Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery

Since the 1980s, there have been several reports for the use of intraoperative ultrasound as a useful adjunct in spinal surgery. However, with the advent ...

Harvard Medical School

All hands on deck: the importance of additional pathways in mediating recovery in spinal cord injury.

Implantation of Neonatal Skin-Derived Precursor Schwann Cells Improves Outcomes After Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.

Fusion for Lumbar Stenosis With Spondylolisthesis: Results From 2 Randomized Trials.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to use a large national registry to evaluate the 30-day cumulative incidence and predictors of adverse events, readmissions, and reoperations after surgery for primary and secondary spinal tumors. METHODS Data from adult patients who underwent surgery for spinal tumors (2011-2014) were extracted from the prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of reoperation, readmission, and major complications (death, neurological, cardiopulmonary, venous thromboembolism [VTE], surgical site infection [SSI], and sepsis). Variables screened included patient age, sex, tumor location, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical classification, preoperative functional status, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, case urgency, and operative time. Additional variables that were evaluated when analyzing readmission included complications during the surgical hospitalization, hospital length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. RESULTS Among the 2207 patients evaluated, 51.4% had extradural tumors, 36.4% had intradural extramedullary tumors, and 12.3% had intramedullary tumors. By spinal level, 20.7% were cervical lesions, 47.4% were thoracic lesions, 29.1% were lumbar lesions, and 2.8% were sacral lesions. Readmission occurred in 10.2% of patients at a median of 18 days (interquartile range [IQR] 12-23 days); the most common reasons for readmission were SSIs (23.7%), systemic infections (17.8%), VTE (12.7%), and CNS complications (11.9%). Predictors of readmission were comorbidities (dyspnea, hypertension, and anemia), disseminated cancer, preoperative steroid use, and an extended hospitalization. Reoperation occurred in 5.3% of patients at a median of 13 days (IQR 8-20 days) postoperatively and was associated with preoperative steroid use and ASA Class 4-5 designation. Major complications occurred in 14.4% of patients: the most common complications and their median time to occurrence were VTE (4.5%) at 9 days (IQR 4-19 days) postoperatively, SSIs (3.6%) at 18 days (IQR 14-25 days), and sepsis (2.9%) at 13 days (IQR 7-21 days). Predictors of major complications included dependent functional status, emergency case status, male sex, comorbidities (dyspnea, bleeding disorders, preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome, preoperative leukocytosis), and ASA Class 3-5 designation (p < 0.05). The median hospital LOS was 5 days (IQR 3-9 days), the 30-day mortality rate was 3.3%, and the median time to death was 20 days (IQR 12.5-26 days). CONCLUSIONS In this NSQIP analysis, 10.2% of patients undergoing surgery for spinal tumors were readmitted within 30 days, 5.3% underwent a reoperation, and 14.4% experienced a major complication. The most common complications were SSIs, systemic infections, and VTE, which often occurred late (after discharge from the surgical hospitalization). Patients were primarily readmitted for new complications that developed following discharge rather than exacerbation of complications from the surgical hospital stay. The strongest predictors of adverse events were comorbidities, preoperative steroid use, and higher ASA classification. These models can be used by surgeons to risk-stratify patients preoperatively and identify those who may benefit from increased surveillance following hospital discharge. 

Thirty-day readmission and reoperation after surgery for spinal tumors: a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis.

OBJECTIVE Vertebral hemangiomas are common tumors that are benign and generally asymptomatic. Occasionally these lesions can exhibit aggressive features such as bony expansion and erosion into the epidural space resulting in neurological symptoms. Surgery is often recommended in these cases, especially if symptoms are severe or rapidly progressive. Some surgeons perform decompression alone, others perform gross-total resection, while others perform en bloc resection. Radiation, embolization, vertebroplasty, and ethanol injection have also been used in combination with surgery. Despite the variety of available treatment options, the optimal management strategy is unclear because aggressive vertebral hemangiomas are uncommon lesions, making it difficult to perform large trials. For this reason, the authors chose instead to report their institutional experience along with a comprehensive review of the literature. METHODS A departmental database was searched for patients with a pathological diagnosis of "hemangioma" between 2008 and 2015. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with aggressive vertebral hemangiomas, and these cases were reviewed in detail. RESULTS Five patients were identified who underwent surgery for treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas during the specified time period. There were 2 lumbar and 3 thoracic lesions. One patient underwent en bloc spondylectomy, 2 patients had piecemeal gross-total resection, and the remaining 2 had subtotal tumor resection. Intraoperative vertebroplasty was used in 3 cases to augment the anterior column or to obliterate residual tumor. Adjuvant radiation was used in 1 case where there was residual tumor as well. The patient who underwent en bloc spondylectomy experienced several postoperative complications requiring additional medical care and reoperation. At an average follow-up of 31 months (range 3-65 months), no patient had any recurrence of disease and all were clinically asymptomatic, except the patient who underwent en bloc resection who continued to have back pain. CONCLUSIONS Gross-total resection or subtotal resection in combination with vertebroplasty or adjuvant radiation therapy to treat residual tumor seems sufficient in the treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas. En bloc resection appears to provide a similar oncological benefit, but it carries higher morbidity to the patient. 

Surgical treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas.

Fusion Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Rapid buildup of gas within the cranial vault can result in a life-threatening condition known as "tension pneumocephalus," necessitating immediate surgical intervention. Nitrous oxide (N2O), a commonly used inhaled anesthetic, is associated with the development of tension pneumocephalus and its role in neurosurgical procedures has been debated in the literature. We present a case of tension pneumocephalus with preexisting pneumocephalus secondary to the usage of N2O as an inhaled anesthetic. Included is a literature review of studies discussing the role of N2O in the development of tension pneumocephalus. N2O is associated with tension pneumocephalus especially in the setting of preexisting pneumocephalus. Tension pneumocephalus can manifest as Cushing response and immediate decompression is life-saving. Nitrous oxide should be used cautiously in neurosurgical procedures, especially with preexisting pneumocephalus. 

Intraoperative Development of Tension Pneumocephalus in a Patient Undergoing Repair of a Cranial-Dural Defect Under Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia.

En bloc resection of tumors involving the spinal column is technically challenging and is associated with high morbidity to the patient due to the proximity of critical neurological and vascular structures and the destabilizing nature of this surgery. Nevertheless, evidence has shown improved progression-free survival with en bloc resection for certain low-grade malignant and aggressive benign musculoskeletal tumors. To avoid the morbidity of en bloc spondylectomy in patients with tumors localized to the lateral and posterolateral spinal column, the authors have found that the goals of surgery can be accomplished through a contralateral osteotomy of the pedicle and posterolateral elements for en bloc resection (COPPER). They reviewed their series of 5 patients who underwent successful tumor removal through a COPPER approach. These patients were all found to harbor spinal column tumors involving the posterolateral elements that, based on pathology, would benefit from en bloc resection. Tumor pathology included chondrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, osteoblastoma, and liposarcoma. Resections were performed by completing ipsilateral facetectomies above and below the lesion and ipsilateral pedicle osteotomies from a contralateral approach following hemilaminectomy. By disarticulating the posterolateral elements while carefully protecting the thecal sac, the tumors were removed en bloc along with the affected lamina, pedicles, pars interarticularis, and spinous processes, allowing tumor-free margins. This technical report suggests that the COPPER approach is safe and effective for en bloc resection of tumors involving the posterolateral aspect of the spinal column with tumor-free margins and that it eliminates the need for anterior column reconstruction.

Contralateral osteotomy of the pedicle and posterolateral elements for en bloc resection: a technique for oncological resection of posterolateral spinal tumors.

Although International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD9-CM) coding is the basis of administrative claims data, no study has validated an ICD9-CM algorithm to identify patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for space-occupying supratentorial infarction.

Viren S. Vasudeva

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Harvard Medical School

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery

Viren S. Vasudeva

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Harvard Medical School

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery

Brigham and Women's Hospital