Impact of adult spinal deformity corrective surgery in patients with the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a 5-year follow-up report

Motion analysis in adult spinal deformity: A time-driven activity-based costing perspective

BACKGROUND

A novel motion analysis (MA) protocol for patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) was developed within University Hospitals Leuven, aiming for better functional outcomes by improved treatment planning and decision making.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Can insights into the costs of a research-focused MA (RMA) protocol support the transition to a concise clinical MA (CMA) protocol and facilitate its potential adoption as standard clinical care?

METHODS

Time-driven activity-based costing (TD-ABC) was used to quantify the costs directly related to performing the MA protocol. Time durations were derived from observations and interviews and validated using time intervals retrospectively derived from previous motion analyses metadata. Costs were computed based on resource time usage and the per-minute cost of practical capacity. An expert panel then refined the RMA into a CMA protocol by excluding some trials, utilizing cost insights and insights in the potential clinical relevance of trials, including their discriminative abilities, their ability to highlight compensatory mechanisms and their standardization potential. The clinical costs of the CMA were then again calculated using the same methodology.

RESULTS

The average time to perform the RMA was 179.0 minutes and dropped to 130.9 minutes after the expert panel excluded 12 types of motion trials. The total cost of this new CMA was € 220.83. The largest cost component of the CMA was staff costs (68.1 %), followed by the cost of equipment (30.2 %).

SIGNIFICANCE

This study demonstrates how cost insights complement insights on clinical relevance when defining a motion analysis protocol for integration in standard clinical care. Future value- improvements to the protocol should also integrate insights on its impact on treatment outcome.

Validation of the Japanese version of the scoliosis research society-30 questionnaire for adult patients with spinal deformity

BACKGROUND

The Scoliosis Research Society-30 (SRS-30) is a questionnaire that was originally developed from the SRS-22r questionnaire and is used to evaluate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). It comprises two sections, with Section 1 containing 22 items related to the SRS-22r questionnaire and 1 item regarding self-image and Section 2 containing 7 items specifically related to postoperative status. The SRS-30 has been also found useful in evaluating spinal disorders or deformity in adults. However, the Japanese version of the SRS-30 (Japanese SRS-30) has been validated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but not for adult spinal deformity (ASD). This study aimed to assess the internal consistency and external validity of the Japanese SRS-30 for ASD.

METHODS

Of the 30 questions on the SRS-30, 8 questions added from the SRS-22r were translated and back-translated to create the Japanese SRS-30. The Japanese SRS-30 was used to survey patients with ASD who underwent corrective fusion surgery within 1 postoperative year. The internal consistency of the responses was evaluated using Cronbach α coefficient. Additionally, we performed Spearman correlation analysis of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and SRS-22r with the Japanese SRS-30.

RESULTS

We included 120 patients (20 males and 100 females; mean age at surgery, 53.3 years). The mean preoperative Cobb angle, sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis were 36.9°, 81.8 mm, and 24.0°, respectively. The Cronbach α coefficient for the overall SRS-30 was 0.941, indicating high internal consistency. Moreover, the coefficients for each domain were as follows: function/activity, 0.864; pain, 0.783; self-image/appearance, 0.858; mental health, 0.916; and satisfaction, 0.763. The total SRS-30 score was significantly correlated with the total SRS-22r score (r = 0.966, P < 0.001) and ODI (r = -0.752, P < 0.001). The SRS-30 domains showed strong correlations with the corresponding SRS-22r domains, with the r values ranging from 0.878 to 1.000 (all P < 0.001 except mental health).

CONCLUSIONS

The Japanese SRS-30 demonstrated good internal and external validity. The Japanese SRS-30 can be used to assess health-related quality of life in patients with ASD.

Analysis of the relationship between spinal alignment and retrocrural space area in adult spinal deformity surgery: Potential risk factors for acute celiac artery compression syndrome

PURPOSE

This study was designed to reveal the association between spinal parameters and RCS area in patients with adult spinal deformities treated with spinal correction surgery. We hypothesized that reduction of the retrocrural space (RCS) area is related to thoracolumbar alignment, which may cause acute celiac artery compression syndrome (ACACS).

METHODS

Eighty-nine patients (age: 68.4 ± 7.6 years; sex: 7 male/82 female) with ASD treated by spinal correction surgery were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative spinal parameters were measured, and the differences between these parameters were calculated. Postoperative T12 translation was measured and RCS area was evaluated using reconstructed computed tomography. The change of RCS area after surgery was defined as ΔRCS. Patients were divided into increased and decreased RCS groups by the ΔRCS value, and spinal parameters were compared between groups. The correlation between spinal parameters and ΔRCS was calculated.

RESULTS

The patients in the decreased RCS group had greater anterior T12 translation than those in the increased RCS group (p < 0.001). T12 translation was significantly correlated with ΔRCS (β = -0.31, p = 0.017). There were no correlations between ΔRCS and other spinal parameters.

CONCLUSION

Thoracolumbar alignment was associated with RCS area. Consistent with the hypothesis, overcorrection of the thoracolumbar junction was associated with reduced RCS area and might be one risk factor for ACACS.

Incidence and Potential Risk Factors of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome After Spinal Corrective Surgery in Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the incidence and potential risk factors of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) after corrective spinal surgery in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).

METHODS

In total, 102 patients (67.6 ± 8.4 years; 8 male/94 female; body mass index (BMI); 22.4 ± 3.6 kg/m2) with ASD treated by spinal correction surgery were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative spinal parameters, including thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK: T10-L2) and upper lumbar lordosis (ULL: L1-L4) were measured. To evaluate the potential risk factors of SMAS, the angle and the distance between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta, the aortomesenteric angle (AMA) and aortomesenteric distance (AMD), were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. Based on the postoperative AMA, AMD, and abdominal symptoms, the patients were diagnosed with SMAS. Correlations between demographic data or spinal parameters and AMA and AMD were assessed.

RESULTS

Two (2.0%) patients were diagnosed with SMAS. Postoperative TLK significantly correlated with postoperative AMA (P = 0.013, 0.046). Postoperative ULL was significantly correlated with postoperative AMD (β = -0.27; P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of SMAS after corrective spinal surgery in patients with ASD was 2.0%. Postoperative smaller TLK and greater ULL can be risk factors for developing SMAS. Spine surgeons should avoid overcorrection of the upper lumbar spine in the sagittal plane to prevent SMAS.

Prognostic Nutritional Index Is a Predictive Marker for Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Adult Degenerative Scoliosis

Our aim was to ascertain whether the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), could predict the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) undergoing corrective surgery. We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients diagnosed with ADS between January 2013 and June 2021. Three nutritional parameters were employed for analysis (PNI, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia). We utilized the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire to assess clinical outcomes. Following the epidemiology guidelines, we presented results from three different models: the crude model, minimally adjusted model, and fully adjusted model. A total of 316 ADS patients were included in the statistical analysis. There was no significant difference in sagittal plane radiographic parameters between the two groups. After adjusting for important confounding factors, PNI was an independent predictor of postoperative HRQOL. Specifically, for each one-unit increase in PNI, there was an approximately 20% higher likelihood of patients achieving a better HRQOL. Furthermore, we did not observe an association between hemoglobin levels or albumin levels and HRQOL. In this study, PNI has been demonstrated to be correlated with the postoperative HRQOL in patients with ADS undergoing corrective surgery.

Clinical Outcomes of Corrective Fusion Surgery From the Thoracic Spine to the Pelvis for Adult Spinal Deformity at 1, 2, and 5 years Postoperatively

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were consistent at 2 and 5 years after corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) and to analyze whether revision surgery affected long-term outcomes.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

PROs up to 2 years after corrective surgeries for ASD have been well-studied, but there are few reports of mid- to long-term results.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with ASD who underwent corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis between 2010 and 2015. We investigated radiographic parameters and PROs (Scoliosis Research Society 22r [SRS-22r], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]) preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively, and the correlations between PROs at these time points. We also compared changes in PROs at 5 years in patients who underwent revision surgery and those who did not.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients who underwent corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis were analyzed. The PROs at 1 and 5 years after surgery showed significant correlations in all SRS-22r domains (function [r  = 0.620], pain [r  = 0.577], self-image [r  = 0.563], mental health [r  = 0.589], subtotal [r  = 0.663], and ODI [r  = 0.654]). The PROs at 2 and 5 years after surgery showed significantly strong correlations in all domains (function [r  = 0.715], pain [r  = 0.678], self-image [r  = 0.653], mental health [r  = 0.675], subtotal [r  = 0.741], and ODI [r  = 0.746]). There were no significant differences in the change in PROs at 5 years in any domain in patients who underwent revision surgery (all P  > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

One-year postoperative PROs improved significantly. Two-year PROs correlated strongly with 5-year postoperative PROs, indicating that 2-year PROs can predict longer term outcomes. The need for revision surgery did not influence the mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of corrective fusion surgery for ASD.Level of Evidence: 3.

The Effect of Preoperative Nutritional Intervention for Adult Spinal Deformity Patients

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective nutritional intervention study for adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how a nutritional intervention affects the incidence of postoperative medical complications and the nutritional status.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The medical complication rate in ASD surgery is very high, and one risk factor is malnutrition. Nutritional intervention may improve the patient's nutritional status and reduce risk, but this is unexplored regarding ASD surgery.

METHODS

Malnourished patients (i.e., a prognostic nutritional index [PNI] score of <50) scheduled for surgery after November 2018 (Group I) received nutritional intervention consisting of nutritional guidance and supplements on the surgery day. The medical complication rates between Group I and Group NI (malnourished patients who underwent surgery between January 2014 and October 2018; historical controls) were evaluated. The nutritional status courses of Group I and Group NI2 (patients who did not participate in nutritional intervention after November 2018) were assessed.

RESULTS

Group I had 24 patients in (mean age, 70 yr), and Group NI had 69 patients (mean age, 68 yr). The mean intervention duration was 41 days. The preoperative PNI score did not differ between the groups, but there was a significant difference in medical complications incidences (Group I: 25%; Group NI: 53.6%; P = 0.015). The nutritional status significantly deteriorated in Group I (PNI: 47-45; P = 0.011) and Group NI2 (61 patients; mean age, 68 yr; PNI: 52-48; P = 0.000), but the PNI changes were significantly smaller in Group I (ΔPNI: Group I: -1.9, Group NI 2: -3.5; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional intervention with guidance and supplements reduced postoperative medical complications in malnourished patients. The nutritional status of ASD patients requiring surgery also naturally worsened, suggesting that ASD may contribute to malnutrition. Nutritional intervention may reduce the nutritional status deterioration.Level of Evidence: 3.

Importance of achieving Scoliosis Research Society-22r minimal clinically important difference for improving patient satisfaction after adult spinal deformity surgery

OBJECTIVE

Achievement of minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) in the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) subdomains represents surgical efficacy. However, whether achievements of MCIDs in SRS-22r domains are associated with long-term satisfaction in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) is unclear. This study aimed to elucidate factors affecting patient satisfaction after thoracopelvic corrective fusion surgery in patients with ASD.

METHODS

Data obtained in 187 patients with ASD who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis between 2010 and 2017 and underwent follow-up for 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. The authors investigated the likelihood of achieving MCIDs in the function, pain, self-image, mental health, and subtotal domains 2 years after surgery. The following MCID values were used: function, 0.90; pain, 0.85; self-image, 1.05; mental health, 0.70; and subtotal, 1.05. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with patient satisfaction 2 years after surgery.

RESULTS

The average satisfaction scores in the group that achieved MCID and the group that did not were as follows: 3.97 and 3.37 for function (p < 0.001), 3.66 and 3.51 for pain (p = 0.221), 3.84 and 3.06 for self-image (p < 0.001), 3.82 and 3.28 for mental health (p < 0.001), and 3.96 and 3.30 for subtotal (p < 0.001), respectively. Except for the pain domain, the group that achieved MCIDs showed greater satisfaction than the group that did not achieve MCIDs. On multivariate analysis, factors related to postoperative satisfaction were achievement of SRS-22r self-image (standardization coefficient 0.322, p < 0.001) and function (standardization coefficient 0.179, p = 0.026) MCIDs. Perioperative complications and revision surgery were not related to patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Multivariate analysis demonstrated that achievement of MCIDs in SRS-22r self-image and function domains was significantly associated with postoperative satisfaction. Given that patients with poor preoperative health-related quality of life are more likely to achieve MCIDs in SRS-22r domains, surgeons should carefully consider whether to operate on patients with relatively good baseline health-related quality of life when making surgical decisions.

Cost-effectiveness of Corrective Fusion Surgeries for Adult Spinal Deformities: A Comparison by Operative Method

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to summarize the cost-effectiveness of surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity (ASD) according to the operative method over 2 years postoperatively.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Extensive corrective fusion surgery for ASD requires numerous expensive implants, greatly contributing toward the national medical expenses. Previous national studies reported high complication rates in spinal surgeries using instrumentation. However, the cost-effectiveness of such procedures has not been scrutinized.

METHODS

In total, 173 ASD patients (151 women; mean age 69.1 years) who underwent corrective fusion between 2010 and 2017 were included. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated according to the cost of obtaining 1 quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Patients were divided into three groups: the "corrective fusion surgery using multiple Grade 2 osteotomy" (Grade-2) group, three-column osteotomy group (three-column), and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) group.

RESULTS

The average medical cost for the initial surgery was USD 72,240, and that during the 2 years after the initial surgery was USD 76,294. The medical expenses for the initial surgery and those over the 2 years were higher in the LLIF group. The cumulative improvement in QALY over the 2 years did not significantly differ among the groups (0.13, 0.15, and 0.18 in the Grade-2, three-column, and LLIF groups, respectively). Cost/QALY 2 years after the surgery was USD 509,370, 518,406, and 463,798 in the Grade-2, three-column, and LLIF groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We summarized the medical costs and cost-effectiveness of three different surgical methods for ASD in patients with different backgrounds over 2 years postoperatively. The medical expense for the initial surgery was highest in the LLIF group, and the cumulative improvement in QALY over the 2 years tended to be higher in the LLIF group, but the difference was not significant; the overall cost-effectiveness was lowest in the LLIF group.Level of Evidence: 3.

The Scoli-RISK 1 results of lower extremity motor function 5 years after complex adult spinal deformity surgery

INTRODUCTION

Neurologic complications after complex adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery are important, yet outcomes are heterogeneously reported, and long-term follow-up of actual lower extremity motor function is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate lower extremity motor function scores (LEMS) before and at 5 years after surgical correction of complex ASD.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a prospective, multicenter, international observational study.

METHODS

The Scoli-RISK-1 study enrolled 272 ASD patients undergoing surgery from 15 centers around the world. Inclusion criteria were Cobb angle of > 80°, corrective osteotomy for congenital or revision deformity and/or 3-column osteotomy. Among patients with 5-year follow-up, comparisons of LEMS to baseline and within each follow-up period were made via documented neurologic exams on each patient.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven (28.3%) patients had 5-year follow-up. Among these 77 patients with 5-year follow-up, rates of postoperative LEMS deterioration were: 14.3% hospital discharge, 10.7% at 6 weeks, 6.5% at 6 months, 9.5% at 2 years and 9.3% at 5 years postoperative. During the 2-5 year window, while mean LEMS did not change significantly (-0.5, p = 0.442), eight (11.1%) patients deteriorated (of which 3 were ≥ 4 motor points), and six (8.3%) patients improved (of which 2 were ≥ 4 points). Of the 14 neurologic complications, four (28.6%) were surgery-related, three of which required reoperation. While mean LEMS were not impacted in patients with a major surgery-related complication, mean LEMS were significantly lower in patients with neurologic surgery-related complications at discharge (p = 0.041) and 6 months (p = 0.008) between the two groups as well as the change from baseline to 5 years (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

In 77 patients undergoing complex ASD surgery with 5-year follow-up, while mean LEMS did not change from 2 to 5 years, subtle neurologic changes occurred in approximately 1 in 5 patients (11.1% deteriorated; 8.3% improved). Major surgery-related complication did not result in decreased LEMS; however, those with neurologic surgery-related complications continued to have decreased lower extremity motor function at 5 years postoperative. These results underscore the importance of long-term follow-up to 5 years, using individual motor scores rather than group averages, and comparing outcomes to both baseline and last follow-up.

Scoliosis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Adults

Introduction

Degenerative scoliosis most commonly presents with lower back pain. Literature suggests that adults who have degenerative scoliosis are at greater risk of both hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The objective of this study was to evaluate scoliosis as being the risk factor of GERD in adults.

Materials and methods

This prospective study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences over a period of two years (May 2018 to April 2020). The investigation included 210 participants with spinal disorders. The mean age was 71.6±9.6 years. The X-rays of the participants’ whole spine were taken in a standing position, in the sagittal and coronal planes. Symptoms of GERD were measured through the quality of life and utility evaluation survey technology (QUEST) score, taking six points as cutoff values. The evaluation was done using radiographs to determine any relationship between spinal disorders and GERD. Negative values were analyzed in a right-sided convex curve while positive values in the left-sided convex curve were viewed in the coronal plane. Degenerative scoliosis was explained as a lumbar/thoracolumbar Cobb angle of more than 10 degrees. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to assess the risk factors related to GERD.

Results

Out of 210 patients, 146 were found to have degenerative scoliosis at the level of the lumbar and thoracolumbar spine. Fifty-two patients had a right convex curve, and 94 had a left convex curve. Sixty-nine patients had GERD. According to the analysis of the multivariate logistic regression, the Cobb angle was highly related to GERD (p-value <0.05 and odds ratio of 1.031). The participants were grouped according to the Cobb angle of curve at the lumbar spine (less than 30 degrees with a large right-sided convex curve, 30 and more with a small curve, and more than 30+ degrees with a large left-sided convex curve). The study revealed that a large left-sided convex curve was highly related to GERD, with a p-value <0.05 and odds ratio of 10.935.

Conclusions

The left-sided large convex curve at the thoracolumbar or lumbar spine, especially when the Cobb angle was more than 30 degrees, was highly associated with GERD. Therefore, the symptoms of GERD should be monitored in the elderly population with degenerative scoliosis.

Factors Associated with Improved Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to elucidate factors affecting the likelihood of achieving minimum clinically important difference (MCID) to patient-reported outcomes defined by the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) among patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Achieving MCID for SRS-22r parameters was a measure of surgical efficacy. Patient characteristics and surgical and radiographic factors that affect the likelihood of achieving MCID for SRS-22r parameters are unknown.

METHODS

Data from patients with ASD who underwent extensive corrective fusion surgery from the thoracic spine to the pelvis during 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Data from a total of 167 patients with ≥2 years of follow-up were included. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the likelihood of achieving MCID for each of the SRS-22r domains (Function, Pain, Subtotal) 2 years after surgery. The following MCID values were used: 0.90 for Function, 0.85 for Pain, and 1.05 for the Subtotal.

RESULTS

MCID achievement rate was 36.5% for Function, 46.1% for Pain, and 44.3% for the Subtotal domain. In multivariate analysis, preoperative SRS-22r Function (odds ratio [OR] = 0.204, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.105-0.396) increased the likelihood of achieving MCID for SRS-22r Function. Preoperative SRS-22r Subtotal (OR = 0.211, 95% CI, 0.107-0.413), preoperative pelvic tilt (OR = 1.072, 95% CI, 1.012-1.136), preoperative pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (OR = 0.965, 95% CI, 0.934-0.997), and postoperative sagittal vertical axis (OR = 0.985, 95% CI, 0.974-0.995) affected the likelihood of achieving MCID for the SRS-22r Subtotal.

CONCLUSION

Patients with poor preoperative health-related quality of life were more likely to achieve improvement in SRS-22r parameters after extensive corrective fusion surgery for ASD. Achieving postoperative sagittal alignment increased the likelihood of achieving MCID for the SRS-22r Subtotal domain.Level of Evidence: 3.

L5 pedicle subtraction osteotomy maintains good radiological and clinical outcomes in elderly patients with a rigid kyphosis deformity: a more than 2-year follow-up report

PURPOSE

L5 pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a demanding technique; thus, PSOs are usually performed at the L3/L4 level to correct the lack of lumbar lordosis. Mid- to long-term improvements in clinical outcomes after L5 PSO are unknown. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of L5 PSO for rigid kyphosis deformities.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 57 patients with a rigid kyphosis deformity (mean age: 68 years) who underwent extensive corrective surgery incorporating PSO with a > 2-year follow-up. Radiographic parameters, postoperative complication rates, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were compared in the L5, L4, and L1-3 PSO groups preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively.

RESULTS

There were 12, 25, and 20 patients in the L5, L4, and L1-3 PSO groups, respectively. Significant between-group differences were found in preoperative L4-S1 lordosis (L5:L4:L1-3 PSO groups =  - 8.9°:8.9°:16.2°, P < 0.001). The surgeries improved the postoperative spinopelvic alignment (similar in all groups). There was no significant between-group difference in the postoperative complication rate; no irreversible complications occurred. In the L5 PSO group, there was one case of a common iliac vein injury. The ODI scores improved postoperatively in all groups; this was maintained for 5 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

L5 PSO for L4-5/L5 kyphosis deformities resulted in adequate correction and ODI improvement, which were maintained up to 5 years postoperatively. The surgical invasiveness, complication rates, and long-term prognosis associated with L5 PSO were similar to those of PSOs performed at other levels.