Post-operative bracing following adult spine deformity surgery: Results from the AO Spine surveillance of post-operative management of patients with adult spine deformity.
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2024-01
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Abstract
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Cross-sectional international survey with a literature review.Objectives
While some surgeons favor spine bracing after surgery for adult spine deformity (ASD) to help prevent mechanical failures, there is a lack of evidence. The objective of the present study was to better understand the current trend in the use of bracing following ASD surgery based on an international survey.Methods
An e-mail-based online survey was conducted among over 6000 international AO Spine members regarding the post-operative management of patients with ASD. The details of brace prescription, indications and influencing factors were solicited. Descriptive data were summarized based on different demographic groups and fusion levels for the responding surgeons who annually perform at least 10 long-segment fusions of >5 levels extending to the pelvis.Results
A total of 116 responses were received, including 71 surgeons (61%) who used post-operative bracing for >5 levels of long fusion. The most common reason for bracing was pain management (55%) and bone quality was the strongest influencing factor (69%). Asia-Pacific surgeons had the highest rate of bracing (88%), while North American surgeons had the lowest (45%). The most common type of brace used were TLSO for cases with an uppermost instrumented vertebra (UIV) in the low- or mid-thoracic spine and a cervical brace for UIV at T1-3. The majority (56%) used bracing for 6-12 weeks after surgery.Conclusions
The present survey demonstrated significant interest in bracing following ASD surgery, however, there is substantial variability in post-operative bracing practice. A formal study on the role of bracing in ASD surgery is needed.Type
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Kato, So, Justin S Smith, Devin Driesman, Christopher I Shaffrey, Lawrence G Lenke, Stephen J Lewis and undefined AO Spine Knowledge Forum Deformity (2024). Post-operative bracing following adult spine deformity surgery: Results from the AO Spine surveillance of post-operative management of patients with adult spine deformity. PloS one, 19(4). p. e0297541. 10.1371/journal.pone.0297541 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/30653.
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Christopher Ignatius Shaffrey
I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications.
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