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Objectives The objective of this study is to elucidate the impact of income on short-term outcomes in a cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor resection population. Design This is a retrospective regression analysis. Setting This study was done at a single, multihospital, urban academic medical center. Participants Over 6 years (from June 7, 2013, to April 24, 2019), 277 consecutive CPA tumor cases were reviewed. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes studied included readmission, emergency department evaluation, unplanned return to surgery, return to surgery after index admission, and mortality. Univariate analysis was conducted among the entire population with significance set at a p-value Results Regression analysis of 273 patients demonstrated decreased rates of unplanned reoperation (p = 0.015) and reoperation after index admission (p = 0.035) at 30 days with higher standardized income. Logistic regression between the lowest (Q1) and highest (Q4) socioeconomic quartiles demonstrated decreased unplanned reoperation (p = 0.045) and decreasing but not significant reoperation after index admission (p = 0.15) for Q4 patients. No significant difference was observed for other metrics of morbidity and mortality. Conclusion Higher socioeconomic status is associated with decreased risk of unplanned reoperation following CPA tumor resection.

Background: Clinical practice in postoperative bracing after posterior single-level lumbar spine fusion (PLF) is inconsistent between providers. This study seeks to assess the effect of bracing on short-term outcomes related to safety, quality of care, and direct costs. Methods: Retrospective cohort analyses of consecutive patients undergoing single-level PLF with or without bracing at a three-hospital urban academic medical center (2013–2017) were undertaken (n = 906). Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed. Test of independence, Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon test, and logistic regression were used to assess differences in length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition/need for postacute care, quality-adjusted life year (QALY), surgical site infection (SSI), hospital cost, total cost, readmission within 30 days, and emergency room (ER) visits within 30 days. Results: Among the study population, 863 patients were braced and 43 were not braced. No difference was seen between the two groups in short-term outcomes from surgery including LOS (P = 0.836), discharge disposition (P = 0.226), readmission (P = 1.000), ER visits (P = 0.281), SSI (P = 1.000), and QALY gain (P = 0.319). However, the braced group incurred a significantly higher direct hospital cost (median increase of 41.43%, P < 0.001) compared to the unbraced cohort (bracing cost excluded). There was no difference in graft type (P = 0.145) or comorbidities (P = 0.20–1.00) such as obesity (P = 1.000), smoking (P = 1.000), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 1.000), hypertension (P = 0.805), coronary artery disease (P = 1.000), congestive heart failure (P = 1.000), and total number of comorbidities (P = 0.228). Conclusion: Short-term data suggest that removal of bracing from the postoperative regimen for PLF will not result in increased adverse outcomes but will reduce cost.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare, spindle cell neoplasms of the mesenchymal origin. Lesions localized to the spine are exceptionally uncommon, only described in the literature in case reports and small case series. While these lesions are typically benign, there are a few reports in which they recur or present as malignancies. The patient presented in the case herein was a 72-year-old male, who presented with a 1-year history of lower extremity weakness, pain, and numbness and was found to have a cervical, intradural extramedullary tumor. In addition to the case report, the authors perform a thorough review of all previously published cases of spinal SFT.

Background Context: Use of cervical bracing/collar subsequent to anterior cervical spine discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is variable. Outcomes data regarding bracing after ACDF are limited. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to study the impact of bracing on short-term outcomes related to safety, quality of care, and direct costs in single-level ACDF. Study Design/Setting: This retrospective cohort analysis of all consecutive patients (n = 578) undergoing single-level ACDF with or without bracing from 2013 to 2017 was undertaken. Methods: Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed. Tests of independence (Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test), Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon tests, and logistic regressions were used to assess differences in length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition (home, assisted rehabilitation facility-assisted rehabilitation facility, or skilled nursing facility), quality-adjusted life year (QALY), surgical site infection (SSI), direct cost, readmission within 30 days, and emergency room (ER) visits within 30 days. Results: Among the study population, 511 were braced and 67 were not braced. There was no difference in graft type (P = 1.00) or comorbidities (P = 0.06–0.73) such as obesity (P = 0.504), smoking (0.103), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hypertension (P = 0.543), coronary artery disease (P = 0.442), congestive heart failure (P = 0.207), and problem list number (P = 0.661). LOS was extended for the unbraced group (median 34.00 + 112.15 vs. 77.00 + 209.31 h, P < 0.001). There was no difference in readmission (P = 1.000), ER visits (P = 1.000), SSI (P = 1.000), QALY gain (P = 0.437), and direct costs (P = 0.732). Conclusions: Bracing following single-level cervical fixation does not alter short-term postoperative course or reduce the risk for early adverse outcomes in a significant manner. The absence of bracing is associated with increased LOS, but cost analyses show no difference in direct costs between the two treatment approaches. Further evaluation of long-term outcomes and fusion rates will be necessary before definitive recommendations regarding bracing utility following single-level ACDF.