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Journal of Spine Surgery (Hong Kong) Mar 2020The anterior approach to the cervical spine is commonly utilized for a variety of degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic, and infectious indications. While many potential... (Review)
Review
The anterior approach to the cervical spine is commonly utilized for a variety of degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic, and infectious indications. While many potential complications overlap with those of the posterior approach, the distinct anatomy of the anterior neck also presents a unique set of hazards. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess the etiology, presentation, natural history, and management of these complications. Following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a PubMed search was conducted to evaluate clinical studies and case reports of patients who suffered a complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. The search specifically included articles concerning adult human subjects, written in the English language, and published from 1989 to 2019. The PubMed search yielded 240 articles meeting our criteria. The overall rates of complications were as follows: dysphagia 5.3%, esophageal perforation 0.2%, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 1.3%, infection 1.2%, adjacent segment disease 8.1%, pseudarthrosis 2.0%, graft or hardware failure 2.1%, cerebrospinal fluid leak 0.5%, hematoma 1.0%, Horner syndrome 0.4%, C5 palsy 3.0%, vertebral artery injury 0.4%, and new or worsening neurological deficit 0.5%. Morbidity rates in anterior cervical spine surgery are low. Nevertheless, the unique anatomy of the anterior neck presents a wide variety of potential complications involving vascular, aerodigestive, neural, and osseous structures.
PubMed: 32309668
DOI: 10.21037/jss.2020.01.14 -
Spine Deformity Nov 2022To assess clinical and safety outcomes associated with different rod materials and diameters in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To assess clinical and safety outcomes associated with different rod materials and diameters in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.
METHODS
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis evaluated ASD surgery using pedicle screw fixation systems with rods of different materials and sizes. Postoperative outcomes (i.e., Cobb, sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic tilt angle) and complications (i.e., pseudarthrosis and rod breakage) were assessed. Random effects models (REMs) pooled data for outcomes reported in ≥ 2 studies.
RESULTS
Among 50 studies evaluating ASD surgery using pedicle screw fixation systems, 17 described rod material/diameter. Postoperative outcomes did not statistically differ between cobalt-chromium (CoCr) vs. titanium (Ti) rods (n = 2 studies; mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] sagittal vertical axis angle: CoCr 37.00° [18.58°-55.42°] and Ti 32.58° [24.62°-40.54°]; mean [95% CI] pelvic tilt angle: CoCr 26.20° [22.87°-29.53°] and Ti 20.15° [18.0°-22.31°]). The pooled proportion (95% CI) of pseudarthrosis was 15% (7-22%) for CoCr and 12% (- 8-32%) for stainless steel (SS) (n = 2 studies each; Chi = 0.07, p = 0.79). The pooled proportion (95% CI) of broken rods was 12% (1-22%) for Ti (n = 3 studies) and 10% (2-19) for CoCr (n = 1 study). Among 6.0-6.35 mm rods, the pooled (95% CI) postoperative Cobb angle (n = 2) was 12.01° (9.75°-14.28°), sagittal vertical axis angle (n = 4) was 35.32° (30.02°-40.62°), and pelvic tilt angle was 21.11° (18.35°-23.86°).
CONCLUSIONS
For ASD patients undergoing posterior fixation and fusion, there are no statistically significant differences in postoperative outcomes or complications among rods of varying materials and diameters. Benchmark postsurgical outcomes and complication rates by rod material and diameter are provided.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Spinal Fusion; Stainless Steel; Titanium; Chromium Alloys; Pseudarthrosis; Cobalt; Chromium
PubMed: 35904725
DOI: 10.1007/s43390-022-00556-y -
Scientific Reports May 2022Our study aimed to evaluate differences in outcomes of patients submitted to spinal fusion using different grafts measuring the effectiveness of spinal fusion rates,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Our study aimed to evaluate differences in outcomes of patients submitted to spinal fusion using different grafts measuring the effectiveness of spinal fusion rates, pseudarthrosis rates, and adverse events. Applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, this systematic review and meta-analysis identified 64 eligible articles. The main inclusion criteria were adult patients that were submitted to spinal fusion, autologous iliac crest (AIC), allograft (ALG), alloplastic (ALP; hydroxyapatite, rhBMP-2, rhBMP-7, or the association between them), and local bone (LB), whether in addition to metallic implants or not, was applied. We made a comparison among those groups to evaluate the presence of differences in outcomes, such as fusion rate, hospital stay, follow-up extension (6, 12, 24, and 48 months), pseudarthrosis rate, and adverse events. Sixty-four studies were identified. LB presented significantly higher proportions of fusion rates (95.3% CI 89.7-98.7) compared to the AIC (88.6% CI 84.8-91.9), ALG (87.8% CI 80.8-93.4), and ALP (85.8% CI 75.7-93.5) study groups. Pseudarthrosis presented at a significantly lower pooled proportion of ALG studies (4.8% CI 0.1-15.7) compared to AIC (8.6% CI 4.2-14.2), ALP (7.1% CI 0.9-18.2), and LB (10.3% CI 1.8-24.5). ALP and AIC studies described significantly more cases of adverse events (80 events/404 patients and 860 events/2001 patients, respectively) compared to LB (20 events/311 patients) and ALG (73 events/459 patients). Most studies presented high risk-of-bias scores. Based on fusion rates and adverse events proportions, LB showed a superior trend among the graft cases we analyzed. However, our review revealed highly heterogeneous data and a need for more rigorous studies to better address and assist surgeons' choices of the best spinal grafts.
Topics: Adult; Bone Transplantation; Humans; Ilium; Pseudarthrosis; Spinal Diseases; Spinal Fusion; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35534520
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11551-8 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022(1) Background: Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare condition due to the failure of the union process of the ossification nuclei of the clavicle. The... (Review)
Review
(1) Background: Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare condition due to the failure of the union process of the ossification nuclei of the clavicle. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of relevant case series about the argument to find an up-to-date base of evidence for treatment choice. (2) Methods: an electronic literature research of Ovid, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted, and articles were selected based on inclusion criteria. Demographic data, clinical features, treatment options, outcomes and complications were analyzed. (3) Results: 21 articles met the inclusion criteria, showing a poor overall study quality; 231 pediatric patients (240 clavicles) were analyzed. The condition was typically right sided, showed no sex predominance and no clear predisposing factors. 156 patients underwent surgical treatment, mainly open debridement and refresh of bony ends, fixation with pin or plate and bone graft, with a successful union rate of 87.4%. The nonunion rate was significantly higher in the allograft group (44.4%, = 0.019). (4) Conclusions: this paper presents an updated systematic review about treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle. We confirm the generally satisfactory results of surgery, demonstrating that successful union is achievable in 87.4% of cases with a prevalence of 15.7% of major complications. Nonetheless our results should be interpreted with caution due to several limitations.
PubMed: 35204869
DOI: 10.3390/children9020147 -
World Neurosurgery: X Apr 2024The recent development of minimally invasive surgical techniques (MIS) has made possible the correction of adult spinal deformity (ASD) with less blood loss and shorter... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE
The recent development of minimally invasive surgical techniques (MIS) has made possible the correction of adult spinal deformity (ASD) with less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. However, minimally invasive placement of pedicle screws at the proximal level of the construct can increase pseudarthrosis risk, leading to implant failure, kyphosis, and reoperations. We aggregate existing literature to describe pseudarthrosis rates at the proximal thoracic or thoracolumbar junction in MIS and subsequent reoperation rates.
METHODS
After a three-tied search strategy in PubMed, we identified 9 articles for study inclusion, describing outcomes from MIS correction of ASD, pseudarthrosis as complication, and surgery on 4+ levels. Baseline patient characteristics and combined rates of pseudarthrosis and reoperation were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 482 patients were studied with an average [range] age of 65.5 [60.4,72], 6.3 [4.4,11] levels fused per patient, follow-up time of 28.3 [12,39] months, and 64.8% females. Pseudarthrosis was reported in 28 of 482 pooled patients (5.8%) of which 15 of 374 pooled patients (4.0%) ultimately underwent a reoperation for pseudarthrosis. Post-operative characteristics included an estimated blood loss (EBL) of 527.1 [241,1466] mL, operating time of 297.9 [183,475] minutes, and length of stay of 7.7 [5,10] days. Among the papers comparing MIS to open surgery, all reported a significantly lower EBL in patients treated with MIS.
CONCLUSION
This analysis demonstrate a measurable pseudarthrosis risk when using MIS to treat ASD, overwhelming requiring reoperation. The benefits of MIS must be considered against the drawbacks of pseudarthrosis when determining ASD management.
PubMed: 38444873
DOI: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2024.100282 -
Medicine Jul 2017Incidence of complications and reoperations between pedicle screw (PS) and hybrid instrumentations (HI) are still controversial in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Incidence of complications and reoperations between pedicle screw (PS) and hybrid instrumentations (HI) are still controversial in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to compare overall complications, reoperations, and radiographic outcomes between the 2 constructs.
METHODS
Strictly followed the PRISMA 2009 guidelines, the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were used to search for literatures up to April 2016, addressing PS versus HI in AIS patients. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was adopted to assess the quality of the studies. Data on complications, reoperations, Cobb angle of major curve, thoracic kyphosis, and proximal junctional measurement were extracted from the included studies. RevMan 5.3 and SPSS 21.0 were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
Twenty-four case-control studies with a total of 3042 AIS patients (1582 PS, 1460 HI) were included, consisting of 1 randomized controlled trial, 1 prospective study, and 22 retrospective studies. Decreased overall complications (95% CI 0.42-0.87, P = .007; I = 38%) and reoperations (95% CI 0.22-0.62, P = .0001; I = 0%) were found in PS group compared with HI group. As regard to reasons for reoperations, increased incidence of pseudarthrosis (P = .005), dislodged instrumentation (P = .005), and deep infection (P = .016) occurred in HI group. PS group achieved a better coronal correction (95% CI -7.06 to -4.54, P < .00001; I = 34%), but HI group was more powerful in restoring thoracic kyphosis (95% CI -7.88 to -3.70, P < .00001; I = 60%), and no significant differences were found in proximal junctional measurement (95% CI -0.88 to 1.54, P = .59; I = 0%) between the 2 constructs.
CONCLUSION
Compared with hybrid instrumentation, pedicle screw construct provides better coronal correction but less thoracic kyphosis restoring, with decreased incidence of overall complications and reoperations in AIS patients. As regard to the pedicle screw construct, the most common reasons for reoperation are malposition, deep infection, pseudarthrosis, and prominent implant.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Orthopedic Procedures; Pedicle Screws; Postoperative Complications; Reoperation; Scoliosis
PubMed: 28682881
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007337 -
Global Spine Journal Sep 2022Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to synthesize recommendations for perioperative medical management of RA patients and quantify outcomes after spine surgery when compared to patients without RA.
METHODS
A search of available literature on patients with RA and spine surgery was performed. Studies were included if they provided a direct comparison of outcomes between patients undergoing spine surgery with or without RA diagnosis. Meta-analysis was performed on operative time, estimated blood loss, hospital length of stay, overall complications, implant-related complications, reoperation, infection, pseudarthrosis, and adjacent segment disease.
RESULTS
Included in the analysis were 9 studies with 703 patients with RA undergoing spine surgery and 2569 patients without RA. In RA patients compared to non-RA patients undergoing spine surgery, the relative risk of infection was 2.29 times higher (P = .036), overall complications 1.61 times higher (P < .0001), implant-related complications 3.93 times higher (P = .009), and risk of reoperation 2.45 times higher (P < .0001). Hospital length of stay was 4.6 days longer in RA patients (P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of spinal pathology in patients with RA carries an increased risk of infection and implant-related complications. Spine-specific guidelines for perioperative management of antirheumatic medication deserve further exploration. All RA patients should be perioperatively co-managed by a rheumatologist. This review helps identify risk profiles in RA specific to spine surgery and may guide future studies seeking to medically optimize RA patients perioperatively.
PubMed: 35302407
DOI: 10.1177/21925682211057543 -
Global Spine Journal Nov 2016Literature review. The aim of this literature review was to detail the effects of smoking in spine surgery and examine whether perioperative smoking cessation... (Review)
Review
Literature review. The aim of this literature review was to detail the effects of smoking in spine surgery and examine whether perioperative smoking cessation could mitigate these risks. A review of the relevant literature examining the effects of smoking and cessation on surgery was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. Current smokers are significantly more likely to experience pseudarthrosis and postoperative infection and to report lower clinical outcomes after surgery in both the cervical and lumbar spines. Smoking cessation can reduce the risks of these complications depending on both the duration and timing of tobacco abstinence. Smoking negatively affects both the objective and subjective outcomes of surgery in the lumbar and cervical spine. Current literature supports smoking cessation as an effective tool in potentially mitigating these unwanted outcomes. Future investigations in this field should be directed toward developing a better understanding of the complex relationship between smoking and poorer outcomes in spine surgery as well as developing more efficacious cessation strategies.
PubMed: 27781190
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1571285 -
Global Spine Journal Aug 2020Case series/systematic review.
STUDY DESIGN
Case series/systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
To report on patients undergoing posterior cervical fusion for symptomatic pseudarthrosis following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), and to assess outcomes reporting in the literature.
METHODS
Patients undergoing posterior instrumented fusion for pseudarthrosis after primary ACDF from 2013 to 2018 by a single surgeon were reviewed consecutively. Neck Disability Index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) arm/neck were recorded at preoperative, 6-month, and 1-year time points. A systematic review of the literature was performed, and outcomes reporting was recorded.
RESULTS
NDI scores were 54.4 (SD 19.1), 36.6 (SD 18.1), and 41.2 (SD 19.2) at preoperative, 6-month, and 1-year time points, respectively, with improvement from preoperatively to 6 months ( = .004). VAS neck scores were 8.1 (SD 1.3), 5.0 (SD 2.9), and 5.8 (SD 2.2) at preoperative, 6-month, and 1-year time points, respectively, with improvement from preoperatively to 6 months ( = .038). VAS arm scores were 5.1 (SD 4.1), 3.5 (SD 3.2), and 3.6 (SD 2.7) at preoperative, 6-month, and 1-year time points, respectively, with improvement although these did not reach statistical significance ( = .145). The most common subjective outcomes reported in the literature were general symptoms assessments (43%), ordinal scales (43%), and VAS neck (19%) scales, with the majority of studies (67%) documenting one measure.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient-reported outcomes demonstrate clinically meaningful improvement within the first 6 months after posterior fusion for pseudarthrosis. Studies demonstrate substantial variability and no standardization in outcomes reporting, limiting the ability to compare results across interventions and pathologies. Standardized reporting will enable comparisons to inform patients and physicians on the optimal approach to treat this difficult problem.
PubMed: 32677569
DOI: 10.1177/2192568219863808 -
Acta Orthopaedica Et Traumatologica... Jul 2018This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of literature comparing the clinical effectiveness and safety between anterior reconstruction (AR) and posterior... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of literature comparing the clinical effectiveness and safety between anterior reconstruction (AR) and posterior osteotomy (PO) in the treatment of Kümmell's disease with neurological deficits.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Web of Science for "spin*," "surg*," "Kümmell's disease," "Kummell's disease," "Kummell disease," "vertebral osteonecrosis," "vertebral pseudarthrosis," "intravertebral vacuum cleft," "delayed vertebral collapse," and "compression fracture nonunion". Quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method.
RESULTS
A total of 10 publications involving 268 Kümmell's disease patients with neurological deficits were included in this review, with 7 studies of low- or very low-quality. There were 37.7% and 62.3% of patients receiving AR and PO, respectively. For clinical outcomes, AR group showed no significant differences in pain, neurological dysfunction, and imaging outcome improvements compared with patients who underwent PO. However, the incidence of implant-related complications including loose screw, screw fracture, screw disconnection, and plate dislodgment, was higher in AR group compared with PO group (21.6% vs. 14.3%). As another major complication, AR group more often required a second surgery.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review demonstrated that both AR and PO could improve pain, neurological dysfunction and imaging outcomes. However, serious comorbidities, multilevel corpectomies and/or severe osteoporosis highly required PO. Design discrepancies were found in the current studies, further higher-quality studies are warranted.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level III, therapeutic study.
Topics: Bone Screws; Fractures, Compression; Fractures, Spontaneous; Humans; Osteonecrosis; Osteotomy; Pseudarthrosis; Spinal Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29803679
DOI: 10.1016/j.aott.2018.05.002