Rates of appropriate laxative prophylaxis for opioid-induced constipation in veterans with lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is the most common side effect in patient-prescribed opioids for cancer pain treatment. Current guidelines recommend routine prescription of a laxative for preventing OIC in all patients prescribed an opioid unless a contraindication exists. We determined patterns of prescription of laxative agents in patients with lung cancer initiating opioids. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating the prescription of laxatives for OIC to adult patients with incident lung cancer seen in the Veteran's Affairs (VA) system, between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2016. Exposure to laxative agents was categorized as follows: none, docusate monotherapy, docusate plus another laxative, and other laxatives only. Prevalence of OIC prophylaxis was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Linear regression was performed to identify time trends in the prescription of OIC prophylaxis. RESULTS: Overall, 130,990 individuals were included in the analysis. Of these, 87% of patients received inadequate prophylaxis (75% no prophylaxis and 12% docusate alone), while 5% received OIC prophylaxis with the unnecessary addition of docusate to another laxative. Through the study period, laxative prescription significantly decreased, while all other categories of OIC prophylaxis were unchanged. We noted an inverse relationship with OIC prophylaxis and likelihood of a diagnosis of constipation at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of veterans with lung cancer, almost 90% received inadequate or inappropriate OIC prophylaxis. Efforts to educate physicians and patients to promote appropriate OIC prophylaxis in combination with systems-level changes are warranted.

Dorsal thoracic spinal cord herniation: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal cord herniation is a rare but well-documented condition that has been associated with tethering through the dural defect. Both spinal cord herniation and cord tethering result in progressive myelopathy that can be improved or stabilized with surgical intervention. Most cases of herniation are caused by dural defects in the ventral or ventrolateral thoracic spine, rarely occurring through the dorsal dura. This is the first reported case of a spontaneous dorsal herniation. PURPOSE: To describe a unique case of thoracic tethered cord resulting from a dorsal dural defect through which there is spinal cord herniation. STUDY DESIGN: A case report and review of the literature. METHODS: A 55-year-old man presented with progressive low back pain, paresthesias, and weakness in his left lower extremity that was exacerbated by walking. Imaging revealed a dorsal dural defect with tethering and herniation of the spinal cord at T7. RESULTS: The patient underwent a T6-T7 laminoplasty to release the tethered cord and repair the dural defect. At 1-year follow-up, the patient noted improvement in strength and back spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord herniation through a dural defect is an uncommon but important cause of symptomatic tethered cord in adults. Surgical intervention can significantly alter the course and prevent further disability.