In multilevel posterior cervical instrumented fusions, extending the fusion across the cervico-thoracic junction at T1 or T2 (CTJ) has been associated with decreased rate of re-operation and pseudarthrosis but with longer surgical time and increased blood loss. The impact on patient reported outcomes (PROs) remains unclear. The primary objective was to determine whether extending the fusion through the CTJ influenced PROs at 3 and 12 months after surgery. Secondary objectives were to compare the number of patients reaching the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) for the PROs and mJOA, operative time duration, intra-operative blood loss (IOBL), length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, adverse events (AEs), re-operation within 12 months of the surgery, and patient satisfaction.

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a multicenter observational cohort study of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy. Patients who underwent a posterior instrumented fusion of 4 levels of greater (between C2-T2) between January 2015 and October 2020 with 12 months follow-up were included. PROS (NDI, EQ5D, SF-12 PCS and MCS, NRS arm and neck pain) and mJOA were compared using ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline differences. Patient demographics, comorbidities and surgical details were abstracted. Percentafe of patient reaching MCID for these outcomes was compared using chi-square test. Operative duration, IOBL, AEs, re-operation, discharge disposittion, LOS and satisfaction were compared using chi-square test for categorical variables and independent samples t-tests for continuous variables.

A total of 206 patients were included in this study (105 patients not crossing the CTJ and 101 crossing the CTJ). Patients who underwent a construct extending through the CTJ were more likely to be female and had worse baseline EQ5D and NDI scores (p> 0.05). When adjusted for baseline difference, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for the PROs and mJOA at 3 and 12 months. Surgical duration was longer (p 0.05). Satisfaction with the surgery was high in both groups but significantly different at 12 months (80% versus 72%, p= 0.042 for the group not crossing the CTJ and the group crossing the CTJ, respectively). The percentage of patients reaching MCID for the NDI score was 55% in the non-crossing group versus 69% in the group extending through the CTJ (p= 0.06).

Up to 12 months after the surgery, there was no statistically significant differences in PROs between posterior construct extended to or not extended to the upper thoracic spine. The adverse event profile did not differ significantly, but longer surgical time and blood loss were associated with construct extending across the CTJ.

Prolonged length of stay (LOS) is a significant contributor to the variation in surgical health care costs and resource utilization after elective spine surgery. The primary goal of this study was to identify patient, surgical and institutional variables that influence LOS. The secondary objective is to examine variability in institutional practices among participating centers.

This is a retrospective study of a prospectively multicentric followed cohort of patients enrolled in the CSORN between January 2015 and October 2020. A logistic regression model and bootstrapping method was used. A survey was sent to participating centers to assessed institutional level interventions in place to decrease LOS. Centers with LOS shorter than the median were compared to centers with LOS longer than the median.

A total of 3734 patients were included (979 discectomies, 1102 laminectomies, 1653 fusions). The median LOS for discectomy, laminectomy and fusion were respectively 0.0 day (IQR 1.0), 1.0 day (IQR 2.0) and 4.0 days (IQR 2.0). Laminectomy group had the largest variability (SD=4.4, Range 0-133 days). For discectomy, predictors of LOS longer than 0 days were having less leg pain, higher ODI, symptoms duration over 2 years, open procedure, and AE (p< 0.05). Predictors of longer LOS than median of 1 day for laminectomy were increasing age, living alone, higher ODI, open procedures, longer operative time, and AEs (p< 0.05). For posterior instrumented fusion, predictors of longer LOS than median of 4 days were older age, living alone, more comorbidities, less back pain, higher ODI, using narcotics, longer operative time, open procedures, and AEs (p< 0.05). Ten centers (53%) had either ERAS or a standardized protocol aimed at reducing LOS.

In this study stratifying individual patient and institutional level factors across Canada, several independent predictors were identified to enhance the understanding of LOS variability in common elective lumbar spine surgery. The current study provides an updated detailed analysis of the ongoing Canadian efforts in the implementation of multimodal ERAS care pathways. Future studies should explore multivariate analysis in institutional factors and the influence of preoperative patient education on LOS.

Seniors make up 16.9 percent of the Canadian population. Furthermore, the number of Canadians who are 65 years or older is increasing at an average rate of 20 percent every 5 years. In 2017, Sing etal reported that there is an increasing number of patients undergoing degenerative scoliosis surgery with the largest increase attributed to patients aged 65–69 years followed by those aged 70–74 years. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of undergoing spinal surgery to correct degenerative spinal scoliosis in the ever-growing number of elderly patients. We hypothesize that age is not an independent prognostic factor of patients' outcomes followings degenerative scoliosis surgery.

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data within the Canadian Spine Outcome and Research Network (CSORN) was conducted. Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS. ANOVA was used to analyze continuous variables while Chi Square test was used to analyze categorical variables. Significance level was p < 0.05.

There were 165 patients identified from the registry who met the inclusion criteria, 94 patients (57 %) were female. There were 102 (61.8 %) patients who were 65 years or older. The overall average age was 66.6 years (range 35–84, SD 8.6). There were 27 intra-operative complications, 44 peri-operative complications and 18 post operative complications. There was no statistically significant difference between the two age groups with regards to risk of developing intra-operative, perioperative and post operative complications. Patients who underwent degenerative scoliosis surgery reported an average improvement of 2.95±3.32, 3.64±3.50, 16.84±20.44 points on the back-pain scale, leg pain scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) respectively, there was no statistically significant differences in these measures between the two age groups.

As the number of patients undergoing degenerative scoliosis surgery increases, clinicians will need to determine which factors will significantly impact patients' outcomes following surgery. This study shows that age is not an independent prognostic factor when it comes to patients' outcomes following degenerative scoliosis surgery. In the future, research should examine the impact of age in conjunction with factors such as frailty, comorbidities and functional status on patient outcomes.

Post-operative infection is a serious complication of spine surgery and can contribute to the strain on the healthcare system's resources. The purpose of this study is to determine what factors affect the risk of developing postoperative infection. We hypothesize that female gender, smoking, diabetes, having thoracolumbar procedures, having a neurological deficit, increased age, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, blood loss, number of operative levels, operative time and undergoing non-elective surgery will increase the patients' risk of developing a post-operative infection.

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data within the Canadian Spine Outcome and Research Network (CSORN) was conducted. Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS. Multivariable logistical regression analysis was conducted (odds ratios) to determine any association between the outcome and independent factors. Significance level was p < 0.05.

There were 7747 patients identified from the registry that had completed at least 12 weeks of follow up. There were 199 infections recorded representing a 2.6% risk of infection. There were no association found between the risk of developing a post operative infection and gender, smoking, diabetes, having thoracolumbar procedures, having a neurological deficit, ASA score, blood loss, number of operative levels and undergoing non-elective surgery. The following were associated with an increased risk of developing a post operative infection: Older age (adjusted OR=1.021, 95% CI=1.005–1.038, p < 0 .05), having an elevated BMI (adjusted OR=1.042, 95% CI=1.013–1.072, p < 0 .005), longer operative time (adjusted OR=1.002, 95% CI=1.001–1.004, p < 0 .001).

There is a 2.6% overall rate of post-operative spine infection across 20 Canadian centres. The factors that were associated with an increased risk of developing a post operative-infection were older age, increased BMI and longer operative time. This study establishes a benchmark against which the effectiveness of future interventions to reduce infection can be compared.

Purposes and Background

Musculoskeletal disorders are leading causes of work disability. Our purpose was to develop a predictive model in a cohort from 2012 and validate the model in 2016 data.

Background/Purpose: One goal of LBP assessment is to direct clinicians to specific sub-groups that benefit from particular treatment approaches.

The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between patients assessed and treated based on a diagnostic system of LBP classification and those managed without a classification system.

Methods/Results: This was a prospective double-cohort study of mechanical LBP cases (n=2110) who started a rehabilitation program at 15 clinics across Canada between February 06 and August 07. A group of patients attending 7 clinics specifically trained in the use of a LBP classification system using patterns of pain, not anatomic site or pathological process (n=1356) were compared with patients from 8 clinics using a generic, non-classification approach (n=754). Patients are categorized into one of five classifications, each dictating a separate treatment approach.

The mean age of the cohort was 44.7 years (SD=13.3, range=18–89) with 55.1% males. The mean lagtime from injury to treatment was 110.7 days (median=32 days).

Treatment based on this classification system resulted in more pain reduction (p< 0.001), higher functional improvement (p< 0.001), less medication use (p< 0.001) and fewer treatment days (p< 0.001), compared to a generic approach.

Conclusion: Outcome differences between groups suggest that LBP is heterogeneous, and recognizable by clinical patterns of patient characteristics. The results support the effectiveness of a classification system that matches treatment to patient presentation and pattern of pain. Showing that one cohort had better outcomes than another as a result of classifying back pain is formidable test of validity.