Benjamin Khechen

Postoperative Fever Evaluation Following Lumbar Fusion Procedures

Objective This study aimed to determine the incidence of postoperative fever, the workup conducted for postoperative fever, the rate of subsequent fever-related diagnoses or complications, and the risk factors associated with fever following lumbar fusion. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing lumbar fusion was performed. For patients in whom fever (≥38.6°C) was documented, charts were reviewed for any fever workup or diagnosis. Multivariate regression was used to identify independent risk factors for the development of postoperative fever. Results A total of 868 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 105 exhibited at least 1 episode of fever during hospitalization. The first documentation of fever occurred during the first 24 hours in 43.8% of cases, during postoperative hours 24–48 in 53.3%, and later than 48 hours postoperatively in 2.9%. At least 1 component of a fever workup was conducted in 47 of the 105 patients who had fever, resulting in fever-associated diagnoses in 4 patients prior to discharge. Three patients who had fever during the inpatient stay developed complications after discharge. On multivariate analysis, operations longer than 150 minutes (relative risk [RR], 1.66; p=0.015) and narcotic consumption greater than 85 oral morphine equivalents on postoperative day 0 (RR, 1.53; p=0.038) were independently associated with an increased risk of developing postoperative fever. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that inpatient fever occurred in roughly 1 in 8 patients following lumbar fusion surgery. In most cases where a fever workup was performed, no cause of fever was detected. Longer operative time and increased early postoperative narcotic use may increase the risk of developing postoperative fever.

Validity of PROMIS in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a preliminary evaluation

OBJECTIVE Patient-reported outcomes are commonly used to evaluate treatment efficacy. Inefficiencies in standard measurement tools often prove to be a barrier to data collection. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was developed to overcome these limitations. This tool implements computer-adaptive testing, which enables the assessment of physical function in fewer questions than those required for static metrics. In spine surgery patients, moderate to strong correlations with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) scores have been reported for PROMIS. However, to date, data regarding the efficacy of this tool for patients undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) have been limited. METHODS A prospectively maintained registry of patients who have undergone primary 1- or 2-level MIS TLIF was reviewed retrospectively. Patients with incomplete PROMIS data were excluded. Changes in PROMIS physical function scores 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months after surgery were analyzed using paired t-tests. PROMIS scores were compared with traditional outcome measures, including SF-12 physical function, ODI, and visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg scores. Correlations were tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the strength of association was interpreted as follows: small, 0.1 ≤ |r| < 0.3; moderate, 0.3 ≤ |r| < 0.5; and large, |r| ≥ 0.5. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Seventy-four patients were included in this analysis after the exclusion of those without PROMIS scores. The mean preoperative PROMIS score was 35.92 ± 6.98. Significant improvements were demonstrated in PROMIS scores 12 weeks (41.33, p < 0.001) and 6 months (43.58, p < 0.001) after surgery. PROMIS scores demonstrated a significant correlation with SF-12, ODI, and VAS leg scores (p < 0.05). Strong associations with PROMIS scores were observed for SF-12 (r = 0.650 to 0.854), ODI (r = -0.525 to -0.831), and 6-month VAS back (r = -0.693) scores. CONCLUSIONS Physical function as measured by PROMIS improves significantly 12 weeks and 6 months after MIS TLIF. In addition, PROMIS scores have strong correlations with SF-12 and ODI scores. These results suggest that PROMIS scores can be used as a valid assessment of physical function in MIS TLIF patients. Further work is required to determine the full benefits of this measure in other spine populations.

Impact of local steroid application on dysphagia following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: results of a prospective, randomized single-blind trial

OBJECTIVE Intraoperative local steroid application has been theorized to reduce swelling and improve swallowing in the immediate period following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of intraoperative local steroid application on patient-reported swallow function and swelling after ACDF. METHODS A prospective, randomized single-blind controlled trial was conducted. A priori power analysis determined that 104 subjects were needed to detect an 8-point difference in the Quality of Life in Swallowing Disorders (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire score. One hundred four patients undergoing 1- to 3-level ACDF procedures for degenerative spinal pathology were randomized to Depo-Medrol (DEPO) or no Depo-Medrol (NODEPO) cohorts. Prior to surgical closure, patients received 1 ml of either Depo-Medrol (DEPO) or saline (NODEPO) applied to a Gelfoam carrier at the surgical site. Patients were blinded to the application of steroid or saline following surgery. The SWAL-QOL questionnaire was administered both pre- and postoperatively. A ratio of the prevertebral swelling distance to the anteroposterior diameter of each vertebral body level was calculated at the involved levels ± 1 level by using pre- and postoperative lateral radiographs. The ratios of all levels were averaged and multiplied by 100 to obtain a swelling index. An air index was calculated in the same manner but using the tracheal air window diameter in place of the prevertebral swelling distance. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test and chi-square analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 104 patients, 55 (52.9%) were randomized to the DEPO cohort and 49 (47.1%) to the NODEPO group. No differences in baseline patient demographics or preoperative characteristics were demonstrated between the two cohorts. Similarly, estimated blood loss and length of hospitalization did not differ between the cohorts. Neither was there a difference in the mean change in the scaled total SWAL-QOL score, swelling index, and air index between the groups at any time point. Furthermore, no complications were observed in either group (retropharyngeal abscess or esophageal perforation). CONCLUSIONS The results of this prospective, randomized single-blind study did not demonstrate an impact of local intraoperative steroid application on patient-reported swallowing function or swelling following ACDF. Neither did the administration of Depo-Medrol lead to an earlier hospital discharge than that in the NODEPO cohort. These results suggest that intraoperative local steroid administration may not provide an additional benefit to patients undergoing ACDF procedures. ■ CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE Type of question: therapeutic; study design: randomized controlled trial; evidence: Class I. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT03311425 (clinicaltrials.gov).