A Modified Approach for Minimally Invasive Tubular Microdiscectomy for Far Lateral Disc Herniations: Docking at the Caudal Level Transverse Process.

Background and Objectives: The use of minimally invasive retractor systems has significantly decreased the amount of tissue dissection and blood loss, and the duration of post-operative recovery after far-lateral disc herniations (FLDH). In this technical note, the technique of docking the tubular retractor on the caudal transverse process is described for an efficient approach with a decreased need for manipulation of the exiting nerve root. Materials and Methods: The case reported is that of a woman affected by a right-sided FLDH at the L4-5 level causing an L4 radiculopathy with weakness and numbness. A review of the literature for FLDH regarding the key anatomy used during a far lateral approach was also performed. Results: The patient showed a significant improvement of her dorsiflexion weakness and radiating leg pain at her 2-week and 5-week post-operative visits, and at a 6-month follow-up she had near-complete relief of her symptoms, including resolution of foot numbness. Prior techniques for tubular microdiscectomy for FLDH report docking on the facet joint, pars interarticularis, and the cranial transverse process. Conclusions: This technical note details that the utility of docking a tubular retractor at the caudal transverse process improves upon already established techniques for minimally invasive tubular discectomy for FLDH.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a dynamic translational plating versus a rigid carbon fiber reinforced PEEK plating system - a comparison study of radiographic parameters.

PURPOSE: In this study the authors compare the radiographic findings of patients undergoing 1-3 level ACDF a rigid CFRP plate and a translational titanium plate system with a focus on radiographic alignment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review 70 consecutive patients undergoing a 1 to 3 level ACDF for cervical spondylosis was conducted. 2 groups depending on the cervical plating system were created including 38 patients in group 1 (dynamic plate) and 32 in group 2 (rigid CFRP plate). Plain neutral radiographs preoperatively, immediately after surgery and at most recent follow-up were used to assess parameters on sagittal alignment, fusion height, adjacent segment ossification (ASO), fusion rate and implant failure. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups preoperatively. Both groups had a more than 12 months follow-up (p = 0.327). Improvement of C2-7 lordosis was seen in both groups but only in group 1 it reached statistical significance at final follow-up. Significant improvement in sagittal segmental alignment was noted in both groups following surgery. A significant sagittal correction of 5.5 ± 9.1 degrees (p = 0.002) was maintained through follow-up only in group 2. No significantly different was seen for segmental fusion rates and loss of fusion height. There were no instances of implant failure within both groups. Worsening of ASO was 20% for both groups. CONCLUSION: ACDF allows for correction and maintenance of cervical alignment. Rigid rigid plate appears more effective at maintaining segmental lordotic correction. The fusion rate and implant failure was not different for both groups.

Intermediate-term clinical and radiographic outcomes with less invasive adult spinal deformity surgery: patients with a minimum follow-up of 4 years.

BACKGROUND: Little information exists regarding longer-term outcomes with minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), particularly regarding long-segment and deformity procedures. We aimed to evaluate intermediate-term outcomes of MISS for adult spinal deformity (ASD). METHODS: This retrospective review of a prospectively collected multicenter database examined outcomes at 4 or more years following circumferential MIS (cMIS) or hybrid (HYB) surgery for ASD. A total of 53 patients at 8 academic centers satisfied the following inclusion criteria: age > 18 years and coronal Cobb > 20°, pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) > 10°, or sagittal vertical axis (SVA) > 5 cm. RESULTS: Radiographic outcomes demonstrated improvements of PI-LL from 16.8° preoperatively to 10.8° and coronal Cobb angle from 38° preoperatively to 18.2° at 4 years. The incidence of complications over the follow-up period was 56.6%. A total of 21 (39.6%) patients underwent reoperation in the thoracolumbar spine, most commonly for adjacent level disease or proximal junctional kyphosis, which occurred in 11 (20.8%) patients. Mean Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline and years 1 through 4 were 49.9, 33.1, 30.2, 32.7, and 35.0, respectively. The percentage of patients meeting minimal clinically important difference (MCID) (defined as 12% or more from baseline) decreased over time, with leg pain reduction more durable than back pain reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate-term clinical and radiographic improvement following MISS for ASD is sustained, but extent of improvement lessens over time. Outcome variability exists within a subset of patients not meeting MCID, which increases over time after year two. Loss of improvement over time was more notable in back than leg pain. However, average ODI improvement meets MCID at 4 years after MIS ASD surgery.

Exploring the expectation-actuality discrepancy: a systematic review of the impact of preoperative expectations on satisfaction and patient reported outcomes in spinal surgery.

Quality in healthcare is increasingly graded through a patient-centric lens, using reports of satisfaction and self-perceived outcome. Preestablished expectations have been recognized to influence these measures. With this review, we aim to examine the impact of expectations on satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) for individuals undergoing elective spine surgery. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library electronic databases from inception to July 2015 for studies examining the relationship between expectations and satisfaction/PROs in the context of elective spinal surgery. Qualitative synthesis centered around three key questions: (1) Does the magnitude of preoperative expectations impact patient satisfaction and/or PRO after surgery? (2) Does the underlying spinal pathology influence this relationship? (3) What is the impact of unmet expectations on satisfaction? A total of 1489 citations were retrieved. Nineteen met our inclusion criteria. These comprised 3383 patients; 3200 had lumbar and only 183 had cervical spine surgery. Three findings prevailed: (1) high preoperative expectations appear to be associated with higher satisfaction and PROs after surgery for focal lumbar disc herniation, but not for lumbar spinal stenosis; (2) patient expectations frequently exceed actual outcome, creating an "expectation-actuality discrepancy" (E-AD); and (3) high-quality studies suggest a larger E-AD portends lower satisfaction. Limitations to the data include heterogeneous study populations and surgical indications, along with the use of non-validated assessment tools, particularly for satisfaction. Our findings highlight the potential importance of establishing realistic expectations prior to surgery and may serve to direct future research efforts.

Risk factors for recurrent neurotrauma: a population-based study in Southeastern Michigan.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown an increased risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for individuals who suffer an initial TBI. The current study hypothesized that individuals with recurrent neurotrauma would originate from populations considered 'vulnerable', i.e. low income and/or with psychiatric comorbidities. METHODS: Data from the Michigan State Inpatient Database from 2006 to 2014 for the Detroit metropolitan area enlisted a study population of 50 744 patients with neurotrauma. Binary logistic regression was used to assess risk factors associated with admission for subsequent neurotrauma compared with single neurotrauma admission. RESULTS: Patients with repeated neurotrauma admissions were similar to those with one-time trauma in terms of age at first admission and neighbourhood income levels. However, patients with repeated neurotrauma admissions were more likely to be male (p < .001) and African-American (p < .001). Comorbid alcohol use and drug use were 39% and 15% less likely to be readmitted with neurotrauma, respectively. Comorbid conditions associated with greater risk of repeat neurotrauma included depression, psychosis, and neurological disorders, increasing risk by 38%, 22%, and 58%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study validated the hypothesis that comorbid psychiatric conditions are a significant risk factor for recurrent neurotrauma and validate prior studies showing gender and race as significant risk factors.

Minimally invasive options for surgical management of adjacent segment disease of the lumbar spine.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after lumbar spine surgery is a condition that has become increasingly common as the rate of lumbar spine surgery continues to rise. Minimally invasive techniques continue to be refined and offer an opportunity to treat ASD with minimal tissue disruption, lower blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and decreased morbidity. The aim of this report is to describe the various minimally invasive options for ASD with a comprehensive review of the existing literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) for ASD of the lumbar spine was conducted. Four basic techniques and their modifications were identified to address ASD. Illustrative cases, surgical techniques, and post-surgical outcomes are described. RESULTS: Four MIS techniques were identified as common surgical methods to correct ASD. (1) Non-instrumented discectomy, foraminotomy, or decompression, (2) anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), (3) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), and (4) lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) were found to be MIS techniques that address ASD. ALIF and LLIF provide indirect decompression of the neural foramina, while TLIF provides direct decompression. The addition and removal of screws and rods can be combined with any of these techniques. CONCLUSIONS: MIS techniques provide decompression of the neural elements, stabilization, and, potentially, fusion for patients with ASD. These illustrated cases and the review of MIS surgical techniques can provide a comprehensive framework for addressing ASD.

Impact of case type, length of stay, institution type, and comorbidities on Medicare diagnosis-related group reimbursement for adult spinal deformity surgery.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to educate medical professionals about potential financial impacts of improper diagnosis-related group (DRG) coding in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. METHODS Medicare's Inpatient Prospective Payment System PC Pricer database was used to collect 2015 reimbursement data for ASD procedures from 12 hospitals. Case type, hospital type/location, number of operative levels, proper coding, length of stay, and complications/comorbidities (CCs) were analyzed for effects on reimbursement. DRGs were used to categorize cases into 3 types: 1) anterior or posterior only fusion, 2) anterior fusion with posterior percutaneous fixation with no dorsal fusion, and 3) combined anterior and posterior fixation and fusion. RESULTS Pooling institutions, cases were reimbursed the same for single-level and multilevel ASD surgery. Longer stay, from 3 to 8 days, resulted in an additional $1400 per stay. Posterior fusion was an additional $6588, while CCs increased reimbursement by approximately $13,000. Academic institutions received higher reimbursement than private institutions, i.e., approximately $14,000 (Case Types 1 and 2) and approximately $16,000 (Case Type 3). Urban institutions received higher reimbursement than suburban institutions, i.e., approximately $3000 (Case Types 1 and 2) and approximately $3500 (Case Type 3). Longer stay, from 3 to 8 days, increased reimbursement between $208 and $494 for private institutions and between $1397 and $1879 for academic institutions per stay. CONCLUSIONS Reimbursement is based on many factors not controlled by surgeons or hospitals, but proper DRG coding can significantly impact the financial health of hospitals and availability of quality patient care.

Reoperation rates in minimally invasive, hybrid and open surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity with minimum 2-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques are gaining popularity in the treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD). The premise is that MIS techniques will lead to equivalent outcomes and a reduction in perioperative complications when compared with open techniques. Potential issues with MIS techniques are a limited capacity to correct lumbar lordosis, unknown long-term efficacy, and the potential need for revision surgery. This study compares reoperation rates and reasons for reoperation following MIS, hybrid, and open surgery for ASD through multicenter database analysis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a prospective multicenter ASD database comparing open and MIS correction techniques. Inclusion criteria were: age > 18 years with minimum 20° coronal lumbar Cobb angle, a minimum of three levels fused, and minimum 2-year follow-up. Patients were propensity matched for preoperative sagittal vertebral axis (SVA), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL), and number of levels fused. We included 189 patients from three propensity-matched subgroups of 63 patients each: (1) MIS: lateral or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) and percutaneous pedicle instrumentation, (2) Hybrid: MIS LIF with open posterior segmental fixation (PSF), and (3) OPEN: open posterior fixation ± osteotomies. RESULTS: With propensity matching, there were significant differences between groups in pre-op SVA or PI-LL (p > 0.05). The MIS group had significantly fewer levels fused (5.4) (0-14) than the OPEN group (7.4) (p = 0.002) (0-17). The rate of revision surgery was significantly different between the groups with a higher rate of revision (27 %) amongst the HYB group versus MIS = 11.1 %, and OPEN = 12.0 %. The most common reason for reoperation in the OPEN and HYB groups was a postoperative neurological deficit (7.9 and 11.1 %), respectively. The most common reason for reoperation in the MIS group was pseudoarthrosis (7.9 %). CONCLUSIONS: Reoperation rates were not statistically different among the MIS, and OPEN surgical groups, but differed significantly on multivariate analysis with HYB group. The incidence of reoperations was twice as high in the Hybrid group compared to OPEN and MIS.

Comparison of open and minimally invasive surgery for intradural-extramedullary spine tumors.

OBJECT Patients with symptomatic intradural-extramedullary (ID-EM) tumors may be successfully treated with resection of the lesion and decompression of associated neural structures. Studies of patients undergoing open resection of these tumors have reported high rates of gross-total resection (GTR) with minimal long-term neurological deficit. Case reports and small case series have suggested that these patients may be successfully treated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). These studies have been limited by small patient populations. Moreover, there are no studies directly comparing perioperative outcomes between patients treated with open resection and MIS. The objective of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes in patients with ID-EM tumors treated using open resection or MIS. METHODS A retrospective review was performed using data collected from 45 consecutive patients treated by open resection or MIS for ID-EM spine tumors. These patients were treated over a 9-year period between April 2003 and October 2012 at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Statistical analysis was performed to compare perioperative outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS Of the 45 patients in the study, 27 were treated with the MIS approach and 18 were treated with the open approach. Operative time was similar between the two groups: 256.3 minutes in the MIS group versus 241.1 minutes in the open group (p = 0.55). Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the MIS group (133.7 ml) compared with the open group (558.8 ml) (p < 0.01). A GTR was achieved in 94.4% of the open cases and 92.6% of the MIS cases (p = 0.81). The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the MIS group (3.9 days) compared with the open group (6.1 days) (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the complication rates (p = 0.32) and reoperation rates (p = 0.33) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an increased rate of complications in cervical spine tumors (OR 15, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Thoracolumbar ID-EM tumors may be safely and effectively treated with either the open approach or an MIS approach, with an equivalent rate of GTR, perioperative complication rate, and operative time. Patients treated with an MIS approach may benefit from a decrease in operative blood loss and shorter hospital stays.

Biomechanical effects of the transcondylar approach on the craniovertebral junction.

The transcondylar variation of the far-lateral, retrosigmoid approach is intended for pathologies in the anterolateral portion of the foramen magnum. That area is more clearly visualized when a fraction of the ipsilateral occipital condyle is removed. In this study, the biomechanical effect of this approach on occiput-C2 rotation was investigated. Our hypothesis was that the biomechanical characteristics are significantly altered following the transcondylar approach. Five human cadaveric upper cervical spine specimens (occiput-C7) were used in the study. Torsional moments were applied from zero to a maximum of 1.5 N m to the left and to the right using a mechanical testing machine. The resulting rotational motions of the O-C1, C1-2, and O-C2 segments were measured in the intact specimen and after a simulated right-sided transcondylar approach with resection of 2/3 of the condyle, confirmed by CT scanning and visual inspection. After the posterior two-thirds of the occipital condyle were removed, the neutral zone (NZ) increased 1.3° to the left and 2° to the right at C0-C1, and 7.4° to the left and 6.2° to the right at C1-2. The cumulative increase in NZ between O and C2 was 8.7° to the left and 8.2° to the right. The transcondylar approach also resulted in significant increases in range of motion (ROM) in axial rotation to both sides in all segments. ROM increased 2.8° to the left and 2.4° to the right between C0 and C1, 7.3° to the left and 5.4° to the right between C1 and C2, and 10.1° to the left and 7.8° to the right between CO and C2. Upon inspection, the area of the occipital condyle where the alar ligament attaches had been completely removed in three of the five specimens. Removing the posteromedial two-thirds of one occipital condyle alters the normal axial rotational movements of the craniovertebral junction on both sides. The insertion of the alar ligament can be inadvertently removed during condylar resection, and this could contribute to atlanto-axial instability. There is a biomechanical substrate to cranio-cervical instability following a transcondylar approach; these patients may need to be followed over several years to ensure it does not progress and necessitate occipito-cervical fusion.

An innovative, multidisciplinary, process-driven approach to acute stroke in a community health system network.

Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability in the United States, yet it is undertreated by many major medical centers across the country. Timely recognition and treatment of acute ischemic stroke remains a challenge due to confusing clinical presentations, hospital logistics, communication barriers among providers, and lack of standardized treatment algorithms. By creating a system-wide Code Stroke protocol, St. John Providence Health System improved documentation, increased intravenous tissue plasminogen activator delivery, reduced specialist call-back times, improved door-to-computer tomography scan and door-to-needle time, and identified appropriate patients for endovascular therapy.

Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke: the end or just the beginning?

Various endovascular intraarterial approaches are available for treating patients with acute ischemic stroke who present with severe neurological deficits. Three recent randomized trials-Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) III, Mechanical Retrieval and Recanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy (MR RESCUE), and Synthesis Expansion: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Intra-Arterial Versus Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke (SYNTHESIS Expansion)-evaluated the efficacy of endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke and, after failing to demonstrate any significant clinical benefit of endovascular therapies, raised concerns and questions in the medical community regarding the future of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. In this paper, the authors review the evolution of endovascular treatment strategies for the treatment of acute stroke and provide their interpretation of findings and potential limitations of the three recently published randomized trials. The authors discuss the advantage of stent-retriever technology over earlier endovascular approaches and review the current status and future directions of endovascular acute stroke studies based on lessons learned from previous trials.

Less invasive surgery for treating adult spinal deformities: ceiling effects for deformity correction with 3 different techniques.

OBJECT: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) options for the treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD) have advanced significantly over the past decade. However, a wide array of options have been described as being MIS or less invasive. In this study the authors investigated a multiinstitutional cohort of patients with ASD who were treated with less invasive methods to determine the extent of deformity correction achieved. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of multicenter prospectively collected data in 85 consecutive patients with ASD undergoing MIS surgery. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age older than 45 years; minimum 20° coronal lumbar Cobb angle; and 1 year of follow-up. Procedures were classified as follows: 1) stand-alone (n = 7); 2) circumferential MIS (n = 43); or 3) hybrid (n = 35). RESULTS: An average of 4.2 discs (range 3-7) were fused, with a mean follow-up duration of 26.1 months in this study. For the stand-alone group the preoperative Cobb range was 22°-51°, with 57% greater than 30° and 28.6% greater than 50°. The mean Cobb angle improved from 35.7° to 30°. A ceiling effect of 23° for curve correction was observed, regardless of preoperative curve severity. For the circumferential MIS group the preoperative Cobb range was 19°-62°, with 44% greater than 30° and 5% greater than 50°. The mean Cobb angle improved from 32° to 12°. A ceiling effect of 34° for curve correction was observed. For the hybrid group the preoperative Cobb range was 23°-82°, with 74% greater than 30° and 23% greater than 50°. The mean Cobb angle improved from 43° to 15°. A ceiling effect of 55° for curve correction was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Specific procedures for treating ASD have particular limitations for scoliotic curve correction. Less invasive techniques were associated with a reduced ability to straighten the spine, particularly with advanced curves. These data can guide preoperative technique selection when treating patients with ASD.

Complications in adult spinal deformity surgery: an analysis of minimally invasive, hybrid, and open surgical techniques.

OBJECT: It is hypothesized that minimally invasive surgical techniques lead to fewer complications than open surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). The goal of this study was to analyze matched patient cohorts in an attempt to isolate the impact of approach on adverse events. METHODS: Two multicenter databases queried for patients with ASD treated via surgery and at least 1 year of follow-up revealed 280 patients who had undergone minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or a hybrid procedure (HYB; n = 85) or open surgery (OPEN; n = 195). These patients were divided into 3 separate groups based on the approach performed and were propensity matched for age, preoperative sagittal vertebral axis (SVA), number of levels fused posteriorly, and lumbar coronal Cobb angle (CCA) in an attempt to neutralize these patient variables and to make conclusions based on approach only. Inclusion criteria for both databases were similar, and inclusion criteria specific to this study consisted of an age > 45 years, CCA > 20°, 3 or more levels of fusion, and minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Patients in the OPEN group with a thoracic CCA > 75° were excluded to further ensure a more homogeneous patient population. RESULTS: In all, 60 matched patients were available for analysis (MIS = 20, HYB = 20, OPEN = 20). Blood loss was less in the MIS group than in the HYB and OPEN groups, but a significant difference was only found between the MIS and the OPEN group (669 vs 2322 ml, p = 0.001). The MIS and HYB groups had more fused interbody levels (4.5 and 4.1, respectively) than the OPEN group (1.6, p < 0.001). The OPEN group had less operative time than either the MIS or HYB group, but it was only statistically different from the HYB group (367 vs 665 minutes, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the duration of hospital stay among the groups. In patients with complete data, the overall complication rate was 45.5% (25 of 55). There was no significant difference in the total complication rate among the MIS, HYB, and OPEN groups (30%, 47%, and 63%, respectively; p = 0.147). No intraoperative complications were reported for the MIS group, 5.3% for the HYB group, and 25% for the OPEN group (p < 0.03). At least one postoperative complication occurred in 30%, 47%, and 50% (p = 0.40) of the MIS, HYB, and OPEN groups, respectively. One major complication occurred in 30%, 47%, and 63% (p = 0.147) of the MIS, HYB, and OPEN groups, respectively. All patients had significant improvement in both the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale scores after surgery (p < 0.001), although the MIS group did not have significant improvement in leg pain. The occurrence of complications had no impact on the ODI. CONCLUSIONS: Results in this study suggest that the surgical approach may impact complications. The MIS group had significantly fewer intraoperative complications than did either the HYB or OPEN groups. If the goals of ASD surgery can be achieved, consideration should be given to less invasive techniques.

The minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery algorithm: a reproducible rational framework for decision making in minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery.

OBJECT: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is an alternative to open deformity surgery for the treatment of patients with adult spinal deformity. However, at this time MIS techniques are not as versatile as open deformity techniques, and MIS techniques have been reported to result in suboptimal sagittal plane correction or pseudarthrosis when used for severe deformities. The minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery (MISDEF) algorithm was created to provide a framework for rational decision making for surgeons who are considering MIS versus open spine surgery. METHODS: A team of experienced spinal deformity surgeons developed the MISDEF algorithm that incorporates a patient's preoperative radiographic parameters and leads to one of 3 general plans ranging from MIS direct or indirect decompression to open deformity surgery with osteotomies. The authors surveyed fellowship-trained spine surgeons experienced with spinal deformity surgery to validate the algorithm using a set of 20 cases to establish interobserver reliability. They then resurveyed the same surgeons 2 months later with the same cases presented in a different sequence to establish intraobserver reliability. Responses were collected and tabulated. Fleiss' analysis was performed using MATLAB software. RESULTS: Over a 3-month period, 11 surgeons completed the surveys. Responses for MISDEF algorithm case review demonstrated an interobserver kappa of 0.58 for the first round of surveys and an interobserver kappa of 0.69 for the second round of surveys, consistent with substantial agreement. In at least 10 cases there was perfect agreement between the reviewing surgeons. The mean intraobserver kappa for the 2 surveys was 0.86 ± 0.15 (± SD) and ranged from 0.62 to 1. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the MISDEF algorithm provides consistent and straightforward guidance for surgeons who are considering either an MIS or an open approach for the treatment of patients with adult spinal deformity. The MISDEF algorithm was found to have substantial inter- and intraobserver agreement. Although further studies are needed, the application of this algorithm could provide a platform for surgeons to achieve the desired goals of surgery.

Comparison of radiographic results after minimally invasive, hybrid, and open surgery for adult spinal deformity: a multicenter study of 184 patients.

OBJECT: Various surgical approaches, including open, minimally invasive, and hybrid techniques, have gained momentum in the management of adult spinal deformity. However, few data exist on the radiographic outcomes of different surgical techniques. The objective of this study was to compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of the surgical techniques used in the treatment of adult spinal deformity. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of two adult spinal deformity patient databases, a prospective open surgery database and a retrospective minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and hybrid surgery database. The time frame of enrollment in this study was from 2007 to 2012. Spinal deformity patients were stratified into 3 surgery groups: MIS, hybrid surgery, and open surgery. The following pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters were assessed: lumbar major Cobb angle, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI-LL), sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic tilt. Scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and a visual analog scale (VAS) for both back and leg pain were also obtained from each patient. RESULTS: Of the 234 patients with adult spinal deformity, 184 patients had pre- and postoperative radiographs and were thus included in the study (MIS, n = 42; hybrid, n = 33; open, n = 109). Patients were a mean of 61.7 years old and had a mean body mass index of 26.9 kg/m(2). Regarding radiographic outcomes, the MIS group maintained a significantly smaller mean lumbar Cobb angle (13.1°) after surgery compared with the open group (20.4°, p = 0.002), while the hybrid group had a significantly larger lumbar curve correction (26.6°) compared with the MIS group (18.8°, p = 0.045). The mean change in the PI-LL was larger for the hybrid group (20.6°) compared with the open (10.2°, p = 0.023) and MIS groups (5.5°, p = 0.003). The mean sagittal vertical axis correction was greater for the open group (25 mm) compared with the MIS group (≤ 1 mm, p = 0.008). Patients in the open group had a significantly larger postoperative thoracic kyphosis (41.45°) compared with the MIS patients (33.5°, p = 0.005). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of pre- and postoperative mean ODI and VAS scores at the 1-year follow-up. However, patients in the MIS group had much lower estimated blood loss and transfusion rates compared with patients in the hybrid or open groups (p < 0.001). Operating room time was significantly longer with the hybrid group compared with the MIS and open groups (p < 0.001). Major complications occurred in 14% of patients in the MIS group, 14% in the hybrid group, and 45% in the open group (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable baseline characteristics of radiographic parameters among 3 different surgical techniques used in the treatment of adult spinal deformity. Each technique has advantages, but much like any surgical technique, the positive and negative elements must be considered when tailoring a treatment to a patient. Minimally invasive surgical techniques can result in clinical outcomes at 1 year comparable to those obtained from hybrid and open surgical techniques.

Incidence of lumbar spine pedicle breach after percutaneous screw fixation: a radiographic evaluation of 601 screws in 151 patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. OBJECTIVES: Although percutaneous pedicle screw fixation continues to be increasingly practiced, there remain few reports specifically addressing the accuracy and clinical safety of this technique. The goal of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of fluoroscopically guided pedicle screw placement in the lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pedicle breach rates vary substantially in the literature. Pedicle breach rates have been reported to be as high as 29% with the traditional, open technique. With the use of computer-assisted 2-dimensional fluoroscopy, breach rates have been reported between 5% and 23%. Furthermore, in a series of 225 pedicles instrumented with 3-dimensional fluoroscopy, the reported breach rate was 1.8%. METHODS: A total of 151 patients were evaluated after instrumented single-level or 2-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with 601 screws placed for percutaneous fixation. The treated patients had an average age of 56.6 y (20-85 y) and there were 129 cases of single-level and 22 cases of 2-level. The levels of pedicle screw fixation included (level, patient numbers): L1/L2 (1), L2/L3 (2), L3/L4 (33), L4/L5 (101), L5/S1 (46). Radiographic results included postoperative computed tomographic scan. Patients were followed prospectively for potential clinical symptoms. RESULTS: In a total of 601 instrumented pedicles, there were 37 pedicle breaches (6.2%). Of these, 22 (3.7%) were significant breaches (≥3 mm). The level of the breached pedicles were L3 (5/46, 10.2%), L4 (12/201, 7.0%), L5 (15/158, 9.5%), S1 (3/47, 3.4%). The side/location of breach was characterized as follows: medial (22), lateral (12), superior (2), and inferior (1). There were 2 symptomatic breaches, both associated with a medial breach at the L5 pedicle. Symptoms from these events were transient and did not require hardware repositioning. There were no other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the lumbar spine continues to be a technique embraced by modern spinal surgeons. The use of intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance is both a clinically safe and accurate method for instrumentation and is of comparable accuracy to other techniques. Although trajectory errors may occur, they are of rare clinical significance.

Microendoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Using TELIGEN: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

This operative video details the treatment of cervical radiculopathy caused by unilateral cervical foraminal stenosis through a microendoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy in the sitting position using the TELIGEN system. A 67-year-old male patient presented with a unilateral C6-7 radiculopathy with imaging corroborating severe foraminal stenosis. Therefore, a microendoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy was recommended rather than an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion or arthroplasty to preserve segmental motion and minimize hardware-related complications. This video reviews the nuances of this approach and key surgical steps. Emphasis is given to the patient positioning and ergonomic favorability and enhanced visualization afforded by the TELIGEN endoscopic platform. The patient tolerated the procedure well and reported significant improvement of radiculopathy after surgery. At 2-week follow-up, the patient reported resolution of his preoperative symptoms and returned to normal activity without restrictions. The patient consented to the procedure, and the participants and any identifiable individuals consented to publication of his/her image.

Postoperative Adjacent Segment Disease in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Adjacent Laminectomy for Grade I-II Spondylolisthesis and Adjacent Spinal Stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have demonstrated increased risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after open fusion with adjacent-level laminectomy, with rates ranging from 16%-47%, potentially related to disruption of the posterior ligamentous complex. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches may offer a more durable result. We report institutional outcomes of simultaneous MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MISTLIF) and adjacent-level laminectomy for patients with low grade spondylolisthesis and ASD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent MISTLIF with adjacent level laminectomy to treat grade I-II spondylolisthesis with adjacent stenosis at a single institution from 2007-2022. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients met criteria, with mean follow-up of 23.1 months. In total, 37 levels were fused and 45 laminectomies performed. In this group, 21 patients received a single level laminectomy and single-level MISTLIF, 10 patients received a 2-level laminectomy and single-level MISTLIF, 2 patients received a single-level laminectomy and 2-level MISTLIF, and 1 patient received a 2-level laminectomy and 2-level MISTLIF. Three (8.8%) patients experienced clinically significant postoperative ASD requiring reoperation. Three other patients required reoperation for other reasons. Multiple logistic regression did not reveal any association between development of ASD and surgical covariates. CONCLUSION: MISTLIF with adjacent-level laminectomy demonstrated a favorable safety profile with rates of postoperative ASD lower than published rates after open fusion and on par with the published rates of ASD from MISTLIF alone. Future prospective studies may better elucidate the durability of adjacent-level laminectomies when performed alongside MISTLIF, but retrospective data suggests it is safe and durable.

Staged Versus Same-Day Surgery in Circumferential Minimally Invasive Deformity Correction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients who underwent staged vs same-day circumferential minimally invasive surgery (cMIS) for adult spinal deformity (ASD). METHODS: We reviewed staged and same-day cMIS ASD cases in a prospective multi-institution database to compare preoperative and 2-year clinical and radiographic parameters between cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients with a 2-year follow-up were identified (27 staged, 58 same-day). Staged patients had more extensive surgeries and greater hospital length of stay (all P < .001). There were no significant differences in preoperative or 2-year postoperative clinical metrics between cohorts. Patients in the staged cohort also had greater preoperative coronal deformity and thus experienced greater reduction in coronal deformity at 2 years (all P < .01). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing staged or same-day cMIS correction had similar outcomes at 2 years postoperatively. Staged cMIS ASD correction may be more appropriate in patients with greater deformity, higher frailty, and who require longer, more extensive surgeries.