Browsing by Subject "Lumbar Vertebrae"

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    ItemOpen Access
    A comparative analysis of the prevalence and characteristics of cervical malalignment in adults presenting with thoracolumbar spine deformity based on variations in treatment approach over 2 years.
    (European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2016-08) Jalai, Cyrus M; Passias, Peter G; Lafage, Virginie; Smith, Justin S; Lafage, Renaud; Poorman, Gregory W; Diebo, Bassel; Liabaud, Barthélemy; Neuman, Brian J; Scheer, Justin K; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Bess, Shay; Schwab, Frank; Ames, Christopher P; International Spine Study Group (ISSG)

    Purpose

    Characteristics specific to cervical deformity (CD) concomitant with adult thoracolumbar deformity (TLD) remains uncertain, particularly regarding treatment. This study identifies cervical malalignment prevalence following surgical and conservative TLD treatment through 2 years.

    Methods

    Retrospective analysis of a prospective, multicenter adult spinal deformity (ASD) database. CD was defined in operative and non-operative ASD patients according to the following criteria: T1 Slope minus Cervical Lordosis (T1S-CL) ≥20°, C2-C7 Cervical Sagittal Vertical Axis (cSVA) ≥40 mm, C2-C7 kyphosis >10°. Differences in rates, demographics, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores for Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire (SRS-22r), and radiographic variables were assessed between treatment groups (Op vs. Non-Op) and follow-up periods (baseline, 1-year, 2-year).

    Results

    Three hundred and nineteen (200 Op, 199 Non-Op) ASD patients were analyzed. Op patients' CD rates at 1 and 2 years were 78.9, and 63.0 %, respectively. Non-Op CD rates were 21.1 and 37.0 % at 1 and 2 years, respectively. T1S-CL mismatch and cSVA malalignment characterized Op CD at 1 and 2 years (p < 0.05). Op and Non-Op CD groups had similar cervical/global alignment at 1 year (p > 0.05 for all), but at 2 years, Op CD patients had worse thoracic kyphosis (TK), T1S-CL, CL, cSVA, C2-T3 SVA, and global SVA compared to Non-Ops (p < 0.05). Op CD patients had worse ODI, and SRS Activity at 1 and 2 years post-operative (p < 0.05), but had greater 2-year SRS Satisfaction scores (p = 0.019).

    Conclusions

    In the first study to compare cervical malalignment at extended follow-up between ASD treatments, CD rates rose overall through 2 years. TLD surgery, resulting in higher CD rates characterized by T1S-CL and cSVA malalignment, produced poorer HRQoL. This information can aid in treatment method decision-making when cervical deformity is present concomitant with TLD.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A Comparison of Minimally Invasive and Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Grade 1 Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: An Analysis of the Prospective Quality Outcomes Database.
    (Neurosurgery, 2020-09) Chan, Andrew K; Bisson, Erica F; Bydon, Mohamad; Foley, Kevin T; Glassman, Steven D; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Wang, Michael Y; Park, Paul; Potts, Eric A; Shaffrey, Mark E; Coric, Domagoj; Knightly, John J; Fu, Kai-Ming; Slotkin, Jonathan R; Asher, Anthony L; Virk, Michael S; Kerezoudis, Panagiotis; Alvi, Mohammed A; Guan, Jian; Haid, Regis W; Mummaneni, Praveen V

    Background

    It remains unclear if minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) is comparable to traditional, open TLIF because of the limitations of the prior small-sample-size, single-center studies reporting comparative effectiveness.

    Objective

    To compare MI-TLIF to traditional, open TLIF for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the largest study to date by sample size.

    Methods

    We utilized the prospective Quality Outcomes Database registry and queried patients with grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent single-segment surgery with MI- or open TLIF methods. Outcomes were compared 24 mo postoperatively.

    Results

    A total of 297 patients were included: 72 (24.2%) MI-TLIF and 225 (75.8%) open TLIF. MI-TLIF surgeries had lower mean body mass indexes (29.5 ± 5.1 vs 31.3 ± 7.0, P = .0497) and more worker's compensation cases (11.1% vs 1.3%, P < .001) but were otherwise similar. MI-TLIF had less blood loss (108.8 ± 85.6 vs 299.6 ± 242.2 mL, P < .001), longer operations (228.2 ± 111.5 vs 189.6 ± 66.5 min, P < .001), and a higher return-to-work (RTW) rate (100% vs 80%, P = .02). Both cohorts improved significantly from baseline for 24-mo Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numeric Rating Scale back pain (NRS-BP), NRS leg pain (NRS-LP), and Euro-Qol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) (P > .001). In multivariable adjusted analyses, MI-TLIF was associated with lower ODI (β = -4.7; 95% CI = -9.3 to -0.04; P = .048), higher EQ-5D (β = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01-0.11; P = .02), and higher satisfaction (odds ratio for North American Spine Society [NASS] 1/2 = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.4-14.3; P = .02). Though trends favoring MI-TLIF were evident for NRS-BP (P = .06), NRS-LP (P = .07), and reoperation rate (P = .13), these results did not reach statistical significance.

    Conclusion

    For single-level grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, MI-TLIF was associated with less disability, higher quality of life, and higher patient satisfaction compared with traditional, open TLIF. MI-TLIF was associated with higher rates of RTW, less blood loss, but longer operative times. Though we utilized multivariable adjusted analyses, these findings may be susceptible to selection bias.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A comparison of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and decompression alone for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.
    (Neurosurgical focus, 2019-05) Chan, Andrew K; Bisson, Erica F; Bydon, Mohamad; Glassman, Steven D; Foley, Kevin T; Potts, Eric A; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Shaffrey, Mark E; Coric, Domagoj; Knightly, John J; Park, Paul; Wang, Michael Y; Fu, Kai-Ming; Slotkin, Jonathan R; Asher, Anthony L; Virk, Michael S; Kerezoudis, Panagiotis; Alvi, Mohammed Ali; Guan, Jian; Haid, Regis W; Mummaneni, Praveen V
    OBJECTIVEThe optimal minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approach for grade 1 lumbar spondylolisthesis is not clearly elucidated. In this study, the authors compared the 24-month patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and MIS decompression for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.METHODSA total of 608 patients from 12 high-enrolling sites participating in the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) lumbar spondylolisthesis module underwent single-level surgery for degenerative grade 1 lumbar spondylolisthesis, of whom 143 underwent MIS (72 MIS TLIF [50.3%] and 71 MIS decompression [49.7%]). Surgeries were classified as MIS if there was utilization of percutaneous screw fixation and placement of a Wiltse plane MIS intervertebral body graft (MIS TLIF) or if there was a tubular decompression (MIS decompression). Parameters obtained at baseline through at least 24 months of follow-up were collected. PROs included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), numeric rating scale (NRS) for back pain, NRS for leg pain, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and North American Spine Society (NASS) satisfaction questionnaire. Multivariate models were constructed to adjust for patient characteristics, surgical variables, and baseline PRO values.RESULTSThe mean age of the MIS cohort was 67.1 ± 11.3 years (MIS TLIF 62.1 years vs MIS decompression 72.3 years) and consisted of 79 (55.2%) women (MIS TLIF 55.6% vs MIS decompression 54.9%). The proportion in each cohort reaching the 24-month follow-up did not differ significantly between the cohorts (MIS TLIF 83.3% and MIS decompression 84.5%, p = 0.85). MIS TLIF was associated with greater blood loss (mean 108.8 vs 33.0 ml, p < 0.001), longer operative time (mean 228.2 vs 101.8 minutes, p < 0.001), and longer length of hospitalization (mean 2.9 vs 0.7 days, p < 0.001). MIS TLIF was associated with a significantly lower reoperation rate (14.1% vs 1.4%, p = 0.004). Both cohorts demonstrated significant improvements in ODI, NRS back pain, NRS leg pain, and EQ-5D at 24 months (p < 0.001, all comparisons relative to baseline). In multivariate analyses, MIS TLIF-as opposed to MIS decompression alone-was associated with superior ODI change (β = -7.59, 95% CI -14.96 to -0.23; p = 0.04), NRS back pain change (β = -1.54, 95% CI -2.78 to -0.30; p = 0.02), and NASS satisfaction (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.12-0.82; p = 0.02).CONCLUSIONSFor symptomatic, single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis, MIS TLIF was associated with a lower reoperation rate and superior outcomes for disability, back pain, and patient satisfaction compared with posterior MIS decompression alone. This finding may aid surgical decision-making when considering MIS for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A magnetic resonance imaging framework for quantifying intervertebral disc deformation in vivo: reliability and application to diurnal variations in lumbar disc shape
    (Journal of biomechanics, 2018-04) DeFrate, LE
    Low back pain is a significant socioeconomic burden in the United States and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is frequently implicated as a cause. The discs play an important mechanical role in the spine, yet the relationship between disc function and back pain is poorly defined. The objective of this work was to develop a technique using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and three-dimensional modeling to measure in vivo disc deformations. Using this method, we found that disc geometry was measurable with precision less than the in-plane dimensions of a voxel (≈100 µm, 10% of the MRI pixel size). Furthermore, there was excellent agreement between mean disc height, disc perimeter, disc volume and regional disc height measurements for multiple trials from an individual rater (standard deviation <3.1% across all measurements) and between mean height, perimeter, and volume measurements made by two independent raters (error <1.5% across all measurements). We then used this measurement system to track diurnal deformations in the L5-S1 disc in a young, healthy population (n = 8; age 24.1 ± 3.3 yrs; 2 M/6F). We measured decreases in the mean disc height (-8%) and volume (-9%) with no changes in perimeter over an eight-hour workday. We found that the largest height losses occurred in the posterior (-13%) and posterior-lateral (-14%) regions adjacent to the outer annulus fibrosus. Diurnal annulus fibrosus (AF) strains induced by posterior and posterior-lateral height loss may increase the risk for posterior disc herniation or posterior AF tears. These preliminary findings lay a foundation for determining how deviations from normal deformations may contribute to back pain.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A Multicenter Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Following High-grade Spondylolisthesis Reduction and Fusion.
    (Clinical spine surgery, 2017-05) Gandhoke, Gurpreet S; Kasliwal, Manish K; Smith, Justin S; Nieto, JoAnne; Ibrahimi, David; Park, Paul; Lamarca, Frank; Shaffrey, Christopher; Okonkwo, David O; Kanter, Adam S

    Objective

    A retrospective review of the clinical and radiographic outcomes from a multicenter study of surgical treatment for high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) in adults. The objective was to assess the safety of surgical reduction, its ability to correct regional deformity, and its clinical effectiveness.

    Methods

    Retrospective, multicenter review of adults (age above 18 y) with lumbosacral HGS (Meyerding grade 3-5) treated surgically with open decompression, attempted reduction, posterior instrumentation, and interbody fusion. Preoperative and postoperative assessment of the Meyerding grade, slip angle, and sacral inclination were performed based on standing radiographs. Preoperative visual analog scale scores were compared with those at the mean follow-up period. Prolo and Oswestry Disability Index scores at most recent follow-up were assessed.

    Results

    A total of 25 patients, aged 19-72 years, met inclusion criteria. Seventeen interbody cages were placed, including 15 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions, 1 posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and 1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Five patients required sacral dome osteotomies. The average follow-up was 21.3 months.At most recent follow-up there was a statistically significant improvement in both the Meyerding grade and the slip angle (P<0.05). There was 1 intraoperative complication resulting in a neurological deficit (4%) and 1 intraoperative vertebral body fracture (4%). No additional surgery was required for any of these patients. There were no cases of nonunion or device failure except for 1 patient who suffered an unrelated traumatic injury 1 year after surgery. The mean Oswestry Disability Index and Prolo scores at mean follow-up of 21.3 months were 20% (minimum disability) and 8.2 (grade 1), respectively.

    Conclusions

    The present study suggests that reduction, when accomplished in conjunction with wide neural element decompression and instrumented arthrodesis, is safe, effective, and durable with low rates of neurological injury, favorable clinical results, and high-fusion rates.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A Novel Tool for Deformity Surgery Planning: Determining the Magnitude of Lordotic Correction Required to Achieve a Desired Sagittal Vertical Axis.
    (World neurosurgery, 2017-08) Goldschmidt, Ezequiel; Angriman, Federico; Agarwal, Nitin; Zhou, James; Chen, Katherine; Tempel, Zachary J; Gerszten, Peter C; Kanter, Adam S; Okonkwo, David O; Passias, Peter; Scheer, Justin; Protopsaltis, Themistocles; Lafage, Virginie; Lafage, Renaud; Schwab, Frank; Bess, Shay; Ames, Christopher; Smith, Justin S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Miller, Emily; Jain, Amit; Neuman, Brian; Sciubba, Daniel M; Burton, Douglas; Hamilton, D Kojo; International Spine Study Group

    Objective

    We sought to create a model capable of predicting the magnitude of pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) correction necessary to achieve a desired change in sagittal vertical axis (SVA).

    Methods

    A retrospective review was conducted of a prospectively maintained multicenter adult spinal deformity database collected by the International Spine Study Group between 2009 and 2014. The independent variable of interest was the degree of correction achieved in the PI-LL mismatch 6 weeks after surgery. Primary outcome was the change in global sagittal alignment 6 weeks and 1 year after surgery. We used a linear mixed-effects model to determine the extent to which corrections in the PI-LL relationship affected postoperative changes in SVA.

    Results

    A total of 1053 adult patients were identified. Of these patients, 590 were managed surgically. Eighty-seven surgically managed patients were excluded because of incomplete or missing PI-LL measurements on follow-up; the remaining 503 patients were selected for inclusion. For each degree of improvement in the PI-LL mismatch at 6 weeks, the SVA decreased by 2.18 mm (95% confidence interval, -2.56, -1.79; P < 0.01) and 1.67 mm (95% confidence interval, -2.07, -1.27; P < 0.01) at 6 weeks and 12 months, respectively. A high SVA measurement (>50 mm) 1 year after surgery was negatively associated with health-related quality of life as measured by the Scoliosis Research Society 22 outcomes assessment.

    Conclusions

    We describe a novel model that shows how surgical correction of the PI-LL relationship affects postoperative changes in SVA. This model may enable surgeons to determine preoperatively the amount of LL necessary to achieve a desired change in SVA.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A Radiographic Analysis of Lumbar Fusion Status and Instrumentation Failure After Complex Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery With Spinopelvic Fixation: Two-Year Follow-up From the Scoli-Risk-1 Prospective Database.
    (Clinical spine surgery, 2020-12) Shimizu, Takayoshi; Lenke, Lawrence G; Cerpa, Meghan; Beauchamp, Eduardo C; Carreon, Leah Y; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Cheung, Kenneth MC; Fehlings, Michael G

    Study design

    A retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

    Objective

    The objective of this study was to investigate the fusion status of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral junction at 2 years postoperatively after complex adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.

    Summary of background data

    Achieving fusion is crucial for maintaining optimal alignment in ASD surgery. However, prospective data assessing fusion status using large patient populations are lacking in this patient population.

    Materials and methods

    Postoperative radiographs of 162 patients from the Scoli-Risk-1 database, who underwent complex ASD surgery with fusion to the sacrum, were evaluated by 3 independent spine surgeons at 6-week, 6-month, and 2-year follow-up. The fusion rate of the lumbar spine segments at a 2-year follow-up was determined by using previously published radiographic grading criteria. We also assessed the prevalence of instrumentation failures.

    Results

    The interrater reliabilities for grading the fusion status were overall fair at each level evaluated (Fleiss κ, 0.337-0.439). Overall, 70.3% (114/162) demonstrated the solid fusion of the entire lumbar spine at a 2-year follow-up. The fusion rates of each segment were L1/L2: 87.0%, L2/L3: 82.0%, L3/L4: 83.9%, L4/L5: 89.5%, and L5/S1: 89.5%. Pedicle screw loosening was the most frequent implant failure throughout the observation period (9.2%, 11.6%, and 11.0% at 6-wk, 6-mo, and 2-y follow-up, respectively). No rod breakage was observed at 6 weeks, increasing to 9.8% at 2-year follow-up. The prevalence of postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis was 5.5% at 6 weeks, showing no difference at 2 years postoperative.

    Conclusions

    In this series of complex ASD surgeries often requiring 3-column osteotomies, 70.3% showed solid fusion of the entire lumbar spine, including the lumbosacral junction. The lumbosacral segments showed a relatively high fusion rate at a 2-year follow-up likely due to the frequent use of anterior column support and graft. The prevalence of rod breakage increased as follow-up proceeded to 9.8%, which was most commonly observed at the lumbosacral junction.

    Level of evidence

    Level IV.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Alignment Risk Factors for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and the Effect of Lower Thoracic Junctional Tethers for Adult Spinal Deformity.
    (World neurosurgery, 2019-01) Buell, Thomas J; Chen, Ching-Jen; Quinn, John C; Buchholz, Avery L; Mazur, Marcus D; Mullin, Jeffrey P; Nguyen, James H; Taylor, Davis G; Bess, Shay; Line, Breton G; Ames, Christopher P; Schwab, Frank J; Lafage, Virginie; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Smith, Justin S

    Objective

    The aims of this retrospective cohort study were to 1) identify new alignment risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with lower thoracic upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and 2) determine the effect of junctional tethers on PJK and UIV alignment.

    Methods

    We analyzed consecutive ASD patients who underwent posterior instrumented fusion with lower thoracic UIV (T9-T11). Posteriorly anchored junctional tethers were used more recently for ligamentous augmentation to prevent PJK. In addition to regional and global parameters, upper segmental lumbar lordosis (ULL) versus lower segmental lumbar lordosis and UIV angle (measured from UIV inferior endplate to horizontal) were assessed. Primary outcome of PJK was defined as proximal junctional angle >10° and >10° greater than the corresponding preoperative measurement. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.

    Results

    The study cohort comprised 120 ASD patients (mean age, 67 years) with minimum 1-year follow-up. Preoperative ULL (P = 0.034) and UIV angle (P = 0.026) were associated with PJK. No independent preoperative alignment risk factors of PJK were identified in multivariable analysis. Tether use was protective against PJK (odds ratio, 0.063 [0.016-0.247]; P < 0.001). PJK in tethered patients was more common with greater postoperative ULL (P = 0.047) and UIV angle (P = 0.026).

    Conclusions

    Junctional tethers significantly reduced PJK in ASD patients with lower thoracic UIV. In tethered patients, PJK was more common with greater postoperative lordosis of the upper lumbar spine and greater UIV angle. This finding suggests potential benefit of tethers to mitigate effects of segmental lumbar and focal UIV malalignment that may occur after deformity surgery.
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    ItemOpen Access
    An analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database, Part 1. Disability, quality of life, and pain outcomes following lumbar spine surgery: predicting likely individual patient outcomes for shared decision-making.
    (Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2017-10) McGirt, Matthew J; Bydon, Mohamad; Archer, Kristin R; Devin, Clinton J; Chotai, Silky; Parker, Scott L; Nian, Hui; Harrell, Frank E; Speroff, Theodore; Dittus, Robert S; Philips, Sharon E; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Foley, Kevin T; Asher, Anthony L
    OBJECTIVE Quality and outcomes registry platforms lie at the center of many emerging evidence-driven reform models. Specifically, clinical registry data are progressively informing health care decision-making. In this analysis, the authors used data from a national prospective outcomes registry (the Quality Outcomes Database) to develop a predictive model for 12-month postoperative pain, disability, and quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery. METHODS Included in this analysis were 7618 patients who had completed 12 months of follow-up. The authors prospectively assessed baseline and 12-month patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via telephone interviews. The PROs assessed were those ascertained using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EQ-5D, and numeric rating scale (NRS) for back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP). Variables analyzed for the predictive model included age, gender, body mass index, race, education level, history of prior surgery, smoking status, comorbid conditions, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, symptom duration, indication for surgery, number of levels surgically treated, history of fusion surgery, surgical approach, receipt of workers' compensation, liability insurance, insurance status, and ambulatory ability. To create a predictive model, each 12-month PRO was treated as an ordinal dependent variable and a separate proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression model was fitted for each PRO. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in all PROs (p < 0.0001) at 12 months following lumbar spine surgery. The most important predictors of overall disability, QOL, and pain outcomes following lumbar spine surgery were employment status, baseline NRS-BP scores, psychological distress, baseline ODI scores, level of education, workers' compensation status, symptom duration, race, baseline NRS-LP scores, ASA score, age, predominant symptom, smoking status, and insurance status. The prediction discrimination of the 4 separate novel predictive models was good, with a c-index of 0.69 for ODI, 0.69 for EQ-5D, 0.67 for NRS-BP, and 0.64 for NRS-LP (i.e., good concordance between predicted outcomes and observed outcomes). CONCLUSIONS This study found that preoperative patient-specific factors derived from a prospective national outcomes registry significantly influence PRO measures of treatment effectiveness at 12 months after lumbar surgery. Novel predictive models constructed with these data hold the potential to improve surgical effectiveness and the overall value of spine surgery by optimizing patient selection and identifying important modifiable factors before a surgery even takes place. Furthermore, these models can advance patient-focused care when used as shared decision-making tools during preoperative patient counseling.
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    ItemOpen Access
    An analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database, Part 2. Predictive model for return to work after elective surgery for lumbar degenerative disease.
    (Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2017-10) Asher, Anthony L; Devin, Clinton J; Archer, Kristin R; Chotai, Silky; Parker, Scott L; Bydon, Mohamad; Nian, Hui; Harrell, Frank E; Speroff, Theodore; Dittus, Robert S; Philips, Sharon E; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Foley, Kevin T; McGirt, Matthew J
    OBJECTIVE Current costs associated with spine care are unsustainable. Productivity loss and time away from work for patients who were once gainfully employed contributes greatly to the financial burden experienced by individuals and, more broadly, society. Therefore, it is vital to identify the factors associated with return to work (RTW) after lumbar spine surgery. In this analysis, the authors used data from a national prospective outcomes registry to create a predictive model of patients' ability to RTW after undergoing lumbar spine surgery for degenerative spine disease. METHODS Data from 4694 patients who underwent elective spine surgery for degenerative lumbar disease, who had been employed preoperatively, and who had completed a 3-month follow-up evaluation, were entered into a prospective, multicenter registry. Patient-reported outcomes-Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), numeric rating scale (NRS) for back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP), and EQ-5D scores-were recorded at baseline and at 3 months postoperatively. The time to RTW was defined as the period between operation and date of returning to work. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, including an array of preoperative factors, was fitted for RTW. The model performance was measured using the concordance index (c-index). RESULTS Eighty-two percent of patients (n = 3855) returned to work within 3 months postoperatively. The risk-adjusted predictors of a lower likelihood of RTW were being preoperatively employed but not working at the time of presentation, manual labor as an occupation, worker's compensation, liability insurance for disability, higher preoperative ODI score, higher preoperative NRS-BP score, and demographic factors such as female sex, African American race, history of diabetes, and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score. The likelihood of a RTW within 3 months was higher in patients with higher education level than in those with less than high school-level education. The c-index of the model's performance was 0.71. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a novel predictive model for the probability of returning to work after lumbar spine surgery. Spine care providers can use this model to educate patients and encourage them in shared decision-making regarding the RTW outcome. This evidence-based decision support will result in better communication between patients and clinicians and improve postoperative recovery expectations, which will ultimately increase the likelihood of a positive RTW trajectory.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Approach Selection: Multiple Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion to Recreate Lumbar Lordosis Versus Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy: When, Why, How?
    (Neurosurgery clinics of North America, 2018-07) Chan, Andrew K; Mummaneni, Praveen V; Shaffrey, Christopher I
    Restoration of physiologic lumbar lordosis is a fundamental principle of spinal deformity surgery. Techniques using multilevel anterior lumbar interbody fusion or pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) are described. Multilevel anterior lumbar interbody fusion provides a gradual multilevel correction and avoids the morbidity associated with PSO but necessitates familiarity with the anterior approach or an approach surgeon. PSO provides a large angular correction at a single level, requires only one approach, and allows for simultaneous multiplanar correction and open posterior decompression. This article provides guidance on the appropriate use of each technique for restoration of lumbar lordosis in patients with degenerative lumbar deformity.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Are Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons or Classical Open Spine Surgeons More Consistent with Their Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity?
    (World neurosurgery, 2022-09) Uribe, Juan S; Koffie, Robert M; Wang, Michael Y; Mundis, Gregory M; Kanter, Adam S; Eastlack, Robert K; Anand, Neel; Park, Paul; Smith, Justin S; Burton, Douglas C; Chou, Dean; Kelly, Michael P; Kim, Han Jo; Bess, Shay; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Schwab, Frank J; Lenke, Lawrence G; Mummaneni, Praveen V

    Objective

    Spine surgeons have a heuristic sense of how to surgically restore alignment and address adult spinal deformity (ASD) symptoms, but consensus on the extent of treatment remains unclear. We sought to determine the variability of surgical approaches in treating ASD.

    Methods

    Sixteen spine surgeons were surveyed on treatment approaches in 10 select ASD cases. We repeated the survey with the same surgeons 4 weeks later, with cases ordered differently. We examined the variability in length of construct, use of interbody spacers, osteotomies, and pelvic fixation frequency.

    Results

    Treatment approaches for each case varied by surgeon, with some surgeons opting for long fusion constructs in cases for which others offered no surgery. There was no consensus among surgeons on the number of levels fused, interbody spacer use, or anterior/posterior osteotomies. Intersurgeon and intrasurgeon variability was 48% (kappa = 0.31) and 59% (kappa = 0.44) for surgeons performing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus 37% (kappa = 0.21) and 47% (kappa = 0.30) for those performing open surgery. In the second-round survey, 8 of 15 (53%) surgeons substantially changed the construct length, number of interbody spacers, and osteotomies in at least half the cases they previously reviewed. Surgeons performing MIS versus open surgery were less likely to extend constructs to the pelvis (42.5% vs. 67.5%; P = 0.02), but construct length was not correlated with whether a surgeon performed MIS or open surgery.

    Conclusions

    Spinal deformity surgeons lack consensus on the optimal surgical approach for treating ASD. Classifying surgeons as performing MIS or open surgery does not mitigate this variability.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Awake spinal anesthesia facilitates spine surgery in poor surgical candidates: A case series.
    (Neuro-Chirurgie, 2023-05) Sykes, David AW; Tabarestani, Troy Q; Salven, David S; Chaudhry, Nauman S; Wang, Timothy Y; Gottfried, Oren N; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Guinn, Nicole R; Gadsden, Jeffrey; Ayoub, Chakib M; Bullock, W Michael; Berger, Miles; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Background

    Annually, hundreds of thousands of patients undergo surgery for degenerative spine disease (DSD). This represents only a fraction of patients that present for surgical consideration. Procedures are often avoided due to comorbidities that make patients poor candidates for general anesthesia (GA) and its associated risks. With increasing interest in awake surgery under spinal anesthesia (SA), the authors have observed that SA may facilitate spine surgery in patients with relative contraindications to GA. With this in mind, the authors set out to summarize the outcomes of a series of highly comorbid patients who received surgery under SA.

    Methods

    Case logs of a single surgeon were reviewed, and patients undergoing spine surgery under SA were identified. Within this group, patients were identified with relative contraindications to GA, such as advanced age and medical comorbidities. For these patients, for whom surgery was facilitated by SA, the medical records were consulted to report demographic information and patient outcomes.

    Results

    Ten highly comorbid patients were identified who received lumbar spine surgery for DSD under SA. Comorbidities included octogenarian status, obesity, and chronic health conditions such as heart disease. The cohort had a mean age of 75.5 and a mean American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) score of 3.1. The patients were predicted to have a 2.74-fold increase of serious complications compared to the average patient. There were no adverse events.

    Conclusion

    For patients with symptomatic, refractory DSD and relative contraindications to GA, SA may facilitate safe surgical intervention with excellent outcomes.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Bipolar tissue sealant device decreases hemoglobin loss in multilevel spine surgery.
    (Transfusion, 2012-12) Hill, Steven E; Broomer, Bob; Stover, John; White, William; Richardson, William

    Background

    Traditional techniques for obtaining hemostasis during orthopedic surgery, such as conventional electrocautery and sealants, have limited clinical effectiveness in reducing hemoglobin (Hb) loss and requirement for transfusion. The bipolar tissue sealant device studied in this trial combines radiofrequency energy with saline irrigation to hemostatically seal both cut bone and soft tissue, potentially aiding hemostasis.

    Study design and methods

    Sixty patients undergoing multilevel posterior lumbar instrumentation and fusion were randomly assigned to unipolar cautery alone (control group) or unipolar cautery plus use of the bipolar tissue sealant device (treatment group). Hb loss from the surgical field was measured (rather than estimated) and compared between the two groups. The primary hypothesis was that the treatment group would lose significantly less Hb than the control group.

    Results

    The control group experienced a mean Hb loss of 102.4 g while the treatment group showed a significantly lower mean Hb loss of 66.2 g (p = 0.0004). No significant difference was found between groups with respect to secondary endpoints including length of surgery, number of red blood cell units transfused, number of total blood component units transfused, transfusion avoidance, length of stay, or serious adverse events.

    Conclusion

    Use of a bipolar tissue sealant device in addition to unipolar cautery significantly decreased Hb loss during multilevel, posterior lumbar spinal instrumentation and fusion when compared with unipolar cautery alone.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Can a Minimal Clinically Important Difference Be Achieved in Elderly Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity Who Undergo Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery?
    (World neurosurgery, 2016-02) Park, Paul; Okonkwo, David O; Nguyen, Stacie; Mundis, Gregory M; Than, Khoi D; Deviren, Vedat; La Marca, Frank; Fu, Kai-Ming; Wang, Michael Y; Uribe, Juan S; Anand, Neel; Fessler, Richard; Nunley, Pierce D; Chou, Dean; Kanter, Adam S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Akbarnia, Behrooz A; Passias, Peter G; Eastlack, Robert K; Mummaneni, Praveen V; International Spine Study Group

    Background

    Older age has been considered a relative contraindication to complex spinal procedures. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques to treat patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) have emerged with the potential benefit of decreased approach-related morbidity.

    Objective

    To determine whether a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) could be achieved in patients ages ≥ 65 years with ASD who underwent MIS.

    Methods

    Multicenter database of patients who underwent MIS for ASD was queried. Outcome metrics assessed were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain. On the basis of published reports, MCID was defined as a positive change of 12.8 ODI, 1.2 VAS back pain, and 1.6 VAS leg pain.

    Results

    Forty-two patients were identified. Mean age was 70.3 years; 31 (73.8%) were women. Preoperatively, mean coronal curve, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence to lumbar lordosis mismatch, and sagittal vertical axis were 35°, 24.6°, 14.2°, and 4.7 cm, respectively. Postoperatively, mean coronal curve, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence to lumbar lordosis, and sagittal vertical axis were 18°, 25.4°, 11.9°, and 4.9 cm, respectively. A mean of 5.0 levels was treated posteriorly, and a mean of 4.0 interbody fusions was performed. Mean ODI improved from 47.1 to 25.1. Mean VAS back and leg pain scores improved from 6.8 and 5.9 to 2.7 and 2.7, respectively. Mean follow-up was 32.1 months. For ODI, 64.3% of patients achieved MCID. For VAS back and leg pain, 82.9% and 72.2%, respectively, reached MCID.

    Conclusions

    MCID represents the threshold at which patients feel a meaningful clinical improvement has occurred. Our study results suggest that the majority of elderly patients with modest ASD can achieve MCID with MIS.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Cervical Spine Pedicle Screw Accuracy in Fluoroscopic, Navigated and Template Guided Systems-A Systematic Review.
    (Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 2021-10) Mahmoud, Arin; Shanmuganathan, Kanatheepan; Rocos, Brett; Sedra, Fady; Montgomery, Alexander; Aftab, Syed
    Background: Pedicle screws provide excellent fixation for a wide range of indications. However, their adoption in the cervical spine has been slower than in the thoracic and lumbar spine, which is largely due to the smaller pedicle sizes and the proximity to the neurovascular structures in the neck. In recent years, technology has been developed to improve the accuracy and thereby the safety of cervical pedicle screw placement over traditional fluoroscopic techniques, including intraoperative 3D navigation, computer-assisted Systems and 3D template moulds. We have performed a systematic review into the accuracy rates of the various systems. Methods: The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible papers; 9 valid papers involving 1427 screws were found. Results: fluoroscopic methods achieved an 80.6% accuracy and navigation methods produced 91.4% and 96.7% accuracy for templates. Conclusion: Navigation methods are significantly more accurate than fluoroscopy, they reduce radiation exposure to the surgical team, and improvements in technology are speeding up operating times. Significantly superior results for templates over fluoroscopy and navigation are complemented by reduced radiation exposure to patient and surgeon; however, the technology requires a more invasive approach, prolonged pre-operative planning and the development of an infrastructure to allow for their rapid production and delivery. We affirm the superiority of navigation over other methods for providing the most accurate and the safest cervical pedicle screw instrumentation, as it is more accurate than fluoroscopy and lacks the limitations of templates.
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    Changes in thoracic kyphosis negatively impact sagittal alignment after lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy: a comprehensive radiographic analysis.
    (Spine, 2012-02) Lafage, Virginie; Ames, Christopher; Schwab, Frank; Klineberg, Eric; Akbarnia, Behrooz; Smith, Justin; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; Burton, Douglas; Hart, Robert; Hostin, Richard; Shaffrey, Christopher; Wood, Kirkham; Bess, Shay; International Spine Study Group

    Study design

    Consecutive, multicenter retrospective review.

    Objective

    To evaluate if change in thoracic kyphosis (TK) has a positive or negative impact on spinopelvic alignment after lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) with short fusions.

    Summary of background data

    In the setting of sagittal malalignment, the effect of large vertebral resections can now be anticipated in long fusions, but their impact on unfused segments (reciprocal changes [RC]) remains poorly understood.

    Methods

    A total of 34 adult patients (mean age = 54 years; SD = 12) who underwent lumbar PSO with upper instrumented vertebra below T10 were included. Radiographic analysis included pre- and postassessment of TK, lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 spinopelvic inclination (T1SPI), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI). Final SVA and PT were analyzed to determine successful realignment. RC in the thoracic spine was designated favorable or unfavorable on the basis of impact on final SVA and PT.

    Results

    Mean PSO resection was 26°. LL increased from 20° to 49° (P < 0.001). SVA improved from 14 to 4 cm (P < 0.001), and PT improved from 33° to 25° (P < 0.001). Mean increase in TK was 13° (P = 0.002) but was unchanged in 11 patients. Five patients had a favorable RC, and 18 patients had an unfavorable RC. Unfavorable RC was attributed to junctional failure in 6 of 18 patients. Significant differences in the unfavorable RC group included age and greater preoperative PT, PI, SVA, and T1SPI.

    Conclusion

    Significant postoperative alignment changes can occur through unfused thoracic spinal segments after lumbar PSO. Unfavorable RC may limit optimal correction and lead to clinical failures. Risk factors for unfavorable thoracic RC include older patients, larger preoperative PI and PT, and worse preoperative T1SPI and are not simply due to junctional failure. Care should be taken with selective lumbar fusion and PSO in older patients and in those with severe preoperative spinopelvic parameters.
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    Classifying Patients Operated for Spondylolisthesis: A K-Means Clustering Analysis of Clinical Presentation Phenotypes.
    (Neurosurgery, 2021-11) Chan, Andrew K; Wozny, Thomas A; Bisson, Erica F; Pennicooke, Brenton H; Bydon, Mohamad; Glassman, Steven D; Foley, Kevin T; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Potts, Eric A; Shaffrey, Mark E; Coric, Domagoj; Knightly, John J; Park, Paul; Wang, Michael Y; Fu, Kai-Ming; Slotkin, Jonathan R; Asher, Anthony L; Virk, Michael S; Kerezoudis, Panagiotis; Alvi, Mohammed A; Guan, Jian; Haid, Regis W; Mummaneni, Praveen V

    Background

    Trials of lumbar spondylolisthesis are difficult to compare because of the heterogeneity in the populations studied.

    Objective

    To define patterns of clinical presentation.

    Methods

    This is a study of the prospective Quality Outcomes Database spondylolisthesis registry, including patients who underwent single-segment surgery for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Twenty-four-month patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected. A k-means clustering analysis-an unsupervised machine learning algorithm-was used to identify clinical presentation phenotypes.

    Results

    Overall, 608 patients were identified, of which 507 (83.4%) had 24-mo follow-up. Clustering revealed 2 distinct cohorts. Cluster 1 (high disease burden) was younger, had higher body mass index (BMI) and American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) grades, and globally worse baseline PROs. Cluster 2 (intermediate disease burden) was older and had lower BMI and ASA grades, and intermediate baseline PROs. Baseline radiographic parameters were similar (P > .05). Both clusters improved clinically (P < .001 all 24-mo PROs). In multivariable adjusted analyses, mean 24-mo Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numeric Rating Scale Back Pain (NRS-BP), Numeric Rating Scale Leg Pain, and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were markedly worse for the high-disease-burden cluster (adjusted-P < .001). However, the high-disease-burden cluster demonstrated greater 24-mo improvements for ODI, NRS-BP, and EQ-5D (adjusted-P < .05) and a higher proportion reaching ODI minimal clinically important difference (MCID) (adjusted-P = .001). High-disease-burden cluster had lower satisfaction (adjusted-P = .02).

    Conclusion

    We define 2 distinct phenotypes-those with high vs intermediate disease burden-operated for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Those with high disease burden were less satisfied, had a lower quality of life, and more disability, more back pain, and more leg pain than those with intermediate disease burden, but had greater magnitudes of improvement in disability, back pain, quality of life, and more often reached ODI MCID.
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    Clinical and radiographic parameters that distinguish between the best and worst outcomes of scoliosis surgery for adults.
    (European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2013-02) Smith, Justin S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Glassman, Steven D; Carreon, Leah Y; Schwab, Frank J; Lafage, Virginie; Arlet, Vincent; Fu, Kai-Ming G; Bridwell, Keith H; Spinal Deformity Study Group

    Purpose

    Predictors of marked improvement versus failure to improve following surgery for adult scoliosis have not been identified. Our objective was to identify factors that distinguish between patients with the best and worst outcomes following surgery for adult scoliosis.

    Methods

    This is a secondary analysis of a prospective, multicenter spinal deformity database. Inclusion criteria included: age 18-85, scoliosis (Cobb ≥ 30°), and 2-year follow-up. Based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the SRS-22 at 2-year follow-up, patients with the best and worst outcomes were identified for younger (18-45) and older (46-85) adults with scoliosis. Clinical and radiographic factors were compared between patients with the best and worst outcomes.

    Results

    276 patients met inclusion criteria (89 younger and 187 older patients). Among younger patients, predictors of poor outcome included: depression/anxiety, smoking, narcotic medication use, older age, greater body mass index (BMI) and greater severity of pain prior to surgery. Among older patients, predictors of poor outcome included: depression/anxiety, narcotic medication use, greater BMI and greater severity of pain prior to surgery. None of the other baseline or peri-operative factors assessed distinguished the best and worst outcomes for younger or older patients, including severity of deformity, operative parameters, or the occurrence of complications.

    Conclusions

    Not all patients achieve favorable outcomes following surgery for adult scoliosis. Baseline and peri-operative factors distinguishing between patients with the best and worst outcomes were predominantly patient factors, including BMI, depression/anxiety, smoking, and pain severity; not comorbidities, severity of deformity, operative parameters, or complications.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Commentary: Appropriate Use Criteria for Lumbar Degenerative Scoliosis: Developing Evidence-based Guidance for Complex Treatment Decisions.
    (Neurosurgery, 2017-03) Glassman, Steven D; Berven, Sigurd H; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Mummaneni, Praveen V; Polly, David W
    Lumbar degenerative scoliosis is a relatively common problem, and is being treated more frequently due to the confluence of an aging population and an increased capacity and willingness to manage difficult problems in older patients. Lumbar degenerative scoliosis is a complex pathology as it often involves the intersection of degenerative spinal stenosis and spinal deformity. While previous studies provide an indication that these patients may benefit from surgical treatment, the substantial variability in treatment underscores the opportunity for improvement. Optimizing treatment for lumbar degenerative scoliosis is critical as surgical intervention, while potentially providing substantial clinical benefit also entails measurable risk and significant expense. In light of these issues, evidence-based guidance generated through Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) development offers the potential to improve both the quality and cost effectiveness of care.The lumbar degenerative scoliosis AUC represents a significant step toward evidence-based treatment in spinal surgery. This is the first time that spine societies and industry partners have collaborated to support evidence development. The willingness of all involved to support a completely independent process underlines a commitment to trust the evidence. Subsequent studies may validate and/or refine the AUC recommendations, but the most important result is that the standard for evidence quality has been raised.