The 'nightmare' of wrong level in spine surgery: a critical appraisal

Exploring strategies to enhance patient safety in spine surgery: a review

Patient safety is the foundation of spine surgery, where the intricate nature of spinal procedures and the unique risks involved call for exceptional diligence and comprehensive protocols. In this high-stakes field, developing and implementing rigorous safety protocols is not only vital for minimizing complications but also for achieving the best possible outcomes and strengthening the confidence patients have in their care team. Each patient entrusts their well-being to their surgical team. This trust underscores the responsibility healthcare providers have to prioritize safety at every stage. In spine surgery, thorough preoperative planning, clear communication during informed consent, and vigilant postoperative care are all crucial for creating a safe environment tailored to each patient's needs. A commitment to patient safety requires more than individual efforts; it calls for a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach where surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation specialists work closely together. This collaboration ensures that each step of the patient's journey is aligned with best practices for safety and care. This review highlights the critical need for ongoing evaluation and refinement of safety protocols in spine surgery. As surgical techniques and technologies advance, and as patients' needs evolve, healthcare teams must remain responsive, cultivating a culture of safety that is both proactive and adaptable. Continuous investment in quality improvement and research is essential to fine-tune these protocols, ensuring they remain both relevant and effective in addressing the unique challenges of spine surgery. Prioritizing comprehensive safety measures goes beyond improving surgical outcomes; it plays a pivotal role in strengthening the trust and confidence patients have in their healthcare providers. By committing to these robust protocols, we reaffirm our dedication to patient-centered care, enhancing not only patient safety and recovery but also fostering a deeper faith in a healthcare system that places patient well-being at the forefront.

Technologic Evolution of Navigation and Robotics in Spine Surgery: A Historical Perspective

Spine surgery is continuously evolving. The synergy between medical imaging and advances in computation has allowed for stereotactic neuronavigation and its integration with robotic technology to assist in spine surgery. The discovery of x-rays in 1895, the development of image intensifiers in 1940, and then advancements in computational science and integration have allowed for the development of computed tomography. In combination with the advancements of stereotaxy in the late 1980s, and manipulation of volumetric and special data for 3-dimensional reconstruction in 1998, computed tomography has revolutionized neuronavigational systems. Integrating all these technologies, robotics in spine surgery was introduced in 2004. Since then, it has become a safe modality that can reproducibly place accurate pedicle screws. Robotics may have the added benefits of improving the surgical workflow and optimizing surgeon ergonomics. Growing at a rapid rate, the second-generation spinal robotics have overcome preliminary limitations and errors. However, comparatively, robotics in spine surgery remains in its infancy. By leveraging technologic advancements in medical imaging, computation, and stereotactic navigation, robotics in spine surgery will continue to mature and expand in utility.

Ten Important Tips in Treating a Patient with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Lumbar disc herniation is a common spinal disorder that usually responds favorably to conservative treatment. In a small percentage of the patients, surgical decompression is necessary. Even though lumbar discectomy constitutes the most common and easiest spine surgery globally, adverse or even catastrophic events can occur. Appropriate patient selection and effective neural decompression constitute the most important points for better surgical outcomes and avoidance of unpleasant complications. Other important tips include timely performance of magnetic resonance imaging, correct interpretation of scan data, preoperative detection of underlying instability, exclusion of non-discogenic sciatica, determination of the main cause of clinical pathology, avoidance of the wrong side or level, and being sure that the more detailed procedure does not necessarily mean the more effective procedure.

Marking wire placement for improved accuracy in thoracic spinal surgery

OBJECTIVE

To present an innovative approach that does not rely on intraoperative X-ray imaging for identifying thoracic target levels and critically appraise its value in reducing the risk of wrong-level surgery and radiation exposure.

METHODS

96 patients admitted for surgery of the thoracic spine were prospectively enrolled, undergoing a total of 99 marking wire placements. Preoperatively a flexible marking wire derived from breast cancer surgery was inserted with computed tomography (CT) guidance at the site of interest--the wire was then used as an intraoperative guidance tool.

RESULTS

Wire placement was considered successful in 96 cases (97%). Most common pathologies were tumors (62.5%) and degenerative disorders (16.7%). Effective doses from CT imaging were significantly higher for wire placements in the upper third of the thoracic spine compared to the lower two thirds (p = 0.015). Radiation exposure to operating room personnel could be reduced by more than 90% in all non-instrumented cases. No adverse reactions were observed, one patient (1.04%) underwent surgical revision due to an epifascial empyema. No wires had to be removed due to lack of patient compliance or infection.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a safe and practical approach to identify the level of interest in thoracic spinal surgery employing a marking wire. Its application merits consideration in any spinal case where X-ray localization could prove unsafe, particularly in cases lacking bony pathologies such as intradural tumors.