In situ fusion surgery in patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis with small L5 transverse processes (surface area, < 2 cm2) results in a high rate of pseudarthrosis. Circumferential procedures result in the highest rate of fusion and are effective in achieving fusion in those patients with established pseudarthrosis. The use of long (> 60 mm) iliac screws bilaterally (n = 21) in addition to bicortical sacral screws (four-point sacral-pelvis fixation) along with anterior column fusion reduces the risk of instrumentation failure in a decompression and reduction procedure. Outcomes of function, pain, and satisfaction are excellent in those in whom fusion is achieved. The risks in circumferential fusion-reduction procedures are acceptable.

Object. The authors evaluated the effects of pilot hole preparation technique on insertional torque and axial pullout resistance in osteoporotic thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Methods. Using a probe technique and fluoroscopy, 102 pedicle screws were placed in 51 dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry—proven osteoporotic thoracic and lumbar levels. Screws were inserted using the same-size tapping, one-size-under tapping, or no-tapping technique. Insertional torque and axial pullout resistance were measured. Analysis of variance, Fisher exact test, and regression analysis were performed. Same-size tapping decreased pullout resistance in the lumbar spine. There was no effect on pullout resistance in the thoracic spine. Pullout resistance values were lower for all insertion techniques in the upper thoracic spine. Insertional torque and bone mineral density correlated with pullout resistance in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Conclusions. Tapping decreased pedicle screw pullout resistance in the osteoporotic human lumbar spine, although it did not affect pullout strength in the thoracic spine. Tapping decreased insertional torque in upper thoracic levels. Surgeons should optimize overall construct rigidity when placing thoracic pedicle screws in patients with spinal segment osteoporosis.

Placement of C1 lateral mass screws may be facilitated by intentional C2 root sacrifice. Functional outcomes and morbidity following intentional sacrifice of the C2 root have not been reported in the literature. The objective is to find out if intentional C2 nerve root sacrifice affects functional outcomes and operative morbidity in patients undergoing posterior cervical fusion with C1 lateral mass screws. The study is a case report. Twenty-two consecutive elderly patients (10 males, 12 females with an average age of 77 years) with C1-2 instability were treated with posterior cervical fusion using C1 lateral mass screw placement. Five patients had preservation of the bilateral C2 nerve roots (PRES group) and 18 patients had intentional sacrifice of the bilateral C2 nerve root (SAC group). Operative times, blood loss, hospital length of stay, and complications were recorded for each patient. Functional outcomes, pain, and satisfaction scores were compared between the two groups at the time of ultimate follow-up. Average follow-up time was 19.3 months (range 6-66). The SAC group demonstrated significantly decreased operative time (109.4 vs. 187 min) and a trend towards decreased blood loss (344 vs. 1,030 mL). At ultimate follow-up both groups experienced similar mild disability with no significant difference in NDI scores, analog pain, and satisfaction scores. No patient had C2 root dysesthesia, swallowing, or speech difficulty. In this small case series, intentional sacrifice of the bilateral C2 nerve root ganglion resulted in less operative time and decreased blood loss in elderly patents undergoing C1-2 posterior fusion with the Harms technique. Functional outcome, pain and satisfaction scores were not adversely affected when this technique was used in elderly patients.

Odontoid nonunion and instability are high in geriatric patients treated with a rigid cervical collar. Fracture healing and stability did not correlate with improved outcomes. Outcomes did not differ significantly from age-matched cohorts.

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Anterior fresh-frozen structural allograft works effectively in the long term to maintain correction of sagittal plane abnormalities if combined with posterior fusion and instrumentation. A minimum of 5 years after surgery, there is a high rate of structural allograft incorporation into the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Recommendation 1: Chronic LBP patients with depression, neuroticism, and certain personality disorders should preferentially be treated nonoperatively. Strength of recommendation: Weak. Recommendation 2: Consider the use of a validated psychological screening questionnaire such as the BDI, FABQ, DRAM, ZDI or STAI, when treating patients with CLBP. Strength of recommendation: Weak.

Use of fusion for ISY has significantly increased and interbody fusion has become the most preferred approach over the study period. Hospital charges and complications were highest for combined anterior-posterior fusions.