Patient-level patterns in daily prescribed opioid dosage in single level lumbar fusion are associated with postoperative opioid dosage and adverse events: a retrospective analysis of claims data.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery have high rates of preoperative opioid use, which is associated with inferior outcomes and higher risks for opioid dependency postoperatively. PURPOSE: Determine whether there are identifiable subgroups of patients that follow distinct patterns in pre- and postoperative opioid dosing. Examine how preoperative patterns in opioid dosing relate to postoperative opioid patterns, opioid cessation, and the risk for adverse events. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database (MeritiveTM Marketscan® Research Databases 2007-2015). PATIENT SAMPLE: The 9,768 patients undergoing primary single level lumbar fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) opioid dosing calculated from prescriptions dispensed for 1 year before and after surgery; secondary: 90-day all-cause readmission and complications, 90-day acute postoperative pain, 90-day and 1-year reoperation, surgical costs, length of stay, and discharge disposition. METHODS: Distinct patient subgroups defined by patterns of daily MME pre- and postoperatively were identified via group-based trajectory modeling. Associations between these groups and outcomes were assessed with multivariable logistic regression with risk adjustment for patient and surgical factors. RESULTS: Among primary single level lumbar fusion patients, 59.5% filled an opioid prescription in the 3 months preceding surgery, whereas 40.5% were opioid naïve (Naïve). Five distinct subgroups of daily MME were identified among those filling opioids preoperatively: (1) Naïve to 3m (21.2% of patients): no opioids until 3 months preoperatively, escalating to 15 MME/day; (2) Low to 3m (11.4%): very low or as needed dose until 3 months preoperatively, escalating to 15 MME/day; (3) 6m Rise (6.9%): no opioids until 6 months preoperatively, escalating to >30 MME/day; (4) Medium (9.8%): increased linearly from 10 to 25 MME/day across the year before surgery; (5) High (10.0%): increased linearly from 60 to >80 MME/day across the year before surgery. These five preoperative opioid groups were related to postoperative opioids filled in a dose-response manner. The two preoperative patient groups with chronic Medium to High-dose opioid dosing were associated with increased adverse events, including all-cause readmission, reoperation, and pneumonia, whereas a low baseline group with a large, earlier preoperative rise in opioid dosing (6m Rise) had increased encounters for acute postoperative pain. Postoperatively, only 9.5% of patients did not fill an opioid prescription. Five distinct postoperative subgroups were identified based on their patterns in daily MME: Two groups ceased filling opioids within the year following surgery (33.6% of patients), and three groups declined in opioid dosage following surgery but plateaued at low (0-5 MME/day, 29.1%), medium (10-15 MME/day, 12.0%), or high (70-75 MME/day), 13.1%) doses by 1 year. Patients within the higher preoperative opioid groups were more likely to belong to the postoperative groups that were unable to cease filling opioids. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of a patient's preoperative time trend in daily opioid use may provide significant prognostic value and help guide pain management and risk reduction efforts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Polymethyl methacrylate augmentation and proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity patients.

BACKGROUND: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a complication following surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) possibly ameliorated by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty of the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV). This study quantifies PJK following surgical correction bridging the thoracolumbar junction ± PMMA vertebroplasty. METHODS: ASD patients from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and included with immediate postoperative radiographs and at least one follow-up radiograph. PMMA vertebroplasty at the UIV and UIV + 1 was performed at the surgeons' discretion. RESULTS: Of 102 patients, 56% received PMMA. PMMA patients were older (70 ± 8 vs. 66 ± 10, p = 0.021), more often female (89.3% vs. 68.2%, p = 0.005), and had more osteoporosis (26.8% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.013). 55.4% of PMMA patients developed PJK compared to 38.6% of controls (p = 0.097), and the rate of PJK development was not different between groups in univariate survival models. There was no difference in PJF (p > 0.084). Reoperation rates were 7.1% in PMMA versus 11.4% in controls (p = 0.501). In multivariable models, PJK development was not associated with the use of PMMA vertebroplasty (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.38-1.60, p = 0.470), either when considered overall in the cohort or specifically in those with poor bone quality. PJK was significantly predicted by poor bone quality irrespective of PMMA use (HR 3.81, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In thoracolumbar fusions for adult spinal deformity, PMMA vertebroplasty was not associated with reduced PJK development, which was most highly associated with poor bone quality. Preoperative screening and management for osteoporosis is critical in achieving an optimal outcome for these complex operations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4, retrospective non-randomized case review.

Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Survivorship After a Median Follow-Up of 12 Years.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory condition of childhood that frequently affects the hip. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in JIA can be challenging due to the patient's young age, small proportion, complex anatomy, and bone loss. Outcome data are limited. METHODS: We reviewed prospectively collected data in 57 JIA patients (83 hips) who underwent THA between 1986 and 2020 by a single surgeon. The median patient age at surgery was 26 years (range, 14 to 62). Reoperation-free survival was assessed via the cumulative incidence function, accounting for the competing risk of death. Relationships between patient and implant factors and survivorship were evaluated by stratification of the cumulative incidence function and Gray's tests. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to assess the preoperative to latest postoperative change in patient-reported outcome measures. RESULTS: At a median (interquartile range) of 12 (4, 20) years of follow-up, 13 (16%) patients underwent reoperation, most commonly for polyethylene wear and osteolysis (7 hips). The estimated incidence of 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year revision (95% confidence interval) were 11.3% (4.5, 21.6%), 18.5% (8.9, 30.9%), and 40.6% (19.4, 60.9%), respectively. There were no differences in survival based on patient age, sex, implant fixation method, polyethylene type, or thickness. All patient-reported outcome measures improved from preoperative to latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Primary THA is a durable and effective treatment for JIA patients with severe hip involvement and results in major improvements in pain and function. We did not identify any factors predictive of failure.

Contextual Determinants of Time to Surgery for Patients With Hip Fracture.

Importance: Surgery within 24 hours after a hip fracture improves patient morbidity and mortality, which has led some hospitals to launch quality improvement programs (eg, targeted resource management, documented protocols) to address delays. However, these programs have had mixed results in terms of decreased time to surgery (TTS), identifying an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of interventions. Objective: To identify the contextual determinants (site-specific barriers and facilitators) of TTS for patients with hip fracture across diverse hospitals. Design, Setting, and Participants: This qualitative mixed-methods study used an exploratory sequential design that comprised 2 phases. In phase 1, qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with stakeholders involved in hip fracture care (orthopedic surgeons or residents, emergency medicine physicians, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, nurses, and clinical or support staff) at 4 hospitals with differing financial, operational, and educational structures. Interviews were completed between May and July 2021. In phase 2, a quantitative survey assessing contextual determinants of TTS within 24 hours for adult patients with hip fracture was completed by orthopedic surgeon leaders representing 23 diverse hospitals across the US between May and July 2022. Data analysis was performed in August 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Thematic analysis of the interviews identified themes of contextual determinants of TTS within 24 hours for patients with hip fracture. The emergent contextual determinants were then measured across multiple hospitals, and frequency and distribution were used to assess associations between determinants and various hospital characteristics (eg, setting, number of beds). Results: A total of 34 stakeholders were interviewed in phase 1, and 23 surveys were completed in phase 2. More than half of respondents in both phases were men (19 [56%] and 18 [78%], respectively). The following 4 themes of contextual determinants of TTS within 24 hours were identified: availability, care coordination, improvement climate, and incentive structure. Within these themes, the most commonly identified determinants across the various hospitals involved operating room availability, a formal comanagement system between orthopedics and medicine or geriatrics, the presence of a physician champion focused on timely surgery, and a program that facilitates improvement work. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, contextual determinants of TTS within 24 hours for patients with hip fracture varied across hospital sites and could not be generalized across various hospital contexts because no 2 sites had identical profiles. As such, these findings suggest that guidance on strategies for improving TTS should be based on the contextual determinants unique to each hospital.

Using 3D MRI Bone Shape to Predict Pre-Osteoarthritis of the Knee 2 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury increases risks for osteoarthritis (OA), a poorly modifiable and disabling condition. Joint changes of potentially reversible pre-OA have been described just 2 years after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) when early bone shape changes have also been reported. PURPOSE: This study evaluates relationships between interlimb differences in tibiofemoral bone shape derived from statistical shape modeling (SSM) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and participant factors on patient-reported outcomes 2 years after unilateral ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: SSM-derived tibiofemoral bone shape and subchondral bone area were assessed from bilateral knee MRI scans of 72 participants with unilateral ACLR (mean age, 34 ± 11 years; 32 women) and compared with a reference cohort of 398 older individuals without OA (mean age, 50 ± 3 years; 213 women). Multivariable logistic regression models examined relationships between participant and surgical factors with interlimb differences in bone shapes or subchondral bone areas. Relationships between patient-reported outcomes and the interlimb differences in bone shape and subchondral area were examined using similar models. RESULTS: Bone shape scores and subchondral bone areas were greater (more OA-like) in ACLR knees than uninjured contralateral knees in every bone metric tested (P≤ .001). Interlimb differences in femur shape scores of participants with ACLR were 65% greater (P < .001) than those of the significantly older reference cohort. Taller height, medial meniscal tears, and decreasing age were associated with larger interlimb differences in shape scores and subchondral areas (P < .05). Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft recipients demonstrated greater interlimb subchondral area differences compared with allograft recipients (P < .05). Interlimb differences for hamstring autograft recipients did not differ from those with BPTB or allograft. Greater interlimb differences in medial femur subchondral areas were associated with worse patient-reported Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Symptoms (R = 0.27; P = .040). CONCLUSION: Even in the absence of radiographic OA, just 2 years after unilateral ACLR patients showed greater bone shape scores and subchondral areas consistent with pre-OA in their ACLR knees. Furthermore, greater medial femur bone areas were weakly associated with worse symptoms. Patients who are younger, are taller, have meniscal tears, or have BPTB grafts may be at increased risk for bony asymmetries 2 years after ACLR.

Patient-level payment patterns prior to single level lumbar decompression are associated with resource utilization, postoperative payments, and adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Understanding patient-specific trends in costs and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) surrounding lumbar spine surgery is critically needed to better inform surgical decision making and the development of targeted interventions. PURPOSE: 1) Identify subgroups of patients following distinct patterns in direct healthcare payments pre- and postoperatively, 2) determine whether these patterns are associated with patient and surgical factors, and 3) examine whether preoperative payment patterns are related to postoperative payments, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and adverse events. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database (IBM Marketscan Research Databases 2007-2015). PATIENT SAMPLE: Adults undergoing primary single-level decompression surgery for lumbar stenosis (n=12,394). OUTCOME MEASURES: Direct healthcare payments, HCRU payments (15 categories), 90-day complications and all-cause readmission, 2-year reoperation METHODS: Group-based trajectory modeling is an application of finite mixture modeling that is able to identify meaningful subgroups within a population that follow distinct developmental trajectories over time. We used this technique to identify subgroups of patients following distinct profiles in preoperative direct healthcare payments. A separate analysis was performed to identify distinct profiles in payments postoperatively. Patient and surgical factors associated with these payment profiles were assessed with multinomial logistic regression, and associations with adverse events were assessed with risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified 4 preoperative patient payment subgroups following distinct profiles in payments: Pre-Low (5.8% of patients), Pre-Early-Rising (4.8%), Pre-Medium (26.1%), and Pre-High (63.3%). Postoperatively, 3 patient subgroups were identified: Post-Low (8.9%), Post-Medium (29.6%), and Post-High (61.4%). Patients following the higher-cost pre- and postoperative payment profiles were older, more likely female, and had a greater physical and mental comorbidity burden. With each successively higher preoperative payment profile, patients were increasingly likely to have high postoperative payments, use more HCRU (particularly high-cost services such as inpatient admissions, ER, and SNF/IRF care), and experience postoperative adverse events. Following risk adjustment for patient and surgical factors, patients following the Pre-High payment profile had 209.5 (95% CI: 144.2, 309.7; p<.001) fold greater odds for following the Post-High payment profile, 1.8 (1.3, 2.5; p=.003) fold greater odds for 90-day complications, and 1.7 (1.2, 2.6; p=.035) fold greater odds for 2-year reoperation relative to patients following the Pre-Low payment profile. CONCLUSIONS: There are identifiable subgroups of patients who follow distinct profiles in direct healthcare payments surrounding lumbar decompression surgery. These payment profiles are related to patient age, sex, and physical and mental comorbidities. Notably, preoperative payment profiles may provide prognostic value, as they are associated with postoperative costs, HCRU, and adverse events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Complication risks and costs associated with Ponte osteotomies in surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: insights from a national database.

PURPOSE: Risks of Ponte osteotomies (POs) used for posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) are challenging to assess because of the rarity of complications. Using a national administrative claims database, we evaluated trends, costs and complications associated with PO used in PSF for AIS patients. METHODS: Using ICD-9/CPT codes, we identified patients (ages 10-18) with AIS who underwent PSF (± PO) between 2007 and 2015 in the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Databases. Costs and trends of POs were evaluated. Odds of neurological complications and readmissions within 90 days and reoperations within 90 days and 2 years were assessed. RESULTS: We identified 8881 AIS patients who had undergone PSF, of which 8193 had 90-day follow-up and 4248 had 2-year follow-up. Overall, 28.8% had PO. Annual rate of POs increased from 17.3 to 35.2% from 2007 to 2015 (p < 0.001). Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression demonstrated no relationship between POs and neurologic complications (p = 0.543). POs were associated with higher odds for readmission (1.52 [1.21-1.91]; p < 0.001) and reoperation (2.03 [1.13-3.59]; p = 0.015) within 90 days, but there were no differences in the odds of reoperation within 2 years (p = 0.836). Median hospital costs were $15,854 (17.4%) higher for patients with POs (p < 0.001) and multivariable modeling demonstrated POs to be an independent predictor of increased costs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Annual rate of POs increased steadily from 2007 to 2015. POs were not associated with increased odds of neurological complications but had higher costs and higher rates of readmissions and reoperations within 90 days. By 2 years, differences in reoperation rate were not significant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Healthcare resource utilization and costs 2 years pre- and post-lumbar spine surgery for stenosis: a national claims cohort study of 22,182 cases.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Improved understanding of the pre- and postoperative trends in costs and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) is needed to better inform patient expectations and aid in the development of strategies to minimize the significant healthcare burden associated with lumbar spine surgery. PURPOSE: Examine the time course of costs and HCRU in the 2 years preceding and following elective lumbar spine surgery for stenosis in a large national claims cohort. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database (IBM® Marketscan® Research Databases 2007-2015). PATIENT SAMPLE: Adult patients undergoing elective primary single-level lumbar surgery for stenosis with at least 2 years of continuous health plan enrollment pre- and postoperatively. OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional measures, including monthly rates of HCRU (15 categories), monthly gross covered payments (including payments made by the health plan and deductibles and coinsurance paid by the patient) overall, by HCRU category, and by spine versus non-spine-related. METHODS: All available patients were utilized for analysis of HCRU. For analysis of payments, only patients on noncapitated health plans providing accurate financial information were analyzed. Payments were converted to 2015 United States dollars using the medical care component of the consumer price index. Trends in payments and HCRU were plotted on a monthly basis pre- and post-surgery and assessed with regression models. Relationships with demographics, surgical factors, and comorbidities were assessed with multivariable repeated measures generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Median monthly healthcare payments 2 years prior to surgery were $275 ($22, $868). Baseline HCRU at 2 years preoperatively was stable or only gradually rising (office visits, prescription drug use), but began an increasingly steep rise in many categories 6 to 12 months prior to surgery. Monthly payments began an increasingly steep rise 6 months prior to surgery, reaching a peak of $1,402 ($634, $2,827) in the month prior to surgery. This was driven by an increase in radiology, office visits, PT, injections, prescription medications, ER encounters, and inpatient admissions. Payments dropped dramatically immediately following surgery. Over the remainder of the 2 years, the median total payments declined only slightly, as a continued decline in spine-related payments was offset by gradually increased non-spine related payments as patients aged. By 2 years postoperatively, the percentage of patients using PT and injections returned to within 1% of the baseline levels observed 2 years preoperatively; however, spine-related prescription medication use remained elevated, as did other categories of HCRU (radiology, office visits, lab/diagnostic services, and also rare events such as inpatient admissions, ER encounters, and SNF/IRF). Patients with a fusion component to their surgeries had higher payments and HCRU preoperatively, and this did not resolve postoperatively. Variations in payments and HCRU were also evident among plan types, with patients on comprehensive medical plans-predominantly employer-sponsored supplemental Medicare coverage-utilizing more inpatient, ER, and inpatient rehabilitation & skilled nursing facilities. Patients on high-deductible plans had fewer payments and HCRU across all categories; however, we are unable to distinguish whether this is because they used fewer of these services or if they were paying for these services out of pocket without submitting to the payer. By 2 years postoperatively, 51% of patients had no spine-related monthly payments, while 33% had higher and 16% had lower monthly payments relative to 2 years preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to characterize time trends in direct healthcare payments and HCRU over an extended period preceding and following spine surgery. Differences among plan types potentially highlight disparities in access to care and plan-related financial mediators of patients' healthcare resource utilization.

Tranexamic acid does not affect intraoperative blood loss or in-hospital outcomes after acetabular fracture surgery.

PURPOSE: Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces need for transfusion in total joint arthroplasty, though findings in acetabular surgery are conflicting. We compared outcomes after acetabular fracture surgery with or without perioperative intravenous (IV) TXA administration. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 305 patients with acetabular fractures that underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Eighty-nine patients received TXA, and 216 did not. The primary outcome was rates of intraoperative and postoperative allogeneic blood transfusion. RESULTS: Baseline demographics and characteristics were similar. Time from injury to surgery and estimated blood loss were comparable. Operative time (p < 0.01) and intraoperative IV fluids (p < 0.01) were greater in the non-TXA group. The proportion of patients who received blood transfusion and mean units transfused intraoperatively and postoperatively did not differ. Mean differences in preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit, hospital length of stay, and perioperative complications also did not differ. In a multivariable regression model, age 60-70 years, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Injury Severity Score, and fracture patterns likely to bleed were independently associated with intraoperative transfusion. Anterior surgical approaches and intraoperative transfusion requirement were independently associated with postoperative transfusion. CONCLUSION: In this study, perioperative IV TXA did not decrease blood loss, need for transfusion, or improve in-hospital outcomes of acetabular fracture surgery. Age 60-70, CCI, ISS, and fracture patterns likely to bleed were independently associated with intraoperative transfusion. Anterior surgical approach and need for intraoperative transfusion were independently associated with postoperative transfusion. Further prospective trials are warranted to confirm these findings.

Advanced Age Does Not Impact Outcomes After 1-level or 2-level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of increased age on perioperative and postoperative complication rates, reoperation rates, and patient-reported pain and disability scores after lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LLIF was developed to minimize soft tissue trauma and reduce the risk of vascular injury; however, there is little evidence regarding the effect of advanced age on outcomes of LLIF. METHODS: Patients who underwent LLIF from 2009 to 2019 at one institution with a minimum 6-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients less than 18 years old with musculoskeletal tumor or trauma were excluded. The primary outcome was the preoperative to postoperative change in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for back pain. Operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, perioperative and 90-day complications, unplanned readmissions, reoperations, and change in Oswestry Disability Index were also evaluated. Relationships with age were assessed both with age as a continuous variable and segmenting by age below 70 versus 70+. RESULTS: In total, 279 patients were included. The median age was 65±13 years and 159 (57%) were female. Age was not related to improvements in back NPRS and Oswestry Disability Index. Operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, perioperative and 90-day complications, unplanned readmissions, reoperations, and radiographic fusion rate also were not related to age. After multivariable risk adjustment, increasing age was associated with greater improvements in back NPRS. The decrease in back NPRS was 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.14, 1.22; P=0.014) points greater for every 10-year increase in age. Age was not associated with rates of complication, readmission, or reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: LLIF is a safe and effective procedure in the elderly population. Advanced age is associated with larger improvements in preoperative back pain. Surgeons should consider the benefits of LLIF and other minimally invasive techniques when evaluating elderly candidates for lumbar fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Does Navigation Make Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Safer? Insights From a National Database.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of computer-assisted navigation (NAV) on rates of complications and reoperations after spinal fusion (SF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using a nationally representative claims database. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Significant controversy surrounds the reported benefits of NAV in SF for AIS. Previous studies have demonstrated decreased rates of pedicle screw breaches with NAV compared to free-hand methods but no impact on complication rates. Thus, the clinical utility of NAV remains uncertain. METHODS: Analyses were performed using the IBM MarketScan databases. Patients aged 10 to 18 undergoing SF for AIS were grouped by use of NAV. Patients with nonidiopathic scoliosis were excluded. Univariate and risk-adjusted multivariate analyses were performed. Primary outcomes were neurological complications, any medical complications, and reoperations. Secondary outcomes included adjusted total reimbursements and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 12,046 patients undergoing SF for AIS were identified, and 8640 had 90-day follow-up. NAV was used in 467 patients (5.4%), increasing from 2007 to 2015. After risk adjustment, the odds for any complication within 90 days were lower with NAV (OR = 0.61, P = 0.025), but neurological complications were unrelated to NAV (P = 0.742). NAV was not associated with reoperation within 90 days (P = 0.757) or 2 years (P = 0.095). We observed a $25,038 increase in adjusted total reimbursements (P < 0.001) and a 0.32-day decrease in length of stay (P = 0.022) with use of NAV. CONCLUSION: In this national sample, NAV was associated with a lower rate of total complications but no change in rates of neurological complications or reoperations. In addition, NAV was associated with a large increase in total payments, despite a modest decrease in hospital stay. Considering the increasing popularity of NAV, this study provides important context regarding the utility of NAV for AIS.Level of Evidence: 3.

One surgeon's learning curve with single position lateral lumbar interbody fusion: perioperative outcomes and complications.

BACKGROUND: Single position (SP) lateral transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with posterior pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) reduces operative time compared to dual positioning. However, the learning curve has not yet been described. The purpose of this study was to define the learning curve SP LLIF with PPSF. METHODS: This retrospective case series included the first 161 consecutive patients who underwent SP LLIF and PPSF with the senior author. Primary analysis of operative time versus case number included single level cases without adjacent level procedures. Secondary analyses included 1-3 level cases without adjacent level procedures. Operative time for 2 and 3 level procedures was normalized to single-level cases. The learning curve was assessed with linear regression, which was found to fit the data better than logarithmic regression as judged by R2 values and data visualization. Perioperative outcomes as a function of case number were analyzed by least squares linear regression and Mann Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: For single level surgeries without adjacent procedures (n=87), operative time decreased by a total of 28.7 (95% CI, 9.6, 47.9) minutes over the series (P<0.001). For 1-3 level cases with no adjacent procedures (n=131), normalized operative time decreased by 23.1 (7.6, 38.6) minutes (P<0.001). Post-operative change in hematocrit, length of hospital stay, post-operative change in lordosis, 90-day complications, suboptimal screw placement, and 6-week post-operative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score did not correlate with case number. Intraoperative fluids decreased 3.7 mL (95% CI, 0.7, 6.7) per case (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In SP LLIF with PPSF, case number correlated with decreased operative time, but not complications. The surgeon's prior experience with dual position (DP) LLIF likely contributed to the minimal learning curve observed. Surgeons adopting SP LLIF with minimal prior DP LLIF experience may experience a steeper curve.

Rod-Screw Constructs Composed of Dissimilar Metals Do Not Affect Complication Rates in Posterior Fusion Surgery Performed for Adult Spinal Deformity.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare implant-related complications between mixed-metal and same-metal rod-screw constructs in patients who underwent posterior fusion for adult spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Contact between dissimilar metals is discouraged due to potential for galvanic corrosion, increasing the risk for metal toxicity, infection, and implant failure. In spine surgery, titanium (Ti) screws are most commonly used, but Ti rods are notch sensitive and likely more susceptible to fracture after contouring for deformity constructs. Cobalt chrome (CC) and stainless steel (SS) rods may be suitable alternatives. No studies have yet evaluated implant-related complications among mixed-metal constructs (SS or CC rods with Ti screws). METHODS: Adults with spinal deformity who underwent at least 5-level thoracic and/or lumbar posterior fusion or 3-column osteotomy between January 2013 and May 2015 were reviewed, excluding neuromuscular deformity, tumor, acute trauma or infection. Implant-related complications included pseudarthrosis, proximal junctional kyphosis, hardware failure (rod fracture, screw pullout or haloing), symptomatic hardware, and infection. RESULTS: A total of 61 cases met inclusion criteria: 24 patients received Ti rods with Ti screws (Ti-Ti, 39%), 31 SS rods (SS-Ti, 51%), and 6 CC rods (CC-Ti, 9.8%). Median follow-up was 37-42 months for all groups. Because of the limited number of cases, the CC-Ti group was not included in statistical analyses. There were no differences between Ti-Ti and SS-Ti groups with regard to age, body mass index, or smokers. Implant-related complications did not differ between the Ti-Ti and SS-Ti groups (P=0.080). Among the Ti-Ti group, there were 15 implant-related complications (63%). In the SS-Ti group, there were 12 implant-related complications (39%). There were 3 implant-related complications in the CC-Ti group (50%). CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that combining Ti screws with SS rods increases the risk for implant-related complications.

Preoperative epidural steroid injections are not associated with increased rates of infection and dural tear in lumbar spine surgery.

PURPOSE: The study objectives were to use a large national claims data resource to examine rates of preoperative epidural steroid injections (ESI) in lumbar spine surgery and determine whether preoperative ESI or the timing of preoperative ESI is associated with rates of postoperative complications and reoperations. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal analysis of patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery for disc herniation and/or spinal stenosis was undertaken using the MarketScan® databases from 2007-2015. Propensity-score matched cohorts were constructed to compare rates of complications and reoperations in patients with and without preoperative ESI. RESULTS: Within the year prior to surgery, 120,898 (46.4%) patients had a lumber ESI. The median time between ESI and surgery was 10 weeks. 23.1% of patients having preoperative ESI had more than one level injected, and 66.5% had more than one preoperative ESI treatment. Patients with chronic pain were considerably more likely to have an ESI prior to their surgery [OR 1.62 (1.54, 1.69), p < 0.001]. Patients having preoperative ESI within in close proximity to surgery did not have increased rates of infection, dural tear, neurological complications, or surgical complications; however, they did experience higher rates of reoperations and readmissions than those with no preoperative ESI (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Half of patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery for stenosis and/or herniation had a preoperative ESI. These were not associated with an increased risk for postoperative complications, even when the ESI was given in close proximity to surgery. Patients with preoperative ESI were more likely to have readmissions and reoperations following surgery.

Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) in Hand Surgery: Does a One-Question Outcome Instrument Compare Favorably?

PURPOSE: Patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used to measure patient status, impairments, and disability, but often require lengthy surveys and place a considerable burden on patients. We hypothesized that the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), composed of a single question, would be a valid and responsive instrument to provide a global assessment of hand function. METHODS: The SANE, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Upper Extremity (PROMIS-UE), and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) data are routinely collected electronically in our hand and upper-extremity center. To identify our cohort, we used Current Procedural Terminology codes to query our electronic medical record research data repository for the 7 most common hand surgery procedures performed over 2 years from December 2016 to 2018. These procedures included carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, thumb carpometacarpal arthroplasty, wrist arthroscopy, distal radius fracture fixation, first dorsal compartment release, and cubital tunnel release. Patients undergoing a single isolated procedure with questionnaires obtained in the preoperative and/or postoperative period were included in the analysis. Convergent validity, coverage, and responsiveness for each instrument were assessed. RESULTS: We identified 214 patients for inclusion. The SANE score had a moderate to strong correlation with the QuickDASH and PROMIS-UE. Floor and ceiling effects for the SANE were less than 10% at baseline and follow-up. Overall, the QuickDASH was the most responsive, followed by SANE and PROMIS-UE; all 3 instruments exceeded the acceptable thresholds for responsiveness and demonstrated significant changes before to after surgery. Responsiveness of the SANE varied by procedure and was acceptable for carpal tunnel release, carpometacarpal arthroplasty, wrist arthroscopy, and trigger finger release. CONCLUSIONS: The single-item SANE is a reasonable measure of global function in patients undergoing common hand procedures and demonstrates psychometric properties comparable to those of the PROMIS-UE and QuickDASH outcome scores. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The SANE score is a reasonable outcome measure of global hand function that may have utility in demonstrating response to treatment in a practice setting and may provide a useful adjunct to multiple-item measures in clinical research studies.

Cervical epidural steroid injections: incidence and determinants of subsequent surgery.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are sometimes used in the management of cervical radicular pain in order to delay or avoid surgery. However, the rate and determinants of surgery following CESIs remain uncertain. PURPOSE: This study sought to determine: (1) the proportion of patients having surgery following CESI, and (2) the timing of and factors associated with subsequent surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a large, national administrative claims database. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study included 192,777 CESI patients (age 50.9±11.3 years, 55.2% female) who underwent CESI for imaging-based diagnoses of cervical disc herniation or stenosis, a clinical diagnosis of radiculopathy, or a combination thereof. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the time from index CESI to surgery. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were CESI for cervical disc herniation, stenosis, or radiculopathy, age ≥18, and active enrollment for 1 year before CESI to screen for exclusions. Patients were followed until they underwent cervical surgery, or their enrollment lapsed. Rates of surgery were assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and 99% confidence intervals. Factors associated with subsequent surgery were assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Within 6 months of CESI, 11.2% of patients underwent surgery, increasing to 14.5% by 1 year and 22.3% by 5 years. Male patients and those aged 35 to 54 had an increased likelihood of subsequent surgery. Patients with radiculopathy were less likely to undergo surgery following CESI than those with stenosis or herniation, while patients with multiple diagnoses were more likely. Patients with comorbidities including CHF, other cardiac comorbidities or chronic pain were less likely to undergo surgery, as were patients in the northeast US region. Some 33.5% of patients underwent >1 CESI, with 84.6% of these occurring within 1 year. Additional injections were associated with reduced rates of subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Following CESI, over one in five patients underwent surgery within 5 years. Multiple patient-specific risk factors for subsequent surgery were identified, and patients undergoing repeated injections were at lower risk. Determining which patients may progress to surgery can be used to improve resource utilization and to inform shared decision-making.

Cost-effectiveness of Operative Versus Non-operative Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures.

BACKGROUND: The management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures is controversial, and most injuries are treated with surgery in the USA. The cost utility of operative versus non-operative treatment of acute Achilles tendon injury is unclear. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of operative versus functional non-operative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. METHODS: A Markov cost-utility analysis was conducted from the societal perspective using a 2-year time horizon. Hospital costs were derived from New York State billing data, and physician and rehabilitation costs were derived from the Medicare physician fee schedule. Indirect costs of missed work were calculated using estimates from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates of re-rupture, major and minor complications, and the associated costs were obtained from the literature. Effectiveness was expressed in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). For the base-case analysis, operative and non-operative patients were assumed to have the same utilities (quality of life) following surgery. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of model assumptions. RESULTS: In the base-case model, non-operative management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures dominated operative management, resulting in both lower costs and greater QALY gains. The differences in costs and effectiveness were relatively small. The benefit of non-operative treatment was 1.69 QALYs, and the benefit of operative treatment was 1.67 QALYs. Similarly, the total cost of operative and non-operative management was $13,936 versus $13,413, respectively. In sensitivity analyses, surgical costs and days of missed work were important drivers of cost-effectiveness. If hospitalization costs dropped below $2621 (compared with $3145) or the hourly wage rose above $29 (compared with $24), then operative treatment became a cost-effective strategy at the willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. The model results were also highly sensitive to the relative utilities for operative versus non-operative treatment. If non-operative utilities decreased relative to operative utilities by just 2%, then operative management became the dominant treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: For acute Achilles tendon ruptures, non-operative treatment provided greater benefits and lower costs than operative management in the base case; however, surgical costs and the economic impact associated with return to work are important determinants of the preferred cost-effective strategy.

A Prospective, Psychometric Validation of National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Testing in Cervical Spine Patients: Successes and Key Limitations.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort Study OBJECTIVE.: The aim of this study was to validate the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) against existing patient-reported outcomes in the cervical spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Current patient-reported outcomes in cervical spine have substantial limitations. PROMIS offers the potential for improved psychometric properties with reduced questionnaire burden. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing cervical spine surgery at a single institution between 2016 and 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Patients completed questionnaires (36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36], Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale arm/neck, and PROMIS pain Interference [PI], physical Function [PF], and Upper Extremity [UE]) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Demographic data, diagnosis, and procedural data were recorded. Validation of the instruments was completed with a Rasch Model as well as measurement of coverage, efficiency, test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and convergent validity. RESULTS: Of 197 patients who completed the preoperative survey, 164 were eligible for 6-month follow-up and 139 completed 6-month postoperative surveys. The most common diagnoses were radiculopathy (37.6%), myeloradiculopathy (30.5%), and myelopathy (28.4%). All studied instruments had acceptable fit to a Rasch model. PROMIS computer adaptive testings (CATs) demonstrated improved average time to completion for PI (39 seconds), PF (47 seconds), and UE (54  seconds), compared to NDI (117 s) and SF-36 PCS (175 seconds). Responsiveness for PROMIS CATs was similar to NDI and SF-36, test-retest reliability was lower for PI (intraclass correlation: 0.68), PF (0.70), and UE (0.59), compared to NDI (0.86) and PCS (0.85). For convergent validity, PI was strongly correlated to NDI and PF to SF-36 PCS. There were no significant floor or ceiling effects for the PROMIS domains, although UE had preoperative clustering (n = 18) at a high score (56.4) and PI had postoperative clustering (n = 27) at a low score (38.7). CONCLUSION: PROMIS CATs demonstrate several advantages, including efficiency and responsiveness, while demonstrating good convergent validity with legacy instruments. Nevertheless, CATs had lower test-retest reliability and had significant clustering at higher levels of function for the PI and UE CATs. These limitations must be considered before broad adoption of CATs in cervical spine patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Computer-assisted surgical navigation is associated with an increased risk of neurological complications: a review of 67,264 posterolateral lumbar fusion cases.

BACKGROUND: Pedicle screw malposition may result in neurological complications following posterolateral lumbar fusions (PLF). While computer-assisted navigation (NAV) and intraoperative neuromonitoring (ION) have been shown to improve safety in deformity surgeries, their use in routine PLFs remain controversial. This study assesses the risk of complications and reoperation for pedicle screw revision following PLF with and without ION and/or NAV surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were performed using the Truven Health MarketScan® databases to identify patients that had primary PLF with and without NAV and/or ION for degenerative lumbar disorders from years 2007-2015. Patients undergoing concomitant interbody fusions, spinal deformity surgery or fusion to the thoracic spine were excluded. Complications and reoperation for pedicle screw revision within 90 days of surgery were assessed. RESULTS: During the study period, 67,264 patients underwent PLFs. NAV only was used in 3.5% of patients, ION only in 17.9% and both NAV and ION in 0.8% of patients. In univariate analyses, there was a difference in the risk of neurological injuries among groups (NAV only: 1.4%, ION only: 0.8%, NAV and ION: 0.5%, No NAV or ION: 0.6%, P<0.001). In multivariable models, the use of NAV was associated with a higher risk of neurological complications when compared to ION only or no ION or NAV [NAV vs. ION only: odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) =2.1 (1.4, 3.2), P=0.002; NAV vs. no ION or NAV: OR and 95% CI =2.5 (1.7, 3.5), P<0.001]. There was no difference in reoperation rates among the groups (P=0.135). CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall risk of neurological complications following PLFs is low, the use of NAV only was associated with an increased risk of neurological complications. No differences were observed in the rates of pedicle screw revision among groups.

Lumbar epidural steroid injections for herniation and stenosis: incidence and risk factors of subsequent surgery.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbosacral epidural steroid injections (ESIs) have increased dramatically despite a narrowing of the clinical indications for use. One potential indication is to avoid or delay surgery, yet little information exists regarding surgery rates after ESI. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to determine the proportion of patients having surgery after lumbar ESI for disc herniation or stenosis and to identify the timing and factors associated with this progression. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This study was a retrospective review of nationally representative administrative claims data from the Truven Health MarketScan databases from 2007 to 2014. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study cohort was comprised of 179,025 patients (54±15 years, 48% women) having lumbar ESIs for diagnoses of stenosis and/or herniation. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the time from ESI to surgery. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were ESI for stenosis and/or herniation, age ≥18 years, and health plan enrollment for 1 year before ESI to screen for exclusions. Patients were followed longitudinally until they progressed to surgery or had a lapse in enrollment, at which time they were censored. Rates of surgery were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Demographic and treatment factors associated with surgery were assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. No external funding was procured for this research and the authors' conflicts of interest are not pertinent to the present work. RESULTS: Within 6 months, 12.5% of ESI patients underwent lumbar surgery. By 1 year, 16.9% had surgery, and by 5 years, 26.1% had surgery. Patients with herniation had surgery at rates of up to five-fold to seven-fold higher, with the highest rates of surgery in younger patients and those with both herniation and stenosis. Other concomitant spine diagnoses, male sex, previous tobacco use, and residence a rural areas or regions other than the Northeastern United States were associated with higher surgery rates. Medical comorbidities (previous treatment for drug use, congestive heart failure, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypercholesterolemia, and other cardiac complications) were associated with lower surgery rates. CONCLUSIONS: In the long term, more than one out of every four patients undergoing ESI for lumbar herniation or stenosis subsequently had surgery, and nearly one of six had surgery within the first year. After adjusting for other patient demographics and comorbidities, patients with herniation were more likely have surgery than those with stenosis. The improved understanding of the progression from lumbar ESI to surgery will help to better inform discussions regarding the value of ESI and aid in the shared decision-making process.