Virtual Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowship Interviews During the Pandemic: What Did the Applicants and Programs Think?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic precluded in-person interviews for the 2020-2021 fellowship application cycle and may impact future interview cycles. No information is available detailing the implications of a virtual format on either the interviewee or the fellowship program. METHODS: Two surveys regarding the 2020-2021 virtual interview season were developed and distributed by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Fellowship Training and Practice Qualifications Committee: one survey for fellowship applicants and one survey for fellowship program directors. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 45 pediatric orthopaedic fellowship applicants and 34 fellowship program directors. Nineteen (42.2%) applicants applied to more programs because of the virtual format and 30 (66.7%) applicants accepted more interviews because of the virtual format. Thirty-one (67%) applicants did not feel the virtual interview format negatively affected their match process. Thirty-eight (84.4%) applicants indicated that they saved >$2000 with the virtual format. Approximately half (22/45, 48.5%) of the applicants would keep the fellowship-interview process virtual-even if in-person interviews were possible-whereas 8 (17.8%) applicants would transition back toward in-person interviews.Most program directors utilized online interviews for the first time (n=28, 82.3%) during the 2020-2021 application cycle. Programs interviewed more applicants for the 2020-2021 cycle than in the prior 5 years (19.3 vs. 15.7 applicants, P <0.01), with programs interviewing 10.1 applicants per fellowship position. The majority (n=22, 64.7%) of programs utilized Zoom for the interview platform. Program directors indicated that the applicants were either more accomplished (n=14, 41.2%) or similar in accomplishment (n=20, 58.8%) when compared with the applicants from prior years. Half of the program directors (n=17, 50%) surveyed would utilize virtual interviews next year, even if in-person interviews are possible. CONCLUSIONS: During the 2020-2021 fellowship application process, interviewees applied to and were interviewed at more programs because of the virtual format, while saving >$2000. In a similar manner, fellowship programs were able to interview a greater number of applicants without adversely impacting the applicant quality. Approximately half of the interviewees and program directors would continue to perform virtual interviews, even if in-person interviews are possible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Use of a Standardized Perioperative Care Path for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Leads to Decreased Complications and Readmissions.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients ages 10-18 who underwent posterior fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at a single institution from 2014 to 2019. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate a standardized Care Path to determine its effects on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing spinal fusion for AIS. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: AIS is the most common pediatric spinal deformity and thousands of posterior fusions are performed annually. Surgery presents several postoperative challenges, such as pain control, delayed mobilization, and opioid-related morbidity. Optimizing perioperative care of AIS is a high priority to reduce morbidity and improving health care efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 336 patients ages 10-18 were included in this study; 117 in the pre-Care Path cohort (2014-2015) and 219 in the post-Care Path cohort (2016-2019). Data compared included intraoperative details, length of stay, timing of mobilization, inpatient complications, emergency room (ER) visits, readmissions after discharge, postoperative complications, and reoperations. RESULTS: The post-Care Path cohort had improved mobilization on postoperative day 0 (pre 16.7%, post 53.3%, P<0.00001), reduced length of stay (pre 4.14 days, post 3.36 days, P=0.00006), fewer total inpatient complications (pre 17.1%, post 8.1%, P=0.0469), and fewer instances of postoperative ileus (pre 8.5%, post 1.9%, P=0.0102). Within 60 days of surgery, the post-Care Path cohort had fewer ER visits (pre 12.8%, post 7.2%, P=0.0413), decreased postoperative infections (pre 5.1%, post 0.48%, P=0.00547), decreased readmissions (pre 6.0%, post 0.48%, P=0.0021), and decreased reoperations (pre 5.1%, post 0.96%, P=0.0195). There was a decrease in inpatient oral morphine equivalents in the Care Path cohort (pre 118.7, post 84.7, P=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Our Care Path for AIS patients demonstrated significant improvements in postoperative mobilization and decreases in length of stay, complications, infections, ER visits, readmissions, and reoperations.

Effect of Baseline Mental Health on 1-Year Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Patient factors, including mental health, sex, and smoking, have been found to be more predictive of preoperative hip pain and function than intra-articular findings during hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI); however, little is known about how these factors may influence patients' postoperative outcomes. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that lower patient-reported mental health scores would be significant risk factors for worse patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 1 year after arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI and that baseline intra-articular pathology would fail to demonstrate an association with outcomes 1 year after FAI surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were electronically enrolled. Baseline and 1-year follow-up PROs were collected, including Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for pain (HOOS-Pain), HOOS-Physical Function Short Form (HOOS-PS), and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey-Mental Component Score (VR-12 MCS). Intra-articular operative findings and treatment were documented at the time of surgery. Proportional odds logistic regression models were built for 1-year outcomes (HOOS-Pain, HOOS-PS, and VR-12 MCS). Risk factors included patient characteristics and intraoperative anatomic and pathologic findings. RESULTS: Overall, 494 patients underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI, and 385 (78%) were evaluated at 1 year with at least 1 PRO. The median patient age was 33 years, mean body mass index was 25.5 kg/m2, and 72% were female. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that better baseline HOOS-Pain, HOOS-PS, and VR-12 MCS were significantly associated with improvement in the 1-year scores for each PRO. Higher VR-12 MCS was significantly associated with better 1-year HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS, while current and former smokers had worse 1-year outcomes than those who never smoked. In ranking each variable's relative importance, baseline HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS and baseline VR-12 MCS were identified as the strongest predictors of 1-year HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS in our multivariable model. CONCLUSION: During hip arthroscopy for FAI, patient factors, including baseline hip pain and function, mental health, and smoking, were independently associated with 1-year PROs of hip pain and function, while intra-articular pathology such as the presence of labral tear and its treatment, tear size, tear location, and anchors placed were not independently associated.

Clinical and Economic Outcomes Associated With Use of Liposomal Bupivacaine Versus Standard of Care for Management of Postsurgical Pain in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

Background: Approximately 60% of hospitalized children undergoing surgery experience at least 1 day of moderate-to-severe pain after surgery. Pain following spine surgery may affect opioid exposure, length of stay (LOS), and costs in hospitalized pediatric patients. This is a retrospective cohort analysis of pediatric patients undergoing inpatient primary spine surgery. Objectives: To examine the association of opioid-related and economic outcomes with postsurgical liposomal bupivacaine (LB) or non-LB analgesia in pediatric patients who received spine surgery. Methods: Premier Healthcare Database records (January 2015-September 2019) for patients aged 1-17 years undergoing inpatient primary spine surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes included in-hospital postsurgical opioid consumption (morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]), opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs), LOS (days), and total hospital costs. A generalized linear model adjusting for baseline characteristics was used. Results: Among 10 189 pediatric patients, the LB cohort (n=373) consumed significantly fewer postsurgical opioids than the non-LB cohort (n=9816; adjusted MME ratio, 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-0.61]; P<0.0001). LOS was significantly shorter in the LB versus non-LB cohort (adjusted rate ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.80-0.94]; P=0.0003). Hospital costs were significantly lower in the LB versus non-LB cohort overall (adjusted rate ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.86-0.99]; P=0.0227) mostly because of decreased LOS and central supply costs. ORAEs were not significantly different between groups (adjusted rate ratio, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.65-1.08]; P=0.1791). Discussion: LB analgesia was associated with shorter LOS and lower hospital costs compared with non-LB analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing spine surgery. The LB cohort had lower adjusted room and board and central supply costs than the non-LB cohort. These data suggest that treatment with LB might reduce hospital LOS and subsequently health-care costs, and additional cost savings outside the hospital room may factor into overall health-care cost savings. LB may reduce pain and the need for supplemental postsurgical opioids, thus reducing pain and opioid-associated expenses while improving patient satisfaction with postsurgical care. Conclusions: Pediatric patients undergoing spine surgery who received LB had significantly reduced in-hospital postsurgical opioid consumption, LOS, and hospital costs compared with those who did not.

Liposomal Bupivacaine Is Both Safe and Effective in Controlling Postoperative Pain After Spinal Surgery in Children: A Controlled Cohort Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate: (1) pain relief efficacy; (2) opioid consumption; (3) length of stay (LOS); (4) discharge disposition (DD); and (5) safety and adverse effects of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) in pediatric patients who underwent spinal deformity correction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LB is a long-acting, locally injectable anesthetic. Previous orthopedic studies investigating its use have been limited to adult patients. The use of LB as part of postoperative pain management in pediatric patients undergoing spine deformity correction surgery is yet to be evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 195 patients that received LB as part of their postoperative pain management regimen were compared with 128 patients who received standard pain management without LB. Pain intensity, opioid consumption, LOS, and DD were recorded. Potential LB-related complications were reported as frequencies and statistically compared for superiority. Noninferiority tests were performed using the Farrington-Manning score test. Multivariate tests based on generalized estimating equations were performed to determine the common and average treatment effects. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: The LB cohort demonstrated lower pain scores [postoperative day 1 (POD 1)-median=2, interquartile range (IQR)=(0-5) vs. 5 (2.5-7); POD 2-3 (0-5) vs. 4 (3-6); P<0.001], lower overall opioid consumption (78.2 vs. 129 morphine milligram equivalents; P=0.0001) and consistently from POD 0 to 3 (mean differences; 7.47, 9.04, 17.2, and 17.3 morphine milligram equivalents, respectively; P<0.01), shorter LOS (median=3 d, IQR=3-4 vs. 4 d, IQR=4-6; P<0.001), and similar to-home DD (98% vs. 97%). Complications were similar among the cohorts in superiority and 10% noninferiority analyses. Patients in the LB cohort had lower odds for complications (odds ratio=0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.93; P=0.009 and 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of LB when added to the current multimodal postoperative pain management regimens after pediatric spinal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Utilization of Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Patients: A Comparison of Feasibility and Patient Satisfaction at a Large Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine platforms have been developed to support the convenient delivery of health care services to their patients while maintaining appropriate quality of care. However, it is unclear whether they can be utilized effectively in patients with pediatric spinal deformity (PSD). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and patient satisfaction associated with virtual visit (VV) utilization in PSD patients in comparison to general pediatric orthopaedic indications. METHODS: Of the 482 VVs offered to pediatric orthopaedic patients at a large academic health care system between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, a total of 189 VVs conducted by board-certified orthopaedic surgeons were included in the final analysis. Patient satisfaction scores were collected at the end of each VV by patient and parent rankings of the surgeon and the telemedicine service. Data on patients, visits, and connectivity sessions characteristics were collected and statistically compared between PSD visits (n=33) versus those conducted for general pediatric orthopaedic indications (n=156). RESULTS: Although PSD patients were older (15±3.7 vs. 12±4.7 y; P<0.01), mostly female (76% vs. 47%, P=0.003), and had longer VVs (8±4.6 vs. 5±3.6 min; P=0.003) versus their general pediatric orthopaedic counterparts, they demonstrated similarly high satisfaction scores for surgeon performance (5±0 vs. 4.8±0.1 points; P=0.08) and overall satisfaction (3±2.4 vs. 3.5±2.1; P=0.23). Approximately 80% of all VVs were conducted over mobile devices. Wait time was substantially less for PSD VVs relative to subsequent office visits (13±10 vs. 41±30 min; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis found that telemedicine VVs provided a convenient alternative to traditional in-office visits for PSD patients. Specifically, we found that PSD patients received faster care with comparable satisfaction. The findings of our present analysis should encourage health care systems to continually evaluate and implement telehealth platforms to improve both the accessibility and appropriate quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Correction to: Removal of a urinary catheter before discontinuation of epidural analgesia is associated with an increased risk of postoperative urinary retention and hospital episode costs in patients undergoing surgical correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of Erin Ohliger's name was incorrect.

Interchangeability of CT and 3D "pseudo-CT" MRI for preoperative planning in patients with femoroacetabular impingement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence with postprocessing applied to simulate computed tomography (CT) ("pseudo-CT") images can be used instead of CT to measure acetabular version and alpha angles and to plan for surgery in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four readers retrospectively measured acetabular version and alpha angles on MRI and CT images of 40 hips from 20 consecutive patients (9 female patients, 11 male patients; mean age, 26.0 ± 6.5 years) with FAI. 3D models created from MRI and CT images were assessed by 2 orthopedic surgeons to determine the need for femoroplasty and/or acetabuloplasty. Interchangeability of MRI with CT was tested by comparing agreement between 2 readers using CT (intramodality) with agreement between 1 reader using CT and 1 using MRI (intermodality). RESULTS: Intramodality and intermodality agreement values were nearly identical for acetabular version and alpha angle measurements and for surgical planning. Increases in inter-reader disagreement for acetabular version angle, alpha angle, and surgical planning when MRI was substituted for CT were - 2.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], - 7.7 to + 3.5%; p = 0.459), - 0.6% (95% CI, - 8.6 to + 7.3%; p = 0.878), and 0% (95% CI, - 15.1 to + 15.1%; p = 1.0), respectively, when an agreement criterion ≤ 5° was used for angle measurements. CONCLUSION: Pseudo-CT MRI was interchangeable with CT for measuring acetabular version and highly favorable for interchangeability for measuring alpha angle and for surgical planning, suggesting that MRI could replace CT in assessing patients with FAI.

Removal of a urinary catheter before discontinuation of epidural analgesia is associated with an increased risk of postoperative urinary retention and hospital episode costs in patients undergoing surgical correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVES: In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing posterior spinal instrumented fusion (PSIF), we aimed to answer these questions: (1) is there a difference in postoperative urinary retention (UR) rates among patients who had removal of their Foley catheters before vs. after discontinuation of epidural analgesia (EA)? (2) Can the timing of Foley catheter removal be an independent risk factor for postoperative UR requiring recatheterization? (3) Is there an incurred cost related to treating UR? STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. BACKGROUND: EA has been widely used for postoperative pain control after PSIF for AIS. In these patients, removing the Foley catheter, inserted for intraoperative monitoring of urine output, is indicated in the early postoperative period. However, a controversy exists as to whether it should be removed before or after the EA has been discontinued. METHODS: A single-institution, longitudinally maintained database was queried to identify 297 patients who met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient characteristics and the order and timing of removing the urinary and epidural catheters were collected. Rates of UR were statistically compared in patients who had early vs. late urinary catheter removal. A univariate and multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors. Hospital episode costs were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients who had early (n = 66, 22%) vs. late (n = 231, 78%) urinary catheter removal had a significantly higher incidence of UR requiring recatheterization (15 vs. 4.7%, p = 0.007). Patient with early removal were almost 4 times more likely to develop UR requiring recatheterization [odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-9.7, p = 0.005]. UR incurred additional costs averaging $15,000/patient (p = 0.204). CONCLUSION: In patients who had PSIF for AIS, removal of a urinary catheter before discontinuation of EA is an independent risk factor for UR, requiring recatheterization and associated with increased cost. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Performance Characterization of Semi-Flexible Composite Mixture.

Semi-flexible composite mixture (SFCM) is developed based on a unique material design concept of pouring cement mortar into the voids formed by open graded asphalt mixture. It combines the flexibility of asphalt concrete and the stiffness of Portland cement concrete and has many advantages comparing to conventional roadway paving materials. The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the engineering properties of SFCM and assess the constructability of the SFCM. A slab SFCM sample was fabricated in the laboratory to simulate the filling of cement mortar in the field. Performance testing was carried out by indirect tensile (IDT) test because it was found to be able to correlate with the field performance of asphalt mixtures at low, intermediate, and high temperatures. They were used in this study to evaluate the thermal cracking, fatigue, rutting, as well as moisture resistance of SFCM. A control hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture was used to compare with the results of SFCM. Based on the testing results, it was found that the designed SFCM showed good filling capability of cement mortar. SFCM had higher dynamic modulus than the control HMA. It had good resistance to rutting and moisture damage. Based on fracture work, SFCM showed better resistance to thermal cracking while lower resistance to fatigue cracking.

Predictors of Extended Length of Hospital Stay in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Undergoing Posterior Segmental Instrumented Fusion: An Analysis of 407 Surgeries Performed at a Large Academic Center.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to (1) compare patient and procedure-specific characteristics among those who had short versus long hospital stays and (2) identify independent risk factors that may correlate with extended length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who underwent posterior segmental instrumented fusion (PSIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Reducing the LOS and identifying risk factors associated with extended admission have become increasingly relevant to healthcare policy makers. There is currently limited research identifying risk factors that correlate with extended stay in patients undergoing PSIF for AIS. METHODS: A single-institution, longitudinally maintained database was queried to identify 407 patients who met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Based on the distribution and median LOS in the cohort (4 days), patients were divided into those who had long versus short LOS. In both groups, patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative scoliosis curve measurements, surgery-related characteristics, and complications were analyzed. A univariate and multivariate regression analysis was then conducted to identify independent risk factors associated with extended LOS. RESULTS: Patients who had extended LOS tended to be women (84.6% vs. 75%, P = 0.01), had more levels fused (9 ±â€Š2 vs. 7 ±â€Š2 levels, P < 0.001), had more major postoperative complications (0.8% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.002), had more blood loss during surgery (723 ±â€Š548 vs. 488 ±â€Š341 cm, P < 0.001), and received less epidural analgesia for pain control (69% vs. 89%, P < 0.001). Except for higher thoracic kyphosis, long LOS patients did not have worse preoperative radiographic curve parameters. Multivariate logistic analysis identified female sex, having ≥9 ±â€Š2 levels of fusion, operative blood loss, major postoperative complications, lack of epidural analgesia, and higher thoracic kyphosis as independent risk factors correlating for extended LOS. CONCLUSION: Independent risk factors identified by this study may be used to recognize patients with AIS at risk of prolonged hospital stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Influence of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring on the Outcomes of Surgeries for Pediatric Scoliosis in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is used to detect impending neurologic damage during complex spinal surgeries. Although IONM is increasingly used during pediatric scoliosis surgeries in the United States, the effect of IONM on the outcomes of such surgeries at a national level is unclear. METHODS: Using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2009 to 2012, 32,305 spinal fusions performed in children 18 years old or younger of age with scoliosis were identified using ICD-9 procedure and diagnosis codes. IONM was identified using the ICD-9 procedure code 00.94. The effects of IONM use on length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, hospital charges, and in-hospital complications were assessed using multivariate regression analysis adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: IONM was used in 5,706 (18%) of the surgeries. IONM was associated with increased home discharge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.25 [95% confidence interval 1.10-1.40], p = .001). There was no difference in LOS (p = .096) and hospital charges (p = .750). Neurologic complications were noted in 52 (0.9%) surgeries using IONM and 368 (1.4%) surgeries without IONM (p = .005). Although IONM use trended toward lower risk of neurologic complications in multivariate analysis, it failed to achieve statistical significance (AOR = 0.77 [0.57-1.04], p = .084). CONCLUSIONS: Reported use of IONM in this database was significantly less compared with other databases, suggesting that IONM might be underreported in the NIS database. Nevertheless, in this database, IONM was significantly associated with increased home discharge. Hospital charges and LOS were not affected by IONM. There was a trend toward lower risk of neurologic complications with IONM use, though this finding was not statistically significant.

Biomechanics of L5/S1 in Long Thoracolumbosacral Constructs: A Cadaveric Study.

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro cadaveric biomechanical study. OBJECTIVES: Despite numerous techniques employed to establish solid lumbosacral fixation, there are little biomechanical data correlating fixation methods at L5/S1 to thoracolumbosacral (TLS) construct length. We aimed to determine the optimal construct with the hypothesis that under physiological loads, lumbosacral constructs can be stabilized by L5/S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) alone, without iliac screw fixation (ISF), and that TLS constructs would require ISF, with or without ALIF. METHODS: By using a robot capable of motion in 6 axes, force-moment sensor, motion-tracking camera system and software, we simulated the spinal loading effects in flexion-extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, and compared torques in different construct groups of T4-S1, T10-S1, and L2-S1. By conducting multidirectional flexibility testing we assessed the effects of constructs of various lengths on the L5/S1 segment. RESULTS: L2-S1 constructs may be equivalently stabilized by L5/S1 ALIF alone without ISF. Longer TLS constructs exerted increasing motion at L5/S1, exhibiting trends in favor of ISF when extending to T10 and statistically improved fixation when extending to T4. Lastly, TLS constructs with ISF exhibited a statistically significant reduction in L5-S1 range of motion from the addition of ALIF when extending to T4-pelvis but not T10-pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: We found that ALIF alone may sufficiently support the L2-S1 construct, reducing L5/S1 range of motion and transmitting loads instead to the sacropelvis. Furthermore, ALIF was found to add significant stability to the T4-pelvis construct when added to ISF. This difference was not significant for the T10-pelvis construct.

Cervical sagittal alignment and the impact of posterior spinal instrumented fusion in patients with Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical decision making, preoperative planning, and surgical correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has traditionally focused on obtaining the maximum coronal plane correction to improve cosmesis and function. More recently, restoring sagittal alignment has also received increasing attention in AIS patients, correlating with positive health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in multiple studies. In this realm, cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) has also emerged as one of the variables that may correlate with clinical and functional outcomes in AIS patients undergoing surgical correction. Several studies have focused on studying the cervical sagittal plane parameters in patients with spinal deformity, while few have investigated the impact of surgical correction on CSA. In this study, we aimed to capture the baseline cervical sagittal characteristics and evaluate the changes in CSA in a cohort of AIS patients with Lenke type I curves following posterior spinal instrumented fusion (PSIF). METHODS: We evaluated our longitudinal database of patients who had surgical correction for AIS between January 1, 2015 and September 1, 2017. The initial search yielded 270 patients. Next, the following inclusion criteria were applied to identify the study cohort: (I) patients who had Lenke type 1 curves, (II) patients with adequate pre-operative and post-operative radiographs (posterior-anterior and lateral), (III) patients who had a minimum radiographic follow-up of 6 months, and (IV) patients who were treated with the same standard rod instrumentation system. In addition, the following exclusion criteria were applied: (I) patients with neuromuscular disorders, (II) patients with prior spine surgery, and (III) those who received greater than Schwab-2 osteotomies. A total of 30 patients were included in our final analysis. The C2-C7 angle, C0-C2 angle, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), McGregor slope (McGS), and the T1 slope angle were measured preoperatively and at 6 months. A kyphotic measurement was assigned a negative value while positive values were used to describe lordotic measurements. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test were used to compare pre-and post-operative data with a cutoff P value of 0.05 to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall, CSA improved in most patients post-operatively, with 19/30 (63%) resulting in improved lordosis. Pre-operatively, mean C2-C7 cervical lordosis was -4.3°, which improved to -0.5° postoperatively (P=0.075), with a mean difference of 3.7°. Simultaneously, mean C0-C2, C2-C7 SVA, McGS, and T1 slope changed from 17° (range, -18° to 41°), 26.5 mm (range, 10 to 45 mm), 4° (range, -7.5° to 25°), and 17.4° (range, 1° to 42°) to 16° (range, 0° to 34.4°, mean difference =1.01°, and P=0.548), 28.2 mm (range, 9 to 57 mm, mean difference =2 mm, and P=0.244), 4.03°, (range, -7.8° to 25°, mean difference =0.16, and P=0.916), and 18° (range, 5.4° to 42°, mean difference =0.37, and P=0.761) (mean change of C2-C7 angle of 3.76°). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated baseline cervical kyphosis and a trend towards cervical lordosis restoration in patients with AIS and a Lenke type 1 curve who underwent PSIF. This study adds to emerging evidence and, together with further studies, will help estimate the impact of PSIF on the cervical sagittal profile, the effect of CSA on patient reported outcomes, and ways to address cervical sagittal malalignment when undertaking the surgical correction for specific curve types in AIS.

Evidence-Based Thresholds for the Volume-Value Relationship in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Outcomes and Economies of Scale.

OBJECTIVES: Increased surgeon and hospital volume has been associated with improved patient outcomes and cost effectiveness for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, no evidence-based thresholds that clarify the volume at which these strata occur exist. The objective of this study was to establish statistically meaningful thresholds that define high-volume surgeons and hospitals performing spinal fusion for AIS from those that are low volume with respect to length of stay (LOS) and cost. METHODS: Using 3,224 patients undergoing spinal fusion for AIS from an administrative database, we created and applied four models using stratum-specific likelihood ratio (SSLR) analysis of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We generated four sets of thresholds predictive of adverse outcomes, namely, increased cost and LOS, for both surgeon and hospital volume. RESULTS: For both LOS and cost, surgeon volume produced the same strata with low volume identified as 0-5 annual surgeries and high as greater than 5. LOS and cost decreased significantly (p < .05) between volume strata. For hospital volume in terms of LOS, low volume was identified as 0-10 annual surgeries and high as greater than 10; in terms of cost, low volume was identified as 0-15 annual surgeries and high as greater than 15. LOS decreased significantly (p < .05) and cost was $1,500 less but not statistically significant between volume strata for hospital volume. CONCLUSIONS: Our study of risk-based volume stratification established a direct volume-value relationship for surgeons and hospitals performing fusion for AIS. A meaningful threshold for low- and high-volume surgeons was established at 5 annual surgeries, but no consensus or clinically meaningful conclusion was reached for hospitals, although the threshold approached 10-15 annual surgeries. This analysis should aid patients, surgeons, and administration reach value-based decisions in the optimal delivery of pediatric spinal fusion for AIS.

Influence of Prior Hip Salvage Surgery on Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty in Young Patients.

BACKGROUND: As the indications for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have expanded, this procedure is being increasingly performed in young patients. Oftentimes, this population has undergone one or more salvage procedures in an attempt to delay or forestall a THA. However, it is unclear whether patients with prior salvage procedure have higher risk of adverse events. METHODS: From 2004 to 2014, 215 THAs performed in patients less than 30 years at a single institution were identified. These patients were screened to identify 37 THAs in which one or more salvage procedures were performed prior to the THA (salvage group). The prior salvage procedures were open in 30 (pelvic osteotomy = 5, femoral osteotomy = 15, combined osteotomy = 2, core decompression = 7, bone graft = 1) and arthroscopic in 7. Medical and surgical complications within 90 days and overall survivorship at a minimum follow-up of 2 years were recorded. Nonparametric tests and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: Salvage group had a higher rate of wound complications (P = .037), superficial infections (P = .005), and reoperations (P = .015). The 5-year survivorships in the salvage and nonsalvage groups were 97.1% and 96.7%, respectively (P = .787). CONCLUSION: Patients less than 30 years who undergo THA after a previous salvage procedure have a higher risk of wound complications, superficial infections, and reoperations, but similar survivorship, compared to those who did not have any prior salvage procedures. This information is helpful in counseling young patients while offering various surgical options for the management of various hip pathologies.

Indirect pars repair for pediatric isthmic spondylolysis: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Isthmic spondylolysis (ISY) is a common cause of back pain in the pediatric population. Historically, non-operative treatments have had a very high success rate. The purpose of this study was to review the mid-term results of an indirect pars repair technique on reducing the visual analog score for pain (VAS), spondylolysis defect healing, complication rates and rates of return to pre-surgery activity level in pediatric patients who failed conservative care for ISY. METHODS: A retrospective review of all pediatric patients (<18 years old) treated surgically by one surgeon over a 5-year period was performed. Patients were treated with indirect pars repair utilizing pedicle screws and laminar hooks and local autograft. Preoperative VAS was compared to the final follow-up score, and return to activity was evaluated. Radiographs were reviewed to evaluate healing. RESULTS: Nine patients (6 females, 3 males) were treated surgically. Average age at the time of surgery was 15.4 years, (range, 13 to 17 years). Average length of final follow-up was 11.9 months (range, 6 to 24 months). Preoperative VAS averaged 5.6 points (range, 2 to 8 points) compared to final follow-up of 1.2 (range, 0 to 3). Definitive bony healing was noted in 7 of 9 cases (77.8%) with at least 6 months follow-up. Eight of nine patients (88.9%) returned to preoperative competitive sports activity level. No complications were noted during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients treated surgically with indirect pars repair appear to achieve satisfactory mid-term outcomes. This technique appears safe, and has both a high healing rate and return to competitive athletics. Further study is needed to determine durability of this procedure.

Social Media and Pediatric Scoliosis: An Analysis of Patient and Surgeon Use.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this observational study was to investigate and analyze the social media presence of both patients and surgeons in relation to pediatric scoliosis. First, patient Instagram (Instagram, Inc., San Francisco, California) posts were evaluated for 1) media format; 2) timing in relation to surgery; 3) tone; 4) perspective; 5) content; and 6) subject reference. To analyze reciprocal engagement, the presence and activity of pediatric scoliosis surgeons at five major academic centers were subsequently analyzed on Instagram, Twitter (Twitter Inc., San Francisco, California), and LinkedIn (LinkedIn Corporation, Sunnyvale, California). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of public Instagram profiles was performed over a one-year period from February 2016 to February 2017. Posts related to pediatric scoliosis were selected for analysis using a hashtag search with 30 related terms. A total of 982 posts were retrieved, with 669 posts meeting the inclusion criteria. Each post was then evaluated for timing, tone, perspective, and content using a categorical scoring system. An additional analysis was performed using academic orthopaedic hospitals' websites, in which the names of scoliosis surgeons were found and searched for on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Their profiles were analyzed for level and length of activity, number of followers or connections, and references to clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 669 posts related to scoliosis were analyzed, the majority of which were temporally related to non-operative (74.7%) or post-operative (21.8%) settings. Patients (33.3%), friends and family (34.4%), and professional organizations (23.8%) were the most active contributors. The vast majority of posts were positive in nature (88.9 %) and highlighted the patient experience (79.2%), specifically related to bracing (33.1%), activities of daily living (31.7%), and surgical site or x-rays (25.5%). Of the social media sites analyzed, surgeons were found to have the highest presence on LinkedIn (55% have accounts with a mean of 175 connections) compared to Instagram (8%, 57 followers) and Twitter (33%, 61 followers). Surgeons were also noted to have more information regarding their practice, training, and clinical skills on LinkedIn. CONCLUSIONS: An analysis of Instagram posts related to scoliosis showed that the majority were shared by patients in the non-operative period and overwhelmingly had a positive tone. The content of the posts focused mainly on brace wear, activities of daily living, and post-operative appearance or x-rays. This information provides further insight into what patients deem important regarding pediatric scoliosis care. Analysis of the social media presence of scoliosis surgeons showed that they have an underwhelming presence on Instagram and Twitter, but are more active on LinkedIn, a site geared more toward professional development and networking than other social media options.

Cost analysis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: early discharge decreases hospital costs much less than intraoperative variables under the control of the surgeon.

BACKGROUND: Spinal fusion surgery for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is increasing. Health systems and surgeons are decreasing hospital length of stay (LOS) to decrease costs. The purpose of this study was to review the contribution of an accelerated discharge protocol on the total cost of a single episode of care related to the surgical treatment of AIS at a single institution. METHODS: A retrospective cost analysis was performed over an 18-month period, from January 2014 through June 2015, before and after the institution of an accelerated discharge program. Patients treated surgically with ICD-9 code 737.30 (Idiopathic Scoliosis) were reviewed. Itemized costs and LOS were analyzed collectively and by surgeon before and after the accelerated discharge protocol. RESULTS: Eighty AIS patients were treated surgically. The accelerated discharge program significantly reduced average LOS from 4.2 days in 2014 to 3.3 days during the first 6 months of 2015 (P≤0.05). There were no increases in complications. There was a 9% decrease in the total average costs per episode of care. A weighted average, a relative average change in costs, and an average cost savings per case were calculated for 12 different categories. Average Surgical Services and Nursing costs decreased during the study period while all other costs increased. The accelerated discharge program did not directly contribute significantly to this decrease in costs. Greatest cost reduction was associated with average bone graft and pedicle screw cost, with an overall 8.5% reduction in pedicle screw use and a 58% reduction in bone graft costs. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative variables under the direct control of the surgeon contribute much more to cost reduction than an accelerated discharge program for surgically treated AIS patients.