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Hou BQ, Croft AJ, Vaughan WE, Davidson C, Pennings JS, Bowers MF, Vickery JW, Abtahi AM, Gardocki RJ, Lugo-Pico JG, Zuckerman SL, Stephens BF. Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Laminoplasty Versus Laminectomy With Fusion in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2024; 49:694-700. [PMID: 38655789 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative differences in racial and socioeconomic factors in patients undergoing laminoplasty (LP) versus laminectomy and fusion (LF) for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA DCM is prevalent in the United States, requiring surgical intervention to prevent neurological degeneration. While LF is utilized more frequently, LP is an emerging alternative. Previous studies have demonstrated similar neurological outcomes for both procedures. However, treatment selection is primarily at the discretion of the surgeon and may be influenced by social determinants of health that impact surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Quality Outcome Database (QOD), a national spine registry, was queried for adult patients who underwent either LP or LF for the management of DCM. Covariates associated with socioeconomic status, pain and disability, and demographic and medical history were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess patient factors associated with undergoing LP versus LF. RESULTS Of 1673 DCM patients, 157 (9.4%) underwent LP and 1516 (90.6%) underwent LF. A significantly greater proportion of LP patients had private insurance (P<0.001), a greater than high school level education (P<0.001), were employed (P<0.001), and underwent primary surgery (P<0.001). LP patients reported significantly lower baseline neck/arm pain and Neck Disability Index (P<0.001). In the multivariate regression model, lower baseline neck pain [odds ratio (OR)=0.915, P=0.001], identifying as non-Caucasian (OR=2.082, P<0.032), being employed (OR=1.592, P=0.023), and having a greater than high school level education (OR=1.845, P<0.001) were associated with undergoing LP rather than LF. CONCLUSIONS In DCM patients undergoing surgery, factors associated with patients undergoing LP versus LF included lower baseline neck pain, non-Caucasian race, higher education, and employment. While symptomatology may influence the decision to choose LP over LF, there may also be socioeconomic factors at play. The trend of more educated and employed patients undergoing LP warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Q Hou
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Andrew J Croft
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Wilson E Vaughan
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Claudia Davidson
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jacquelyn S Pennings
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Mitchell F Bowers
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Justin W Vickery
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Amir M Abtahi
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Raymond J Gardocki
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Julian G Lugo-Pico
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Scott L Zuckerman
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Byron F Stephens
- Vanderbilt Spine Outcomes Lab, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Vickery JW, Varas EE, Abtahi AM. Crossing the Cervicothoracic Junction: A Review of the Current Literature. Clin Spine Surg 2022; 35:451-457. [PMID: 36447350 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is the site of transition in biomechanical, osseous, and alignment properties of the spine. The interface between the highly mobile, lordotic cervical spine and the rigid, kyphotic thoracic spine results increased the biomechanical stress experienced at this junction. The concentration of stress at this level has led to high rates of failure when instrumenting near or across the CTJ. The changes in osseous anatomy from the cervical spine to the thoracic spine present additional challenges in construct planning. For these reasons, a thorough understanding of the complexity of the cervicothoracic junction is necessary when operating near or across the CTJ. There are multiple options for cervical fixation, including lateral mass screws, pedicle screws, and laminar screws, each with its own advantages and risks. Instrumentation at C7 is controversial, and there is data supporting both its inclusion in constructs and no risk when this level is skipped. Thoracic pedicle screws are the preferred method of fixation in this region of the spine; however, the connection between cervical and thoracic screws can be challenging due to differences in alignment. Transitional rods and rod connectors mitigate some of the difficulties with this transition and have shown to be effective options. Recently, more investigation has looked into the failure of posterior cervical constructs which end at or near the CTJ. The trend in data has favored fixation to T1 or T2 rather than ending a construct at C7 due to the decreased rates of distal junction kyphosis. Although data on patient-reported outcomes with a length of constructs and the lowest instrumented vertebra is scarce, preliminary reports show no difference at this time. As posterior cervical instrumentation continues to increase in frequency, the CTJ will continue to be an area of difficulty in navigation and instrumentation. A thorough understanding of this region is necessary and continued research is needed to improve outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amir M Abtahi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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