Reduced proximal junctional failure with ligament augmentation in adult spinal deformity: a series of 242 cases with a minimum 1-year follow-up

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Michael M. Safaee ◽  
Alexander F. Haddad ◽  
Marissa Fury ◽  
Patrick R. Maloney ◽  
Justin K. Scheer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Valuable Adjunct ◽  
Ligament Augmentation ◽  
Proximal Junctional Failure ◽  
Upper Thoracic

OBJECTIVE Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) are well-recognized complications of long-segment spinal fusion. Previous studies have suggested that ligament augmentation can decrease rates of PJF by reducing junctional stress and strengthening upper instrumented vertebrae (UIVs) and adjacent segments. However, there is a paucity of long-term data on the efficacy of ligament augmentation in preventing PJF. In this study, the authors sought to determine the effect of ligament augmentation on rates of PJF in a cohort of adult spinal deformity patients with at least 1 year of follow-up. METHODS They conducted a retrospective analysis of ligament augmentation in a consecutive series of surgical patients with adult spinal deformity. Data on patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and surgery for PJF were collected. The minimum follow-up was 12 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with reoperation for PJF. RESULTS The authors identified a total of 242 patients (166 women [68.6%]) with ligament augmentation whose mean age was 66 years. The mean number of fused levels was 10, with a UIV distribution as follows: 90 upper thoracic UIVs (37.2%) and 152 lower thoracic UIVs (62.8%). Compared to a historical cohort of 77 patients treated before implementation of ligament augmentation, reoperation for PJF was significantly lower with ligament augmentation (15.6% vs 3.3%, p < 0.001). In a multivariate model, only ligament augmentation (OR 0.184, 95% CI 0.071–0.478, p = 0.001) and number of fused levels (OR 0.762, 95% CI 0.620–0.937, p = 0.010) were associated with reductions in reoperation for PJF. CONCLUSIONS Ligament augmentation was associated with significant reductions in the rate of reoperation for PJF at 12 months in a cohort of adult spinal deformity patients. The most dramatic reduction was seen among patients with lower thoracic UIV. These data suggest that in appropriately selected patients, ligament augmentation may be a valuable adjunct for PJF reduction; however, long-term follow-up is needed.

scholarly journals Ligament augmentation for prevention of proximal junctional kyphosis and proximal junctional failure in adult spinal deformity

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 512-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Safaee ◽  
Vedat Deviren ◽  
Cecilia Dalle Ore ◽  
Justin K. Scheer ◽  
Darryl Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Revision Surgery ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Ligament Augmentation ◽  
Proximal Junctional Failure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis

OBJECTIVEProximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a well-recognized, yet incompletely defined, complication of adult spinal deformity surgery. There is no standardized definition for PJK, but most studies describe PJK as an increase in the proximal junctional angle (PJA) of greater than 10°–20°. Ligament augmentation is a novel strategy for PJK reduction that provides strength to the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and adjacent segments while also reducing junctional stress at those levels.METHODSIn this study, ligament augmentation was used in a consecutive series of adult spinal deformity patients at a single institution. Patient demographics, including age; sex; indication for surgery; revision surgery; surgical approach; and use of 3-column osteotomies, vertebroplasty, or hook fixation at the UIV, were collected. The PJA was measured preoperatively and at last follow-up using 36-inch radiographs. Data on change in PJA and need for revision surgery were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with change in PJA and proximal junctional failure (PJF), defined as PJK requiring surgical correction.RESULTSA total of 200 consecutive patients were included: 100 patients before implementation of ligament augmentation and 100 patients after implementation of this technique. The mean age of the ligament augmentation cohort was 66 years, and 67% of patients were women. Over half of these cases (51%) were revision surgeries, with 38% involving a combined anterior or lateral and posterior approach. The mean change in PJA was 6° in the ligament augmentation group compared with 14° in the control group (p < 0.001). Eighty-four patients had a change in PJA of less than 10°. In a multivariate linear regression model, age (p = 0.016), use of hook fixation at the UIV (p = 0.045), and use of ligament augmentation (p < 0.001) were associated with a change in PJA. In a separate model, only ligament augmentation (OR 0.193, p = 0.012) showed a significant association with PJF.CONCLUSIONSLigament augmentation represents a novel technique for the prevention of PJK and PJF. Compared with a well-matched historical cohort, ligament augmentation is associated with a significant decrease in PJK and PJF. These data support the implementation of ligament augmentation in surgery for adult spinal deformity, particularly in patients with a high risk of developing PJK and PJF.

scholarly journals The Natural History of Progression in Adult Spinal Deformity: A Radiographic Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayf S. A. Faraj ◽  
Niek te Hennepe ◽  
Miranda L. van Hooff ◽  
Martin Pouw ◽  
Marinus de Kleuver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Cobb Angle ◽  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Coronal Plane ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Curve Magnitude ◽  
Nonsurgical Patients

Study Design: Historical cohort study. Objective: To evaluate progression in the coronal and sagittal planes in nonsurgical patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: A retrospective analysis of nonsurgical ASD patients between 2005 and 2017 was performed. Magnitude of the coronal and sagittal planes were compared on the day of presentation and at most recent follow-up. Previous reported prognostic factors for progression in the coronal plane, including the direction of scoliosis, curve magnitude, and the position of the intercrest line (passing through L4 or L5 vertebra), were studied. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included with a mean follow-up of 59.8 ± 34.5 months. Progression in the coronal plane was seen in 72% of patients. Mean Cobb angle on the day of presentation and most recent follow-up was 37.2 ± 14.6° and 40.8° ± 16.5°, respectively. No significant differences were found in curve progression in left- versus right-sided scoliosis (3.3 ± 7.1 vs 3.7 ± 5.4, P = .81), Cobb angle <30° versus ≥30° (2.6 ± 5.0 vs 4.3 ± 6.5, P = .30), or when the intercrest line passed through L4 rather than L5 vertebra (3.4 ± 5.0° vs 3.8 ± 7.1°, P = .79). No significant differences were found in the sagittal plane between presentation and most recent follow-up. Conclusions: This is the first study that describes progression in the coronal and sagittal planes in nonsurgical patients with ASD. Previous reported prognostic factors were not confirmed as truly relevant. Although progression appears to occur, large variation exists and these results may not be directly applicable to the individual patient.

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 994-1003 ◽  
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.

Opioid use after adult spinal deformity surgery: patterns of cessation and associations with preoperative use

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-495
Author(s):  
Mark Ren ◽  
Barry R. Bryant ◽  
Andrew B. Harris ◽  
Khaled M. Kebaish ◽  
Lee H. Riley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Postoperative Time ◽  
Spinal Deformity Surgery ◽  
Preoperative Factors ◽  
Time Point

OBJECTIVEThe objectives of the study were to determine, among patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD), the following: 1) how preoperative opioid use, dose, and duration of use are associated with long-term opioid use and dose; 2) how preoperative opioid use is associated with rates of postoperative use from 6 weeks to 2 years; and 3) how postoperative opioid use at 6 months and 1 year is associated with use at 2 years.METHODSUsing a single-center, longitudinally maintained registry, the authors identified 87 patients who underwent ASD surgery from 2013 to 2017. Fifty-nine patients reported preoperative opioid use (37 high-dose [≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalents daily] and 22 low-dose use). The duration of preoperative use was long-term (≥ 6 months) for 44 patients and short-term for 15. The authors evaluated postoperative opioid use at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine associations of preoperative opioid use, dose, and duration with use at each time point (alpha = 0.05).RESULTSThe following preoperative factors were associated with opioid use 2 years postoperatively: any opioid use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 14, 95% CI 2.5–82), high-dose use (aOR 7.3, 95% CI 1.1–48), and long-term use (aOR 17, 95% CI 2.2–123). All patients who reported high-dose opioid use at the 2-year follow-up examination had also reported preoperative opioid use. Preoperative high-dose use (aOR 247, 95% CI 5.8–10,546) but not long-term use (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 0.18–91) was associated with high-dose use at the 2-year follow-up visit. Compared with patients who reported no preoperative use, those who reported preoperative opioid use had higher rates of use at each postoperative time point (from 94% vs 62% at 6 weeks to 54% vs 7.1% at 2 years) (all p < 0.001). Opioid use at 2 years was independently associated with use at 1 year (aOR 33, 95% CI 6.8–261) but not at 6 months (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 0.95–24).CONCLUSIONSPatients’ preoperative opioid use, dose, and duration of use are associated with long-term use after ASD surgery, and a high preoperative dose is also associated with high-dose opioid use at the 2-year follow-up visit. Patients using opioids 1 year after ASD surgery may be at risk for long-term use.

Timing of conversion to cervical malalignment and proximal junctional kyphosis following surgical correction of adult spinal deformity: a 3-year radiographic analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Peter G. Passias ◽  
Haddy Alas ◽  
Sara Naessig ◽  
Han Jo Kim ◽  
Renaud Lafage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Conversion Rate ◽  
Lumbar Lordosis ◽  
Thoracic Kyphosis ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Early Group ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to assess the conversion rate from baseline cervical alignment to postoperative cervical deformity (CD) and the corresponding proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) rate in patients undergoing thoracolumbar adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. METHODS The operative records of patients with ASD with complete radiographic data beginning at baseline up to 3 years were included. Patients with no baseline CD were postoperatively stratified by Ames CD criteria (T1 slope–cervical lordosis mismatch [TS-CL] > 20°, cervical sagittal vertical axis [cSVA] > 40 mm), where CD was defined as fulfilling one or more of the Ames criteria. Severe CD was defined as TS-CL > 30° or cSVA > 60 mm. Follow-up intervals were established after ASD surgery, with 6 weeks postoperatively defined as early; 6 weeks–1 year as intermediate; 1–2 years as late; and 2–3 years as long-term. Descriptive analyses and McNemar tests identified the CD conversion rate, PJK rate (< −10° change in uppermost instrumented vertebra and the superior endplate of the vertebra 2 levels superior to the uppermost instrumented vertebra), and specific alignment parameters that converted. RESULTS Two hundred sixty-six patients who underwent ASD surgery (mean age 59.7 years, 77.4% female) met the inclusion criteria; 103 of these converted postoperatively, and the remaining 163 did not meet conversion criteria. Thirty-eight patients converted to CD early, 26 converted at the intermediate time point, 29 converted late, and 10 converted in the long-term. At conversion, the early group had the highest mean TS-CL at 25.4° ± 8.5° and the highest mean cSVA at 33.6 mm—both higher than any other conversion group. The long-term group had the highest mean C2–7 angle at 19.7° and the highest rate of PJK compared to other groups (p = 0.180). The early group had the highest rate of conversion to severe CD, with 9 of 38 patients having severe TS-CL and only 1 patient per group converting to severe cSVA. Seven patients progressed from having only malaligned TS-CL at baseline (with normal cSVA) to CD with both malaligned TS-CL and cSVA by 6 weeks. Conversely, only 2 patients progressed from malaligned cSVA to both malaligned cSVA and TS-CL. By 1 year, the former number increased from 7 to 26 patients, and the latter increased from 2 to 20 patients. The revision rate was highest in the intermediate group at 48.0%, versus the early group at 19.2%, late group at 27.3%, and long-term group at 20% (p = 0.128). A higher pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis mismatch, lower thoracic kyphosis, and a higher thoracic kyphosis apex immediately postoperatively significantly predicted earlier rather than later conversion (all p < 0.05). Baseline lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS Patients with ASD with normative cervical alignment who converted to CD after thoracolumbar surgery had varying radiographic findings based on timing of conversion. Although the highest number of patients converted within 6 weeks postoperatively, patients who converted in the late or long-term follow-up intervals had higher rates of concurrent PJK and greater radiographic progression.

Global coronal decompensation and adult spinal deformity surgery: comparison of upper-thoracic versus lower-thoracic proximal fixation for long fusions

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Buell ◽  
Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽  
Han Jo Kim ◽  
Eric O. Klineberg ◽  
Virginie Lafage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Spine ◽  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽  
Upper Thoracic ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVE Deterioration of global coronal alignment (GCA) may be associated with worse outcomes after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. The impact of fusion length and upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) selection on patients with this complication is unclear. The authors’ objective was to compare outcomes between long sacropelvic fusion with upper-thoracic (UT) UIV and those with lower-thoracic (LT) UIV in patients with worsening GCA ≥ 1 cm. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of a prospective multicenter database of consecutive ASD patients. Index operations involved instrumented fusion from sacropelvis to thoracic spine. Global coronal deterioration was defined as worsening GCA ≥ 1 cm from preoperation to 2-year follow-up. RESULTS Of 875 potentially eligible patients, 560 (64%) had complete 2-year follow-up data, of which 144 (25.7%) demonstrated worse GCA at 2-year postoperative follow-up (35.4% of UT patients vs 64.6% of LT patients). At baseline, UT patients were younger (61.6 ± 9.9 vs 64.5 ± 8.6 years, p = 0.008), a greater percentage of UT patients had osteoporosis (35.3% vs 16.1%, p = 0.009), and UT patients had worse scoliosis (51.9° ± 22.5° vs 32.5° ± 16.3°, p < 0.001). Index operations were comparable, except UT patients had longer fusions (16.4 ± 0.9 vs 9.7 ± 1.2 levels, p < 0.001) and operative duration (8.6 ± 3.2 vs 7.6 ± 3.0 hours, p = 0.023). At 2-year follow-up, global coronal deterioration averaged 2.7 ± 1.4 cm (1.9 to 4.6 cm, p < 0.001), scoliosis improved (39.3° ± 20.8° to 18.0° ± 14.8°, p < 0.001), and sagittal spinopelvic alignment improved significantly in all patients. UT patients maintained smaller positive C7 sagittal vertical axis (2.7 ± 5.7 vs 4.7 ± 5.7 cm, p = 0.014). Postoperative 2-year health-related quality of life (HRQL) significantly improved from baseline for all patients. HRQL comparisons demonstrated that UT patients had worse Scoliosis Research Society–22r (SRS-22r) Activity (3.2 ± 1.0 vs 3.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.040) and SRS-22r Satisfaction (3.9 ± 1.1 vs 4.3 ± 0.8, p = 0.021) scores. Also, fewer UT patients improved by ≥ 1 minimal clinically important difference in numerical rating scale scores for leg pain (41.3% vs 62.7%, p = 0.020). Comparable percentages of UT and LT patients had complications (208 total, including 53 reoperations, 77 major complications, and 78 minor complications), but the percentage of reoperated patients was higher among UT patients (35.3% vs 18.3%, p = 0.023). UT patients had higher reoperation rates of rod fracture (13.7% vs 2.2%, p = 0.006) and pseudarthrosis (7.8% vs 1.1%, p = 0.006) but not proximal junctional kyphosis (9.8% vs 8.6%, p = 0.810). CONCLUSIONS In ASD patients with worse 2-year GCA after long sacropelvic fusion, UT UIV was associated with worse 2-year HRQL compared with LT UIV. This may suggest that residual global coronal malalignment is clinically less tolerated in ASD patients with longer fusion to the proximal thoracic spine. These results may inform operative planning and improve patient counseling.

scholarly journals The prevalence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) in patients undergoing circumferential minimally invasive surgical (cMIS) correction for adult spinal deformity: long-term 2- to 13-year follow-up

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neel Anand ◽  
Aniruddh Agrawal ◽  
Robert Ravinsky ◽  
Babak Khanderhoo ◽  
Sheila Kahwaty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Deformity Correction ◽  
Minimally Invasive Surgical ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Proximal Junctional Failure ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Prospective Database

Abstract Objectives This aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of PJK and PJF in patients who underwent circumferential minimally invasive surgery (cMIS) for ASD. Methods A prospective database of patients who underwent cMIS correction of ASD from November 2006 to July 2018 was queried. PJK was defined as angle > 10° and at least 10° greater than the baseline when measuring UIV to UIV + 2. PJF was defined as any type of symptomatic PJK which required surgery. Pre-op, latest and delta SVA and PI-LL mismatch were compared between patients with PJK and without. Only patients instrumented at 4 or more levels with full length 36″ films and a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. Results A total of 184 patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Mean follow-up time was 85.2 months (24–158.9 months, SD 39.1). Mean age was 66 years (22–85 years). The mean number of operated levels was 6.9 levels (4–16 levels, SD 2.8). A total of 21 patients (10.8%) met PJK criteria. Only 10 (4.9%) were symptomatic (PJF) and underwent revision surgery. The other 11 patients remained asymptomatic. Comparing PJK to non-PJK patients, there was no statistically significant difference in the post-op SVA, delta SVA, post-op PI/LL and delta PI/LL between the two groups. Conclusion Our study would suggest that in the appropriately selected and well-optimized patient, CMIS deformity correction is associated with a low prevalence of PJK and PJF.

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