Predicting Surgical Complications in Adult Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Using Machine Learning

Varun Arvind,Jun S. Kim,Eric K. Oermann,Deepak Kaji,Samuel K. Cho 대한척추신경외과학회 2018 Neurospine Vol.15 No.4

Objective: Machine learning algorithms excel at leveraging big data to identify complex patterns that can be used to aid in clinical decision-making. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the performance of machine learning models in predicting postoperative complications following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods: Artificial neural network (ANN), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest decision tree (RF) models were trained on a multicenter data set of patients undergoing ACDF to predict surgical complications based on readily available patient data. Following training, these models were compared to the predictive capability of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification. Results: A total of 20,879 patients were identified as having undergone ACDF. Following exclusion criteria, patients were divided into 14,615 patients for training and 6,264 for testing data sets. ANN and LR consistently outperformed ASA physical status classification in predicting every complication (p<0.05). The ANN outperformed LR in predicting venous thromboembolism, wound complication, and mortality (p<0.05). The SVM and RF models were no better than random chance at predicting any of the postoperative complications (p<0.05). Conclusion: ANN and LR algorithms outperform ASA physical status classification for predicting individual postoperative complications. Additionally, neural networks have greater sensitivity than LR when predicting mortality and wound complications. With the growing size of medical data, the training of machine learning on these large datasets promises to improve risk prognostication, with the ability of continuously learning making them excellent tools in complex clinical scenarios.

Trends in the Charges and Utilization of Computer-Assisted Navigation in Cervical and Thoracolumbar Spinal Surgery

Dominy Calista L.,Tang Justin E.,Arvind Varun,Cho Brian H.,Selverian Stephen,Shah Kush C.,Kim Jun S.,Cho Samuel Kang-Wook 대한척추외과학회 2022 Asian Spine Journal Vol.16 No.5

Study Design: Retrospective national database study.Purpose: This study is conducted to assess the trends in the charges and usage of computer-assisted navigation in cervical and thoracolumbar spinal surgery.Overview of Literature: This study is the first of its kind to use a nationwide dataset to analyze trends of computer-assisted navigation in spinal surgery over a recent time period in terms of use in the field as well as the cost of the technology.Methods: Relevant data from the National Readmission Database in 2015–2018 were analyzed, and the computer-assisted procedures of cervical and thoracolumbar spinal surgery were identified using International Classification of Diseases 9th and 10th revision codes. Patient demographics, surgical data, readmissions, and total charges were examined. Comorbidity burden was calculated using the Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity index. Complication rates were determined on the basis of diagnosis codes.Results: A total of 48,116 cervical cases and 27,093 thoracolumbar cases were identified using computer-assisted navigation. No major differences in sex, age, or comorbidities over time were found. The utilization of computer-assisted navigation for cervical and thoracolumbar spinal fusion cases increased from 2015 to 2018 and normalized to their respective years’ total cases (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.756, <i>p</i> =0.049; Pearson correlation coefficient=0.9895, <i>p</i> =0.010). Total charges for cervical and thoracolumbar cases increased over time (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.758, <i>p</i> =0.242; Pearson correlation coefficient=0.766, <i>p</i> =0.234).Conclusions: The use of computer-assisted navigation in spinal surgery increased significantly from 2015 to 2018. The average cost grossly increased from 2015 to 2018, and it was higher than the average cost of nonnavigated spinal surgery. With the increased utilization and standardization of computer-assisted navigation in spinal surgeries, the cost of care of more patients might potentially increase. As a result, further studies should be conducted to determine whether the use of computer-assisted navigation is efficient in terms of cost and improvement of care.

Role of Posterior Ligamentous Reinforcement in Proximal Junctional Kyphosis: A Cadaveric Biomechanical Study

Jun Sup Kim,Zoe Beatrice Cheung,Varun Arvind,John Caridi,Samuel Kang-Wook Cho 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.1

Study Design: Cadaveric biomechanical study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to biomechanically evaluate the effect of preserving or augmenting the interspinous ligament (ISL) and supraspinous ligament (SSL; ISL/SSL) complex between the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and UIV+1 using a cadaveric model. Overview of Literature: Adult spinal deformity is becoming an increasingly prevalent disorder, and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a well-known postoperative complication following long spinal fusion. Methods: Pure moments of 4 and 8 Nm were applied to the native and instrumented spine, respectively (n=8). The test conditions included the following: native spine (T7–L2), fused spine (T10–L2), fused spine with a hand-tied suture loop through the spinous processes at T9–T10, and fused spine with severed T9–T10 ISL/SSL complex. Results: The flexion range of motion (ROM) at T9–T10 of the fused spine loaded at 8 Nm increased by 62% compared to that of the native spine loaded at 4 Nm. The average flexion ROM at T9–T10 for the suture loop and severed ISL/SSL spines were 141% (p =0.13) and 177% (p =0.66) of the native spine at 4 Nm, respectively (p -values vs. fused). Conclusions: Transection of the ISL/SSL complex did not significantly change flexion ROM at the proximal junctional segment following instrumented spinal fusion. Furthermore, augmentation of the posterior ligamentous tension band with a polyester fiber suture loop did not mitigate excessive flexion loads on the proximal junctional segment. We postulate that the role of the posterior ligamentous tension band in mitigating PJK is secondary to the anterior column support provided by the vertebral body and intervertebral disc.

Weekend Admission Increases Risk of Readmissions Following Elective Cervical Spinal Fusion

Renee Ren,Calista Dominy,Brian Bueno,Sara Pasik,Jonathan Markowitz,Brandon Yeshoua,Brian Cho,Varun Arvind,Aly A. Valliani,Jun Kim,Samuel Cho 대한척추신경외과학회 2023 Neurospine Vol.20 No.1

Objective: The “weekend effect” occurs when patients cared for during weekends versus weekdays experience worse outcomes. But reasons for this effect are unclear, especially amongst patients undergoing elective cervical spinal fusion (ECSF). Our aim was to analyze whether index weekend admission affects 30- and 90-day readmission rates post-ECSF. Methods: All ECSF patients > 18 years were retrospectively identified from the 2016–2018 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), using unique patient linkage codes and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression analyzed primary outcomes of 30- and 90-day readmission rates in weekday or weekend groups. Multivariate regression determined the impact of complications on readmission rates. Results: Compared to the weekday group (n = 125,590), the weekend group (n = 1,026) held a higher percentage of Medicare/Medicaid insurance, incurred higher costs, had longer length of stay, and fewer routine home discharge (all p < 0.001). There was no difference in comorbidity burden between weekend versus weekday admissions, as measured by the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (p = 0.527). Weekend admissions had higher 30-day (4.30% vs. 7.60%, p < 0.001) and 90-day (7.80% vs. 16.10%, p < 0.001) readmission rates, even after adjusting for sex, age, insurance status, and comorbidities. All-cause complication rates were higher for weekend admissions (8.62% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.001), specifically deep vein thrombosis, infection, neurological conditions, and pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: Index weekend admission increases 30- and 90-day readmission rates after ECSF. In patients undergoing ECSF on weekends, postoperative care for patients at risk for specific complications will allow for improved outcomes and health care utilization.

Emerging Technologies in the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity

Akshar V. Patel,Christopher A. White,John T. Schwartz,Nicholas L. Pitaro,Kush C. Shah,Sirjanhar Singh,Varun Arvind,Jun S. Kim,Samuel K. Cho 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.3

Outcomes for adult spinal deformity continue to improve as new technologies become integrated into clinical practice. Machine learning, robot-guided spinal surgery, and patient-specific rods are tools that are being used to improve preoperative planning and patient satisfaction. Machine learning can be used to predict complications, readmissions, and generate postoperative radiographs which can be shown to patients to guide discussions about surgery. Robot-guided spinal surgery is a rapidly growing field showing signs of greater accuracy in screw placement during surgery. Patient-specific rods offer improved outcomes through higher correction rates and decreased rates of rod breakage while decreasing operative time. The objective of this review is to evaluate trends in the literature about machine learning, robot-guided spinal surgery, and patient-specific rods in the treatment of adult spinal deformity.