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Study design Retrospective review of prospectively collected multicenter registry data. Objective To identify rates and timing of postoperative complications in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients, the impact of complication type and timing on health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes, and the impact of complication timing on readmission and reoperation rates. Better understanding of complication timing and impact on HRQoL may improve patient selection, preoperative counseling, and postoperative complication surveillance. Summary of background data ASD is common and associated with significant disability. Surgical correction is often pursued, but is associated with high complication rates. The International Spine Study Group, AO Spinal Deformity Forum, and European Spine Study Group have developed a new complication classification system for ASD (ISSG-AO spine complications classification system). Methods The ISSG-AO spine complications classification system was utilized to assess complications occurring over the 2-year postoperative time period amongst a multicenter, prospectively enrolled cohort of patients who underwent surgery for ASD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were established for each complication type. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline disability and comorbidities. Associations between each complication type and HRQoL, and reoperation/readmission and complication timing, were assessed. Results Of 584 patients meeting inclusion criteria, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, infection, early adverse events, and operative complications contributed to a rapid initial decrease in complication-free survival. Implant-related, radiographic, and neurologic complications substantially decreased long-term complication-free survival. Only radiographic and implant-related complications were significantly associated with worse 2-year HRQoL outcomes. Need for readmission and/or reoperation was most frequent among those experiencing complications after postoperative day 90. Conclusion Surgeons should recognize that long-term complications have a substantial negative impact on HRQoL, and should carefully monitor for implant-related and radiographic complications over long-term follow-up.Level of Evidence: 4.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cohort. OBJECTIVE Identify patient variables, injury characteristics, and costs associated with operative and non-operative treatment following inter-facility transfer of patients with isolated cervical spine fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Patients with isolated cervical spine fractures are subject to inter-facility transfer for surgical assessment, yet are often treated non-operatively. The American College of Surgeons' benchmark rate of "secondary over-triage" is < 50%. Identifying patient and injury characteristics as well as costs associated with treatment following transfer of patients with isolated cervical spine fractures may help reduce rates of secondary over-triage and healthcare expenditures. METHODS Patients transferred to a Level-1 trauma center with isolated cervical spine fractures between January 2015 and September 2020 were identified. Patient demographics, comorbidities, insurance data, injury characteristics, imaging workup, treatment, and financial data were collected for all patients. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify patient and injury characteristics associated with surgical treatment. RESULTS Nearly 75% of patients were treated non-operatively. Over 97% of transfers were accepted by the general surgery trauma service. Multivariable modeling found that higher BMI, presence of any neurologic deficit including spinal cord or isolated spinal nerve root injuries, current smoking status, or cervical spine MRI obtained post-transfer, were associated with surgical treatment for isolated cervical spine fractures. Among patients with type II dens fractures, increased fracture displacement was associated with surgical treatment. Median charges to patients treated operatively and non-operatively were $380,890 and $90,734, respectively. Median hospital expenditures for patients treated operatively and non-operatively were $55,115 and $12,131, respectively. CONCLUSION A large proportion of patients with isolated cervical spine fractures are subject to over-triage. Injury characteristics are important for determining need for surgical treatment, and therefore inter-facility transfer. Improving communication with spine surgeons when deciding to transfer patients may significantly reduce healthcare costs and resource use.Level of Evidence: 4.

Retrospective review of prospectively collected multicenter registry data.The aim of this study was to determine whether surgical variables and complications as graded by treatment severity impact postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS).Surgical treatment can substantially improve quality of life for patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, surgical treatment is associated with high complication rates, which may impact hospital LOS. Classifying complications by severity of subsequent treatment may allow surgeons to better understand complications and predict their impact on important outcome metrics, including LOS.Patients enrolled in a multicenter, prospectively enrolled database for ASD were assessed for study inclusion. Complications were graded based on intervention severity. Associations between LOS, complication intervention severity, and surgical variables (fusion length, use of interbody fusion, use of major osteotomy, primary versus revision surgery, same day vs. staged surgery, and surgical approach), were assessed. Two multivariate regression models were constructed to assess for independent associations with LOS.Of 1183 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 708 did not and 475 did experience a perioperative complication during their index hospitalization, with 660 and 436 included in the final cohorts, respectively. Among those with complications, intervention severities included 14.9% with no intervention, 68.6% with minor, 8.9% with moderate, and 7.6% with severe interventions. Multivariate regression modeling demonstrated that length of posterior fusion, use of major osteotomy, staged surgery, and severity of intervention for complications were significantly associated with LOS.Careful selection of surgical factors may help reduce hospital LOS following surgery for ASD. Classification of complications by treatment severity can help surgeons better understand and predict the implications of complications, in turn assisting with surgical planning and patient counseling.Level of Evidence: 4.

Longitudinal Cohort Study.Determine 1-year patient-reported outcomes associated with preoperative chronic opioid therapy and high-preoperative opioid dosages in patients undergoing elective spine surgery.Back pain is the most disabling condition worldwide and over half of patients presenting for spine surgery report using opioids. Preoperative dosage has been correlated with poor outcomes, but published studies have not assessed the relationship of both preoperative chronic opioids and opioid dosage with patient-reported outcomes.For patients undergoing elective spine surgery between 2010 and 2017, our prospective institutional spine registry data was linked to opioid prescription data collected from our state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to analyze outcomes associated with preoperative chronic opioid therapy and high-preoperative opioid dosage, while adjusting for confounders through multivariable regression analyses. Outcomes included 1-year meaningful improvements in pain, function, and quality of life. Additional outcomes included 1-year satisfaction, return to work, 90-day complications, and postoperative chronic opioid use.Of 2128 patients included, preoperative chronic opioid therapy was identified in 21% and was associated with significantly higher odds (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) of not achieving meaningful improvements at 1-year in extremity pain (aOR:1.5 [1.2-2]), axial pain (aOR:1.7 [1.4-2.2]), function (aOR:1.7 [1.4-2.2]), and quality of life (aOR:1.4 [1.2-1.9]); dissatisfaction (aOR:1.7 [1.3-2.2]); 90-day complications (aOR:2.9 [1.7-4.9]); and postoperative chronic opioid use (aOR:15 [11.4-19.7]). High-preoperative opioid dosage was only associated with postoperative chronic opioid use (aOR:4.9 [3-7.9]).Patients treated with chronic opioids prior to spine surgery are significantly less likely to achieve meaningful improvements at 1-year in pain, function, and quality of life; and less likely to be satisfied at 1-year with higher odds of 90-day complications, regardless of dosage. Both preoperative chronic opioid therapy and high-preoperative dosage are independently associated with postoperative chronic opioid use.2.

Study design Longitudinal Cohort Study OBJECTIVE.: The aim of this study was to determine whether duration of postoperative opioids is associated with long-term outcomes, and if initial postoperative opioid dosage is associated with opioid cessation after spine surgery. Summary of background data Preoperative opioid use is associated with poor outcomes, but little evidence exists regarding the implications of opioid dosage and duration after spine surgery. Methods Data from our state's prescription drug database was linked to our prospective clinical spine registry to analyze opioid dispensing and outcomes in elective surgical spine patients between 2010 and 2017. Patients were stratified based on preoperative chronic opioid use and multivariable regression was used to assess associations between duration of postoperative opioids and outcomes at one year, including satisfaction, chronic opioid use, and meaningful improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life. In a secondary aim, a Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine whether initial postoperative opioid dosage was associated with time to opioid cessation. Results Of 2172 patients included, 35% had preoperative chronic opioid use. In patients without preoperative chronic opioid use, a postoperative opioid duration of 31 to 60 days was associated with chronic opioid use at 1 year (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.1 [1.7-9.8]) and no meaningful improvement in extremity pain (aOR: 1.8 [1.3-2.6]) or axial pain (aOR: 1.6 [1.1-2.2]); cessation between 61 and 90 days was associated with no meaningful improvement in disability (aOR: 2 [1.3-3]) and dissatisfaction (aOR:1.8 [1-3.1]). In patients with preoperative chronic opioid use, postoperative opioids for ≥90 days was associated with dissatisfaction. Cox regression analyses showed lower initial postoperative opioid dosages were associated with faster opioid cessation in both groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that a shorter duration of postoperative opioids may result in improved 1-year patient-reported outcomes, and that lower postoperative opioid dosages may lead to faster opioid cessation. Level of evidence 2.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of a prospective database. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine cost and outcomes of revision cervical spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Revision rates for cervical spine surgery are steadily increasing. It is important to counsel patients on expected results following a revision procedure. However, outcomes and cost of these procedures are poorly defined in the literature. METHODS Patients undergoing revision cervical spine surgery at a single institution were included between October 2010 and January 2016 in a prospective registry database. Patients were divided into three cohorts depending on their etiology for revision, including recurrent disease, pseudoarthrosis, or adjacent segment disease. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including Neck Disability Index (NDI), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score, numeric rating scale-neck pain (NRS-NP), and numeric rating scale-arm pain (NRS-AP), were measured at baseline and 12 months following revision surgery. Mean costs at 12 months following revision surgery were also calculated. Satisfaction was determined by the NASS patient satisfaction index. Variables were compared using Student t test. RESULTS A total of 115 patients underwent cervical revision surgery for recurrent disease (n = 21), pseudoarthrosis (n = 45), and adjacent segment disease (n = 49). There was significant improvement in all patient-reported outcomes at 12 months following surgery regardless of etiology (P

This study retrospectively analyzes prospectively collected data.Here in this study we aim to determine the factors which impact a patient's ability to return to work (RTW) in the setting of cervical spine surgery in patients without worker's compensation status.Surgical management of degenerative cervical disease has proven cost-effectiveness and shown significant improvement in quality of life. However, the ability to RTW is an important clinical outcome for preoperatively employed patients.All adult patients undergoing elective surgery for cervical degenerative disease at our institution are enrolled in a prospective, web-based registry. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was built for time to RTW. The variables included in the model were age, sex, smoking status, occupation type, number of levels operated on, ASA grade, body mass index, history of diabetes, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anxiety, depression, myelopathy at presentation, duration of symptoms more than 12 months, diagnosis, type of surgery performed, and preoperative Neck Disability Index, EuroQol Five Dimensions, and Numeric Rating Scale pain scores for neck pain and arm pain scores.Of the total 324 patients with complete 3-month follow-up data 83% (n = 269) returned to work following surgery. The median time to RTW was 35 days (range, 2-90 d). Patients with a labor-intensive occupation, higher ASA grade, history of CAD, and history of COPD were less likely to RTW. The likelihood of RTW was lower in patients with a diagnosis of disc herniation compared with cervical stenosis, patients undergoing cervical corpectomy compared laminectomy and fusion and patient with longer operative time.Our study identifies the various factors associated with a lower likelihood of RTW at 3 months after cervical spine surgery in the non-worker's compensation setting. This information provides expectations for the patient and employer when undergoing cervical spine surgery.3.

Study design Retrospective review of prospective patient outcomes and cost data. Objective To analyze the contribution of surgeon-specific variability in cost and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to overall variability in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), whereas adjusting for patient comorbidities. Summary of background data Cost reduction in surgical care has received increased attention. Patient factors contributing to cost variability in ACDF have been described; however, intersurgeon cost and outcome variability has received less attention in the literature. Methods Adult patients undergoing elective primary ACDF by five different surgeons were analyzed from a prospective registry database. Direct and indirect 90-day costs were compared across each surgeon, along with PROs. Predicted costs were calculated based on patient co-morbidities, and an "observed versus expected" cost differential was measured for each surgeon; this O/E cost ratio was then compared with PROs. Results A total of 431 patients were included in the analysis. There were no differences in comorbidities, age, smoking status, or narcotic use. There was significant variation between surgeons in total 90-day costs, as well as variation between each surgeon's observed versus expected cost ratio. Despite these surgeon-specific cost variations, there were no differences in PROs across the participating surgeons. Conclusion Intersurgeon cost variation in elective ACDF persists even after adjusting for patient comorbidities. There was no apparent correlation between increased surgeon-specific costs and 90-day PROs. These findings show there is opportunity for improvement in inter-surgeon cost variation without compromise in PROs. Level of evidence 3.

Retrospective cohort study.The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes, timing, and factors associated with unplanned 90-day readmissions following elective spine surgery.Unplanned readmissions after spine surgery are costly and an important determinant of the value of care. Several studies using database information have reported on rates and causes of readmission. However, these often lack the clinical detail and actionable data necessary to guide early postdischarge interventions.Patients undergoing elective spine surgery for degenerative disease at a major medical center were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal registry. Patient and surgery-specific characteristics, baseline, and 3-month patient-reported outcomes were prospectively recorded. Readmissions were reviewed retrospectively to establish the reason and time to readmission. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was created to analyze the independent effects of several factors on readmission.Of 2761 patients with complete 3-month follow-up, 156 had unplanned 90-day readmissions (5.6%). The most common reason was surgery-related (52%), followed by medical complications (38%) and pain (10%). Pain readmissions presented with a median time of 6 days. Medical readmissions presented at 12 days. Surgical complications presented at various times with wound complications at 6 days, cerebrospinal fluid leaks at 12 days, surgical site infections at 23 days, and surgical failure at 38 days. A history of myocardial infarction, osteoporosis, higher baseline leg and arm pain scores, longer operative duration, and lumbar surgery were associated with readmission.Nearly half of all unplanned 90-day readmissions were because of pain and medical complications and occurred with a median time of 6 and 12 days, respectively. The remaining 52% of readmissions were directly related to surgery and occurred at various times depending on the specific reason. This timeline for pain and medical readmissions represents an opportunity for targeted postdischarge interventions to prevent unplanned readmissions following spine surgery.3.

Study design Analysis of prospectively collected longitudinal web-based registry data. Objective To determine relative validity, responsiveness, and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds in patients undergoing surgery for intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors. Summary of background data Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are vital in establishing the value of care in spinal pathology. There is limited availability of prospective, quality studies reporting PROs for IDEM spine tumors. Methods . A total of 40 patients were analyzed. Baseline, postoperative 3-month, and 12-month PROs were recorded: Oswestry Disability Index or Neck disability Index (ODI/NDI), Quality of life EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), Short Form-12 (SF-12), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-pain scores. Responders were defined as those who achieved a level of improvement one or two, after surgery, on health transition index (HTI) of SF-36. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were generated to assess the validity of PROs, and the difference between standardized response means (SRMs) in responders versus nonresponders was utilized to determine the relative responsiveness of each PRO measure. MCID thresholds were derived using previously reported minimal detectable change approach. Results A significant improvement across all PROs at 3-months and 12-months follow up was noted. The derived MCID thresholds were 13.9 points: ODI/NDI, 0.14 quality adjusted life years: EQ-5D, 2.8 points: SF-12PCS and 10.7 points: SF-12MCS, 1.9 points: NRS-back/neck pain, and 1.8 points: NRS-leg/arm pain. SF-12PCS was most accurate discriminator of meaningful improvement (area under the curve, AUC-0.83) and most responsive (SRM-1.36) to postoperative improvement. EQ-5D, ODI/NDI, NRS-pain scores were all accurate discriminator (AUC-0.7-0.8) and responsive measures (0.97-0.67) of meaningful postoperative improvement. SF-12MCS was neither a valid discriminator (AUC-0.48) nor a responsive measure (SRM: -1.5) of outcome. Conclusion Surgical resection of IDEM spinal tumors provides significant and sustained improvement in quality of life, general health, disability, and pain at 12-month after surgery. The surgically resected IDEM-specific clinically meaningful thresholds are reported. All the PROs reported in this study can accurately discriminate responders and nonresponder based on SF-36 HTI index except for SF-12 MCS. Level of evidence 3.