Cyrus M. Jalai

Primary Versus Revision Surgery in the Setting of Adult Spinal Deformity: A Nationwide Study on 10,912 Patients.

Study Design. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database. Objective. This study compares patient demographics, incidence of comorbidities, procedure-related complications, and mortality following primary versus revision adult spinal deformity surgery Summary of Background Data. Although adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery has been extensively investigated, no previous study has provided nationwide estimates of patient characteristics and procedure-related complications for primary versus revision spinal deformity surgery comparatively. Methods. Nationwide Inpatient Sample data collected between 2001 and 2010 was analyzed. Discharges with procedural codes for anterior and/or posterior thoracic and/or lumbar spinal fusion and refusion were included for patients aged 25+ and 4+ levels fused with any diagnoses specific for scoliosis. Patient demographics, comorbidity, and procedure-related complications incidence were determined for primary versus revision cohorts. Multivariate analysis reported as (OR [95% CI]). Results. Discharges for 9133 primary and 850 revision cases were identified. Patients differed on the basis of demographic and hospital data. Average comorbidity indices for the cohorts were similar (P = 0.580), as was in-hospital mortality (P = 0.163). The incidence of procedure-related complications was higher for the revision cohort (46.96 % vs. 71.97%, P = 0.001). The mean hospital course for the revision cohort was longer (6.37 vs. 7.13 days, P < 0.0001). Revisions had an increased risk of complications involving the nervous system (1.34[1.10–1.6]), hematoma/seroma formation (2.31[1.92–2.78]), accidental vessel or nerve puncture (1.44[1.29–1.61]), wound dehiscence (2.18[1.48–3.21]), postop infection (3.10[2.50–3.85]), and ARDS complications (1.43[1.28–1.60]). The primary cohort had a decreased risk for GI (0.65[0.55–0.76]) and GU complications (0.71[0.51–0.99]). Conclusion. Relative to primary cases, those undergoing revision correction of spinal deformity have a higher risk of many procedure-related complications with a longer hospital course despite similar baseline comorbidity burden and the in-hospital mortality rate. This study provides clinically useful data for surgeons to educate patients at risk for morbidity and mortality and direct future research to improve outcomes.

The Impact of Advanced Age on Peri-Operative Outcomes in the Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Nationwide Study Between 2001 and 2010.

Study Design. Retrospective multicenter database review. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate national postoperative outcomes and hospital characteristics trends from 2001 to 2010 for advanced age CSM patients. Summary of Background Data. Recent studies show increases in US cervical spine surgeries and CSM diagnoses. However, few have compared national outcomes for elderly and younger CSM patients. Methods. A Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) analysis from 2001 to 2010, including CSM patients 25+ who underwent anterior and/or posterior cervical fusion or laminoplasty. Fractures, 9+ levels fused, or any cancers were excluded. Measures included demographics, outcomes, and hospital-related data for 25 to 64 versus 65+ and 65 to 75 versus 76+ age groups. Univariate and logistic regression modeling evaluated procedure-related complications risk in 65+ and 76+ age groups (OR[95% CI]). Results. Discharges for 35,319 patients in the age range of 25 to 64 years and 19,097 at the age 65+ years were identified. Average comorbidity indices for patients at 65+ years were higher compared to the 25 to 64 years age group (0.79 vs. 0.0.44, P < 0.0001), as was the total complications rate (11.39% vs. 5.93%, P < 0.0001) and charges (

Predicting Extended Length of Hospital Stay in an Adult Spinal Deformity Surgical Population

57,449.94 vs.

Surgical Treatment Strategies for High-Grade Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review

49,951.11, P < 0.0001). Hospital course for aged 65+ patients was longer (4.76 vs. 3.26 days, P < 0.0001). Mortality risk was higher in the 65+ cohort (3.38[2.93–3.91]), adjusted for covariates. 65+ patients had increased risk of all complications except device-related, for which they had decreased risk (0.61[0.56–0.67]). Patients 76+ years displayed increased hospital charges (

Predictive model for cervical alignment and malalignment following surgical correction of adult spinal deformity

59,197.60 vs.

Hospital Readmission Within 2 Years Following Adult Thoracolumbar Spinal Deformity Surgery: Prevalence, Predictors, and Effect on Patient-derived Outcome Measures

56,601.44, P < 0.001) and courses (5.77 vs. 4.28 days, P < 0.001) compared to those in the age group 65 to 75 years. These same patients presented with increased Deyo scores (0.83 vs. 0.77, P < 0.001), had increased total complications rate (13.87% vs. 10.20%, P < 0.001), and displayed increased risk for postoperative shock (6.34 [11.16–3.60], P < 0.001), digestive system (1.92 [2.40–1.54], P < 0.001), and wound dehiscence (1.71 [2.56–1.15], P < 0.001). Conclusion. Patients aged 65+ years undergoing CSM surgical management have a higher mortality risk, more procedure-related complications, higher comorbidity burden, longer hospital course, and higher charges. This study provides clinically useful data for surgeons to educate patients and to improve outcomes.

Comparative analysis of perioperative complications between a multicenter prospective cervical deformity database and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database

Study Design. A retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database. Objective. The aim of this study was to identify variables associated with extended length of stay (ExtLOS) and this impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. Summary of Background Data. ASD surgery is complex and associated with complications including extLOS. Although variables contributing to extLOS have been considered, specific complications and pre-disposing factors among ASD surgical patients remain to be investigated. Methods. Inclusion criteria: ASD surgical patients (age >18 years, scoliosis ≥20°, sagittal vertical axis ≥5 cm, pelvic tilt ≥25°, and/or thoracic kyphosis >60°) with complete demographic, radiographic, and HRQoL data at baseline, 6 weeks, and 2 years postoperative. ExtLOS was based on 75th percentile (≥9 days). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified predictors and evaluated effects on outcomes. Repeated-measures mixed models analyzed impact of ExtLOS on HRQoL [Oswestry Disability Index; Short Form-36 physical component summary/mental component summary; SRS22r Activity (AC), Pain (P), Appearance (AP), Satisfaction (S), Mental (M) and Total (T)]. Results. Three hundred eighty patients met inclusion criteria: 105 (27.6%) had extLOS (≥9 days) and 275 (72.4%) did not. Average LOS was 8 days (range: 1–30 days). Age [odds ratio (OR) 1.04], no. of levels fused (OR 1.12), no. of infections (OR 2.29), no. of neurologic complications (OR 2.51), Charlson Comorbidity Index Score (CCI) predicted ExtLOS (OR 3.92), and no. of intraop complications predicted ExtLOS (OR 3.56). ExtLOS patients had more intracardiopulmonary (pleural effusion: 1.9% vs. 0%) and operative complications (dural tear: 13.3% vs. 5.1%; excessive blood loss: 18% vs. 5.8%) (P < 0.022). At 2 years, both groups of patients experienced an overall improvement in all HRQoL scores (P < 0.001). ExtLOS patients had significantly less overall improvement in all HRQoLs (P < 0.01) except for MCS (P = 0.17) and SRS M (P = 0.08). Conclusion. Extended LOS of ASD patients is affected by comorbidities (higher CCI) and number of intraoperative, but not peri-operative, complications. All patients improved overall in HRQoL scores, but extended LOS patients improved less overall at 2 years in comparison. Level of Evidence: 3

Thoracolumbar Realignment Surgery Results in Simultaneous Reciprocal Changes in Lower Extremities and Cervical Spine

Background HGS is a severe deformity most commonly affecting L5-S1 vertebral segment. Treatment available for HGS includes a range of different surgical options: full or partial reduction of translation and/or abnormal alignment and in situ fusion with or without decompression. Various instrumented or non-instrumented constructs are available, and surgical approach varies from anterior/posterior to combined depending on surgeon preference and experience. The aim of this systematic review was to review the literature on lumbosacral high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS), identify patients at risk for progression to higher-grade slip and evaluate various surgical strategies to report on complications and radiographic and clinical outcomes. Methods Systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar for papers relevant to HGS was performed. 19 articles were included after title, abstract, and full-text review and grouped to analyze baseline radiographic parameters and the effect of surgical approach, instrumentation, reduction and decompression on patient radiographic and clinical outcomes. Results There is a lack of high-quality studies pertaining to surgical treatment for HGS, and a majority of included papers were Level III or IV based on the JBJS Levels of Evidence Criteria. Conclusions Surgical treatment for HGS can vary depending on patient age. There is strong evidence of an association between increased pelvic incidence (PI) and presence of HGS and moderately strong evidence that patients with unbalanced pelvis can benefit from correction of lumbopelvic parameters with partial reduction. Surgeons need to weigh the benefits of fixing the deformity with the risks of potential complications, assessing patient satisfaction as well as their understanding of the possible complications. However, further research is necessary to make more definitive conclusions on surgical treatment guidelines for HGS. Level of Evidence II

Outcomes of open staged corrective surgery in the setting of adult spinal deformity

Study Design. Retrospective review of prospective multicenter database. Objective. Use predictive modeling to identify patient characteristics, radiographic, and surgical variables that predict reaching an outcome threshold of suboptimal cervical alignment after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Summary of Background Data. Cervical deformity (CD) after ASD correction has been defined with the following criteria: T1S-CL>20°, C2-C7 SVA>40 mm, and/or C2-C7 kyphosis >10°. While studies have analyzed CD predictors, few have defined and identified predictors of optimal cervical alignment after thoracolumbar surgery. Methods. Inclusion criteria were surgical ASD patients with baseline and 2-year follow-up. Postoperative cervical alignment (CA) and malalignment (nonCA) at 2 years was defined with the following radiographic criteria: 0°⩽T1S-CL⩽20°, 0 mm⩽C2-C7 SVA⩽40 mm, or C2-C7 lordosis >0°. Three thresholds classifying malalignment were defined: (T1) missing 1 criterion, (T2) missing 2 criteria, (T3) missing 3 criteria. Multivariable logistic stepwise regression models with bootstrap resampling procedure were performed for demographic, surgical, and radiographic variables. The model was validated with receiver operative characteristic and area under the curve. Results. Two hundred twenty-five surgical ASD patients were included. At 2 years 208 patients (92.4%) were grouped as CA in T3, while 17 (7.6%) were nonCA. Patients were similar in age (CA: 56.10 vs. nonCA: 55.78 years, P = 0.150), BMI (CA: 26.93 vs. nonCA: 26.94 kg/m2, P = 0.716), and sex (CA: 76.5% vs. nonCA: 87.0%, P = 0.194). The final predictive model included C2 slope, C2-T3 CL, T1S-CL, C2–C7 CL, Pelvic Tilt, C2-S1 SVA, PI-LL, and Smith–Peterson osteotomies number. In this model (area under the curve 89.22% [97.49–80.96%]), the following variables were identified as predictors of nonCA: increased Smith–Peterson osteotomies use (OR: 1.336, P = 0.017), and C2-T3 angle (OR: 1.048, P = 0.005). Conclusion. This study created a statistical model that predicts poor 2-year postoperative cervical malalignment in ASD patients. T3 (patients not meeting all three alignment criteria) was the most effective threshold for modeling nonCA, and included increased baseline C2-T3 angle and increased Smith–Peterson osteotomies during index. Level of Evidence: 3

Selective versus nonselective thoracic fusion in Lenke 1C curves: a meta-analysis of baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes

Study Design. A retrospective review of prospective multicenter database. Objective. The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing readmission, reoperation, and the impact on health-related quality of life outcomes (HRQoLs) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Summary of Background Data. Many ASD patients experience complications requiring readmission. It is important to identify baseline/operative factors leading to rehospitalizations and reoperation, which may impact outcomes. Methods. Inclusion criteria: ASD surgical patients (age >18 yrs, major coronal Cobb ≥20°, sagittal vertical axis ≥5 cm, pelvic tilt ≥25°, and/or thoracic kyphosis >60°) with complete baseline, 1-, and 2-year follow-up. Patients were grouped on the basis of readmission occurrence (yes/no) and type [medical (no reoperation) vs. surgical (revision surgery)]. Readmissions caused by infections requiring surgical treatment (e.g., deep infections) were considered reoperations. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined readmission and reoperation predictors. Repeated measures mixed models evaluated readmission impact on HRQoLs at 1 and 2 years. Results. Three hundred thirty-four patients were included: 76 (22.8%) readmissions, involving 65 (85.5% of 76) reoperations (surgical readmission) and 11 (14.5% of 76) medical readmissions. The most common surgical readmission indication (n = 65) was implant complications (36.9%; rod breakage n = 13); the most common medical readmission indication was infection (36.4%, n = 4), treated with antibiotics. Noninfectious medical readmission (n = 7) included pleural effusion, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), intraoperative blood loss, neurologic, and unspecified. Readmission predictors: increased number of major peri-operative complications [odds ratio (OR) 5.13, P = 0.014], infection presence (OR 25.02, P = 0.001), implant complications (OR 6.12, P < 0.001), and radiographic complications (DJK, proximal junctional kyphosis, pseudoarthrosis, sagittal/coronal imbalance) (OR 16.94, P < 0.001). HRQoL analysis revealed overall improvement of the full cohort (P < 0.01), though the 76 readmitted improved less overall and at each time point P < 0.001) except in 6-week MCS (P = 0.14). Conclusion. Major peri-operative, implant, radiographic, and infection complications during index were associated with increased readmission odds. Implant complications most frequently caused surgical readmissions. Readmitted patients improved in outcome scores, although less compared with the nonreadmitted cohort, yet displayed reduced 6-week SF-36 Mental Component Summary. Level of Evidence: 3