Deeptee Jain

Higher Patient Expectations Predict Higher Patient-Reported Outcomes, But Not Satisfaction, in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND The relationship between patient expectations, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and satisfaction in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients is not well understood. METHODS We prospectively evaluated patients who underwent primary TKA at 4 institutions. Demographics were collected. Preoperatively, patients completed the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectations Survey (HSS-KRES), SF-12, UCLA activity, and Knee Disability and Osteoarthritis Score. At 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, patients completed the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Fulfillment of Expectations Survey (HSS-KRFES), a satisfaction survey, and PROs. Step-wise multivariate regression models were created. RESULTS Eighty-three patients were enrolled. At 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, the follow-up rate was 84.3% and 92.7%, respectively. No demographics or preoperative PROs were predictive of HSS-KRES. Preoperative HSS-KRES did not predict postoperative satisfaction, but higher HSS-KRES predicted higher HSS-KRFES at 1 year, greater improvement in UCLA activity at 6 months and 1 year, and SF-12 Physical Composite Scale and Knee Disability and Osteoarthritis Score at 6 months. Higher HSS-KRFES predicted higher satisfaction at 6 months and 1 year. CONCLUSION In TKA patients, preoperative expectations are not influenced by patient demographics or preoperative function. Higher preoperative expectations predict greater postoperative improvement in PROs and fulfillment of expectations. These findings highlight the importance of preoperative patient expectations on postoperative outcome.

Commentary on development and assessment of a digital X-ray software tool to determine vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

COMMENTARY ON Eijgenraam SM, Boselie TF, Sieben JM, Bastiaenen CH, Willems PC, Arts JJ, Lataster A. Spine J 2015;September 26. pii: S1529-9430(15)01449-7.

Team Approach: Degenerative Spinal Deformity

Degenerative spinal deformity is common and affects a large percentage of the aging population. The burden of degenerative spinal deformity is high when measured on the basis of prevalence, impact, and cost of care.A broad spectrum of specialists treat degenerative spinal deformities with use of bot

Circumferential fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis complicated by distal junctional grade 4 spondylolisthesis in the sub-acute post-operative setting

IntroductionSurgical management for lumbar stenosis is generally safe and provides significant improvements in pain, disability, and function. Successful lumbar decompression hinges on removing an appropriate amount of lamina and other compressive pathology in the lateral recess. Too little bony decompression can result in persistent pain and disability, while over resection of the pars and/or facets may jeopardize spinal stability.Case reportIn this unique report, we present for the first time an acute iatrogenic grade 4 L5–S1 spondylolisthesis distal to a L3–5 laminectomy and circumferential instrumented fusion due to bilateral iatrogenic L5 pars fractures and its management and clinical outcomes after revision operation. The patient presented with worsening pain, neurologic compromise, and severe sagittal imbalance. The iatrogenic, high-grade spondylolisthesis was urgently addressed with a L5–S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion and extension of posterior instrumentation to the pelvis, which resulted in considerable pain relief, resolution of neurologic deficits, and reconstitution of acceptable sagittal imbalance.ConclusionAll attempts during a lumbar decompression should be made to prevent iatrogenic pars fractures, as they may result in severe sagittal imbalance, neurologic compromise, and persistent disability. Iatrogenic, high-grade L5–S1 spondylolisthesis can be successfully treated with reduction using circumferential fusion of the lumbosacral junction.

Bariatric surgery before elective posterior lumbar fusion is associated with reduced medical complications and infection

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Severely obese patients with operative spinal pathology present a challenge to the spine surgeon, given the increased complication risk. PURPOSE We aimed to determine the impact of bariatric surgery (BS) on perioperative complications of posterior lumbar fusion. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE Patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion surgery in the State Inpatient Databases of New York, Florida, North Carolina, Nebraska, Utah, and California comprised the patient sample. OUTCOMES Thirty-day medical complications, surgical complications (nerve injury, infection, revision), death, readmission, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were the studys outcomes. METHODS We analyzed 156,517 patients using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Patients were categorized into three groups: Group 1: history of BS and obesity, Group 2: severe obesity, body mass index (BMI)>40 (severely obese), and Group 3: normal weight, BMI<25 (non-obese). Logistic and linear multivariate regressions were performed to compare complications and LOS, respectively, between BS and severely obese groups and BS and non-obese groups while controlling for confounders. There were no sources of funding for this study. RESULTS There were 590 patients with BS, 5,791 severely obese, and 150,136 non-obese. Comparing BS with severely obese, BS had significantly lower rates of respiratory failure (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, p=.019), urinary tract infection (OR 0.64, p=.031), acute renal failure (OR 0.39, p=.007), overall medical complications (OR 0.59, p<.001), and infection (OR 0.65, p=.025). Bariatric surgery also had significantly lower hospital LOS (B=-0.46, p=.01). Comparing BS with non-obese, there were no significant differences in medical complications; however, BS had significantly higher rates of infection (OR 2.70, p<.001), reoperation (OR 2.05, p=.045), and readmission (OR 1.89, p<.001). CONCLUSION Bariatric surgery before elective posterior lumbar fusion mitigates risk of medical complications and infection. However, these patients still have increased risk of infection, revision surgery, and readmission compared with patients with normal BMI. Surgeons might consider referral for BS for the severely obese patient before undergoing spine surgery.

Comparison of Stand-Alone, Transpsoas Lateral Interbody Fusion at L3-4 and Cranial vs Transforaminal Interbody Fusion at L3-4 and L4-5 for the Treatment of Lumbar Adjacent Segment Disease

ABSTRACT Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: To compare outcomes and complications of stand-alone minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion (LIF) vs revision posterior surgery for the treatment of lumbar adjacent segment disease. Methods: Adults who underwent LIF or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for adjacent segment disease were compared. Exclusion criteria: >grade 1 spondylolisthesis, posterior approach after LIF, and L5/S1 surgery. Patient demographics, estimated blood loss, hospital length of stay, complications, reoperations, health-related quality of life measures, and radiographs were examined. Data were analyzed with the χ2, Wilcoxon signed rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: A total of 17 LIF and 16 TLIF patients were included. Demographics were similar. Follow up was similar (LIF: 22.9 ± 11.8 months vs TLIF: 22.0 ± 4.6 months; P = .86). The LIF patients had significantly less blood loss (LIF: 36 ± 16 mL vs TLIF: 700 ± 767 mL; P < .001) and shorter length of stay (LIF: 2.6 ± 2.9 days vs TLIF: 3.3 ± 0.9 days; P = .001). There were no intraoperative complications. Revision rate was 4 of 17 in LIF and 3 of 16 in TLIF (P = .73). Baseline health-related quality of life and radiographic measurements were similar. In both groups, back and leg pain scores significantly improved, and in LIF, the Owestry Disability Index, and EuroQol-5D significantly improved. The LIF had a significant increase in intervertebral height (LIF: 4.8 ± 2.9 mm, P < .001, TLIF: 1.3 ± 3.4 mm, P = .37), which was significantly greater for LIF than TLIF (P = .002). Similarly, LIF had a significant increase in segmental lordosis (LIF: 5.6° ± 4.9°, P < .001, TLIF: 3.6° ± 8.6°, P = .16), which was not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: Patients with adjacent segment disease may receive significant benefit from stand-alone LIF or TLIF. The LIF offers advantages of less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. Level of Evidence: 3

Body mass index predicts risk of complications in lumbar spine surgery based on surgical invasiveness

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Obesity as a comorbidity in spine pathology may increase the risk of complications following surgical treatment. The body mass index (BMI) threshold at which obesity becomes clinically relevant, and the exact nature of that effect, remains poorly understood. PURPOSE Identify the BMI that independently predicts risk of postoperative complications following lumbar spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective review of the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) years 2011-2013. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 31,763 patients were undergoing arthrodesis, discectomy, laminectomy, laminoplasty, corpectomy, or osteotomy of the lumbar spine. OUTCOME MEASURES Complication rates. METHODS The patient sample was categorized preoperatively by BMI according to the World Health Organization stratification: underweight (BMI <18.5), normal overweight (BMI 20.0-29.9), obesity class 1 (BMI 30.0-34.9), 2 (BMI 35.0-39.9), and 3 (BMI≥40). Patients were dichotomized based on their position above or below the 75th surgical invasiveness index (SII) percentile cutoff into low-SII and high-SII. Differences in complication rates in BMI groups were analyzed by Bonferroni analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Multivariate binary logistic regression evaluated relationship between BMI and complication categories in all patients and in high-SII and low-SII surgeries. RESULTS Controlling for baseline difference in SII, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, complications significantly increased at a BMI of 35 kg/m2. The odds ratios for any complication (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval {CI}]; obesity 2: 1.218 [1.020-1.455]; obesity 3: 1.742 [1.439-2.110]), infection (obesity 2: 1.335 [1.110-1.605]; obesity 3: 1.685 [1.372-2.069]), and surgical complication (obesity 2: 1.622 [1.250-2.104]; obesity 3: 2.798 [2.154-3.634]) were significantly higher in obesity classes 2 and 3 relative to the normal-overweight cohort (all p<.05). CONCLUSION There is a significant increase in complications, specifically infection and surgical complications, in patients with BMI≥35 following lumbar spine surgery, with that rate further increasing with BMI≥40.