Clinical Study of Tianji Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Upper Cervical Spine Fractures

Object: To compare the safety, clinical efficacy, and complication rate of “Tianji” robot-assisted surgery with traditional open surgery in the treatment of cervical vertebrae fracture. Methods: 60 patients with upper cervical vertebrae fracture admitted to Baise People’s Hospital between November 2018 and April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 29 underwent “Tianji” robot-assisted surgery (Robot group), and 31 underwent traditional C-arm fluoroscopy-assisted open surgery (Open group). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 27.0 software to compare general data (gender, age, BMI), preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, neck disability index (NDI), intraoperative blood loss, accuracy of screw placement on imaging, and the number of complications in both groups for comprehensive evaluation. A P value < 0.05 was deemed to have achieved statistical significance. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative VAS scores between the two groups (Robot group: 8.34 ± 0.61;Open group: 8.26 ± 0.68, P = 0.317). There was also no significant difference in VAS scores at 1 week postoperatively (Robot group: 6.90 ± 0.31;Open group: 6.94 ± 0.36, P = 0.3237). Preoperative NDI scores showed no significant difference between the two groups (Robot group: 43.31 ± 2.67;Open group: 43.84 ± 2.67, P = 0.2227), and the difference in NDI scores at 1 week postoperatively was also not significant (Robot group: 35.69 ± 4.24;Open group: 37.35 ± 3.48, P = 0.0509). Intraoperative blood loss in the Robot group was significantly lower than in the Open group (246.21 ± 209 ml vs 380.65 ± 328.04 ml, P = 0.0308), with a statistically significant difference. The operation time was longer in the Robot group (3.75 ± 0.74 h) compared to the Open group (2.74 ± 0.86 h). In terms of screw placement accuracy, the Robot group had a higher accuracy rate for Class A screws compared to the Open group (102 screws vs 94 screws, P = 0.0487), and the accuracy rate for Class B screws was also higher in the Robot group (13 screws vs 29 screws, P = 0.0333), with both differences being statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the number of complications between the two groups (Robot group: 8 cases;Open group: 10 cases, P = 0.6931). Conclusion: Patients treated with “Tianji” robot-assisted surgery for upper cervical vertebrae fracture had lower intraoperative blood loss and higher screw placement accuracy compared to those undergoing traditional C-arm fluoroscopy-assisted open surgery, indicating that this robot-assisted surgery can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss and improve screw placement accuracy.

Academic Stress Assessment Using Virtual Reality as an Educational Tool in Spine Surgery

Introduction: The evaluation of academic stress in medical students and residents is a topic of significant interest, given the considerable challenges they face during their learning process with traditional teaching methods. The use of technologies like virtual reality presents an opportunity to enhance their skills through simulations and training. The main objective of this study is to qualitatively assess the stress levels experienced by medical students and residents by integrating virtual reality into their current learning methods, aiming to improve their ability to manage stressors in their practice. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was conducted with 12 medical students and 12 Traumatology and orthopedics residents. The purpose of the questionnaire was to evaluate the levels of academic stress using the SISCO inventory. The stress levels were calculated by transforming average values into percentages, and the following criteria were assigned: 0 to 33% for Mild Stress, 34 to 66% for Moderate Stress, and 67 to 100% for Deep Stress. Then, a virtual reality class focused on spine surgery was provided. Both medical students and residents were trained using the Non Nocere SharpSurgeon software platform and Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality glasses. At the end of the session, a second questionnaire related to the practice with virtual reality was conducted with the same evaluation criteria and a comparative analysis was carried out. Results: 12 undergraduate students from Hospital Angeles Mexico, CDMX and 12 traumatology and orthopedics residents at Hospital Santa Fe, Bogota were evaluated. The students in CDMX reported an average qualitative stress of 28.50% during habitual practices, which decreased to an average of 14.67% after virtual reality practice. Residents in Bogotá experienced an average qualitative stress of 30.50% with their current learning methods but this reduced to an average of 13.92% after using virtual reality. These findings indicate that the use of virtual reality has a positive impact on reducing stress levels qualitatively. Conclusions: The use of virtual reality as a learning method for medical students and residents qualitatively improves stress levels. Further studies are required to define the potential uses of Virtual Reality to improve learning methods and emotional state in medical students and residents and for a quantitative assessment to validate the training as certified learning methods.

French Spine Surgery Society guidelines for management of spinal surgeries during COVID-19 pandemic

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)in December 2019 in China,various measures have been adopted in order to attenuate the impact of the virus on the population.With regard to spine surgery,French physicians are devoted to take place in the national plan against COVID-19,the French Spine Surgery Society therefore decided to elaborate specific guidelines for management of spinal disorders during COVID-19 pandemic in order to prioritize management of patients.A three levels stratification was elaborated with Level I:Urgent surgical indications,Level II:Surgical indications associated to a potential loss of chance for the patient and Level III:Non-urgent surgical indications.We also report French experience in a COVID-19 cluster region illustrated by two clinical cases.We hope that the guidelines formulated by the French Spine Surgery Society and the experience of spine surgeons from a cluster region will be helpful in order optimizing the management of patients with urgent spinal conditions during the pandemic.

Pulmonary embolism after shoulder surgery:Is it a real threat?

Pulmonary embolism(PE)is a rare but devastating complication of shoulder surgery.Apart from increased morbidity and mortality rates,it may significantly impair postoperative recovery and functional outcome.Its frequency accounts for up to 5.7%of all shoulder surgery procedures with a higher occurrence in women and patients older than 70 years.It is most commonly associated with thrombophilia,diabetes mellitus,obesity,smoking,hypertension,and a history of malignancy.PE usually occurs secondary to upper or lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis(DVT).However,in rare cases,the source of the thrombi cannot be determined.Prophylaxis for PE following shoulder surgery remains a topic of debate,and the standard of care does not routinely require prophylactic medication for DVT prophylaxis.Early ambulation and elastic stockings are important preventative measures for DVT of the lower extremity and medical agents such as aspirin,low-molecular-weight heparin,and vitamin K antagonists are indicated for high-risk patients,long-lasting operations,or concomitant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.The most common symptoms of PE include chest pain and shortness of breath,but PE can also be asymptomatic in patients with intrinsic tolerance of hypoxia.Patients with DVT may also present with swelling and pain of the respective extremity.The treatment of PE includes inpatient or outpatient anticoagulant therapy if the patient is hemodynamically unstable or stable,respectively.Hemodynamic instability may require transfer to the intensive care unit,and cardiovascular arrest can be implicated in fatal events.An important issue for patients with PE in the postoperative period after shoulder surgery is residual stiffness due to a delay in rehabilitation and a prolonged hospital stay.Early physiotherapy and range-of-motion exercises do not adversely affect the prognosis of PE and are highly recommended to preserve shoulder mobility and function.

Clinical significance of perioperative probiotic intervention on recovery following intestinal surgery

Restoring the balance of gut microbiota has emerged as a critical strategy in treating intestinal disorders,with probiotics playing a pivotal role in maintaining bacterial equilibrium.Surgical preparations,trauma,and digestive tract reconstruction associated with intestinal surgeries often disrupt the intestinal flora,prompting interest in the potential role of probiotics in postoperative recovery.Lan et al conducted a prospective randomized study on 60 patients with acute appendicitis,revealing that postoperative administration of Bacillus licheniformis capsules facilitated early resolution of inflammation and restoration of gastrointestinal motility,offering a novel therapeutic avenue for accelerated postoperative recovery.This editorial delves into the effects of perioperative probiotic supplementation on physical and intestinal recovery following surgery.Within the framework of enhanced recovery after surgery,the exploration of new probiotic supplementation strategies to mitigate surgical complications and reshape gut microbiota is particularly intriguing.

Assessment of the hip-spine relationship in total hip arthroplasty for childhood hip disorders sequelae

In this article,we comment on the article by Oommen et al.Oommen et al provided a comprehensive overview of the management of hip centre restoration in total hip arthroplasty(THA)for childhood hip disorder sequelae.Given the developmental disparity in this population,specific preoperative planning is an essential prerequisite for the success of THA procedures.In the review by Oommen et al,assessments of acetabular and femoral anatomic variations were fully described.However,spinal malalignment and stiffness are common in physical and radiological examinations and should be taken into careful consideration when planning surgical procedures.Poor outcomes of THA for patients with comorbid hip and spinopelvic pathologies have been widely reported,especially for hips with childhood disorder sequelae.Therefore,in this editorial,we would like to emphasize the need for a thorough hip-spine evaluation of patients with childhood hip disorder sequelae before THA.

Association between body mass index and lumbar spine volumetric bone mineral density in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

BACKGROUND The association between body mass index(BMI)and bone mineral density(BMD)has shown inconsistent results,varying by sex and skeletal site.Despite normal or elevated bone mass,individuals with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of hip and vertebral fractures.AIM To assess lumbar spine trabecular volumetric BMD(vBMD)across different BMI categories in individuals with and without diabetes.METHODS This cross-sectional study included 966 men over 50 years old and 1001 postmenopausal women from the Pinggu Metabolic Disease Study.The vBMD of lumbar vertebrae 2 through 4 was measured using quantitative computed tomography.Total adipose tissue,subcutaneous adipose tissue(SAT),visceral adipose tissue(VAT),and lumbar skeletal muscle area were also quantified.RESULTS In men with obesity(P=0.038)and overweight(P=0.032),vBMD was significantly higher in the diabetes group compared to non-diabetic men.After adjusting for age and sex,no significant saturation effect between BMI and BMD was found in participants with diabetes or in women without diabetes.However,a BMI threshold of 22.33 kg/m²indicated a saturation point for vBMD in nondiabetic men.Independent predictors of vBMD in men included age(r=-0.387,P<0.001),BMI(r=0.130,P=0.004),and VAT(r=-0.145,P=0.001).For women,significant predictors were age(r=-0.594,P<0.001),BMI(r=0.157,P=0.004),VAT(r=-0.112,P=0.001),and SAT(r=-0.068,P=0.035).CONCLUSION The relationship between BMI and trabecular vBMD differs in individuals with and without diabetes.Overweight and obese men with diabetes exhibit higher vBMD.

Machine learning and deep learning to improve prevention of anastomotic leak after rectal cancer surgery

Anastomotic leakage(AL)is a significant complication following rectal cancer surgery,adversely affecting both quality of life and oncological outcomes.Recent advancements in artificial intelligence(AI),particularly machine learning and deep learning,offer promising avenues for predicting and preventing AL.These technologies can analyze extensive clinical datasets to identify preoperative and perioperative risk factors such as malnutrition,body composition,and radiological features.AI-based models have demonstrated superior predictive power compared to traditional statistical methods,potentially guiding clinical decisionmaking and improving patient outcomes.Additionally,AI can provide surgeons with intraoperative feedback on blood supply and anatomical dissection planes,minimizing the risk of intraoperative complications and reducing the likelihood of AL development.

Cerebral complications after unilateral biportal endoscopic surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE)surgery has developed rapidly during the past decade.Continuous epidural space irrigation is generally considered the principal reason for cerebral complications following UBE surgery.We present a case of mental symptoms during the general anesthesia awakening period due to pneumocephalus.CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old woman with lumbar disc herniation underwent UBE surgery stably under general anesthesia.Uncontrollable hypertension occurred immediately after transfer to the postoperative care unit,accompanied by increased heart rate and tachypnea.During the recovery process,the patient responded to external stimuli but was confused and unable to complete command actions.Neck stiff-ness and significantly increased muscle strength on the left side indicated the presence of de-cerebrate rigidity.An urgent brain computed tomography scan showed pneumocephalus compressing the brainstem.After receiving analgesia and sedation treatment,the patient was conscious three hours later and recovered rapidly.She was discharged on the fifth postoperative day and followed up for 3 months with no surgical or brain complications.CONCLUSION Cerebral complications emerging during the general anesthesia awakening period following UBE surgery are not entirely due to increased intracranial pressure.Pneumocephalus induced by dural injury may also be a potential cause.

Effect of comprehensive perioperative nursing on pain intensity,complication rates,and comfort levels in patients undergoing gallstone surgery

BACKGROUND Surgery is the gold standard for gallstone treatment.Nevertheless,the complications associated with the surgical procedure can exert diverse and adverse impacts on patients’health and quality of life to varying extents.Hence,it is essential to offer perioperative care to patients undergoing gallstone surgery.AIM To examine the impact of perioperative comprehensive nursing on pain intensity,complication rates,and patient comfort in individuals undergoing gallstone surgery.METHODS From February 2022 to February 2024,195 patients who underwent gallstone surgery at Sanmen People’s Hospital were selected and divided into two groups:A control group receiving routine nursing care(95 patients)and a research group receiving perioperative comprehensive nursing(100 patients).Key postoperative recovery indicators,including time to first postoperative anal exhaust,oral food intake,and ambulation,were observed,along with pain intensity(measured by the numeric rating scale),complication rate(bleeding,incision infection,recurrence),patient comfort(assessed using the visual analogue scale),and quality of life(measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF).RESULTS The research group showed significantly shorter times to first postoperative anal exhaust,oral intake,and ambulation.Moreover,numeric rating scale pain scores in the research group were markedly lower post-nursing,and the total complication rate was significantly reduced compared to the control group.Furthermore,comfort levels improved considerably in the research group,and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scores across the physical,psychological,social,and environmental domains were significantly higher compared to the control group following nursing care.CONCLUSION Perioperative comprehensive nursing effectively enhances postoperative recovery in patients undergoing gallstone surgery,reducing pain,lowering complications,and improving patient comfort and quality of life,which deserves clinical application.

Personalized nutritional care for immune function recovery in postoperative gastrointestinal surgery patients:An observational study

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal(GI)surgery can significantly affect the nutritional status and immune function of patients.This study aimed to investigate the effects of personalized nutritional care on the recovery of immune function in patients who underwent postoperative GI surgery.AIM To study examines personalized nutritional care’s impact on immune function recovery,nutritional status,and clinical outcomes after GI surgery.METHODS This observational study included 80 patients who underwent GI surgery between 2021 and 2023.Patients received personalized nutritional care based on their individual needs and surgical outcomes.Immune function markers including lymphocyte subsets,immunoglobulins,and cytokines were measured preoperatively and at regular intervals postoperatively.Nutritional status,clinical outcomes,and quality of life were assessed.RESULTS Patients receiving personalized nutritional care showed significant improvements in immune function markers compared to baseline.At 4 weeks postoperatively,CD4+T-cell counts increased by 25%(P<0.001),while interleukin-6 levels decreased by 40%(P<0.001).Nutritional status,as measured by prealbumin and transferrin levels,improved by 30%(P<0.01).Postoperative complications reduced by 35%compared to historical controls.The quality-of-life scores improved by 40%at 3 months postoperatively.CONCLUSION Personalized nutritional care enhances immune function recovery,improves nutritional status,and reduces complications in patients undergoing postoperative GI surgery,highlighting its crucial role in optimizing patient outcomes following such procedures.

Clip-stone and T clip-sinus post laparoscopic biliary surgery:Two case reports and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE)are widely used in gallbladder and biliary tract diseases.During these procedures,vessels or tissues are commonly ligated using clips.However,postoperative migration of clips to the common bile duct(CBD)or Ttube sinus tract is an overlooked complication of laparoscopic biliary surgery.Previously,most reported cases of postoperative clip migration involved metal clips,with only a few cases involving Hem-o-lok clips and review of the literature.CASE SUMMARY This report describes two cases in which Hem-o-lok clips migrated into the CBD and the T-tube sinus tract following laparoscopic surgery.Case 1 is a 68-year-old female admitted due to abdominal discomfort,and two Hem-o-lok clips were found to have migrated into the CBD 17 months after LC and LCBDE with T-tube drainage,and were removed using a stone extraction balloon.The patient was discharged smoothly after recovery.Case 2 is a 74-year-old male who underwent LC and LCBDE with T-tube drainage and laparoscopic biliary tract basket stone extraction.Nine weeks postoperatively,following T-tube removal,a Hem-o-lok clip was found in the sinus tract,and was extracted from the T-tube sinus tract.The patient recovered smoothly postoperatively.This study also reviews the literature from 2013 to July 2024 on using Hem-o-lok clips in LC and/or LCBDE treatment of gallbladder and biliary diseases and the postoperative migration of these clips into the CBD,T-tube sinus tract,or duodenum.CONCLUSION In patients with a history of LC and/or LCBDE,clip migration should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Positioning patients for spine surgery: Avoiding uncommon position-related complications

Positioning patients for spine surgery is pivotal for optimal operating conditions and operative-site exposure. During spine surgery, patients are placed in positions that are not physiologic and may lead to complications. Perioperative peripheral nerve injury(PPNI) and postoperative visual loss(POVL) are rare complications related to patient positioning during spine surgery that result in significant patient disability and functional loss. PPNI is usually due to stretch or compression of the peripheral nerve. PPNI may present as a brachial plexus injury or as an isolated injury of single nerve, most commonly the ulnar nerve. Understanding the etiology, mechanism and pattern of injury with each type of nerve injury is important for the prevention of PPNI. Intraoperative neuromonitoring has been used to detect peripheral nerve conduction abnormalities indicating peripheral nerve stress under general anesthesia and to guide modification of the upper extremity position to prevent PPNI. POVL usually results in permanent visual loss. Most cases are associated with prolonged spine procedures in the prone position under general anesthesia. The most common causes of POVL after spine surgery are ischemic optic neuropathy and central retinal artery occlusion. Posterior ischemic opticneuropathy is the most common cause of POVL after spine surgery. It is important for spine surgeons to be aware of POVL and to participate in safe, collaborative perioperative care of spine patients. Proper education of perioperative staff, combined with clear communication and collaboration while positioning patients in the operating room is the best and safest approach. The prevention of uncommon complications of spine surgery depends primarily on identifying high-risk patients, proper positioning and optimal intraoperative management of physiological parameters. Modification of risk factors extrinsic to the patient may help reduce the incidence of PPNI and POVL.

Perioperative visual loss after spine surgery

Perioperative visual loss(POVL) is an uncommon, but devastating complication that remains primarily associated with spine and cardiac surgery. The incidence and mechanisms of visual loss after surgery remain difficult to determine. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Postoperative Visual Loss Registry, the most common causes of POVL in spine procedures are the two different forms of ischemic optic neuropathy: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, accounting for 89% of the cases. Retinal ischemia, cortical blindness, and posterior reversible encephalopathy are also observed, but in a small minority of cases. A recent multicenter case control study has identified risk factors associated with ischemic optic neuropathy for patients undergoing prone spinal fusion surgery. These include obesity, male sex, Wilson frame use, longer anesthetic duration, greater estimated blood loss, and decreased percent colloid administration. These risk factors are thought to contribute to the elevation of venous pressure and interstitial edema, resulting in damage to the optic nerve by compression of the vessels that feed the optic nerve, venous infarction or direct mechanical compression. This review will expand on these findings as well as the recently updated American Society of Anesthesiologists practice advisory on POVL. There are no effectivetreatment options for POVL and the diagnosis is often irreversible, so efforts must focus on prevention and risk factor modification. The role of crystalloids versus colloids and the use of α-2 agonists to decrease intraocular pressure during prone spine surgery will also be discussed as a potential preventative strategy.

Pulmonary complications after spine surgery

Spine surgery is one of the fastest growing branches of orthopedic surgery. Patients often present with a relatively high acuity and, depending on surgical approach, morbidity and mortality can be comparatively high. Among the most prevalent and most frequently fatalitybound perioperative complications are those affecting the pulmonary system; evidence of clinical or subclinical lung injury triggered by spine surgical procedures is emerging. Increasing burden of comorbidity among the patient population further increases the likelihood of adverse outcome. This review is intended to give an overview over some of the most important causes of pulmonary complications after spine surgery, their pathophysiology and possible ways to reduce harm associated with those conditions. We discuss factors surrounding surgical trauma, timing of surgery, bone marrow and debris embolization, transfusion associated lung injury, and ventilator associated lung injury.

Comparative induction of controlled circulation by magnesium and remifentanil in spine surgery

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of magnesium sulfate(MGS) in comparison with remifentanil for induction of relative hypotension in posterior fusion of spine(PSF).METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists Ⅰ and Ⅱ physical status undergoing lumbar PSF were randomized to receive remifentanil(REM) 0.15 μg/kg or MGS 50 mg/kg for controlled hypotension. The administering anesthesiologist was blinded to the medication. Continuous infusion was maintained at a fixed volume rate to deliver precalculated doses of either study drugs. All other aspects of anesthesia and surgery were similar in the two groups. The target mean arterial pressure(MAP) range used in this study was 60-70 mm Hg. In the course of surgery, the hemodynamic variables, volumeof blood loss, urine output, fluid intake and surgeon's satisfaction were recorded. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 13.0 and P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.RESULTS: Twenty patients in the MGS group and 19 patients in the REM group were studied. There was no difference between the two groups in the hemodynamic variables, blood loss, urine output, fluid requirement and surgeon's satisfaction for exposure. The target MAP was achieved in 75% of Mg and 58% of remifentanil groups. Although a higher number of patients in the REM group required nitroglycerin(42.1%) to reach the target MAP than those in the MGS group(25%), this difference was not statistically significant(P = 0.32).CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that in patients undergoing lumbar PSF surgery, remifentanil and MGS have a similar hypotensive effect and comparable amount of blood loss without any significant adverse effects.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Spine Surgery for Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis: Emphasizing on Clinical Outcomes of Transforaminal Technique

Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis are the most common spine diseases which are mainly due to age related Spine degeneration. Diagnosis of both Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis depends on clinical findings as well as radiological investigations. Treatment of choice of these conditions is on the basis of the patient conditions. Surgical treatment is the option only when the conservative treatment does not improve the patient’s clinical condition. Advancement and improvement of the technology have resulted in the traditional open surgical treatment into minimal invasive surgery. Intervention of the different surgical instruments with expert spinal surgeons had made percutaneous endoscopic lumbar Spine surgery as one of the preferred choices of surgery for treating Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis. The concept of percutaneous endoscopic surgery for lumbar region is to provide surgical options without producing iatrogenic morbidity associated with the open surgical procedures. Conventionally, there are different approaches/techniques for Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Spine Surgery, but in this review we are mainly focusing on the Transforaminal Technique. Regarding the Lumbar Disc Herniation treatment with transforaminal approach, a number of articles have been published due to which we mainly focused on those articles which were published after 2009 onwards. While fewer articles related to Lumbar Spine Stenosis treatment with Transforaminal approach were found, we tried to brief out all those articles. On the basis of comparative study of different surgeries done for Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis, Percutaneous Transforaminal endoscopic Lumbar Surgery provides a substantial benefit. Transforaminal approach for treating Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis is safe and effective. The Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Surgery has advantage as it is performed under local anesthesia with shorter length of hospitalization and early return to normal life. The clinical outcome of the patient that underwent Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Surgery for Lumbar Disc Herniation and Lumbar Spine Stenosis is quite good in regard of its fewer complication and more benefits.

Perioperative outcomes in minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery: A systematic review

AIM: To compare minimally invasive(MIS) and open techniques for MIS lumbar laminectomy, direct lateral and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF) surgeries with respect to length of surgery, estimated blood loss(EBL), neurologic complications, perioperative transfusion, postoperative pain, postoperative narcotic use, and length of stay(LOS).METHODS: A systematic review of previously published studies accessible through Pub Med was performed. Only articles in English journals or published with English language translations were included. Level of evidence of the selected articles was assessed. Statistical data was calculated with analysis of variance with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.RESULTS: A total of 11 pertinent laminectomy studies, 20 direct lateral studies, and 27 TLIF studies were found. For laminectomy, MIS techniques resulted in a significantly longer length of surgery(177.5 min vs 129.0 min, P = 0.04), shorter LOS(4.3 d vs 5.3 d, P = 0.01) and less perioperative pain(visual analog scale: 16 ± 17 vs 34 ± 31, P = 0.04). There is evidence of decreased narcotic use for MIS patients(postoperative intravenous morphine use: 9.3 mg vs 42.8 mg), however this difference is of unknown significance. Direct lateral approaches have insufficient comparative data to establish relative perioperative outcomes. MIS TLIF had superior EBL(352 mL vs 580 mL, P < 0.0001) and LOS(7.7 d vs 10.4 d, P < 0.0001) and limited data to suggest lower perioperative pain.CONCLUSION: Based on perioperative outcomes data, MIS approach is superior to open approach for TLIF. For laminectomy, MIS and open approaches can be chosen based on surgeon preference. For lateral approaches, there is insufficient evidence to find noninferior perioperative outcomes at this time.

Use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in spine surgery

Bone morphogenetic proteins are osteoinductive factors which have gained popularity in orthopaedicsurgery and especially in spine surgery. The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 has been officially approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration only for single level anterior lumbar interbody fusion, nevertheless it is widely used by many surgeons with off-label indications. Despite advantages in bone formation, its use still remains a controversial issue and several complications have been described by authors who oppose their wide use.

Vitamin D and spine surgery

Vitamin D is crucial for musculoskeletal health, maintenance, and function. Vitamin D insufficiency is common among patients undergoing spine surgery and the ideal vitamin D level for spine surgery has yet to be investigated. There is a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with musculoskeletal pain regardless of surgical intervention. With the frequency and costs of spine surgery increasing, it is imperative that efforts are continued to reduce the impact on patients and healthcare services. Studies into vitamin D and its associations with orthopaedic surgery have yielded alarming findings with regards to the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Importantly, altered vitamin D status also contributes to a wide range of disease conditions. Therefore, future investigations are still essential for better understanding the relationship between vitamin D and spine surgery outcomes. Whilst further research is required to fully elucidate the extent of the effects of hypovitaminosis D has on surgical outcomes, it is strongly advisable to reduce the impacts by appropriate vitamin D supplementation of deficient and at-risk patients.