Table-mounted Versus Self-retaining Retraction: An Assessment of Postoperative Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To determine whether there are significant differences in postoperative dysphagia when using table-mounted versus self-retaining retractor tools.

Summary Of Background Data: Retraction of prevertebral structures during anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is commonly associated with postoperative dysphagia or dysphonia.

Preoperative diagnosis of mental health disorder and dysphagia following anterior cervical spine surgery.

Objective: Mental health disorders (MHDs) have been linked to worse postoperative outcomes after various surgical procedures. Past studies have also demonstrated a higher prevalence of dysphagia in both acute and community mental health settings. Dysphagia is among the most common complications following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS); however, current literature describing the association between an established diagnosis of an MHD and the rate of dysphagia after ACSS is sparse.

Demineralized Bone Matrix in Spine Surgery: A Review of Current Applications and Future Trends.

Background: Graft augmentation for spinal fusion is an area of continued interest, with a wide variety of available products lacking clear recommendations regarding appropriate use. While iliac crest autograft has long been considered the "gold standard", suboptimal fusion rates along with harvest-related concerns continue to drive the need for graft alternatives. There are now multiple options of products with various characteristics that are available.

Assessing the Quality and Credibility of Publicly Available Videos on Cervical Fusion: Is YouTube a Reliable Educational Tool?

Background: YouTube has become a popular source for patient education, though there are concerns regarding the quality and reliability of videos related to orthopaedic and neurosurgical procedures. This study aims to evaluate the credibility and educational content of videos on YouTube related to cervical fusion. Secondarily, the study aims to identify factors predictive of higher or lower quality videos.

Lumbar Endoscopic Spine Surgery A Comprehensive Review.

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is growing in popularity as a minimally invasive approach to a variety of spinal conditions. Similar to other types of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), ESS aims to address the underlying pathology while minimizing surrounding tissue disruption. Its use in the lumbar spine has progressed over the past 50 years and is now routinely used in cases of lumbar disc herniations and stenosis.

Hospital-acquired conditions occur more frequently in elective spine surgery than for other common elective surgical procedures.

Hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) have been the focus of recent initiatives by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in an effort to improve patient safety and outcomes. Spine surgery can be complex and may carry significant comorbidity burden, including so called "never events." The objective was to determine the rates of common HACs that occur within 30-days post-operatively for elective spine surgeries and compare them to other common surgical procedures.

Predictors of Hospital-Acquired Conditions Are Predominately Similar for Spine Surgery and Other Common Elective Surgical Procedures, With Some Key Exceptions.

Study Design: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

Objective: To predict the occurrence of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) 30-days postoperatively and to compare predictors of HACs for spine surgery with other common elective surgeries.

Methods: Patients ≥18 years undergoing elective spine surgery were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2005 to 2013.

Extensive ossification of the ligamentum flavum treated with triple stage decompression: a case report.

Background Context: Concurrent ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine is a rare occurrence often associated with rheumatologic abnormalities. Although the pathology may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on routine imaging, compression of the cord and surrounding nerve roots can produce myelopathic or radiculopathic symptoms that are best treated with surgical decompression. There is limited evidence to support the use of single versus multistage decompression for tandem ossification at multiple levels, although several factors including duration of symptoms have been associated with a worse prognosis.