Brief History of Neurosurgical Spine Societies in the United States: Part 2

Sasha Vaziri,Praveen V. Mummaneni,Michael Y. Wang 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.2

.

The Nuances of Occipitocervical Instability and Stenosis in Patients With Basilar Invagination and Atlantoaxial Dislocation

Chih-Chang Chang,Praveen V. Mummaneni 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.2

.

Utility of the MISDEF2 Algorithm and Extent of Fusion in Open Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Bo Li,Gregory Hawryluk,Praveen V. Mummaneni,Michael Wang,Ratnesh Mehra,Minghao Wang,Darryl Lau,Rory Mayer,Kai-Ming Fu,Dean Chou 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.4

Objective: Long-segment fusion in adult spinal deformity (ASD) is often needed, but more focal surgeries may provide significant relief with less morbidity. The minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery (MISDEF2) algorithm guides minimally invasive ASD surgery, but it may be useful in open ASD surgery. We classified ASD patients undergoing focal decompression, limited decompression and fusion, and full correction according to MISDEF2 and correlated outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study of ASD patients treated by 2 surgeons at our hospital was performed. Inclusion criteria were: age >50, minimum 2-year follow-up, and open ASD surgery. Tumor, trauma, and infections were excluded. Patients had open surgery including focal decompression, short segment fusion, or full scoliosis correction. All patients were categorized by MISDEF2 into 4 classes based upon spinopelvic parameters. Perioperative metrics were assessed. Radiographic correction, complications and reoperation were recorded. Results: A total of 136 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 46±15.8 months (range, 24–118 months). Forty-seven underwent full deformity correction, 71 underwent short segment fusion, and 18 underwent decompression alone. There were 24 cases of class I, 66 cases of class II, 23 cases of class III, and 23 cases of class IV patients. Patients in class I and II had perioperative complication rates of 0% and 16.7% and revision rates of 8% and 21.2% when undergoing focal decompression or limited fusion. However, class II patients undergoing full correction had higher perioperative complications rate (p=0.03) and revision surgery rates (p=0.047). This difference was not seen in class III patients (p>0.05). All class IV patients underwent full correction, but they had higher perioperative complication rates (p<0.019), comparable revision surgery rates (p=0.27), and better radiographic realignment (p<0.001). In addition, full deformity correction was associated with longer length of stay, increased blood loss, and longer operative time (p<0.001). Conclusion: The MISDEF2 algorithm may help guide ASD surgical decision making even in open surgery, with focal treatment used in class I and II patients as a viable alternative and full correction implemented in class IV patients because of severe malalignment. However, class II patients with ASD undergoing full deformity correction do have higher complication rates.

The Navigated Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Accuracy Rate, Effect on Surgical Time, and Complications

Zhuo Xi,Dean Chou,Praveen V. Mummaneni,Shane Burch 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.1

Objective: The oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) can be done with either fluoroscopy or navigation. However, it is unclear how navigation affects the overall flow of the procedure. We wished to report on the accuracy of this technique using navigation and on how navigation affects surgical time and complications. Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken to evaluate patients who underwent OLIF using spinal navigation at University of California San Francisco. Data collected were demographic variables, perioperative variables, and radiographic images. Postoperative lateral radiographs were analyzed for accuracy of cage placement. The disc space was divided into 4 quadrants from anterior to posterior, zone 1 being anterior, and zone 4 being posterior. The accuracy of cage placement was assessed by placement. Results: There were 214 patients who met the inclusion criteria. A total of 350 levels were instrumented from L1 to L5 using navigation. The mean follow-up time was 17.42 months. The mean surgical time was 211 minutes, and the average surgical time per level was 129.01 minutes. After radiographic analysis, 94.86% of cages were placed within quartiles 1 to 3. One patient (0.47%) underwent revision surgery because of suboptimal cage placement. For approach-related complications, transient neurological symptoms were 10.28%, there was no vascular injury. Conclusion: The use of navigation to perform OLIF from L1 to L5 resulted in a cage placement accuracy rate of 94.86% in 214 patients.

Telemedicine in Neurosurgery: Standardizing the Spinal Physical Examination Using A Modified Delphi Method

Alexander F. Haddad,John F. Burke,Praveen V. Mummaneni,Andrew K. Chan,Michael M. Safaee,John J. Knightly,Rory R. Mayer,Brenton H. Pennicooke,Anthony M. Digiorgio,Philip R. Weinstein,Aaron J. Clark,Dea 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.2

Objective: The use of telemedicine has dramatically increased due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Many neurosurgeons are now using telemedicine technologies for preoperative evaluations and routine outpatient visits. Our goal was to standardize the telemedicine motor neurologic examination, summarize the evidence surrounding clinical use of telehealth technologies, and discuss financial and legal considerations. Methods: We identified a 12-member panel composed of spine surgeons, fellows, and senior residents at a single institution. We created an initial telehealth strength examination protocol based on published data and developed 10 agree/disagree statements summarizing the protocol. A blinded Delphi method was utilized to build consensus for each statement, defined as >80% agreement and no significant disagreement using a 2-way binomial test (significance threshold of p<0.05). Any statement that did not meet consensus was edited and iteratively resubmitted to the panel until consensus was achieved. In the final round, the panel was unblinded and the protocol was finalized. Results: After the first round, 4/10 statements failed to meet consensus (<80% agreement, and p=0.031, p=0.031, p=0.003, and p=0.031 statistical disagreement, respectively). The disagreement pertained to grading of strength of the upper (3/10 statements) and lower extremities (1/10 statement). The amended statements clarified strength grading, achieved consensus (>80% agreement, p>0.05 disagreement), and were used to create the final telehealth strength examination protocol. Conclusion: The resulting protocol was used in our clinic to standardize the telehealth strength examination. This protocol, as well as our summary of telehealth clinical practice, should aid neurosurgical clinics in integrating telemedicine modalities into their practice.

The Option of Motion Preservation in Cervical Spondylosis: Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Update

Chih-Chang Chang,Wen-Cheng Huang,Jau-Ching Wu,Praveen V. Mummaneni 대한척추신경외과학회 2018 Neurospine Vol.15 No.4

Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), or total disc replacement, has emerged as an option in the past two decades for the management of 1- and 2-level cervical disc herniation and spondylosis causing radiculopathy, myelopathy, or both. Multiple prospective randomized controlled trials have demonstrated CDA to be as safe and effective as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, which has been the standard of care for decades. Moreover, CDA successfully preserved segmental mobility in the majority of surgical levels for 5–10 years. Although CDA has been suggested to have long-term efficacy for the reduction of adjacent segment disease in some studies, more data are needed on this topic. Surgery for CDA is more demanding for decompression, because indirect decompression by placement of a tall bone graft is not possible in CDA. The artificial discs should be properly sized, centered, and installed to allow movement of the vertebrae, and are commonly 6 mm high or less in most patients. The key to successful CDA surgery includes strict patient selection, generous decompression of the neural elements, accurate sizing of the device, and appropriately centered implant placement.

Perioperative Anesthesia Lean Implementation Is Associated With Increased Operative Efficiency in Posterior Cervical Surgeries at a HighVolume Spine Center

Simon G. Ammanuel,Andrew K. Chan,Anthony M. DiGiorgio,Mohanad Alazzeh,Kelechi Nwachuku,Leslie C. Robinson,Errol Lobo,Praveen V. Mummaneni 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Lean management strategies aim to increase efficiency by eliminating waste or by improving processes to optimize value. The operating room (OR) is an arena where these strategies can be implemented. We assessed changes in OR efficiency after the application of lean methodology on perioperative anesthesia associated with posterior cervical spine surgeries. Methods: We utilized pre- and post-lean study design to identify inefficiencies during the perioperative anesthesia process and implemented strategies to improve the process. Patient characteristics were recorded to assess for differences between the 2 groups (group 1, prelean; group 2, post-lean). In the pre-lean period, key steps in the perioperative anesthesia process were identified that were amenable to lean implementation. The time required for each identified key step was recorded by an independent study coordinator. The times for each step were then compared between the groups utilizing univariate analyses. Results: After lean implementation, there was a significant decrease in overall perioperative anesthesia process time (88.4 ± 4.7 minutes vs. 76.2 ± 3.2 minutes, p = 0.04). This was driven by significant decreases in the steps: transport and setup (10.4 ± 0.8 minutes vs. 8.0 ± 0.7 minutes, p = 0.03) and positioning (20.8 ± 2.1 minutes vs. 15.7 ± 1.3 minutes, p = 0.046). Of note, the total time spent in the OR was lower for group 2 (270.1 ± 14.6 minutes vs. 252.8 ± 14.1 minutes) but the result was not statistically significant, even when adjusting for number of operated levels. Conclusion: Lean methodology may be successfully applied to posterior cervical spine surgery whereby improvements in the perioperative anesthetic process are associated with significantly increased OR efficiency.

Preoperative Narcotic Use, Impaired Ambulation Status, and Increased Intraoperative Blood Loss Are Independent Risk Factors for Complications Following Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion Surgery

Ryan K. Badiee,Andrew K. Chan,Joshua Rivera,Annette Molinaro,Brianna R. Doherty,K. Daniel Riew,Dean Chou,Praveen V. Mummaneni,Lee A. Tan 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.3

Objective: This retrospective cohort study seeks to identify risk factors associated with complications following posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCLF) surgery. Methods: Adults undergoing PCLF from 2012 through 2018 at a single center were identified. Demographic and radiographic data, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were compared. Multivariate logistic regression models identified independent predictors of complications following surgery. Results: A total of 196 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The medical, surgical, and overall complication rates were 10.2%, 23.0%, and 29.1% respectively. Risk factors associated with medical complications in multivariate analysis included impaired ambulation status (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; p=0.02) and estimated blood loss over 500 mL (OR, 3.67; p=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed preoperative narcotic use (OR, 2.43; p=0.02) and operative time (OR, 1.005; p=0.03) as risk factors for surgical complication, whereas antidepressant use was a protective factor (OR, 0.21; p=0.01). Overall complication was associated with preoperative narcotic use (OR, 1.97; p=0.04) and higher intraoperative blood loss (OR, 1.0007; p=0.03). Conclusion: Preoperative narcotic use and estimated blood loss predicted the incidence of complications following PCLF for CSM. Ambulation status was a significant predictor of the development of a medical complication specifically. These results may help surgeons in counseling patients who may be at increased risk of complication following surgery.