Spinal Tumor Surgery Research Articles

A Novel Marking Technique for Accurate Minimal Invasive Approaches in Spine Tumor Surgeries With Activated Carbon Marking.

To describe a novel, practical, reproducible, and effective preoperative marking technique for accurate localization of the spinal level in a series of patients with tumor lesions. We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) surgery for spine tumors from 2016 to 2021, in which this marking technique was used. Twenty-one patients, with tumor lesions involving difficult radioscopic visualization (cervicothoracic junction or upper dorsal spine, C6-T8), were included. Tumor lesion level was previously determined with enhanced MRI in all cases. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours before surgery, computed tomography image-guided carbon marking was performed by administration of aqueous suspension of carbon with a 21-gauge needle placed resembling the MIS approach planned trajectory. During surgery, activated carbon marking was followed until reaching the final target on the bone. Next, sequential dilators and an MIS retractor were placed. Then, bone resection and tumor exeresis were performed according to the case. Average age was 60.6 years (26-76 years). Fifteen (71%) patients were women. In most cases (76%), tumor pathology involved intradural lesions (meningiomas and schwannomas). In all cases, the marking described allowed to accurately guide the MIS approach to tumor site. Neither intraoperative fluoroscopy nor approach enlargement was required in any procedure. Postoperative complications were reported in only 4 patients, none related with the marking. Computed tomography image-guided activated carbon marking allows to accurately lead MIS approaches in a practical, reproducible, and effective way in cases of tumors localized in regions of the spine of difficult radioscopic visualization.

Risk Factors for 90-Day Readmission Among Patients with Metastatic Spine Tumors in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Population-based studies on the cause of readmission within 90 days after surgery or radiotherapy for metastatic spine tumors are scarce. We aimed to investigate the risk factors for readmission within 90 days after initial surgical or radiation treatment for metastatic spine tumors. Patients who were diagnosed with metastatic spine tumors between 2012 and 2019 and underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging within 1 year were classified according to treatment (surgical or radiotherapy groups), and the causes of the 90-day readmission and patient characteristics were compared. Overall, data from 15,815 patients (surgical group, 13,974 patients; radiotherapy group, 1,841 patients) were evaluated. Radiotherapy was preferred in younger and male patients with a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), whereas surgery was mainly performed in patients with lumbar metastasis. Radiotherapy, age of 30-69 years, male sex, and CCI > 1 increased the risk of 90-day readmission in patients with metastatic spine tumors. The main causes of 90-day readmission among patients with metastatic spine tumors who received radiotherapy included tumor recurrence, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and treatment of other organ metastases with radiotherapy. These study findings offer a better understanding of the causes of readmission following radiotherapy or surgical treatment in patients with metastatic spine tumors, and these results can help reduce postoperative morbidity and medical costs among these patients.

Prospective Registration Study for Establishing Minimal Clinically Important Differences in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Spinal Metastases.

Multicenter, prospective registry study. To clarify minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for surgical interventions for spinal metastases, thereby enhancing patient care by integrating quality of life assessments with clinical outcomes. Despite its proven usefulness in degenerative spinal diseases and deformities, the MCID remains unexplored regarding surgery for spinal metastases. This study included 171 (out of 413) patients from the multicenter "Prospective Registration Study on Surgery for Metastatic Spinal Tumors" by the Japan Association of Spine Surgeons. These were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively using the Face Scale, EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L), including the Visual Analog Scale, and performance status. The MCIDs were calculated using an anchor-based method, classifying participants into the improved, unchanged, and deteriorated groups based on the Face Scale scores. Focusing on the improved and unchanged groups, the change in the EQ-5D-5L values from before to after treatment was analyzed, and the cutoff value with the highest sensitivity and specificity was determined as the MCID through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The validity of the MCIDs was evaluated using a distribution-based calculation method for patient-reported outcomes. The improved, unchanged, and deteriorated groups comprised 121, 28, and 22 participants, respectively. The anchor-based MCIDs for the EQ-5D-5L index, EQ-Visual Analog Scale, and domains of mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression were 0.21, 15.50, 1.50, 0.50, 0.50, 0.50, and 0.50, respectively; the corresponding distribution-based MCIDs were 0.17, 15,99, 0.77, 0.80, 0.78, 0.60, and 0.70, respectively. We identified MCIDs for surgical treatment of spinal metastases, providing benchmarks for future clinical research. By retrospectively examining whether the MCIDs are achieved, factors favoring their achievement and risks affecting them can be explored. This could aid in decisions on surgical candidacy and patient counseling. II.

The Impact of Neurophysiological Monitoring during Intradural Spinal Tumor Surgery.

Surgery for spinal cord tumors poses a significant challenge due to the inherent risk of neurological deterioration. Despite being performed at numerous centers, there is an ongoing debate regarding the efficacy of pre- and intraoperative neurophysiological investigations in detecting and preventing neurological lesions. This study begins by providing a comprehensive review of the neurophysiological techniques commonly employed in this context. Subsequently, we present findings from a cohort of 67 patients who underwent surgery for intradural tumors. These patients underwent preoperative and intraoperative multimodal somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs), with clinical evaluation conducted three months postoperatively. The study aimed to evaluate the neurophysiological, clinical, and radiological factors associated with neurological outcomes. In univariate analysis, preoperative and intraoperative potential alterations, tumor size, and ependymoma-type histology were linked to the risk of worsening neurological condition. In multivariate analysis, only preoperative and intraoperative neurophysiological abnormalities remained significantly associated with such neurological deterioration. Interestingly, transient alterations in intraoperative MEPs and SSEPs did not pose a risk of neurological deterioration. The machine learning model we utilized demonstrated the possibility of predicting clinical outcome, achieving 84% accuracy.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Somatosensory Evoked Potential and Transcranial Motor Evoked Potential in Detection of Neurological Injury in Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Surgeries: A Short-Term Follow-Up Prospective Interventional Study Experience from Tertiary Care Center of India.

Objective Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is an acknowledged tool for real-time neuraxis assessment during surgery. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and transcranial motor evoked potential (MEP) are commonest deployed modalities of IONM. Role of SSEP and MEP in intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor (IDEMSCT) surgery is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of SSEP and transcranial MEP, in detection of intraoperative neurological injury in IDEMSCT patients as well as their postoperative limb-specific neurological improvement assessment at fixed intervals till 30 days. Materials and Methods Symptomatic patients with IDEMSCTs were selected according to the inclusion criteria of study protocol. On modified McCormick (mMC) scale, their sensory-motor deficit was assessed both preoperatively and postoperatively. Surgery was done under SSEP and MEP (transcranial) monitoring using appropriate anesthetic agents. Gross total/subtotal resection of tumor was achieved as per IONM warning alarms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of SSEP and MEP were calculated considering postoperative neurological changes as "reference standard." Patients were followed up at postoperative day (POD) 0, 1, 7, and 30 for convalescence. Statistical Analysis With appropriate tests of significance, statistical analysis was carried out. Receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to find cutoff point of mMC for SSEP being recordable in patients with higher neurological deficit along with calculation of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of SSEP and MEP for prediction of intraoperative neurological injury. Results Study included 32 patients. Baseline mean mMC value was 2.59. Under neuromonitoring, gross total resection of IDEMSCT was achieved in 87.5% patients. SSEP was recordable in subset of patients with mMC value less than or equal to 2 with diagnostic accuracy of 100%. MEP was recordable in all patients and it had 96.88% diagnostic accuracy. Statistically significant neurological improvement was noted at POD-7 and POD-30 follow-up. Conclusion SSEP and MEP individually carry high diagnostic accuracy in detection of intraoperative neurological injuries in patients undergoing IDEMSCT surgery. MEP continues to monitor the neuraxis, even in those subsets of patients where SSEP fails to record.

The Influence of Preoperative Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy on Rebleeding Rates in Patients Suffering from Spinal Metastatic Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The age of patients requiring surgery for spinal metastasis, primarily those over 65, has risen due to improved cancer treatments. Surgical intervention targets acute neurological deficits and instability. Anticoagulants are increasingly used, especially in the elderly, but pose challenges in managing bleeding complications. The study examines the correlation between preoperative anticoagulant/antiplatelet use and bleeding risks in spinal metastasis surgery, which is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. In a retrospective study at our department from 2010 to 2023, spinal tumor surgery patients were analyzed. Data included demographics, neurological status, surgical procedure, preoperative anticoagulant/antiplatelet use, intra-/postoperative coagulation management, and the incidence of rebleeding. Coagulation management involved blood loss assessment, coagulation factor administration, and fluid balance monitoring post-surgery. Lab parameters were documented at admission, preop, postop, and discharge. A cohort of 290 patients underwent surgical treatment for spinal metastases, predominantly males (63.8%, n = 185) with a median age of 65 years. Preoperatively, 24.1% (n = 70) were on oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy. Within 30 days, a rebleeding rate of 4.5% (n = 9) occurred, unrelated to preoperative anticoagulation status (p > 0.05). A correlation was found between preoperative neurologic deficits (p = 0.004) and rebleeding risk and the number of levels treated surgically, with fewer levels associated with a higher incidence of postoperative bleeding (p < 0.01). Surgical intervention for spinal metastatic cancer appears to be safe regardless of the patient's preoperative anticoagulation status. However, it remains imperative to customize preoperative planning and preparation for each patient, emphasizing meticulous risk-benefit analysis and optimizing perioperative care.

The Perioperative Effects of Preoperative Radiotherapy in Metastatic Spinal Tumor Patients

IntroductionRadiotherapy is one of the important treatment options for metastatic spinal tumors but is not the definite intervention in all cases as there are patients who still require surgical treatment because of severe pain or neurologic even after this treatment. We here evaluated the peri-operative effects of preoperative radiotherapy in these cases as a future guide for surgeons on critical considerations in this period. MethodsWe included 328 patients in this study who had undergone decompression and fusion surgery for metastatic spinal tumors. Patients who underwent surgery with preoperative radiotherapy were designated as the radiotherapy group (group RT, N=81), while cases of surgery without preoperative radiotherapy were assigned to the non-radiotherapy group (group nRT, N=247). We compared the demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative factors between these two groups. ResultsIn terms of intra-operative factors, statistically significant differences were evident in operation time, extra-blood loss, and transfusion (RT vs nRT; 188.1±80,7 vs 231.2±106.1, 607.2±532.7 vs 830.1±1324.7, and 30.9% vs 43.3%, p= <0.001, 0.031, and 0.048, respectively). With regard to postoperative factors, the incidence of infection, wound problems and local recurrence were statistically higher in group RT (RT vs nRT; 6.2% vs 0.8%, 12.3% vs 0.8%, 23.4% vs 13.7%, p= 0.004, <0.001, and 0.038, respectively). ConclusionsPreoperative radiotherapy has the intraoperative advantages of reducing bleeding and shortening the operating time, but postoperative caution is needed because of the possibility of infection, wound problem and local recurrence increases.

Prognostic Factors after Surgical Treatment for Spinal Metastases.

A retrospective multicenter case series was conducted. This study aimed to investigate survival and prognostic factors after surgery for a metastatic spinal tumor. Prognostic factors after spinal metastasis surgery remain controversial. A retrospective multicenter study was conducted. The study participants included 345 patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastases from 2010 to 2020 at nine referral spine centers in Japan. Data for each patient were extracted from medical records. To identify the factors predicting survival prognosis after surgery, univariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The mean age was 65.9 years. Common primary tumors were lung (n=72), prostate (n=61), and breast (n=39), and 67.8% (n=234) presented with osteolytic lesions. The epidural spinal cord compression scale score 2 or 3 was recognized in 79.0% (n=271). Frankel grade A paralysis accounted for 1.4% (n=5), and 73.3% (n=253) were categorized as intermediate or high risk according to the new Katagiri score. The overall survival rates were -71.0% at 6 months, 57.4% at 12, and 43.3% at 24. In the univariate analysis, Frankel grade A (hazard ratio [HR], 3.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-10.50; p<0.05), intermediate risk (HR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.10-5.32; p<0.01), and high risk (HR, 7.77; 95% CI, 4.72-12.8; p<0.01) in the new Katagiri score were significantly associated with poor survival. On the contrary, postoperative chemotherapy (HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.15-0.36; p<0.01), radiation therapy (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26-0.70; p<0.01), and both adjuvant therapy (HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.14-0.32; p<0.01) were suggested to improve survival. Surgical indications for patients with Frankel grade A or intermediate or high risk in the new Katagiri score should be carefully considered because of poor survival. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy should be considered after surgery for better survival.

Does Elective Admission vs. Emergency Department Presentation Affect Surgical Outcomes in Metastatic Spine Surgery?

Approximately 20% of patients with metastatic spine disease develop symptomatic spinal cord compression, and these patients can present urgently to the emergency department (ED) or, in a more organized fashion, to a clinic. In a cohort of patients undergoing metastatic spine surgery, we sought to (1) determine the rate of ED presentation, (2) identify preoperative and perioperative risk factors associated with ED presentation, and (3) evaluate whether ED vs. clinic presentation impacts long-term outcomes. A single-institution, multi-surgeon, retrospective cohort study was undertaken of patients undergoing metastatic spinal tumor surgery between 02/2010 and 01/2021. The primary exposure variable was presentation setting, dichotomized to the ED vs. clinic. The primary outcomes were postoperative functional status, measured with the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and McCormick Scale (MMS), local recurrence (LR), and overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included complications and readmissions. A total of 311 patients underwent metastatic spine surgery (51.7% ED vs. 48.3% clinic). Those presenting to the ED had higher rates of smoking (21.7% vs. 16.0%, p = 0.02), were more likely to have 2+ comorbidities (47.2% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.011), and were more likely to have public insurance (43.5% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.043). Preoperative KPS was lower in ED patients (p < 0.001), while the Bilsky score was higher (p = 0.049). ED patients had higher rates of oligometastatic disease (p = 0.049), higher total decompressed levels (p = 0.041), and higher rates of costotransversectomy (p = 0.031) compared to clinic patients. Length of stay was significantly longer for ED patients (7.7 ± 6.1 vs. 6.1 ± 5.8 days, p = 0.020), and they were less likely to be discharged home (52.2% vs. 69.3%, p = 0.025). ED presentation was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (HR =1.53 95% CI = 1.13-2.08, p = 0.006). Of patients undergoing metastatic spine disease, approximately half presented through the ED vs. clinic. ED patients had higher rates of smoking, public insurance, and higher Bilsky score. ED patients also underwent more extensive surgery, had longer LOS, were less likely discharged home, and most importantly, had a shorter overall survival. These results suggest that initial presentation for patients undergoing surgery for metastatic spine disease significantly impacts outcomes, and signs/symptoms of metastatic spine disease should be recognized as soon as possible to prevent ED presentation.

Pedicled omental flaps for complex wound reconstruction following surgery for primary spine tumors of the mobile spine and sacrum.

Surgery for primary tumors of the mobile spine and sacrum often requires complex reconstruction techniques to cover soft-tissue defects and to treat wound and CSF-related complications. The anatomical, vascular, and immunoregulatory characteristics of the omentum make it an excellent local substrate for the management of radiation soft-tissue injury, infection, and extensive wound defects. This study describes the authors' experience in complex wound reconstruction using pedicled omental flaps to cover defects in surgery for mobile spine and sacral primary tumors. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 34 patients who underwent pedicled omental flap reconstruction after en bloc resection of primary sacral and mobile spine tumors between 2010 and 2020. The study focused on assessing the indications for omental flap usage, including soft-tissue coverage, protection against postoperative radiation therapy, infection management, vascular supply for bone grafts, and dural defect and CSF leak repair. Patient demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, and follow-up data were analyzed to determine the procedure's efficacy and complication rates. From 2010 to 2020, 34 patients underwent pedicled omental flap reconstruction after en bloc resection of sacral (24 of 34 [71%]) and mobile spine (10 of 34 [29%]) primary tumors, mostly chordomas. The patient cohort included 21 men and 13 women with a median (range) age of 60 (32-89) years. The most common indication for omental flap was soft-tissue coverage (20 of 34 [59%]). Other indications included protecting abdominopelvic organs for postoperative radiation therapy (6 of 34 [18%]), treating infections (5 of 34 [15%]), providing vascular supply for free fibular bone graft (1 of 34 [3%]), and repairing large dural defects and CSF leak (2 of 34 [6%]). The median (range) follow-up was 24 (0-132) months, during which 71% (24 of 34) of patients did not require additional surgery for wound-related complications. At last follow-up, 59% (20 of 34) had stable disease and 32% (11 of 34) had recurrence, had progression of disease, or had been discharged to hospice after treatment. The pedicled omentum is an effective local tissue graft that can be used for complex wound reconstruction and management of high-risk closures in primary spine tumors. This technique may have a lower rate of complications than other approaches and may influence surgical planning and flap selection in challenging cases.

Earlier Radiation Is Associated with Improved 1-Year Survival After Metastatic Spine Tumor Surgery

ObjectivesIn patients undergoing metastatic spine surgery, we sought to: 1) report time to postoperative radiation therapy (RT), 2) describe the predictive factors of time to postoperative RT, and 3) determine if earlier postoperative RT is associated with improved local recurrence (LR) and overall survival (OS). MethodsA single-center, retrospective cohort study was undertaken of all patients undergoing spine surgery for extradural metastatic disease and receiving RT within 3-months postoperatively between 02/2010-01/2021. Time to postoperative RT was dichotomized at <1month vs. 1-3months. The primary outcomes were LR, OS, and 1-year survival. Secondary outcomes were wound complication, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), and Modified McCormick Scale (MMS). Regression analyses controlled for age, BMI, tumor size, preoperative RT, preoperative/postoperative chemotherapy, and type of RT. ResultsOf 76 patients undergoing spinal metastasis surgery and receiving postoperative RT within 3-months, 34(44.7%) received RT within 1month and 42(55.2%) within 1-3months. Patients with larger tumor size (β=-3.58,95%CI=-6.59,-0.57,p=0.021) or new neurological deficits (β=-16.21,95%CI=-32.21,-0.210,p=0.047) had a shorter time to RT. No significant association was found between time to RT and LR or OS on multivariable logistic/Cox regression. However, patients who received RT between 1-3month had a lower odd of 1-year survival compared to those receiving RT within 1month (OR=0.18,95%CI=0.04-0.74,p=0.022). Receiving RT within 1month vs. 1-3month was not associated with wound complications (7.1% vs. 2.9%,p=0.556)(OR=4.40,95%CI=0.40-118.0,p=0.266) or KPS/MMS. ConclusionsSpine surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists should make every effort to start RT within 1 month to improve 1-year survival after metastatic spine tumor surgery.

Does Patient Blood Management Affect Outcomes in Metastatic Spine Tumour Surgery? A Review of Current Concepts.

Narrative review. The spine is the most common site of metastases, associated with decreased quality of life. Increase in metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS) has caused us to focus on the management of blood, as blood loss is a significant morbidity in these patients. However, blood transfusion is also not without its own risks, and hence this led to blood conservation strategies and implementation of a concept of patient blood management (PBM) in clinical practise focusing on these patients. A narrative review was conducted and all studies that were related to blood management in metastatic spine disease as well as PBM surrounding this condition were included. A total of 64 studies were included in this review. We discussed a new concept of patient blood management in patients undergoing MSTS, with stratification to pre-operative and intra-operative factors, as well as anaesthesia and surgical considerations. The studies show that PBM and reduction in blood transfusion allows for reduced readmission rates, lower risks associated with blood transfusion, and lower morbidity for patients undergoing MSTS. Through this review, we highlight various pre-operative and intra-operative methods in the surgical and anaesthesia domains that can help with PBM. It is an important concept with the significant amount of blood loss expected from MSTS. Not applicable.

Separation surgery for metastatic spine tumors: How less became more.

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is an increasingly common clinical entity in cancer patients and is associated with significant morbidity and neurologic sequalae. Management of MESCC has undergone many significant paradigms shifts over the past 50 years and was at times managed exclusively with either surgery or radiation. Historically, aggressive surgical techniques to achieve en bloc or intralesional gross tumor resections were pursued but were associated with significant morbidity and poor tumor control rates when combined with conventional external beam radiation. However, improvements in radiation treatment delivery in the form of stereotactic body radiation therapy have allowed for the safe delivery of high-dose conformal photon beam radiation providing histology-independent ablative responses. This shifted the goals of surgery away from maximal tumor resection toward simple spinal cord decompression with reconstitution of the thecal to create a tumor target volume capable of being irradiated within the constraints of spinal cord tolerance. This new approach of creating space between the thecal sac and the tumor was termed separation surgery and when combined with postoperative SBRT, it is referred to as hybrid therapy. Herein, we will describe the evolution of the management of MESCC, the technique of separation surgery and its outcomes, and finish with an illustrative case example.

External Validation of an Online Wound Infection and Wound Reoperation Risk Calculator After Metastatic Spinal Tumor Surgery

Study DesignThis was a single-institution retrospective cohort study. ObjectiveWound infections are common following spine metastasis surgery and can result in unplanned reoperations. A recent study published an online wound complication risk calculator but has not yet undergone external validation. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of this risk calculator in predicting 30-day wound infections and 30-day wound reoperations using our operative spine metastasis population. MethodsAn internal operative database was used to identify patients between 2012 and 2022. The primary outcomes were 1) any surgical site infection and 2) wound-related revision surgery within 30 days following surgery. Patient details were manually collected from electronic medical records and entered into the calculator to determine predicted complication risk percentages. Predicted risks were compared to observed outcomes using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves with areas under the curve (AUC). ResultsA total of 153 patients were included. The observed 30-day postoperative wound infection incidence was 5% while the predicted wound infection incidence was 6%. In ROC analysis, good discrimination was found for the wound infection model (AUC=0.737; p=0.024). The observed wound reoperation rate was 5% and the predicted wound reoperation rate was 6%. ROC analysis demonstrated poor discrimination for wound reoperations (AUC=0.559; p=0.597). ConclusionsThe online wound-related risk calculator was found to accurately predict wound infections but not wound reoperations within our metastatic spine surgery cohort. We suggest that the model may be clinically useful despite underlying population differences, but further work must be done to generate and validate accurate prediction tools.

Nomogram for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications in spinal tumor patients

ObjectivesAlthough several independent risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after spinal tumor surgery have been studied, a simple and valid predictive model for PPC occurrence after spinal tumor surgery has not been developed.Patients and methodsWe collected data from patients who underwent elective spine surgery for a spinal tumor between 2013 and 2020 at a tertiary hospital in China. Data on patient characteristics, comorbidities, preoperative examinations, intraoperative variables, and clinical outcomes were collected. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to assess predictors of PPCs and developed and validated a nomogram for PPCs. We evaluated the performance of the nomogram using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curves, the Brier Score, and the Hosmer–Lemeshow (H–L) goodness-of-fit test. For clinical use, decision curve analysis (DCA) was conducted to identify the model’s performance as a tool for supporting decision-making.ResultsAmong the participants, 61 (12.4%) individuals developed PPCs. Clinically significant variables associated with PPCs after spinal tumor surgery included BMI, tumor location, blood transfusion, and the amount of blood lost. The nomogram incorporating these factors showed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.755 (95% CI: 0.688–0.822). On internal validation, bootstrapping with 1000 resamples yielded a bias-corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.733, indicating the satisfactory performance of the nomogram in predicting PPCs. The calibration curve demonstrated accurate predictions of observed values. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated a positive net benefit for the nomogram across most predicted threshold probabilities.ConclusionsWe have developed a new nomogram for predicting PPCs in patients who undergo spinal tumor surgery.

The application of extended reality technology-assisted intraoperative navigation in orthopedic surgery.

Extended reality (XR) technology refers to any situation where real-world objects are enhanced with computer technology, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Augmented reality and mixed reality technologies have been widely applied in orthopedic clinical practice, including in teaching, preoperative planning, intraoperative navigation, and surgical outcome evaluation. The primary goal of this narrative review is to summarize the effectiveness and superiority of XR-technology-assisted intraoperative navigation in the fields of trauma, joint, spine, and bone tumor surgery, as well as to discuss the current shortcomings in intraoperative navigation applications. We reviewed titles of more than 200 studies obtained from PubMed with the following search terms: extended reality, mixed reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, intraoperative navigation, and orthopedic surgery; of those 200 studies, 69 related papers were selected for abstract review. Finally, the full text of 55 studies was analyzed and reviewed. They were classified into four groups-trauma, joint, spine, and bone tumor surgery-according to their content. Most of studies that we reviewed showed that XR-technology-assisted intraoperative navigation can effectively improve the accuracy of implant placement, such as that of screws and prostheses, reduce postoperative complications caused by inaccurate implantation, facilitate the achievement of tumor-free surgical margins, shorten the surgical duration, reduce radiation exposure for patients and surgeons, minimize further damage caused by the need for visual exposure during surgery, and provide richer and more efficient intraoperative communication, thereby facilitating academic exchange, medical assistance, and the implementation of remote healthcare.

Digital 3D Exoscope is Safe and Effective in Surgery for Intradural Extramedullary Tumors: A Comparative Series

Digital 3D exoscopes have been shown to be comparably safe and effective as surgical microscopes in complex microneurosurgical procedures. However, the results of exoscopic spinal tumor surgeries are scarce. The purpose of this study is to compare results of a transition from microscope to exoscope in surgeries for spinal intradural extramedullary tumors. We included all consecutive patients with intradural extramedullary spinal tumors operated on by the senior author during January 2016 to October 2023. The 3D exoscope was used in the latter half of the series from November 2020. We evaluated pre- and postoperative clinical findings, imaging studies, intra- and postoperative events, and analyzed surgical videos from the operations retrospectively. We operated 35 patients (exoscope n= 19, microscope n= 16) for intradural extramedullary tumors (meningioma n= 18, schwannoma n= 12, other n= 5). Tumors in the cervical and thoracic spine were more common than in the lumbar region. The duration of surgery was slightly longer (median 220 vs. 185 minutes) in the exoscope group. However, the rate of gross total resection of the tumor was higher (81% vs. 67%) and the tumors more often located anteriorly to the spinal cord (42% vs. 13%) in the exoscope group. No major complications (i.e., permanent motor deficit or postoperative hematoma) occurred in either group. We saw postoperative gait improvement in 81% and 85% of the patients with preoperative deterioration of gait after exoscopic and microscopic surgeries, respectively. This study demonstrates that exoscope-assisted surgery for spinal intradural extramedullary tumors is comparable in safety and effectiveness to traditional microscopic surgery.

Implant and construct decision-making in metastatic spine tumour surgery: a review of current concepts with a decision-making algorithm.

Narrative Review. Metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS) is an important treatment modality of metastatic spinal disease (MSD). Increase in MSTS has been due to improvements in our oncological treatment, as patients have increased longevity and even those with poorer comorbidities are now being considered for surgery. However, there is currently no guideline on how MSTS surgeons should select the appropriate levels to instrument, and which type of implants should be utilised. The current literature onMSTS was reviewedto studyimplant and constructdecision making factors, with a view to writethis narrative review.All studies that were related to instrumentation in MSTS were included. A total of 58studies were included in this review. We discuss noveldecision-making models that should be taken into account when planning for surgery in patients undergoing MSTS. These factors include the quality of bone for instrumentation, the extent of the construct required for MSTS patients, the use of cement augmentation and the choice of implant. Various studies have advocated for the use of these modalities and demonstrated better outcomes in MSTS patients when used appropriately. We have established a new instrumentationalgorithm that should be taken into consideration for patients undergoing MSTS. It serves as an important guide for surgeons treating MSTS, with the continuous evolvement of our treatment capacity in MSD.

The Efficacy of Cervical Pedicle Screw Is Enhanced When Used With 5.5-mm Rods for Metastatic Cervical Spinal Tumor Surgery.

The cervical spine presents challenges in treating metastatic cervical spinal tumors (MCSTs). Although the efficacy of cervical pedicle screw placement (CPS) has been well established, its use in combination with 5.5-mm rods for MCST has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CPS combined with 5.5-mm rods in treating MCST and compare it with that of CPS combined with traditional 3.5-mm rods. This retrospective study analyzed 58 patients with MCST who underwent posterior cervical spinal fusion surgery by a single surgeon between March 2012 and December 2022. Data included demographics, surgical details, imaging results, numerical rating scale score for neck pain, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire responses. Preoperative Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scores were significantly higher in the 5.5-mm rod group. Greater kyphotic changes in the index vertebra were observed in the 3.5-mm rod group. Neck pain reduction was significantly better in the 5.5-mm rod group. CPS with 5.5-mm rods provides superior biomechanical stability and effectively resists forward bending momentum in posterior MCST fusion surgery. These findings support the use of 5.5-mm rods to enhance surgical outcomes.

Differentiation between Anterior and Posterior Roots Using Compound Muscle Action Potential in Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Tumor Surgery.

This study aims to determine the cutoff values for the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) stimulus in anatomically identified anterior (motor nerve) and posterior roots (sensory nerve) during cervical intradural extramedullary tumor surgery. The connection between CMAP data from nerve roots and postoperative neurological symptoms in thoracolumbar tumors was compared with data from cervical lesions. The participants of the study included 22 patients with intradural extramedullary spinal tumors (116 nerve roots). The lowest stimulation intensity to the nerve root at which muscle contraction occurs was defined as the minimal activation intensity (MAI) in the CMAP. In cervical tumors, the MAI was measured after differentiating between the anterior and posterior roots based on the anatomical placement of the dentate ligament and nerve roots. The MAIs for 20 anterior roots in eight cervical tumors were between 0.1 and 0.3 mA, whereas those for 19 posterior roots were between 0.4 and 2.0 mA. The cutoff was <0.4 mA for both the anterior and posterior roots, and sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. In thoracolumbar tumors, the nerve root was severed in 12 of 14 cases. All MAIs were determined to be at the dorsal roots as their scores were higher than the cutoff and did not indicate motor deficits. The MAIs of the anatomically identified anterior and posterior root CMAPs were found to have a cutoff value of <0.4 mA in the cervical lesions. Similar MAI cutoffs were also applicable to thoracolumbar lesions. Thus, CMAP may be useful in detecting anterior and posterior roots in spinal tumor surgery.