Evaluation of ERAS protocol implementation on complex spine surgery complications and length of stay: a single institution study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: With the goal of improving patient outcomes, the Integrated Spine Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center implemented an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol which includes pre- and postsurgery guidelines. Numerous studies have shown benefit of implementation of ERAS protocols to standardize perioperative care in line with best practices; however, the literature on complication rates, LOS, and readmissions shows mixed results. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of the ERAS protocol implementation on complication rates in the perioperative period, as well as hospital and ICU length of stay and hospital re-admission rates. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective cohort study was performed on all patients who underwent spine surgery between September 2016 and September 2021 at a single institution. Patients who met inclusion criteria were divided into non-ERAS and ERAS groups, and comparative statistics were used to evaluate ERAS protocol effectiveness. PATIENT SAMPLE: All patients who underwent spine surgery at UT Southwestern between September 2016 and September 2021 were evaluated for inclusion in the study. The patient sample was further refined to include only complex patient cases which were able to receive the full ERAS protocol (nonemergent admissions). OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of absence of postoperative complications including surgical site infection, AKI, DVT, MI, sepsis, pneumonia, PE, stroke, shock, and other complications were compared between groups, as were hospital and ICU length of stay, and 7, 30, and 90 day readmissions. Self-reported or functional measures were not used in outcome evaluation. METHODS: A database of patient and surgery characteristics was built using an EMR query tool with spot checks performed by the authors. Control and treatment groups were matched for gender, age, BMI, ASA score, and surgery type. Total number of complication rates was compared between ERAS and non-ERAS groups, and comparative statistics were used to determine significance. RESULTS: Significant differences between ERAS versus non-ERAS groups were found in rates of UTI (6.8% vs 3.1%, respectively; p=.031), constipation (20.6% vs 11.4%, respectively; p=.001), and any complications (31.4% vs 19.4%, respectively; p<.001). There was no significant difference in the rates of other complications, in length of hospital or ICU stay, or readmissions at 7, 30, and 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERAS protocol did not decrease complication rates or length of stay, and ERAS patients had significantly higher rates of UTI, constipation, and any complications. There may have been confounding factors due to the impact of COVID-19 on delivery of care, as well as misalignment between ERAS goals and outcome measures.

The Administration of Tranexamic Acid For Complex Spine Surgery.

Currently, there are approximately 1.62 million instrumented spinal surgeries performed each year in the United States. Complex procedures such as wide exposures and composite osteotomies, compounded by the spine's extensive vascular network, often result in major blood loss and increased fibrinolysis. Substantial intraoperative blood loss often necessitates blood transfusion and is a significant predictor of postoperative morbidity. Antifibrinolytic medications have been utilized prophylactically to reduce perioperative blood loss, particularly in surgeries where excessive blood loss is common. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a lysine analog that reversibly binds to plasminogen, inhibits the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, delaying clot degradation. The intravenous and topical administration of TXA during the perioperative period safely and effectively reduces blood loss, transfusion requirements, and/or hospital length of stay in patients undergoing major or complex spine surgery. Although the use of TXA for multilevel spine surgery is increasing, there remains widespread equivocality regarding ideal dosing regimens. Recent evidence suggests that high-dose TXA significantly reduces perioperative blood loss when compared with low-dose TXA, with no increase in perioperative morbidity and mortality. Translating this evidence into sustained change in clinical practice has the potential to improve both outcomes and blood product utilization in patients undergoing major or complex spine surgery.

Anterior spine surgery for the treatment of complex spine pathology: a state-of-the-art review.

The use of anterior spinal surgery for the treatment of spinal pathology has experienced a dramatic increase over the past decade. Long relegated to treat complicated anterior pathologies it has returned to mainstream spine surgery techniques for all types of conditions, providing a significant boost to the spine surgeons' armamentarium to address a wide variety of types of spinal diseases more effectively. Anterior surgery is useful whenever there is significant spinal pathology that requires direct visualization of the anterior vertebral column to best restore spinal alignment, structural integrity and neurologic function. These pathologies include spinal deformities, tumors, burst fractures, infections, vertebral avascular necrosis, pseudoarthrosis and other miscellaneous indications. Currently available approaches to the spine include transabdominal, paramedian retroperitoneal, lateral oblique retroperitoneal, thoracotomy, and thoracolumbar extensile. Most of the lumbar approaches are now done through a muscle splitting, minimalistic approach that has decreased their morbidity or more recently via tubular approaches, such as lateral lumbar interbody fusions or other ante-psoas approaches. New retractors, instrumentation, hyperlordotic implants, approved biologics and even image guidance for disc preparation and precise implant placement are all recent advances that will hopefully improve surgical outcomes in patients following anterior spinal surgery. Most importantly, these approaches require added expertise and training with a dedicated team consisting of an anteriorly trained spine surgeon working simultaneously with a dedicated vascular surgeon to ensure maximum safety and superior patient outcomes. This state of the review is dedicated to familiarizing practicing spine surgeons with the most commonly used anterior spinal approaches along with cutting-edge instrumentation and fusion techniques to improve their options for the treatment of difficult spinal pathologies.

Case Start Timing of Adult Spinal Deformity Surgeries: Does the Wait Matter?

BACKGROUND: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery can entail complex reconstructive procedures. It is unclear whether there is any effect of case start time on outcomes. We sought to evaluate the effects of case start time and day of the week on 90-day complication, readmission, and revision rates after ASD surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 1040 ASD patients from a single institution. We collected start times and day of the week for cases from 2011 to 2018. Early start was designated as any case starting either before or at 7:30 am or between 7:30 and 11 am; late start was designated as any case starting at 11 am or later. Outcome measures include 90-day complication, revision, and readmission rates. RESULTS: A total of 1040 ASD patients (age, 46 ± 23 years; body mass index, 25 ± 7; American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, 2.5 ± 0.6; levels fused, 10 ± 4; three column osteotomy (3CO), 13%) were included. There was no association between surgery day of the week and length of stay, 90-day complication, readmission, or reoperation rates in the adjusted analyses. Late start cases had higher rates of 90-day readmission (10.5% vs 6.0%, P = 0.02), reoperation (11.9% vs 6.6%, P = 0.008), and neurologic injury (5.2% vs 2.1%, P = 0.019). Subanalysis of neurologic complications demonstrated that there was a higher rate of postoperative radiculopathy (P = 0.007) and residual central or foraminal stenosis (P = 0.029) in late start cases. A late start time was predictive of increased risk for 90-day readmission (OR 1.8, P = 0.02), unplanned reoperation (OR 1.9, P = 0.009), and neurologic complication (OR 2.1, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: A late OR start time was predictive of increased risk for neurologic complication, 90-day readmission, and unplanned reoperation. The well-established protocols for first start OR times for elective ASD surgery may decrease outcome risk and reduce variability in complication rates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the impact of start time on outcomes and complications after ASD surgery is helpful for surgeons in preoperative planning and for institutions and hospitals' allocation of operating room staff and resources.

Spinal anesthesia in contemporary and complex lumbar spine surgery: experience with 343 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal anesthesia (SA) is an alternative to general anesthesia (GA) for lumbar spine surgery, including complex instrumented fusion, although there are relatively few outcome data available. The authors discuss their experience using SA in a modern complex lumbar spine surgery practice to describe its utility and implementation. METHODS: Data from patients receiving SA for lumbar spine surgery by one surgeon from March 2017 to December 2020 were collected via a retrospective chart review. Cases were divided into nonfusion and fusion procedure categories and analyzed for demographics and baseline medical status; pre-, intra-, and postoperative events; hospital course, including Acute Pain Service (APS) consults; and follow-up visit outcome data. RESULTS: A total of 345 consecutive lumbar spine procedures were found, with 343 records complete for analysis, including 181 fusion and 162 nonfusion procedures and spinal levels from T11 through S1. The fusion group was significantly older (mean age 65.9 ± 12.4 vs 59.5 ± 15.4 years, p < 0.001) and had a significantly higher proportion of patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification class III (p = 0.009) than the nonfusion group. There were no intraoperative conversions to GA, with infrequent need for a second dose of SA preoperatively (2.9%, 10/343) and rare preoperative conversion to GA (0.6%, 2/343) across fusion and nonfusion groups. Rates of complications during hospitalization were comparable to those seen in the literature. The APS was consulted for 2.9% (10/343) of procedures. An algorithm for the integration of SA into a lumbar spine surgery practice, from surgical and anesthetic perspectives, is also offered. CONCLUSIONS: SA is a viable, safe, and effective option for lumbar spine surgery across a wide range of age and health statuses, particularly in older patients and those who want to avoid GA. The authors' protocol, based in part on the largest set of data currently available describing complex instrumented fusion surgeries of the lumbar spine completed under SA, presents guidance and best practices to integrate SA into contemporary lumbar spine practices.

A Comparison of Mortality and Morbidity Between Complex and Degenerative Spine Surgery in Prospectively Collected Data From 2,280 Procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The reported incidence of complications and/or adverse events (AEs) following spine surgery varies greatly. A validated, systematic, reproducible reporting system to quantify AEs was used in 2 prospective cohorts, from 2 spine surgery centers, conducting either complex or purely degenerative spine surgery; in a comparative fashion. The aim was to highlight the differences between 2 distinctly different prospective cohorts with patients from the same background population. METHODS: AEs were registered according to the predefined AE variables in the SAVES (Spine AdVerse Events Severity) system which was used to record all intra- and perioperative AEs. Additional outcomes, including mortality, length of stay, wound infection requiring revision, readmission, and unplanned revision surgery during the index admission, were also registered. RESULTS: A total of 593 complex and 1,687 degenerative procedures were consecutively included with 100% data completion. There was a significant difference in morbidity when comparing the total number of AEs between the 2 groups (p < 0.001): with a mean number of 1.42 AEs per patient (n = 845) in the complex cohort, and 0.97 AEs per patient (n = 1,630) in the degenerative cohort. CONCLUSION: In this prospective study comparing 2 cohorts, we report the rates of AEs related to spine surgery using a validated reproducible grading system for registration. The rates of morbidity and mortality were significantly higher following complex spine surgery compared to surgery for degenerative spine disease.

The Effect of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy versus Standard Fluid Therapy on the Cuff Leak Gradient in Patients Undergoing Complex Spine Surgery in Prone Position.

Objective Cuff leak test is an effective and established maneuver to predict airway edema. Standard fluid therapy (SFT) based on conventional monitoring is often associated with postoperative airway edema after complex spine surgeries. We conducted this prospective randomized controlled study to compare the effect of SFT versus goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) on the cuff leak gradient (CLG) in patients undergoing complex spine surgery in prone position. Our secondary objectives were to compare the effect of SFT and GDFT on sore throat, hoarseness, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. Materials and Methods Thirty consecutive American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients (18-60 years), of either sex, scheduled for spine surgery in prone position with expected duration of surgery more than 5 hours were included. The patients were randomized into two groups of 15 each. Group S patients ( n = 15) served as control group and received SFT intraoperatively, while patients in group G ( n = 15) received GDFT. Standard anesthetic protocol was followed in both the groups. The CLG was defined as the difference between the cuff leak volume (CLV) after intubation (CLV AI ) and before extubation (CLV BE ). Statistical Analysis and Results CLG was significantly less in group G (group S, 137.12 mL; group G, 65.52 mL; p -value <0.001). Intravenous fluids, blood loss, and postoperative sore throat were comparatively lesser in group G, though not statistically significant. Postoperative hoarseness was significantly lower in group G ( p -value = 0.003). Duration of ICU stay in group G (19.43 hours) was significantly lower ( p -value = 0.009) than group S (24.64 hours), but length of hospital stay was comparable. Conclusion GDFT significantly reduces airway edema and consequently reduces CLG as compared with SFT in patients undergoing complex spine surgery in prone position. Postoperatively, it also reduces sore throat, hoarseness of voice, and duration of ICU stay.

Decision Tree-based Modelling for Identification of Predictors of Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirement After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Multilevel fusions and complex osteotomies to restore global alignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery can lead to increased operative time and blood loss. In this regard, we assessed factors predictive of perioperative blood product transfusion in patients undergoing long posterior spinal fusion for ASD. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was conducted on 909 patients with ASD, age > 18 years, who underwent surgery for ASD with greater than 4 levels fused. Using conditional inference tree analysis, a machine learning methodology, we sought to predict the combination of variables that best predicted increased risk for intraoperative percent blood volume lost and perioperative blood product transfusion. RESULTS: Among the 909 patients included in the study, 377 (41.5%) received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. The conditional inference tree analysis identified greater than 13 levels fused, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score > 1, a history of hypertension, 3-column osteotomy, pelvic fixation, and operative time > 8 hours, as significant risk factors for perioperative RBC transfusion. The best predictors for the subgroup with the highest risk for intraoperative percent blood volume lost (subgroup mean: 53.1% ± 42.9%) were greater than 13 levels fused, ASA score > 1, preoperative hemoglobin < 13.6 g/dL, 3-column osteotomy, posterior column osteotomy, and pelvic fixation. Patients who underwent major blood transfusion intraoperatively had significantly longer length of stay (8.5 days) versus those who did not (6.1 days) (P < .0001). The overall 90-day complication rate in patients who underwent major blood transfusion intraoperatively was 49%, compared with 19% in those who did not (P < .0001). By multivariate regression analysis, patients with a preoperative hemoglobin > 13.0 were less likely to require major blood transfusion (odds ratio: 0.52, P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Using a supervised learning technique, this study demonstrates that greater than 13 levels fused, ASA score > 1, 3-column osteotomy, and pelvic fixation are consistent risk factors for increased intraoperative percent blood volume lost and perioperative RBC transfusion. The addition of having a preoperative hemoglobin < 13.6 g/dL or undergoing a posterior column osteotomy conferred the highest risk for intraoperative blood loss. This information can assist spinal deformity surgeons in identifying at-risk individuals and allocating healthcare resources. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Two-stage anterior and posterior fusion versus one-stage posterior fusion in patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis.

AIMS: Whether a combined anteroposterior fusion or a posterior-only fusion is more effective in the management of patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of these surgical approaches, and to evaluate the postoperative complications with the hypothesis that proximal junctional kyphosis would be more common in one-stage posterior-only fusion. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients treated surgically for Scheuermann's kyphosis between 2006 and 2014 was performed. A total of 62 patients were identified, with 31 in each group. Parameters were compared to evaluate postoperative outcomes using chi-squared tests, independent-samples t-tests, and z-tests of proportions analyses where applicable. RESULTS: There were six postoperative infections in the two-stage anteroposterior group compared with three in the one-stage posterior-only group. A total of four patients in the anteroposterior group required revision surgery, compared with six in the posterior-only group. There was a significantly higher incidence of junctional failure associated with the one-stage posterior-only approach (12.9% vs 0%, p = 0.036). Proximal junction kyphosis (anteroposterior fusion (74.2%) vs posterior-only fusion (77.4%); p = 0.382) and distal junctional kyphosis (anteroposterior fusion (25.8%) vs posterior-only fusion (19.3%), p = 0.271) are common postoperative complications following both surgical approaches. CONCLUSION: A two-stage anteroposterior fusion was associated with a significantly greater correction of the kyphosis compared with a one-stage posterior-only fusion, with a reduced incidence of junctional failure (0 vs 3). There was a notably greater incidence of infection with two-stage anteroposterior fusion; however, all were medically managed. More patients in the posterior-only group required revision surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1368-1374.

Complex wound closure by plastic surgery following resection of spinal neoplasms minimizes postoperative wound complications in high-risk patients.

OBJECTIVE: Wound breakdown and infection are common postoperative complications following resection of spinal neoplasms. Accordingly, it has become common practice at some centers for plastic surgeons to assist with closure of large posterior defects after spine tumor resection. In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis that plastic surgery closure of complex spinal defects improves wound outcomes following resection of spinal neoplastic disease. METHODS: Electronic medical records of consecutive patients who underwent resection of a spinal neoplasm between June 2015 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were separated into two subpopulations based on whether the surgical wound was closed by plastic surgery or neurosurgery. Patient demographics, preoperative risk factors, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were collected in a central database and summarized using descriptive statistics. Outcomes of interest included rates of wound complication, reoperation, and mortality. Known preoperative risk factors for wound complication in spinal oncology were identified based on literature review and grouped categorically. The presence of each category of risk factors was then compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were applied to define associations between individual risk factors and wound complications. RESULTS: One hundred six patients met inclusion criteria, including 60 wounds primarily closed by plastic surgery and 46 by neurosurgery. The plastic surgery population included more patients with systemic metastases (58% vs 37%, p = 0.029), prior radiation (53% vs 17%, p < 0.001), prior chemotherapy (37% vs 15%, p = 0.014), and sacral region tumors (25% vs 7%, p = 0.012), and more patients who underwent procedures requiring larger incisions (7.2 ± 3.6 vs 4.5 ± 2.6 levels, p < 0.001), prolonged operative time (413 ± 161 vs 301 ± 181 minutes, p = 0.001), and greater blood loss (906 ± 1106 vs 283 ± 373 ml, p < 0.001). The average number of risk factor categories present was significantly greater in the plastic surgery group (2.57 vs 1.74, p < 0.001). Despite the higher relative risk, the plastic surgery group did not experience a significantly higher rate of wound complication (28% vs 17%, p = 0.145), reoperation (17% vs 9%, p = 0.234), or all-cause mortality (30% vs 13%, p = 0.076). One patient died from wound-related complications in each group (p = 0.851). Regression analyses identified diabetes, multilevel instrumentation, and BMI as the factors associated with the greatest wound complications. CONCLUSIONS: Involving plastic surgery in the closure of spinal wounds after resection of neoplasms may ameliorate expected increases in wound complications among higher-risk patients.

Retracted Article: Application of 3D printing technology in orthopedic medical implant - Spinal surgery as an example.

Additive manufacturing has been used in complex spinal surgical planning since the 1990s and is now increasingly utilized to produce surgical guides, templates, and more recently customized implants. Surgeons report beneficial impacts using additively manufactured biomodels as pre-operative planning aids as it generally provides a better representation of the patient's anatomy than on-screen viewing of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, it has proven to be very beneficial in surgical training and in explaining complex deformity and surgical plans to patients/parents. This paper reviews the historical perspective, current use, and future directions in using additive manufacturing in complex spinal surgery cases. This review reflects the authors' opinion of where the field is moving in light of the current literature. Despite the reported benefits of additive manufacturing for surgical planning in recent years, it remains a high niche market. This review raises the question as to why the use of this technology has not progressed more rapidly despite the reported advantages - decreased operating time, decreased radiation exposure to patients intraoperatively, improved overall surgical outcomes, pre-operative implant selection, as well as being an excellent communication aid for all medical and surgical team members. Increasingly, the greatest benefits of additive manufacturing technology in spinal surgery are custom-designed drill guides, templates for pedicle screw placement, and customized patient-specific implants. In view of these applications, additive manufacturing technology could potentially revolutionize health care in the near future.

Microvascular response to transfusion in elective spine surgery.

AIM: To investigate the microvascular (skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation; SmO2) response to transfusion in patients undergoing elective complex spine surgery. METHODS: After IRB approval and written informed consent, 20 patients aged 18 to 85 years of age undergoing > 3 level anterior and posterior spine fusion surgery were enrolled in the study. Patients were followed throughout the operative procedure, and for 12 h postoperatively. In addition to standard American Society of Anesthesiologists monitors, invasive measurements including central venous pressure, continual analysis of stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), and stroke volume variability (SVV) was performed. To measure skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) during the study period, a non-invasive adhesive skin sensor based on Near Infrared Spectroscopy was placed over the deltoid muscle for continuous recording of optical spectra. All administration of fluids and blood products followed standard procedures at the Hospital for Special Surgery, without deviation from usual standards of care at the discretion of the Attending Anesthesiologist based on individual patient comorbidities, hemodynamic status, and laboratory data. Time stamps were collected for administration of colloids and blood products, to allow for analysis of SmO2 immediately before, during, and after administration of these fluids, and to allow for analysis of hemodynamic data around the same time points. Hemodynamic and oxygenation variables were collected continuously throughout the surgery, including heart rate, blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, SV, CO, CI, SVV, and SmO2. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine the potential associations between the outcome of interest, SmO2, and each hemodynamic parameter measured using Pearson's correlation coefficient, both for the overall cohort and within-patients individually. The association between receipt of packed red blood cells and SmO2 was performed by running an interrupted time series model, with SmO2 as our outcome, controlling for the amount of time spent in surgery before and after receipt of PRBC and for the inherent correlation between observations. Our model was fit using PROC AUTOREG in SAS version 9.2. All other analyses were also conducted in SAS version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, United States). RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients varied widely between SmO2 and each hemodynamic parameter examined. The strongest positive correlations existed between ScvO2 (P = 0.41) and SV (P = 0.31) and SmO2; the strongest negative correlations were seen between albumin (P = -0.43) and cell saver (P = -0.37) and SmO2. Correlations for other laboratory parameters studied were weak and only based on a few observations. In the final model we found a small, but significant increase in SmO2 at the time of PRBC administration by 1.29 units (P = 0.0002). SmO2 values did not change over time prior to PRBC administration (P = 0.6658) but following PRBC administration, SmO2 values declined significantly by 0.015 units (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Intra-operative measurement of SmO2 during large volume, yet controlled hemorrhage, does not show a statistically significant correlation with either invasive hemodynamic, or laboratory parameters in patients undergoing elective complex spine surgery.