Spine
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Prospective cohort study. ⋯ The MCID for the 6WT in lumbar DDD patients is variable, depending on the calculation technique. We propose a MCID of 92m (z score of 1.0), based on the average of all three methods. Using a z score as MCID allows for the standardization of clinically meaningful change and attenuates age- and sex-related differences.Level of Evidence: 3.
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Retrospective cohort study. ⋯ We summarized the medical costs and cost-effectiveness of three different surgical methods for ASD in patients with different backgrounds over 2 years postoperatively. The medical expense for the initial surgery was highest in the LLIF group, and the cumulative improvement in QALY over the 2 years tended to be higher in the LLIF group, but the difference was not significant; the overall cost-effectiveness was lowest in the LLIF group.Level of Evidence: 3.
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Retrospective cohort analysis. ⋯ Plastic spinal closure for 1 to 4 level revision posterior thoracolumbar fusions had no advantage in reducing wound complications over spine surgeon closure but increased postoperative seroma formation.Level of Evidence: 4.
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Retrospective cohort study. ⋯ It is not necessary to intervene for all patients in whom symptomatic pseudarthrosis is detected at 1 year postoperatively because only 11.9% of them will show persistent symptomatic pseudarthrosis. However, early revision surgery should be considered when severe symptomatic pseudarthrosis associated with diabetes, smoking, and fusion at more than three levels is present.Level of Evidence: 4.