From disc replacement revision rates to the effectiveness of biologics, Becker's reported on several spine and orthopedic surgery studies since Aug. 20.
1. Single-level lumbar spinal fusions had similar reoperation rates between anterolateral and posterior surgical techniques.
2. Single-level lumbar spinal fusion costs are determined by a variety of factors, but surgeon decisions play a significant role. Implant costs accounted for 30% of the total fees, on average. However across all patients, implant costs accounted for anywhere between 6% to 44% of the total fees.
3. Bone marrow aspirate injections didn't lead to significant changes for patients who had arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Of the 95 patients in the study, 83 were included for the final analysis. There weren't significant differences between the groups' patient characteristics, intraoperative variables, concomitant procedures, preoperative PROM scores or preoperative radiographic findings.
4. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols for spine patients didn't improve some patient outcomes measurements at one center, but other factors may have affected results. The study evaluated spine patients who had surgery at the Integrated Spine Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas between September 2016 and September 2021.
5. Cost-effectiveness was reached in adult spinal deformity patients in most patients by five years after surgery. Researches included 327 patients who had spinal deformity surgery and five-year follow-up, and published methods helped determine costs based on CMS's definitions.
6. Zetagen Therapeutics' ZetaFuse has potential to treat degenerative disc disease in patients with late-stage cancer. The case study focused on a stage 4 lung cancer patient who has multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease.
7. Patients prescribed glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, including Ozepmic and Wegovy, have a significantly higher postoperative infection rate following ankle-fusion procedures.
8. A retrospective study from New York City-based NYU Langone found a connection between endoscopic spine surgery and reduced need for postoperative pain medication. The study of 102 patients found that opioid use was reduced by 21% with endoscopic surgery compared to other minimally invasive techniques. Non-opioid pain medication overall was reduced 24% in endoscopic unilateral biportal surgery was also found in the study.
9. A study from Life Spine found that the company's endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion platform performed as well as a minimally invasive tubular approach.
10. A study led by Ettore Vulcano, MD, of New York City-based Mount Sinai found a minimally invasive procedure for achilles tendonitis was effective in as little as six weeks.
11. Less than 2% of cervical disc replacements needed a removal or revision. Researchers with Plano-based Texas Back Institute analyzed data from 1,626 of their cervical disc replacement patients between 2003 to June 2021. Disc replacements of up to three levels and hybrid fusion cases were included.
12. Facet joint violation by pedicle screws under robotic guidance was reduced at some parts of the lumbar spine compared to CT navigation during lumbar spine surgery.