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OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences and current situation of AO Spine Fellows in Latin America, as well as the concerns of junior spine surgeons in their first 3 years of practice. METHODS: A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to AO Spine Associate Fellows who completed their studies within the past 5 years. This survey aimed to gather information on their professional activities during the initial 3 years of practice following their fellowship. By comparing the responses and activities undertaken by surgeons on a country-by-country basis, it will be possible to describe and analyze the local and regional outcomes in Latin America. RESULTS: The countries with the highest participation in the AO Spine Fellowship program are currently Argentina (30.7%), Brazil, and Colombia (28.21%). Participants aged 36 to 45 are the age group with the highest engagement (30.7%). Among program participants, 75% are orthopedists. Other notable findings include that 95% of respondents have greater experience and feel more comfortable working in degenerative spine pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, junior fellows in the AO Spine program report a high level of comfort with the initiative. However, our study reveals valuable insights that can contribute to its improvement. It is worth noting that there is a clear preference for the standard posterior approach persists. Nevertheless, there is a growing interest among junior surgeons in endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques. This study serves as a gateway to essential data for future studies and the enhancement of the Fellowship education program in Latin America.
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Objective To analyze associations between anxiety and postsurgical clinical outcomes in patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery in addition to comparing symptoms of anxiety and depression before and after surgery. Methods This prospective cohort study of patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. Clinical outcomes were measured before and 6 months after surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Global Perceived Effect of Change (GPE), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Based on the presurgical anxiety score, patients were categorized into anxious and non-anxious patients, and the outcomes were compared. Results The patients of both groups obtained similar results concerning the clinical outcomes evaluated. Preoperative HADS scores decreased significantly 6 months after surgery in both anxiety (8.70 ± 3.48 vs. 5.75 ± 3.91) and depression (6.95 ± 3.54 vs. 5.50 ± 2.99). The VAS scale for the back (-2.8 ± 3.64) and legs (-5.5 ± 3.5) showed a reduction in pain. Conclusion Minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery promoted clinical and functional improvement, not being affected by preoperative anxiety symptoms. Mental health indicators showed a significant reduction in symptoms 6 months after surgery.
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Summary Objective To analyze associations between anxiety and postsurgical clinical outcomes in patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery in addition to comparing symptoms of anxiety and depression before and after surgery. Methods This prospective cohort study of patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. Clinical outcomes were measured before and 6 months after surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Global Perceived Effect of Change (GPE), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Based on the presurgical anxiety score, patients were categorized into anxious and non-anxious patients, and the outcomes were compared. Results The patients of both groups obtained similar results concerning the clinical outcomes evaluated. Preoperative HADS scores decreased significantly 6 months after surgery in both anxiety (8.70 ± 3.48 vs. 5.75 ± 3.91) and depression (6.95 ± 3.54 vs. 5.50 ± 2.99). The VAS scale for the back (-2.8 ± 3.64) and legs (-5.5 ± 3.5) showed a reduction in pain. Conclusion Minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery promoted clinical and functional improvement, not being affected by preoperative anxiety symptoms. Mental health indicators showed a significant reduction in symptoms 6 months after surgery.
Resumo Objetivo Analisar associações entre ansiedade e desfecho clínico pós-cirúrgico em pacientes que realizaram a cirurgia de descompressão lombar minimamente invasiva, além de comparar sintomas de ansiedade e depressão antes e após a cirurgia. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo de coorte prospectiva de pacientes que realizaram a cirurgia de descompressão lombar minimamente invasiva. Os desfechos clínicos foram mensurados antes e 6 meses após a cirurgia, utilizando a escala visual analógica de dor (EVA); Global Perceived Effect of Change (GPE); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) e o Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A partir do escore de ansiedade précirúrgico, os pacientes foram categorizados em pacientes ansiosos e não ansiosos e os desfechos comparados. Resultados Os pacientes de ambos os grupos obtiveram resultados similares em relação aos desfechos clínicos avaliados. Os escores HADS pré-operatório diminuíram significantemente 6 meses após a cirurgia, tanto em ansiedade (8,70 ± 3,48 vs. 5,75 ± 3,91) quanto em depressão (6,95 ± 3,54 vs. 5,50 ± 2,99). Houve redução da dornaescalaEVA dascostas(-2,8 ± 3,64) e das pernas (-5,5 ± 3,5). Conclusão A cirurgia de descompressão lombar minimamente invasiva promoveu melhora clínica e funcional, não sendo afetada por sintomas pré-operatórios de ansiedade. Os indicadores de saúde mental evidenciaram redução significativa dos sintomas 6 meses após a cirurgia.
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ABSTRACT Objective: There is still no consensus as to the treatment options for thoracolumbar burst fractures, although these fractures are widely described in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of percutaneous instrumentation without arthrodesis as a method of fixation of these lesions. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated 16 patients by measuring regional kyphosis using the Cobb method and the scores for quality of life and return to work (Oswestry Disability Index, VAS, SF-36 and Denis). Results: Six months after surgical treatment, 62.5% of all patients showed minimal disability according to the Oswestry Disability Index, maintenance of regional kyphosis correction and no synthesis failure. Conclusions: The clinical and radiological outcomes of the study suggest that minimally invasive fixation is indicated for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Level of evidence IV; Observational study: retrospective cohort.
RESUMO Objetivo: As fraturas toracolombares do tipo explosão, embora amplamente descritas na literatura, permanecem sem consenso quanto às modalidades de tratamento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os resultados clínicos e radiológicos da instrumentação percutânea sem artrodese como método de fixação dessas lesões. Métodos: O estudo transversal retrospectivo avaliou 16 pacientes por meio da aferição da cifose regional pelo método de Cobb e dos escores de qualidade de vida e retorno ao trabalho (Índice de Incapacidade de Oswestry, EVA, SF-36 e Denis). Resultados: Seis meses depois do tratamento cirúrgico, verificou-se 62,5% dos pacientes com incapacidade mínima segundo o Índice de Incapacidade Oswestry, manutenção da correção da cifose regional e ausência de falha da síntese. Conclusões: Os desfechos clínicos e radiológicos do estudo sugerem que a fixação minimamente invasiva é relevante para o tratamento das fraturas toracolombares do tipo explosão. Nível de evidência IV; Estudo observacional: coorte retrospectiva.
RESUMEN Objetivo: Las fracturas toracolumbares del tipo explosión, aunque están ampliamente descritas en la literatura, siguen sin tener consenso en cuanto a las modalidades de tratamiento.. El obetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los resultados clínicos y radiológicos de la instrumentación percutánea sin artrodesis como método de fijación de estas lesiones. Métodos: El estudio transversal retrospectivo evaluó a 16 pacientes, midiendo la cifosis regional mediante el método de Cobb y las puntuaciones de calidad de vida y reincorporación al trabajo (Índice de Discapacidad de Oswestry, VAS, SF-36 y Denis). Resultados: Seis meses después del tratamiento quirúrgico, el 62,5% de los pacientes presentaron discapacidad mínima según el Índice de Discapacidad de Oswestry, mantenimiento de corrección de cifosis regional y ausencia de fallo de síntesis. Conclusiones: Los resultados clínicos y radiológicos del estudio sugieren que la fijación mínimamente invasiva es pertinente para el tratamiento de fracturas toracolumbares del tipo explosión. Nivel de evidencia IV; Estudio observacional: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.