Rakesh D. Patel

The Musculoskeletal Effects of Cigarette Smoking

➤ Cigarette smoking decreases bone mineral density and increases the risk of sustaining a fracture or tendon injury, with partial reversibility of these risks with long-term cessation of smoking. ➤ Cigarette smoking increases the risk for perioperative complications, nonunion and delayed union of fractures, infection, and soft-tissue and wound-healing complications. ➤ Brief preoperative cessation of smoking may mitigate these perioperative risks. ➤ Informed-consent discussions should include notification of the higher risk of perioperative complications with cigarette smoking and the benefits of temporary cessation of smoking.

Incidence of and risk factors for superior facet violation in minimally invasive versus open pedicle screw placement during transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a comparative analysis Clinical article

OBJECT A reported risk factor for adjacent-segment disease is injury to the superior facet joint from pedicle screw placement. Given that the facet joint is not typically visualized during percutaneous pedicle screw insertion, there is a concern for increased facet violation (FV) in minimally invasive fusion procedures. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the incidence of FV among patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF) and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). The impact of O-arm navigation compared with traditional fluoroscopy on FV in MITLIF is also assessed, as are risk factors for FV. METHODS The authors identified a consecutive population of patients who underwent MITLIF with percutaneous pedicle screw placement, as well as a matched cohort of patients who underwent open TLIF. Postoperative CT imaging was assessed to determine intraarticular FV due to pedicle screw placement. Patients were stratified into minimally invasive and open TLIF groups. Within the MITLIF group, the authors performed a subanalysis of image guidance methods used in cases of FV. Two-tailed Student t-test, ANOVA, chi-square testing, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 282 patients were identified, with a total of 564 superior pedicle screw placements. The MITLIF group consisted of 142 patients with 284 screw insertions. The open TLIF group consisted of 140 patients with 280 screw insertions. Overall, 21 (7.4%) of 282 patients experienced FV. A total of 21 screws violated a facet joint for a screw-based FV rate of 3.7% (21 of 564 screws). There were no significant differences between the MITLIF and open TLIF groups in the percentage of patients with FV (6.3% vs 8.6%) and or the percentage of screws with FV (3.2% vs 4.3%) (p = 0.475 and p = 0.484, respectively). Further stratifying the MI group into O-arm navigation and fluoroscopic guidance subgroups, the patient-based rates of FV were 10.8% (4 of 37 patients) and 4.8% (5 of 105 patients), respectively, and the screw-based rates of FV were 5.4% (4 of 74 screws) and 2.4% (5 of 210 screws), respectively. There was no significant difference between the subgroups with respect to patient-based or screw-based FV rates (p = 0.375 and p = 0.442, respectively). The O-arm group had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.021). BMI greater than 29.9 was independently associated with higher FV (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.65-8.53, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that minimally invasive pedicle screw placement is not associated with higher rates of FV. Overall violation rates were similar in MITLIF and open TLIF. Higher BMI, however, was a risk factor for increased FV. The use of O-arm fluoroscopy with computer-assisted guidance did not significantly decrease the rate of FV.

Perioperative characteristics and complications in obese patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion surgery

In the USA, obesity rates have significantly increased in the last 15 years. Mirroring this trend, a large proportion of patients undergoing spinal surgery are obese. Concern exists for increased complications due to surgical challenges posed by obese patients and their often-prevalent comorbidities. Studies have shown associations between body mass index (BMI) and perioperative complications in lumbar and thoracolumbar fusion surgeries; however, few studies have evaluated the impact of obesity on anterior cervical fusion surgery. As such, this study aimed to evaluate complications and perioperative characteristics in obese patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion. We queried medical records to identify patients with BMI >30 who underwent anterior cervical fusion surgery. A total of 69 patients were included and subdivided based on obesity class: Class 1 (BMI 30-35), Class 2 (BMI 35-40), and Class 3 (BMI >40). Subgroup analysis included comorbidities, diagnosis, procedure, levels treated, and length of hospital stay. Overall mean BMI was 35.1, mean age was 54.3 years, and 43 (63.3%) were men. Disc herniation was the most common diagnosis. Length of stay differed significantly among obesity subgroups (p=0.02). Mean length of stay was 2.8, 3.5, and 4.0 days for Classes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Three (4.3%) complications were observed, comprising of urinary tract infection, wound dehiscence, and neck hematoma. Complication rates by class were 5.5%, 0%, and 16.6% for Classes 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p=0.17). We found that obese patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery experience relatively few complications. Hospital stay, however, appears to lengthen with increased BMI.

Cervical spine trauma in children and adults: perioperative considerations.

Abstract A wide spectrum of cervical spine injuries, including stable and unstable injuries with and without neurologic compromise, account for a large percentage of emergency department visits. Effective treatment of the polytrauma patient with cervical spine injury requires knowledge of cervical spine anatomy and the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury, as well as techniques for cervical spine stabilization, intraoperative positioning, and airway management. The orthopaedic surgeon must oversee patient care and coordinate treatment with emergency department physicians and anesthesia services in both the acute and subacute settings. Children are particularly susceptible to substantial destabilizing cervical injuries and must be treated with a high degree of caution. The surgeon must understand the unique anatomic and biomechanical properties associated with the pediatric cervical spine as well as injury patterns and stabilization techniques specific to this patient population.

Fat Thickness as a Risk Factor for Infection in Lumbar Spine Surgery

Body mass index does not account for body mass distribution. This study tested the hypothesis that subcutaneous fat thickness is a better indicator than body mass index of the risk of surgical site infection in lumbar spine procedures performed through a midline posterior approach. Charts were reviewed for previously identified risk factors for surgical site infection (age, diabetes, smoking, obesity, albumin level, multilevel procedures, previous surgery, and operative time) in 149 adult patients who underwent lumbar spine procedures through a midline posterior approach. Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured with a novel automated technique. Regression analysis was used to determine associations between risk factors and fat thickness with surgical site infection. In the study group, 15 surgical site infections occurred (10.1%). Bivariate analysis showed a significant association between surgical site infection and body mass index (P=.01), obesity (P=.02), and fat thickness (P=.002). With multivariate analysis, body mass index and obesity did not show significance, but fat thickness remained significant (P=.026). For every 1-mm thickness of subcutaneous fat there was a 6% (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.10) increase in the odds of surgical site infection, and patients with fat thickness of greater than 50 mm had a 4-fold increase in the odds of surgical site infection compared with those with fat thickness of less than 50 mm. Body mass index and fat thickness were moderately correlated (r2=0.44). These results confirm the hypothesis that local subcutaneous fat thickness is a better indicator than body mass index of the risk of surgical site infection in lumbar spine procedures. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(6):e1124-e1128.].

Cost-effectiveness of MRI to assess for posttraumatic ligamentous cervical spine injury.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be sensitive in identifying ligamentous injury to the cervical spine. The major drawbacks to its routine use are cost and availability. The purpose of this study was to compare the cost of using MRI to rule out ligamentous injury of the cervical spine with the cost of immobilization in a cervical collar and outpatient follow-up. Neurologically intact and nonobtunded patients with neck pain and normal findings on radiographs evaluated for ligamentous injury of the cervical spine were studied. Patients were either evaluated with MRI or immobilized in a cervical collar and followed up for repeat clinical and radiographic evaluation as outpatients. The authors gathered year 2011 fees from their institution and 2011 Medicare reimbursement data and compared the costs of MRI with the costs of cervical collar and outpatient follow-up. In addition, the median income of the local community was used to estimate opportunity costs associated with cervical collar immobilization. After 7 days of lost wages at the median local income, MRI became a less costly option when comparing hospital fees. Alternatively, when considering Medicare reimbursement, MRI became less costly after only 2 days of lost wages at the median local income. On the basis of these findings, MRI of the cervical spine is less costly than other current management strategies when opportunity costs are considered.

Utility of the Surgical Apgar Score for Patients who Undergo Surgery for Spinal Metastasis

Study Design: Retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis between 2005 and 2011. Objective: To assess the utility of the surgical Apgar score (SAS) in patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis. Summary of Background Data: Surgery for spinal metastasis can be associated with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Consequently, identifying patients at risk for major postoperative complications is important. Several studies have validated SAS for predicting 30-day complication risk. Methods: SASs were calculated and patients stratified into 5 groups: scores 0–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10 points. Multivariate logistic regression assessed whether SAS was an independent predictor of major complication 30 days after surgery. Multivariate analysis of covariance assessed whether SAS was independently associated with length of stay. Results: Ninety-seven patients with a variety of metastatic tumors were analyzed. There was no obvious trend in complication rates, or significant association between SAS and complication rate (P=0.413). Complication rates were 25.0% for SASs 0–2, 33.3% for 3–4, 18.4% for 5–6, 10.0% for 7–8, and 33.3% for 9–10 points. On multivariate analysis, SAS was not independently associated with complications; age above 65 years (odds ratio 4.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–52.27; P=0.028) and preoperative Karnofsky Performance Score of 10–40 (odds ratio 9.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–58.63; P=0.020) were associated with higher odds of complication. SASs 0–2 were an independent predictor of longer hospital stay (P=0.004). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SAS is not a significant predictor of major perioperative complications after spinal metastasis surgery; preoperative functional status and age are stronger predictors. The need continues for a preoperative scoring system to reliably predict risk for perioperative complications after spinal metastasis surgery.STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis 2005-2011. OBJECTIVE To assess the utility of the surgical Apgar score (SAS) in patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Surgery for spinal metastasis can be associated with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Consequently, identifying patients at-risk for major postoperative complications is important. Several studies have validated SAS for predicting 30-day complication risk. METHODS SASs were calculated and patients stratified into 5 groups: scores 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 points. Multivariate logistic regression assessed whether SAS was an independent predictor of major complication 30 days following surgery. Multivariate ANCOVA assessed whether SAS was independently associated with length of stay. RESULTS Ninety-seven patients with a variety of metastatic tumors were analyzed. There was no obvious trend in complication rates, or significant association between SAS and complication rate (P=0.413). Complication rates were 25.0% for SASs 0-2, 33.3% for 3-4, 18.4% for 5-6, 10.0% for 7-8, and 33.3% for 9-10 points. On multivariate analysis, SAS was not independently associated with complications; age>65 years (OR 4.19; 95% CI, 1.31-52.27; P=0.028) and preoperative Karnofsky Performance Score of 10-40 (OR 9.13; 95% CI, 1.42-58.63; P=0.020) were associated with higher odds of complication. SASs 0-2 were an independent predictor of longer hospital stay (P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest SAS is not a significant predictor of major perioperative complications following spinal metastasis surgery; preoperative functional status and age are stronger predictors. The need continues for a preoperative scoring system to reliably predict risk for perioperative complications following spinal metastasis surgery.

Spinal fractures in recreational bobsledders: an unexpected mechanism of injury.

Study design: Retrospective case series and literature review. Objective: To report and discuss spinal fractures occurring in recreational bobsledders. Summary of background data: Spinal fractures have been commonly described following traumatic injury during a number of recreational sports. Reports have focused on younger patients and typically involved high-impact sports or significant injuries. With an aging population and a wider array of recreational sports, spinal injuries may be seen after seemingly benign activities and without a high-impact injury. Methods: A retrospective review of two patients and review of the literature was performed. Results: Two patients with spinal fractures after recreational bobsledding were identified. Both patients, aged 57 and 54 years, noticed a simultaneous onset of severe back pain during a routine turn on a bobsled track. Neither was involved in a high-impact injury during the event. Both patients were treated conservatively with resolution of symptoms. An analysis of the bobsled track revealed that potential forces imparted to the rider may be greater than the yield strength of vertebral bone. Conclusions: Older athletes may be at greater risk for spinal fracture associated with routine recreational activities. Bobsledding imparts large amounts of force during routine events and may result in spinal trauma. Older patients, notably those with osteoporosis or metabolic bone disease, should be educated about the risks associated with seemingly benign recreational sports.

Differentiating Hip Pathology From Lumbar Spine Pathology: Key Points of Evaluation and Management.

The diagnosis and treatment of patients who have both hip and lumbar spine pathologies may be a challenge because overlapping symptoms may delay a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Common complaints of patients who have both hip and lumbar spine pathologies include low back pain with associated buttock, groin, thigh, and, possibly, knee pain. A thorough patient history should be obtained and a complete physical examination should be performed in these patients to identify the primary source of pain. Plain and advanced imaging studies and diagnostic injections can be used to further delineate the primary pathology and guide the appropriate sequence of treatment. Both the surgeon and the patient should understand that, although one pathology is managed, the management of the other pathology may be necessary because of persistent pain. The recognition of both entities may help reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis, and the management of both entities in the appropriate sequence may help reduce the likelihood of persistent symptoms.

Patient impressions of reimbursement for orthopedic spine surgeons

The study aim was to understand patient impressions of reimbursement to orthopedic spine surgeons. Our findings revealed that the majority of patients significantly overestimate the amount surgeons are reimbursed per procedure. Despite this, most feel that surgeons are appropriately compensated. Additionally, many patients are unaware of the global billing period.