Cervical Spine Surgery

Incidence of Surgical Site Infection After Spine Surgery

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Zhou, Jiaming MD SPINE: February 1, 2020 – Volume 45 – Issue 3 – p 208-216 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003218 Study Design. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients following spine surgery and the rate of […]

Intraoperative Ischemic Stroke in Elective Spine Surgery

A Retrospective Study of Incidence and Risk Ishak, Basem MD SPINE: January 15, 2020 – Volume 45 – Issue 2 – p 109-115 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003184 Study Design. Retrospective study. Objective. To determine incidence, risk factors, complications, and early postoperative outcome in patients with intraoperative ischemic stroke during elective spine surgery. Summary of Background Data. Overall, […]

Comparison of Anterior Cervical Foraminotomy and Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy for Treating Single Level Unilateral Cervical Radiculopathy

Kim, Shin-Jae MD; Seo, Jin-Suk MD; Lee, Sang-Ho MD, PhD; Bae, Junseok MD Spine: October 1, 2019 – Volume 44 – Issue 19 – p 1339-1347 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003081 Study Design. Retrospective study. Objective. To compare clinical and radiological outcomes after two surgical procedures. Summary of Background Data. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the gold […]

Opioid use following cervical spine surgery: trends and factors associated with long-term use

The Spine Journal Volume 18, Issue 11, November 2018, Pages 1974-1981 The Spine Journal Clinical Study Andrew J.Pugely MD Abstract Background Context Limited or no data exist evaluating risk factors associated with prolonged opioid use following cervical arthrodesis. Purpose The objectives of this study were to assess trends in postoperative narcotic use among preoperative opioid […]

Postoperative Changes in Moderate to Severe Nonspecific Low Back Pain After Cervical Myelopathy Surgery

World Neurosurgery Publication History Published online: May 09, 2018 Accepted: April 30, 2018 Received: February 5, 2018 Highlights Cervical myelopathy patients sometimes have nonspecific low back pain (msLBP). Awareness of postoperative changes in msLBP may be helpful in consultation. MsLBP was improved in approximately 50% of patients after cervical myelopathy surgery. MsLBP symptoms fluctuated in […]

Hypovitaminosis D and Cervical Disk Herniation among Adults Undergoing Spine Surgery

Global Spine J. 2013 Dec;3(4):231-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1354252. Epub 2013 Aug 21. Stoker GE1, Buchowski JM1, Chen CT1, Kim HJ1, Park MS2, Riew KD1. Abstract Study Design Single-center, retrospective study. Objective Suboptimal concentrations of vitamin D have been linked to hip and knee osteoarthritis in large, population-based cohort studies. We sought to examine the association of vitamin D […]

Risks for Vascular Injury During Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Prevalence of a Medial Loop of Vertebral Artery and Internal Carotid Artery

Spine: February 2016 – Volume 41 – Issue 4 – p 293–298 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001241 Wakao, Norimitsu MD, PhD Abstract Study Design. Observational study using a retrospective single-institute database. Objective. To investigate the prevalence of a medial loop (ML) of the vertebral artery (VA) and internal carotid artery (ICA), which might be an anatomical risk factor […]

Adjacent Segment Pathology Requiring Reoperation After Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis: The Influence of Smoking, Sex, and Number of Operated Levels

Lee, Jae Chul MD; Lee, Sang-Hun MD; Peters, Colleen MA; Riew, K. Daniel MD Spine15 May 2015Vol. 40 – Issue 10: p E571–E577 Abstract Study Design. A retrospective study. Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine, using survivorship analysis, the rate of adjacent segment pathology (ASP) development and to identify the risk factors […]

The Revision Rate and Occurrence of Adjacent Segment Disease After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

The Revision Rate and Occurrence of Adjacent Segment Disease After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Study of 672 Consecutive Patients van Eck, Carola F. MD Spine 15 December 2014 Vol. 39 – Issue 26: p 2143–2147 Abstract Study Design. Level III: retrospective cohort study. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the […]

C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression and fusion: cost and quality-of-life implications

The Spine Journal December 1, 2014 Volume 14, Issue 12, Pages 2854–2860 Jacob A. Miller, BS Abstract Background context C5 palsy is a debilitating postoperative complication of cervical decompression surgery. Although the prognosis is typically good, patients may be unable to perform basic activities of daily living, resulting in a decreased quality of life. No […]

Complications and Mortality in Cervical Spine Surgery: Racial Differences

Complications and Mortality in Cervical Spine Surgery: Racial Differences Skolasky, Richard L. ScD; Thorpe, Roland J. Jr PhD; Wegener, Stephen T. PhD; Riley, Lee H. III MD Spine 15 August 2014 Vol. 39 – Issue 18: p 1506–1512 Abstract Study Design. Retrospective national database analysis. Objective. Our goal was to estimate racial and ethnic differences […]

Incidence and risk factors for perioperative visual loss after spinal fusion

Sreeharsha V. Nandyala, BA The Spine Journal Volume 14, Issue 9, 1 September 2014, Pages 1866–1872 Abstract Background context Perioperative visual loss (POVL) is a rare but devastating complication that may follow spinal surgeries. The incidence of POVL after spinal fusion is not well characterized during the past decade. Purpose A population-based database was analyzed […]

First spine surgery with 3D-printed vertebral body— Will this change everything?

Becker’s Spine Review Laura Dyrda – Monday, August 18th, 2014 Surgeons in China performed the first spinal disc replacement implanting a three-dimensional printed vertebra, according to a CNTV report. The 3D printing technology uses digital models of a patient’s anatomy to construct a “printed” customized implant in almost any material. While the overall 3D printing […]

California doctors used fake hardware in spine surgeries, lawsuits say

The Center For Investigative Reporting Jul 03, 2014 Christina Jewett Health and Welfare Reporter Will Evans Government Oversight Reporter Story Source Doctors in Southern California have implanted counterfeit screws and rods, ginned up in a small machine shop, into the backs of thousands of injured workers, according to lawsuits filed throughout the state. Some doctors […]

Tapping into controversial back surgeries

By BEN EISLER CBS NEWS April 24, 2014, 6:30 AM Back pain is one of the most common reasons Americans go to the doctor, and one of the fastest growing treatments is spinal fusion surgery. From 2001 to 2011, the number of spinal fusions in U.S. hospitals increased 70 percent, making them more frequently performed […]

Medtronic Sued by 1,000 Infuse Patients

Published: Mar 4, 2014 | Updated: Mar 4, 2014 By John Fauber, Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today Medtronic said about 1,000 people have sued the company over its bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) product, Infuse, and that many more lawsuits may be coming. In addition, several states now are looking into sales and marketing practices involving Infuse, which […]

Predicting medical complications after spine surgery: a validated model using a prospective surgical registry

Michael J. Lee, MD The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background Context The possibility and likelihood of a post-operative medical complication after spine surgery undoubtedly play a major role in the decision making of the surgeon and patient alike. While prior study has determined Relative Risk and Odds Ratio values […]

A Predictive Model of Complications after Spine Surgery

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) 2005-2010 Kimon Bekelis, M.D Abstract Background and Context There is increasing scrutiny by several regulatory bodies regarding the complications of spine surgery. Precise delineation of the risks contributing to those complications remains a topic of debate. Purpose We attempted to create a predictive model of complications in patients […]

Vertebral Artery Injuries in Cervical Spine Surgery

David J. Lunardini, MD Abstract Background Context Vertebral artery injuries (VAI) are rare but serious complications of cervical spine surgery, with the potential to cause catastrophic bleeding, permanent neurologic impairment and even death. The current literature regarding incidence of this complication is largely comprised of single surgeon or small multi-center case series. Purpose We sought […]

Vertebral Artery Injuries in Cervical Spine Surgery

David J. Lunardini, MD Abstract Background Context Vertebral artery injuries (VAI) are rare but serious complications of cervical spine surgery, with the potential to cause catastrophic bleeding, permanent neurologic impairment and even death. The current literature regarding incidence of this complication is largely comprised of single surgeon or small multi-center case series. Purpose We sought […]