Anterior Cervical Infection: Presentation and Incidence of an Uncommon Postoperative Complication.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multi-institutional case series. OBJECTIVE: The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) affords the surgeon the flexibility to treat a variety of cervical pathologies, with the majority being for degenerative and traumatic indications. Limited data in the literature describe the presentation and true incidence of postoperative surgical site infections. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter case series study was conducted involving 21 high-volume surgical centers from the AOSpine North America Clinical Research Network, selected for their excellence in spine care and clinical research infrastructure and experience. Medical records for 17 625 patients who received cervical spine surgery (levels from C2 to C7) between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, inclusive, were reviewed to identify the occurrence of 21 predefined treatment complications. Patients who underwent an ACDF were identified in the database and reviewed for the occurrence of postoperative anterior cervical infections. RESULTS: A total of 8887 patients were identified from a retrospective database analysis of 21 centers providing data for postoperative anterior cervical infections (17/21, 81% response rate). A total of 6 postoperative infections after ACDF were identified for a mean rate of 0.07% (range 0% to 0.39%). The mean age of patients identified was 57.5 (SD = 11.6, 66.7% female). The mean body mass index was 22.02. Of the total infections, half were smokers (n = 3). Two patients presented with myelopathy, and 3 patients presented with radiculopathic-type complaints. The mean length of stay was 4.7 days. All patients were treated aggressively with surgery for management of this complication, with improvement in all patients. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative infection in ACDF is exceedingly low. The management has historically been urgent irrigation and debridement of the surgical site. However, due to the rarity of this occurrence, guidance for management is limited to retrospective series

Misplaced Cervical Screws Requiring Reoperation.

STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE: In the past several years, screw fixation of the cervical spine has become commonplace. For the most part, this is a safe, low-risk procedure. While rare, screw backout or misplaced screws can lead to morbidity and increased costs. We report our experiences with this uncommon complication. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective case series was undertaken at 23 institutions in the United States. Patients were included who underwent cervical spine surgery from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011, and had misplacement of screws requiring reoperation. Institutional review board approval was obtained at all participating institutions, and detailed records were sent to a central data center. RESULTS: A total of 12 903 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. There were 11 instances of screw backout requiring reoperation, for an incidence of 0.085%. There were 7 posterior procedures. Importantly, there were no changes in the health-related quality-of-life metrics due to this complication. There were no new neurologic deficits; a patient most often presented with pain, and misplacement was diagnosed on plain X-ray or computed tomography scan. The most common location for screw backout was C6 (36%). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest series to tabulate the incidence of misplacement of screws following cervical spine surgery, which led to revision procedures. The data suggest this is a rare event, despite the widespread use of cervical fixation. Patients suffering this complication can require revision, but do not usually suffer neurologic sequelae. These patients have increased cost of care. Meticulous technique and thorough knowledge of the relevant anatomy are the best means of preventing this complication

C5 Palsy After Cervical Spine Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Review of 59 Cases.

STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective review of C5 palsy after cervical spine surgery. OBJECTIVE: Postoperative C5 palsy is a known complication of cervical decompressive spinal surgery. The goal of this study was to review the incidence, patient characteristics, and outcome of C5 palsy in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective review of 13 946 patients across 21 centers who received cervical spine surgery (levels C2 to C7) between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, inclusive. P values were calculated using 2-sample t test for continuous variables and χ(2) tests or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables. RESULTS: Of the 13 946 cases reviewed, 59 patients experienced a postoperative C5 palsy. The incidence rate across the 21 sites ranged from 0% to 2.5%. At most recent follow-up, 32 patients reported complete resolution of symptoms (54.2%), 15 had symptoms resolve with residual effects (25.4%), 10 patients did not recover (17.0%), and 2 were lost to follow-up (3.4%). CONCLUSION: C5 palsy occurred in all surgical approaches and across a variety of diagnoses. The majority of patients had full recovery or recovery with residual effects. This study represents the largest series of North American patients reviewed to date

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

An Update Review of Epidemiology, Anatomy, Classification, Management and Outcome of pediatric Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma

Context: The incidence of vertebral column and spinal cord damage in children in the current century is greater than ever. Thoracolumbar fractures are extra numerous in teenagers, the most common reasons are falling from a height and motorcycle accidents. The current study aimed at designing a straightforward assessment of the epidemiology, anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical detection and managing plans for children with thoracolumbar traumas. Evidence Acquisition: Totally, 85 articles conducted from 1970 to 2016 were studied. A total of 63 articles were included in the current pediatric evaluation. But, based on the philosophy of the current study, just newly published studies from 2000 on spinal trauma epidemiology, classification, and management were included. Results: Spinal fractures in pediatrics characterize 1% or 2% of all pediatric fractures, and most of the damage comprise the cervical spinal column. The mainstream of thoracolumbar spinal column fractures in the children happen at the age of 14 to 16 years. The most common damaged zone of the spine is T4 to T12, followed by T12 to L2 based on the patients` age and type of radiologic classification of trauma, and conservative or surgery treatments may be used for the fractures. Conclusions: Forceful use of computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can classify delicate thoracolumbar damages and involvement of neural components and offer prognostic data in children with possible neurologic recovery, especially in SCIWORA (spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality) type of injury. Currently, classification of the thoracolumbar injury and severity scales (TLISS) is generally useful in the adults by means of trauma to define non-operative vs. operative management of spine fractures. This classification is newly considered in the pediatric population, and there are reports on the outstanding validity of this system, similar to adults. Usually, various stable fractures can be cured conservatively, while unstable fractures need surgical stabilization

Surgical management of intramedullary cervical spinal sarcoidosis complicated by transient unilateral weakness: A case report

BackgroundSarcoidosis, a multisystem inflammatory non-caseating granulomatous disease, can present with neurologic lesions in up to 10% of patients.Case descriptionA 57-year-old male presented with three months of worsening upper extremity radicular pain associated with dysmetria, hyperreflexia, bilateral Hoffman's, and positive Babinski signs. The contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a diffuse T2 signal hyperintensity and T1-enhancing 2.5 cm lesion extending sagittally between C4 and C6. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a high protein level and lymphocytic pleocytosis. A cardiac positron emission tomography scan was consistent with the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. With the diagnosis of multisystemic/probable neurosarcoidosis, the patient was unsuccessfully treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, followed by infliximab. Due to severe cord compression/myelopathy, a C3-C6 laminectomy and C3-C7 posterior spinal fusion were performed. Postoperatively, the patient developed a transient right-sided hemiparesis. Over nine postoperative months, the patient had four relapses of transient repeated episodes of paresis, although follow-up cervical MRI scans revealed adequate cord decompression with a stable intramedullary hyperintense lesion.ConclusionPatients with neurosarcoidosis respond unpredictably to surgical decompression and require prolonged medical care, which is often unsuccessful

Role of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Adults with Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis: A Narrative Review

Background and Aim: Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a spinal deformity resulting from advanced disc degeneration and facet arthropathy. Given the inconclusive available literature and lack of high-quality data supporting the role of minimally invasive surgical management of degenerative lumbar scoliosis, this review intends to highlight and compare the various viable minimally invasive surgical methods for adult degenerative deformity correction. Methods and Materials/Patients: Online databases search including Medline, PubMed and Ovid was preformed using the keywords: adult, degenerative, lumbar scoliosis, etiology, clinical issues, diagnostic imaging, spinopelvic alignment, non-operative and surgical treatment options, minimally invasive, interbody fusion, and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. Eighty-three studies, published after 2000, on degenerative lumbar scoliosis epidemiology, classification and management were identified and reviewed. Results: Minimally invasive surgical techniques available for interbody fusion include posterior lumbar interbody fusion, transformational lumbar interbody fusion, oblique lumbar interbody fusion, anterior lumbar interbody fusion, and extreme lateral interbody fusion. Each surgical option warrants technical considerations, indication, complications awareness, and functional and radiological outcomes assessment. Sound patients’ selection is key for improved outcomes, and therefore the following factors should be well examined prior to surgical intervention: the patient’s medical condition and underlying morbidities, the extent of the involved disc spaces, imaging characteristics, and surgeon skills. Conclusion: The superiority of one surgical technique over the others, was not proven due to lack of strong and supportive data. However, a comprehensive review of indications, benefits, and disadvantages of the minimally invasive surgical procedures is presented. There is an interest in minimally invasive surgery of the spine owing to lower complication rates and morbidity, with limited soft tissue disturbance, decreased blood loss, improved cosmesis, shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work, and therefore decreased general health care costs