Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy Based on Pulse-Pressure Variation Compared with Standard Fluid Therapy in Patients Undergoing Complex Spine Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Methods@#Sixty adults (18–70 years) patients undergoing complex spine surgeries at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand were enrolled. Patients were allocated to two groups (30 patients in each) using computer-generated randomization. Intraoperative fluid and vasopressor were administrated via either GDT or standard care. The GDT algorithm used PPV and fluid protocol as the primary tool to guide hemodynamic management. The incidences and episodes of perioperative hypotension were measured as the outcomes. @*Results@#Fifty-seven patients were analyzed (three patients in the GDT group were excluded). The baseline characteristics and surgical procedures of the two groups did not differ significantly. The prevalence of intraoperative hypotension was 80.0% for the control group and 66.7% for the GDT group (p=0.25). Two episodes (1–3) of intraoperative hypotension occurred in the control group, and one episode (0–3) occurred in the GDT group; the difference was not significantly different (p=0.57). The intraoperative blood transfusion requirements and postoperative complications were similar in both the groups. In the subgroup analysis, patients with intraoperative hypotension exhibited a higher incidence of postoperative bowel dysfunction. @*Conclusions@#PPV-guided GDT and fluid protocol, as compared with standard practice, did not show significant advantages with respect to intraoperative hypotension, blood transfusion, or postoperative complications in patients undergoing complex spine surgery in the prone position.

The Role of Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Deposition in the Postoperative Outcome of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Patients

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association of surgical intervention with clinical and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with spinal calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition (SCPPD) versus that in those who underwent the surgery for LSS without SCPPD.OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP)-associated arthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. The clinical outcomes are well studied in CPP-associated arthritis of the appendicular joints. However, few studies have investigated SCPPD.METHODS: A single-institution database was reviewed. LSS patients were categorized as those who did and did not have SCPPD, based on histologic identification. Clinical presentations and postoperative results were analyzed. Disability and QoL were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey.RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled, with 18 patients being allocated to the SCPPD group and 16 being allocated to the non- SCPPD group. Preoperative and postoperative pain scores were not significantly different between the groups (p=0.33 and p=0.48, respectively). The average preoperative ODI score in the SCPPD group was slightly higher than that in the non-SCPPD group (57 vs. 51, p=0.33); however, the postoperative ODI score was significantly lower (15 vs. 43, p=0.01). The postoperative physical function, vitality, and mental health of the SCPPD patients were also significantly improved (p=0.03, p=0.022, and p=0.022, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention resulted in good clinical outcomes in SCPPD patients. As per our findings, total removal of CPPinvolved tissue is unnecessary. As such, surgery should be performed as indicated according to clinical presentation without considering the presence of CPPD.

The Role of the Pelvis in Sagittal Alignment of Lumbar Degenerative Disease Patients

STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. OBJECTIVES: To present updated information on the relationship of the pelvis and lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) patients and to emphasize the importance of the pelvis in sagittal alignment of LDD patients. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Although the relationship of the pelvis and sagittal alignment of LDD patients is controversial, many authors have reported a significant impact of the pelvis on LDD sagittal alignment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors identified references through a literature search on the pelvis and LDD and continuous monitoring of the literature during the past 30 years. RESULTS: The pelvis and lumbar levels were related to whole-body sagittal alignment. The pelvis is also closely related to sagittal alignment of LDD patients. Therefore, the entire area should be regarded as a lumbopelvic complex. CONCLUSIONS: We need to consider the concept of a lumbopelvic joint and lumbopelvic lordosis, not a lumbosacral joint and lumbar lordosis. We must also evaluate the lumbopelvic complex to assess whole-body sagittal alignment and dynamic balance.