Atypical Hangman's Fractures: An Institutional Study of 51 Patients With Atypical Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of C2.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Atypical hangman's fractures are associated with increased risk for neurologic injury due to involvement of the posterior cortex of the axis body. We present the largest single-center cohort of atypical hangman's fractures with the goal of guiding treatment decisions and outcomes based on fracture classification. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with atypical hangman's fractures treated at a single Level I trauma center between January 2010 and September 2023. 51 patients met inclusion criteria and demographic, treatment, and radiographic data were recorded and compared across the Type I and II fracture groups. RESULTS: Final treatment modalities varied significantly between the groups (P < 0.01), with hard cervical collar and invasive halo immobilization being the most prevalent treatments for fracture Types I and II respectively. One Type I fracture patient and four Type II fracture patients failed non-operative treatment, requiring surgery. Across both groups, posterior cervical fusion (73%) was the most common surgical approach. Median length of stay varied significantly between the two fracture groups (2.0 (1.0-7.0) vs 5.0 (3.0-8.0) days; P = 0.01). Irrespective of fracture type, longer hospital length of stay was associated with increased patient age (IRR = 1.02; P < 0.01), non-white race (IRR = 2.47; P = 0.01), injury caused by MVC (IRR = 1.93; P < 0.01), and the presence of non-spine orthopedic injuries (IRR = 1.72; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: While atypical Type I hangman's fractures may be managed effectively non-operatively with a hard cervical collar, atypical Type II fractures managed with a hard cervical collar are at greater risk of requiring subsequent surgical intervention.

Socioeconomic disadvantage is correlated with worse PROMIS outcomes following lumbar fusion.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with differential healthcare outcomes and may be proxied using the area-deprivation index (ADI). Few studies to date have investigated the role of ADI on patient-reported outcomes and clinically meaningful improvement following lumbar spine fusion surgery. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of SES on lumbar fusion outcomes using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) surveys. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review of a single institution cohort. PATIENT SAMPLE: About 205 patients who underwent elective one-to-three level posterior lumbar spine fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in PROMIS scores and achievement of minimum clinically important difference (MCID). METHODS: Patients 18 years or older undergoing elective one-to-three level lumbar spine fusion secondary to spinal degeneration from January 2015 to September 2021 with minimum one year follow-up were reviewed. ADI was calculated using patient-supplied addresses and patients were grouped into quartiles. Higher ADI values represent worse deprivation. Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds were calculated using distribution-based methods. Analysis of variance testing was used to assess differences within and between the quartile cohorts. Multivariable regression was used to identify features associated with the achievement of MCID. RESULTS: About 205 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average age of our cohort was 66±12 years. The average time to final follow-up was 23±8 months (range 12-36 months). No differences were observed between preoperative baseline scores amongst the four quartiles. All ADI cohorts showed significant improvement for pain interference (PI) at final follow-up (p<.05), with patients who had the lowest socioeconomic status having the lowest absolute improvement from preoperative baseline physical function (PF) and PI (p=.01). Only those patients who were in the lowest socioeconomic quartile failed to significantly improve for PF at final follow-up (p=.19). There was a significant negative correlation between socioeconomic level and the absolute proportion of patients reaching MCID for PI (p=.04) and PF (p=.03). However, while ADI was a significant predictor of achieving MCID for PI (p=.02), it was nonsignificant for achieving MCID for PF. CONCLUSIONS: Our study investigated the influence of ADI on postoperative PROMIS scores and identified a negative correlation between ADI quartile and the proportion of patients reaching MCID. Patients in the worse ADI quartile had lower chances of reaching clinically meaningful improvement in PI. Policies focused on alleviating geographical deprivation may augment clinical outcomes following lumbar surgery.

Social Vulnerability Index Provides Greater Granularity Compared to the Area Deprivation Index When Assessing Outcomes Following Elective Lumbar Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a single institution cohort. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Area Deprivation Index (ADI) or Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is more suitable for evaluating minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement following elective lumbar fusion as captured by the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A total of 182 patients who underwent elective one- to two-level posterior lumbar fusion between January 2015 and September 2021. METHODS: ADI and SVI values were calculated from patient-supplied addresses. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on values; higher quartiles represented greater disadvantage. MCID thresholds for Pain Interference (PI) and Physical Function (PF) were determined via a distribution-based method. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors impacting MCID attainment. Univariate logistic regression was performed to determine which themes comprising SVI values affected MCID achievement. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that ADI and SVI quartile assignment significantly impacted achievement of MCID for PI (P=0.04 and P=0.01 respectively) and PF (P=0.03 and P=0.02 respectively). Specifically, assignment to the third ADI and SVI quartiles were significant for PI (OR: 0.39 and 0.23 respectively), and PF (OR: 0.24 and 0.22 respectively). Race was not a significant predictor of MCID for either PI or PF. Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that among SVI themes, the socioeconomic status theme significantly affected achievement of MCID for PI (P=0.01), while the housing type and transportation theme significantly affected achievement of MCID for PF (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: ADI and SVI quartile assignment were predictors of MCID achievement. While ADI and SVI may both identify patients at risk for adverse outcomes following lumbar fusion, SVI offers greater granularity in terms of isolating themes of disadvantage impacting MCID achievement.

Depression State Correlates with Functional Recovery Following Elective Lumbar Spine Fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how depression state impacts postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores and achievement of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) following lumbar fusion. Depression has been shown to negatively impact outcomes following numerous orthopedic surgeries. Situational and major clinical depression can differentially affect postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing elective 1-3 level lumbar fusion were reviewed. Patients with a formal diagnosis of major depression were classified as "clinically depressed" whereas patients with at least "mild" PROMIS Depression scores in the absence of formal depression diagnosis were deemed "situationally depressed." analysis of variance testing was used to assess differences within and between groups. Multivariate regression was used to identify features associated with the achievement of MCID. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included. The average age was 65.9 ± 12.2 years. 75 patients (37.5%) were nondepressed, 66 patients (33.0%) were clinically depressed, and 59 patients (29.5%) were situationally depressed. Situationally depressed patients had worse preoperative physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI) scores and were more likely to have severe symptoms (P = 0.001, P = 0.001). All groups improved significantly from preoperative baseline scores. All groups met MCID PF at different rates, with highest proportion of situationally depressed reaching this metric (P = 0.03). Rates of achieving MCID PI were not significantly different between groups (P = 0.47). Situational depression was predictive of achieving MCID PF (P = 0.002) but not MCID PI. CONCLUSIONS: Our study investigated the relationship between depression and postoperative PROMIS scores and identified situationally depressed patients as having the worst preoperative impairment. Despite this, the situationally depressed cohort had the highest likelihood of achieving MCID PF, suggestive of a bidirectional relationship between lumbar degenerative disease and subclinical, situational depression. These findings may help guide preoperative counseling on expectations, and patient selection.

Prophylactic intraoperative powdered vancomycin and postoperative deep spinal wound infection: 1,512 consecutive surgical cases over a 6-year period.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of intraoperative powdered vancomycin on the rates of postoperative deep spinal wound infection. The use of intraoperative powdered vancomycin as a prophylactic measure in an attempt to reduce the incidence of postoperative spinal wound infection has not been sufficiently evaluated in the existing literature. A retrospective review of a large clinical database was performed to determine the rates of deep wound infection associated with the use of intraoperative operative site powdered vancomycin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period from 2005 to 2010, 1,512 consecutive spinal surgery cases were performed by the same fellowship-trained spinal surgeon (RWM) at a level 1 trauma-university medical center. One gram of powdered vancomycin was placed in all surgical sites prior to wound closure. Eight hundred forty-nine cases were uninstrumented, 478 cases were instrumented posterior thoracic or lumbar, 12 were instrumented anterior thoracic or lumbar, 126 were instrumented anterior cervical, and 47 were instrumented posterior cervical cases. Fifty-eight cases were combined anterior and posterior surgery and 87 were revision surgeries. A retrospective operative database and medical record review was performed to evaluate for evidence of postoperative deep wound infection. RESULTS: 15 of the 1,512 patients (0.99%) were identified as having evidence of postoperative deep wound infection. At least one pre-existing risk factor for deep infection was present in 8/15 pts (54%). Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were the most commonly identified organisms (11/15 cases). The rate of deep wound infection was 1.20% (8/663) for instrumented spinal surgeries, and 0.82% (7/849) for uninstrumented surgeries. Deep infection occurred in only 1.23% (4/324) of multilevel instrumented posterior spinal fusions, 1.37% (1/73) of open PLIF procedures, and 1.23% (1/81) of single-level instrumented posterior fusions. Deep infection was not observed in any patient who had uninstrumented spinal fusion (0/64). The deep infection rate for revision surgeries was 1.15% (1/87) and 0.55% (1/183) for trauma surgery. Increased rates of complications related to powdered vancomycin use were not identified in this series. Conclusion In this series of 1,512 consecutive spinal surgeries, the use of 1 g of powdered intraoperative vancomycin placed in the wound prior to wound closure appears to associated with a low rate deep spinal wound infection for both instrumented and uninstrumented cases. Rates of deep infection for instrumented fusion surgery, trauma, and revision surgery appear to be among the lowest reported in the existing literature. Further investigation of this prophylactic adjunctive measure is warranted.

Rigid cervical collar treatment for geriatric type II odontoid fractures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate fracture healing, functional outcomes, complications, and mortality associated with rigid cervical collars. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with <50% odontoid displacement were treated with a rigid cervical collar for 12 weeks (Average age = 84 years). Outcome scores were compared with a group of 40 age-matched control subjects (Average age 79.3). RESULTS: At average 14.9-month follow-up, only 6% demonstrated radiographic evidence of fracture healing and 70% had mobile odontoid nonunion. NDI scores indicated only mild disability, pain scores were low, and neither differed significantly from age-matched controls. Mobile odontoid nonunion was not associated with higher levels of disability or neck pain. Mortality rate was 11.8%. Treatment complications occurred in 6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Odontoid nonunion and instability are high in geriatric patients treated with a rigid cervical collar. Fracture healing and stability did not correlate with improved outcomes. Outcomes did not differ significantly from age-matched cohorts.

C1 lateral mass screw placement with intentional sacrifice of the C2 ganglion: functional outcomes and morbidity in elderly patients.

Placement of C1 lateral mass screws may be facilitated by intentional C2 root sacrifice. Functional outcomes and morbidity following intentional sacrifice of the C2 root have not been reported in the literature. The objective is to find out if intentional C2 nerve root sacrifice affects functional outcomes and operative morbidity in patients undergoing posterior cervical fusion with C1 lateral mass screws. The study is a case report. Twenty-two consecutive elderly patients (10 males, 12 females with an average age of 77 years) with C1-2 instability were treated with posterior cervical fusion using C1 lateral mass screw placement. Five patients had preservation of the bilateral C2 nerve roots (PRES group) and 18 patients had intentional sacrifice of the bilateral C2 nerve root (SAC group). Operative times, blood loss, hospital length of stay, and complications were recorded for each patient. Functional outcomes, pain, and satisfaction scores were compared between the two groups at the time of ultimate follow-up. Average follow-up time was 19.3 months (range 6-66). The SAC group demonstrated significantly decreased operative time (109.4 vs. 187 min) and a trend towards decreased blood loss (344 vs. 1,030 mL). At ultimate follow-up both groups experienced similar mild disability with no significant difference in NDI scores, analog pain, and satisfaction scores. No patient had C2 root dysesthesia, swallowing, or speech difficulty. In this small case series, intentional sacrifice of the bilateral C2 nerve root ganglion resulted in less operative time and decreased blood loss in elderly patents undergoing C1-2 posterior fusion with the Harms technique. Functional outcome, pain and satisfaction scores were not adversely affected when this technique was used in elderly patients.

An Analysis of Patient and Fracture Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Hyperostotic Spine Fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes and complications following operative and nonoperative management of hyperostotic spine fractures. METHODS: Patients presenting between 2008 and 2017 to a single level 1 trauma center with hyperostotic spine fractures had their information and fracture characteristics reviewed. Bivariate analyses were conducted to compare patients across a number of characteristics and outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression models for complication and mortality were done in a stepwise fashion. RESULTS: Sixty-five ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) patients with a spine fracture met our inclusion criteria. DISH was slightly more prevalent (55% vs 45%). Overall delayed diagnosis, reoperation, mortality (at 1 year), and complication rates were high at 32%, 13%, 23%, and 57%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression models, patients undergoing operative management had significantly increased odds of having a complication (odds ratio [OR] = 23.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.24-236.45, P = .008), while increasing age was associated with increased odds of death (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06-1.31, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AS or DISH who fracture their spine are at high risk of complication and death. However, neither operative nor nonoperative treatment increases the odds of mortality. This study helps add to a growing, but still limited, body of literature on the characteristics of patients with spine fractures in the setting of AS or DISH.

Predictors of 30-Day Unplanned Readmissions, Complications, and Mortality Following Operative Management of C2 Fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. OBJECTIVES: To determine factors associated with unplanned readmission, complications, and mortality in patients undergoing operative management for C2 fractures. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) was queried between 2007 and 2014. Unplanned readmission, any complication, and mortality were the outcomes of interest. Bivariate statistics were calculated, and multivariate regression models were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 285 patients were enrolled. Readmission data was available for 199 patients and 11 patients (5.5% of 199 patients) had an unplanned readmission. Overall, 60 patients (21% of 285 patients) had at least 1 complication and 15 patients (5.3% of 285 patients) died. Five factors were associated with complications: transferred from another facility (odds ratio [OR] 3.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.51-5.98; P < .01); operative time ≥180 minutes (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.11-5.36; P = .03); at least 1 patient comorbidity (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.01-6.18; P < .05); American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 (OR 4.86, 95% CI 1.19-19.88; P = .03); and ASA class 4 (OR 7.24, 95% CI 1.66-31.66; P = .01). The only factor associated with unplanned readmission was having at least one postoperative complication (OR 7.10, 95% CI 1.04-48.59; P < .05), while patients who were partially or totally dependent from a functional standpoint were at increased odds of death (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.12-14.08; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with functional limitations have increased odds of death, while patients with postoperative complications have increased odds of unplanned readmission. Being transferred from an outside facility, having an operative time ≥180 minutes, having at least one comorbidity, and being classified as ASA class 3 or 4 increase patient odds of complication.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with structural allograft and plates for the treatment of unstable posterior cervical spine injuries.

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate complications and radiographic and functional outcomes of isolated anterior stabilization surgery in which structural allograft and plates were used for posterior unstable subaxial cervical spine lateral mass, facet, and ligamentous injuries. METHODS: Between August 2003 and January 2008, 19 consecutive patients with unstable lateral mass, facet, and/or posterior ligamentous injuries of the subaxial cervical spine were treated by a single surgeon via an anterior approach. This was performed using structural allograft and plate fixation. Patients with any associated anterior vertebral fractures were excluded from the study. Autogenous bone grafts or bone graft substitutes were not used in any patient. The average age of the patients was 43 years (range 17-87 years) and the mean follow-up period was 20.4 months (range 6-48 months). Seventeen of the 19 patients participated in the study; the other 2 were lost to follow-up. Operative times, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay (LOS), and perioperative complications were recorded for each patient. Radiographic outcomes included fusion scores and sagittal alignment measurements. Outcome scores with respect to neck pain, satisfaction with surgery, and function were recorded for each patient according to analog pain and satisfaction scales and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Additionally, NDI and pain scores at final follow-up were compared with a group of healthy, age-matched controls. RESULTS: The average surgical time was 60 minutes (range 28-108 minutes), and the estimated blood loss averaged 48.9 ml per surgical procedure (range 20-150 ml). The LOS for the 13 patients who had no other associated injuries averaged 2.2 days (range 2-3 days). Fifteen of 17 patients achieved solid radiographic fusion, and no patient demonstrated instability. Only 1 patient had significant loss of the initial sagittal alignment correction at final follow-up. The average NDI score for the 17 patients was 6.5 (range 0-11), indicating mild disability and comparing favorably to a group of healthy age-matched controls. There was no statistical difference in pain scores for the trauma patients and control group at ultimate follow-up (1.5 vs 0.3, respectively). Satisfaction scores for the 17 trauma patients were high, averaging 94% (range 80-100%). Ten of the 11 patients with preoperative radiculopathy demonstrated complete resolution of this condition. Complications occurred in 1 patient with transient hoarseness and 1 with transient swallowing difficulty. There were no wound complications. Screw breakage occurred in 1 patient, and an additional patient required revision surgery for pseudarthrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion performed using interbody structural allograft and plate fixation is highly effective in the treatment of unstable posterior cervical lateral mass, facet, and ligamentous injuries. This treatment option results in low intraoperative blood loss, short operating times, and a brief LOS. Radiographic outcomes with respect to segmental stability are excellent, and fusion rates with the use of structural allograft alone are high. Outcomes with respect to pain, function, and patient satisfaction are high, and complications are acceptably low.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) create intervertebral fusion by means of a posterior approach. Both techniques are useful in managing degenerative disk disease, severe instability, spondylolisthesis, deformity, and pseudarthrosis. Successful results have been reported with allograft, various cages (for interbody support), autograft, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. Interbody fusion techniques may facilitate reduction and enhance fusion. The rationale for PLIF and TLIF is biomechanically sound. However, clinical outcomes of different anterior and posterior spinal fusion techniques tend to be similar. PLIF has a high complication rate (dural tear, 5.4% to 10%; neurologic injury, 9% to 16%). These findings, coupled with the versatility of TLIF throughout the entire lumbar spine, may make TLIF the ideal choice for an all-posterior interbody fusion.

Comparison of adult spinal deformity patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis undergoing primary non-cervical spinal fusion surgery: a nationwide analysis of 52,818 patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Numerous studies have analyzed the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the cervical spine and its related surgical interventions. However, there is a paucity of literature available conducting the same analyses in patients with non-cervical spine involvement. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare patient characteristics, comorbidities, and complications in patients with and without RA undergoing primary non-cervical spinal fusions. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective national database review. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 52,818 patients with adult spinal deformity undergoing non-cervical spinal fusions (1,814 patients with RA and 51,004 patients without RA). OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures in the study include patient characteristics, as well as complication and mortality rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2003 to 2014, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis and procedure codes were used to identify patients aged ≥18 years old with and without RA undergoing primary non-cervical spinal fusions. Univariate analysis was used to determine patient characteristics, comorbidities, and complication values for each group. Bivariate analysis was used to compare the two groups. Significance was set at p<.05. RESULTS: Patients with RA were older (p<.001), were more likely to be women (p<.001), had increased rates of osteoporosis (p<.001), had a greater percentage of their surgeries reimbursed by Medicare (p<.001), and more often had weekend admissions (p=.014). There was no difference in all the other characteristics. Patients with RA had higher rates of iron deficiency anemia, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, depression, and fluid and electrolyte disorders (all, p<.001). Patients without RA had higher rates of alcohol abuse (p=.027). There was no difference in all the other complications. There was no difference in mortality rate (p=.99). Total complications were greater in patients with RA (p<.001). Patients with RA had higher rates of infection (p=.032), implant-related complications (p=.010), incidental durotomies (p=.001), and urinary tract infections (p<.001). No difference existed among the other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RA have an increased number of comorbidities and complication rates compared with patients without RA. Such knowledge can help surgeons and patients with RA have beneficial preoperative discussions regarding outcomes.

Cervical spine injury severity score. Assessment of reliability.

BACKGROUND: Systems for classifying cervical spine injury most commonly use mechanistic or morphologic terms and do not quantify the degree of stability. Along with neurologic function, stability is a major determinant of treatment and prognosis. The goal of our study was to investigate the reliability of a method of quantifying the stability of subaxial (C3-C7) cervical spine injuries. METHODS: A quantitative system was developed in which an analog score of 0 to 5 points is assigned, on the basis of fracture displacement and severity of ligamentous injury, to each of four spinal columns (anterior, posterior, right pillar, and left pillar). The total possible score thus ranges from 0 to 20 points. Fifteen examiners assigned scores after reviewing the plain radiographs and computed tomography images of thirty-four consecutive patients with cervical spine injuries. The scores were then evaluated for interobserver and intraobserver reliability with use of intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean intraobserver and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients for the fifteen reviewers were 0.977 and 0.883, respectively. Association between the scores and clinical data was also excellent, as all patients who had a score of > or =7 points had surgery. Similarly, eleven of the fourteen patients with a score of > or =7 points had a neurologic deficit compared with only three of the twenty with a score of <7 points. CONCLUSIONS: The Cervical Spine Injury Severity Score had excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. We believe that quantifying stability on the basis of fracture morphology will allow surgeons to better characterize these injuries and ultimately lead to the development of treatment algorithms that can be tested in clinical trials.

Complications and readmission after lumbar spine surgery in elderly patients: an analysis of 2,320 patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There is a paucity of literature describing risk factors for adverse outcomes after geriatric lumbar spinal surgery. As the geriatric population increases, so does the number of lumbar spinal surgeries in this cohort. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine how safe lumbar surgery is in elderly patients. Does patient selection, type of surgery, length of surgery, and other comorbidities in the elderly patient affect complication and readmission rates after surgery? STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Database was used in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome data that were analyzed were minor and major complications, mortality, and readmissions in geriatric patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery from 2005 to 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from the ACS NSQIP database. Patients over the age of 80 years who underwent lumbar spinal surgery from 2005 to 2013 were identified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems diagnosis codes and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Outcome data were classified as either a major complication, minor complication, readmission, or mortality. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine risks for developing adverse outcomes in the initial 30 postoperative days. RESULTS: A total of 2,320 patients over the age of 80 years who underwent lumbar spine surgery were identified. Overall, 379 (16.34%) patients experienced at least one complication or death. Seventy-five patients (3.23%) experienced a major complication. Three hundred thirty-eight patients (14.57%) experienced a minor complication. Eighty-six patients (6.39%) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Ten deaths (0.43%) were recorded in the initial 30 postoperative days. Increased operative times were strongly associated with perioperative complications (operative time >180 minutes, odds ratio [OR]: 3.07 [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.23-4.22]; operative time 120-180 minutes, OR: 1.77 [95% CI 1.27-2.47]). Instrumentation and fusion procedures were also associated with an increased risk of developing a complication (OR: 2.56 [95% CI 1.66-3.94]). Readmission was strongly associated with patients who were considered underweight (body mass index [BMI] <18.5) and who were functionally debilitated at the time of admission (OR: 4.10 [1.08-15.48] and OR: 2.79 [1.40-5.56], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery have high complications and readmission rates. Risk factors for complications include longer operative time and more extensive procedures involving instrumentation and fusion. Higher readmission rates are associated with low baseline patient functional status and low patient BMI.

Large Compressive Pseudomeningocele Causing Early Major Neurologic Deficit After Spinal Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVES: Large compressive pseudomeningocele causing a major neurologic deficit is a very rare complication that is not well described in the existing literature. METHODS: Institutional review board consent was obtained to study 2552 consecutive extradural spinal surgical cases performed by a single senior spinal surgeon during a 10-year period. The surgeon's database for the decade was retrospectively reviewed and 3 cases involving postoperative major neurologic deficits caused by large compressive pseudomeningocele were identified. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative compressive pseudomeningocele causing major neurologic deficit was 0.12% (3/2552) per decade of spinal surgery with approximately 1.3% of cases incurring incidental durotomy. Average age of the patients was 57 years (range 45-78). One patient had posterior cervical spine surgery, and 2 patients had posterior lumbar surgery. All 3 patients had intraoperative incidental durotomy repaired during their index procedure. Large compressive pseudomeningocele causing major neurologic deficit occurred in the early 2-week postoperative period in all patients and was clearly identified on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. All 3 patients were treated with emergent decompression and repair of the dural defect. All patients recovered neurologic function after revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental durotomy and repair causing a large compressive pseudomeningocele after spine surgery is a rare and potentially devastating event. Early postoperative magnetic resonance imaging assists in the diagnosis. Emergent decompression combined with revision dural repair surgery may result in improved outcomes. Surgeons should be cognizant of this rare cause of early postoperative major neurologic deficit in patients who had previous dural repair.

Complications and Readmission After Cervical Spine Surgery in Elderly Patients: An Analysis of 1786 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors and complications of cervical spine surgery in elderly patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Patients ≥65 years old who underwent cervical spine surgery from 2005 to 2013 were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Outcome data were classified as major complication, minor complication, readmission, or mortality. RESULTS: Of 1786 patients ≥65 years old undergoing cervical spine surgery identified, 175 (9.80%) patients experienced at least 1 complication or death. Patients ≥75 years old were at higher risk of developing a complication or death (odds ratio [OR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.61). Patients with increased operative times (OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.27-5.53), patients who were partially or totally dependent (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.79-5.07), and patients listed as American Society of Anesthesiologists class III/IV/V (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.20-2.94) had increased risks of perioperative complications. Patients 70-74 years old (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.03-3.65) and patients with at least 1 postoperative complication (OR 9.59, 95% CI 5.17-17.80) had increased risks of unplanned readmissions. Patients ≥75 years old undergoing a laminectomy/laminotomy were at higher risk of complications (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.33-7.70), whereas there was no difference in risk of complications based on age for elderly patients undergoing a fusion. CONCLUSIONS: Patient comorbidities and clinical factors, such as longer operating time and emergency cases, impact risk of adverse events. Patients 70-74 years old and patients with at least 1 postoperative complication had an increased risk of unplanned readmission.

Louis A. Goldstein, MD: A Pioneer in Spinal Deformity Surgery.

MINI: During the first half of the 20th century interest in spinal deformity grew due to common conditions of that era including polio and tuberculosis. This article will discuss Louis Arnold Goldstein, a visionary leader in spinal deformity surgery from Rochester, New York and one of the founders of the Scoliosis Research Society.During the first half of the 20th century interest in spinal deformity grew due to common conditions of that era including polio and tuberculosis. This article will discuss Louis Arnold Goldstein, a visionary leader in spinal deformity surgery from Rochester, New York and one of the founders of the Scoliosis Research Society. Louis A. Goldstein was a talented surgeon, administrator, and clinician scientist. He also started a spine surgery fellowship program that still bears his name and that continues to train complex spine surgeons.

The Use of Bone Morphogenetic Protein in Pediatric Cervical Spine Fusion Surgery: Case Reports and Review of the Literature.

Study Design Case report. Objective There is a paucity of literature describing the use of bone graft substitutes to achieve fusion in the pediatric cervical spine. The outcomes and complications involving the off-label use of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 in the pediatric cervical spine are not clearly defined. The purpose of this article is to report successful fusion without complications in two pediatric patients who had instrumented occipitocervical fusion using low-dose BMP-2. Methods A retrospective review of the medical records was performed, and the patients were followed for 5 years. Two patients under 10 years of age with upper cervical instability were treated with occipitocervical instrumented fusion using rigid occipitocervical fixation techniques along with conventionally available low-dose BMP-2. A Medline and PubMed literature search was conducted using the terms "bone morphogenetic protein," "BMP," "rh-BMP2," "bone graft substitutes," and "pediatric cervical spine." Results Solid occipitocervical fusion was achieved in both pediatric patients. There were no reported perioperative or follow-up complications. At 5-year follow-up, radiographs in both patients showed successful occipital cervical fusion without evidence of instrumentation failure or changes in the occipitocervical alignment. To date, there are few published reports on this topic. Complications and the appropriate dosage application in the pediatric posterior cervical spine remain unknown. Conclusions We describe two pediatric patients with upper cervical instability who achieved successful occipital cervical fusion without complication using off-label BMP-2. This report underscores the potential for BMP-2 to achieve successful arthrodesis of the posterior occipitocervical junction in pediatric patients. Use should be judicious as complications and long-term outcomes of pediatric BMP-2 use remain undefined in the existing literature.

Bone morphogenetic protein in pediatric spine fusion surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature describing the use of bone graft substitutes to achieve fusion in the pediatric spine. Outcomes and complications involving the off-label use of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) in the pediatric spine are not clearly defined. The purpose of this study is to review the existing literature with respect to reported outcomes and complications involving the use of low-dose BMP-2 in pediatric patients. METHODS: A Medline and PubMed literature search was conducted using the words bone morphogenetic protein, BMP, rh-BMP-2, bone graft substitutes, and pediatric spine. RESULTS: To date, there are few published reports on this topic. Complications and appropriate BMP-2 dosage application in the pediatric spine remain unknown. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the potential for BMP-2 to achieve successful arthrodesis of the spine in pediatric patients. Usage should be judicious as complications and long-term outcomes of pediatric BMP-2 usage remain undefined in the existing literature.

Return to Play in Athletes Receiving Cervical Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Study Design Systematic review. Clinical Questions Among athletes who undergo surgery of the cervical spine, (1) What proportion return to play (RTP) after their cervical surgery? (2) Does the proportion of those cleared for RTP depend on the type of surgical procedure (artificial disk replacement, fusion, nonfusion foraminotomies/laminoplasties), number of levels (1, 2, or more levels), or type of sport? (3) Among those who return to their presurgery sport, how long do they continue to play? (4) Among those who return to their presurgery sport, how does their postoperative performance compare with their preoperative performance? Objectives To evaluate the extent and quality of published literature on the topic of return to competitive athletic completion after cervical spinal surgery. Methods Electronic databases and reference lists of key articles published up to August 19, 2015, were searched to identify studies reporting the proportion of athletes who RTP after cervical spine surgery. Results Nine observational, retrospective series consisting of 175 patients were included. Seven reported on professional athletes and two on recreational athletes. Seventy-five percent (76/102) of professional athletes returned to their respective sport following surgery for mostly cervical herniated disks. Seventy-six percent of recreational athletes (51/67) age 10 to 42 years RTP in a variety of sports following surgery for mostly herniated disks. No snowboarder returned to snowboarding (0/6) following surgery for cervical fractures. Most professional football players and baseball pitchers returned to their respective sport at their presurgery performance level. Conclusions RTP decisions after cervical spine surgery remain controversial, and there is a paucity of existing literature on this topic. Successful return to competitive sports is well described after single-level anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion surgery for herniated disk. RTP outcomes involving other cervical spine diagnoses and surgical procedures remain unclear. Additional quality research is needed on this topic.