Comparison of best versus worst clinical outcomes for adult spinal deformity surgery: a retrospective review of a prospectively collected, multicenter database with 2-year follow-up

OBJECT Although recent studies suggest that average clinical outcomes are improved following surgery for selected adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients, these outcomes span a broad range. Few studies have specifically addressed factors that may predict favorable clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare patients with ASD with best versus worst clinical outcomes following surgical treatment to identify distinguishing factors that may prove useful for patient counseling and optimization of clinical outcomes. METHODS This is a retrospective review of a prospectively collected, multicenter, database of consecutively enrolled patients with ASD who were treated operatively. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and ASD. For patients with a minimum of 2-year follow-up, those with best versus worst outcomes were compared separately based on Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Only patients with a baseline SRS-22 ≤ 3.5 or ODI ≥ 30 were included to minimize ceiling/floor effects. Best and worst outcomes were defined for SRS-22 (≥ 4.5 and ≤ 2.5, respectively) and ODI (≤ 15 and ≥ 50, respectively). RESULTS Of 257 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 227 (88%) had complete baseline and 2-year follow-up SRS-22 and ODI outcomes scores and radiographic imaging and were analyzed in the present study. Of these 227 patients, 187 had baseline SRS-22 scores ≤ 3.5, and 162 had baseline ODI scores ≥ 30. Forthe SRS-22, best and worst outcomes criteria were met at follow-up for 25 and 27 patients, respectively. For the ODI, best and worst outcomes criteria were met at follow-up for 43 and 51 patients, respectively. With respect to the SRS-22, compared with best outcome patients, those with worst outcomes had higher baseline SRS-22 scores (p < 0.0001), higher prevalence of baseline depression (p < 0.001), more comorbidities (p = 0.012), greater prevalence of prior surgery (p = 0.007), a higher complication rate (p = 0.012), and worse baseline deformity (sagittal vertical axis [SVA], p = 0.045; pelvic incidence [PI] and lumbar lordosis [LL] mismatch, p = 0.034). The best-fit multivariate model for SRS-22 included baseline SRS-22 (p = 0.033), baseline depression (p = 0.012), and complications (p = 0.030). With respect to the ODI, compared with best outcome patients, those with worst outcomes had greater baseline ODI scores (p < 0.001), greater baseline body mass index (BMI; p = 0.002), higher prevalence of baseline depression (p < 0.028), greater baseline SVA (p = 0.016), a higher complication rate (p = 0.02), and greater 2-year SVA (p < 0.001) and PI-LL mismatch (p = 0.042). The best-fit multivariate model for ODI included baseline ODI score (p < 0.001), 2-year SVA (p = 0.014) and baseline BMI (p = 0.037). Age did not distinguish best versus worst outcomes for SRS-22 or ODI (p > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS Few studies have specifically addressed factors that distinguish between the best versus worst clinical outcomes for ASD surgery. In this study, baseline and perioperative factors distinguishing between the best and worst outcomes for ASD surgery included several patient factors (baseline depression, BMI, comorbidities, and disability), as well as residual deformity (SVA), and occurrence of complications. These findings suggest factors that may warrant greater awareness among clinicians to achieve optimal surgical outcomes for patients with ASD.

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Comparison of Radiographic And Clinical Outcomes Observed After Adult Spinal Deformity Correction Using Iliac Screw Versus S2-Alar-Iliac Screw

10.21203/rs.3.rs-492643/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qiang Luo ◽

Yong-Chan Kim ◽

Ki-Tack Kim ◽

Kee-Yong Ha ◽

Joonghyun Ahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Postoperative Change ◽

Iliac Screw ◽

Vas Scores ◽

Correction Surgery

Abstract Background: To date, there is a paucity of reports clarifying the change of spinopelvic parameters in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) who underwent long segment spinal fusion using iliac screw (IS) and S2-alar-iliac screw (S2AI) fixation.Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients underwent deformity correction surgery for ASD between 2013 and 2017 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether IS or S2AI fixation was performed. All radiographic parameters were measured preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and the last follow-up. Demographics, intraoperative and clinical data were analyzed between the two groups. Additionally, the cohort was subdivided according to the postoperative change in pelvic incidence (PI): subgroup (C) was defined as change in PI ≥5° and subgroup (NC) with change <5°. In subgroup analyses, the 2 different types of postoperative change of PI were directly compared.Results: A total of 142 patients met inclusion criteria: 111 who received IS and 31 received S2AI fixation. The IS group (65.6 ± 26, 39.8 ± 13.8) showed a significantly higher change in lumbar lordosis (LL) and upper lumbar lordosis (ULL) than the S2AI group (54.4 ± 17.9, 30.3 ± 9.9) (p<0.05). In subgroup (C), PI significantly increased from 53° preoperatively to 59° postoperatively at least 50% of IS cohort, with a mean change of 5.8° (p<0.05). The clinical outcomes at the last follow-up were significantly better in IS group than in S2AI group in terms of VAS scores for back and leg. The occurrence of sacroiliac joint pain and pelvic screw fracture were significantly greater in S2AI group than in IS group (25.8% vs 9%, p<0.05) and (16.1% vs 3.6%, p<0.05).Conclusions: IS fixation showed a greater change in LL and ULL than S2AI fixation in ASD surgery. PI may be changed under certain circumstances.

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Prospective multicenter assessment of risk factors for rod fracture following surgery for adult spinal deformity

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2014.9.spine131176 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 994-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

Justin S. Smith ◽

Ellen Shaffrey ◽

Eric Klineberg ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Virginie Lafage ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Full Length ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

The Mean ◽

Spine Radiographs ◽

Rod Fracture

Object Improved understanding of rod fracture (RF) following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery could prove valuable for surgical planning, patient counseling, and implant design. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess the rates of and risk factors for RF following surgery for ASD. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter, consecutive series. Inclusion criteria were ASD, age > 18 years, ≥5 levels posterior instrumented fusion, baseline full-length standing spine radiographs, and either development of RF or full-length standing spine radiographs obtained at least 1 year after surgery that demonstrated lack of RF. ASD was defined as presence of at least one of the following: coronal Cobb angle ≥20°, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) ≥5 cm, pelvic tilt (PT) ≥25°, and thoracic kyphosis ≥60°. Results Of 287 patients who otherwise met inclusion criteria, 200 (70%) either demonstrated RF or had radiographic imaging obtained at a minimum of 1 year after surgery showing lack of RF. The patients' mean age was 54.8 ± 15.8 years; 81% were women; 10% were smokers; the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 ± 6.5; the mean number of levels fused was 12.0 ± 3.8; and 50 patients (25%) had a pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). The rod material was cobalt chromium (CC) in 53%, stainless steel (SS), in 26%, or titanium alloy (TA) in 21% of cases; the rod diameters were 5.5 mm (in 68% of cases), 6.0 mm (in 13%), or 6.35 mm (in 19%). RF occurred in 18 cases (9.0%) at a mean of 14.7 months (range 3–27 months); patients without RF had a mean follow-up of 19 months (range 12–24 months). Patients with RF were older (62.3 vs 54.1 years, p = 0.036), had greater BMI (30.6 vs 26.7, p = 0.019), had greater baseline sagittal malalignment (SVA 11.8 vs 5.0 cm, p = 0.001; PT 29.1° vs 21.9°, p = 0.016; and pelvic incidence [PI]–lumbar lordosis [LL] mismatch 29.6° vs 12.0°, p = 0.002), and had greater sagittal alignment correction following surgery (SVA reduction by 9.6 vs 2.8 cm, p < 0.001; and PI-LL mismatch reduction by 26.3° vs 10.9°, p = 0.003). RF occurred in 22.0% of patients with PSO (10 of the 11 fractures occurred adjacent to the PSO level), with rates ranging from 10.0% to 31.6% across centers. CC rods were used in 68% of PSO cases, including all with RF. Smoking, levels fused, and rod diameter did not differ significantly between patients with and without RF (p > 0.05). In cases including a PSO, the rate of RF was significantly higher with CC rods than with TA or SS rods (33% vs 0%, p = 0.010). On multivariate analysis, only PSO was associated with RF (p = 0.001, OR 5.76, 95% CI 2.01–15.8). Conclusions Rod fracture occurred in 9.0% of ASD patients and in 22.0% of PSO patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. With further follow-up these rates would likely be even higher. There was a substantial range in the rate of RF with PSO across centers, suggesting potential variations in technique that warrant future investigation. Due to higher rates of RF with PSO, alternative instrumentation strategies should be considered for these cases.

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Reduced occurrence of primary rod fracture after adult spinal deformity surgery with accessory supplemental rods: retrospective analysis of 114 patients with minimum 2-year follow-up

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2020.12.spine201527 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Emily P. Rabinovich ◽

Thomas J. Buell ◽

Tony R. Wang ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Justin S. Smith

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Vertical Axis ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽

Rod Fracture

OBJECTIVE Rod fracture (RF) after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is reported in approximately 6.8%–33% of patients and is associated with loss of deformity correction and higher reoperation rates. The authors’ objective was to determine the effect of accessory supplemental rod (ASR) placement on postoperative occurrence of primary RF after ASD surgery. METHODS This retrospective analysis examined patients who underwent ASD surgery between 2014 and 2017 by the senior authors. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years, ≥ 5 instrumented levels including sacropelvic fixation, and diagnosis of ASD, which was defined as the presence of pelvic tilt ≥ 25°, sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm, thoracic kyphosis ≥ 60°, coronal Cobb angle ≥ 20°, or pelvic incidence to lumbar lordosis mismatch ≥ 10°. The primary focus was patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up. RESULTS Of 148 patients who otherwise met the inclusion criteria, 114 (77.0%) achieved minimum 2-year follow-up and were included (68.4% were women, mean age 67.9 years, average body mass index 30.4 kg/m2). Sixty-two (54.4%) patients were treated with traditional dual-rod construct (DRC), and 52 (45.6%) were treated with ASR. Overall, the mean number of levels fused was 11.7, 79.8% of patients underwent Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO), 19.3% underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), and 66.7% underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Significantly more patients in the DRC cohort underwent SPO (88.7% of the DRC cohort vs 69.2% of the ASR cohort, p = 0.010) and TLIF (77.4% of the DRC cohort vs 53.8% of the ASR cohort, p = 0.0001). Patients treated with ASR had greater baseline sagittal malalignment (12.0 vs 8.6 cm, p = 0.014) than patients treated with DRC, and more patients in the ASR cohort underwent PSO (40.3% vs 1.6%, p < 0.0001). Among the 114 patients who completed follow-up, postoperative occurrence of RF was reported in 16 (14.0%) patients, with mean ± SD time to RF of 27.5 ± 11.8 months. There was significantly greater occurrence of RF among patients who underwent DRC compared with those who underwent ASR (21.0% vs 5.8%, p = 0.012) at comparable mean follow-up (38.4 vs 34.9 months, p = 0.072). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ASR had a significant protective effect against RF (OR 0.231, 95% CI 0.051–0.770, p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of RF among ASD patients treated with ASR, despite greater baseline deformity and higher rate of PSO. These findings suggest that ASR placement may provide benefit to patients who undergo ASD surgery.

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Prospective multicenter assessment of perioperative and minimum 2-year postoperative complication rates associated with adult spinal deformity surgery

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2015.11.spine151036 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 130

Author(s):

Justin S. Smith ◽

Eric Klineberg ◽

Virginie Lafage ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Frank Schwab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Care ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Patient Counseling ◽

Delayed Complications

OBJECTIVE Although multiple reports have documented significant benefit from surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD), these procedures can have high complication rates. Previously reported complications rates associated with ASD surgery are limited by retrospective design, single-surgeon or single-center cohorts, lack of rigorous data on complications, and/or limited follow-up. Accurate definition of complications associated with ASD surgery is important and may serve as a resource for patient counseling and efforts to improve the safety of patient care. The authors conducted a study to prospectively assess the rates of complications associated with ASD surgery with a minimum 2-year follow-up based on a multicenter study design that incorporated standardized data-collection forms, on-site study coordinators, and regular auditing of data to help ensure complete and accurate reporting of complications. In addition, they report age stratification of complication rates and provide a general assessment of factors that may be associated with the occurrence of complications. METHODS As part of a prospective, multicenter ASD database, standardized forms were used to collect data on surgery-related complications. On-site coordinators and central auditing helped ensure complete capture of complication data. Inclusion criteria were age older than 18 years, ASD, and plan for operative treatment. Complications were classified as perioperative (within 6 weeks of surgery) or delayed (between 6 weeks after surgery and time of last follow-up), and as minor or major. The primary focus for analyses was on patients who reached a minimum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS Of 346 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 291 (84%) had a minimum 2-year follow-up (mean 2.1 years); their mean age was 56.2 years. The vast majority (99%) had treatment including a posterior procedure, 25% had an anterior procedure, and 19% had a 3-column osteotomy. At least 1 revision was required in 82 patients (28.2%). A total of 270 perioperative complications (145 minor; 125 major) were reported, with 152 patients (52.2%) affected, and a total of 199 delayed complications (62 minor; 137 major) were reported, with 124 patients (42.6%) affected. Overall, 469 complications (207 minor; 262 major) were documented, with 203 patients (69.8%) affected. The most common complication categories included implant related, radiographic, neurological, operative, cardiopulmonary, and infection. Higher complication rates were associated with older age (p = 0.009), greater body mass index (p ≤ 0.031), increased comorbidities (p ≤ 0.007), previous spine fusion (p = 0.029), and 3-column osteotomies (p = 0.036). Cases in which 2-year follow-up was not achieved included 2 perioperative mortalities (pulmonary embolus and inferior vena cava injury). CONCLUSIONS This study provides an assessment of complications associated with ASD surgery based on a prospective, multicenter design and with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Although the overall complication rates were high, in interpreting these findings, it is important to recognize that not all complications are equally impactful. This study represents one of the most complete and detailed reports of perioperative and delayed complications associated with ASD surgery to date. These findings may prove useful for treatment planning, patient counseling, benchmarking of complication rates, and efforts to improve the safety and cost-effectiveness of patient care.

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Comparison of Best versus Worst Clinical Outcomes for Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) Surgery: A Prospective, Multicenter Assessment with Minimum Two-Year Follow-Up

The Spine Journal ◽

10.1016/j.spinee.2014.08.016 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. S1-S2

Author(s):

Justin S. Smith ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Virginie Lafage ◽

Frank J. Schwab ◽

Themistocles S. Protopsaltis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity

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Complication Rates Associated with 3-Column Osteotomy in 82 Adult Spinal Deformity Patients: Retrospective Review of a Prospectively Collected Multicenter Consecutive Series with Minimum Two-Year Follow-Up

The Spine Journal ◽

10.1016/j.spinee.2016.07.313 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. S376-S377 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Justin S. Smith ◽

Munish C. Gupta ◽

Eric O. Klineberg ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Frank J. Schwab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Deformity ◽

Retrospective Review ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Complication Rates

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Comparison of Best versus Worst Clinical Outcomes for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Prospective, Multicenter Assessment with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1055/s-0035-1554513 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (1_suppl) ◽

pp. s-0035-1554513-s-0035-1554513 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Justin Smith ◽

Christopher Shaffrey ◽

Virginie Lafage ◽

Frank Schwab ◽

Themistocles Protopsaltis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Spinal Deformity Surgery

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Factors related to postoperative coronal imbalance in adult lumbar scoliosis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2020.6.spine20670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 66-72

Author(s):

Akira Matsumura ◽

Takashi Namikawa ◽

Minori Kato ◽

Yusuke Hori ◽

Noriaki Hidaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Related Factors ◽

Lumbar Scoliosis ◽

Coronal Imbalance ◽

Age At Surgery ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Lowest Instrumented Vertebra

OBJECTIVEThe object of this study was to analyze the prevalence of postoperative coronal imbalance (CIB) and related factors in patients with adult lumbar scoliosis.METHODSThis was a retrospective single-center study of data from patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) who had undergone corrective surgery performed by a single surgeon between 2009 and 2017. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) age at surgery > 40 years, 2) Cobb angles of the thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curve > 40°, 3) upper instrumented vertebra of T9 or T10, 4) lowest instrumented vertebra of L5 or the pelvis, and 5) minimum 2-year follow-up period. Radiographic parameters were measured before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery, and at the latest follow-up. Curve flexibility was also assessed using side bending radiographs. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the 22-Item Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22) and the SF-36. CIB was considered to have occurred if the C7 plumbline was more than 2.5 cm lateral to the central sacral vertical line (i.e., coronal vertical axis [CVA] > 2.5 cm) at the final follow-up. Parameters between the patients with (CIB group) and without (coronal balance [CB] group) CIB were compared, and factors related to CIB were evaluated.RESULTSFrom among 66 consecutively treated ASD patients, a total of 37 patients (mean age at surgery 66.3 years, average follow-up 63 months) met the study inclusion criteria. CIB was found in 6 patients at the final follow-up (16.2%), and the CVA of all patients in the CIB group shifted to the convex side of the TL/L curve. A comparative analysis between the CB and CIB groups, respectively, at the final follow-up indicated the following factors were related to CIB: lumbosacral (LS) curve, 11.0°/16.5° (p = 0.02); LS correction rate (CR), 61%/47% (p = 0.02); and CR ratio (LS vs TL/L), 0.93/0.67 (p = 0.0002). Regarding clinical outcomes, the satisfaction domain of the SRS-22 (CB 4.4 vs CIB 3.5) showed a significant difference between the CIB and CB groups (p = 0.02), and patients in the CB group tended to score better on the pain domain (CB 4.3 vs CIB 3.7), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.06).CONCLUSIONSPostoperative CIB negatively impacted patients’ HRQOL. An imbalanced correction ratio between the TL/L and LS curves may cause postoperative CIB. Therefore, adequate correction of the LS curve may prevent postoperative CIB.

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