Meghan E. Murphy

Discharge to a rehabilitation facility is associated with decreased 30-day readmission in elective spinal surgery

The aim of our study was to determine independent predictors of discharge disposition to rehabilitation or skilled care (SC) facilities and investigate whether discharge location is associated with unplanned readmission and/or reoperation rates. All elective spinal surgery patients in a national surgical registry were analyzed using between 2011 and 2012. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess for predictors of discharge to rehabilitation or SC facilities versus home as well as to determine whether discharge disposition was significantly associated with the 30-day unplanned readmission or reoperation. Of 34,023 elective spinal surgery patients, the distribution of discharge locations was as follows: 30,606 (90.0%) discharged home, 1674 (4.9%) discharged to rehabilitation, and 1743 (5.1%) discharged to SC. Patients discharged home were associated with the lowest complication rate relative to rehabilitation and SC facilities. Following multivariable regression analysis, there was a significant increase in the odds of discharge to rehabilitation associated with age, male gender, current smoking, ASA class three and four, history of diabetes, operative time, total hospital length of stay, preoperative neurologic morbidity and having at least one postoperative morbidity event. Moreover, there were 804 (4.06%) 30-day unplanned readmissions and 822 (2.45%) unplanned reoperations. After risk adjustment, discharge to rehabilitation was independently associated with decreased odds of 30-day unplanned readmission (OR=0.41; p=0.008) but not reoperation.

Increased Operative Time for Benign Cranial Nerve Tumor Resection Correlates with Increased Morbidity Postoperatively

OBJECTIVES Operative time, previously identified as a risk factor for postoperative morbidity, is examined in patients undergoing benign cranial nerve tumor resection. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort analysis included patients enrolled in the ACS-NSQIP registry from 2007 through 2013 with a diagnosis of a benign cranial nerve neoplasm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes included postoperative morbidity and mortality. Readmission and reoperation served as secondary outcomes. RESULTS A total of 565 patients were identified. Mean (median) operative time was 398 (370) minutes. The 30-day complication, readmission, and return to the operating room rates were 9.9%, 9.9%, and 7.3%, respectively, on unadjusted analyses. CSF leak requiring reoperation or readmission occurred at a rate of 3.1%. On multivariable regression analysis, operations greater than 413 minutes were associated with an increased odds of overall complication (OR 4.26, 95% CI 2.08-8.72), return to the operating room (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.23-5.67), and increased length of stay(1.6 days, 95% CI 0.94-2.23 days). Each additional minute of operative time was associated with an increased odds of overall complication (OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.002-1.006) and increased length of stay (0.006 days, 95% CI 0.004-0.008). CONCLUSION Increased operative time in patients undergoing surgical resection of a benign cranial nerve neoplasm was associated with an increased rate of complications.

Full-endoscopic versus micro-endoscopic and open discectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes and complications

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to systematically compare the effectiveness and safety of full-endoscopic discectomy (FED) and micro-endoscopic discectomy (MED) with open discectomy (OD) for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. METHODS Electronic searches were performed using six databases from their inception to February 2016, identifying all relevant randomized controlled trials and comparative observational studies comparing either FED or MED with OD. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined clinical endpoints. RESULTS Twenty three studies were selected for analysis, including 421 FED, 6914 MED, and 21,152 OD cases. No significant difference was found between FED and OD in regards to postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) leg pain scores (WMD 0.03, P=0.93). Similar results were obtained for MED vs OD (WMD 0.09, P=0.18). In terms of postoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI), both FED and MED were similar to OD (WMD -2.60, P=0.32 and WMD -1.00, P=0.21, respectively). FED had a significantly shorter operative duration compared to OD (54.6 vs 102.6min, P=0.0001). MED alone and endoscopic approaches overall (including MED and FED) demonstrated significantly lower estimated blood loss (44.3 vs 194.4mL, P=0.03 and 38.2 vs 203.5mL, respectively, both p<0.05). FED alone demonstrated a trend towards lower estimated blood loss in comparison to OD (3.3 vs 244.9mL, P=0.07). No difference was found in overall complications, recurrence or reoperation rates, dural tears, root injury, wound infections, and spondylodiscitis between FED vs OD, or MED vs OD. CONCLUSIONS Based on this meta-analysis, FED and MED appear to be safe and efficacious alternatives to traditional approaches, but these results require further investigation and validation by prospective randomized studies.

Coma and Stroke Following Surgical Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm: An American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Study

OBJECTIVE A large national surgical registry was used to establish national benchmarks and associated predictors of major neurologic complications (i.e., coma and stroke) after surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data set between 2007 and 2013 was used for this retrospective cohort analysis. Demographic, comorbidity, and operative characteristics associated with the development of a major neurologic complication (i.e., coma or stroke) were elucidated using a backward selection stepwise logistic regression analysis. This model was subsequently used to fit a predictive score for major neurologic complications. RESULTS Inclusion criteria were met by 662 patients. Of these patients, 57 (8.61%) developed a major neurologic complication (i.e., coma or stroke) within the 30-day postoperative period. On multivariable analysis, operative time (log odds 0.004 per minute; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.002-0.007), age (log odds 0.05 per year; 95% CI, 0.02-0.08), history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (log odds 1.26; 95% CI, 0.43-2.08), and diabetes (log odds 1.15; 95% CI, 0.38-1.91) were associated with an increased odds of major neurologic complications. When patients were categorized according to quartile of a predictive score generated from the multivariable analysis, rates of major neurologic complications were 1.8%, 4.3%, 6.7%, and 21.2%. CONCLUSIONS Using a large, national multi-institutional cohort, this study established representative national benchmarks and a predictive scoring system for major neurologic complications following operative management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. The model may assist with risk stratification and tailoring of decision making in surgical candidates.

341 Diabetes Mellitus and Back Pain: Markers of Diabetes Disease Progression Are Associated With Chronic Back Pain.

INTRODUCTION Recent studies suggest that diabetic patients may be more likely to exhibit back pain. Correlating diabetic disease progression to the presence of back pain could provide insight into the relationship between these conditions. METHODS A total of 67 132 patients within our institutional database were identified as having the diagnosis of either diabetes mellitus type I (DMI) or diabetes mellitus type II (DMII). Within this larger cohort, patients diagnosed with chronic back pain (CBP) were identified. In addition, patients with a history of spinal surgery were also identified. Clinical and laboratory measures of diabetic disease burden were then collected on all patients. Multinomial logistic regression analysis using a backward stepwise selection algorithm was then implemented for multivariable analysis to determine whether patient variables were associated with the diagnosis of CBP or history of spinal surgery among diabetic patients. RESULTS On unadjusted analysis, highest recorded values of hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and total cholesterol were significantly greater in diabetic patients with CPB and diabetic patients with CBP that underwent spinal surgery. Highest recorded value of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly lower in diabetic patients with CPB and diabetic patients with CBP that underwent spinal surgery. Highest recorded body mass index (BMI) was also greater in patients with CBP (36.67) and patients with CBP who underwent surgery (36.63) compared with patients without CBP (34.06, P < .001). On multinomial logistic regression analysis, increased age at time of DM diagnosis, increased duration of time with DM, presence of hypertension, presence of neuropathy, increased BMI, increased levels of HgbA1C, LDL, and triglycerides, and decreased levels of HDL were independently associated with the presence of CBP. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that markers of diabetes disease progression are associated with the presence of back pain, suggesting that uncontrolled DM may be a contributing factor to the development of CBP.INTRODUCTION:Recent studies suggest that diabetic patients may be more likely to exhibit back pain. Correlating diabetic disease progression to the presence of back pain could provide insight into the relationship between these conditions.METHODS:A total of 67 132 patients within our institutional d

199 Multiple Concussions in Young Athletes: Identifying Patients at Risk for Repeat Injury

INTRODUCTION Concussion diagnosis and management is a topic of interest for health care, education, and government professionals. Given the evidence concerning the association of long-term effects and cumulative insult of multiple concussions, we sought to identify risk factors in young athletes for repeat injury. METHODS This study is a retrospective cohort analysis of our institutions series of pediatric sports related concussions. Patient demographics, characteristics, and clinical features of concussion were analyzed in an unadjusted fashion. Bivariate analysis examined these variables in relation to occurrence of subsequent concussion. Multivariable analysis was then used to evaluate for predictors of repeat injury. RESULTS One hundred ninety-one patients with a mean age of 13.5 years were included for analysis. Relative to patients whose injury was associated with football, patients playing soccer (odds ratio [OR], 5.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-24.5), ice hockey/skating (OR, 6.97; 95% CI, 1.60-30.37), and basketball (OR, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.23-29.07) were associated with a significant increased odds of having a subsequent concussion. History of prior concussion was also significantly associated with an increased odds of repeat injury following the index concussion, defined as the first concussion evaluated at our institution (OR, 12.54; 95% CI, 3.78-41.62). Relative to a concussion resulting from a mechanism involving blunt force to the head, patients with a concussion in the setting of a fall were significantly less likely to experience a subsequent concussion (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05-0.71). CONCLUSION Efforts to protect young athletes are of immeasurable value given the potential life years at risk for productivity and quality of life. With the identification of specific sports, prior injury, and mechanism influencing risk of repeat injury, clinicians are more informed to assess and discuss both risk and potential consequences of concussions with young athletes and their families.

Expanding the spectrum of subacute diencephalic angioencephalopathy

We present a patient with subacute diencephalic angioencephalopathy (SDAE), a poorly understood syndrome of progressive confusion, disorientation, and dementia that rapidly deteriorates to severe encephalopathy and death. This is the seventh and most thoroughly investigated report of this exceedingly rare diagnosis to date, and we present the first evidence of a potential sentinel syndrome that may allow for earlier diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. We also review the relevant literature, and highlight new evidence that suggests that SDAE and the related disorder, subacute brainstem angioencephalopathy (SBAE), represent severe and terminal variants of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Taken together, we suggest a new understanding of SDAE/SBAE and PRES as a spectrum of hypertension-associated non-inflammatory vascular encephalopathies that are mediated by a loss of venous autoregulation, marked by cytotoxic edema, and that ultimately produce subacute-to-acute diencephalic, brainstem, and posterior fossa injuries with devastating neurologic consequences.

Risk factors for dural tears: a study of elective spine surgery*

Abstract Objective: This study moves beyond previous cohort studies and benchmark data by studying a population of elective spine surgery from a multicenter registry in an effort to validate, disprove, and/or identify novel risk factors for dural tears. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis queried a multicenter registry for patients with degenerative spinal diagnoses undergoing elective spinal surgery from 2010–2014. Multivariable logistic regression analysis interrogated for independent risk factors of dural tears. Results: Of 104,930 patients, a dural tear requiring repair occurred in 0.6% of cases. On adjusted analysis, the following factors were independently associated with increased likelihood of a dural tear: ankylosing spondylitis vs. intervertebral disc disorders, greater than two levels, combined surgical approach and posterior approach vs. anterior approach, decompression only vs. fusion and decompression, age groups 85+, 75–84 and 65–74 vs. <65, obesity (BMI ≥30), corticosteroid use and preoperative platelet count <150,000. Conclusions: This multicenter study identifies novel risk factors for dural tears in the elective spine surgery population, including corticosteroids, thrombocytopenia, and ankylosing spondylitis. The results of this analysis provide further information for surgeons to use both in operative planning and in preoperative counseling when discussing the risk of dural tears.

Thirty-day postoperative morbidity and mortality after temporal lobectomy for medically refractory epilepsy

OBJECTIVE Temporal lobectomy is a well-established treatment modality for the management of medically refractory epilepsy in appropriately selected patients. The aim of this study was to assess 30-day morbidity and mortality after temporal lobectomy in cases registered in a national database. METHODS A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using a multiinstitutional surgical registry compiled between 2006 and 2014. The authors identified patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and/or amygdalohippocampectomy for a primary diagnosis of intractable epilepsy. Univariate and multivariable analyses with regard to patient demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics, and 30-day outcomes were applied. RESULTS A total of 216 patients were included in the study. The median age was 38 years and 46% of patients were male. The median length of stay was 3 days and the 30-day mortality rate was 1.4%. Fourteen patients (6.5%) developed at least one major complication. Return to the operating room was observed in 7 patients (3.2%). Readmission within 30 days and discharge to a location other than home were available for 2011-2014 (n = 155) and occurred in 11% and 10.3% of patients, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that increasing age was an independent predictor of discharge disposition other than home and that male sex was a significant risk factor for the development of a major complication. Interestingly, the presence of the attending neurosurgeon and a resident during the procedure was significantly associated with decreased odds of prolonged length of stay (i.e., > 75th percentile [5 days]) and discharge to a location other than home. CONCLUSIONS Using a multiinstitutional surgical registry, 30-day outcome data after temporal lobectomy for medically intractable epilepsy demonstrates a mortality rate of 1.4%, a major complication rate of 6.5%, and a readmission rate of 11%. Temporal lobectomy is an extremely effective therapy for seizures originating there-however, surgical intervention must be weighed against its morbidity and mortality outcomes.

Micro vs. macrodiscectomy: Does use of the microscope reduce complication rates?

OBJECTIVE A single level discectomy is one of the most common procedures performed by spine surgeons. While some practitioners utilize the microscope, others do not. We postulate improved visualization with an intraoperative microscope decreases complications and inferior outcomes. METHODS A multicenter surgical registry was utilized for this retrospective cohort analysis. Patients with degenerative spinal diagnoses undergoing elective single level discectomies from 2010 to 2014 were included. Univariate analysis was performed comparing demographics, patient characteristics, operative data, and outcomes for discectomies performed with and without a microscope. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then applied to compare outcomes of micro- and macrodiscectomies. RESULTS Query of the registry yielded 23,583 patients meeting inclusion criteria. On univariate analysis the microscope was used in a greater proportion of the oldest age group as well as Hispanic white patients. Patients with any functional dependency, history of congestive heart failure, chronic corticosteroid use, or anemia (hematocrit<35%) also had greater proportions of microdiscectomies. Thoracic region discectomies more frequently involved use of the microscope than cervical or lumbar discectomies (25.0% vs. 16.4% and 13.0%, respectively, p<0.001). Median operative time (IQR) was increased in microscope cases [80min (60, 108) vs. 74min (54, 102), p<0.001]. Of the patients that required reoperation within 30days, 2.5% of them had undergone a microdiscectomy compared to 1.9% who had undergone a macrodiscectomy, p=0.044. On multivariable analysis, microdiscectomies were more likely to have an operative time in the top quartile of discectomy operative times, ≥103min (OR 1.256, 95% CI 1.151-1.371, p<0.001). In regards to other multivariable outcome models for any complication, surgical site infection, dural tears, reoperation, and readmission, no significant association with microdiscectomy was found. CONCLUSIONS The use of the microscope was found to significantly increase the odds of longer operative time, but not influence rates of postoperative complications. Thus, without evidence from this study that the microscope decreases complications, the use of the microscope should be at the surgeons discretion, validating the use of both macro and micro approaches to discectomy as acceptable standards of care.