Elective Spine Surgery Research Articles

Super-elderly, spinal surgery, evaluating the risks and benefits: a retrospective single-centre cohort study.

An increasingly ageing population presents emerging healthcare challenges. Adequate clinical evaluation and understanding of outcome-predicting factors are integral to delivering safe spinal surgery to super-elderly patients. To evaluate spine surgery outcomes in patients aged 80 or above. We retrospectively evaluated patients 80 years and above who underwent elective or emergency spinal surgery between 2017 and 2022. The Eurospine Surgery Classification (ESC) was used to classify operations into Large, Medium, and Small. We calculated and compared Clinical Frailty Scores (CFS) pre- and post-operatively. Two hundred forty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Most were male (n = 145). The age range was 80 to 99 (mean 83.3). Most operations were elective (n = 151, 62%). In our cohort, 211, 22, 10,2 and 1patients had degenerative, trauma, tumour, infective and vascular pathologies, respectively. According to the Eurospine classification, 201 (82.0%) had Minor spine surgery (63 emergently and 138 electively), 38 had Medium surgery (15.5% - 30 emergently and 8 electively), and 6 had Large surgery (2.4% - 1 emergently and 5 electively). 163 (66.5%) were discharged or under follow-up. There were 11 in-patient mortalities (4.5%). Outpatient mortality was 51 (20.8%), with the median time from surgery to death being 504.5 days, all the outpatient mortalities were neither non-spinal pathology nor spinal surgical related. CFS improved across the cohort, from 5 pre-operatively to 4 post-operatively (p < 0.001). Spine surgery in those over the 80s can be performed safely and improve their quality of life, as demonstrated by improvements in the CFS. Good patient selection and adequate pre-operative workup is essential, although it may not be possible in emergencies.

Validity of the I‑FEED classification in assessing postoperative gastrointestinal impairment in patients undergoing elective lumbar spinal surgery with general anesthesia: a prospective observational study

BackgroundThe I-FEED classification, scored 0–8, was reported to accurately describe the clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal impairment after colorectal surgery. Therefore, it is interesting to determine whether the I-FEED scoring system is also applicable to patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.MethodsAdult patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery were enrolled, and the I-FEED score was measured for 4 days after surgery. The I-FEED scoring system incorporates five elements: intake (score: 0, 1, 3), feeling nauseated (score: 0, 1, 3), emesis (score: 0, 1, 3), results of physical exam (score: 0, 1, 3), and duration of symptoms (score: 0, 1, 2). Daily I-FEED scores were summed, and the highest overall score is used to categorize patients into one of three categories: normal (0–2 points), postoperative gastrointestinal intolerance (POGI; 3–5 points), and postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (POGD; 6 + points). The construct validity hypothesis testing determines whether the I-FEED category is consistent with objective clinical findings relevant to gastrointestinal impairment, namely, the longer length of hospital stay (LOS), higher inhospital medical cost, more postoperative gastrointestinal medical treatment, and more postoperative non-gastrointestinal complications.ResultsA total of 156 patients were enrolled, and 25.0% of patients were categorized as normal, 49.4% POGI, and 25.6% POGD. Patients with higher I-FEED scores agreed with the four validity hypotheses. Patients with POGD had a significantly longer length of hospital stay (1 day longer median stay; p = 0.049) and more inhospital medical costs (approximately 500 Taiwanese dollars; p = 0.037), and more patients with POGD required rectal laxatives (10.3% vs. 32.5% vs. 32.5%; p = 0.026). In addition, more patients with POGD had non-gastrointestinal complications (5.1% vs. 11.7% vs. 30.0%; p = 0.034).ConclusionThis study contributes preliminary validity evidence for the I-FEED score as a measure for postoperative gastrointestinal impairment after elective lumbar spine surgery.

30- and 90-day readmission after elective spine surgery—does postoperative inpatient medical optimization affect readmission rates: a retrospective cross-sectional study

30- and 90-day readmission after elective spine surgery—does postoperative inpatient medical optimization affect readmission rates: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Mapping patient education encounters in elective surgery: a cohort study and cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveDevelop a process map of when patients learn about their proposed surgery and what resources patients use to educate themselves.DesignA mixed methods design, combining semistructured stakeholder interviews, quantitative validation using...

P.150 Effect of postoperative pain control and other perioperative risk factors on length of stay after elective spine surgery

Background: Prolonged length of stay (LOS) after elective spine surgery increases patients’ risk for in-hospital complications and contributes significantly to healthcare costs. Here we explored the role of pain control and other perioperative factors on LOS. Methods: Consecutive adult patients undergoing elective spine surgery were enrolled. The primary outcome was in-hospital LOS following surgery. The primary independent variable was poor pain control on postoperative day 1 (POD1). Univariable analyses followed by multivariable regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between poor pain control and LOS. Results: 1305 patients were enrolled. Mean LOS was 4.38 days. Incidence of poor pain control was 56.9%. Multivariable analysis revealed poor POD1 pain control was significantly associated with increased LOS (p=0.03), after adjusting for other significant predictors of increased LOS including perioperative hemodynamic instability (p=0.001), perioperative blood transfusion (p=0.000), delirium (p=0.000), POD1 morphine equivalent dose (p=0.000), urinary tract infection (p=0.000), urinary retention (p=0.003), surgical site infection (p=0.000), wound complication (p=0.000), neurologic deterioration (p=0.000), surgical levels (p=0.016), operative time (p=0.007), ASA score (p=0.000), preoperative disability score (p=0.001). Conclusions: Poor pain control on POD1 was an independent predictor of increased LOS after elective spine surgery, highlighting the importance of a proactive approach to addressing pain in the immediate postoperative period.

P.147 The growing problem of spine surgery wait times in British Columbia: longitudinal trends and impacts on perioperative outcomes

Background: Surgical delays are in common in Canada. Wait times in elective spine surgery and their impact on outcomes remain uncharacterized. Methods: This was a single-center analysis of elective spine surgery data between 2009-2020. Wait times between referral and consultation (T1), consultation and surgical booking (Ti), and booking and surgery (T2) were assessed. Results: 2041 patients were included. Longitudinal analyses were adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis, surgical volume, while outcomes analyses were age and sex-adjusted. Total T1+Ti+T2 increased 8.1% annually (p&lt;0.001). T1 decreased 4.3% annually (p=0.032). It was not associated with adverse events (AEs) or disposition. Every 100 days of T1 was associated with 1.0% longer hospitalization (p=0.001). Ti increased 21.0% annually (p&lt;0.001). Every 100 days of Ti was associated with 2.9% increased odds of an adverse event (p=0.002), 1.8% longer hospitalization (p&lt;0.001), and 15.9% increased likelihood of discharge home (p&lt;0.001). T2 increased 7.0% annually (p&lt;0.001) and was not associated with AEs. Every 100 days of T2 was associated with 11.6% longer hospitalization (p&lt;0.001) and 76.5% increased likelihood of discharge home (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Total wait times for elective spine surgery have increased between 2009-2020. Notably, Ti increased ninefold and was associated with AEs. This study highlights areas of delay and targets for healthcare optimization.

Preoperative rehabilitation optimization for spinal surgery: a narrative review of assessment, interventions, and feasibility.

Postoperative physical therapy (PT) is a cornerstone of orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, proven to provide various positive clinical benefits. However, there is a paucity of literature evaluating the utility of preoperative rehabilitation specific to spine surgery. Thus, this review article aims to provide an overview of previously published studies discussing the efficacy of preoperative rehabilitation programs and its role in spinal surgery. Special emphasis was given to preoperative frailty assessments, physical performance tests, interventional strategies, feasibility, and future directions. We performed a literature review using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and PubMed Central (PMC) using directed search terms. Articles that examined preoperative rehabilitation in adult spine surgery were compiled for this review. Prehabilitation programs focused on exercise, flexibility, and behavioral modifications have been shown to significantly improve pain levels and functional strength assessments in patients undergoing elective spine surgery. In addition, studies suggest that these programs may also decrease hospital stays, return to work time, and overall direct health care expenditure costs. Screening tools such as the FRAIL scale can be used to assess frailty while physical function tests like the timed-up-and go (TUGT), 5 repetition sit-to-stand test (5R-STST), and hand grip strength (HGS) can help identify patients who would most benefit from prehabilitation. This review illustrates that prehabilitation programs have the potential to increase quality of life, improve physical function and activity levels, and decrease pain, hospital stays, return to work time, and overall direct costs. However, there is a paucity of literature in this field that requires further study and investigation.

The impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) on opioid consumption and postoperative pain levels in elective spine surgery

ObjectiveEnhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols were developed to counteract the adverse effects of the surgical stress response, aiming for quicker postoperative recovery. Initially applied in abdominal surgeries, ERAS principles have extended to orthopedic spine surgery, but research in this area is still in its infancy. The current study investigated the impact of ERAS on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in elective spine surgeries. MethodsA single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing elective spine surgery from May 2019 to July 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups: those enrolled in the ERAS pathway and those adhering to traditional surgical protocols. Data on demographics, comorbidities, length of stay (LOS), surgical procedures, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), while opioid utilization was quantified in morphine milligram equivalents (MME). NRS and MME were averaged for each patient across all days under observation. Differences in outcomes between groups (ERAS vs. treatment as usual) were tested using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and Pearson’s or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables. ResultsThe median of patient’s mean daily NRS scores for postoperative pain were not statistically significantly different between groups (median = 5.55 (ERAS) and 5.28 (non-ERAS), p=.2). Additionally, the median of patients’ mean daily levels of MME were similar between groups (median = 17.24 (ERAS) and 16.44 (non-ERAS), p=.3) ERAS patients experienced notably shorter LOS (median=2 days) than their non-ERAS counterparts (median=3 days, p=.001). The effect of ERAS was moderated by whether the patient had ACDF surgery. ERAS (vs. non-ERAS) patients who had ACDF surgery had 1.64 lower average NRS (p=.006). ERAS (vs. non-ERAS) patients who had a different surgery had 0.72 higher average NRS (p=.02) but had almost half the length of stay, on average (p<.001). ConclusionsThe current study underscores the dynamic nature of ERAS protocols within the realm of spine surgery. While ERAS demonstrates advantages such as reduced LOS and improved patient-reported outcomes, it requires careful implementation and customization to address the specific demands of each surgical discipline. The potential to expedite recovery, optimize resource utilization, and enhance patient satisfaction cannot be overstated. However, the fine balance between achieving these benefits and ensuring comprehensive patient care, especially in the context of postoperative pain management, must be maintained. As ERAS continues to evolve and find its place in diverse surgical domains, it is crucial for healthcare providers to remain attentive to patient needs, adapting ERAS protocols to suit individual patient populations and surgical contexts.

Post-operative epidural haematoma as complication of overconsumption of dried fruit in lumbar spinal surgery: a case report and review of the literature

PurposeMebos, a traditional South Africa confection consisting of dried, pulped, and sugared apricots, is rich in fibre and vitamins, but also contains salicylic acid, flavonoids, and citric acid. We report a case of postoperative surgical site bleeding in a healthy patient who consumed approximately 2 kg of mebos per day prior to his elective spinal surgery.MethodsThe clinical course of a previously healthy 54-year-old male patient with cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent surgical intervention with subsequent bleeding into the surgical site is discussed. The cause was investigated through biochemical analysis, thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) and mass and absorption spectrometry were applied to assess flavonoid, citric acid, and salicylic acid content.ResultsROTEM® revealed an abnormal clotting profile with an increased clot forming time, suggesting intrinsic coagulopathy. Mass and absorption spectrometry revealed a high total flavonoid content as well as citric acid concentration in the mebos. Salicylic acid was at detection limits of the instrument.ConclusionResults highlighted the effect of flavonoids and citric acid and therefore explain the abnormal clotting profile in this patient. Inhibition of coagulation prior to elective surgery is a known contraindication and may pose great risks in spinal surgery. In the present report, we demonstrated an association between inhibition of coagulation and an excess of the flavonoids content and citric acid concentration in mebos consumed in the days prior to elective spinal surgery.

Superacute onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome after elective spinal surgery: A case report and literature review.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) epitomizes an acute peripheral neuropathy hallmarked by an autoimmune retort directed at the myelin sheath enwrapping peripheral nerves. While it is widely acknowledged that a majority of GBS patients boast a history of antecedent infections, the documentation of postoperative GBS occurrences is progressively mounting. Drawing upon an exhaustive compendium of recent case reports, the disease's inception spans a gamut from within 1 hour to 1.2 years. At this juncture, we proffer a singular case: an instance involving a 51-year-old gentleman who underwent lumbar spine surgery, only to encounter immediate debilitation of limb and respiratory musculature. Post elimination of variables linked to anesthetic agents, encephalon, and spinal cord pathologies, a potent suspicion of superacute GBS onset emerged. Subsequent to immunoglobulin therapy, plasmapheresis, and adjunctive support, the patient's ultimate demise became manifest. No progress was found to date. Given GBS's potential to instigate paralysis, respiratory collapse, and autonomic nervous system aberrations, alongside other pernicious sequelae, coupled with the exceptional rarity of the temporal onset in this particular instance, it undeniably proffers an imposing conundrum for anesthetists in the realm of differential diagnosis and therapeutic conduct. During the postoperative convalescence phase under anesthesia, should the patient evince deviant limb musculature vigor and compromised respiratory sinews, the prospect of GBS must not be consigned to oblivion. Precision in diagnosis conjoined with apt therapeutic measures could well be the harbinger of a divergent denouement for the afflicted patient.

Barbed versus conventional suture in elective posterior spine surgery.

Barbed sutures are tissue control devices that can reduce operating room time and costs. We analyzed the utility of barbed sutures in posterior spinal surgery in order to prove non-inferiority to conventional methods for wound closure. A cohort of patients undergoing elective posterior spinal surgery in which barbed (prospective) versus conventional sutures (retrospective) were used was analyzed. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of wound healing complications or the need for surgical revision. Secondary endpoints included postoperative stay, readmission rate, and duration and cost of wound closure. A total of 483 patients participated in the study, 183 in the Barbed group and 300 in the Conventional group. Wound dehiscence or seroma occurred in 3.8% and 2.7% of the Barbed and Conventional groups, respectively (p = 0.6588). Both superficial (1.6% versus 4.0%, P = 0.2378) and deep infections (2.7% versus 4.7%, p = 0.4124) occurred similarly in both groups. Overall, the rate of re-intervention due to wound healing problems was also similar (4.9% versus 5.3%, p = 0.9906), as well as, total median hospital stay, postoperative stay and 30-day re-admission rates. The average duration of wound closure (1.66 versus 4.16 min per level operated, p < 0.0001) strongly favored the Barbed group. The mean cost of wound closure per patient was higher in the Barbed group (43.23 € versus 22.67 €, p < 0.0001). In elective posterior spinal procedures, the use of barbed sutures significantly reduced the duration of wound closure. The wound healing process was not hindered and the added cost related to the suture material was small.

Preoperative nutritional status and postoperative health outcomes in older adults undergoing spine surgery: Electronic health records analysis

AimTo examine whether a high nutritional risk status, assessed via the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), is independently associated with postoperative health outcomes, including unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, infectious complications, and prolonged length of stay in older patients undergoing spine surgery. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective descriptive study analyzing electronic health records from a tertiary hospital, including data from 1,014 patients aged ≥70 undergoing elective spine surgery between February 2013 and March 2023. ResultsHigh nutritional risk patients had significantly higher odds of unplanned ICU admission, infectious complications, and prolonged length of stay compared to low-risk patients. For each one-point increase in GNRI, there was a significant 0.91- and 0.95-fold decrease in the odds of unplanned ICU admission and infectious complications, respectively. ConclusionGNRI screening in older patients before spine surgery may have potential to identify those at elevated risk for postoperative adverse outcomes.

Poor postoperative pain control is associated with poor long-term patient-reported outcomes after elective spine surgery: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTA significant proportion of patients experience poorly controlled surgical pain and fail to achieve satisfactory clinical improvement after spine surgery. However, a direct association between these variables has not been previously demonstrated. PURPOSETo investigate the association between poor postoperative pain control and patient-reported outcomes after spine surgery. STUDY DESIGNAmbispective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLEConsecutive adult patients (≥18-years old) undergoing inpatient elective cervical or thoracolumbar spine surgery. OUTCOME MEASUREPoor surgical outcome was defined as failure to achieve a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 30% improvement on the Oswestry Disability Index or Neck Disability Index at follow-up (3-months, 1-year, and 2-years). METHODSPoor pain control was defined as a mean numeric rating scale score of >4 during the first 24-hours after surgery. Multivariable mixed-effects regression was used to investigate the relationship between poor pain control and changes in surgical outcomes while adjusting for known confounders. Secondarily, the Calgary Postoperative Pain After Spine Surgery (CAPPS) Score was investigated for its ability to predict poor surgical outcome. RESULTSOf 1294 patients, 47.8%, 37.3%, and 39.8% failed to achieve the MCID at 3-months, 1-year, and 2-years, respectively. The incidence of poor pain control was 56.9%. Multivariable analyses showed poor pain control after spine surgery was independently associated with failure to achieve the MCID (OR 2.35 [95% CI=1.59–3.46], p<.001) after adjusting for age (p=.18), female sex (p=.57), any nicotine products (p=.041), ASA physical status >2 (p<.001), ≥3 motion segment surgery (p=.008), revision surgery (p=.001), follow-up time (p<.001), and thoracolumbar surgery compared to cervical surgery (p=.004). The CAPPS score was also found to be independently predictive of poor surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONPoor pain control in the first 24-hours after elective spine surgery was an independent risk factor for poor surgical outcome. Perioperative treatment strategies to improve postoperative pain control may lead to improved patient-reported surgical outcomes.

347 Short-Term Pain Outcomes and Pain Medication Utilization Among Urine Toxicology-Identified Opioid and Marijuana Users Following Elective Spine Surgery

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain outcomes may be influenced by preoperative substance use, which is often underreported due to associated stigma. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective spinal surgery between September 2020 and May 2022 were recruited for this prospective cohort study. Detailed chart review was completed to collect demographic, urine toxicology, VAS, and pain medication regimen data. Comparisons between self-reported and urine toxicology-identified substance use, pre- and post-operative VAS ratings, and postoperative pain medication use were made using χ2 tests, student’s t-tests, and logistic regression, respectively. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and race. RESULTS: Among 111 participants (mean age 58 years, 59% female, 95% with &gt;1 comorbidity), urine toxicology overestimated drug use (47% vs 16%, p &lt; 0.001) and underestimated alcohol use (16% vs 56%, p &lt; 0.001) at preoperative baseline relative to patient reports. Two-weeks postoperatively, participants on preoperative opioids as determined by urine toxicology reported no significant improvements in pain from baseline (6.67 preop vs 5.92 postop, p = 0.288) unlike non-users (6.56 preop vs 4.61 postop, p &lt; 0.001). They also had worse postoperative VAS (5.92 vs 4.61, p = 0.030) and heavier reliance on opioid medications (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.21-7.89, p = 0.019). Conversely, participants on preoperative marijuana reported similar improvements in pain from baseline (users: 6.88 preop vs 4.36 postop, p = 0.001; non-users: 6.49 preop vs 5.07 postop, p = 0.001), similar postoperative pain (4.36 vs 5.07, p = 0.238), and similar postoperative reliance on opioid medications (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.38-2.44, p = 0.928). CONCLUSIONS: While urine toxicology-identified preoperative opioid use was associated with poor postoperative pain relief and continued reliance on postoperative opioids for pain management following elective spinal surgery, preoperative marijuana use was not. Preoperative marijuana use, hence, should not delay or be a contraindication to elective spinal surgery.

225 SpineTrak: The First Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Apple Watch to Objectively Track Spine Surgical Patients

INTRODUCTION: Early mobilization after surgery is associated with reduced complications, shorter hospitalization, and improved psychological well-being. Current methods for evaluating spine surgery outcomes rely on subjective, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Wearable activity monitors, including the Apple Watch (AW), allow for real-time tracking of objective activity metrics. METHODS: Eligibility: Adult patients undergoing elective spine surgery. Patients are randomized 1:1 to the intervention vs control group. All patients complete PROMs pre-operatively and at 6-weeks, 3-months, 6-months, and 1-year post-operatively. Only intervention patients receive AW and download a study-specific app to collect AW data. AW health measures are visualized in reports provided to patients and surgeons. RESULTS: To date, we have enrolled 200 patients (n=100 intervention; n=100 control). Among patients past 1-year post-operation (n=129), 74% reached the minimal clinically-important difference in improvement for ODI/NDI, SF-36 PCS, and/or EQ-VAS relative to pre-operation. Intervention patients (n=95) have worn AW 81.3%±21.1% of the days for 14.6±4.7 hours/day. At 6-weeks post-operation, 73% of patients responded that they were very satisfied with using the AW in their spine care. 61% found seeing their AW activity data helpful. 96% of neurosurgeons agreed that AW reports help them understand their patients’ recovery. Preliminary analyses of patient recovery profiles have predicted the requirement for revision surgery in some participants. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate patients are compliant with wearing the AW, and both patients and surgeons are satisfied with its use in their spine care. Initial analyses show poor correlation between AW measures and PROMs, emphasizing the need for a metric that combines objective and subjective measures to better track spine surgery recovery.

Medical History and Preoperative Coagulation Profile as Predictors of Outcomes in Elective Spinal Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

In patients with unremarkable medical history, comprehensive preoperative hemostasis screening in elective neurosurgery remains debated. Comprehensive medical history has shown to be noninferior to coagulation profile to evaluate surgical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the predictiveness of preoperative coagulation screening and medical history for surgical outcomes. Databases were searched until April 2023 for observational cohort studies that reported preoperative hemostasis screening and clinical history prior to elective neurosurgical procedures. Outcomes of interest included postoperative transfusion, mortality, and complications. Pooled relative risk ratios (RRs) were analyzed using random-effects models. Out of 604 studies, 3 cohort studies met our inclusion criteria, adding a patient population of 83,076. Prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT; RR=1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.14, 1.77, P=0.002), elevated international normalized ratio (INR; RR=2.01, 95% CI=1.14, 3.55, P=0.02), low platelet count (RR=1.58, 95% CI=1.34, 1.86, P<0.00001), and positive bleeding history (RR=2.14, 95% CI=1.16, 3.93, P=0.01) were associated with postoperative transfusion risk. High PTT (RR=2.42, 95%CI=1.24, 4.73, P=0.010), High INR (RR=8.15, 95% CI=5.97, 11.13; P<0.00001), low platelet count (RR=4.89, 95% CI=3.73, 6.41, P<0.00001), and bleeding history (RR=7.59, 95% CI=5.84, 9.86, P<0.00001) were predictive of mortality. Prolonged PTT (RR=1.53, 95% CI=1.25, 1.86, P=<0.0001), a high INR (RR=3.41, 95% CI=2.63, 4.42, P=< 0.00001), low platelets (RR=1.63, 95% CI=1.40, 1.90, P=<0.00001), and medical history (RR=2.15, 95% CI=1.71, 2.71, P=<0.00001) were predictive of complications. Medical history was a noninferior predictor to coagulation profile for postoperative transfusion, mortality, and complications. However, our findings are mostly representative of elective spinal procedures. Cost-effective alternatives should be explored to promote affordable patient care in patients with unremarkable history.

Spine surgeon triage of new patient referrals: quantification of surgical conversion rate by clinic referral source

BACKGROUND CONTEXTIn an effort to efficiently deliver high-value spine surgical care, spine surgery clinics may triage new patient referrals. A triage system with attending surgeon review of referred patient images may improve the surgical conversion rate (SCR) of a spine surgical clinic, and shift the distribution of new patients in clinic toward those most likely to derive benefit from surgery. PURPOSETo quantify SCR and number of triage steps by referral source in a tertiary referral spine clinic where all referrals are triaged by attending surgeons. DESIGNAll spine surgery clinic patients seen for a new patient visit (NPV) at an academic medical center over a one-year period had their triage process and outcome (surgery or no surgery) reviewed. PATIENT SAMPLEThe 1398 new adult patients seen for elective spine pathology were queried. OUTCOME MEASURESSCR was defined as the percentage of new patients who underwent elective spine surgery within 18 months of NPV. Triage steps were defined as an action item by triage staff (ie, obtaining patient records) or by the patient (ie, undergoing additional imaging). METHODSAll new patient visits were evaluated for referral source, number of triage steps, and triage outcome. Time from referral to NPV, and time from NPV to surgery were also recorded. SCR, triage steps, and time-intervals were calculated for each surgeon and referral source and compared. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to ascertain differences. RESULTSThe overall SCR for the 4-surgeon group was 41.6%. This ranged among the surgeons from 24.7% to 60.1%. The referral sources with the highest SCR were in-system spine advanced practice providers (APPs) and in-system physical medicine and rehabilitation providers. Spine APPs also demonstrated the smoothest referral process, requiring the fewest steps. CONCLUSIONSOur findings provide a framework for assessment of triage processes at other institutions, as well as the impact of upgrades to our triage process as we work to improve triage efficiency. In the present study, referrals from providers familiar with spine pathology resulted in the highest SCR and fewest triage steps.

The role of environmental and seasonal factors in spine deep surgical site infection: the air pollution, a factor that may be underestimated.

Different strategies have been described in order to reduce spine deep surgical site infection (SSI); however, non-intervenable items such as environmental factors remain as one of the main concerns for spine surgeons. A retrospective cohort study was designed in order to evaluate the effect of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and particularly the air pollution index (PM 2.5) on spine surgical site infection. The files of 3609 patients who underwent spinal surgery from April 2019 to March 2022 were reviewed, and 121 patients with spine SSI were detected. There was no significant relationship between mean temperature and humidity of each month with infection and type of bacteria. However, there was a significant relation between warmer season periods and infection. The rate of infection among patients was 3.25% ranged from 2.5% to 4% in colder and warmer seasons accordingly. It was determined that air pollution had a significant relationship with the infection and the type of bacteria. (p value < 0.05, R-Squared = 0.249). Our study revealed a 60% increase in spine SSI during warmer seasons. There was a significant correlation between air pollution and the rate of infection. These may suggest the necessity to reduce the number of elective spine surgeries during warmer seasons and when the level of air pollutant is high.

Comparison of volume-controlled ventilation, pressure-controlled ventilation and pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed in infants and young children in the prone position: A prospective randomized study

Study objectiveTo explore if the pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) and pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) modes are superior to volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) in optimizing intraoperative respiratory mechanics in infants and young children in the prone position. DesignA single-center prospective randomized study. SettingChildren's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. PatientsPediatric patients aged 1 month to 3 years undergoing elective spinal cord detethering surgery. InterventionsPatients were randomly allocated to the VCV group, PCV group and PCV-VG group. The target tidal volume (VT) was 8 mL/kg and the respiratory rate (RR) was adjusted to maintain a constant end tidal CO2. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was intraoperative peak airway pressure (Ppeak). Secondary outcomes included other respiratory and ventilation variables, gas exchange values, serum lung injury biomarkers concentration, hemodynamic parameters and postoperative respiratory complications. Main resultsA total of 120 patients were included in the final analysis (40 in each group). The VCV group showed higher Ppeak at T2 (10 min after prone positioning) and T3 (30 min after prone positioning) than the PCV and PCV-VG groups (T2: P = 0.015 and P = 0.002, respectively; T3: P = 0.007 and P = 0.009, respectively). The prone-related decrease in dynamic compliance was prevented by PCV and PCV-VG ventilation modalities at T2 and T3 than by VCV (T2: P = 0.008 and P = 0.015, respectively; T3: P = 0.015 and P = 0.014, respectively). Additionally, there were no significant differences in other secondary outcomes among the three groups. ConclusionIn infants and young children undergoing spinal cord detethering surgery in the prone position, PCV-VG may be a better ventilation mode due to its ability to mitigate the increase in Ppeak and decrease in Cdyn while maintaining consistent VT.

Clinical Outcomes and Complication Profile of Spine Surgery in Septuagenarians and Octogenarians: Case Series

IntroductionThe aging global population presents an increasing challenge for spine surgeons. Advancements in spine surgery, including minimally invasive techniques, have broadened treatment options, potentially benefiting older patients. This study aims to explore the clinical outcomes of spine surgery in septuagenarians and octogenarians. MethodsThis retrospective analysis, conducted at a US tertiary center, included patients aged 70 and older who underwent elective spine surgery for degenerative conditions. Data included the Charlson Comorbidity Index, ASA classification, surgical procedures, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and reoperation rates. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of our cohort of older patients and discern whether differences existed between septuagenarians and octogenarians. ResultsAmong the 120 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, there were no significant differences in preoperative factors between the age groups(p>0.05). Notably, the septuagenarian group had a higher average number of fused levels(2.36 vs. 0.38, p=0.001), while the octogenarian group underwent a higher proportion of minimally invasive procedures(p=0.012), resulting in lower overall bleeding in the oldest group(p<0.001). Mobility outcomes were more favorable in septuagenarians, whereas octogenarians tended to maintain or experience a decline in mobility(p=0.012). A total of 6(5%) intraoperative complications and 12(10%) post-operative complications were documented, with no statistically significant differences observed between the groups. ConclusionThis case series demonstrates that septuagenarians and octogenarians can achieve favorable clinical outcomes with elective spine surgery. Spine surgeons should be well-versed in the clinical and surgical care of older adults, providing optimal management that considers their increased comorbidity burden and heightened fragility.