Incidence and predictive factors of double crush syndrome in patients undergoing cervical surgery: a database study.

BACKGROUND: Double crush syndrome (DCS) is characterized by multiple compression sites along a single peripheral nerve. It commonly presents with persistent distal symptoms despite surgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy. Management typically involves nerve release of the most symptomatic site. However, due to overlapping symptoms with cervical radiculopathy, patients may undergo cervical surgery prior to DCS diagnosis. Due to its rarity and frequent misdiagnosis, the authors aim to utilize a large national database to investigate the incidence and associations of DCS. METHODS: The Pearldiver database was utilized to identify patients undergoing cervical surgery for the management of cervical radiculopathy. Patients were stratified into three cohorts based on their clinical course before and after cervical surgery. The primary outcome was the prevalence of DCS, and secondary outcomes included an evaluation of predictive factors for each Group, using a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Among 195,271 patients undergoing cervical surgery for cervical radiculomyelopathy, 97.95% were appropriately managed, 1.42% had potentially mids-diagnosed DCS, and 0.63% were treatment-resistant. Diabetes and obesity were significant predictors of potentially misdiagnosed DCS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study presents data indicating that 1.42% of patients who receive cervical surgery may have underlying DCS and potentially benefit from nerve release prior to undergoing surgery. A concurrent diagnosis of diabetes and obesity may predict an underlying DCS.

Higher Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Resolution Improves Accuracy of Patient-specific Mandibular Models When Compared to Cadaveric Gold Standard.

BACKGROUND: 3D-printed patient-specific anatomical models are becoming an increasingly popular tool for planning reconstructive surgeries to treat oral cancer. Currently there is a lack of information regarding model accuracy, and how the resolution of the computed tomography (CT) scan affects the accuracy of the final model. PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to determine the CT z-axis resolution necessary in creating a patient specific mandibular model with clinically acceptable accuracy for global bony reconstruction. This study also sought to evaluate the effect of the digital sculpting and 3D printing process on model accuracy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study using cadaveric heads obtained from the Ohio State University Body Donation Program. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: The first independent variable is CT scan slice thickness of either 0.675 , 1.25, 3.00, or 5.00 mm. The second independent variable is the three produced models for analysis (unsculpted, digitally sculpted, 3D printed). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: The degree of accuracy of a model as defined by the root mean square (RMS) value, a measure of a model's discrepancy from its respective cadaveric anatomy. ANALYSES: All models were digitally compared to their cadaveric bony anatomy using a metrology surface scan of the dissected mandible. The RMS value of each comparison evaluates the level of discrepancy. One-way ANOVA tests (P < .05) were used to determine statistically significant differences between CT scan resolutions. Two-way ANOVA tests (P < .05) were used to determine statistically significant differences between groups. RESULTS: CT scans acquired for 8 formalin-fixed cadaver heads were processed and analyzed. The RMS for digitally sculpted models decreased as slice thickness decreased, confirming that higher resolution CT scans resulted in statistically more accurate model production when compared to the cadaveric gold standard. Furthermore, digitally sculpted models were significantly more accurate than unsculpted models (P < .05) at each slice thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that CT scans with slice thicknesses of 3.00 mm or smaller created statistically significantly more accurate models than models created from slice thicknesses of 5.00 mm. The digital sculpting process statistically significantly increased the accuracy of models and no loss of accuracy through the 3D printing process was observed.

Beyond laryngoscopy: Trends in advanced technique endotracheal intubation in pediatric intensive care units across the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a lifesaving procedure in critically ill children. Direct laryngoscopy (DL) is the most utilized method for ETI, however advanced techniques beyond DL are indicated in some patients. The purpose of this study is to describe trends of advanced ETI techniques in the critical care setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the National Emergency Airway Registry for Children (NEAR4KIDS), advanced technique ETI quality improvement data were prospectively collected for ETIs in PICUs from April 2018 to September 2021. Those who underwent ETI with only DL or who underwent exchange of an existing endotracheal tube were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients underwent advanced technique ETI with a median age of 8 (IQR 1-17) years. Advanced technique ETI was successful on the first attempt in 46.8 % of cases, with an overall success rate of 91.1 %. 1.3 % of patients received emergent surgical airway management. The most utilized advanced ETI technique was video laryngoscopy, followed by flexible bronchoscopy, and intubation through a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The provider discipline ultimately successful in performing advanced technique ETI was most often pediatric critical care medicine (n = 26, 32.9 %), followed by anesthesia (n = 20, 25.3 %), and otolaryngology (n = 16, 20.3 %). CONCLUSION: While often indicated in challenging clinical scenarios, advanced ETI techniques are ultimately successful in the vast majority of cases. Advanced technique ETI is a highly multidisciplinary process.

Characterization of patient population receiving bioactive glass bone graft substitute as intraoperative treatment for orthopaedic trauma fractures.

Background: Bioactive glass synthetic bone grafts are used to treat osseous defects in orthopaedic surgery. Characterization of the clinical scenarios associated with bioactive glass use in the context of orthopaedic trauma, are not well established. This study aims to characterize population demographics, operative variables, as well as postoperative variables, for patients who required bone grafting for treatment of traumatic orthopaedic injuries and received a bioactive glass bone substitute intraoperatively. Methods: The electronic medical record at a large Level I trauma center was queried for fracture patients between January 1st, 2019, and April 30th, 2022. Our retrospective cohort included fracture patients who received Fibergraft Matrix or Fibergraft Putty intraoperatively, and their respective control groups. This study ascertained patient demographic variables, operative variables, and postoperative variables. Differences in categorical variables were tested with Fischer's Exact Tests, while differences in continuous variables were tested with ANOVA. Statistical significance was determined as P < 0.05. If the overall Group model was significant for a given variable, post-hoc Fischer's Exact or Tukey HSD tests were used to assess pairwise significance between individual Group pairs. Results: A total of four categories across our analysis of demographic, operative, and postoperative variables displayed significant differences amongst subject Groups (P ≤ 0.03). Individual groups were compared such that significant differences between subject groups could be appreciated for a specific variable. FM subjects had greater length of surgery, billable costs, and vitamin D supplementation at the time of surgery compared to FM controls. Similarly, FP subjects had greater length of surgery, billable cost, and implants used intraoperatively compared to FP controls. Conclusion: This analysis revealed Fibergraft patients to have greater length of surgery and billable cost, with respect to their matched controls. These data suggest that Fibergraft patients had more severe orthopaedic fractures compared to matched controls.