RESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of spine surgery patients with new major neurologic complication. OBJECTIVE: To define the causes and severity of new neurologic damage to the spinal cord or cauda equina caused by spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consult records were reviewed for all postoperative spine surgery patients referred to a tertiary spinal cord injury rehabilitation center over a 12-year period. Any patients with a new perioperative surgery-related decrement in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS), loss of bowel or bladder function, or loss of ability to ambulate were examined and final 1-year gaps for neurologic loss reported. RESULTS: 64 patients had a new perioperative major neurologic event with: 41% thoracic, 39% cervical, and 20% lumbar; 61% intraoperative, 31% in the immediate 2-week postoperative period, 8% unknown. Chronic myelopathy (44%) was the most common indication. The causes of neurologic injury were postoperative fluid collection (25%), malposition of instrumentation (14%), traumatic decompression (14%), cord infarct (11%), deformity correction (2%), and unknown (34%). Overall, 87% lost the ability to ambulate and 66% lost volitional bowel-bladder control. AIS decrement and loss of ambulation and bowel-bladder function did not differ statistically significantly by surgical indication. However, among the main root causes, traumatic decompressions and cord infarcts had significantly worse neurologic deterioration than fluid collections or malposition of instrumentation. CONCLUSION: The relative rate of major neurologic injury in spine surgery is higher in thoracic and cervical cases at spinal cord levels, especially when done for myelopathy, even though lumbar surgeries are most common. The most common causes of neurologic injury were potentially avoidable postoperative fluid collections, malposition of instrumentation, and traumatic decompression.
Asunto(s)
Descompresión Quirúrgica , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos , Médula Espinal , Humanos , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/efectos adversos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Médula Espinal/cirugía , Enfermedades de la Médula EspinalRESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVES: To examine the patterns and relative rates of occurrence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in automobiles compared to motorcycles and bicycles. SETTING: Los Angeles County, California. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of SCI consults at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles County, California between 2003 and 2013 were selected and screened for a mechanism of injury involving a vehicular accident. Chart review was performed to determine neurological levels and extent of impairment, which were graded according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. RESULTS: We identified 398 cases of SCI from 2003 to 2013 that fit the inclusion criteria. Overall, the relative percentages of ASIA impairment scale (AIS) A/B/C/D did not differ statistically across automobiles, motorcycles, or bicycles. When stratified by spinal region, motorcycles had a higher percentage of thoracic SCIs compared to automobiles. Automobiles resulted in more cervical SCIs with few injuries in the lumbar region. Bicycle patterns followed automobiles, not motorcycles. Thoracic SCIs were more likely graded motor complete than cervical or lumbar injuries, regardless of the mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle related SCIs occur primarily in the cervicothoracic region. SCIs due to motorcycle accidents have a higher predilection for the thoracic region, and there is a statistically higher percentage of motor complete injuries. A higher percentage of cervical SCIs occur as a result of automobile and bicycle accidents. Extrapolations from motor vehicle usage data suggest that the relative rate of occurrence of SCI for motorcycles is higher than for automobiles.
Asunto(s)
Accidentes de Tránsito , Automóviles , Motocicletas , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/epidemiología , Adulto , Ciclismo/lesiones , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: We receive a large number of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to penetrating gunshot wounds (GSW) at our national rehabilitation center. Although many patients are labeled American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) B sensory incomplete because of sensory sparing, especially deep anal pressure, with purported prognostic value, we have not observed a clinical difference from patients labeled ASIA A complete. We hypothesized that sensory sparing, if meaningful, should reduce the occurrence of pressure ulcers. PURPOSE: To determine if ASIA classifications A and B are important distinctions for patients with SCIs secondary to civilian gunshot wounds. DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with civilian gunshot-induced SCI transferred to Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center between 1999 and 2014. Outcome measures were occurrence of pressure ulcers and surgical intervention for pressure ulcers. PATIENT SAMPLE: We included a total of 487 patients who sustained civilian gunshot wounds to the spine and were provided care at Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center from 2001 to 2014. OUTCOME MEASURES: Occurrence of pressure ulcers and surgical intervention for pressure ulcers among patients who suffered civilian-induced gunshot wounds to the spine. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 487 SCIs due to gunshot wounds that were treated at Rancho Los Amigos from 2001 to 2014. Injury characteristics including ASIA classification, pressure ulcers, and pressure ulcer surgeries were recorded. Comprehensive surgical data were obtained for all patients. Chart reviews and telephone interviews were performed to determine the occurrence of any pressure ulcers and pressure ulcer surgeries. Statistical analysis was performed to compare data by spinal region and ASIA grade. There were no conflicts of interest from any of the authors, and there was no funding obtained for this study. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference for cervical ASIA A versus ASIA B for the occurrence of pressure ulcers or the percentage requiring surgery, nor for thoracic A versus B. When grouped, there was a statistically higher occurrence of pressure ulcers in cervical A or B classification than in thoracic A or B classification, but a higher rate of surgery for thoracic A or B classification. Lumbosacral cauda equina levels were not statistically different in occurrence of pressure ulcers or pressureulcer surgery by ASIA grades A-D. Overall, when grouped C1-T12, cord-level cervicothoracic A and B classifications were statistically equivalent. C1-T12 cord level C or D classification with motor sparing had statistically lower occurrence and need of surgery for pressure ulcers and were equivalent to lumbosacral cauda equina level A-D. CONCLUSION: ASIA A and B distinctions are not meaningful at spinal cord levels in the cervicothoracic spine due to gunshot wounds as shown by similar occurrence of pressure ulcers and pressure ulcer surgery, and should be treated as if the same. Meaningful decrease of pressure ulcers at cord levels does not occur until there is motor sparing ASIA C or D. Furthermore, cauda equina lumbosacral injuries are a lower risk, which is independent of ASIA grade A-D and statistically equivalent to cord level C or D. Motor sparing at cord levels or any cauda equina level is most determinative neurologically for the occurrence of pressure ulcers or pressure ulcer surgery.
Asunto(s)
Complicaciones Posoperatorias/epidemiología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/epidemiología , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/epidemiología , Adulto , Anciano , Cauda Equina/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/patología , Úlcera por Presión/epidemiología , Úlcera por Presión/patología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/clasificación , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/patología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/cirugía , Estados Unidos , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/clasificación , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/patología , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/cirugíaRESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. OBJECTIVE: Assess appropriate utilization of surgery for civilian gunshot-induced spinal cord injuries (CGSWSCI) according to literature standards in a large cohort. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: CGSWSCI are mechanically stable injuries that rarely require surgery. Nonetheless, we continue to see high numbers of these patients undergo surgical treatment. This study compares indications for surgeries performed in a large cohort of CGSWSCI patients to established indications for surgical management of such injuries. The rate of over-utilization of surgical management was calculated. METHODS: Four hundred eighty-nine CGSWSCI patients transferred for rehabilitation to our institution between 2000 and 2014 were identified. Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent initial surgical treatment, the specific surgeries performed, and indications given. We assessed appropriateness of surgery according to literature standards. Patients treated surgically were followed to assess for complications and the need for additional intervention and compared to nonsurgical patients. Secondarily, visual analog scale pain scores (0-10) and patient perceived improvement were compared between surgical and nonsurgical patients after telephone survey of both groups. RESULTS: Of 489 patients, 91 (18%) underwent initial surgery. Of 91 surgeries, 69 (75%) were not indicated by literature standards. Five of 91 (5.5%) of initially operated patients required a secondary surgery compared with two of 398 (0.5%) of the nonoperative group (Pâ=â0.003). Over-utilization rate of the entire cohort was 14.1%. No difference was seen for pain scores or patient perceived improvement between operative and nonoperative patients. CONCLUSION: We report a high overutilization rate (14%) of surgery for CGSWSCI in our cohort. Surgical management was associated with higher infection and secondary surgery rates compared to nonsurgical management. Surgery done without a clear, demonstrable benefit poses unnecessary risk to patients and accumulates unwarranted healthcare costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
Asunto(s)
Vértebras Lumbares/cirugía , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/cirugía , Heridas por Arma de Fuego/cirugía , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/etiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Satisfacción del Paciente , Reoperación/efectos adversos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE Penetrating gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the spinal column are stable injuries and do not require spinal orthoses or bracing postinjury. Nonetheless, a high number of GSW-related spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are referred with a brace to national rehabilitation centers. Unnecessary bracing may encumber rehabilitation, create skin breakdown or pressure ulcers, and add excessive costs. The aim of this study was to confirm the stability of spinal column injuries from GSWs and quantify the overutilization rate of bracing based on long-term follow-up. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was performed at a nationally renowned rehabilitation center. In total, 487 GSW-related SCI patients were transferred for rehabilitation and identified over the last 14 years. Retrospective chart review and telephone interviews were conducted to identify patients who were braced at the initial treating institution and determine if late instability, deformity, or neurological deterioration resulted in secondary surgery or intervention. In addition, 396 unoperated patients were available for analysis after 91 patients were excluded for undergoing an initial destabilizing surgical dissection or laminectomy, thereby altering the natural history of the injury. All of these 396 patients who presented with a brace had bracing discontinued upon reaching the facility. RESULTS In total, 203 of 396 patients were transferred with a spinal brace, demonstrating an overutilization rate of 51%. No patients deteriorated neurologically or needed later surgery for spinal column deformity or instability attributable to the injury. All patients had stable injuries. The patterns of injury and severity of neurological injury did not vary between patients who were initially braced or unbraced. The average follow-up was 7.8 years (range 1-14 years) and the average age was 25 years (range 10-62 years). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of brace overutilization for penetrating GSW-related SCI was 51%. Long-term follow-up in this study confirmed that these injuries were stable and thus did not require bracing. No patients deteriorated neurologically, whether or not they were initially braced. The unnecessary use of spinal orthoses increases costs and patient morbidity. Reeducation and dissemination of this information is warranted.