Lumbar spinal fusion in postmenopausal women with a history of hormone replacement therapy.

Introduction: Recent re-evaluation of the Women's Health Initiative Hormone Therapy Trials has established that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be beneficial for patients, if begun shortly after menopause. This study investigates the impact of a history of postmenopausal HRT on patient demographics and perioperative complications in women undergoing lumbar spinal fusion.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2016 to 2020 for postmenopausal women (>55 years old or applicable diagnosis) undergoing lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative etiologies, using International Classification of Disease Tenth Revision diagnostic and procedural codes.

Validation of a Mathematical Model for Rupture Status of Spherical Intracranial Aneurysms.

Purpose: An accurate mathematical model of intracranial aneurysm (IA) mechanics is of great value for its potential utility in assessing probability of IA rupture. Such a model for spherical IAs has been developed which predicts a wall-thickness-to-IA-radius ratio (WTR) of 6.1 × 10 at which IAs rupture.

Risk Factors for Development of Diabetes Insipidus and Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion after Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenoma.

 We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for development of diabetes insipidus (DI) and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (TSH) for resection of a pituitary adenoma.  This was a retrospective study of 403 adult patients undergoing TSH for pituitary adenoma. Clinical variables, tumor characteristics, and operative factors were collected.

Correlation Between Rod Fracture and Shear Stress: A Novel Parameter.

Background: We sought to assess the accuracy of a novel parameter proportional to the rod shear stress (RSS) in identifying patients at risk of rod fracture (RF) after surgery for correction of adult spinal deformity.

Methods: We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients aged ≥18 years treated for adult spinal deformity between 2004 and 2014 with ≥24 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was RFs identified radiographically.

Variability in Minimal Clinically Important Difference Calculation and Reporting in the Otolaryngology Literature.

Objective: Best practices for calculation of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of outcome measures include the use of complementary methodologies (broadly classified as anchor-based and distribution-based) and reporting of the MCID's predictive ability. We sought to determine MCID calculation and reporting patterns within the otolaryngology literature.

Methods: A systematic search strategy of Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases was developed and implemented to identify studies reporting the determination of an MCID for an outcome measure.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is Associated with Increased Rates of Adjacent Segment Disease Following TLIF: A Propensity Matched Study.

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a collection of connective tissue disorders which are often associated with tissue laxity and disc degeneration. However, the implications of EDS on the risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are not well described. The objective of this study is to compare the rates of ASD among patients with EDS and those without EDS.

Synthetic Interbody Devices and Traditional Bone Graft Are Associated With a Similar Rate of Surgical Complications After 1-2 Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusions.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare the rates of all-cause surgical complications of synthetic interbody devices versus allograft or autograft in patients undergoing 1-2 levels anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical degenerative disorders affect up to 60% of older adults in the United States.

No Difference in Surgical Outcomes Between Stand-Alone Devices and Anterior Plating for 1-2 Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A 1:1 Exact Matched Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare rates of all-cause surgical and medical complications between zero-profile (ZP; stand-alone) implants versus any graft type with an anterior plate in patients undergoing 1-2 level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for treatment of degenerative cervical myeloradiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Degenerative cervical myeloradiculopathy is increasingly prevalent in older adults.

Impact of Hypo- and Hyper-capnia on Spreading Depolarizations in Rat Cerebral Cortex.

Patients with traumatic brain injury are typically maintained at low-normal levels of arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO) to counteract the risk of elevated intracranial pressure during intensive care. However, several studies suggest that management at hypercarbic levels may have therapeutic benefit. Here we examined the impact of CO levels on spreading depolarizations (SD), a mechanism and marker of acute lesion development in stroke and brain trauma.

Surgeon Experience Matters: An Exact Matched Analysis of TLIF Outcomes Demonstrates No Difference in Surgical Outcomes Between Experienced Neurosurgeons and Orthopedic Surgeons.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare surgical and medical complications profile between neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures.

Background: Studies comparing the impact of spine surgeon specialty (neurosurgery vs.

Cannabis Use is Associated With Higher Rates of Pseudarthrosis Following TLIF: A Multi-Institutional Matched-Cohort Study.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the rates of pseudarthrosis in patients undergoing 1 to 3 level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures between cannabis users and noncannabis users.

Summary Of Background Data: Recreational use of cannabis is common, though it remains poorly studied and legally ambiguous in the United States.

Preoperative HbA1c and Postoperative Outcomes in Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies on HbA1c in preoperative risk stratification in patients undergoing spinal procedures and provide an overview of the consensus recommendations.

Summary Of Background Data: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia have been shown to be independent risk factors for increased surgical complications.

TLIF is Associated With Lower Rates of Adjacent Segment Disease and Complications Compared to ALIF: A Matched-Cohort Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare the rate of adjacent segment disease (ASD) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of degenerative stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: ALIF and TLIF are frequently used to treat Lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Bariatric Surgery Before Spine Surgery is Associated With Fewer Postsurgical Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the rate of adverse events after spine surgery in patients who underwent bariatric surgery (BS).

Summary Of Background Data: Obesity is an established risk factor for postoperative complications after spine surgery.

Do Obese Patients Lose Weight After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Obesity is a major health care concern in the United States and is associated with high rates of postoperative complications after spine surgery. Obese patients assert that weight reduction is not possible unless spine surgery first relieves their pain and concomitant immobility. We describe the post-spine surgery effects on patient weight, with an emphasis on obesity.

Lumbar Arthroplasty Is Associated With a Lower Incidence of Adjacent Segment Disease Compared With ALIF: A Propensity-matched Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the rate of adjacent segment disease (ASD) between lumbar disk arthroplasty (LDA) and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

Summary Of Background Data: LDA and ALIF are alternative surgical approaches used to treat lumbar degenerative disk disease.

Laminectomy With Fusion is Associated With Greater Functional Improvement Compared With Laminectomy Alone for the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare outcomes and complications profile of laminectomy alone versus laminectomy and fusion for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Summary Of Background Data: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common cause of back pain and functional impairment.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Tobacco Smoking History as a Risk for Outcomes after Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenoma.

 This study seeks to comprehensively analyze the impact of smoking history on outcomes after endoscopic transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (TSH) for pituitary adenoma.  This was a retrospective study.  This study was done at the tertiary care center.