Comparison of Recruitment Method on Clinical Outcomes Following Cervical Disc Arthroplasty.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of trial versus standard clinical practice (SCP) patients following cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA).

Background: CDA is hypothesized to reduce the shear strain and related complications resulting from fusion procedures.

Twenty-Year Radiographic Outcomes Following Single-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: Results From a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Compare range of motion (ROM) and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at 20-year follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the standard of treatment for single-level cervical disc degeneration causing radiculopathy.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgeons Worldwide: A One Year Prospective Comparative Study.

Study Design: Survey.

Objective: In March of 2020, an original study by Louie et al investigated the impact of COVID-19 on 902 spine surgeons internationally. Since then, due to varying government responses and public health initiatives to the pandemic, individual countries and regions of the world have been affected differently.

Bone Density Distribution in the Cervical Spine.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Given changes in bone density induced by degenerative disease, general measures of bone health (ie DEXA) are inadequate to evaluate bone density in surgical areas of interest. Regional differences in HU in the cervical spine may influence surgical strategies.

How Much Lumbar Lordosis does a Patient Need to Reach their Age-Adjusted Alignment Target? A Formulated Approach Predicting Successful Surgical Outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Identify optimal lumbar lordosis in adult deformity correction to achieve age-adjusted targets and sustained alignment.

Methods: Surgical adult spinal deformity patients reaching an age-adjusted ideal alignment at one year were identified.

Telemedicine in Spine Surgery: Global Perspectives and Practices.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, anonymous, international survey.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the rapid adoption of telemedicine in spine surgery. This study sought to determine the extent of adoption and global perspectives on telemedicine in spine surgery.

Intraoperative image guidance for lateral position surgery.

Recent advances in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques have precipitated the popularity of lateral position spine surgery, such as lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). Lateral position surgery offers a unique, minimally invasive approach to the lumbar spine that allows for preservation of anterior and posterior spinal elements. Traditionally, surgeons have relied upon fluoroscopy for triangulation and implant placement.

Telemedicine in research and training: spine surgeon perspectives and practices worldwide.

Purpose: To utilize a global survey to elucidate spine surgeons' perspectives towards research and resident education within telemedicine.

Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous email survey was circulated to the members of AO Spine, an international organization consisting of spine surgeons from around the world. Questions were selected and revised using a Delphi approach.

COVID-19 and the rise of virtual medicine in spine surgery: a worldwide study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic forced many surgeons to adopt "virtual medicine" practices, defined as telehealth services for patient care and online platforms for continuing medical education. The purpose of this study was to assess spine surgeon reliance on virtual medicine during the pandemic and to discuss the future of virtual medicine in spine surgery.

Methods: A comprehensive survey addressing demographic data and virtual medicine practices was distributed to spine surgeons worldwide between March 27, 2020, and April 4, 2020.

Spine surgeon perceptions of the challenges and benefits of telemedicine: an international study.

Introduction: While telemedicine usage has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains little consensus about how spine surgeons perceive virtual care. The purpose of this study was to explore international perspectives of spine providers on the challenges and benefits of telemedicine.

Methods: Responses from 485 members of AO Spine were analyzed, covering provider perceptions of the challenges and benefits of telemedicine.

COVID-19: Current and future challenges in spine care and education - a worldwide study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted spine care around the globe. Much uncertainty remains regarding the immediate and long-term future of spine care and education in this COVID-19 era.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, international study of spine surgeons.

Provider confidence in the telemedicine spine evaluation: results from a global study.

Purpose: To utilize data from a global spine surgeon survey to elucidate (1) overall confidence in the telemedicine evaluation and (2) determinants of provider confidence.

Methods: Members of AO Spine International were sent a survey encompassing participant's experience with, perception of, and comparison of telemedicine to in-person visits. The survey was designed through a Delphi approach, with four rounds of question review by the multi-disciplinary authors.

Radiographic Evaluation of Cervical Disk Replacement: The Impact of Preoperative Arthrosis and Implant Positioning on Patient-report Outcomes.

Study Design: This was a retrospective review.

Objective: Provide a validated method of radiographic evaluation of cervical disk replacement (CDR) patients linked to outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: Preoperative radiographic criteria for CDRs and the impact of intraoperative positioning remain without formalized guidelines.

Assessing the Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgery Fellowship Education.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to report the impact of COVID-19 on spine surgery fellow education and readiness for practice.

Summary Of Background Data: COVID-19 has emerged as one of the most devastating global health crises of our time.

Correction to: Learning from the past: did experience with previous epidemics help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among spine surgeons worldwide?

Unfortunately, the 13th author name has been incorrectly published in the original publication. The complete correct name is given below.

Spine Surgery and COVID-19: The Influence of Practice Type on Preparedness, Response, and Economic Impact.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational cohort study.

Objective: To investigate preparation, response, and economic impact of COVID-19 on private, public, academic, and privademic spine surgeons.

Methods: AO Spine COVID-19 and Spine Surgeon Global Impact Survey includes domains on surgeon demographics, location of practice, type of practice, COVID-19 perceptions, institutional preparedness and response, personal and practice impact, and future perceptions.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgeons Worldwide.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, international survey.

Objectives: The current study addressed the multi-dimensional impact of COVID-19 upon healthcare professionals, particularly spine surgeons, worldwide. Secondly, it aimed to identify geographical variations and similarities.

Personal Health of Spine Surgeons Can Impact Perceptions, Decision-Making and Healthcare Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Worldwide Study.

Objective: To determine if personal health of spine surgeons worldwide influences perceptions, healthcare delivery, and decision-making during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by distributing a multidimensional survey to spine surgeons worldwide. Questions addressed demographics, impacts and perceptions of COVID-19, and the presence of surgeon comorbidities, which included cancer, cardiac disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, respiratory illness, renal disease, and current tobacco use.

Strategies to Achieve Spinal Fusion in Multilevel Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: An Overview.

Background: Anterior cervical fusion offers surgeons a safe and reliable surgical option for single-level and multilevel pathology; however, multilevel fusions pose a higher risk of complications than single-level fusions, including possible pseudoarthrosis, adjacent segment disease, sagittal imbalance, and construct subsidence. Various techniques can be used to mitigate risk in multilevel anterior cervical fusion.

Questions/purposes: We reviewed the literature to determine the best surgical strategies in multilevel anterior cervical fusion.

Learning from the past: did experience with previous epidemics help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among spine surgeons worldwide?

Purpose: Spine surgeons around the world have been universally impacted by COVID-19. The current study addressed whether prior experience with disease epidemics among the spine surgeon community had an impact on preparedness and response toward COVID-19.

Methods: A 73-item survey was distributed to spine surgeons worldwide via AO Spine.

Reaching for Peak Performance During Surgical Training: The Value in Assessment Tools and Critical Performance Measures.

Peak performance is the ability to achieve optimal outcomes or performance of a given task in a consistent manner. Commonly studied in athletes and musicians, this topic is less often studied in medicine and rarely broached for trainees. However, residency is a crucial period of training where foundations for future success are sewn into habit and daily practice.