Surgical Data Research Articles

Quadriceps strength can improve twelve months after opening wedge high tibial osteotomy and opening wedge distal tibial tubercle osteotomy, particularly after opening wedge high tibial osteotomy

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a globally prevalent condition leading to joint pain and disabilities. Surgical interventions such as opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and opening-wedge distal tuberosity osteotomy (OWDTO) aim to alleviate symptoms and delay disease progression. Quadriceps strength, crucial for knee function, may decline postoperatively, affecting patient outcomes. However, little is known about quadriceps strength variation after OWHTO and OWDTO. This study investigated changes in quadriceps strength before and after OWHTO and OWDTO. MethodsThis retrospective study included patients who underwent OWHTO or OWDTO between 2016 and 2022. Quadriceps strength and demographic and surgical data were collected preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed to compare changes in quadriceps strength over time. ResultsOf 120 knees, 52 (OWHTO, 27; OWDTO, 25) were included in this study. Quadriceps strength increased over 12 months post-OWHTO, significantly improving at 12 months compared to the preoperative and 6-month values. In OWDTO, the strength improved but not significantly. ConclusionsQuadriceps strength improved following OWHTO and OWDTO, with OWHTO showing significant enhancements. Future studies should investigate the relationship between quadriceps strength and functional outcomes and guide rehabilitation strategies for improved postoperative recovery.

The clinical effect of flow-diverting stent for treatment of unruptured internal carotid artery small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms

Objective: To study the feasibility of domestic flow diverter(TFD) for the treatment of unruptured internal carotid artery small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study.The study retrospectively evaluated consecutive 54 patients with unruptured intracranial small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms treated with TFD in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between October 2019 and January 2024. There were 11 males and 43 females, and the age of patients was (54.9±9.6) years (range:36 to 74 years). There were 63 aneurysms in 54 patients,6 of which were tandem multiple small aneurysms. One case had saccular aneurysms of bilateral internal carotid artery. The maximum diameter of aneurysm was (4.1±0.8) mm (range: 1.5 to 10.0 mm).The ratio of the maximum diameter of the aneurysm to the neck width diameter was 1.3±0.4 (range:0.4 to 2.4). The surgical and follow-up data were collected. The aneurysm embolization rate at the immediate operation and follow-up,and the complications were analyzed. The degree of aneurysm embolization was evaluated using the O'Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading system,with OKM grade D as complete occlusion and grade C and above (C1,C2,C3 and D) as successful occlusion. Clinical outcomes of all patients were evaluated by modified Rankin scale(mRS). Results: For 63 aneurysms, 48 aneurysms were treated with TFD alone,and 15 aneurysms were treated with a combination of TFD and coiling. The immediate postoperative successful occlusion rate was 14.3% (9/63) and the complete occlusion rate was 3.2% (2/63). Follow-up results were obtained for all of the patients. The follow-up time (M(IQR)) was 124 (182) days (range: 85 to 754 days). The time to aneurysm successful occlusion was 140.5 (151.5) days (range: 85 to 308 days). At final follow-up,the successful aneurysm occlusion rate was 68.3% (43/63) and the complete occlusion rate was 58.7% (37/63). The complete occlusion rate of the TFD group was 50.0% (24/48) and the TFD+coiling group was 13/15. All patients had no aneurysm rupture,ischemic complications and no recurrence of the aneurysm needed to retreatment during the intraoperative and follow-up period. A total of 3 mild haemorrhagic complications which were related to dual-antiplatelet agents. Twelve patients had asymptomatic mild-moderate stent stenosis. TFD covered 66 branch vessels totally. Only 6 branches were affected by the time of the last follow-up and none of the patients had relevant ischaemic symptoms. All of 54 patients were evaluated as mRS score<2 points at the last follow-up. Conclusion: Using TFD to treat internal carotid artery unruptured small and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms can simplify the surgical procedure with low complication rate, which is a clinically optional treatment approach.

USO DE RETALHOS ÓSSEOS MICROVASCULARIZADOS EM RECONSTRUÇÕES MAXILOFACIAIS: TÉCNICAS, RESULTADOS E PERSPECTIVAS ATUAIS

Tumors, lesions, and pathologies in the midface often cause extensive damage to the mandible, complicating reconstruction and significantly impacting patients' lives. Reconstruction using microvascularized free bone grafts is preferred for extensive maxillomandibular defects, as it provides superior outcomes compared to non-vascularized methods. Therefore, this integrative literature review aims to critically analyze and synthesize the key issues surrounding the use of microvascularized bone flaps in maxillofacial reconstructions. The research was conducted in July 2024 using PubMed, BVS, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, covering a five-year period. Indexed descriptors from DeCS/MeSH, including "Bone Transplantation," "Mandibular Reconstruction," "Treatment Outcome," "Free Tissue," and "Fibula, Ilium," were employed and combined using Boolean operators (AND and OR), adapting them to the specificities of each database. Articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were selected, including clinical trials and cohort studies. This review adhered to the guidelines of the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The majority of the studies were retrospective cohort studies, providing a high level of evidence. They investigated vascularized free flaps, evaluating post-treatment characteristics, risk factors for complications or failures, and the influence of antibiotic therapy using demographic data, medical history, surgical data, imaging studies, and patient habits. Mandibular and maxillary reconstruction following trauma is crucial to restoring masticatory function, speech, and facial aesthetics. The use of microvascularized free bone grafts has significantly advanced, improving the form and function of the face and playing a critical role in patients' oral and functional rehabilitation.

The required experience of open pancreaticoduodenectomy before becoming a specialist in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons: a multicenter, cohort study of 334 open pancreaticoduodenectomies.

Open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) is an essential surgical procedure for expert hepato-biliary-pancreatic (HBP) surgeons. However, there is no standard for how many surgeries must be performed by a surgeon in training before they are considered to have enough experience to ensure surgical safety. Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) analysis was performed using the surgical data of OPDs performed during the training period of board-certified expert surgeons of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery. Fourteen HBP surgeons participated in this study and performed 334 OPDs during their training period. The median (interquartile range) values for operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 455 (397-519) minutes, 450 (234--716) ml, and 28 (21-38) days, respectively. CUSUM analysis showed inflection points at 20 surgeries performed for operative time. After 20 procedures, operative time was significantly shorter (461min vs. 425min, p = 0.021) and blood loss was significantly lower (470ml vs. 340ml, p = 0.038). No significant differences between within 20 and after 21 procedures were found in the complication rate (53% vs. 48%, p = 0.424) and rate of in-hospital deaths (1.5% vs.1.4%. p = 0.945). Up to 20 surgeries, PDAC and another malignant tumor had longer operative time than benign/low malignant diseases (486min vs. 472min vs. 429min, p < 0.001), and higher blood loss (500ml vs. 502ml vs. 355ml, p < 0.001). Mortality rate was higher at PDAC cases (5% vs. 0% vs. 0%, p = 0.01). After the 21 procedures, these outcomes were improved and no differences in by primary disease were observed. Multivariable analysis showed that within 20 surgeries were independent risk factors of longer operative time (HR2.6, p = 0.013) and higher blood loss (HR2.0, p = 0.049). To stabilize the surgical outcome of OPD for malignant disease, at least 20 surgeries should be performed at a certified institution during surgeon training. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

A new technology for medical and surgical data organisation: the WSES-WJES Decentralised Knowledge Graph

BackgroundThe quality of Big Data analysis in medicine and surgery heavily depends on the methods used for clinical data collection, organization, and storage. The Knowledge Graph (KG) represents knowledge through a semantic model, enhancing connections between diverse and complex information. While it can improve the quality of health data collection, it has limitations that can be addressed by the Decentralized (blockchain-powered) Knowledge Graph (DKG). We report our experience in developing a DKG to organize data and knowledge in the field of emergency surgery.Methods and resultsThe authors leveraged the cyb.ai protocol, a decentralized protocol within the Cosmos network, to develop the Emergency Surgery DKG. They populated the DKG with relevant information using publications from the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) featured in the World Journal of Emergency Surgery (WJES). The result was the Decentralized Knowledge Graph (DKG) for the WSES-WJES bibliography.ConclusionsUtilizing a DKG enables more effective structuring and organization of medical knowledge. This facilitates a deeper understanding of the interrelationships between various aspects of medicine and surgery, ultimately enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. The system’s design aims to be inclusive and user-friendly, providing access to high-quality surgical knowledge for healthcare providers worldwide, regardless of their technological capabilities or geographical location. As the DKG evolves, ongoing attention to user feedback, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations will be critical to its long-term success and global impact in the surgical field.

Single-port transvesical simple prostatectomy for the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: functional and continence outcomes.

Robot-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy (RASP) is recommended for the treatment of large prostate glands. The introduction of the Single-Port (SP) platform in 2018 has enabled transvesical approach to SP-RASP with promising outcomes. Our aim was to describe the functional and urinary continence outcomes of SP-RASP. Clinical and surgical data from all consecutive patients who underwent transvesical SP-RASP between February 2020 and March 2024 were collected in a prospectively maintained institutional dataset and retrospectively analyzed. All procedures were performed using the da Vinci SP platform without any conversions to open surgery. Postoperative outcomes were gathered and analyzed, with a particular focus on the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) and the time to continence recovery. Overall, 89 patients underwent SP-RASP, with a median prostate size of 110 grams (90-171.5) and a median PSA level of 5.5 mg/dl (2.77-10.93). All patients were on at least one prostate medication prior to surgery. Preoperative evaluations showed a median International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) of 23 (20-27), Quality of Life (QoL) of 4 (3-5), and Post-voiding Residual (PVR) of 153 ml (60-400). The median operative time was 180 min (164-200), with a median estimated blood loss of 100 ml (30-180). Postoperatively, no patients required continuous bladder irrigation. The median postoperative opioid intake was 6.5 morphine equivalents (0-10), with over 78% not requiring narcotics after discharge. Overall, 77.5% were same day discharged. No Clavien-Dindo > 2 complications were recorded. The median follow-up time was 18 (7-35) months. At the last postoperative urological evaluation, the median IPSS was 5 (3-7), QoL was 1 (0-2), and PVR was 10 ml (0-25). Only 4 patients (4.5%) experienced UI postoperatively, and all were continent within 3 months. The UI incidence rate and functional outcomes of SP-RASP are very encouraging, likely due to precise adenoma and urethra dissection and bladder neck reconstruction. This approach also allows for same-day discharge.

Reoperation after short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery in dialysis patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Patients with dialysis are at high risk of reoperation after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. However, the risk of reoperation after short-segment (≤2 fusion levels) lumbar spinal fusion surgery in this patient group has not been completely investigated. This study aimed to compare the risk of reoperation after short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery between patients with dialysis and matched controls without dialysis. We retrospectively evaluated 85 patients who underwent short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery at a single institution. Based on the current dialysis treatment, patients were divided into the non-dialysis and dialysis groups. We compared the patients' characteristics, surgical data, pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements, locomotive functional levels in activities of daily living (ADL), rate of whole reoperation, and cause-specific incidence of reoperation such as adjacent segmental disease (ASD) and implant failure between the non-dialysis and dialysis groups. Then, these variables were compared after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) via a propensity-score-matched analysis. In total, 68 patients in the non-dialysis group and 17 patients in the dialysis group were included in this study. The dialysis group was significantly younger and had a lower postoperative ADL status than the non-dialysis group. Moreover, the dialysis group had a significantly higher rate of whole reoperation (8.8% vs 41.2%, P = .003), reoperation due to ASD (4.4% vs 23.5%, P = .027), and reoperation due to implant failure (0.8% vs 11.8%, P = .038) than in the non-dialysis group. Based on a propensity-score-matched analysis, the dialysis group had a significantly higher rate reoperation rate after short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery than the non-dialysis group (0.0% vs 58.3%, P = .005). The current study firstly clarified that patients with dialysis are at significantly high risk of reoperation even after short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Pattern of colorectal surgery and long-term survival: 10-year experience from a single center.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased in recent decades, and ranks fourth among males and third among females in China. Surgical resection remains the most important treatment modality for curative intent in CRC. Several studies found that surgeon volumes and specialization appeared to be associated with improved overall survival (OS). Moreover, numerous reports have suggested that specialization and minimally invasive surgery have gained increased popularity in CRC surgery. However, few studies have specifically examined the role and long-term survival of all stage CRC in a real-world study. To evaluate the effect of surgeon specialization on survival changes and minimally invasive surgery utilization in a real world study. A retrospective analysis on the association between surgeon specialization and OS between 2008 and 2013 in Zhongshan Hospital CRC database was performed. Standard demographic, clinicopathologic, surgical and follow-up data were obtained from the CRC database. Surgeon specialty was categorized as colorectal surgeon (CS) and general surgeon (GS). CRC patients who underwent primary surgical resection were enrolled. A total of 5141 CRC patients who underwent primary surgical resection between 2008 and 2013 were evaluated, 1748 (34.0%) of these by CS. The percentage of minimally invasive procedures in the CS group showed an increasing trend. There was no benefit associated with surgeon specialization for stage I, II and IV patients. Surgeon specialization exhibited a significant association with OS solely among stage III patients, with 5-year OS rates of 76% and 67% for the CS and GS groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Further analyses found that surgeon specialization was significantly associated with survival only in stage III rectal patients, and the 5-year OS rate in the CS group and GS group was 80% and 67%, respectively (P < 0.01). Surgeon specialization is associated with improved OS after primary surgery in stage III rectal patients. An appropriate surgical technique, perioperative program and adjuvant therapy may contribute to survival benefit in these patients.

OGC SO07 - A retrospective service evaluation of the impact of a dedicated oesophago-gastric cancer (OGC) dietitian in the OG surgical oncology team

Abstract Background Patients with OGC frequently present with malnutrition. Oncological care pathways advocate for dietitian’s to be essential member’s of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), as it is well-established that malnutrition significantly increases rates of post-operative complications, length-of-stay (LoS) and mortality. However, due to financial constraints, specialist OGC dietetic support is not always resourced. To reduce the potential for nutrition related incidents, a dedicated OGC dietitian’s post was funded to support the pre-operative nutritional optimisation of OGC patients. The aim of this service evaluation was to evaluate the OGC dietitian’s impact on dietetic and surgical outcomes in a tertiary referral centre. Method The OGC dietitian reviewed all potentially curative patients at or within 48 hours of their first OGC surgical clinic; compared to &amp;gt;8 weeks pre-dietitian, with some patients not even reviewed before surgery. Weekly telephone or face-to-face dietetic-led clinics enabled more functional assessments (hand-grip strength (HGS)). Attendance to MDT was mandatory. Dietetic and surgical outcome data was collected for curative patients between July 2022 and April 2023 (pre-dietitian) (n=25) and July 2023 and April 2024 (OGC dietitian in-post) (n=19). Patient reported experience measures (PREMs) were collected. Data was analysed on excel. Ethical approval was not needed for this retrospective service evaluation. Results Pre-dietitian, 28% (n=7) experienced &amp;gt;5% (clinically significant) pre-operative weight loss compared to 11% (n=2) post-dietitian. 58% (n=12) patient’s post-dietitian gained weight from first dietetic contact up until date of surgery, compared to 44% (n=11) pre-dietitian. Mean HGS increased by 1.3kg (SD 2.77) from pre-operative to post-operative dietetic assessments in patients with OGC dietitian. More patient’s pre-dietitian experienced post-operative complications (42%) compared to post-dietitian at 31%. Average post-operative LoS was 19 days pre-dietitian versus 15 days post. 100% positive feedback was received from completed PREMs regarding OGC dietitian, with themes including consistent and timely communication, in-depth knowledge and empathy and compassion. Conclusion Mandatory inclusion of dietitians within the OGC pathway can support the pre-operative optimisation of patients, and impact positively on patient surgical outcomes. This service evaluation demonstrates that with increased dietetic contact, patients experience less clinically important weight loss, whilst feeling empowered and confident in their nutritional care. More research in a larger cohort of patients is required to provide an adequately powered study.

Transoral Atlantoaxial Reduction Plate (TARP) Technique for the Treatment of Irreducible Atlantoaxial Dislocation (IAAD) Caused by Old Odontoid Fracture.

Retrospective case series study. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of TARP technique for treating IAAD caused by old odontoid fracture and assess the outcomes of patients who underwent TARP technique over 2years of follow-up. Between January 2005 and September 2017, 56 patients with IAAD caused by old odontoid fractures were treated with TARP technique. Patients' clinical, radiological, and surgical data were retrospectively analyzed. Radiological parameters included the atlantodental interval (ADI) and the space available for the spinal cord (SAC) were measured. Occipitocervical pain levels and neurologic status were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score respectively. Degree of cervical dysfunction was assessed by Neck Disability Index (NDI). Fusion status was evaluated by images during the follow-ups. Surgeries for 56 cases were performed successfully with no injury to the spinal cord, nerve, or blood vessels. All patients achieved satisfactory reduction and fixation. Clinical symptomatic relief was obtained in all cases (100%). Patients were followed up for an average of 33.9 ± 9.6 months (ranged 24-60 months). Improvements in the postoperative ADI, SAC, VAS, JOA score and NDI were significant (P < .05). Besides, Bone fusion was observed in all patients. No hardware failure or re-dislocation occurred during the follow-up period. TARP technique is an effective procedure for the treatment of IAAD caused by old odontoid fracture, which can achieve complete release, satisfactory decompression, reduction and fixation, and reliable bone fusion through a single transoral approach.

Craniofacial Growth in Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Adopted From China Versus Born in Sweden.

In 2005, the number of internationally adopted children (IAC) with cleft lip and palate (CLP) from China increased globally, followed by an increase in the number of surgical complications. The aim was therefore to evaluate the craniofacial growth of children with unilateral CLP adopted from China and compare with non-adopted peers (NA). Cephalograms taken at 10 and 13 were analysed for the SNA, SNB, ANB, NAPg and NSBa angles. Surgical data were extracted from the medical records. The rate of secondary cleft-related surgery including secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) was higher in the IAC group than in the native groups. At age 10, the IAC exhibited higher SNB and NAPg and lower ANB values than the NA-Mod group and a similar pattern was observed at age 13. The IAC group demonstrated significantly lower SNA and ANB and higher NAPg values than the NA-Orig group at age 10. At age 13, lower SNA and ANB and higher SNB, NAPg, and NSBa values were observed in the IAC group compared with the NA-Orig group. Craniofacial growth is not finalized at age 13 years, why additional studies are needed to determine long-term outcomes. Results from this novel study present unfavorable craniofacial growth at age 10 and 13 years of age among IAC with UCLP and indicate an increased need for future orthognathic surgery compared with NA peers.

Alloplastic Vascular Grafts for Venous Interposition in Pancreatic Surgery: Readily Available and Reliable.

To investigate patency and clinical outcomes of alloplastic and other venous interposition graft materials in pancreatic surgery. Vascular pancreatic surgery is increasingly performed for locally advanced pancreatic neoplasms. Different than other centers, we prefer to use alloplastic vascular graft materials for superior mesenteric vein and portal vein interposition in pancreatic surgery. Advantages are off-the-shelf availability at any customizable length, different diameters, and ring-enforcement but proposed concerns are their thrombogenicity and fatal complications. Patients who underwent elective pancreatic resections with mesoportal venous interposition grafts (ISGPS type 4) between 2003-2022 were identified from the institutional pancreatectomy registry. Alloplastic vascular grafts imply synthetic materials, either based on polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Surgical details, clinicopathological, and follow-up data were analyzed. The patients were followed for graft patency by cross-sectional imaging. In this study, 201 patients with venous interposition grafts were included (23% simultaneous arterial resections). Total pancreatectomy (41%) and pancreatoduodenectomy (35%) were the most frequent procedures. Vascular graft materials were alloplastic in 180 patients (83% PTFE and 17% PET) with a median diameter of 10mm and a median length of 33mm (measurement by CT scan). Patency rates among all graft materials at 7-, 30-, and 90-days were 99%, 93%, and 87%. Alloplastic grafts demonstrated superior patency over other materials (hazard ratio 2.7, P=0.009), and PTFE reached a 1-year patency of 78%. The all-cause 90-day mortality rate was 10%. No graft infection occurred. Alloplastic venous vascular grafts are safe and readily available tools in pancreatic surgery, especially for long-segmental mesoportal venous reconstructions.

HyProCure for Flatfoot Deformity: A Clinical Characteristics Analysis in China.

Flatfoot is a common foot disorder involving progressive foot deformity of the three-dimensional structures of the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. Currently, Chinese surgeons and patients favor subtalar arthroereisis (SA) due to its minimally invasive and low-damage characteristics. HyProCure device is widely used. However, there is limited analysis of large sample sizes. This study utilized statistical evaluation with a large sample size to analyze clinical characteristics trends of SA for flatfoot, including baseline indicators, selection of HyProCure size and surgical strategy, complications, and implant removal. This study will enhance the understanding of SA in China. A retrospective analysis of 732 patients (1008 ft) who underwent SA from June 2015 to June 2023, with 509 pediatric and adolescent patients (772 ft) and 223 adult patients (236 ft). Based on the patient's age, patients aged ≤ 18 were included in the children and adolescent group, while adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) patients aged > 18 were included in the adult group. General data was collected, including patient sex, age, side, body mass index (BMI), surgery date, HyproCure size, and surgical data, and trends were analyzed. Postoperative complications and HyProCure removal were collected as outcome measures during follow-up. The age of patients treated with SA was gradually getting younger, with male patients predominating, mainly concentrated in the 11-14 age group. HyProCure 7 has the highest usage rate. In the children and adolescent group, 288 ft (37.31%) only underwent SA. In the adult group, 18 ft (7.63%) only underwent SA. Complications include sinus tarsi pain, peroneal spasms, achilles tendon tension, and muscle strength decline. The complication rate in the children and adolescent group was 5.05%, while in the adult group it was 28.81%. Overall, it was 10.62%. The removal rate of HyProCure in the children and adolescent group is 1.04%, in the adult group is 15.25%, and overall is 4.37%. The trend in flatfoot treated with SA was towards children and adolescent male patients, and sinus tarsi pain was the most common complication after SA. The complication rate and removal rate in the children and adolescent group were lower than those in the adult group. HyProCure can be removed without additional adverse effects.

Is MAGEC X better than earlier designs of magnetically controlled growing rod: an explant study.

Determine the performance of MAGEC X rods through retrieval analysis and comparison with clinical data. A multicentre explant database was searched to identify cases using MAGEC X device. Clinical and surgical data was gathered prospectively. Prior to rod disassembly, rods underwent testing with an external remote controller to measure the force output. Eleven cases from 6 centres were identified. Implantation occurred at mean age 6.9years with mean duration of implantation 42months. Dual rod constructs were used in all but one case, providing 21 MAGEC X rods for explant analysis. Tissue metallosis was identified at revision surgery in 8/11 cases (73%). Of the 21 rods, 13/21 (62%) produced no force while 8/21 (38%) produced the force stated by the manufacturer. Endcap separation was seen in 5/21 (24%) rods. Where full disassembly was possible, 13/14 (93%) rods had an intact locking pin. Average rod growth was 18mm (range 2-45mm), equivalent to 5.1mm per year. Wear debris was found within 20/21 (95%) MAGEC X rods. Despite the substantial design changes with MAGEC X tissue metallosis was seen in most cases; most explanted MAGEC X rods had lengthened only partially and produced no force output. While the previous issue of locking pin fracture appears to have been mitigated with MAGEC X, there are multiple other and new failure modes, such as endcap separation. Overall MAGEC X appears to give little improvement over earlier iterations of the rod.

Development and validation of a novel AI framework using NLP with LLM integration for relevant clinical data extraction through automated chart review.

The accurate extraction of surgical data from electronic health records (EHRs), particularly operative notes through manual chart review (MCR), is complex, crucial, and time-intensive, limited by human error due to fatigue and the level of training. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm integrated with a Large Language Model (LLM; GPT4-Turbo) to automate the extraction of spinal surgery data from EHRs. The algorithm employed a two-stage approach. Initially, a rule-based NLP framework reviewed and classified candidate segments from the text, preserving their reference segments. These segments were then verified in the second stage through the LLM. The primary outcomes of this study were the accurate extraction of surgical data, including the type of surgery, levels operated, number of disks removed, and presence of intraoperative incidental durotomies. Secondary objectives explored time efficiency, tokenization lengths, and costs. The performance of the algorithm was assessed across two validation databases, analyzing metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, discrimination, F1-score, and precision, with 95% confidence intervals calculated using percentile-based bootstrapping. The NLP + LLM algorithm markedly outperformed all performance metrics, demonstrating significant improvements in time and cost efficiency. These results suggest the potential for widespread adoption of this technology.

Effect of Facet Joint Resection on Postoperative Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes After Microendoscopic Laminectomy for Single-Level Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Facet joint destruction causes postoperative spinal instability, resulting in poor clinical outcomes after lumbar decompression surgery. However, the effect of facet joint destruction on radiographic and clinical outcomes after microendoscopic laminectomy (MEL) is unknown. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the effect of facet joint resection on radiographic and clinical outcomes after single-level MEL surgery. This study included 116 patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) who underwent single-level (L4/5) MEL surgery. Eligible patients were divided into the following groups: group P (facet joint preservation rate= 100%) (n= 70); group PR (50%≤the facet joint preservation rate <100%) (n= 27); and group R (the facet joint preservation rate <50%) (n= 19). The demographic characteristics of the patients, surgical data, preoperative and 1-year postoperative radiographic measurements, and clinical outcomes were compared among the 3 groups. Moreover, preoperative and postoperative radiographic and clinical outcomes were compared after adjusting the demographic characteristics of the patients and surgical data by the inverse probability weighting method with propensity scores. The 3 unweighted groups did not significantly differ in terms of demographic characteristics, surgical data, and preoperative and postoperative radiographic and clinical outcomes. Even after adjusting for the demographic characteristics and surgical data, the preoperative and postoperative radiographic and clinical outcomes were comparable among the 3 weighted groups. The extent of facet joint resection might have a minimal impact on radiographic and clinical outcomes at 1 year after single-level MEL surgery.

Subtemporal Approach for the Treatment of Ruptured and Unruptured Distal Basilar Artery Aneurysms: Is There a Contemporary Use?

Distal basilar artery aneurysms (DBAs) are high-risk lesions for which endovascular treatment is preferred because of their deep location, yet indications for open clipping nonetheless remain. The subtemporal approach allows for early proximal control and direct visualization of critical posterior perforating arteries, especially for posterior-projecting aneurysms. Our objective was to describe our clinical experience with the subtemporal approach for clipping DBAs in the evolving endovascular era. This was a retrospective, single-institution case series of patients with DBAs treated with microsurgery over a 21-year period (2002-2023). Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected for analysis. Twenty-seven patients underwent clipping of 11 ruptured and 16 unruptured DBAs with a subtemporal approach (24 female; mean age 53 years). Ten patients had expanded craniotomies for treatment of additional aneurysms. The aneurysm occlusion rate was 100%. Good neurological outcomes as defined by the modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 and Glasgow Outcome Scale score ≥4 were achieved in 21/27 patients (78%). Two patients died before hospital discharge, one from vasospasm-induced strokes and another from an intraoperative myocardial infarction. These results demonstrate that microsurgical clip ligation of DBAs using the subtemporal approach remains a viable option for complex lesions not amenable to endovascular management.

[Translated article] Surgical treatment of ipsilateral bifocal tibial fractures: A challenge for the surgeon

IntroductionThe association of ipsilateral tibia fractures has a low incidence, being up to 3.2% of total tibia fractures. Currently there is no gold standard regarding the ideal surgical treatment.The objective of this study is to analyze the surgical treatment and the radiographic and functional results, as well as the associated complication rate of ipsilateral bifocal tibia fractures. Material and methodsRetrospective observational study in our hospital from 2010 to 2022 of 24 patients who underwent bifocal fracture of the ipsilateral tibia. Demographic and surgical data and complications during follow-up were included. ResultsThe 24 patients were classified into Group 1 when they presented a fracture of the plateau and distal tibia (25%), Group 2 with a fracture of the plateau and diaphysis (33%) and Group 3 with a fracture of the diaphysis and distal tibia (42%). Three patients underwent surgery with 1 implant and 21 patients with 2 implants. The average follow-up time in outpatient clinics was 2 and a half years. At one year, 22 patients (92%) had full weight bearing and 2 patients had partial weight bearing (8%) due to the sequelae of the fractures. The average time for consolidation of the diaphysis was 7.75±2 months, with no significant differences observed between Group 2 and Group 3 (p=0.06). The average time for consolidation of the metaphysis was 3.50±1.5 months, with no significant differences observed between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.065). Seven patients (30%) had complications during follow-up. ConclusionsBifocal tibia fractures can be treated using a combination of intramedullary nailing and plate osteosynthesis with good long-term results, obtaining an optimal union rate and low complications. In addition, it facilitates the reduction of the fracture, thus facilitating the patient's recovery and obtaining good long-term functional results.

Frame-based stereotactic biopsies of brainstem lesions – Monocentric comparison of the transfrontal and the suboccipital-transcerebellar approach over a 16-year period

Both the transfrontal and the suboccipital-transcerebellar approach are frequently used trajectories for frame-based stereotactic biopsies of brainstem lesions. Nevertheless, it remains unclear which approach is more favorable in terms of complications, diagnostic success and outcome, especially considering the location of the lesion within the brainstem. This study compared the safety and diagnostic yield of these two approaches. Furthermore, a brainstem zone model was created to answer the question, whether there is a favorable approach depending on the location of the lesion in the brainstem. A retrospective analysis of 84 consecutive cases of frame-based stereotactic biopsies for brainstem lesions via either transfrontal or suboccipital-transcerebellar approaches over a 16-year period was performed. Clinical and surgical data regarding trajectories, histopathology, complications and outcome was collected. The brainstem was divided in anatomical zones to compare the use of the two approaches depending on the location of the lesions. A total of n = 84 cases of stereotactic biopsies for brainstem lesions were performed. In 36 cases the suboccipital-transcerebellar approach was used, while in 48 cases surgery was performed via the transfrontal approach. The patient’s demographic data were comparable between the two approaches. Overall diagnostic yield was 90.5% (93.8% transfrontal vs. 86.1% suboccipital, p = 0.21, Risk Difference (RD) 0.077, CI [-0.0550, 0.2090]). Complications occurred in 11 cases (total complication rate: 13.1%; 12.5% transfrontal vs. 13.9% suboccipital, p = 0.55, RD 0.014, CI [-0.1607, 0.1327]). The brainstem model showed a more frequent use of the suboccipital approach in lesions of the dorsal pons. The transfrontal approach was used more frequently in mesencephalic targets. No significant differences in terms of complications and diagnostic yield were observed, even though complications in medullary lesions appeared higher using the transfrontal approach. This study showed, that if the approaches are used for their intended target locations there are no significant differences between the transfrontal and the suboccipital-transcerebellar approach for frame-based stereotactic biopsies of brainstem lesions in terms of diagnostic yield and safety. Therefore, our data suggests that both approaches should be considered for stereotactic biopsy of brainstem lesions.

Impact of Antidepressant Use on Intraoperative Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates in Lumbar Fusion Surgery

A quarter of spine surgery patients take antidepressants. Basic science research has suggested serotonergic antidepressants impair platelet function. This has been supported by only a small number of works in the setting of spine surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of antidepressants on intraoperative bleeding risk during lumbar fusion. Patients who underwent elective 1-3 level lumbar fusion at a single, academic, tertiary center (2017-2021) were identified. Antidepressant use and class, demographic and surgical data were evaluated. Bleeding risk was assessed by total intraoperative blood loss (mL), calculated using the formula by Gross et al, and by postoperative transfusion. Patients prescribed versus not prescribed an antidepressant were matched 1:1 by age, sex, BMI, Elixhauser, smoking status, and levels fused. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed (Alpha was set at 0.05). 420 patients with, and 420 patients without an antidepressant prescription at the time of lumbar fusion were identified. Patients without an antidepressant prescription had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (0.91 ± 1.09 vs. 0.76 ± 1.1; p = 0.048), but otherwise the groups were demographically similar, and underwent similar surgeries. Antidepressant use was not associated with increased intraoperative bleeding or postoperative transfusion rate, regardless of sub-analysis by procedure type or antidepressant class. Antidepressant use was not associated with increased intraoperative blood loss or increased postoperative transfusion requirement, regardless of sub-analysis by fusion type or antidepressant class. The current findings do not support discontinuing antidepressants prior to lumbar fusion.