Matthew L. Webb

Increased risk of complications after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in the elderly: an analysis of 6253 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Study Design. Retrospective cohort analysis of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgical procedures using a prospectively collected database. Objective. To characterize the 30-day postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing ACDF after adjustment for comorbidities using a multi-institutional database. Summary of Background Data. Prior studies on the effect of age after ACDF have mostly focused on in-hospital complications, have come from single institutions, or have included ACDF in pooled analyses and have not distinctly analyzed the specific complications associated with age after ACDF. Methods. Patients undergoing ACDF were selected in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2012. Patients were stratified into 4 age-groups: 18 to 39 years, 40 to 64 years, 65 to 74 years, and 75 years or more (based on standard deviation cohorts). Patients in the different age categories were compared using the &khgr;2 statistic, the Fisher exact test, and analysis of variance. Multivariate linear/logistic regression models were used to adjust for preoperative comorbidities. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results. Data were available for 6253 patients who underwent ACDF. On multivariate logistic regression, both groups of elderly patients (65–74 and ≥75 yr) were more likely to have blood transfusions, reoperations, urinary complications, extended length of stays, and 1 or more complication, overall. Only patients 65 to 74 years were more likely to have a pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis, whereas only patients aged 75 years or older were more likely to experience respiratory complications, central nervous system complications, or death. There were no differences in complication rates between the 18- to 39-year age-group and 40- to 64-year age-group. The 18- to 39-year age-group and 75-year age-group had shorter operating room times. Conclusion. Older age is an independent risk factor for greater morbidity and longer hospitalizations after ACDF, even after adjustment for comorbidities when compared with younger patients. Surgeons should be aware of the increased risk of multiple complications for patients of advanced age in their surgical decision making. Level of Evidence: 3

Orthopaedic Surgeons Receive the Most Industry Payments to Physicians but Large Disparities are Seen in Sunshine Act Data

BackgroundIndustry payments made to physicians by drug and device manufacturers or group purchasing organizations are now reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a part of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. Initial reports from the program show that orthopaedic surgeons lead all physician specialties in total and average industry payments. However, before further discussion of these payments and their implications can take place, it remains to be seen whether these figures are a true reflection of the field of orthopaedic surgery in general, rather than the result of a few outlier physicians in the field. In addition, the nature and sources of these funds should be determined to better inform the national dialogue surrounding these payments.Questions/PurposesWe asked: (1) How do industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons compare with payments to physicians and surgeons in other fields, in terms of median payments and the Gini index of disparity? (2) How much do payments to the highest-receiving orthopaedic surgeons contribute to total payments? (3) What kind of industry payments are orthopaedic surgeons receiving? (4) How much do the highest-paying manufacturers contribute to total payments to orthopaedic surgeons?Materials and MethodsWe reviewed the most recent version of the CMS Sunshine Act Open Payments database released on December 19, 2014, containing data on payments made between August 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. Data on total payments to individual physicians, physician specialty, the types of payments made, and the manufacturers making payments were reviewed. The Gini index of statistical dispersion was calculated for payments made to orthopaedic surgeons and compared with payments made to physicians and surgeons in all other medical specialties. A Gini index of 0 indicates complete equality of payments to everyone in the population, whereas an index of 1 indicates complete inequality, or all income going to one individual.ResultsA total of 15,376 orthopaedic surgeons receiving payments during the 5-month period were identified, accounting for USD 109,846,482. The median payment to orthopaedic surgeons receiving payments was USD 121 (interquartile range, USD 34–619). The top 10% of orthopaedic surgeons receiving payments (1538 surgeons) received at least USD 4160 and accounted for 95% of total payments. Royalties and patent licenses accounted for 69% of all industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons.ConclusionsEven as a relatively small specialty, orthopaedic surgeons received substantial payments from industry (more than USD 110 million) during the 5-month study period. Whether there is a true return of value from these payments remains to be seen; however, future ethical and policy discussions regarding industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons should take into account the large disparities in payments that are present and also the nature of the payments being made. It is possible that patients and policymakers may view industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons more positively in light of these new findings.Level of EvidenceLevel III, Economic and Decision Analysis.

Patient factors associated with 30-day morbidity, mortality, and length of stay after surgery for subdural hematoma: a study of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

OBJECTIVE Surgery for subdural hematoma (SDH) is a commonly performed neurosurgical procedure. This study identifies patient characteristics associated with adverse outcomes and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in patients who underwent surgical treatment for SDH. METHODS All patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) who were treated via craniotomy or craniectomy for SDH between 2005 and 2012 were identified. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day outcomes were described. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of adverse events. RESULTS A total of 746 surgical procedures performed for SDH were identified and analyzed. Patients undergoing this procedure were 64% male with an average age (± SD) of 70.9 ± 14.1 years. The most common individual adverse events were death (17%) and intubation for more than 48 hours (19%). In total, 34% experienced a serious adverse event other than death, 8% of patients returned to the operating room (OR), and the average hospital LOS was 9.8 ± 9.9 days. In multivariate analysis, reduced mortality was associated with age less than 60 years (relative risk [RR] = 0.47, p = 0.017). Increased mortality was associated with gangrene (RR = 3.5, p = 0.044), ascites (RR = 3.00, p = 0.006), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class 4 or higher (RR = 2.34, p = 0.002), coma (RR = 2.25, p < 0.001), and bleeding disorders (RR = 1.87, p = 0.003). Return to the OR was associated with pneumonia (RR = 3.86, p = 0.044), male sex (RR = 1.85, p = 0.015), and delirium (RR = 1.75, p = 0.016). Serious adverse events were associated with ventilator dependence preoperatively (RR = 1.86, p < 0.001), dialysis (RR = 1.44, p = 0.028), delirium (RR = 1.40, p = 0.005), ASA Class 4 or higher (RR = 1.36, p = 0.035), and male sex (RR = 1.29, p = 0.037). Similarly, LOS was increased in ventilator dependent patients by 1.56-fold (p = 0.002), in patients with ASA Class 4 or higher by 1.30-fold (p = 0.006), and in delirious patients by 1.29-fold (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Adverse outcomes are common after surgery for SDH. In this study, 18% of the patients died within 30 days of surgery. Factors associated with adverse outcomes were identified. Patients and families should be counseled about the serious risks of morbidity and death associated with acute traumatic SDH requiring surgery.

Risk Factors for Blood Transfusion with Primary Posterior Lumbar Fusion.

Study Design. Retrospective cohort study. Objective. To identify factors associated with blood transfusion for primary posterior lumbar fusion surgery, and to identify associations between blood transfusion and other postoperative complications. Summary of Background Data. Blood transfusion is a relatively common occurrence for patients undergoing primary posterior lumbar fusion. There is limited information available describing which patients are at increased risk for blood transfusion, and the relationship between blood transfusion and short‐term postoperative outcomes is poorly characterized. Methods. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS‐NSQIP) database was used to identify patients undergoing primary posterior lumbar fusion from 2011 to 2013. Multivariate analysis was used to find associations between patient characteristics and blood transfusion, along with associations between blood transfusion and postoperative outcomes. Results. Out of 4223 patients, 704 (16.7%) had a blood transfusion. Age 60 to 69 (relative risk [RR] 1.6), age greater than equal to 70 (RR 1.7), American Society of Anesthesiologists class greater than equal to 3 (RR 1.1), female sex (RR 1.1), pulmonary disease (RR 1.2), preoperative hematocrit less than 36.0 (RR 2.0), operative time greater than equal to 310 minutes (RR 2.9), 2 levels (RR 1.6), and 3 or more levels (RR 2.1) were independently associated with blood transfusion. Interbody fusion (RR 0.9) was associated with decreased rates of blood transfusion. Receiving a blood transfusion was significantly associated with any complication (RR 1.7), sepsis (RR 2.6), return to the operating room (RR 1.7), deep surgical site infection (RR 2.6), and pulmonary embolism (RR 5.1). Blood transfusion was also associated with an increase in postoperative length of stay of 1.4 days (P < 0.001). Conclusion. 1 in 6 patients received a blood transfusion while undergoing primary posterior lumbar fusion, and risk factors for these occurrences were characterized. Strategies to minimize blood loss might be considered in these patients to avoid the associated complications. Level of Evidence: 3

Methods of evaluating lumbar and cervical fusion

Introduced in 1911, spinal fusion is now widely used to stabilize the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, including the use of instrumentation and optimizing bone graft options, pseudarthrosis remains one of the most significant causes of clinical failure following attempted fusion. Diagnosis of this common complication is based on a focused clinical assessment and imaging studies. Pseudarthrosis classically presents with the onset of or return of axial or radicular symptoms during the first postoperative year. However, this diagnosis is complicated because other diagnoses can mimic these symptoms (such as infection or adjacent segment degeneration) and because many cases of pseudarthrosis are asymptomatic. Computed tomography and assessment of motion on flexion/extension radiographs are the two preferred imaging modalities for establishing the diagnosis of pseudarthrosis. The purpose of this article was to review the current status of imaging and clinical practices for assessing fusion following spinal arthrodesis.

Factors Affecting Length of Stay and Complications After Elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Study of 2164 Patients From The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Database (ACS NSQIP).

Study Design: Retrospective review of the prospective American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS NSQIP) database with 30-day follow-up of 2164 patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Objective: To determine factors independently associated with increased length of stay (LOS) and complications after ACDF to facilitate preoperative planning and setting of realistic expectations for patients and providers. Summary of Background Data: The effect of individual preoperative factors on LOS and complications has been evaluated in small-scale studies. Large database analysis with multivariate analysis of these variables has not been reported. Methods: The ACS NSQIP database from 2005 to 2010 was queried for patients undergoing ACDF procedures. Preoperative and perioperative variables were collected. Multivariate regression determined significant predictors (P<0.05) of extended LOS and complications. Results: Average LOS was 2.0±4.0 days (mean±SD) with a range of 0–103 days. By multivariate analysis, age 65 years and above, functional status, transfer from facility, preoperative anemia, and diabetes were the preoperative factors predictive of extended LOS. Major complications, minor complications, and extended surgery time were the perioperative factors associated with increased LOS. The elongating effect of these variables was determined, and ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 days. Seventy-one patients (3.3%) had a total of 92 major complications, including return to operating room (40), venous thrombotic events (13), respiratory (21), cardiac (6), mortality (5), sepsis (4), and organ space infection (3). Multivariate analysis determined ASA score ≥3, preoperative anemia, age 65 years and above, extended surgery time, and male sex to be predictive of major complications (odds ratios ranging between 1.756 and 2.609). No association was found between levels fused and LOS or complications. Conclusion: Extended LOS after ACDF is associated with factors including age, anemia, and diabetes, as well as the development of postoperative complications. One in 33 patients develops a major complication postoperatively, which are associated with an increased LOS of 5 days.

Timing of Complications After Spinal Fusion Surgery.

Study Design. Retrospective cohort study. Objective. To characterize the timing of complications after spinal fusion procedures. Summary of Background Data. Despite many publications on risk factors for complications after spine surgery, there are few publications on the timing at which such complications occur. Methods. Patients undergoing anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) or posterior lumbar fusion (PLF; with or without interbody) procedures during 2011–2013 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. For each of 8 different complications, the median time from surgery until complication was determined, along with the interquartile range and middle 80%. Results. A total of 12,067 patients undergoing ACDF and 11,807 patients undergoing PLF were identified. For ACDF, the median day of diagnosis (and interquartile range; middle 80%) for anemia requiring transfusion was 0 (0–1; 0–2), myocardial infarction 2 (1–5; 0–15), pneumonia 4 (2–9; 1–14), pulmonary embolism 5 (2–9; 1–10), deep vein thrombosis 10.5 (7–16.5; 5–21), sepsis 10.5 (4–18; 1–23), surgical site infection 13 (8–19; 5–25), and urinary tract infection 17 (8–22; 4–26). For PLF, the median day of diagnosis (and interquartile range; middle 80%) for anemia requiring transfusion was 0 (0–1; 0–2), myocardial infarction 2 (1–4; 1–8), pneumonia 4 (2–9; 1–17), pulmonary embolism 5 (3–11; 2–17), urinary tract infection 7 (4–14; 2–23), deep vein thrombosis 8 (5–16; 3–20), sepsis 9 (4–16; 2–22), and surgical site infection 17 (13–22; 9–27). Conclusion. These precisely described postoperative time periods enable heightened clinical awareness among spine surgeons. Spine surgeons should have the lowest threshold for testing for each complication during the time period of greatest risk. Authors, reviewers, and surgeons utilizing research on postoperative complications should carefully consider the impact that the duration of follow-up has on study results. Level of Evidence: 3

Adverse events, length of stay, and readmission after surgery for tibial plateau fractures.

Objectives: To identify factors that are associated with short-term outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for tibial plateau fracture. Methods: Patients who underwent ORIF for tibial plateau fracture from 2009 to 2012 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patient characteristics were tested for association with any adverse event (AAE), severe adverse events (SAEs), infectious complications, extended length of stay (LOS), and readmission within 30 days. Results: A total of 519 tibial plateau fracture patients met inclusion criteria. Ten percent had AAE, 7% had SAEs, and 4% had an infectious complication. Extended LOS was defined as LOS >3 days (75th percentile LOS). Four percent of patients were readmitted. AAE was associated with increased American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class [relative risk (RR) = 3.8] and history of pulmonary disease (RR = 2.1) on multivariate analysis. SAE was associated with male sex (RR = 2.2) and increased ASA class (RR = 3.6). Infectious complications were associated with male sex (RR = 3.0), increased ASA class (RR = 3.3), smoking (RR = 2.8), pulmonary disease (RR = 2.9), and bicondylar fracture (RR = 2.7). Extended LOS was associated with increased age (RR = 2.1), increased ASA class (RR = 2.0), diabetes (RR = 1.6), pulmonary disease (RR = 1.8), bicondylar fracture (RR = 1.6), and increased operative time (RR = 1.6). Readmission was associated with increased ASA class (RR = 3.9), diabetes (RR = 2.9), dependent functional status (RR = 8.1), and discharge to home (RR = 5.7). Conclusions: The above-identified factors associated with outcomes after ORIF for tibial plateau fracture may be useful for patient counseling. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Spinal Fracture in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Cohort Definition, Distribution of Injuries, and Hospital Outcomes.

Study Design. A retrospective cohort. Objective. The aim of this study was to characterize spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Summary of Background Data. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are susceptible to fractures of the spinal column, even from minor trauma. However, the literature describing patients with ankylosing spondylitis and spinal fractures consists largely of case reports and small case series. The purpose of this study is to better characterize fractures of the ankylosed spine, including the patient population, locations of fracture, and outcomes in a large, nationally representative sample. Methods. All patients with diagnoses of both fracture of the spinal column and ankylosing spondylitis admitted between 2005 and 2011 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patient demographics, fracture regions, and complications were characterized with descriptive statistics. The associations between injury characteristics and outcomes were assessed using Poisson regression. Results. A total of 939 patients with ankylosing spondylitis admitted with a spinal fracture were identified in NIS. The average age was 68.4 ± 14.7 years, and 85% of patients were male. Cervical fractures were the most common (53.0%), followed by thoracic (41.9%), lumbar (18.2%), and sacral (1.5%). Spinal cord injury was present in 27.5% of cervical fractures, 16.0% of thoracic fractures, and 21.1% of cases overall. Fractures involving more than 1 region of the spine occurred in 13.1% of patients. Patients were treated with fusion in 49.9% of cases. In-hospital adverse events occurred in 29.4% of patients, and 6.6% of patients died during their admission. Conclusion. More than 10% of patients had fractures in more than 1 region of the spine. There is a high risk of adverse events in this population, and 6.6% of patients died during their inpatient stay. These results provide clinicians with a better understanding of the distribution and the high morbidity and mortality of fractures in the ankylosed spine. Level of Evidence: 3

Delayed surgery after acute traumatic central cord syndrome is associated with reduced mortality.

Study Design. A retrospective study of surgically treated patients with acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) from the National Trauma Data Bank Research Data Set. Objective. To determine the association of time to surgery, pre-existing comorbidities, and injury severity on mortality and adverse events in surgically treated patients with ATCCS. Summary of Background Data. Although earlier surgery has been shown to be beneficial for other spinal cord injuries, the literature is mixed regarding the appropriate timing of surgery after ATCCS. Traditionally, this older population has been treated with delayed surgery because medical optimization is often indicated preoperatively. Methods. Surgically treated patients with ATCCS in the National Trauma Data Bank Research Data Set from 2011 and 2012 were identified. Time to surgery, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and injury severity scores were tested for association with mortality, serious adverse events, and minor adverse events using multivariate logistic regression. Results. A total of 1060 patients with ATCCS met inclusion criteria. After controlling for pre-existing comorbidity and injury severity, delayed surgery was associated with a decreased odds of inpatient mortality (odds ratio = 0.81, P = 0.04), or a 19% decrease in odds of mortality with each 24-hour increase in time until surgery. The association of time to surgery with serious adverse events was not statistically significant (P = 0.09), whereas time to surgery was associated with increased odds of minor adverse events (odds ratio = 1.06, P < 0.001). Conclusion. Although the potential neurological effect of surgical timing for patients with ATCCS remains controversial, the decreased mortality with delayed surgery suggests that waiting to optimize general health and potentially allow for some spinal cord recovery in these patients may be advantageous. Level of Evidence: 3