1
|
Tamai K, Terai H, Iwamae M, Kato M, Toyoda H, Suzuki A, Takahashi S, Sawada Y, Okamura Y, Kobayashi Y, Nakamura H. Residual Paresthesia After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Incidence and Impact on Clinical Outcomes and Satisfaction. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2024; 49:378-384. [PMID: 38126538 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Multicenter, prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to identify the incidence of residual paresthesias after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), and to demonstrate the impact of these symptoms on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Surgery for DCM aims to improve and/or prevent further deterioration of physical function and quality-of-life (QOL) in the setting of DCM. However, patients are often not satisfied with their treatment for myelopathy when they have severe residual paresthesias, even when physical function and QOL are improved after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors included 187 patients who underwent laminoplasty for DCM. All patients were divided into two groups based on their visual analog scale score for paresthesia of the upper extremities at one year postoperatively (>40 vs. ≤40 mm). Preoperative factors, changes in clinical scores and radiographic factors, and satisfaction scales at one year postoperatively were compared between groups. The authors used mixed-effect linear and logistic regression modeling to adjust for confounders. RESULTS Overall, 86 of 187 patients had severe residual paresthesia at one year postoperatively. Preoperative patient-oriented pain scale scores were significantly associated with postoperative residual paresthesia ( P =0.032). A mixed-effect model demonstrated that patients with severe postoperative residual paresthesia showed significantly smaller improvements in QOL ( P =0.046) and myelopathy ( P =0.037) than patients with no/mild residual paresthesia. Logistic regression analysis identified that residual paresthesia was significantly associated with lower treatment satisfaction, independent of improvements in myelopathy and QOL (adjusted odds ratio: 2.5, P =0.010). CONCLUSION In total, 45% of patients with DCM demonstrated severe residual paresthesia at one year postoperatively. These patients showed significantly worse treatment satisfaction, even after accounting for improvements in myelopathy and QOL. As such, in patients who experience higher preoperative pain, multidisciplinary approaches for residual paresthesia, including medications for neuropathic pain, might lead to greater clinical satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Tamai
- Department of Orthopedics, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Naftchi AF, Vazquez S, Spirollari E, Carpenter AB, Ng C, Zeller S, Feldstein E, Rawanduzy C, Das A, Gabriele C, Gandhi R, Stein A, Frid I, Dominguez JF, Hanft SJ, Houten JK, Kinon MD. Adult Trauma Patients With Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score of 4: A Systematic Review. Clin Spine Surg 2023; 36:237-242. [PMID: 35994034 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. OBJECTIVE Evaluate characteristics of patients with thoracolumbar injury classification and severity (TLICS) score of 4 (To4) severity traumatic thoracolumbar injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The TLICS score is used to predict the need for operative versus nonoperative management in adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar injury. Ambiguity exists in its application and score categorization. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed. The databases of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Review were queried. Studies included adults with traumatic thoracolumbar injury with assigned TLICS score and description of management strategy. RESULTS A total of 16 studies met inclusion criteria representing 1911 adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar injury. There were 503 (26.32%) patients with To4, of which 298 (59.24%) were operative. Studies focusing on the thoracolumbar junction and AO Type A fracture morphology had To4 patient incidences of 11.15% and 52.94%, respectively. Multiple studies describe better quality of life, pain scores, and radiographic outcomes in To4 who underwent operative treatment patients. CONCLUSION To4 injuries are more commonly AO Type A and located in the thoracolumbar junction in adult patients with traumatic thoracolumbar injury. Despite ambiguous recommendations regarding treatment provided by TLICS, outcomes favor operative intervention in this subset of traumatic thoracolumbar injury patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sabrina Zeller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | - Eric Feldstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | | | - Ankita Das
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College
| | | | - Ronan Gandhi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | - Ilya Frid
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | - Jose F Dominguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | - Simon J Hanft
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| | - John K Houten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maimonides Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Merritt D Kinon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Katz AD, Song J, Ngan A, Job A, Morris M, Perfetti D, Virk S, Silber J, Essig D. Discharge to Rehabilitation Predicts Increased Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion. Clin Spine Surg 2022; 35:129-136. [PMID: 35383605 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE The aim was to compare 30-day readmission and postdischarge morbidity for posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) in patients who were discharged to home versus rehabilitation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA An increasing number of patients are being discharged to postacute inpatient care facilities following spine surgery. However, little research has been performed to evaluate the effect of this trend on short-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who underwent PCDF from 2011 to 2018 were identified using the National Surgical Quality Improvements Program (NSQIP)-database. Regression was utilized to compare primary outcomes between home and rehabilitation groups and to control for predictors of outcomes. RESULTS We identified 8912 patients. Unadjusted analysis revealed that rehabilitation-discharge patients had greater readmission (10.4% vs. 8.0%, P=0.002) and postdischarge morbidity (7.1% vs. 4.0%, P<0.001) rates. After controlling for patient-related factors, rehabilitation-discharge independently predicted postdischarge morbidity (P<0.001, odds ratio=2.232). Readmission no longer differed between groups (P=0.071, odds ratio=1.311). Rates of discharge to rehabilitation increased from 23.5% in 2011 to 25.3% in 2018, while postdischarge morbidity rates remained stagnant.Patients discharged to rehabilitation were older (66.9 vs. 59.4 y); more likely to be African American (21.4% vs. 13.8%) and have diabetes (27.1% vs. 17.5%), steroid use (6.4% vs. 4.7%, P=0.002), and American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA)-class ≥3 (80.2% vs. 57.7%); less likely to be male (53.9% vs. 57.4%, P=0.004) and smokers (20.3% vs. 26.6%); and had greater operative time (198 vs. 170 min) and length of hospital stay (5.9 vs. 3.3 d) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite controlling for significant factors, discharge to rehabilitation independently predicted a 2.2 times increased odds of postdischarge morbidity. Rates of discharge to rehabilitation increased overtime without an appreciable decrease in postdischarge morbidity, suggesting that greater resources are being utilized in the postacute care period without an obvious justification. Therefore, home-discharge should be prioritized after hospitalization for PCDF when feasible. These findings are notable in light of reform efforts aimed at reducing costs while improving quality of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austen D Katz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, New Hyde Park, NY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Song J, Katz AD, Perfetti D, Job A, Morris M, Goldstein J, Virk S, Silber J, Essig D. Impact of Discharge to Rehabilitation on Postdischarge Morbidity Following Multilevel Posterior Lumbar Fusion. Clin Spine Surg 2022; 35:24-30. [PMID: 33769971 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare 30-day postdischarge morbidity for 3-or-more level (multilevel) posterior lumbar fusion in patients who were discharged to home versus rehabilitation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Spine surgery has been increasingly performed in the elderly population, with many of these patients being discharged to rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. However, research evaluating the safety of nonhome discharge following spine surgery is limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who underwent multilevel posterior lumbar fusion from 2005 to 2018 were identified using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Regression was utilized to compare primary outcomes between discharge disposition and to evaluate for predictors thereof. RESULTS We identified 5276 patients. Unadjusted analysis revealed that patients who were discharged to rehabilitation had greater postdischarge morbidity (5.6% vs. 2.6%). After adjusting for baseline differences, discharge to rehabilitation no longer predicted postdischarge morbidity [odds ratio (OR)=1.409, confidence interval: 0.918-2.161, P=0.117]. Multivariate analysis also revealed that age (P=0.026, OR=1.023), disseminated cancer (P=0.037, OR=6.699), and readmission (P<0.001, OR=28.889) independently predicted postdischarge morbidity. CONCLUSIONS Thirty days morbidity was statistically similar between patients who were discharged to home and rehabilitation. With appropriate patient selection, discharge to rehabilitation can potentially minimize 30-day postdischarge morbidity for more medically frail patients undergoing multilevel posterior lumbar fusion. These results are particularly important given an aging population, with a great portion of elderly patients who may benefit from postacute care facility discharge following spine surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junho Song
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, New Hyde Park, NY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yoon JW, Wanderman NR, Kerezoudis P, Alvi MA, De Biase G, Akinduro OO, Berbari EF, Bydon M, Freedman BA. Enterobacter Infection after Spine Surgery: An Institutional Experience. World Neurosurg 2018; 123:e330-e337. [PMID: 30500574 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.11.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gram-negative surgical site infections (SSI) following spine surgery are becoming increasingly more common owing to a broad perioperative antibiotic usage targeting gram-positive organisms. Enterobacter species have been reported to be the most common gram-negative bacteria following spine surgery. METHODS We queried our institutional database for Enterobacter SSIs after spine surgery at a single institution from 2009-2016. Relevant demographic, clinical, and operative variables were collected. We compared this cohort to patients who had non-Enterobacter SSI during the same period. RESULTS Enterobacter species were isolated in 16 patients (9 males) diagnosed with SSI after undergoing spine surgery. This group represented 0.2% of all spine cases and 14.5% of all spinal SSIs. Seven patients (43.8%) required multiple irrigations and debridements (I&Ds) (range: 2-8), whereas only 17 of 94 patients (18.1%) with non-Enterobacter SSI required multiple I&Ds (range: 2-5, P = 0.043). Those infected with Enterobacter were associated with higher BMI (37.6 ± 12.7 vs. 31.7 ± 8, P = 0.036), earlier wound dehiscence (14.8 vs. 24.6 days, P = 0.01), polymicrobial infections (37.5% vs. 10.6%, P = 0.012), and longer length of stay (18 days [9.5-31.5] vs. 5 days [3-8], P = 0.01) when compared to non-Enterobacter SSI cohort. At an average of 24.2 months follow-up, all 15 surviving patients were infection free with no further revision surgeries needed. CONCLUSIONS Enterobacter SSI cases were associated with higher BMI, earlier wound breakdown, polymicrobial infection and longer length of stay. Nevertheless, with vigilant surveillance and timely I&Ds, these challenging infections can be treated successfully with original implant retention in almost all cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jang W Yoon
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Nathan R Wanderman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Panagiotis Kerezoudis
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mohammed Ali Alvi
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gaetano De Biase
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Elie F Berbari
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mohamad Bydon
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
| | - Brett A Freedman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Virk SS, Phillips FM, Khan SN. Bundled payment reimbursement for anterior and posterior approaches for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: an analysis of private payer and Medicare databases. J Neurosurg Spine 2018; 28:244-251. [DOI: 10.3171/2017.7.spine1714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVECervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a progressive spinal condition that often requires surgery. Studies have shown the clinical equivalency of anterior versus posterior approaches for CSM surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount and type of resources used for anterior and posterior surgical treatment of CSM by using large national databases of clinical and financial information from patients.METHODSThis study consists of 2 large cohorts of patients who underwent either an anterior or posterior approach for treatment of CSM. These patients were selected from the Medicare 5% National Sample Administrative Database (SAF5) and the Humana orthopedic database (HORTHO), which is a database of patients with private payer health insurance. The outcome measures were the cost of a 90-day episode of care, as well as a breakdown of the cost components for each surgical procedure between 2005 and 2014.RESULTSA total of 16,444 patients were included in this analysis. In HORTHO, there were 10,332 and 1556 patients treated with an anterior or posterior approach for CSM, respectively. In SAF5, there were 3851 and 705 patients who were treated by an anterior or posterior approach for CSM, respectively. The mean ± SD reimbursements for anterior and posterior approaches in the HORTHO database were $20,863 ± $2014 and $23,813 ± $4258, respectively (p = 0.048). The mean ± SD reimbursements for anterior and posterior approaches in the SAF5 database were $18,219 ± $1053 and $25,598 ± $1686, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were also significantly higher reimbursements for a rehabilitation/skilled nursing facility and hospital/inpatient care for patients who underwent a posterior approach in both the private payer and Medicare databases. In all cohorts in this study, the hospital-related reimbursement was more than double the surgeon-related reimbursement.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides resource utilization information for a 90-day episode of care for both anterior and posterior approaches for CSM surgery. There is a statistically significant higher resource utilization for patients undergoing the posterior approach for CSM, which is consistent with the literature. Understanding the reimbursement patterns for anterior versus posterior approaches for CSM will help providers design a bundled payment for patients requiring surgery for CSM, and this study suggests that a subset of patients who require the posterior approach for treatment also require greater resources. The data also suggest that hospital-related reimbursement is the major driver of payments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sohrab S. Virk
- 1Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio; and
| | - Frank M. Phillips
- 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Safdar N. Khan
- 1Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio; and
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bartley CE, Yaszay B, Bastrom TP, Shah SA, Lonner BS, Asghar J, Miyanji F, Samdani A, Newton PO. Perioperative and Delayed Major Complications Following Surgical Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2017; 99:1206-1212. [PMID: 28719560 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.16.01331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reporting accurate surgical complication rates to patients and their families is important in the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In this study, we report the rate of major complications following the surgical treatment of AIS both in the perioperative period and among patients with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. METHODS We reviewed the prospectively collected data of a multicenter registry of patients who underwent surgical treatment of AIS during the period of 1995 to 2014 in order to identify all complications. A complication was defined as "major" if it resulted in reoperation or in spinal cord or nerve root injury, or was life-threatening. A total of 3,582 patients with preoperative and early postoperative data (4 to 6 weeks of follow-up) were included. A subset of 2,220 patients with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up comprised the cohort for delayed complications. Overall complication rates were calculated, as was the percentage of complications according to the year of the index surgery and type of surgical approach. RESULTS The mean age of the 3,582 patients at the time of surgery was 14.8 ± 2.2 years. The average major curve magnitude was 56° ± 13° for thoracic curves and 51° ± 11° for lumbar. In 365 patients, anterior spinal fusion (ASF) with instrumentation was performed, and in 3,217 patients, posterior spinal fusion (PSF) with instrumentation was performed; 142 patients in the PSF group underwent concomitant anterior release. There were 192 major complications, with 93 (2.6%) occurring perioperatively. Perioperative complications included wound-related (1.0% of the patients), neurologic (0.5%), pulmonary (0.4%), instrumentation-related (0.4%), and gastrointestinal (0.2%) complications. One patient died. The mean annual perioperative major complication rate based on the year of surgery ranged from 0% to 10.5%. The complication rate by surgical approach was 3.0% for ASF and 2.6% for PSF (2.4% for PSF only and 5.6% for PSF with anterior release). The major complication rate for the 2,220 patients with at least 2 years of follow-up was 4.1%; all but 1 had a reoperation (4.1%). The majority of these major complications were wound and instrumentation-related (1.9% and 0.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS After surgery for AIS, a 2.6% rate of perioperative major complications and a 4.1% rate of major complications at 2 or more years after surgery can be anticipated. The complication rate decreased over the period of study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie E Bartley
- 1Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California 2Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 3Scoliosis and Spine Associates, New York, NY 4Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida 5British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 6Shriner's Hospitals for Children Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
DiCuccio M. Letter to the editor: Safety in surgery and overall health: what is the responsibility of the patient? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2014; 472:2895-6. [PMID: 24964890 PMCID: PMC4117893 DOI: 10.1007/s11999-014-3748-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael DiCuccio
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institute of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20852 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Molina CA, Zadnik PL, Gokaslan ZL, Witham TF, Bydon A, Wolinsky JP, Sciubba DM. A cohort cost analysis of lumbar laminectomy--current trends in surgeon and hospital fees distribution. Spine J 2013; 13:1434-7. [PMID: 23623637 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Spine-related health-care expenditures accounted for $86 billion dollars in 2005, a 65% increase from 1997. However, when adjusting for inflation, surgeons have seen decreased reimbursement rates over the last decade. PURPOSE To assess contribution of surgeon fees to overall procedure cost, we reviewed the charges and reimbursements for a noninstrumented lumbar laminectomy and compared the amounts reimbursed to the hospital and to the surgeon at a major academic institution. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective review of costs associated with lumbar laminectomies. PATIENT SAMPLE Seventy-seven patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis throughout an 18-month period at a single academic medical center were included in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES Cost and number of laminectomy levels. METHODS The reimbursement schedule of six academic spine surgeons was collected over 18 months for performed noninstrumented lumbar laminectomy procedures. Bills and collections by the hospital and surgeon professional fees were comparatively analyzed and substratified by number of laminectomy levels and patient insurance status. Unpaired two-sample Student t test was used for analysis of significant differences. RESULTS During an 18-month period, patients underwent a lumbar laminectomy involving on average three levels and stayed in the hospital on average 3.5 days. Complications were uncommon (13%). Average professional fee billing for the surgeon was $6,889±$2,882, and collection was $1,848±$1,433 (28% overall, 30% for private insurance, and 23% for Medicare/Medicaid insurance). Average hospital billing for the inpatient hospital stay minus professional fees from the surgeon was $14,766±$7,729, and average collection on such bills was $13,391±$7,256 (92% overall, 91% for private insurance, and 85% for Medicare/Medicaid insurance). CONCLUSION Based on this analysis, the proportion of overall costs allocated to professional fees for a noninstrumented lumbar laminectomy is small, whereas those allocated to hospital costs are far greater. These findings suggest that the current focus on decreasing physician reimbursement as the principal cost saving strategy will lead to minimal reimbursement for surgeons without a substantial drop in the overall cost of procedures performed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilo A Molina
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Meyer 7-109 600 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Surgical site infections in spine surgery: identification of microbiologic and surgical characteristics in 239 cases. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2013; 38:E1425-31. [PMID: 23873240 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e3182a42a68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe the microbiology of surgical site infection (SSI) in spine surgery and relationship with surgical management characteristics. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA SSI is an important complication of spine surgery that results in significant morbidity. A comprehensive and contemporary understanding of the microbiology of postoperative spine infections is valuable to direct empiric antimicrobial treatment and prophylaxis and other infection prevention strategies. METHODS All cases of spinal surgery associated with SSI between July 2005 and November 2010 were identified by the hospital infection control surveillance program using Centers for Disease Control National Health Safety Network criteria. Surgical characteristics and microbiologic data for each case were gathered by direct medical record review. RESULTS Of 7529 operative spine cases performed between July 2005 and November 2010, 239 cases of SSI were identified. The most commonly isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (45.2%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (31.4%). Methicillin-resistant organisms accounted for 34.3% of all SSIs and were more common in revision than in primary surgical procedures (47.4% vs. 28.0%, P = 0.003). Gram-negative organisms were identified in 30.5% of the cases. Spine surgical procedures involving the sacrum were significantly associated with gram-negative organisms (P < 0.001) and polymicrobial infections (P = 0.020). Infections due to gram-negative organisms (P = 0.002) and Enterococcus spp. (P = 0.038) were less common in surgical procedures involving the cervical spine. Cefazolin-resistant gram-negative organisms accounted for 61.6% of all gram-negative infections and 18.8% of all SSIs. CONCLUSION Although gram-positive organisms predominated, gram-negative organisms accounted for a sizeable portion of SSI, particularly among lower lumbar and sacral spine surgical procedures. Nearly half of infections in revision surgery were due to a methicillin-resistant organism. These findings may help guide choice of empiric antibiotics while awaiting culture data and antimicrobial prophylaxis strategies in specific spine surgical procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Collapse
|
11
|
Surgical site infection in spinal surgery: description of surgical and patient-based risk factors for postoperative infection using administrative claims data. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2012; 37:1340-5. [PMID: 22210012 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e318246a53a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of using an automated approach to administrative claims data to assess the rate and risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) in spinal procedures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA SSI is a major indicator of health care quality. A wide range of SSI rates have been proposed in the literature depending on clinical setting and procedure type. METHODS All spinal surgeries performed at a university-affiliated tertiary-care center from July 2005 to December 2010 were identified using diagnosis-related group, current procedural terminology, and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes and were validated through chart review. Rates of SSI and associated risk factors were calculated using univariate regression analysis. Odds ratios were calculated through multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 6628 hospital visits were identified. The cumulative incidence of SSI was 2.9%. Procedural risk factors associated with a statistically significant increase in rates of infection were the following: sacral involvement (9.6%), fusions greater than 7 levels (7.8%), fusions greater than 12 levels (10.4%), cases with an osteotomy (6.5%), operative time longer than 5 hours (5.1%), transfusions of red blood cells (5.0%), serum (7.4%), and autologous blood (4.1%). Patient-based risk factors included anemia (4.3%), diabetes mellitus (4.2%), coronary artery disease (4.7%), diagnosis of coagulopathy (7.8%), and bone or connective tissue neoplasm (5.0%). CONCLUSION Used individually, diagnosis-related group, current procedural terminology, and ICD-9 codes cannot completely capture a patient population. Using an algorithm combining all 3 coding systems to generate both inclusion and exclusion criteria, we were able to analyze a specific population of spinal surgery patients within a high-volume medical center. Within that group, risk factors found to increase infection rates were isolated and can serve to focus hospital-wide efforts to decrease surgery-related morbidity and improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
|
12
|
Berven SH, Yaszemski MJ, Newton PO, Christianson W, Aberman HM, Moreau JC, Mulcahey MJ, Betz RR. Introduction of new devices and technologies into a spine surgery practice: a review of processes and regulations. Orthopedics 2010; 33:742-7. [PMID: 20954620 DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20100826-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sigurd H Berven
- UC San Francisco Spinal Disorders Service, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|