of marijuana usage on fusion remains uncertain. One hundred two patients who underwent TLIF performed by the same surgeon were followed for 12 months. Patients were self-reported for marijuana usage (n = 36). Patient reported outcome measures included preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI), 6-month ODI, and 12-month ODI, as well as length of stay (LOS), complications, return to operating room (OR), revision surgery, and confirmed fusion. Continuous variables were compared using the independent two-sample t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA), whereas categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square or Fischer exact tests. Adjusted analysis was performed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Marijuana usage was associated with a younger population (P < 0.001), but showed no difference regarding sex or body mass index compared with the non-usage group. There was no statistically significant difference in complications, return to OR, or revision surgery between groups. When controlling for factors such as age and preoperative ODI, multivariate analysis demonstrated that marijuana usage did not limit postoperative ODI reduction. The marijuana usage group demonstrated shorter LOS (2.42 vs. 3.00 d, P = 0.020). Fusion rates at 12 months were similar between groups (96% vs. 92.3%, P = 0.678). ODI was similar between groups at all time points. Perioperative outcomes were similar in patients who underwent TLIF regardless of marijuana usage. Level of Evidence: 3.

Acute Opioid Withdrawal Mimicking Postoperative Joint Infection Following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Reconstruction: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND A short course of opioid narcotics is often prescribed for postoperative anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction pain management. Unfortunately, there is a well-documented incidence of opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) following short-term use of these medications. OWS can present with symptoms such as influenza-like illness. It is important to differentiate OWS from infectious illnesses, especially after surgery. CASE REPORT We present a case of OWS in a patient who underwent ACL reconstruction 7 days prior. The patient's OWS symptoms were similar to symptoms of a postoperative infection. The knee was aspirated, and the analysis of the aspirate was not concerning for an infection. The patient's symptoms spontaneously resolved on postoperative day 10. This is the first documented case of OWS mimicking ACL reconstruction joint infection. CONCLUSIONS OWS after surgery may present with symptoms similar to joint infection. It is important to consider OWS as a potential complication after surgery and differentiate it from infection to avoid any further unnecessary invasive treatments for the patient.