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ABSTRACT Objective: Quantify the time elapsed between the arrival of the patient with surgical trauma in the spine at the emergency room and the completion of the surgical procedure, analyzing the factors that may have influenced this process. Methods: Retrospective study that included individuals of both sexes aged between 18 and 100 years who arrived at a tertiary trauma center with surgical fractures in the spine. Patients treated between March 2018 and March 2022 were included in the sample. All data to compose the study sample were collected from secondary data sources (medical records). Results: Medical records of 259 patients with spinal injuries were evaluated. Approximately one-third of the patients were operated on between 13h and 24h, and the other third over 72h. Only 6.6% were operated within 12 hours. The mean time to perform the surgical process was 84.3 ± 144.6 hours. Surgical intervention for most patients (59.1%) occurred within the first 48 hours. Patients with systemic arterial hypertension and patients with at least one comorbidity had a statistically longer mean waiting time for the surgical procedure than patients who did not have these characteristics. Conclusion: Most surgical interventions occurred in the first 48 hours, which is considered early. In addition, some factors, such as the existence of comorbidities, are directly associated with the time it takes to perform the surgical procedure. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective Prognostic.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare patients who underwent anterior cervical arthrodesis with autologous iliac crest graft and those who used synthetic graft. Methods: Analysis of 38 patients aged between 18 and 100 years with anterior cervical spondylosis of 1 or 2 levels in a spine surgery service. Results: degenerative cervical spine changes associated with cervicalgia and cervicobrachialgia. Excluded: previous cervical spine surgeries, fractures, or surgery above two levels. Two groups were formed with 19 patients, one using autologous graft and the other using synthetic tricalcium phosphate - a questionnaire assessed satisfaction (Oswestry and VAS) pre- and postoperatively. Bone consolidation was evaluated by tomography at nine months. Results: Mean ODI (Group 1) was 68.5% ± 4.6% preoperatively and 27.2% ± 3.8% postoperatively, being statistically relevant (p

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the epidemiological and radiographic data of patients submitted to the Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) technique and the possible complications related to this procedure. Methods: A longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out to analyze electronic medical records and image files of patients who underwent spinal surgery using the ALIF technique between February 2019 and January 2021. Epidemiological data such as age, gender, and level of surgery were analyzed. Radiographic evaluations of lumbar lordosis from L1 to S1 were performed using the COBB technique and the anterior and posterior height of the disc space. The presence of intraoperative and postoperative complications in the patients was analyzed. Results: Initially, 70 patients were analyzed. The most prevalent operated level was L5-S1. The length of stay of the patients varied between 36 and 72 hours. Intraoperative bleeding ranged from 20mL to 400mL. Three patients had significant venous lesions. Differences between anterior and posterior lordosis and height measurements were significant (p < 0.001). Lordosis had a mean increase of 10.3°, anterior height had a mean increase of 7.9mm, and posterior height of 4.0mm. Six cases of intra and postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion: The patients showed improvement in the radiological parameters of the anterior and posterior height of the vertebral discs, with a significant increase in lumbar lordosis. Complication rates were 9.8%, and we had a short hospital stay. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and radiological data of patients treated with XLIF, including the impact on quality of life, pain parameters, and improvement of lumbar lordosis. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study, in which medical records of patients who underwent XLIF between 2017 and 2020 at Hospital do Trabalhador/UFPR were reviewed. Demographic characteristics and radiological aspects, such as the Cobb angle, were recorded. Clinical characteristics using parameters such as pain by VAS and the disability index by ODI were evaluated before surgery and 12 months after. Results: Female patients predominated (66.7%), with a mean age of 59.1 years (35-82 years). The length of stay, in the median, was three days, and the time to return to daily activities was three months. Only four patients (8.9%) had complications. The questionnaire analysis showed a significant difference between all scales’ pre and postoperative scores. The ODI showed an average reduction of 39.2%, and the median score of VAS in the postoperative period was half the preoperative period (reduction of 50%; p

ABSTRACT Objective: Establish the frequency of incidences, management, and description of the relationship between thoracic and abdominal trauma and spinal injury. Methods: Observational, retrospective study of quantitative analysis carried out through the analysis of medical records of patients who presented spinal fractures and associated thoracoabdominal injuries. The participants were treated at a reference hospital in trauma care in Curitiba-PR from 2019 to 2021. The data were from patients with spine fractures referring to gender, age, trauma mechanism, fracture classification, associated injuries, Frankel neurological scale, and proposed treatment. Results: There was a predominance of male patients (84.5%) and young, with a mean age of 37.3 years, victims of car accidents. The main vertebrae affected were the lumbar spine (36.8%) and thoracic spine (36.2%). The most prevalent associated injuries were extra vertebral and cervical spine fractures. The most observed thoracic injuries were hemothorax, chest contusion, and fracture of multiple costal arches, while the most observed abdominal injuries were kidney injury, hemoperitoneum/abdominal hematoma, and liver injury. Of the total patients analyzed, 68% had fractures with associated thoracoabdominal injuries. Conclusion: Abdominal and thoracic injuries are frequently associated with spine fractures, with an association of 14.6% and 53.4%, respectively. The production of knowledge on the subject contributes to creating action plans to optimize the management and reduce the morbidity and mortality of these cases. Levels of evidence III; Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Evaluate the evolution of pain, functional capacity, and vitamin D levels in conservatively treated patients with low-energy spinal fractures. Methods: Between January 2017 and March 2021, patients older than 40 years old affected by these fractures were selected and treated conservatively for six months. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Cobb angle were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. Serum vitamin D levels were also measured at the first outpatient visit, and it was investigated whether the patient had a previous diagnosis of osteoporosis or previous fractures. Results: A total of 105 patients were analyzed, 70.5% of whom were women, with a mean age of 73.1 years. The average vitamin D level was 25.3 ng/mL, and hypovitaminosis was found in 75% of patients. Eight patients (7.62%) had a previous diagnosis of osteoporosis, and ten (9.52%) reported the occurrence of previous fractures. Regarding the VAS score, there was a mean reduction of 5.5 points of pain; for ODI, there was an average increase of 1 percentage point and an average increase of 4.3º of kyphosis in the fractured segment between pre- and post-treatment. Conclusion: The treatment improved pain, and patients maintained their functional capacity. Low levels of vitamin D were associated with more complex fractures. Level of evidence III; Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with lumbar disc herniation (HDL) operated by endoscopic interlaminar microdiscectomy. We evaluated epidemiology, time to return to work, and technique-related complications as secondary outcomes. Method: Prospective longitudinal study, where patients with HDL with surgical indications were evaluated. They underwent endoscopic discectomy exclusively using the interlaminar technique. Clinical results were evaluated using the Oswestry 2.0 questionnaire (ODI) and the visual analog scale (VAS). In this study, we inserted the Macnab postoperative satisfaction index. In parallel with these indices, we analyzed the results regarding epidemiology variables, time to return to work, and complications. Such questionnaires were applied preoperatively, postoperatively the day after surgery, and one year after. Results: In 132 patients selected for the study, we obtained significant clinical improvement in the ODI and VAS questionnaires, and 81.3% of the patients had excellent and good Macnab index. The hospital stay was 22.7 hours, and the return to work was 30 days. The rate of complications with the method was 12.8%, with recurrence of disc herniation being the most common complication with 9.8% of cases. Conclusion: The endoscopic technique proved effective in treating lumbar spinal disc herniation with significant clinical improvement in the analyzed period, low incidence of complications, early postoperative rehabilitation, and results close to or superior to the gold standard technique. Level of Evidence III; Prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate and compare the clinical evolution of surgical approaches used in patients with severe cervical myelopathy. Methods: Retrospective observational study in which 19 patients with myelopathy who underwent surgery were evaluated. Neurological assessments using the Frankel scale were conducted both preoperatively and one year following surgery, and the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), Nurick, and Visual Analog Scale for pain (VAS) questionnaires were applied 1 year after the surgical procedure. Results: 89% of the participants were male and the average age was 63.9 years. No patient had postoperative neurological worsening, 12 patients (63.16%) had mild pain, and seven (36.84%) had moderate pain. The group with degenerative disease showed neurological improvement after surgery and the exclusively anterior approach was used in 84% of the cases, the exclusively posterior approach in 10% of the cases, and the dual approach in 6% of the cases. Conclusion: Surgical treatment has good results for inhibiting the unfavorable natural evolution of myelopathy within 1 year following surgery and promotes neurological improvement in degenerative cases, making it possible to use the anterior access route in most cases. Level of evidence III; Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT Objectives Elaborate a care protocol for spinal gunshot wounds (GSWs), based on the experience of more than fifteen years of treating this type of injury. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the electronic medical record data of a tertiary hospital related to the treatment of spinal GSWs between January 2002 and January 2018. Results The management proposed was applied to 700 patients. Epidemiological data collected describes the population served. Conclusions An easy-to-use treatment flowchart was developed that, according to factors related to the neurological condition, projectile location, lesion stability and additional criteria, allows the objective determination of the best treatment option for each case. Level of evidence II; Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the study was the development of a low cost simulator of the endoscopic lumbar spine flavectomy technique for use as a teaching method in order to make endoscopic training more accessible. Methods The study was a descriptive research project conducted at the Orthopedic Skills Laboratory of the Health Sciences Department of the Federal University of Paraná. Easily accessible, low cost materials, such as a commercial-use mannequin, EVA plastic, PVC and copper tubing were used to develop the simulator.. Results At the end of the project, it was possible to build a simulator of the endoscopic lumbar spine flavectomy technique with a budget of approximately 464 BRL, or approximately 140 USD. Conclusions We concluded that it was possible to build an endoscopic lumbar spine flavectomy technique simulator on a budget of less than half a Brazilian minimum monthly wage, which makes training more accessible to academics, residents and surgeons. Level of Evidence V; Expert opinion.

ABSTRACT Objectives The hip-spine syndrome (HSS) is defined as the simultaneous degeneration of the hip and lumbar spine. The objective of this study is to quantify the sagittal balance values in the population with HSS and to compare them with the normal sagittal balance parameters. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in which 30 patients with HSS who were waiting for total hip arthroplasty (THA) were evaluated. The lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI) and spinopelvic harmony (SH) angles and the BMI of these patients were measured. Results Seventeen women and 13 men participated in the study, with a mean LL of 39.55°, a mean SS of 36.92°, a mean PT of 25.77°, a mean PI of 62.72°, a mean SH of 23.17° and a mean BMI of 25.55. Only the SS did not present a changed value when compared to the normal values of the population. Conclusions HSS is increasingly present in our environment due to the aging population. Sagittal balance is gaining more and more attention in studies related to spinal pathologies. All the parameters measured in this study, except for SS, presented altered values when compared to the populational means. Evidence Level II. Observational and retrospective study.

Abstract Objective To analyze a series of cases of complex fractures of the sacrum with spinopelvic dissociation surgically treated with iliolumbar fixation, and to review the existing medical literature. Methods For the analysis, the medical records of the cases operated using the Schildhauer et al technique for fixation were retrospectively evaluated, and followed up for at least 12 months. The functional results were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Oswestry disability index, version 2.0. The data were compared with those of the existing medical literature. Results Six cases were analyzed, four of which evolved with moderate disability, one, with minimal disability, and one, with severe disability. Three cases that presented neurological deficits obtained significant improvement. Only one case evolved with pulmonary thromboembolic complications. Conclusion The Schildhauer et al technique is an efficient technique for the fixation of complex sacral fractures with spinopelvic dissociation. The patients evolved with good functional results. Early weight-bearing has been shown to be safe with the use of this treatment.

ABSTRACT Objective: to validate a lumbar spine endoscopic flavectomy simulator using the construct method and to assess the acceptability of the simulator in medical education. Methods: thirty medical students and ten video-assisted surgery experienced orthopedists performed an endoscopic flavectomy procedure in the simulator. Time, look-downs, lost instruments, respect for the stipulated edge of the ligamentum flavum, regularity of the incision, GOALS checklist (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills), and responses to the Likert Scale adapted for this study were analyzed. Results: all variables differed between groups. Procedure time was shorter in the physician group (p < 0.001). Look-downs and instrument losses were seven times greater among students than physicians. Half of the students respected the designated incision limits, compared to 80% of the physicians. In the student group, about 30% of the incisions were regular, compared to 100% in the physician group (p < 0.001). The physicians performed better in all GOALS checklist domains. All the physicians and more than 96% of the students considered the activity enjoyable, and approximately 90% believed that the model was realistic and could contribute to medical education. Conclusions: the simulator could differentiate the groups’ experience level, indicating construct validity, and both groups reported high acceptability.

ABSTRACT Spondylodiscitis due to Candida is a rare complication from hematogenic dissemination of infection caused by this fungus. We present an atypical case of spondylodiscitis caused by this germ that occurred after chest contusion and progressed with necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior region of the chest and osteomyelitis of the sternum. Through contiguity, it also affected the upper thoracic spine. The patient evolved with neurological alterations and recovered satisfactorily after appropriate treatment with surgical decompression of the spinal cord and specific antibiotic therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the Spine Deformity Index (SDI) and serum levels of vitamin D in patients surgically treated for proximal femur fracture and its relationship with osteoporosis. Methods: Between August and November 2013, patients older than 50 years-old with surgical fracture of the proximal femur by low-energy trauma underwent radiographic evaluation of the spine and the vitamin D levels, and enquired about diagnoses and previous treatment of osteoporosis. Results: Sixty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 78 years; the average level of vitamin D was 19 ng/mL. The SDI ranged between zero and 25, with a mean of 8.2. Eighty percent of these patients had never been treated for osteoporosis. Of the patients analyzed, 89.3% had insufficient levels of vitamin D. Of these, 68.1% had also SDI above 5, and only one fifth of them had any treatment for osteoporosis. Statistical significance was found between age and levels of vitamin D as well as age and SDI. Gender was not predictive of the vitamin D levels or the amount of hidden spine fractures. The season of the year had no direct influence on vitamin D levels. Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with surgical fractures of the proximal femur had a higher SDI associated with vitamin D insufficiency, with osteoporosis most often untreated, which results in delayed spinal fractures diagnosis of spinal fractures and increased risk of new fractures.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the degree of patient satisfaction and complications after endoscopic surgery for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 94 patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing endoscopic lumbar discectomy through the MacNab questionnaire and four subjective questions related to the procedure. Results: Approximately 82% of the patients had good and excellent results, and 91.4% reported being satisfied with the surgical result obtained with endoscopy. The rate of complications with the method was 9.5%, with recurrent disc herniation being the most common complication (5.4% of cases). Conclusions: Endoscopic surgery proved to be an effective and safe method, and an alternative to conventional open surgery. Level of evidence; III. Therapeutic studies - Investigation of treatment results.

ABSTRACT Objective: To retrospectively evaluate factors that influence the return to work of patients of economically active age submitted to surgery due to spinal fractures. Methods: Patients aged between 18 and 65 years that underwent surgery after spinal fracture from 2012 to 2014 were selected. Through a specific questionnaire and review of the medical records, we identified factors that may have influenced the labor return of these patients. Results: Initially, 114 patients were allocated. After applying the inclusion criteria, 51 patients remained. Age, schooling, time to sit on the bed, and residual pain were the factors that influenced all outcomes. Other variables such as ISS (Injury Severity Score), segment of spine, number of affected vertebrae, associated lesions, and previous employment regimen had no influence. Conclusions: The rate of return to work after being submitted to surgery due to a fracture of the spine is related to age, schooling, residual pain, length of hospital stay, and the time the patient takes to be able to sit alone postoperatively. Physiotherapy positively influences the patient’s self-assessment regarding the ability to perform basic tasks. These variables can be used to identify a possible difficulty in the reallocation of these patients in the labor market.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Despite the use of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, infection is still a challenge for spine surgeons, with high morbidity and mortality, long hospitalization, delayed rehabilitation, and a greater number of interventions. The purpose of this cross-sectional retrospective case-control study was to compare the incidence of postoperative infection in individuals who received a systemic antibiotic as the sole prophylactic method with those who received vancomycin in the operative wound in association with systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in spinal surgery. Methods: We evaluated 2694 medical records of individuals submitted to posterior spinal surgery in the thoracolumbar segment in the period from January 2012 to June 2017, 1360 in the treatment group and 1334 in the control group. Results: Nineteen (1.39%) of the treatment group progressed with surgical site infection, compared to 42 (3.14%) of the control group. Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in the postoperative infection rate with the use of vancomycin (p=0.0379). Level of Evidence III; Case-Control Study.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Obesity is a public health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates and perioperative complications in the general population. Minimally invasive procedures are promising alternatives to perioperative complications in individuals with a high body mass index (BMI). Endoscopic lumbar discectomy has been gaining popularity in this regard. However, there are few descriptions in the literature about the endoscopic approach to improve pain and quality of life in obese individuals. Likewise, it is not determined whether individuals with a high BMI have more complications in this type of surgical approach. Methods: A longitudinal retrospective case-control study was performed with 63 subjects submitted to endoscopic discectomy, divided into 2 groups according to BMI (Group A, BMI ≥ 30kg/m2 and Group B, BMI

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate thoracolumbar fractures and the complications such as adjacent disc degeneration (ADD) and post-traumatic deformity. Methods: We evaluated 32 patients divided into two equal groups, 16 in the case group (removal of the synthesis material) and 16 in the control group (not submitted to removal of the synthesis material) in order to verify if there was difference between the incidence of these complications. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the progression of the ADD and the post-traumatic deformity, but both progressed during the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: It was concluded that the removal of the synthesis material was not effective in preventing these complications after surgical fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success and complications rates of thoracolumbar fractures with a score equal or superior to 7 according to the load sharing classification (McCormack), surgically treated with short posterior fixation at three points. Methods: We evaluated 40 patients with thoracolumbar fractures and score by the load sharing classification greater than or equal to 7, treated exclusively by surgery by short posterior fixation. We assessed epidemiological data, increased kyphosis, loss of vertebral body height and complications at 2-year follow-up. Results: Although there was a statistically significant increase in kyphosis and a decrease in vertebral height, there was no clinical repercussion. Conclusion: We conclude that the McCormack classification is not a fundamental predictor for indication of anterior approach complementary to the short posterior fixation.

ABSTRACT Objective: Lumbar disc herniation is a common indication for surgical treatment of the spine. Open microdiscectomy is the gold standard. New surgical techniques have emerged, such as spinal endoscopy. We compared and evaluated two endoscopic techniques: the transforaminal and the interlaminar. Methods: Fifty-five patients underwent endoscopic technique and were assessed by VAS and ODI in the preoperative period, and in the first and sixth month after the procedure. Results: We had 89.1% of good results and 10.9% of complications. Conclusion: We conclude that endoscopic techniques are safe and effective for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Abstract Objective To validate the low-cost model for arthroscopy training and analyze the acceptance and usefulness of the developed simulator in medical teaching and training. Method Ten medical students, ten third-year orthopedic residents, and ten shoulder surgeons performed predetermined tasks on a shoulder simulator twice. The parameters used were time to complete the tasks, number of looks at the hands, GOALS score (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills) and comparison between groups and within groups. An adapted Likert scale was applied addressing the individuals' impressions about the simulator and its applicability. Results In the intergroup comparison, the shoulder surgeons had better scores and times than the other groups. When the tasks were repeated, the group of surgeons had a 59% improvement in time (p < 0.05), as did the group of medical students. In the GOALS score, shoulder surgeons had consistently better scores than the other groups. And when we evaluated the evolution from the first to the second test, the group of surgeons and the group of academics had a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05). In terms of lookdowns, there was a decrease in all groups. There was consensus that the simulator is useful in training. Conclusion The simulator developed allowed the differentiation between individuals with different levels of training in arthroscopic surgery. It was accepted by 100% of the participants as a useful tool in arthroscopic shoulder surgical training.

OBJETIVO: Tendo em vista a pouca quantidade de informações a respeito das alterações degenerativas e patológicas da coluna vertebral realizou-se este estudo com objetivo de avaliar e quantificar os valores angulares do equilíbrio sagital na população obesa. MÉTODOS: Foram medidos os ângulos de incidência pélvica (IP), versão pélvica (VP) e declive sacral (DS). RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 30 pacientes, sendo 19 do sexo feminino e 11 do sexo masculino, no ano de 2012 que aguardavam realização de cirurgia bariátrica. A média de idade foi de 33 anos. O IMC médio foi de 41 kg/m², sendo que o valor médio para os homens foi de 43 kg/m² e das mulheres 39 kg/m². O IP médio foi de 57°. O VP foi de 19°. O DS foi de 38°. O valor da incidência pélvica e da versão pélvica ficou em média acima do encontrado na população com índice de massa corporal normal. Já o valor do declive sacral encontra-se na média da população. CONCLUSÕES: Cada vez mais o equilíbrio sagital vem ganhando espaço na avaliação da coluna vertebral. Faz-se necessário literatura mais vasta e aumento do conhecimento médico das patologias e comorbidades que podem alterar o equilíbrio sagital em seus pacientes, como a obesidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: To test the reliability of the new AO/2013 classification compared with AO/Magerl and TLICS. Methods: Four spine surgeons retrospectively and blindly evaluated imaging and clinical data from 98 patients with thoracolumbar fractures. Results: Using the Kappa coefficient, we obtained the best reproducibility for the AO/2013 classification compared to the other two, represented by Kappa coefficient of 0.690. We could also obtain, with good reproducibility among the evaluators (Kappa 0.690), the most common subtypes of AO/2013 classification with indication for surgery. Conclusion: We believe that the new AO/2013 classification has proven to be a good communication tool among spine surgeons with good reproducibility, but more studies should be conducted in several centers in order to be consolidated and so that the prognosis between the types of injury is better understood.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Spondylodiscitis is a rare, late diagnosis disease. In view of the morbidity and mortality associated to the delayed diagnosis and increase of the cases in the last years, this study was carried out in order to evaluate the operated cases and improve the management of these patients.. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study involving 1440 patients submitted to a surgical procedure in the thoracolumbar spine from January 2015 to March 2017, including 49 cases operated by spondylodiscitis. Results: Results: Severe complications requiring ICU admission (pulmonary or urinary tract sepsis and DVT) were observed in 7 (8.5%) individuals, whose mean hospital stay was 35 days (10-170 days) [p=0.006]. Conclusions: Conclusion: A correlation between the number of days hospitalized and the increase in the rate of complications was found. Early surgery by the anterior approach and posterior fixation after 2 weeks is the treatment of choice, with low morbidity and short period of hospitalization. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective Study.