Randomized, controlled trial of two tranexamic acid dosing protocols in adult spinal deformity surgery

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an anti-fibrinolytic effective in reducing blood loss in orthopedic surgery. The appropriate dosing protocol for adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two TXA protocols [low dose (L): 10 mg/kg bolus, 1 mg/kg/hr infusion; high dose (H): 50 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg/hr] in complex ASD surgery.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria were ASD reconstructions with minimum 10 fusion levels or planned 3-column osteotomy (3CO). Standard demographic and surgical data were collected. Intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) was calculated by suction canisters minus irrigation plus estimated blood lost in sponges, estimated to the nearest 50 mL. Serious adverse events (SAE) were defined a priori as: venothromboembolic event (VTE), cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, renal dysfunction, and seizure. All SAE were recorded. Simple t tests compared EBL between groups. Mean EBL by total blood volume (TBV), transfusion volume, complications related to TXA were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients were enrolled and 52 patients completed the study; 25 were randomized to H and 27 to L. Demographic and surgical variables were not different between the two groups. EBL was not different between groups (H: 1596 ± 933 cc, L: 2046 ± 1105 cc, p = 0.12, 95% CI: - 1022 to 122 cc). EBL as a percentage of TBV was lower for the high-dose group (H: 29.5 ± 14.8%, L: 42.5 ± 26.2%, p = 0.03). Intraoperative transfusion volume (H: 961 ± 505 cc, L: 1105 ± 808 cc, p = 0.5) and post-operative transfusion volume (H: 513 ± 305 cc, L: 524 ± 245 cc, p = 0.9) were not different. SAE related to TXA were not different (p = 0.7) and occurred in 2 (8%) H and 3 (11%) L. There was one seizure (H), 2 VTE, and 2 arrhythmias.

CONCLUSION

No differences in EBL, transfusion volume, nor SAE were observed between H and L dose TXA protocols. High dose was associated with decreased TBV loss (13%). Further prospective study, with pharmacologic analysis, is required to determine appropriate TXA dosage in ASD surgeries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level II.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02053363) February 3, 2014.

Gunshot Wounds to the Lumbosacral Spine: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES

Indications for surgical decompression of gunshot wounds to the lumbosacral spine are controversial and based on limited data.

METHODS

A systematic review of literature was conducted to identify studies that directly compare neurologic outcomes following operative and non-operative management of gunshot wounds to the lumbosacral spine. Studies were evaluated for degree of neurologic improvement, complications, and antibiotic usage. An odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated for dichotomous outcomes which were then pooled by random-effects model meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Five studies were included that met inclusion criteria. The total rate of neurologic improvement was 72.3% following surgical intervention and 61.7% following non-operative intervention. A random-effects model meta-analysis was carried out which failed to show a statistically significant difference in the rate of neurologic improvement between surgical and non-operative intervention (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.45, 2.53; P = 0.88). In civilian only studies, a random-effects model meta-analysis failed to show a statistically significant difference in the rate of neurologic improvement between surgical and non-operative intervention (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.21, 2.72; P = 0.66). Meta-analysis further failed to show a statistically significant difference in the rate of neurologic improvement between patients with either complete (OR 4.13; 95% CI 0.55, 30.80; P = 0.17) or incomplete (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.10, 1.52; P = 0.17) neurologic injuries who underwent surgical and non-operative intervention. There were no significant differences in the number of infections and other complications between patients who underwent surgical and non-operative intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of neurologic improvement between those who underwent surgical or non-operative intervention. Further research is necessary to determine if surgical intervention for gunshot wounds to the lumbosacral spine, including in the case of retained bullet within the spinal canal, is efficacious.

Comprehensive classification system for multirod constructs across three-column osteotomies: a reliability study

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the authors' goal was to determine the intra- and interobserver reliability of a new classification system that allows the description of all possible constructs used across three-column osteotomies (3COs) in terms of rod configuration and density.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with multirod constructs (MRCs) across a 3CO were classified by two spinal surgery fellows according to the new system, and then were reclassified 2 weeks later. Constructs were classified as follows: the number of rods across the osteotomy site followed by a letter corresponding to the type of rod configuration: "M" is for a main rod configuration, defined as a single rod spanning the osteotomy. "L" is for linked rod configurations, defined as 2 rods directly connected to each other at the osteotomy site. "S" is for satellite rod configurations, which were defined as a short rod independent of the main rod with anchors above and below the 3CO. "A" is for accessory rods, defined as an additional rod across the 3CO attached to main rods but not attached to any anchors across the osteotomy site. "I" is for intercalary rod configurations, defined as a rod connecting 2 separate constructs across the 3CO, without the intercalary rod itself attached to any anchors across the osteotomy site. The intra- and interobserver reliability of this classification system was determined.

RESULTS

A sample estimation for validation assuming two readers and 35 subjects results in a two-sided 95% confidence interval with a width of 0.19 and a kappa value of 0.8 (SD 0.3). The Fleiss kappa coefficient (κ) was used to calculate the degree of agreement between interrater and intraobserver reliability. The interrater kappa coefficient was 0.3, and the intrarater kappa coefficient was 0.63 (good reliability). This scenario represents a high degree of agreement despite a low kappa coefficient. Correct observations by both observers were 34 of 35 and 33 of 35 at both time points. Misclassification was related to difficulty in determining connectors versus anchors.

CONCLUSIONS

MRCs across 3COs have variable rod configurations. Currently, no classification system or agreement on nomenclature exists to define the configuration of rods across 3COs. The authors present a new, comprehensive MRC classification system with good inter- and intraobserver reliability and a high degree of agreement that allows for a standardized description of MRCs across 3COs.

Preoperative patient expectations and pain improvement after adult spinal deformity surgery

OBJECTIVE

Patients' expectations for pain relief are associated with patient-reported outcomes after treatment, although this has not been examined in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). The aim of this study was to identify associations between patients' preoperative expectations for pain relief after ASD surgery and patient-reported pain at the 2-year follow-up.

METHODS

The authors analyzed surgically treated ASD patients at a single institution who completed a survey question about expectations for back pain relief. Five ordinal answer choices to "I expect my back pain to improve" were used to categorize patients as having low or high expectations. Back pain was measured using the 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS) and Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) patient survey. Preoperative and postoperative pain were compared using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

Of 140 ASD patients eligible for 2-year follow-up, 105 patients (77 women) had pre- and postoperative data on patient expectations, 85 of whom had high expectations. The mean patient age was 59 ± 12 years, and 46 patients (44%) had undergone previous spine surgery. The high-expectations and low-expectations groups had similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05), except for lower SRS-22r mental health scores in those with low expectations. After controlling for baseline characteristics and mental health, the mean postoperative NRS score was significantly better (lower) in the high-expectations group (3.5 ± 3.5) than in the low-expectations group (5.4 ± 3.7) (p = 0.049). The mean postoperative SRS-22r pain score was significantly better (higher) in the high-expectations group (3.3 ± 1.1) than in the low-expectations group (2.6 ± 0.94) (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite similar baseline characteristics, patients with high preoperative expectations for back pain relief reported less pain 2 years after ASD surgery than patients with low preoperative expectations.

The Times, They Are A-Changing: Women Entering Academic Orthopedics Today Are Choosing Nonpediatric Fellowships at a Growing Rate

OBJECTIVE

Pediatrics and hand surgery have historically been the orthopaedic subspecialties with the highest female representations. We sought to identify the gender distribution of orthopedic surgical faculty by subspecialty, geography, and educational background. We hypothesized that the proportion of women entering pediatric orthopaedics has decreased since 1980.

DESIGN

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education was used to generate a list of U.S. orthopedic residencies. Program websites were used to collect data regarding each faculty member's gender, residencies, fellowships, and graduation year. t tests were used to compare quantitative data and Fisher's exact tests to compare categorical data. Significance was defined as p < 0.05.

SETTING

Publicly available data from official websites of U.S. orthopedic residencies.

PARTICIPANTS

Of 153 residencies, 142 (93%) had accessible faculty lists.

RESULTS

Of 3596 orthopedic surgeons, 7.9% were women. Among fellowship-trained faculty, 22% of pediatric orthopedists were women compared with 7.6% of faculty in other orthopedic subspecialties (p < 0.00001). There was a significantly higher percentage of female faculty in the West (13%) than in any other U.S. census region (p < 0.001 vs. Midwest, vs. South, and vs. Northeast). A strong correlation with time was found in number of women completing fellowships other than hand or pediatrics from 1980 to 2014 (R² = 0.95); a strong inverse correlation with time was found for pediatrics as a percentage of fellowships completed by women during the same period (R² = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Although pediatrics remains the most popular fellowship for female orthopedists, women who enter academic orthopedics are increasingly choosing nonpediatric subspecialties.

Minimally Invasive Fixation for Spinopelvic Dissociation: Percutaneous Triangular Osteosynthesis with S2 Alar-Iliac and Iliosacral Screws: A Case Report

CASE

Traumatic U- and H-type sacral fractures are often unstable, causing spinopelvic dissociation. We describe a minimally invasive approach that allows percutaneous spinopelvic fixation of unstable H-type sacral fractures using a triangular osteosynthesis construct with S2 alar-iliac screws. We present the case of a patient with traumatic lumbopelvic dissociation who underwent percutaneous S2 alar-iliac and iliosacral screw fixation.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined percutaneous S2 alar-iliac and iliosacral screw fixation is a safe option for spinopelvic fixation and avoids the soft-tissue compromise of open approaches. The triangular osteosynthesis construct provides adequate pelvic anchor points to allow immediate weight-bearing.

The learning curve for performing three-column osteotomies in adult spinal deformity patients: one surgeon's experience with 197 cases

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Three-column osteotomy (3CO) is used to correct rigid adult spinal deformity. It presents risk of complications because it involves extensive osseous resection and spinal destabilization.

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to characterize the learning curve for performing 3CO in adult spinal deformity patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A surgical registry at a tertiary care center was used to identify 238 cases of 3CO for correction of adult spinal deformity by 1 surgeon between 2005 and 2014. Patients with at least 1 year of clinical and radiographic follow-up were included (n=197; mean duration of follow-up, 43 months; range, 12-121).

OUTCOME MEASURES

We quantified associations between surgeon experience and (1) estimated blood loss per vertebral level fused (EBL/VLF), (2) incidence of new neurologic deficits, (3) incidence of reoperation for instrumentation failure, (4) operative time in minutes, and (5) magnitude of correction at the level of the osteotomy.

METHODS

The learning curve for binary outcomes was demonstrated using a LOWESS smoother plot of the probability of occurrence. Change in risk was calculated using a generalized linear model with link identity and binomial family. The learning curve for continuous variables was demonstrated using a scatter plot and a line of best fit based on linear regression analysis. Alpha=0.05.

RESULTS

EBL/VLF decreased by a mean of 19.7 mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.3-28.1) with each 10 cases (decrease of 388 mL/level fused by the end of the study period). The risk of a neurologic deficit declined by 7.98% (95% CI: 7.98%, 7.99%) with every 100 cases. The risk of reoperation declined by 1.99% (95% CI: 0.83%, 3.17%) with every 10 cases until the 100th case. After that point, there was no significant change in the probability of reoperation (p>.05). The magnitude of correction and operative time did not change with increasing surgeon experience (p>.05).

CONCLUSION

Incidence of reoperation for instrumentation failure, incidence of new neurologic deficits, and estimated blood loss improved with increasing surgeon experience at performing 3CO. Most outcomes, except the risk of reoperation, improved through the last case.

Difficulties in Treating Postirradiation Kyphosis in Adults: A Series of Five Cases

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical case series.

OBJECTIVE

To assess objective outcomes of surgical correction of post-external beam radiation therapy (ERBT) kyphosis in a series of five adults.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

EBRT is a well-established treatment for many cancers in children and adults. One complication associated with EBRT is postirradiation spine deformity. Scoliosis is the most common deformity, but kyphosis also occurs frequently. Differences in deformity patterns are likely related to the location and intensity of radiation. To our knowledge, no studies have addressed treatment of these deformities in adults, and the most recent case series (of children) was published in 2005.

METHODS

We present a series of five adults who underwent surgery for postirradiation kyphosis, with a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (range, 2.5-6.2 years).

RESULTS

Surgery improved the kyphotic deformity in all patients. Overall mean kyphotic deformity correction was 56° and was larger for cervical/cervicothoracic deformities (mean, 76°) than for lumbar deformities (mean, 42°) at midterm follow-up. Patients reported significant improvements in pain and self-image. Consistent with prior case series of children, we observed a high rate of complications (mean, 1.4 complications per patient) in adults. Three patients each underwent an unplanned surgical procedure because of a complication.

CONCLUSION

The surgical treatment of postirradiation kyphotic spinal deformity is challenging, with common postoperative complications such as infection, instrumentation failure, and pseudarthrosis. However, with modern surgical techniques and spinal instrumentation, excellent deformity correction can be achieved and maintained. We recommend performing a two-stage procedure for cervicothoracic deformity, with anterior release followed by posterior fusion and instrumentation. In thoracolumbar deformities, correction can be achieved through single-stage posterior fusion. Rigid spinopelvic fixation with sacral-alar-iliac screws and second-stage anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1 is recommended to reduce nonunion risk. Cement augmentation of proximal and distal anchors can help prevent junctional failure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Sacropelvic Fixation: A Comprehensive Review

Sacropelvic fixation is indicated in various clinical settings, most notably long spinal arthrodesis, reduction of high-grade spondylolisthesis, and complex sacral fractures. The sacropelvis is characterized by complex regional anatomy and poor bone quality. These factors make achieving solid fusion across the lumbosacral junction challenging. However, a better understanding of spinal biomechanics at that level has led to much higher fusion rates than those of the past. The newer fixation techniques are biomechanically superior to previous methods mainly because they achieve bony purchase anterior to the pivot point-first described by McCord et al. in 1994. Today, the two most widely used fixation techniques are iliac screws and S2-alar-iliac screws. Although these techniques are associated with very high rates of fusion, instrumentation-related pain and reoperation remain problematic. This review provides an overview of the regional anatomy and biomechanics at the lumbosacral junction, as well as a summary of fixation techniques with an emphasis on the most widely used techniques today. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Postoperative changes in neurological function after 3-column osteotomy: risk factor analysis of 199 patients

OBJECTIVE

The authors evaluated the neurological outcomes of adult spinal deformity patients after 3-column osteotomy (3CO), including severity and long-term improvement of neurological complications, as well as risk factors for neurological deficit at 1 year postoperatively. Although 3CO is effective for correcting rigid spinal deformity, it is associated with a high complication rate. Neurological deficits, in particular, cause disability and dissatisfaction.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively queried a prospective database of adult spinal deformity patients who underwent vertebral column resection or pedicle subtraction osteotomy between 2004 and 2014 by one surgeon at a tertiary care center. The authors included 199 adults with at least 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome measure was change in lower-extremity motor scores (LEMSs), which were obtained preoperatively, within 2 weeks postoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. To identify risk factors for persistent neurological deficit, the authors compared patient and surgical characteristics with a declined LEMS at 12-month follow-up (n = 10) versus those with an improved/maintained LEMS at 12-month follow-up (n = 189).

RESULTS

At the first postoperative assessment, the LEMS had improved in 15% and declined in 10% of patients compared with preoperative scores. At the 6-month follow-up, 6% of patients continued to have a decline in LEMS, and 16% had improvement. At 12 months, LEMS had improved in 17% and declined in 5% of patients compared with preoperative scores. The only factor significantly associated with a decline in 12-month LEMS was high-grade spondylolisthesis as an indication for surgery (OR 13, 95% CI 3.2-56).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the LEMS declined in 10% of patients immediately after 3CO, at 12 months postoperatively, only 5% of patients had neurological motor deficits. A surgical indication of high-grade spondylolisthesis was the only factor associated with neurological deficit at 12 months postoperatively.

US regional variations in rates, outcomes, and costs of spinal arthrodesis for lumbar spinal stenosis in working adults aged 40–65 years

OBJECTIVE

It is important to identify differences in the treatment of common diseases over time and across geographic regions. Several studies have reported increased use of arthrodesis to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The purpose of this study was to investigate geographic variations in the treatment of LSS by US region.

METHODS

The authors reviewed inpatient and outpatient medical claims from 2010 to 2014 using the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database (Truven Health Analytics), which includes data on commercially insured members younger than 65 years. ICD-9 code 724.02 was used to identify patients aged ≥ 40 and < 65 years who underwent surgery for “spinal stenosis of the lumbar region” and for whom LSS was the only principal diagnosis. The primary outcome was the performance of spinal arthrodesis as part of the procedure. Geographic regions were based on patient residence and defined according to the US Census Bureau as the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.

RESULTS

Rates of arthrodesis, as opposed to decompression alone, varied significantly by region, from 48% in the South, to 42% in the Midwest, 36% in the Northeast, and 31% in the West. After controlling for patient age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index values, the differences remained significant. Compared with patients in the Northeast, those in the South (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.50–1.75) and Midwest (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.18–1.41) were significantly more likely to undergo spinal arthrodesis. On multivariate analysis, patients in the West were significantly less likely to have a prolonged hospital stay (> 3 days) than those in the Northeast (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.94). Compared with the rate in the Northeast, the rates of discharge to a skilled nursing facility were lower in the South (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.31–0.55) and West (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53–0.98). The 30-day readmission rate was significantly lower in the West (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.65–0.98) than in the Northeast and similar between the other regions. Mean payments were significantly higher in the Midwest (mean difference $5503, 95% CI $4279–$6762), South (mean difference $6187, 95% CI $5041–$7332), and West (mean difference $7732, 95% CI $6384–$9080) than in the Northeast.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of spinal arthrodesis, as well as surgical outcomes and payments for the treatment of LSS, varies significantly by US region. This highlights the importance of developing national recommendations for the treatment of LSS.

Trends in isolated lumbar spinal stenosis surgery among working US adults aged 40-64 years, 2010-2014

OBJECTIVE Recommendations for the surgical treatment of isolated lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (i.e., in the absence of concomitant scoliosis or spondylolisthesis) are unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate trends in the surgical treatment of isolated LSS in US adults and determine implications for outcomes. METHODS The authors analyzed inpatient and outpatient claims from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database for 20,279 patients aged 40-64 years who underwent surgery for LSS between 2010 and 2014. Only patients with continuous 12-month insurance coverage after surgery were included. The rates of decompression with arthrodesis versus decompression only and of simple (1- or 2-level, single-approach) versus complex (> 2-level or combined-approach) arthrodesis were analyzed by year and geographic region. These trends were further analyzed with respect to complications, length of hospital stay, payments made to the hospital, and patient discharge status. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS The proportion of patients who underwent decompression with arthrodesis compared with decompression only increased significantly and linearly from 2010 to 2014 (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06-1.10). Arthrodesis was more likely to be complex rather than simple with each subsequent year (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.33-1.49). This trend was accompanied by an increased likelihood of postoperative complications (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02-1.21), higher costs (payments increased by a mean of US$1633 per year; 95% CI 1327-1939), and greater likelihood of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility as opposed to home (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.03-1.20). The South and Midwest regions of the US had the highest proportions of patients undergoing arthrodesis (48% and 42%, respectively). The mean length of hospital stay did not change significantly (p = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS From 2010 to 2014, the proportion of adults undergoing decompression with arthrodesis versus decompression only for the treatment of LSS increased, especially in the South and Midwest regions of the US. A greater proportion of these fusions were complex and were associated with more complications, higher costs, and a greater likelihood of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility.

Use of the S3 Corridor for Iliosacral Fixation in a Dysmorphic Sacrum: A Case Report

CASE

The S1 and S2 corridors are the typical osseous pathways for iliosacral screw fixation of posterior pelvic ring fractures. In dysmorphic sacra, the S1 screw trajectory is often different from that in normal sacra. We present a case of iliosacral screw placement in the third sacral segment for fixation of a complex lateral compression type-3 pelvic fracture in a patient with a dysmorphic sacrum.

CONCLUSION

In patients with dysmorphic sacra and unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures or dislocations, the S3 corridor may be a feasible osseous fixation pathway that can be used in a manner equivalent to the S2 corridor in a normal sacrum.

Post-Discharge Care Duration, Charges, and Outcomes Among Medicare Patients After Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

In April 2016, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiated mandatory 90-day bundled payments for total hip and knee arthroplasty for much of the country. Our goal was to determine duration of care, 90-day charges, and readmission rates by discharge disposition and U.S. region after hip or knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

Using the 2008 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review database 100% sample, we identified patients who had undergone elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. We collected data on patient age, sex, comorbidities, U.S. Census region, discharge disposition, duration of care, 90-day charges, and readmission. Multivariate regression was used to assess factors associated with readmission (logistic) and charges (linear). Significance was set at p < 0.01.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing 138,842 total hip arthroplasties were discharged to home (18%), home health care (34%), extended-care facilities (35%), and inpatient rehabilitation (13%); patients undergoing 329,233 total knee arthroplasties were discharged to home (21%), home health care (38%), extended-care facilities (31%), and inpatient rehabilitation (10%). Patients in the Northeast were more likely to be discharged to extended-care facilities or inpatient rehabilitation than patients in other regions. Patients in the West had the highest 90-day charges. Approximately 70% of patients were discharged home from extended-care facilities, whereas after inpatient rehabilitation, >50% of patients received home health care. Among those discharged to home, 90-day readmission rates were highest in the South (9.6%) for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and in the Midwest (8.7%) and the South (8.5%) for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Having ≥4 comorbidities, followed by discharge to inpatient rehabilitation or an extended-care facility, had the strongest associations with readmission, whereas the region of the West and the discharge disposition to inpatient rehabilitation had the strongest association with higher charges.

CONCLUSIONS

Among Medicare patients, discharge disposition and number of comorbidities were most strongly associated with readmission. Inpatient rehabilitation and the West region had the strongest associations with higher charges.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Total En Bloc Spondylectomy for Primary and Metastatic Spine Tumors

This study reports the surgical and clinical outcomes of spinal tumors managed with total en bloc spondylectomy. The authors searched their prospectively maintained database for patients undergoing total en bloc spondylectomy between 2001 and 2013. Ten patients (9 men, 1 woman; average age, 50.7 years; range, 42-68 years) were identified. The authors obtained demographic information, surgical outcomes (estimated blood loss, complications), and clinical outcomes (recurrence, survival). All patients had pain and were classified as American Spinal Injury Association grade E. The lesions were located in the thoracic (8 patients) and lumbar (2 patients) spine. Anterior column reconstruction was performed with strut allograft (7 patients), mesh cage (2 patients), and polymethyl methacrylate (1 patient). An average of 2.3 (range, 2-4) of 6 portions of the vertebrae were involved, according to the Kostuik classification. Mean estimated blood loss, operative time, and hospital stay were 3.5 L, 500 minutes, and 7.8 days, respectively. Perioperative complications included pleural tear (2 patients) and aortic tear, vena cava tear, retained sponge, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, pneumothorax, anterior column support failure, and prominent instrumentation requiring removal (1 patient each). Postoperatively, all patients remained classified as American Spinal Injury Association grade E. Two patients had recurrence at distant spinal segments, and 1 had a new lesion in the thigh. Five patients had died (mean, 34.5 months after surgery), and 5 were alive a mean of 19.6 months after surgery (range, 6-48 months). Total en bloc spondylectomy is challenging, but in appropriately selected patients, it can be used to treat primary and metastatic spinal lesions.

Retrieval of broken iliosacral screws: the power of a push screw

Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation is a common technique that is widely used for unstable posterior pelvic ring disruptions. Complications of posterior percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation include implant malpositioning and hardware failure. Removal of iliosacral screws in broken or symptomatic hardware is sometimes necessary. To our knowledge, there are few reports addressing pelvic implant removal, and most of those report on anterior pelvic implants and symphyseal plates. There are no reports describing techniques for retrieval of broken iliosacral screws. We present two cases involving removal of broken sacroiliac screws, review the literature regarding iliosacral implant extraction, and identify important aspects of safe extraction of iliosacral screws and the potential complications associated with their retrieval. We further describe a novel and powerful technique to facilitate percutaneous removal of broken screw fragments, using a "push screw" to drive a broken screw fragment from a position buried in bone.

Surgical outcomes of long spinal fusions for scoliosis in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECT

In this study, the authors compared outcomes and complications in patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who underwent surgery for spinal deformity.

METHODS

The authors searched the Johns Hopkins University database for patients with RA (Group RA) and without RA (Group NoRA) who underwent long spinal fusion for scoliosis by 3 surgeons at 1 institution from 2000 through 2012. Groups RA and NoRA each had 14 patients who were well matched with regard to sex (13 women/1 man and 12 women/2 men, respectively), age (mean 66.3 years [range 40.5–81.9 years] and 67.6 years [range 51–81 years]), follow-up duration (mean 35.4 months [range 1–87 months] and 44 months [range 24–51 months]), and number of primary (8 and 8) and revision (6 and 6) surgeries. Surgical outcomes, invasiveness scores, and complications were compared between the groups using the nonpaired Student t-test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

For Groups RA and NoRA, there were no significant differences in the average number of levels fused (10.6 [range 9–17] vs 10.3 [range 7–17], respectively; p = 0.4), the average estimated blood loss (2892 ml [range 1300–5000 ml] vs 3100 ml [range 1700–5200 ml]; p = 0.73), or the average invasiveness score (35.5 [range 21–51] vs 34.5 [range 23–58]; p = 0.8). However, in Group RA, the number of major complications was significantly higher (23 vs 11; p < 0.001), the number of secondary procedures was significantly higher (14 vs 6; p < 0.001), and the number of minor complications was significantly lower (4 vs 12; p < 0.001) than those in Group NoRA.

CONCLUSIONS

Long spinal fusion in patients with RA is associated with higher rates of major complications and secondary procedures than in patients without RA.

Percutaneous S2 alar iliac fixation for pelvic insufficiency fracture

Pelvic insufficiency fractures are fairly common in elderly patients and can be a source of major functional impairment, particularly when they involve the ilium. Early rehabilitation with adequate pain relief has been the traditional method of treatment. The recently developed S2 alar iliac technique involves placing pelvic fixation into the ilium through a pathway from the sacral ala. The bony channel between the second dorsal sacral foramen and the anterior inferior iliac spine is used to provide rigid sacropelvic fixation for adult and pediatric spine deformities. The authors describe a new minimally invasive approach that allows percutaneous stabilization of an iliac fracture with 2 S2 alar iliac screws. A 65-year-old woman with a history of rectal carcinoma that was treated with pelvic radiation had an iliac stress fracture that progressed to nonunion. Extensive nonoperative treatment was unsuccessful, and the patient continued to have symptoms 5 years after the initial diagnosis. An open approach vs a minimally invasive technique was debated. The S2 alar iliac screws were used to stabilize the fracture through a minimally invasive approach. Most of the symptoms resolved in 2 months, with radiographic evidence of union at 6 months. To the authors' knowledge, this report is the first to describe a percutaneous approach for stabilizing iliac insufficiency fractures. This technique provides a safe surgical option for treating iliac stress fractures in some patients for whom nonoperative treatment fails while avoiding the complications and soft tissue compromise associated with open procedures. Longer follow-up and a larger series are needed to show the safety and efficacy of this technique.

The timing of surgical staging has a significant impact on the complications and functional outcomes of adult spinal deformity surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

To our knowledge, the effect of the staging regimen on the surgical outcome in patients undergoing combined anterior/posterior surgery for the treatment of spinal deformity has not been previously studied.

PURPOSE

To compare outcomes of anterior/posterior surgery for adult spinal deformity staged less than 21 days apart versus those 21 or more days apart.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective comparison study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Patients aged 40 years or older who underwent combined anterior/posterior fusions for spinal deformities.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported measures, physiological measures, and functional measures.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data for 63 consecutive patients (50 females and 13 males) older than 40 years who underwent combined anterior/posterior fusions for spinal deformities and who had a minimum of 2-year follow-up. We divided them into those who had surgery staged less than 21 days apart (Group 1, N=29) and those who had surgery staged 21 or more days apart (Group 2, N=34). The groups were not statistically different in age; preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists, Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) patient questionnaire, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores; number of previous surgeries; number of levels fused; or total operative time. Hotelling t square test and the chi-squared test were used to compare clinical and radiographic parameters, complications, and functional outcomes between groups (significance, p<.05).

RESULTS

Compared with Group 1 patients, Group 2 (staged) patients had a lower total estimated blood loss (average, 4.5 L [range, 1.90-8.75 L] vs. 4 L [range, 1.8-10.1 L], respectively), fewer combined hospital days (average, 14 days [range, 7-70 days] vs. 12 days [range, 6-44 days], respectively), and fewer major complications (total, 10 [35%] vs. 6 [18%], respectively). Preoperative SRS-22 and ODI scores were significantly better in Group 2 than in Group 1 at 6 weeks (p<.001) and at final follow-up (p<.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

For patients who require both anterior and posterior surgery for spinal deformity correction, staging the two procedures 21 or more days apart decreases total perioperative transfusion requirements although significantly improving functional outcomes.

Clinical Results and Functional Outcomes in Adult Patients After Revision Surgery for Spinal Deformity Correction: Patients Younger than 65 Years Versus 65 Years and Older

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective comparison.

OBJECTIVE

To compare complications and radiographic and functional outcomes of patients undergoing revision spinal deformity surgery, who were 40-64 years of age and 65 years of age or older.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The effect of age on radiographic and functional outcomes has not been well established in the literature for patients undergoing revision adult deformity surgery. The hypothesis was that the complications and radiographic and functional outcomes of younger and older adult patients would be comparable.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data on 109 consecutive patients (84 women and 25 men) undergoing revision spinal deformity surgery who were 40 years of age or older. All surgeries were performed at 1 institution by the senior author. Patients were divided into groups based on age: younger than 65 years of age (70 patients) or 65 years of age or older (39 patients), and complications and radiographic and functional outcomes were compared. All patients had at least 2 years' clinical follow-up. Hotelling's t² test and the χ² test were used to compare differences; statistical significance was set at p < .05.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in major complications (p = .62), minor complications (p = .34), or reoperation rate (p = .08). Major correction was achieved in the coronal and sagittal planes in both groups after surgery. By final follow-up, patients in both groups had significant improvements from baseline in Oswestry disability index (p < .05) and in all Scoliosis Research Society-22 domains (p < .001); there was no significant difference in any domain score between groups (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Older adult patients undergoing revision deformity correction surgery achieved functional outcome benefits comparable to those in younger adults without significantly more complications. Surgeons should be aware of these factors when counseling patients regarding revision surgery for deformity correction.

Clinical results and functional outcomes of primary and revision spinal deformity surgery in adults

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the postsurgical functional outcomes of adults with spinal deformities, and even fewer have focused on the functional results and complications among older adults who have undergone primary or revision surgery for spinal deformity. Our goal was to compare patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, duration of hospitalization, radiographic results, complications, and functional outcomes between adults forty years of age or older who had undergone primary surgery for spinal deformity and those who had undergone revision surgery for spinal deformity.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 167 consecutive patients forty years of age or older who had undergone surgery for spinal deformity performed by the senior author (K.M.K.) from January 2005 through June 2009 and who were followed for a minimum of two years. We divided the patients into two groups: primary surgery (fifty-nine patients) and revision surgery (108 patients). We compared the patient characteristics (number of levels arthrodesed, type of procedure, estimated blood loss, and total operative time), duration of hospitalization, radiographic results (preoperative, six-week postoperative, and most recent follow-up Cobb angle measurements for thoracic and lumbar curves, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis), major and minor complications, and functional outcome scores (Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index).

RESULTS

The groups were comparable with regard to most parameters. However, the revision group had more patients with sagittal plane imbalance and more frequently required pedicle subtraction osteotomies (p &lt; 0.01). Patients in the primary group required more correction in the coronal plane than did patients in the revision group, whereas patients in the revision group required more correction in the sagittal plane. We found no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of major complications or in the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire functional outcome scores. There were significant improvements in many functional outcome scores in both groups between the preoperative and early (six-week) postoperative periods and between the early postoperative period and the time of final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Revision surgery for spinal deformity in adults, although technically challenging and considered to present a higher risk than primary surgery, was shown to have a complication rate and outcomes that were comparable with those of primary spinal deformity surgery in adults.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Type of Anchor at the Proximal Fusion Level Has a Significant Effect on the Incidence of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Outcome in Adults After Long Posterior Spinal Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and the clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes in adults undergoing long posterior spinal fusion with transverse process hooks versus pedicle screws at the uppermost instrumented vertebrae.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Proximal junctional kyphosis often occurs after instrumented long spinal fusion. Although there have been numerous studies of PJK development in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, few studies have focused on adults.

METHODS

This study reviewed data on 47 consecutive adult patients who underwent long spinal fusion (five or more levels) with hooks or screws at the uppermost instrumented vertebrae, from 2004 through 2009, and had 2-year radiographic and clinical follow-up. The hook group (20 patients) and screw group (27 patients) were similar in terms of age, gender, and levels fused. Proximal junctional kyphosis was defined as a sagittal Cobb angle of at least 10° between the lower end plate of the uppermost instrumented vertebrae and the upper end plate of the 2 immediately superior vertebrae, and at least 10° of progression from the previous measurement. The groups' radiographs, complications, and functional outcomes (Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index) were compared using Hotelling's t² test (significance, p < .05).

RESULTS

Comparing immediate postoperative and final follow-ups, none of the 20 patients in the hook group versus 8 of 27 patients in the screw group (29.6%) developed PJK (p = .01). There were no statistical differences between groups in major or minor complications rates. At final follow-up, patients with hooks had significantly higher functional scores than those with screws (p < .05), and patients with PJK had significantly lower functional scores in all Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire domains except satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Transverse process hooks were associated with a lower incidence of PJK and higher functional scores than pedicle screws.

Tibiofibular bone-bridging osteoplasty in transtibial amputation: case report and description of technique

Transtibial amputation osteoplasty procedures were originally designed as a technique for achieving a functional end-bearing limb in the post-World War I era; the Ertl procedure is now often used as a reconstructive procedure for failed primary amputations. Modifications of the original periosteal sleeve-covering technique include the tibiofibular bone-bridging osteoplasty. The theoretical advantages to this procedure are highly debated among trauma surgeons. For the patient with a lower extremity injury that necessitates a transtibial amputation, there are many psychologic and physiologic factors to consider, and a persistently painful residual limb postamputation may be mentally and physically disabling. Although the advantages of these techniques may be unproven, they are fairly simple and add little additional operative time to the primary transtibial amputation. A surgeon who performs transtibial amputations should at least be aware of the osteoplasty techniques and how to perform them. The decision to use these techniques may then be made by the surgeon on a case-by-case basis, given the individual demands of the patient. This article presents a case report and outlines the use of the fibular bone-bridging osteoplasty technique in transtibial amputations.