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Introduction: There is a growing momentum for the collaboration between multiple disciplines for the prevention and treatment of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with metastatic spinal tumors. However, the effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches remains unclear. Hence, we conducted an exploratory study to examine the impact of liaison treatment for metastatic spinal tumor (LMST) on the prevention of SREs among patients with a metastatic spinal tumor. Methods: This study was an exploratory interrupted time series conducted in a single medical center. Overall, 1,043 patients with a metastatic spinal tumor diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2020 were included. The LMST was implemented in January 2014. The LMST team consisted of the orthopedic surgery, thoracic surgery, breast and thyroid surgery, clinical oncology, urology, and radiology departments. Monthly joint conferences were held for patients with spinal instability, and the incidence of SRE was measured at 6-month intervals. Results: Throughout the study period, we identified 66 SRE incidences. After the implementation of the LMST, a level change of −5.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −11.7 to 1.3, p = 0.11) was observed. Subsequently, a post-implementation trend change of −0.3% (95% CI: −2.0 to 1.5, p = 0.75) beyond the baseline was noted. Conclusions: We suggest both immediate and gradual effects of the introduction of the LMST on deterring the development of SREs. Our results support the global trend of introducing a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors.

Introduction: Due to the increase in osteoporosis accompanying the aging society in Japan, osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) are increasing. Percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) has been widely used for OVFs because it reduces pain immediately with less invasiveness. Re-collapse of vertebral body after PVA is a rare, but important, complication. Once the re-collapse has occurred, patients should undergo an additional invasive salvage surgery. Methods: We treated 5 patients with re-collapse after PVA in our hospital. For re-collapse after PVA, we performed anterior column reconstruction with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), posterior fixation with percutaneous pedicle screws (PPSs) and minimally invasive spine stabilization (MISt). Results: The mean postoperative follow-up was at 62.8 months. At the final follow-up, the patients were free of low back pain, and bony union was achieved in all cases. The postoperative correction loss was 6 degrees. Perioperative complications included aspiration pneumonia in one patient and bone fracture of an adjacent vertebral body in two patients. There were no reoperation cases. Conclusions: We perform minimally invasive combined anterior and posterior surgery with VATS for re-collapse after PVA. This procedure is useful in elderly patients with less reserve capacity.

Introduction: The cancer board system employed at many hospitals and treatment centers involves multidisciplinary healthcare teams, including physicians, and the timing of treatment generally follows that of a consultation model. Thus, it is difficult to detect spinal metastases using the current implementation of the cancer board system, which can lead to delays in treatment. A new multidisciplinary treatment strategy for patients with metastatic spinal tumors was designed, and 745 patients were treated based on this strategy. Methods: In the first 5 years using the liaison treatment approach, 745 patients were diagnosed with metastatic spinal tumor. Tumors were discovered before a skeletal-related event (SRE) in 704 patients and after an SRE in 41 patients. We conducted our analysis in two patient groups: those with and without an SRE at the time of treatment initiation. Results: In most patients, the average spinal instability neoplastic score was 5.2, which indicates that we were able to detect the spinal tumor before a significant breakdown of the spinal support system. Ninety-five percent of patients were classified according to the Frankel grade classification during their initial diagnosis, and many patients initially underwent treatment before the onset of paralysis. Of patients with an SRE, 33% were Frankel grade E, indicating that approximately half were paralyzed at initial diagnosis. The median survival duration was prolonged by approximately 9 months in patients without an SRE compared with those with an SRE. Conclusions: Orthopedic spine surgeons are responsible for maintaining activities of daily living, improving quality of life, and prolonging life expectancy in patients with metastatic spinal tumors. The results of this study revealed that the liaison treatment system for metastatic spinal tumors has made it possible to successfully prevent SREs without neurological deficits and to prolong survival.

Introduction: There are patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) having contralateral sciatic symptoms although the mechanisms of this clinical feature are still not well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate these mechanisms by microendoscopic findings. Methods: Patients were performed microendoscopic surgery using over-the-top approach (ME-OTT), with laminoplasty, extirpation of herniation, and observation of the contralateral nerve root. The over-the-top approach was applied through the same incision from the herniation side. Clinical results were assessed according to the clinical scoring system established by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results: This study consisted of five patients, with the average age of 55.6 years old. The mean preoperative JOA score was 13 points. Three cases were Grade II and two were Grade III degrees of disc herniation. Levels of herniation were one at L3-4 and four at L4-5. Remission of sciatic symptoms was obtained in all cases after surgery. The average and percent improvements (%IP) of JOA scores at 2 months after surgery were 27.8 points and 92%, respectively. By the approach from the herniation side using ME-OTT, image around the contralateral nerve root was obtained without radical intervention. By ME-OTT, redness of the nerve root and fibrosis around the symptomatic nerve root were identified, whereas inflammatory changes were not apparent on the ipsilateral nerve root. Conclusions: Operative treatment of LDH with contralateral symptoms by ME-OTT was a useful procedure for decompression and observation of the affected nerve root. Asymptomatic disc herniation, “silent disc herniation,” was considered at the herniation side since there were less inflammatory changes around the ipsilateral nerve root. In contrast, compression of dura toward the opposite side by disc herniation could have led to mechanical stress against the contralateral nerve root and triggered inflammation at lateral recess, resulting in radicular pain.