• Bruun Ellington posted an update 1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Retrospective, single institution, multisurgeon case control series.

    To determine whether there are differences in reoperation rates or outcomes for patients undergoing 2-level posterolateral fusion (PLF) augmented by a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) at only one of the levels or at both.

    A total of 416 patients were identified who underwent 2-level PLF with a TLIF at either one of those levels (n = 183) or at both (n = 233) with greater than 1-year follow-up. Demographic, surgical, radiographic, and clinical data was reviewed for each patient. These included age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking status, Charleston Comorbidity Index, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and patient-reported outcome measures.

    Each cohort underwent 24 reoperations. Although the number of overall reoperations was not significantly different (

    > .05), among the reoperation types, there were significantly more reoperations for adjacent segment disease in the 2-level group compared to the 1-level group (19 vs 12,

    = .04). There was no difference in reoperation for pseudarthrosis between the groups (

    > .05). Although both groups experienced significant improvements in Oswestry Disability Index (

    < .001) and Short Form-12 health questionnaire (

    < .001), there were no differences between improvements for 1- versus 2-level cohorts.

    For patients undergoing 2-level PLF in the setting of a TLIF, using a TLIF at one versus both levels does not seem to influence reoperation rates or outcomes. However, reoperation rates for adjacent segment disease are increased in the setting of a 2-level PLF augmented by a 2-level TLIF.

    For patients undergoing 2-level PLF in the setting of a TLIF, using a TLIF at one versus both levels does not seem to influence reoperation rates or outcomes. However, reoperation rates for adjacent segment disease are increased in the setting of a 2-level PLF augmented by a 2-level TLIF.

    Retrospective study.

    To evaluate outcomes and complications following operative and nonoperative management of hyperostotic spine fractures.

    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.

    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,

    = .008), while increasing age was associated with increased odds of death (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06-1.31,

    = .003).

    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.

    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.

    Systemic review and meta-analysis.

    To review and compare surgical outcomes for patients undergoing stand-alone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for the treatment of cervical spine disease.

    A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Cell Cycle inhibitor Comparative trials measuring outcomes of patients undergoing CDA and stand-alone ACDF for degenerative spine disease in the last 10 years were selected for inclusion. After data extraction and quality assessment, statistical analysis was performed with R software

    package. The random-effects model was used if there was heterogeneity between studies; otherwise, the fixed-effects model was used.

    In total, 12 studies including 859 patients were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Patients undergoing stand-alone ACDF had a statistically significant increase in postoperative segmental angles (mean difference 0.85° [95% confidence interval = 0.35° to 1.35°],

    = .0008). Patients undergoing CDA had a decreased rate of developing adjacent segmental degeneration (risk ratio = 0.56 [95% confidence interval = -0.06 to 1.18],

    = .0745). Neck Disability Index, Japanese Orthopedic Association score, Visual Analogue Scale of the arm and neck, as well as postoperative cervical angles were similar between the 2 treatments.

    When compared with CDA, stand-alone ACDF offers similar clinical outcomes for patients and leads to increased postoperative segmental angles. We encourage further blinded randomized trials to compare rates of adjacent segmental degeneration and other postoperative outcomes between these 2 treatments options.

    When compared with CDA, stand-alone ACDF offers similar clinical outcomes for patients and leads to increased postoperative segmental angles. We encourage further blinded randomized trials to compare rates of adjacent segmental degeneration and other postoperative outcomes between these 2 treatments options.

    Randomized control trial.

    The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss when administered through various routes in instrumented spine surgeries.

    A total of 104 patients undergoing instrumented spine surgery were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 26 in each group). Groups included (1) ivTXA-intravenous administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) 1 hour prior to surgery, (2) loTXA-local infiltration of TXA bilaterally into the paraspinal musculature prior to incision, (3) tTXA-topical application of TXA just before wound closure, and (4) control group. Outcome measures included intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, need for blood transfusion, length of hospital stay, and hematological parameters.

    All the 3 different modes of TXA administration were found to be effective in reducing blood loss in the treated groups compared with the control group. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced in ivTXA (223.6 ± 40.1 mL,

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