The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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There is a broad spectrum of complications during or after surgical procedures, with differing incidences reported in the published literature. Heterogeneity can be explained by the lack of an established evidence-based classification system for documentation and classification of complications in a standardized manner. ⋯ The present study confirms several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for perioperative and early postoperative morbidities in spine surgery, among which surgical factors (such as complexity, revision surgery, and instrumentation, including the pelvis) play a crucial role. A classification of surgical complexity is proposed and validated.
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Cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) of ≥40 mm is recognized as the key factor of poor health-related quality of life, poor surgical outcomes, and correction loss after surgery for cervical deformity. However, little is known about the radiological characteristics of patients with cSVA≥40 mm. ⋯ Smaller C7-T1 lordotic angle and severe muscle degeneration at C7 level were independent characteristics of patients with cervical imbalance.
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Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a very common postoperative complication of all surgeries (5%-70%) that may lead to complications such as urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder overdistension, autonomic dysregulation, and increased postoperative length of stay (LOS). Within the field of spine surgery, the reported incidence rate of POUR is highly variable (5.6%-38%). Lack of clear stratification of surgical level, spinal pathology, and inadequate sample size are major limitations of available studies concerning POUR following spine surgery, which may lead to inconsistency in the incidence of POUR and the ability to model its occurrence and consequences. ⋯ Overall, POUR was a significant risk factor for the development of UTI, sepsis, increased LOS, discharge to a SNF, and readmission within 90 days. Surgeons and anesthesiologists should take preventative measures against POUR in individuals with increased age, BPH, AKI, and UTI within 90 days before surgery, as these factors were found to significantly increase the risk of POUR.
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Comparative Study
Safety and accuracy of freehand versus navigated C2 pars or pedicle screw placement.
C2 pedicle and pars screws require accurate placement to avoid injury to nearby neurovascular structures. Freehand, fluoroscopically guided, and computed tomography (CT)-based navigation techniques have been described in the medical literature. ⋯ In patients with postoperative CT imaging (43%), the freehand technique was found to be more accurate than CT-based navigation for C2 pedicle or pars screw placement. Complication rates did not differ between the two techniques in this study.
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Comparative Study
A systematic review of clinical outcomes in surgical treatment of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis.
A variety of surgical methods are available for the treatment of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, but there is no consensus regarding their relative effects on clinical outcomes. ⋯ Available studies provide strong evidence that the addition of reduction to fusion does not result in better clinical outcomes of pain and function in low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. Evidence also suggests that there is no significant difference between interbody fusion (IF+PS) and posterior fusion (PLF±PS) in outcomes of pain, function, and complication rates at follow-up points up to approximately 3 years in cases of low-grade slips. However, studies with longer follow-up points suggest that interbody fusion (IF+PS) may perform better in these same measures at later follow-up points. Available evidence also suggests no difference between circumferential fusion (IF+PS+PLF) and interbody fusion (IF+PS) in outcomes of pain and function in low-grade slips, but circumferential fusion has been associated with greater intraoperative blood loss, longer surgery duration, and longer hospital stays. In terms of clinical outcomes, insufficient evidence is available to assess the utility of adding PS to PLF, the relative efficacy of different interbody fusion (IF+PS) techniques (ALIF+PS vs. TLIF+PS vs. PLIF+PS), and the relative efficacy of circumferential fusion and posterior fusion (PLF+PS).