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Viktor V Chirikov,1 Chris Walker,2 Jennifer M Stephens,1 Patricia Schepman,3 Richard Chambers,4 Mahmoud Bakir,5 Gregory W Poorman,1 Seema Haider,6 Mohammed Farghaly7 1OPEN Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; 2Global Medical Affairs, Viatris, Tadworth, UK; 3Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA; 4Biostatistics, Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, PA, USA; 5Upjohn Export B.V., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA; 7Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Jennifer M StephensOPEN Health, Bethesda, MD, USATel +1 703 625 5943Email jstephens@pharmerit.comObjective: Data on osteoarthritis patients from the PRECISION trial were used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of celecoxib (100 mg twice daily) versus ibuprofen (600– 800 mg three times daily) and naproxen (375– 500 mg twice daily). The perspective was that of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) healthcare system.Methods: Discrete-state Markov model with monthly cycles, 30-month horizon, and 3% discount rate was constructed to assess incremental costs per quality adjusted life year (QALYs) gained from reduced incidence of three safety domains examined in PRECISION: renal, serious gastrointestinal (GI), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Costs for managing these toxicities were derived from Dubai Administrative Billing Claims (2018). Median monthly drug costs were derived from UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention’s published prices ($26.98 celecoxib; $20.25 ibuprofen; $20.50 naproxen). Health utility and excess mortality associated with toxicities were sourced from the literature. The willingness-to-pay thresholds used were 1 and 3 GDP per capita ($40,000–$120,000).Results: The total average cost per patient was $812.88 for celecoxib, $775.26 for ibuprofen, and $731.17 for naproxen while cost components attributed to toxicities were lowest with celecoxib ($360.26, $438.31, and $388.60, respectively). Patients on celecoxib had more QALYs (1.339), compared with ibuprofen (1.335) and naproxen (1.337), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $11,502/QALY gained for celecoxib versus ibuprofen and $39,779 for celecoxib versus naproxen. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated celecoxib to be 81% cost-effective versus ibuprofen and 50% versus naproxen at $40,000/QALY. The most influential model parameters were MACE relative safety and drug costs.Conclusion: From UAE third payer perspective, celecoxib is a long-term cost-effective treatment for osteoarthritis patients when compared with ibuprofen, and equally likely as naproxen to be cost-effective. With the expected increasing burden of chronic diseases in the Gulf region, study findings can inform decisions regarding the cost-effective pain management of osteoarthritis in UAE.Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number: NCT00346216.Keywords: Markov, NSAIDs, comparative effectiveness, safety, Gulf region, AfME, MENA

Eric Armbrecht,1 Ruchit Shah,2 Gregory W Poorman,2 Linlin Luo,2 Jennifer M Stephens,2 Benjamin Li,3 Elizabeth Pappadopulos,4 Seema Haider,5 Roger S McIntyre6– 9 1Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA; 2Pharmerit International, Bethesda, MD, USA; 3Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA; 4Viatris Inc., New York, NY, USA; 5Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA; 6Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 7Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 8Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 9Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Jennifer M StephensPharmerit International, 4350 East West Hwy #1100, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USATel +1-240-821-1290Email JenniferStephens@openhealthgroup.comIntroduction: Patients with both major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in addition to one or multiple comorbid non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) face unique challenges. However, few studies have characterized how the burden of co-occurring MDD and GAD differs from that of only MDD or only GAD among patients with NCCDs.Methods: In this study, we used Medical Expenditures Panel Survey data from 2010– 2017 to understand how the economic and humanistic burden of co-occurring MDD and GAD differs from that of MDD or GAD alone among patients with NCCDs. We used generalized linear models to investigate this relationship and controlled for patient sociodemographics and clinical characteristics.Results: Co-occurring MDD and GAD was associated with increases in mean annual per patient inpatient visits, office visits, emergency department visits, annual drug costs, and total medical costs. Among patients with 3+ NCCDs, MDD or GAD only was associated with lower odds ratios (ORs) of limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs; 0.532 and 0.508, respectively) and social (0.503, 0.526) and physical limitations (0.613, 0.613) compared to co-occurring MDD and GAD. Compared to patients with co-occurring MDD and GAD, having MDD only or GAD only was associated with significantly lower odds of cognitive limitations (0.659 and 0.461, respectively) in patients with 1– 2 NCCDs and patients with 3+ NCCDs (0.511, 0.416).Discussion: Comorbid MDD and GAD was associated with higher economic burden, lower quality of life, and greater limitations in daily living compared to MDD or GAD alone. Health-related economic and humanistic burden increased with number of NCCDs.Keywords: economic burden, humanistic burden, depression, anxiety, non-communicable diseases

Background: More sophisticated surgical techniques for correcting adult spinal deformity (ASD) have increased operative times, adding to physiologic stress on patients and increased complication incidence. This study aims to determine factors associated with operative time using a statistical learning algorithm., Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database containing 837 patients undergoing long spinal fusions for ASD. Conditional inference decision trees identified factors associated with skin-to-skin operative time and cutoff points at which factors have a global effect. A conditional variable-importance table was constructed based on a nonreplacement sampling set of 2000 conditional inference trees. Means comparison for the top 15 variables at their respective significant cutoffs indicated effect sizes., Results: Included: 544 surgical ASD patients (mean age: 58.0 years; fusion length 11.3 levels; operative time: 378 minutes). The strongest predictor for operative time was institution/surgeon. Center/surgeons, grouped by decision tree hierarchy, a and b were, on average, 2 hours faster than center/surgeons c-f, who were 43 minutes faster than centers g-j, all P < 0.001. The next most important predictors were, in order, approach (combined vs posterior increases time by 139 minutes, P < 0.001), levels fused (<4 vs 5-9 increased time by 68 minutes, P < 0.050; 5-9 vs < 10 increased time by 47 minutes, P < 0.001), age (age <50 years increases time by 57 minutes, P < 0.001), and patient frailty (score <1.54 increases time by 65 minutes, P < 0.001). Surgical techniques, such as three-column osteotomies (35 minutes), interbody device (45 minutes), and decompression (48 minutes), also increased operative time. Both minor and major complications correlated with < 66 minutes of increased operative time. Increased operative time also correlated with increased hospital length of stay (LOS), increased estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL), and inferior 2-year Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores., Conclusions: Procedure location and specific surgeon are the most important factors determining operative time, accounting for operative time increases <2 hours. Surgical approach and number of levels fused were also associated with longer operative times, respectively. Extended operative time correlated with longer LOS, higher EBL, and inferior 2-y ODI outcomes., Clinical Relevance: We further identified the poor outcomes associated with extended operative time during surgical correction of ASD, and attributed the useful predictors of time spent in the operating room, including site, surgeon, surgical approach, and the number of levels fused., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The International Spine Study Group (ISSG) is funded through research grants from DePuy Synthes, and supported the current work. Portions of this work were accepted for podium presentation at the North American Spine Society Conference, Orlando, Florida, United States, October 27, 2017., (This manuscript is generously published free of charge by ISASS, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Copyright © 2022 ISASS. To see more or order reprints or permissions, see http://ijssurgery.com.)

Background: For cervical deformity (CD) surgery, goals include realignment, improved patient quality of life, and improved clinical outcomes. There is limited research identifying patients most likely to achieve all three., Objective: The objective is to create a model predicting good 1-year postoperative realignment, quality of life, and clinical outcomes following CD surgery using baseline demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors., Methods: Retrospective review of a multicenter CD database. CD patients were defined as having one of the following radiographic criteria: Cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) >4 cm, cervical kyphosis/scoliosis >10°° or chin-brow vertical angle >25°. The outcome assessed was whether a patient achieved both a good radiographic and clinical outcome. The primary analysis was stepwise regression models which generated a dataset-specific prediction model for achieving a good radiographic and clinical outcome. Model internal validation was achieved by bootstrapping and calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of the final model with 95% confidence intervals., Results: Seventy-three CD patients were included (61.8 years, 58.9% F). The final model predicting the achievement of a good overall outcome (radiographic and clinical) yielded an AUC of 73.5% and included the following baseline demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors: mild-moderate myelopathy (Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association >12), no pedicle subtraction osteotomy, no prior cervical spine surgery, posterior lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) at T1 or above, thoracic kyphosis >33°°, T1 slope <16 and cSVA <20 mm., Conclusions: Achievement of a positive outcome in radiographic and clinical outcomes following surgical correction of CD can be predicted with high accuracy using a combination of demographic, clinical, radiographic, and surgical factors, with the top factors being baseline cSVA <20 mm, no prior cervical surgery, and posterior LIV at T1 or above., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine.)

This retrospective cohort study describes adult cervical deformity(ACD) patients with Ames-ACD classification at baseline(BL) and 1-year post-operatively and assesses the relationship of improvement in Ames modifiers with clinical outcomes. Patients ≥ 18yrs with BL and post-op(1-year) radiographs were included. Patients were categorized with Ames classification by primary deformity descriptors (C = cervical; CT = cervicothoracic junction; T = thoracic; S = coronal) and alignment/myelopathy modifiers(C2-C7 Sagittal Vertical Axis[cSVA], T1 Slope-Cervical Lordosis[TS-CL], Horizontal Gaze[Horiz], mJOA). Univariate analysis evaluated demographics, clinical intervention, and Ames deformity descriptor. Patients were evaluated for radiographic improvement by Ames classification and reaching Minimal Clinically Important Differences(MCID) for mJOA, Neck Disability Index(NDI), and EuroQuol-5D(EQ5D). A total of 73 patients were categorized: C = 41(56.2%), CT = 18(24.7%), T = 9(12.3%), S = 5(6.8%). By Ames modifier 1-year improvement, 13(17.8%) improved in mJOA, 26(35.6%) in cSVA grade, 19(26.0%) in Horiz, and 15(20.5%) in TS-CL. The overall proportion of patients without severe Ames modifier grades at 1-year was as follows: 100% cSVA, 27.4% TS-CL, 67.1% Horiz, 69.9% mJOA. 1-year post-operatively, severe myelopathy(mJOA = 3) prevalence differed between Ames-ACD descriptors (C = 26.3%, CT = 15.4%, T = 0.0%, S = 0.0%, p = 0.033). Improvement in mJOA modifier correlated with reaching 1-year NDI MCID in the overall cohort (r = 0.354,p = 0.002). For C descriptors, cSVA improvement correlated with reaching 1-year NDI MCID (r = 0.387,p = 0.016). Improvement in more than one radiographic Ames modifier correlated with reaching 1-year mJOA MCID (r = 0.344,p = 0.003) and with reaching more than one MCID for mJOA, NDI, and EQ-5D (r = 0.272,p = 0.020). In conclusion, improvements in radiographic Ames modifier grades correlated with improvement in 1-year postoperative clinical outcomes. Although limited in scope, this analysis suggests the Ames-ACD classification may describe cervical deformity patients' alignment and outcomes at 1-year., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospective database., Objective: Complication rates for adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery vary widely because there is no accepted system for categorization. Our objective was to identify the impact of complication occurrence, minor-major complication, and Clavien-Dindo complication classification (Cc) on clinical variables and patient-reported outcomes., Methods: Complications in surgical ASD patients with complete baseline and 2-year data were considered intraoperatively, perioperatively (<6 weeks), and postoperatively (>6 weeks). Primary outcome measures were complication timing and severity according to 3 scales: complication presence (yes/no), minor-major, and Cc score. Secondary outcomes were surgical outcomes (estimated blood loss [EBL], length of stay [LOS], reoperation) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores. Univariate analyses determined complication presence, type, and Cc grade impact on operative variables and on HRQL scores., Results: Of 167 patients, 30.5% (n = 51) had intraoperative, 48.5% (n = 81) had perioperative, and 58.7% (n = 98) had postoperative complications. Major intraoperative complications were associated with increased EBL ( P < .001) and LOS ( P = .0092). Postoperative complication presence and major postoperative complication were associated with reoperation ( P < .001). At 2 years, major perioperative complications were associated with worse ODI, SF-36, and SRS activity and appearance scores ( P < .02). Increasing perioperative Cc score and postoperative complication presence were the best predictors of worse HRQL outcomes ( P < .05)., Conclusion: The Cc Scale was most useful in predicting changes in patient outcomes; at 2 years, patients with raised perioperative Cc scores and postoperative complications saw reduced HRQL improvement. Intraoperative and perioperative complications were associated with worse short-term surgical and inpatient outcomes.

Introduction: Obesity is associated with acceleration of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases and functional impairment secondary to spinal disorders. Bariatric surgery (BS) is an increasingly common treatment for severe obesity but can affect bone and mineral metabolism. The effect of BS on degenerative spinal disorders is yet to be fully described. The aim of our study was to analyze changes in bariatric patients' risk for spinal degenerative diseases and spinal surgery., Methods: Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected New York State Inpatient Database (NYSID) years (2004-2013) using patient linkage codes. The incidence of degenerative spinal diagnoses and spinal surgery was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD)-9 codes for morbidly obese patients (ICD-9 278.01) with and without a history of BS. The incidence of degenerative spinal diagnoses and spinal surgery was determined using χ tests for independence. Logistic testing controlled for age, sex, and comorbidity burden., Results: A total of 18,176 patients were identified in the NYSID database with a history of BS and 146,252 patients were identified as morbidly obese without a history of BS. BS patients have a significantly higher rate of spinal diagnoses than morbidly obese patients without BS (19.3% vs. 8.1%, P<0.001). Bariatric patients were more likely to have spinal diagnoses and procedures than nonbariatric obese patients (P<0.001). This was mostly observed in lumbar spinal stenosis (5.0%), cervical disk herniation (3.3%), lumbar disk degeneration (3.4%), lumbar spondylolisthesis (2.9%), lumbar spondylosis (1.9%), and cervical spondylosis with myelopathy (2.0%). Spine procedure rates are higher for bariatric patients than nonbariatric overall (25.6% vs. 2.3, P<0.001) and for fusions and decompressions (P<0.001). When controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities (and diagnosis rate with regards to procedure rates), these results persist, with BS patients having a higher likelihood of spinal diagnoses and procedures. In addition, bariatric patients had a lower comorbidity burden than morbidly obese patients without a history of BS., Conclusions: Morbidly obese BS patients have a dramatically higher incidence of spinal diagnoses and procedures, relative to morbidly obese patients without BS. Further study is necessary to determine if there is a pathophysiological mechanism underlying this higher risk of spinal disease and intervention in bariatric patients, and the effect of BS on these rates following treatment., Level of Evidence: Level III.

Background: Congenital scoliosis (CS) is associated with more rigid, complex deformities relative to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) which theoretically increases surgical complications. Despite extensive literature studying AIS patients, few studies have been performed on CS patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate complications associated with spinal fusions for CS and AIS., Methods: A retrospective review of the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) years 2000 to 2009 was performed. Inclusion: patients under 20 years with ICD-9 diagnosis codes for idiopathic scoliosis (IS-without concomitant congenital anomalies) and CS, undergoing spinal fusion from the KID years 2000 to 2009. Two analyses were performed according to age below 10 years and 10 years and above. Univariate analysis described differences in demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative complications, and clinical values between groups. Binary logistic regression controlling for age, sex, race, and invasiveness predicted complications risk in CS (odds ratios; 95% confidence interval)., Results: In total, 25,131 patients included (IS, n=22443; CS, n=2688). For patients under age 10, CS patients underwent 1 level shorter fusions (P<0.001), had fewer comorbidities (P<0.001), and sustained similar complication incidence. In the 10 and over age analysis, CS patients similarly had shorter fusions, but greater comorbidities, and significantly more complications (odds ratio, 1.6; confidence interval, 1.4-1.8)., Conclusions: CS patients have higher in-hospital complication rates. With more comorbidities, these patients have increased risk of sustaining procedure-related complications such as shock, infection, and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. These data help to counsel patients and their families before spinal fusion., Level of Evidence: Level III-retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

Background: Congenital abnormalities when present, according to VACTERL theory, occur nonrandomly with other congenital anomalies. This study estimates the prevalence of congenital spinal anomalies, and their concurrence with other systemic anomalies., Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis on Health care Cost and Utilization Project's Kids Inpatient Database (KID), years 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009 was performed. ICD-9 coding identified congenital anomalies of the spine and other body systems., Outcome Measures: Overall incidence of congenital spinal abnormalities in pediatric patients, and the concurrence of spinal anomaly diagnoses with other organ system anomalies. Frequencies of congenital spine anomalies were estimated using KID hospital-and-year-adjusted weights. Poisson distribution in contingency tables tabulated concurrence of other congenital anomalies, grouped by body system., Results: Of 12,039,432 patients, rates per 100,000 cases were: 9.1 hemivertebra, 4.3 Klippel-Fiel, 56.3 Chiari malformation, 52.6 tethered cord, 83.4 spina bifida, 1.2 absence of vertebra, and 6.2 diastematomyelia. Diastematomyelia had the highest concurrence of other anomalies: 70.1% of diastematomyelia patients had at least one other congenital anomaly. Next, 63.2% of hemivertebra, and 35.2% of Klippel-Fiel patients had concurrent anomalies. Of the other systems deformities cooccuring, cardiac system had the highest concurrent incidence (6.5% overall). In light of VACTERL's definition of a patient being diagnosed with at least 3 VACTERL anomalies, hemivertebra patients had the highest cooccurrence of ≥3 anomalies (31.3%). With detailed analysis of hemivertebra patients, secundum ASD (14.49%), atresia of large intestine (10.2%), renal agenesis (7.43%) frequently cooccured., Conclusions: Congenital abnormalities of the spine are associated with serious systemic anomalies that may have delayed presentations. These patients continue to be at a very high, and maybe higher than previously thought, risk for comorbidities that can cause devastating perioperative complications if not detected preoperatively, and full MRI workups should be considered in all patients with spinal abnormalities., Level of Evidence: Level III.

Background: Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) includes craniocervical anomalies, low posterior hairline, and brevicollis, with limited cervical range of motion; however, there remains no consensus on inheritance pattern. This study defines incidence, characterizes concurrent diagnoses, and examines trends in the presentation and management of KFS., Methods: This was a retrospective review of the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) for KFSpatients aged 0-20 years from 2003 to 2012. Incidence was established using KID-supplied year and hospital-trend weights. Demographics and secondary diagnoses associated with KFS were evaluated. Comorbidities, anomalies, and procedure type trends from 2003 to 2012 were assessed for likelihood to increase among the years studied using ANOVA tests., Results: Eight hundred and fifty-eight KFS diagnoses (age: 9.49 years; 51.1% females) and 475 patients with congenital fusion (CF) (age: 8.33 years; 50.3% females) were analyzed. We identified an incidence rate of 1/21,587 discharges. Only 6.36% of KFS patients were diagnosed with Sprengel's deformity; 1.44% with congenital fusion. About 19.1% of KFS patients presented with another spinal abnormality and 34.0% presented with another neuromuscular anomaly. About 36.51% of KFS patients were diagnosed with a nonspinal or nonmusculoskeletal anomaly, with the most prevalent anomalies being of cardiac origin (12.95%). About 7.34% of KFS patients underwent anterior fusions, whereas 6.64% of KFS patients underwent posterior fusions. The average number of levels operated on was 4.99 with 8.28% receiving decompressions. Interbody devices were used in 2.45% of cases. The rate of fusions with <3 levels (7.46%) was comparable to that of 3 levels or greater (7.81%)., Conclusions: KFS patients were more likely to have other spinal abnormalities (19.1%) and nonnervous system abnormalities (13.63%). Compared to congenital fusions, KFS patients were more likely to have congenital abnormalities such as Sprengel's deformity. KFS patients are increasingly being treated with spinal fusion., Level of Evidence: III., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine.)

Background: Given the paucity of literature regarding compensatory mechanisms used by obese patients with sagittal malalignment, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the effects of obesity on compensation after comparing the degree of malalignment to age-adjusted ideals. This study aims to compare baseline alignment of obese and nonobese patients using age-adjusted spino-pelvic alignment parameters, describing associated spinal changes., Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years with full-body stereoradiographs were propensity-score matched for sex, baseline pelvic incidence (PI), and categorized as nonobese (body mass index < 30kg/m 2 ) or obese (body mass index ≥ 30). Age-adjusted ideals were calculated for sagittal vertical axis, spino-pelvic mismatch (PI-LL), pelvic tilt, and T1 pelvic angle using established formulas. Patients were stratified as meeting alignment ideals, being above ideal, or being below. Spinal alignment parameters included C0-C2, C2-C7, C2-T3, cervical thoracic pelvic angle, cervical sagittal vertical axis SVA, thoracic kyphosis, T1 pelvic angle, T1 slope, sagittal vertical axis, lumbar lordosis (LL), PI, PI-LL, pelvic tilt. Lower-extremity parameters included sacrofemoral angle, knee flexion (KA), ankle flexion (AA), pelvic shift (PS), and global sagittal angle (GSA). Independent t tests compared parameters between cohorts., Results: Included: 800 obese, 800 nonobese patients. Both groups recruited lower-extremity compensation: sacrofemoral angle ( P  = .004), KA, AA, PS, GSA (all P  < .001). Obese patients meeting age-adjusted PI-LL had greater lower-extremity compensation than nonobese patients: lower sacrofemoral angle ( P  = .002), higher KA ( P  = .008), PS ( P  = .002), and GSA ( P  = .02). Obese patients with PI-LL mismatch higher than age-adjusted ideal recruited greater lower-extremity compensation than nonobese patients: higher KA, AA, PS, GSA (all P  < .001). Obese patients showed compensation through the cervical spine: increased C0-C2, C2-C7, C2-T3, and cervical sagittal vertical axis (all P  < .001), high T1 pelvic angle ( P  < .001), cervical thoracic pelvic angle ( P  = .03), and T1 slope ( P  < .001), with increased thoracic kyphosis ( P  = .015) and decreased LL ( P  < .001) compared to nonobese patients with PI-LL larger than age-adjusted ideal., Conclusions: Regardless of malalignment severity, obese patients recruited lower-limb compensation more than nonobese patients. Obese patients with PI-LL mismatch larger than age-adjusted ideal also develop upper-cervical and cervicothoracic compensation for malalignment., Level of Evidence: III., Clinical Relevance: Clinical evaluation should extend to the cervical spine in obese patients not meeting age-adjusted sagittal alignment ideals., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: The authors report no conflicts of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper. Ethics Review Committee Statement: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this study, prior to patient enrollment.

Objective: We investigated the 30-day complication incidence and 1-year radiographic correction in obese patients undergoing surgical treatment of cervical deformity., Methods: The patients were stratified according to World Health Organization's definition for obesity: obese, patients with a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m 2 ; and nonobese, patients with a body mass index of <30 kg/m 2 . The patients had undergone surgery for the treatment of cervical deformity. The patient baseline demographic, comorbidity, and radiographic data were compared between the 2 groups at baseline and 1 year postoperatively. The 30-day complication incidence was stratified according to complication severity (any, major, or minor), and type (cardiopulmonary, dysphagia, infection, neurological, and operative). Binary logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of obesity on developing those complications, with adjustment for patient age and levels fused., Results: A total of 124 patients were included, 53 obese and 71 nonobese patients. The 2 groups had a similar T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (obese, 37.2° vs. nonobese, 36.9°; P = 0.932) and a similar C2-C7 (-5.9° vs. -7.3°; P = 0.718) and C2-C7 (50.1 mm vs. 44.1 mm; P = 0.184) sagittal vertical axis. At the 1-year follow-up examination, the T1 pelvic angle (1.0° vs. -3.1°; P = 0.021) and C2-S1 sagittal vertical axis (-5.9 mm vs. -35.0 mm; P = 0.036) were different, and the T1 spinopelvic inclination (-1.0° vs. -2.9°; P = 0.123) was similar. The obese patients had a greater risk of overall short-term complications (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.1) and infectious complications (odds ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-25.6)., Conclusions: Obese patients had a 5 times greater odds of developing infections after surgery for adult cervical deformity. Obese patients also showed significantly greater pelvic anteversion after cervical correction., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Full-body stereographs for adult spinal deformity (ASD) have enhanced global deformity and lower-limb compensation associations. The advent of age-adjusted goals for classic ASD parameters (sagittal vertical axis, pelvic tilt, spino-pelvic mismatch [PI-LL]) has enabled individualized evaluation of successful versus failed realignment, though these remain to be radiographically assessed postoperatively. This study analyzes pre- and postoperative sagittal alignment to quantify patient-specific correction against age-adjusted goals, and presents differences in compensation in patients whose postoperative profile deviates from targets., Methods: Single-center retrospective review of ASD patients ≥ 18 years with biplanar full-body stereographic x-rays. Inclusion: ≥ 4 levels fused, complete baseline and early (≤ 6-month) follow-up imaging. Correction groups generated at postoperative visit for actual alignment compared to age-adjusted ideal values for pelvic tilt, PI-LL, and sagittal vertical axis derived from clinically relevant formulas. Patients that matched exact ± 10-year threshold for age-adjusted targets were compared to unmatched cases (undercorrected or overcorrected). Comparison of spinal alignment and compensatory mechanisms (thoracic kyphosis, hip extension, knee flexion, ankle flexion, pelvic shift) across correction groups were performed with ANOVA and paired t tests., Results: The sagittal vertical axis, pelvic tilt, and PI-LL of 122 patients improved at early postoperative visits ( P  < .001). Of lower-extremity parameters, knee flexion and pelvic shift improved ( P  < .001), but hip extension and ankle flexion were similar ( P  > .170); global sagittal angle decreased overall, reflecting global postoperative correction (8.3° versus 4.4°, P  < .001). Rates of undercorrection to age-adjusted targets for each spino-pelvic parameter were 30.3% (sagittal vertical axis), 41.0% (pelvic tilt), and 43.6% (PI-LL). Compared to matched/overcorrections, undercorrections recruited increased posterior pelvic shift to compensate ( P  < .001); knee flexion was recruited in undercorrections for sagittal vertical axis and pelvic tilt; thoracic hypokyphosis was observed in PI-LL undercorrections. All undercorrected groups displayed consequentially larger global sagittal angle ( P  < .001)., Conclusions: Global alignment cohort improvements were observed, and when comparing actual to age-adjusted alignment, undercorrections recruited pelvic and lower-limb flexion to compensate., Level of Evidence: 3., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: The authors report no conflicts of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper. Institutional Review broad approval was obtained prior to study.

Background: The study aimed to characterize trends in incidence, etiology, fracture types, surgical procedures, complications, and concurrent injuries associated with traumatic pediatric cervical fracture using a nationwide database., Methods: The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was queried. Trauma cases from 2003 to 2012 were identified, and cervical fracture patients were isolated. Demographics, etiologies, fracture levels, procedures, complications, and concurrent injuries were assessed. The t -tests elucidated significance for continuous variables, and χ 2 for categoric values. Logistic regressions identified predictors of spinal cord injury (SCI), surgery, any complication, and mortality. Level of significance was P < .05., Results: A total of 11 196 fracture patients were isolated (age, 16.63 years; male, 65.7%; white, 65.4%; adolescent, 55.4%). Incidence significantly increased since 2003 (2003 vs 2012, 2.39% vs 3.12%, respectively), as did Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; 2003 vs 2012, 0.2012 vs 0.4408, respectively). Most common etiology was motor vehicle accidents (50.5%). Infants and children frequently fractured at C2 (closed: 43.1%, 32.9%); adolescents and young adults frequently fractured at C7 (closed: 23.9%, 26.5%). Upper cervical SCI was less common (5.8%) than lower cervical SCI (10.9%). Lower cervical unspecified-SCI, anterior cord syndrome, and other specified SCIs significantly decreased since 2003. Complications were common (acute respiratory distress syndrome, 7.8%; anemia, 6.7%; shock, 3.0%; and mortality, 4.2%), with bowel complications, cauda equina, anemia, and shock rates significantly increasing since 2003. Concurrent injuries were common (15.2% ribs; 14.4% skull; 7.1% pelvis) and have significantly increased since 2003. Predictors of SCI included sports injury and CCI. Predictors of surgery included falls, sports injuries, CCI, length of stay, and SCI. CCI, SCIs, and concurrent injuries were predictors of any complication and mortality, all ( P < .001)., Conclusions: Since 2003, incidence, complications, concurrent injuries, and fusions have increased. CCI, SCI, falls, and sports injuries were significant predictors of surgical intervention. Decreased mortality and SCI rates may indicate improving emergency medical services and management guidelines., Level of Evidence: III., Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be aware of increased case complexity in the onset of added perioperative complications and concurrent injuries. Cervical fractures resultant of sports injuries should be scrutinized for concurrent SCIs., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: Dr Gerling received personal consulting fees for Paradigm Spine and speaking/teaching fees for Stryker Spine. Dr Passias received personal consulting fees for Spinewave and Medicrea. The other authors received no funding for this study and report no conflicts of interest.

We developed a predictive model to describe risk factors for complications in cervical deformity surgeries. Cervical deformity (CD) surgical patients are growing in number, but remain under-studied in the literature. CD was defined as at least one of the following: C2-C7 Cobb >10°, CL >10°, cSVA >4 cm, CBVA >25°. Patient demographics and clinical data were assessed as risk factors for medical/surgical complications using multivariate regression models. 123 patients underwent CD surgery (60.6 yrs, 60.8% F). The most common complications were neurologic (24.4%), dysphagia (13.0%), cardiopulmonary (11.4%), infection (9.7%). 51 (41.5%) of patients experienced a medical complication and 73 (59.3%) had a surgical complication. An overall complication was predicted with high accuracy (AUC = 0.79) by the following combinations of factors: higher baseline EQ5D pain and lower baseline EQ5D anxiety/depression scores, and higher cervical and global SVA. A medical complication can be predicted by male gender, baseline mJOA score, and cervical SVA (AUC = 0.770). A surgical complication can be predicted by higher estimated blood loss, lower anxiety scores, and larger global SVA (AUC = 0.739). 64.2% of patients undergoing cervical deformity correction sustained any complication. While the most reliable predictor of the occurrence of a complication involved a cluster of risk factors, a radiographic baseline sagittal parameter of cervical SVA was the strongest isolated predictor for complications across categories. Although these findings are specific to a cervical population with moderate to severe deformities, collectively they can be utilized for pre-operative risk assessment and patient education., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Patient-specific rods designed based on a particular pre-operative plan are a recent advancement to help achieve desired operative alignment goals. This study investigated the role of pre-operative planning and patient-specific rods on post-operative alignment and outcomes. Patients were grouped according to use of pre-operative planning and patient-specific, pre-contoured rods (PLAN) or absence of planning/rods (NON). Pre-operative and post-operative alignment were measured: cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), cervical lordosis (CL), T1 Slope minus CL (TS-CL). Alignment differences between the groups were assessed using independent and paired samples t-tests. 34 patients were identified (15 PLAN, 19 NON). Pre- and post-operative CL, cSVA and TS were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05), though pre-operative TS-CL was slightly higher in PLAN patients (28.13° versus 18.42°, p = 0.049). There were no improvement differences pre- to post-operative for CL, cSVA and TS between the groups (p > 0.05). However, PLAN patients exhibited a greater correction of TS-CL, with an average of 5.8° decrease versus a 3.5° increase in TS-CL for NON patients (p = 0.015). PLAN patients did not demonstrate a significant change from pre- to post-operative alignment for cSVA or TS-CL (cSVA: 27.5 mm to 31.1 mm, p = 0.255; TS-CL: 28.1° to 22.3°, p = 0.13), though their TS-CL did trend towards significant post-operative improvement. In contrast, NON patients worsened in cSVA and TS-CL post-operatively (cSVA: 21.8 mm to 30.3 mm, p < 0.001; TS-CL: 18.4° to 22.0°, p = 0.035). Multi-segment posterior decompression and fusion patients have the potential to worsen with regards to post-operative alignment without pre-operative planning. Patients with pre-contoured rods and pre-operative planning exhibited a greater correction of TS-CL after surgery than un-planned cases, though limited by the pre-operative difference in cervical-thoracic mismatch between planned and unplanned cases. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: III., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective review of KID Inpatient Database (KID) from 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012., Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of advances in spinal surgery on patient outcomes in the treatment of Scheuermann kyphosis (SK)., Summary of Background Data: SK is one of the most common causes of back pain in adolescents. Trends in diagnoses and surgical treatment and approach to SK have not been well described., Methods: SK patients aged 0-20 years in KID were identified by ICD-9 code 732.0. KID-supplied year- and hospital-trend weights were used to establish prevalence. Patient demographics, surgical details, and outcomes were analyzed with analysis of variance., Results: A total of 1,070 SK patients were identified (33.2% female), with increasing incidence of SK diagnosed from 2003 to 2012 (3.6-7.5 per 100,000, p < .001). The average age of operative patients was 16.1±2.0 years and did not change (16.27-16.06 years, p = .905). The surgical rate has not changed over time (72.8%-72.8%, p = .909). Overall, 96.3% of operative patients underwent fusion, with 82.2% of cases spanning ≥4 levels; in addition, 8.6% underwent an anterior-only surgery, 74.6% posterior-only, and 13.6% combined approach. From 2003 to 2012, rates of posterior-only surgeries increased (62.4%-84.4%, p < .001) whereas the rate of combined-approach surgeries decreased (37.6%-8.8%, p < .001). Overall complication rates for SK surgeries have decreased (2003: 20.9%; 2012: 11.9%, p = .029). Concurrently, the rate of ≥4-level fusions has increased (43.5%-89.6%, p < .001), as well as the use of Smith-Peterson (7.8%-23.6%, p < .001) and three-column osteotomies (0.0%-2.7%, p = .011). In subanalysis comparing posterior to combined approaches, complication rates were significantly different (posterior: 9.88%, combined: 19.46%, p = .005). Patients undergoing a combined approach have a longer length of stay (LOS) than patients undergoing a posterior-only approach (7.8 vs. 5.6 days, p < .001)., Conclusions: Despite unchanged demographics and operative rates in SK, there has been a shift from combined to isolated posterior approaches, with a concurrent increase in levels treated. A combined approach was associated with increased complication rates, LOS, and total charges compared to isolated approaches. Awareness of these inherent differences is important for surgical decision making and patient education., Levels of Evidence: Level III., (Copyright © 2018 Scoliosis Research Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Evaluate the presence of new-onset cervical deformity (CD) in nonoperative adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with extended follow-up, with consideration for predictors, prevalence, and impact on patient-reported outcomes., Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective nonoperative ASD cohort. New onset CD patients at 1- (CD-1Y) and 2-year (CD-2Y) follow-up were defined as displaying baseline cervical alignment. Univariate analyses determined differences in radiographic parameters and outcome scores of CD and maintained-cervical-alignment patients. Multivariate binary logistic regression models determined new-onset CD predictors., Results: A total of 143 patients were included (mean age 54 years, mean body mass index 25.6 kg/m 2 , 86% female). Cervical deformity rate was 38.5% at baseline. New-onset CD incidence at 1- and 2-year follow-up was 30.0% and 41.7%, respectively. Global sagittal profile comparison of CD-1Y/CD-2Y versus maintained cervical alignment cases revealed no differences ( P  > .05) at any interval. Baseline C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was associated with increased new-onset CD risk at 1 (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, P  = .025) and 2 years (OR 1.04, P  = .032); prior spine surgical history was associated with CD risk at 1-year follow-up (OR 6.75, P  = .047); baseline C2 slope was associated with increased CD risk at 2-year follow-up (OR 1.12, P  = .041). CD development did not significantly impact health-related quality of life ( P  > .05)., Conclusions: Cervical deformity can manifest in nonoperative ASD patients: 30.0% at 1-year follow-up, and 41.7% at 2-year follow-up. Progressive CD manifested independently of thoracolumbar profile changes. Increased baseline C2-C7 SVA, C2 slope, and prior surgical history increased new-onset CD odds at 1 and 2 years., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: All authors are a part of the International Spine Study Group Foundation, which receives funding from a company through which this study was conducted. Funding for the International Spine Study Group Foundation is from research grants from DePuy Spine and individual donations.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of 2 prospectively collected multicenter databases, one for cervical deformity (CD) and the other for general adult spinal deformity., Objective: To investigate the relative quality-of-life and disability burden in patients with uncompensated cervical, thoracolumbar, or cervical and thoracolumbar deformities., Summary of Background Data: The relative quality-of-life burden of cervical and thoracolumbar deformities have never been compared with each other. This may have significant implications when deciding on the appropriate treatment intervention for patients with combined thoracolumbar and cervical deformities., Methods: When defining CD C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA)>4 cm was used while a C7-S1 SVA>5 cm was used to defined thoracolumbar deformity. Patients with both SVA criteria were defined as "combined." Primary analysis compared patients in the different groups by demographic, comorbidity data, and quality-of-life scores [EuroQOL 5 dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D)] using t tests. Secondary analysis matched deformity groups with propensity scores matching based on baseline EQ-5D scores. Differences in disease-specific metrics [the Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association questionnaire (mJOA)] were analyzed using analysis of variance tests and post hoc analysis., Results: In total, 212 patients were included in our analysis. Patients with CD only had less neurological deficits (mJOA: 14.6) and better EQ-5D (0.746) scores compared with patients with combined deformities (11.9, 0.716), all P<0.05. Regarding propensity score-matched deformity cohorts, 99 patients were matched with similar quality-of-life burden, 33 per deformity cohort. CD only patients had fewer comorbidities (1.03 vs. 2.12 vs. 2.70; P<0.001), whereas patients with combined deformity had more baseline neurological impairment compared with CD only patients (mJOA: 12.00 vs. 14.25; P=0.050)., Conclusions: Combined deformity patients were associated with the lowest quality-of-life and highest disability. Furthermore, regarding deformity cohorts matched by similar baseline quality-of-life status (EQ-5D), patients with combined deformities were associated with significantly worse neurological impairments. This finding implies that quality of life may not be a direct reflection of a patient's disability status, especially in patients with combined cervical and thoracolumbar deformities., Level of Evidence: Level III.

Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an increasingly common treatment for morbid obesity that has the potential to effect bone and mineral metabolism. The effect of prior BS on spine surgery outcomes has not been well established. The aim of this study was to assess differences in complication rates following spinal surgery for patients with and without a history of BS., Methods: Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected New York State Inpatient Database (NYSID) years 2004-2013. BS patients and morbidly obese patients (non-BS) were divided into cervical and thoracolumbar surgical groups and propensity score matched for age, gender, and invasiveness and complications compared., Results: One thousand nine hundred thirty-nine spine surgery patients with a history of BS were compared to 1625 non-BS spine surgery patients. The average time from bariatric surgery to spine surgery is 2.95 years. After propensity score matching, 740 BS patients were compared to 740 non-BS patients undergoing thoracolumbar surgery, with similar comorbidity rates. The overall complication rate for BS thoracolumbar patients was lower than non-BS (45.8% vs 58.1%, P < 0.001), with lower rates of device-related (6.1% vs 23.2%, P < 0.001), DVT (1.2% vs 2.7%, P = 0.039), and hematomas (1.5% vs 4.5%, P < 0.001). Neurologic complications were similar between BS patients and non-BS patients (2.3% vs 2.7%, P = 0.62). For patients undergoing cervical spine surgery, BS patients experienced lower rates of bowel issues, device-related, and overall complication than non-BS patients (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Bariatric surgery patients undergoing spine surgery experience lower overall complication rates than morbidly obese patients. This study warrants further investigation into these populations to mitigate risks associated with spine surgery for bariatric patients.

Introduction: Spondylolysis is an increasingly common diagnoses for young individuals and presents with a wide range of pathological and clinical findings. Most patients are treated conservatively, and surgery is reserved for severe cases. This is a populations study defining the incidence of spondylolysis in the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and assess trends in diagnoses, causes, and treatments., Methods: Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected information in KID was performed for the years 2003 through 2012. Patients with a diagnosis of spondylolysis (ICD-9-CM 756.11) between the ages of 0 and 20 years in the KID were identified. Incidence of spondylolysis was established using KID-supplied hospital- and year-adjusted trend weights. Demographics including age, race, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were assessed for all spondylolysis patients. Primary outcome measures were yearadjusted and hospital-adjusted incidence of spondylolysis. Secondary outcome measures were concurrent diagnoses and surgical details., Results: Six hundred and sixteen patients with a diagnosis of spondylolysis (329 with primary diagnosis) were identified (female: 53.8%; age: 15.27 ± 3.32 years). The incidence of spondylolysis is 7 per 100,000 patients nationally. Spondylolysis incidence has increased over time (p < 0.001) though the operative rate for spondylolysis has remained the same in the last decade (70% average, p = 0.52). The average CCI is 0.234, the average length of stay is 3.76 days and 92.4% of patients were discharged home. The etiology of the spondylolysis was trauma in 8.6% of patients (3.2% car crash, 1.9% pedestrian, 1.3% fall, 1.3% assault, 1.1% other transport, 1.0% sports, 0.3% motorcycle, 0.2% firearm, 0.2% bicycle; 1.9% reported multiple trauma etiologies). The most common concurrent diagnoses for all spondylolysis patients were spondylolisthesis (28%), idiopathic scoliosis (4.4%), cerebral palsy (1.9%), and spina bifida (1.8%). Four hundred and thirty patients with spondylolysis underwent surgical treatment and 40% of the surgically treated patients had spondylolisthesis. The rate of fusions was 54.9% fusions and 21% decompression, though the rate of fusions or decompressions being performed for spondylolysis has remained the same in the last decade (average fusion rate: 55%; average decompression rate: 18%; both p > 0.05). Levels fused and complications did not differ depending on whether or not decompression was performed (p > 0.05). The posterior-only approach was used in 62.2% of surgeries and were mostly 2 to 3 level procedures (63.5%). Perioperative complications occurred in 8.1% of patients, with the most common complications being device-related (2.3%), respiratory (1.5%), and digestive (1.5%)., Conclusions: The national incidence of spondylolysis has increased over time, and the surgical rate and treatment techniques have remained constant. The most common concurrent diagnoses were idiopathic scoliosis, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. Further work is required to determine the significance of these trends and associations.

Background Context: Distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) is a primary concern of surgeons correcting cervical deformity. Identifying patients and procedures at higher risk of developing this condition is paramount in improving patient selection and care., Purpose: The present study aimed to develop a risk index for DJK development in the first year after surgery., Study Design/setting: This is a retrospective review of a prospective multicenter cervical deformity database., Patient Sample: Patients over the age of 18 meeting one of the following deformities were included in the study: cervical kyphosis (C2-7 Cobb angle>10°), cervical scoliosis (coronal Cobb angle>10°), positive cervical sagittal imbalance (C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA)>4 cm or T1-C6>10°), or horizontal gaze impairment (chin-brow vertical angle>25°)., Outcome Measures: Development of DJK at any time before 1 year., Methods: Distal junctional kyphosis was defined by both clinical diagnosis (by enrolling surgeon) and post hoc identification of development of an angle<-10° from the end of fusion construct to the second distal vertebra, as well as a change in this angle by <-10° from baseline. Conditional Inference Decision Trees were used to identify factors predictive of DJK incidence and the cut-off points at which they have an effect. A conditional Variable-Importance table was constructed based on a non-replacement sampling set of 2,000 Conditional Inference Trees. Twelve influencing factors were found; binary logistic regression for each variable at significant cutoffs indicated their effect size., Results: Statistical analysis included 101 surgical patients (average age: 60.1 years, 58.3% female, body mass index: 30.2) undergoing long cervical deformity correction (mean levels fused: 7.1, osteotomy used: 49.5%, approach: 46.5% posterior, 17.8% anterior, 35.7% combined). In 2 years after surgery, 6% of patients were diagnosed with clinical DJK; however, 23.8% of patients met radiographic definition for DJK. Patients with neurologic symptoms were at risk of DJK (odds ratio [OR]: 3.71, confidence interval [CI]: 0.11-0.63). However, no significant relationship was found between osteoporosis, age, and ambulatory status with DJK incidence. Baseline radiographic malalignments were the most numerous and strong predictors for DJK: (1) C2-T1 tilt>5.33 (OR: 6.94, CI: 2.99-16.14); (2) kyphosis<-50.6° (OR: 5.89, CI: 0.07-0.43); (3) C2-C7 lordosis<-12° (OR: 5.7, CI: 0.08-0.41); (4) T1 slope minus cervical lordosis>36.4 (OR: 5.6, CI: 2.28-13.57); (5) C2-C7 SVA>56.3° (OR: 5.4, CI: 2.20-13.23); and (6) C4&#95;Tilt>56.7 (OR: 5.0, CI: 1.90-13.1). Clinically, combined approaches (OR: 2.67, CI: 1.21-5.89) and usage of Smith-Petersen osteotomy (OR: 2.55, CI: 1.02-6.34) were the most important predictors of DJK., Conclusions: In a surgical cohort of patients with cervical deformity, we found a 23.8% incidence of DJK. Different procedures and patient malalignment predicted incidence of DJK up to 1 year. Preoperative T1 slope-cervical lordosis, cervical kyphosis, SVA, and cervical lordosis all strongly predicted DJK at specific cut-off points. Knowledge of these factors will potentially help direct future study and strategy aimed at minimizing this potentially dramatic occurrence., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective analysis., Objective: To improve understanding of the impact of comorbid mental health disorders (MHDs) on long-term outcomes following cervical spinal fusion in cervical radiculopathy (CR) or cervical myelopathy (CM) patients., Summary of Background Data: Subsets of patients with CR and CM have MHDs, and their impact on surgical complications is poorly understood., Methods: Patients admitted from 2009 to 2013 with CR or CM diagnoses who underwent cervical surgery with minimum 2-year surveillance were retrospectively reviewed using New York State's Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. Patients with a comorbid MHD were compared against those without (no-MHD). Univariate analysis compared demographics, complications, readmissions, and revisions between MHD and no-MHD cohorts. Multivariate binary logistic regression models identified independent predictors of outcomes (covariates: age, sex, Charlson/Deyo score, and surgical approach)., Results: A total of 20,342 patients (MHD: n = 4819; no-MHD: n = 15,523) were included. MHDs identified: depressive (57.8%), anxiety (28.1%), sleep (25.2%), and stress (2.9%). CR patients had greater prevalence of comorbid MHD than CM patients (P = 0.015). Two years postoperatively, all patients with MHD had significantly higher rates of complications (specifically: device-related, infection), readmission for any indication, and revision surgery (all P < 0.05); regression modeling corroborated these findings and revealed combined surgical approach as the strongest predictor for any complication (CR, odds ratio [OR]: 3.945, P < 0.001; CM, OR: 2.828, P < 0.001) and MHD as the strongest predictor for future revision (CR, OR: 1.269, P = 0.001; CM, OR: 1.248, P = 0.008) in both CR and CM cohorts., Conclusion: Nearly 25% of patients admitted for CR and CM carried comorbid MHD and experienced greater rates of any complication, readmission, or revision, at minimum, 2 years after cervical spine surgery. Results must be confirmed with retrospective studies utilizing larger national databases and with prospective cohort studies. Patient counseling and psychological screening/support are recommended to complement surgical treatment., Level of Evidence: 3.

Background: Informed patient selection and counseling is key in improving surgical outcomes. Understanding the impact that certain baseline variables can have on postoperative outcomes is essential in optimizing treatment for certain symptoms, such as radiculopathy from cervical spine pathologies. The aim was to identify baseline characteristics that were related to improved or worsened postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for cervical spine radiculopathic pain., Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Patient Sample: Surgical cervical spine patients with a diagnosis classification of "degenerative." Diagnoses included in the "degenerative" category were those that caused radiculopathy: cervical disc herniation, cervical stenosis, and cervical spondylosis without myelopathy. Baseline variables considered as predictors were: (1) age, (2) body mass index (BMI), (3) gender, (4) history of cervical spine surgery, (5) baseline Neck Disability Index (NDI) score, (6) baseline SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores, (7) baseline SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, (8) Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Arm score, and (9) VAS Neck. Outcome Measures: Improvement in NDI (≥50%), VAS Arm/Neck (≥50%), SF-36 PCS/MCS (≥10%) scores at 2-years postoperative. An arm-to-neck ratio (ANR) was also generated from baseline VAS scores. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated predictors for 2-year postoperative outcome improvements, controlling for surgical complications and technique., Results: Three hundred ninety-eight patients were included. Patients with ANR ≤ 1 (n = 214) were less likely to reach improvements in 2-year NDI (30.0% vs 39.2%, P = .050) and SF-36 PCS (42.4% vs 53.5%, P = .025). Multivariate analysis for neck disability revealed higher baseline SF-36 PCS (odds ratio [OR] 1.053) and MCS (OR 1.028) were associated with over 50% improvements. Higher baseline NDI were reduced odds of postoperative neck pain improvement (OR 0.958). Arm pain greater than neck pain at baseline was associated with both increased odds of postoperative arm pain improvement (OR 1.707) and SF36 PCS improvement (OR 1.495)., Conclusions: This study identified specific symptom locations and health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores, which were associated with postoperative pain and disability improvement. In particular, baseline arm pain greater than neck pain was determined to have the greatest impact on whether patients met at least 50% improvement in their upper body pain score. These findings are important for clinicians to optimize patient outcomes through effective preoperative counseling., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: Dr. Passias reports consultancy for Medicrea and SpineWave, speaking/teaching arrangements from Zimmer-Biomet, and grant from CSRS, all outside the submitted work. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to report. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained from each contributing center prior to study initiation.

Background: The rate of mortality in surgical procedures involving the lumbar spine has historically been low, and as a result, there has been difficulty providing accurate quantitative mortality rates to patients in the preoperative planning phase. Awareness of these mortality rates is essential in reducing postoperative complications and improving outcomes. Additionally, mortality rates can be influenced by procedure type and patient profile, including demographics and comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to assess rates and risk factors associated with mortality in surgical procedures involving the lumbar spine using a large national database., Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was reviewed from 2003 to 2012. A total of 803,949 patients age 18 years or older were identified by ICD-9CM procedure codes for spinal fusion or decompression of the lumbar spine. Mortality was stratified based on type of procedure (simple or complex fusion, decompression), patient demographics and comorbidities, and in-hospital complications. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the risk of death while controlling for comorbidities, race, sex, and procedure performed. Significance was defined as P < .05 differences relative to the overall cohort., Results: Mortality for all patients requiring surgery of the lumbar spine was 0.13%. Mortality based on procedure type was 0.105% for simple fusions, 0.321% for complex fusions, and 0.081% for decompression only. Increased mortality was observed demographically in patients who were male (odds ratio [OR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-2.03), black (OR: 1.40; CI: 1.10-1.79), ages 65-74 (OR: 1.46; CI: 1.25-1.70), and age 75+ (OR: 2.70; CI: 2.30-3.17). Comorbidities associated with the greatest increase in mortality were mild (OR: 10.04; CI: 7.76-13.01) and severe (OR: 26.47; CI: 16.03-43.70) liver disease and congestive heart failure (OR: 4.57; CI: 3.77-5.53). The complications with the highest mortality rates were shock (OR: 20.67; CI: 13.89-30.56) and pulmonary embolism (OR: 20.15; CI: 14.01-29.00)., Conclusions: From 2003 to 2012, the overall mortality rate in 803,949 lumbar spine surgery patients was 0.13%. Risk factors that were significantly associated with increased mortality rates were male gender, black race, and ages 65-74 and 75+. Comorbidities associated with an increased mortality rate were mild and severe liver disease and congestive heart failure. Inpatient complications with the highest mortality rates were shock and pulmonary embolism. These findings can be helpful to surgeons providing preoperative counseling for patients considering elective lumbar procedures and for allocating resources to treat and prevent perioperative complications leading to mortality., Level of Evidence: 3., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: Gregory Wyatt Poorman, John Y. Moon, Charles Wang, Samantha R. Horn, Bryan M. Beaubrun, Olivia J. Bono, Anne-Marie Francis, and Cyrus M. Jalai all report no conflict of interest. Peter G. Passias reports consulting with Medicrea and Zimmer, unrelated to and outside of the current work. All other authors report no conflicts of interest. Given the deidentified nature of the data reported from this study, it is exempt from IRB approval.

Background: Primary drivers (PDs) of adult cervical deformity (ACD) have not been described in relation to pre- and early postoperative alignment or degree of correction., Objective: To define the PDs of ACD to understand the impact of driver region on global postoperative compensatory mechanisms., Methods: Primary cervical deformity driver/vertebral apex level were determined: CS = cervical; CTJ = cervicothoracic junction; TH = thoracic; SP = spinopelvic. Patients were evaluated if surgery included PD apex, based on the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV): CS: LIV ≤ C7, CTJ: LIV ≤ T3, TH: LIV ≤ T12. Cervical and thoracolumbar alignment was measured preoperatively and 3 mo (3M) postoperatively. PD groups were compared with analysis of variance/Pearson χ2, paired t-tests., Results: Eighty-four ACD patients met inclusion criteria. Thoracic drivers (n = 26) showed greatest preoperative cervical and global malalignment against other PD: higher thoracic kyphosis, pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL), T1 slope C2-T3 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and C0-2 angle (P < .05). Differences in baseline-3M alignment changes were observed between surgical PD groups, in PI-LL, LL, T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (TS-CL), cervical SVA, C2-T3 SVA (P < .05). Main changes were between TH and CS driver groups: TH patients had greater PI-LL (4.47° vs -0.87°, P = .049), TS-CL (-19.12° vs -4.30, P = .050), C2-C7 SVA (-18.12 vs -4.30 mm, P = .007), and C2-T3 SVA (-24.76 vs 8.50 mm, P = .002) baseline-3M correction. CTJ drivers trended toward greater LL correction compared to CS drivers (-6.00° vs 0.88°, P = .050). Patients operated at CS driver level had a difference in the prevalence of 3M TS-CL modifier grades (0 = 35.7%, 1 = 0.0%, 2 = 13.3%, P = .030). There was a significant difference in 3M chin-brow vertical angle modifier grade distribution in TH drivers (0 = 0.0%, 1 = 35.9%, 2 = 14.3%, P = .049)., Conclusion: Characterizing ACD patients by PD type reveals differences in pre- and postoperative alignment. Evaluating surgical alignment outcomes based on PD inclusion is important in understanding alignment goals for ACD correction.

CD development secondary to PJK was recently documented in adult spinal deformity patients after surgical correction for thoracolumbar ASD. This study analyzes surgical management of patients with CD secondary to proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) versus patients with primary CD. Retrospective review of multicenter cervical deformity (CD) database. CD defined as at least one of the following: C2-C7 coronal Cobb > 10°, cervical lordosis (CL) > 10°, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) > 4cm, CBVA > 25°. Patients were grouped into those with PJK (UIV +2 < -10°) prior to cervical surgery versus who don't (Non-PJK). Independent t-tests and chi-squared tests compared radiographic, clinical, and surgical metrics between PJK and non-PJK groups. Of 123 eligible CD patients, 26(21.1%) had radiographic PJK prior to cervical surgery. PJK patients had significantly greater T2-T12 thoracic kyphosis (-58.8° vs -45.0°, p = 0.002), cSVA (49.1 mm vs 38.9 mm, p = 0.020), T1 Slope (42.6° vs 28.4°, p < 0.001), TS-CL (44.1° vs 35.6°, p = 0.048), C2-T3 SVA (98.8 mm vs 75.8 mm, p = 0.015), C2 Slope (45.4° vs 36.0°, p = 0.043), and CTPA (6.4° vs 4.6°, p = 0.005). Comparing their surgeries, the PJK group had significantly more levels fused (10.7 vs 7.4, p = 0.01). There was significantly greater blood loss in PJK patients (1158 ± 1063vs 738 ± 793 cc, p = 0.028); operative time, surgical approach, and BMP-2 use were similar (all p > 0.05). PJK patients experienced higher rates of complications 30 and 90 days post-operatively (23.1% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.004; 30.8% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.026), and more instrumentation failure 30 days postoperatively (7.8% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.004). Patients with cervical deformity secondary to PJK had worse baseline CD, despite no differences in HRQL or demographics. Surgical correction of CD associated with PJK required more invasive surgery and had higher complication rates than non-PJK patients, despite achieving similar clinical outcomes., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Prior studies have observed similar health-related quality of life (HRQL) in revisions and nonrevision (NR) patients following adult spinal deformity (ASD) correction. However, a novel comparison approach may allow better comparisons in spine outcomes groups., Objective: To determine if ASD revisions for radiographic and implant-related complications undergo a different recovery than NR patients., Methods: Inclusion: ASD patients with complete HRQL (Oswestry Disability Index, Short-Form-36 version 2 (SF-36), Scoliosis Research Society [SRS]-22) at baseline, 6 wk, 1 yr, 2 yr. Generated revision groups: nonrevision (NR), revised-complete data (RC; with follow-up 2 yr after revision), and revised-incomplete data (RI; without 2-yr follow-up after revision). In a traditional analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared baseline HRQLs to follow-up changes. In a novel approach, integrated health state was normalized at baseline using area under curve analysis before ANOVA t-tests compared follow-up statuses., Results: Two hundred fifty-eight patients were included with 50 undergoing reoperations (19.4%). Rod fractures (n = 15) and proximal joint kyphosis (n = 9) were most common. In standard HRQL analysis, comparing RC index surgery and RC revision surgery HRQLS revealed no significant differences throughout the 2-yr follow-up from either the initial index or revision procedure. Using normalized HRQL/integrated health state, RI displayed worse scores in SF-36 Physical Component Score, SRS activity, and SRS appearance relative to NR (P < .05), indicating less improvement over the 2-yr period. RC were significantly worse than RI in SF-36 Mental Component Score, SRS mental, SRS satisfaction, and SRS total (P < .05)., Conclusion: ASD patients indicated for revisions for radiographic and implant-related complications differ significantly in their overall 2-yr recovery compared to NR, using a normalized integrated health state method. Traditional methods for analyzing revision patients' recovery kinetics may overlook delayed improvements.

Background Context: With advances in the understanding of adult spinal deformity (ASD), more complex osteotomy and fusion techniques are being implemented with increasing frequency. Patients undergoing ASD corrections infrequently require extended acute care, longer inpatient stays, and are discharged to supervised care. Given the necessity of value-based health care, identification of clinical indicators of adverse discharge disposition in ASD surgeries is paramount., Purpose: Using the nationwide and surgeon-created databases, the present study aimed to identify predictors of adverse discharge disposition after ASD surgeries and view the corresponding differences in charges., Study Design/setting: This is a retrospective analysis of patients on the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database and of cost data from Medicare PearlDiver Database., Patient Sample: Patients undergoing thoracolumbar surgery for correction of ASD were included in the study., Outcome Measures: Primary analysis was performed to compare patients discharged to home with patients who either expired or were discharged to locations other than home. Secondary analysis was performed to determine the cost differences across discharge groups., Methods: Patients on NSQIP undergoing thoracolumbar ASD-corrective surgery with a primary diagnosis of scoliosis (ICD-9 code 737.x) and over the age of 18 were isolated. Predictors (demographic, clinical, and complications) of not-home (NH; rehab or skilled nursing facility) discharge were analyzed using binary logistic regression controlling for levels fused, decompressions, osteotomies, and revisions. Average 30- and 90-day costs of care were reported in home, rehab, and skilled nursing facility discharge groups in patients undergoing 8+ level thoracolumbar fusion., Results: A total of 1,978 patients undergoing lumbar ASD-corrective surgery were included for analysis (average age: 59.3 years, sex: 64% female). Average length of stay was 6.58 days. On multivariate regression analysis, age over 60 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.28, confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.34) and female sex (p=.003) were independent predictors of adverse discharge status. Partially dependent preoperational functional status, defined as reliance on another person to complete some activities of daily living, increased likelihood of adverse discharge disposition (OR: 0.57, CI: 0.35-0.90). Despite controlling for all clinical variables except for the ones specific to each analysis, Smith-Petersen osteotomy (OR: 0.51, CI: 0.40-0.64), interbody device placement (OR: 0.80, CI: 0.64-0.98), and fixation to the iliac (OR: 0.54, CI: 0.41-0.70) increased the likelihood of adverse discharge. Complications most associated with adverse discharge were urinary tract infections (OR: 0.34, CI: 0.21-0.57) and blood transfusions (OR: 0.42, CI: 0.34-0.52). Relative to home discharge, 30-day costs of care were +$21,061 more expensive in rehab discharges, but not different in skilled nursing facility discharges (+$5,791, p=.177). The 90-day costs of care were $23,815 in rehab discharges (p<.001), but again not different from skilled nursing facility discharges (+$6,091, p=.212)., Conclusions: Discharge destination to rehabilitation has a significant impact on the cost of thoracolumbar ASD surgeries. Patient selection can predict patients at higher risk of discharges to rehab or skilled nursing facility., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is a well-documented complication, but associations between radiographic PJK and cervical malalignment onset remain unexplored., Objective: To study cervical malalignment in ASD surgical patients that develop PJK., Methods: Retrospective review of prospective multicenter database. Inclusion: primary ASD patients (≥5 levels fused, upper instrumented vertebra [UIV] at T2 or above, and 1-yr minimum follow-up) without baseline cervical deformity (CD), defined as ≥2 of the following criteria: T1 slope minus cervical lordosis < 20°, cervical sagittal vertical axis < 4 cm, C2-C7 cervical lordosis < 10°. PJK presence (<10° change in UIV and UIV + 2 kyphosis) and angle were identified 1 yr postoperative. Propensity score matching between PJK and nonPJK groups controlled for baseline alignment. Preoperative and 1-yr postoperative cervical alignment were compared between PJK and nonPJK patients., Results: One hundred sixty-three patients without baseline CD (54.9 yr, 83.9% female) were included. PJK developed in 60 (36.8%) patients, with 27 (45%) having UIV above T7. PJK patients had significantly greater baseline T1 slope in unmatched and propensity score matching comparisons (P < .05). At 1 yr postoperative, PJK patients had significantly higher T1 slope (P < .001), C2-T3 Cobb (P = .04), and C2-T3 sagittal vertical axis (P = .02). New-onset CD rate in PJK patients was 15%, and 16.5% in nonPJK patients (P > .05). Increased PJK magnitude was associated with increasing T1 slope and C2-T3 SVA (P < .05)., Conclusion: Patients who develop PJK following surgical correction of ASD have a 15% incidence of development of new-onset CD. Patients developing PJK following surgical correction of ASD tend to have an increased preoperative T1 slope. Increased progression of C2-T3 Cobb angle and C2-T3 SVA are associated with development of PJK following surgical correction of thoracolumbar deformity.

Background Context: Cost-utility analysis, a special case of cost-effectiveness analysis, estimates the ratio between the cost of an intervention to the benefit it produces in number of quality-adjusted life years. Cervical deformity correction has not been evaluated in terms of cost-utility and in the context of value-based health care. Our objective, therefore, was to determine the cost-utility ratio of cervical deformity correction., Study Design: This is a retrospective review of a prospective, multicenter cervical deformity database. Patients with 1-year follow-up after surgical correction for cervical deformity were included. Cervical deformity was defined as the presence of at least one of the following: kyphosis (C2-C7 Cobb angle >10°), cervical scoliosis (coronal Cobb angle >10°), positive cervical sagittal malalignment (C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis >4 cm or T1-C6 >10°), or horizontal gaze impairment (chin-brow vertical angle >25°). Quality-adjusted life years were calculated by both EuroQol 5D (EQ5D) quality of life and Neck Disability Index (NDI) mapped to short form six dimensions (SF6D) index. Costs were assigned using Medicare 1-year average reimbursement for: 9+ level posterior fusions (PF), 4-8 level PF, 4-8 level PF with anterior fusion (AF), 2-3 level PF with AF, 4-8 level AF, and 4-8 level posterior refusion. Reoperations and deaths were added to cost and subtracted from utility, respectively. Quality-adjusted life year per dollar spent was calculated using standardized methodology at 1-year time point and subsequent time points relying on maintenance of 1-year utility., Results: Eighty-four patients (average age: 61.2 years, 60% female, body mass index [BMI]: 30.1) were analyzed after cervical deformity correction (average levels fused: 7.2, osteotomy used: 50%). Costs associated with index procedures were 9+ level PF ($76,617), 4-8 level PF ($40,596), 4-8 level PF with AF ($67,098), 4-8 level AF ($31,392), and 4-8 level posterior refusion ($35,371). Average 1-year reimbursement of surgery was $55,097 at 1 year with eight revisions and three deaths accounted for. Cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained to 1-year follow-up was $646,958 by EQ5D and $477,316 by NDI SF6D. If 1-year benefit is sustained, upper threshold of cost-effectiveness is reached 3-4.5 years after intervention., Conclusions: Medicare 1-year average reimbursement compared with 1-year QALYdescribed $646,958 by EQ5D and $477,316 by NDI SF6D. Cervical deformity surgeries reach accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds when benefit is sustained 3-4.5 years. Longer follow-up is needed for a more definitive cost-analysis, but these data are an important first step in justifying cost-utility ratio for cervical deformity correction., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Risk of death is important in counseling patients and improving quality of care. Incidence of death in cervical surgery is not firmly established due to its rarity and limited sample sizes, particularly in the context of different surgeries, demographics, and risk factors. Particularly, different patient risk profiles may have varying degrees of risk in terms of surgeries, comorbidities, and demographics. This study aims to use a large patient cohort available on a national database to study the prevalence of death associated with cervical spine surgery., Methods: This study was a retrospective review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) years 2003-2012. A total of 342 477 patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes undergoing spinal fusion or decompression for disc degeneration, stenosis, spondylosis, myelopathy, postlaminectomy syndrome, scoliosis, or neck pain associated with the cervical region. Patients with malignancy were excluded from analysis. Incidence of mortality was assessed by χ 2 tests across different patient demographics and comorbidities, procedures performed, and concurrent in-hospital complications. Binary logistic regression identified significant increases or decreases in risk of death while controlling for comorbidities, race, sex, and Mirza invasiveness. Significance was defined as P < .05 differences relative to overall cohort., Results: The study analyzed 342 477 patients with an overall mortality rate of 0.32%. A total of 231 977 simple fusions (single approach and <3 levels) experienced a mortality rate of 0.256%; 49 594 complex fusions (combined approach or ≥3 levels) had a mortality rate of 0.534%; and 61 285 decompression-only procedures reported a 0.424% mortality rate, all P < .001 from overall rate. In reporting rates across different demographics, male patients experienced a significantly higher risk for mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.16; 95% CI, 1.87-4.49), as did black patients (OR, 1.58; CI, 1.32-1.90) and patients over age 75 (OR, 7.55; 95% CI, 6.58-8.65), all P < .001. Patients with liver disease reported 6.40% mortality. Similarly, patients with congestive heart failure (3.91%), cerebrovascular disease (3.41%), and paraplegia (3.79%) experienced high mortality rates, all in cohorts of over 2000 patients, all P < .001. Concurrent in-hospital complications with the highest risk of mortality were shock (OR, 51.41; 95% CI, 24.08-109.76), pulmonary embolism (OR, 25.01; 95% CI, 14.70-42.56), and adult respiratory distress disorder (OR, 14.94; 95% CI, 12.75-17.52), all P < .001., Conclusion: In 342 477 cervical spine surgery patients an overall mortality rate of 0.32% was reported. The rate was 3.91% in a cohort of 5933 patients with congestive heart failure and 3.79% in a cohort of 6947 patients with paraplegia. These findings are consistent with previous estimates and may help counsel patients and improve in-hospital safety., Level of Evidence: 3., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: Gregory Wyatt Poorman, John Y. Moon, Samantha R. Horn, Cyrus Jalai, Peter L. Zhou, and Olivia Bono all report no conflict of interest. Peter G. Passias, the corresponding author, reports consulting with Medicrea and Zimmer, unrelated to and outside of the current work. Given the deidentified nature of the data reported from this study, it is exempt from IRB approval.

Background: Effects of nonoperative treatments on surgical outcomes for patients who failed conservative management for cervical spine pathologies remain unknown. The objective is to describe conservative modality use in patients indicated for surgery for degenerative cervical spine conditions and its impact on perioperative outcomes., Methods: The current study comprises a retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database. A total of 1522 patients with 1- to 2-level degenerative cervical pathology who were undergoing surgical intervention were included. Outcome measures used were health-related quality-of-life scores, length of hospitalization, estimated blood loss, length of surgery, and return-to-work status at 2 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Patients were grouped by diagnosis (radiculopathy vs. myelopathy), then divided based on epidural injection(s), physical therapy (PT), or opioid use prior to enrollment. Univariate t -tests and χ 2 tests were performed to determine differences between groups and impact on outcomes., Results: Among 1319 radiculopathy patients, 25.7% received preoperative epidural injections, 35.3% received PT, and 35.5% received opioids. Radiculopathy patients who received epidurals and PT had higher 1-year postoperative return-to-work rates ( P  < .05). Radiculopathy patients without preoperative PT had longer hospitalization times, whereas those who received PT had higher 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical functioning and physical component scores, lower 2-year visual analog scale (VAS) neck/arm pain scores, and higher 2-year return-to-work incidence ( P  < .05). Of myelopathy patients (n = 203), 14.8% received epidural injections, 25.1% received opioids, and 41.5% received PT. Myelopathy patients with preoperative PT had worse VAS arm pain scores 2 years postoperatively ( P  < .05). Patients receiving opioids were younger and had greater baseline-2-year Neck Disability Index improvement ( P  < .05)., Conclusions: Radiculopathy patients receiving epidurals returned to work after 1 year more frequently. PT was associated with shorter hospitalizations, greater SF-36 bodily pain norm and physical component score improvements, and increased return-to-work rates after 1 and 2 years. No statistically significant nonoperative treatment was associated with return-to-work rate in myelopathy patients., Clinical Relevance: These findings suggest certain preoperative conservative treatment modalities are associated with improved outcomes in radiculopathy patients., Competing Interests: Disclosures and COI: M.C.G. reports a past history of personal fees from Paradigm Spine and Stryker Spine, outside the submitted work. K.R. reports personal fees from Globus Medical, 4 Web Medical, Medtronic Advanced Energy, DePuy, Globus, LDR, Orthopedic Sciences Inc., NuVasive, and NEXXT Spine, and grants from Pacira Pharmaceuticals, outside the submitted work; nonfinancial disclosure includes serving on the board of directors at Association for Collaborative Spinal Research and the scientific advisory board of 4 Web Medical, outside the submitted work. R.I. reports grants and personal fees from NuVasive Inc., and personal fees from the Association for Collaborative Spine Research, and serves as a scientific advisor for Providence Medical Technology, outside the submitted work. P.M.A. reports personal fees and nonfinancial support from Evoke Medical and Z-Plasty; personal fees from Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Stryker Spine, and Fzio Med; and travel reimbursement from AOSpine North America, outside the submitted work. A.R.V. reports personal fees from Medtronic, Striker Spine, Biomet Spine, Globus, Aesculap, Thieme, Jaypee, Elsevier, Taylor Francis, DePuy, Medtronic, Gerson Lehrman Group, Guidepoint Global, Medacorp, Innovative Surgical Design, and Orthobullets; expert testimony for Ellipse and Vertex; and stock ownership in Replication Medica, Paradigm Spine, Stout Medical, Progressive Spinal Technologies Advanced Spinal Intellectual Properties, Spine Medica, Computational Biodynamics, Spinology, Small Bone Innovations, Cross Current, In Vivo, Flagship Surgical, Cytonics, Bonovo Orthopaedics, Electrocore, Gamma Spine, Location Based Intelligence, FlowPharma, R.S.I, Rothman Institute and Related Properties, Innovative Surgical Design, and Avaz Surgical, outside the submitted work; and nonfinancial disclosure includes serving on the scientific advisory board for AOSpine, Innovative Surgical Design, and the Association for Collaborative Spine Research, outside the submitted work. P.G.P. reports nonfinancial support from Medicrea and personal fees from Zimmer Biomet, outside the submitted work.

Optimizing functional outcomes and disability status are essential for effective surgical treatment of cervical spine disorders. Mental impairment is common among patients with cervical spine complaints; yet little is known about the impact of baseline mental status with respect to overall patient-reported outcomes. This was a retrospective analysis of patients with cervical spondylosis with myelopathy(CM) or radiculopathy(CR: cervical disc herniation, stenosis, or spondylosis without myelopathy) at 2-year follow-ups. Patients were assessed for several health-related quality of life HRQOL) measures at baseline and 24-months post-operatively: Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Short Form-36(SF) Physical(PCS) and Mental(MCS) Components. Patients were dichotomized by MCS score: LOW-MCS(SF-MCS < 40th percentile) vs. HIGH-MCS(SF-MCS > 60th percentile). Independent and paired t-tests compared improvement in each group for HIGH-MCS and LOW-MCS cohorts. 375 patients were analyzed(65.4yrs, 67.6%F). LOW-MCS radiculopathy patients showed significant improvement in NDI, VAS Neck and Arm Pain(p < 0.05). HIGH-MCS radiculopathy patients showed greater improvement in NDI score, VAS Neck and Arm Pain, and improvement in PCS(all p < 0.05). Comparing baseline and 2-year follow-up, LOW-MCS CM patients showed significant improvement in PCS, NDI, VAS Neck and Arm Pain(p < 0.05). HIGH-MCS myelopathy patients group showed marked improvement in NDI scores, VAS Neck and Arm Pain(p < 0.05). LOW-MCS CR patients were more likely to be less satisfied 2-years post-op(p < 0.001). Postoperative CR patients with lower baseline mental status saw less improvement and significantly worse outcomes than patients with higher baseline mental status. Improving baseline mental health may improve post-operative recovery. Implementing additional screening and care can optimize functional outcomes and disability status for patients with CR., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac anomalies are prevalent in patients with bony spinal anomalies. Prior studies evaluating incidences of bony congenital anomalies of the spine are limited. The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) yields national discharge estimates of rare pediatric conditions like congenital disorders. This study utilized cluster analysis to study patterns of concurrent vertebral anomalies, anal atresia, cardiac malformations, trachea-esophageal fistula, renal dysplasia, and limb anomalies (VACTERL anomalies) co-occurring in patients with spinal congenital anomalies., Methods: Retrospective review of KID 2003-2012. KID-supplied hospital- and year-adjusted weights allowed for incidence assessment of bony spinal anomalies and cardiac, gastrointestinal, urinary anomalies of VACTERL. K-means clustering assessed relationships between most frequent anomalies within bony spinal anomaly discharges; k set to n - 1(n = first incidence of significant drop/little gain in sum of square errors within clusters)., Results: There were 12,039,432 KID patients 0-20 years. Incidence per 100,000 discharges: 2.5 congenital fusion of spine, 10.4 hemivertebra, 7.0 missing vertebra. The most common anomalies co-occurring with bony vertebral malformations were atrial septal defect (ASD 12.3%), large intestinal atresia (LIA 11.8%), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA 10.4%). Top congenital cardiac anomalies in vertebral anomaly patients were ASD, PDA, and ventricular septal defect (VSD); all three anomalies co-occur at 6.6% rate in this vertebral anomaly population. Cluster analysis revealed that of bony anomaly discharges, 55.9% of those with PDA had ASD, 34.2% with VSD had PDA, 22.9% with LIA had ASD, 37.2% with ureter obstruction had LIA, and 35.5% with renal dysplasia had LIA., Conclusions: In vertebral anomaly patients, the most common co-occurring congenital anomalies were cardiac, renal, and gastrointestinal. Top congenital cardiac anomalies in vertebral anomaly patients were ASD, PDA, and VSD. VACTERL patients with vertebral anomalies commonly presented alongside cardiac and renal anomalies.

Study Design: Retrospective review., Objective: Determine whether alignment or myelopathy improvement drives patient outcomes after cervical deformity (CD) corrective surgery., Summary of Background Data: CD correction involves radiographic malalignment correction and procedures to improve motor function and pain. It is unknown whether alignment or myelopathy improvement drives patient outcomes., Methods: Inclusion: Patients with CD with baseline/1-year radiographic and outcome scores. Cervical alignment improvement was defined by improvement in Ames CD modifiers. modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) improvement was defined as mild [15-17], moderate [12-14], severe [<12]. Patient groups included those who only improved in alignment, those who only improved in mJOA, those who improved in both, and those who did not improve. Changes in quality-of-life scores (neck disability index [NDI], EuroQuol-5 dimensions [EQ-5D], mJOA) were evaluated between groups., Results: A total of 70 patients (62 yr, 51% F) were included. Overall preoperative mJOA score was 13.04 ± 2.35. At baseline, 21 (30%) patients had mild myelopathy, 33 (47%) moderate, and 16 (23%) severe. Out of 70 patients 30 (44%) improved in mJOA and 13 (18.6%) met 1-year mJOA minimal clinically important difference. Distribution of improvement groups: 16/70 (23%) alignment-only improvement, 13 (19%) myelopathy-only improvement, 18 (26%) alignment and myelopathy improvement, and 23 (33%) no improvement. EQ-5D improved in 11 of 16 (69%) alignment-only patients, 11 of 18 (61%) myelopathy/alignment improvement, 13 of 13 (100%) myelopathy-only, and 10 of 23 (44%) no myelopathy/alignment improvement. There were no differences in decompression, baseline alignment, mJOA, EQ-5D, or NDI between groups. Patients who improved only in myelopathy showed significant differences in baseline-1Y EQ-5D (baseline: 0.74, 1 yr:0.83, P < 0.001). One-year C2-S1 sagittal vertical axis (SVA; mJOA r = -0.424, P = 0.002; EQ-5D r = -0.261, P = 0.050; NDI r = 0.321, P = 0.015) and C7-S1 SVA (mJOA r = -0.494, P < 0.001; EQ-5D r = -0.284, P = 0.031; NDI r = 0.334, P = 0.010) were correlated with improvement in health-related qualities of life., Conclusion: After CD-corrective surgery, improvements in myelopathy symptoms and functional score were associated with superior 1-year patient-reported outcomes. Although there were no relationships between cervical-specific sagittal parameters and patient outcomes, global parameters of C2-S1 SVA and C7-S1 SVA showed significant correlations with overall 1-year mJOA, EQ-5D, and NDI. These results highlight myelopathy improvement as a key driver of patient-reported outcomes, and confirm the importance of sagittal alignment in patients with CD., Level of Evidence: 3.

Background Context: Obesity as a comorbidity in spine pathology may increase the risk of complications following surgical treatment. The body mass index (BMI) threshold at which obesity becomes clinically relevant, and the exact nature of that effect, remains poorly understood., Purpose: Identify the BMI that independently predicts risk of postoperative complications following lumbar spine surgery., Study Design/setting: Retrospective review of the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) years 2011-2013., Patient Sample: A total of 31,763 patients were undergoing arthrodesis, discectomy, laminectomy, laminoplasty, corpectomy, or osteotomy of the lumbar spine., Outcome Measures: Complication rates., Methods: The patient sample was categorized preoperatively by BMI according to the World Health Organization stratification: underweight (BMI <18.5), normal overweight (BMI 20.0-29.9), obesity class 1 (BMI 30.0-34.9), 2 (BMI 35.0-39.9), and 3 (BMI≥40). Patients were dichotomized based on their position above or below the 75th surgical invasiveness index (SII) percentile cutoff into low-SII and high-SII. Differences in complication rates in BMI groups were analyzed by Bonferroni analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Multivariate binary logistic regression evaluated relationship between BMI and complication categories in all patients and in high-SII and low-SII surgeries., Results: Controlling for baseline difference in SII, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, complications significantly increased at a BMI of 35 kg/m 2 . The odds ratios for any complication (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval {CI}]; obesity 2: 1.218 [1.020-1.455]; obesity 3: 1.742 [1.439-2.110]), infection (obesity 2: 1.335 [1.110-1.605]; obesity 3: 1.685 [1.372-2.069]), and surgical complication (obesity 2: 1.622 [1.250-2.104]; obesity 3: 2.798 [2.154-3.634]) were significantly higher in obesity classes 2 and 3 relative to the normal-overweight cohort (all p<.05)., Conclusion: There is a significant increase in complications, specifically infection and surgical complications, in patients with BMI≥35 following lumbar spine surgery, with that rate further increasing with BMI≥40., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Surgical treatment for spinal metastasis has benefited from improvements in surgical techniques. However, the trends in treatment and outcomes for spinal metastasis surgery have not been well-established in a pediatric population. Patients <20 years old with metastatic spinal tumors undergoing spinal surgery were identified in the KID database. Trends for spinal metastases treatment and patient outcomes were analyzed using weight-adjusted ANOVAs. 333 patients were identified in the KID database. The top five primary diagnoses were metastatic brain/spinal cord tumor (19.8%), metastatic nervous system tumor (15.9%), metastatic bone cancer (13.2%), spinal cord tumor (4.2%), and tumor of ventricles (3.0%). There was an increased incidence of spinal metastasis diagnoses from 2003 to 2012 (88.5-117.9 per 100,000; p < 0.001) and an increased trend in the incidence of surgical treatment for spinal metastasis from 2003 to 2012 (p = 0.014). The average age was 10.19 ± 6.33 years old and 38.4% were female. The average length of stay was 17.34 ± 24.36 days. Average CCI increased over time (2003: 7.87 ± 1.40, 2012: 8.44 ± 1.39; p = 0.006). The most common surgeries were excision of spinal cord/meninges lesions (69.1%) and decompression of spinal canal (38.1%). Length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality did not change over time (17.34-18.04 days, p = 0.337; 1.6%-2.9%, p = 0.801). 10.5% of patients underwent a posterior fusion and 22.2% had at least one complication (nervous system, respiratory, dysphagia, infection). The overall complication rate remained stable over time (23.4%-21.8%, p = 0.952). Surgical treatment for spinal metastasis in the last decade has increased, though the complication rates, in-hospital mortality, and length of stay have remained stable., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous studies have built a foundation for understanding compensation in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) by using full-body stereographic assessments. These mechanisms, in relation to age-adjusted alignment targets, have yet to be studied fully. The aim of this study was to assess lower-limb compensatory mechanisms of patients failing to meet age-adjusted alignment goals., Methods: Patients with ASD ≥40 years with full body baseline and follow-up radiographs were included. Patients were stratified by age (40-65 years, >65 years) and spinopelvic correction. Lower-limb compensation parameters (pelvic shift, hip extension, knee flexion [KA], ankle flexion [AA], and global sagittal angle [GSA]) for patients who matched and failed to match age-adjusted alignment targets were compared with analysis of variance and t-test analysis., Results: In total, 108 patients were included. At 1 year, AA increased with age in the "match" pelvic tilt (PT) and spinopelvic mismatch (PI-LL) cohorts (PT: AA, 5.6-7.8, P = 0.041; PI-LL: 4.9-8.8, P = 0.026). KA, AA, and GSA increased with age in the "match" sagittal vertical axis (SVA) cohort (KA: 3.8-13.1, P = 0.002; AA: 5.8-10.2, P = 0.008; GSA: 3.9-7.8, P < 0.001), as did KA and GSA in the "match" T1 pelvic angle group (KA: 1.8-8.7, P = 0.020; GSA: 2.6-5.7, P = 0.004)., Conclusions: Greater compensation captured by KA and GSA was associated with age progression in the "match" SVA and T1 pelvic angle cohorts. In addition, older SVA, PT, and PI-LL "match" cohorts used increased AA, suggesting that ideal postoperative alignment of aged individuals with ASD involves increased compensation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Current health-related quality of life (HRQL) metrics used to assess patient outcomes following surgical correction of cervical deformity (CD) are not deformity-specific and thus cannot capture all aspects of a patient's deformity and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity of different HRQL outcome measures in assessing CD patients' outcomes 1-year post-operatively., Methods: Retrospective review of prospective multi-center database. Inclusion criteria: CD patients ≥18 yrs with pre- and 1-year post-operative radiographs and HRQLs [modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA), EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ-5D), neck disability index (NDI)]. Associations between changes in EQ5D and NDI with improvement at 1-year in mJOA scores were assessed by whether or not the patient met the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) as well as whether or not they improved by one or more categories (i.e., change from moderate to mild). Odds ratios reported with 95% confidence intervals., Results: Sixty-three CD patients were included (mean 62 y, 55.6% F). Average baseline NDI scores were 46.75, mJOA was 13.68, and EQ-5D 0.74. Overall baseline myelopathy breakdown: none-9.5%, mild-30.2%, moderate-42.9%, high-17.5%. At 1-year, 46% of patients improved in mJOA, 71.4% NDI, and 65.1% EQ-5D. 19% of patients met mJOA MCID, 44.4% NDI MCID, 19% EQ-5D MCID. One-point improvement in NDI increased the odds of mJOA improvement and reaching mJOA MCID (improvement: OR, 1.06, CI: 1.01-1.10, P=0.01; MCID: OR, 1.06, CI: 1.02-1.11, P=0.006). Improvement in EQ-5D by 0.1 increased the odds of improving in mJOA and reaching mJOA MCID at 1-year (improvement: OR, 3.85, CI: 1.51-9.76, P=0.005; MCID: OR, 3.88, CI: 1.52-9.88, P=0.005). While correlations exist between outcome measures, when modeling these outcomes while controlling for confounders including cSVA change, surgical invasiveness, age and CCI, these HRQLs were not strongly correlated., Conclusions: Improvements in functional outcomes, as defined by mJOA score, were correlated with changes in neck based disability and general health state, defined by NDI and EQ-5D respectively. In an adjusted model, however, these direct relationships were not maintained. A CD-specific HRQL might be more useful for surgeons in assessing patient outcomes using a single metric., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Background: This study aims to describe properties of adult spinal deformity (ASD) revisions relative to primary surgeries and determine clinical variables that can predict revision. ASD is a common pathology that can lead to decreased quality of life, pain, physical limitations, and dissatisfaction with self-image. Durability of interventions for deformity treatment is of paramount concern to surgeons, as revision rates remain high., Methods: Patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion, five or more levels, for scoliosis (primary diagnosis ICD-9 737.x) were identified on a state-wide database. Primary and revision (returning for re-fusion procedure) surgeries were compared based on demographic, hospital stay, and clinical characteristics. Differences between primary and revision surgeries, and predictors of primary surgeries requiring revision, utilized binary logistic regression controlling for age, comorbidity burden, and levels fused., Results: A total of 1,063 patients (average 7.4 levels fused, mean age: 47.6 years, 69.0% female) undergoing operative treatment for ASD were identified, of which 123 (average 7.1 levels fused, 11.6%, mean age 61.43, 80.5% female) had surgical revision. Primary surgeries were ~0.3 levels longer (P=0.013), used interbody ~11% more frequently (P=0.020), and used BMP ~12% less frequently (P=0.008). Revisions occurred 176.4 days after the primary on average. The most frequent causes of revisions were: 43.09% implant failure, 24.39% acquired kyphosis, and 14.63% enduring scoliosis. After controlling for age, comorbidities, and levels fused older, more comorbid, female, and white-race patients were more likely to be revised. Upon multivariate regression, after controlling for age and levels fused, overall complications remained non-different (OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.2). However, revision remained an independent predictor for infection (OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.8-10.5)., Conclusions: In a statewide database with individual patient follow up of up to 4 years 10% of ASD patients undergoing scoliosis correction required revision. Revision surgeries had higher infection incidence., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: Dr. PG Passias discloses consulting agreements with Medicrea, Zimmer Biomet, and Spinewave, as well as scientific advisory board membership with Allosource. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report incidence of cardiopulmonary complications in elective spine surgery, demographic and surgical predictors, and outcomes. Understanding the risks and predictors of these sentinel events is important for risk evaluation, allocation of hospital resources, and counseling patients., Methods: A retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was performed on 60 964 patients undergoing elective spine surgery (any region; laminectomy, arthrodesis, discectomy, or laminoplasty) between 2011 and 2013. Incidence of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, unplanned reintubation, on ventilator >48 hours, perioperative pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism was measured. Demographic and surgical predictors of cardiopulmonary complications and associated outcomes (length of stay, discharge disposition, and mortality) were measured using binary logistic regression controlling for confounders., Results: Incidence rates per 1000 elective spine patients were 2.1 myocardial infarctions, 1.3 cardiac arrests, 4.3 unplanned intubations, 3.5 on ventilator >48 hours, 6.1 perioperative pneumonia, and 3.7 pulmonary embolisms. In analysis of procedure, diagnosis, and approach risk factors, thoracic cavity (odds ratio = 2.47; confidence interval = 1.95-3.12), scoliosis diagnosis, and combined approach (odds ratio = 1.51; confidence interval = 1.15-1.96) independently added the most risk for cardiopulmonary complication. Cardiac arrest had the highest mortality rate (34.57%). Being on ventilator greater than 48 hours resulted in the greatest increase to length of stay (17.58 days)., Conclusions: Expected risk factors seen in the Revised Cardiac Risk Index were applicable in the context of spine surgery. Surgical planning should take into account patients who are at higher risk for cardiopulmonary complications and the implications they have on patient outcome., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Chiari malformations type 1 (CM-1), a developmental anomaly of the posterior fossa, usually presents in adolescence or early adulthood. There are few studies on the national incidence of CM-1, taking into account outcomes based on concurrent diagnoses. To quantify trends in treatment and associated diagnoses, as retrospective review of the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) from 2003-2012 was conducted., Methods: Patients aged 0-20 with primary diagnosis of CM-1 in the KID database were identified. Demographics and concurrent diagnoses were analyzed using chi-squared and t -tests for categorical and numerical variables, respectively. Trends in diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA)., Results: Five thousand four hundred and thirty-eight patients were identified in the KID database with a primary diagnosis of CM-1 (10.5 years, 55% female). CM-1 primary diagnoses have increased over time (45 to 96 per 100,000). CM-1 patients had the following concurrent diagnoses: 23.8% syringomyelia/syringobulbia, 11.5% scoliosis, 5.9% hydrocephalus, 2.2% tethered cord syndrome. Eighty-three point four percent of CM-1 patients underwent surgical treatment, and rate of surgical treatment for CM-1 increased from 2003-2012 (66% to 72%, P<0.001) though complication rate decreased (7% to 3%, P<0.001) and mortality rates remained constant. Seventy percent of surgeries involved decompression-only, which increased neurologic complications compared to fusions (P=0.039). Cranial decompressions decreased from 2003-2012 (42.2-30.5%) while spinal decompressions increased (73.1-77.4%). Fusion rates have increased over time (0.45% to 1.8%) and are associated with higher complications than decompression-only (11.9% vs. 4.7%). Seven point four percent of patients experienced at least one peri-operative complication (nervous system, dysphagia, respiratory most common). Patients with concurrent hydrocephalus had increased; nervous system, respiratory and urinary complications (P<0.006) and syringomyelia increased the rate of respiratory complications (P=0.037)., Conclusions: CM-1 diagnoses have increased in the last decade. Despite the decrease in overall complication rates, fusions are becoming more common and are associated with higher peri-operative complication rates. Commonly associated diagnoses including syringomyelia and hydrocephalus, can dramatically increase complication rates., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: Dr. PG Passias reports personal consulting fees for Spinewave, Zimmer Biomet, and Medicrea, grants to the institution from the Cervical Spine Research Society. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Retrospective review of National Inpatient Sample (2000-2012) revealed that 31.28% of musculoskeletal (MSK) patients were found to have in-hospital psychological burdens (PBs). Adult spinal deformity (ASD), degenerative disc disease (DDD) and lung cancer patients had highest PB-prevalence. MSK patients with PB were more often young, white females with increased Deyo index compared to no-PB patients. Patients who underwent spinal revision procedures had higher PB rates than with primary procedures; a converse trend was observed for total hip/knee arthroplasty. Psychological disorders were identified as significant predictors of increased total-hospital charges. Augmenting counseling with psychological screening/support is recommended to complement MSK management.

Objective: The causes and epidemiology of traumatic cervical spine fracture have not been described with sufficient power or recency. Our goal is to describe demographics, incidence, cause, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), concurrent injuries, treatments, and complications of traumatic cervical spine fractures., Methods: A retrospective review was carried out of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision E-codes identified trauma cases from 2005 to 2013. Patients with cervical fracture were isolated. Demographics, incidence, cause, fracture levels, concurrent injuries, surgical procedures, and complications were analyzed. t tests elucidated significance for continuous variables and χ 2 for categorical variables. Level of significance was P < 0.05., Results: A total of 488,262 patients were isolated (age, 55.96 years; male, 60.0%; white, 77.5%). Incidence (2005, 4.1% vs. 2013, 5.4%), Charlson Comorbidity Index (2005, 0.6150 vs. 2013, 1.1178), and total charges (2005, $71,228.60 vs. 2013, $108,119.29) have increased since 2005, whereas length of stay decreased (2005, 9.22 vs. 2013, 7.86) (all P < 0.05). The most common causes were motor vehicle accident (29.3%), falls (23.7%), and pedestrian accidents (15.7%). The most frequent fracture types were closed at C2 (32.0%) and C7 (20.9%). Concurrent injury rates have significantly increased since 2005 (2005, 62.3% vs. 2013, 67.6%). Common concurrent injuries included fractures to the rib/sternum/larynx/trachea (19.6%). Overall fusion rates have increased since 2005 (2005, 15.7% vs. 2013, 18.0%), whereas decompressions and halo insertion rates have decreased (all P < 0.05). SCIs have significantly decreased since 2005, except for upper cervical central cord syndrome. Complication rates have significantly increased since 2005 (2005, 31.6% vs. 2013, 36.2%). Common complications included anemia (7.7%), mortality (6.6%), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (6.6%)., Conclusions: Incidence, complications, concurrent injuries, and fusions have increased since 2005. Length of stay, SCIs, decompressions, and halo insertions have decreased. Indicated trends should guide future research in management guidelines., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background Context: Non-operative management is a common initial treatment for patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) despite reported superiority of surgery with regard to outcomes. Ineffective medical care is a large source of resource drain on the health system. Characterization of patients with ASD likely to elect for operative treatment from non-operative management may allow for more efficient patient counseling and cost savings., Purpose: This study aimed to identify deformity and disability characteristics of patients with ASD who ultimately convert to operative treatment compared with those who remain non-operative and those who initially choose surgery., Study Design/setting: A retrospective review was carried out., Patient Sample: A total of 510 patients with ASD (189 non-operative, 321 operative) with minimum 2-year follow-up comprised the patient sample., Outcome Measures: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short-Form 36 Health Assessment (SF-36), Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-22r), and spinopelvic radiographic alignment were the outcome measures., Methods: Demographic, radiographic, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) from a cohort of patients with ASD prospectively enrolled into a multicenter database were evaluated. Patients were divided into three treatment cohorts: Non-operative (NON=initial non-operative treatment and remained non-operative), Operative (OP=initial operative treatment), and Crossover (CROSS=initial non-operative treatment with subsequent conversion to operative treatment). NON and OP groups were propensity score-matched (PSM) to CROSS for baseline demographics (age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index). Time to crossover was divided into early (<1 year) and late (>1 year). Outcome measures were compared across and within treatment groups at four time points (baseline, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years)., Results: Following PSM, 118 patients were included (NON=39, OP=38, CROSS=41). Crossover rate was 21.7% (41/189). Mean time to crossover was 394 days. All groups had similar baseline sagittal alignment, but CROSS had larger pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch than NON (11.9° vs. 3.1°, p=.032). CROSS and OP had similar baseline PROM scores; however, CROSS had worse baseline ODI, PCS, SRS-22r (p<.05). At time of crossover, CROSS had worse ODI (35.7 vs. 27.8) and SRS Satisfaction (2.6 vs. 3.3) compared with NON (p<.05). Alignment remained similar for CROSS from baseline to conversion; however, PROMs (ODI, PCS, SRS Activity/Pain/Total) worsened (p<.05). Early and late crossover evaluation demonstrated CROSS-early (n=25) had worsening ODI, SRS Activity/Pain at time of crossover (p<.05). From time of crossover to 2-year follow-up, CROSS-early had less SRS Appearance/Mental improvement compared with OP. Both CROSS-early/late had worse baseline, but greater improvements, in ODI, PCS, SRS Pain/Total compared with NON (p<.05). Baseline alignment and disability parameters increased crossover odds-Non with Schwab T/L/D curves and ODI≥40 (odds ratio [OR]: 3.05, p=.031), and Non with high PI-LL modifier grades ("+"/'++') and ODI≥40 (OR: 5.57, p=.007) were at increased crossover risk., Conclusions: High baseline and increasing disability over time drives conversion from non-operative to operative ASD care. CROSS patients had similar spinal deformity but worse PROMs than NON. CROSS achieved similar 2-year outcome scores as OP. Profiling at first visit for patients at risk of crossover may optimize physician counseling and cost savings., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

OBJECTIVE Depression and anxiety have been demonstrated to have negative impacts on outcomes after spine surgery. In patients with cervical deformity (CD), the psychological and physiological burdens of the disease may overlap without clear boundaries. While surgery has a proven record of bringing about significant pain relief and decreased disability, the impact of depression and anxiety on recovery from cervical deformity corrective surgery has not been previously reported on in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of depression and anxiety on patients' recovery from and improvement after CD surgery. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of a prospective, multicenter CD database. Patients with a history of clinical depression, in addition to those with current self-reported anxiety or depression, were defined as depressed (D group). The D group was compared with nondepressed patients (ND group) with a similar baseline deformity determined by propensity score matching of the cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA). Baseline demographic, comorbidity, clinical, and radiographic data were compared among patients using t-tests. Improvement of symptoms was recorded at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. All health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores collected at these follow-up time points were compared using t-tests. RESULTS Sixty-six patients were matched for baseline radiographic parameters: 33 with a history of depression and/or current depression, and 33 without. Depressed patients had similar age, sex, race, and radiographic alignment: cSVA, T-1 slope minus C2-7 lordosis, SVA, and T-1 pelvic angle (p > 0.05). Compared with nondepressed individuals, depressed patients had a higher incidence of osteoporosis (21.2% vs 3.2%, p = 0.028), rheumatoid arthritis (18.2% vs 3.2%, p = 0.012), and connective tissue disorders (18.2% vs 3.2%, p = 0.012). At baseline, the D group had greater neck pain (7.9 of 10 vs 6.6 on a Numeric Rating Scale [NRS], p = 0.015), lower mean EQ-5D scores (68.9 vs 74.7, p < 0.001), but similar Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores (57.5 vs 49.9, p = 0.063) and myelopathy scores (13.4 vs 13.9, p = 0.546). Surgeries performed in either group were similar in terms of number of levels fused, osteotomies performed, and correction achieved (baseline to 3-month measurements) (p < 0.05). At 3 months, EQ-5D scores remained lower in the D group (74.0 vs 78.2, p = 0.044), and NDI scores were similar (48.5 vs 39.0, p = 0.053). However, neck pain improved in the D group (NRS score of 5.0 vs 4.3, p = 0.331), and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores remained similar (14.2 vs 15.0, p = 0.211). At 6 months and 1 year, all HRQOL scores were similar between the 2 cohorts. One-year measurements were as follows: NDI 39.7 vs 40.7 (p = 0.878), NRS neck pain score of 4.1 vs 5.0 (p = 0.326), EQ-5D score of 77.1 vs 78.2 (p = 0.646), and mJOA score of 14.0 vs 14.2 (p = 0.835). Anxiety/depression levels reported on the EQ-5D scale were significantly higher in the depressed cohort at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months (all p < 0.05), but were similar between groups at 1 year postoperatively (1.72 vs 1.53, p = 0.416). CONCLUSIONS Clinical depression was observed in many of the study patients with CD. After matching for baseline deformity, depression symptomology resulted in worse baseline EQ-5D and pain scores. Despite these baseline differences, both cohorts achieved similar results in all HRQOL assessments 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, demonstrating no clinical impact of depression on recovery up until 1 year after CD surgery. Thus, a history of depression does not appear to have an impact on recovery from CD surgery.

OBJECTIVE It is becoming increasingly necessary for surgeons to provide evidence supporting cost-effectiveness of surgical treatment for cervical spine pathology. Anticipating surgical risk is critical in accurately evaluating the risk/benefit balance of such treatment. Determining the risk and cost-effectiveness of surgery, complications, revision procedures, and mortality rates are the most significant limitations. The purpose of this study was to determine independent risk factors for medical complications (MCs), surgical complications (SCs), revisions, and mortality rates following surgery for patients with cervical spine pathology. The most relevant risk factors were used to structure an index that will help quantify risk and anticipate failure for such procedures. METHODS The authors of this study performed a retrospective review of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for patients treated surgically for cervical spine pathology between 2001 and 2010. Multivariate models were performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of the independent risk factors that led to MCs and repeated for SCs, revisions, and mortality. The models controlled for age (< and > 65 years old), sex, race, revision status (except for revision analysis), surgical approach, number of levels fused/re-fused (2-3, 4-8, ≥ 9), and osteotomy utilization. ORs were weighted based on their predictive category: 2 times for revision surgery predictors and 4 times for mortality predictors. Fifty points were distributed among the predictors based on their cumulative OR to establish a risk index. RESULTS Discharges for 362,989 patients with cervical spine pathology were identified. The mean age was 52.65 years, and 49.47% of patients were women. Independent risk factors included medical comorbidities, surgical parameters, and demographic factors. Medical comorbidities included the following: pulmonary circulation disorder, coagulopathy, metastatic cancer, renal failure, congestive heart failure, alcohol abuse, neurological disorder, nonmetastatic cancer, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis/collagen vascular diseases, and chronic blood loss/anemia. Surgical parameters included posterior approach to fusion/re-fusion, ≥ 9 levels fused/re-fused, corpectomy, 4-8 levels fused/re-fused, and osteotomy; demographic variables included age ≥ 65 years. These factors increased the risk of at least 1 of MC, SC, revision, or mortality (risk of death). A total of 50 points were distributed among the factors based on the cumulative risk ratio of every factor in proportion to the total risk ratios. CONCLUSIONS This study proposed an index to quantify the potential risk of morbidity and mortality prior to surgical intervention for patients with cervical spine pathology. This index may be useful for surgeons in patient counseling efforts as well as for health insurance companies and future socioeconomics studies in assessing surgical risks and benefits for patients undergoing surgical treatment of the cervical spine.