Background The clinical practice of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has grown significantly in recent years in multiple medical specialties. However, comparisons of PRP studies across medical fields remain challenging because of inconsistent reporting of protocols and characterization of the PRP being administered. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the quantity of level I/II studies within each medical specialty and compare the level of study reporting across medical fields. Methods The Cochrane Database, PubMed, and EMBASE databases were queried for level I/II clinical studies on PRP injections across all medical specialties. From these studies, data including condition treated, PRP processing and characterization, delivery, control group, and assessed outcomes were collected. Results A total of 132 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and involved 28 different conditions across 8 specialties (cardiothoracic surgery, cosmetic, dermatology, musculoskeletal (MSK), neurology, oral maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery). Studies on PRP for MSK injuries made up the majority of the studies (74%), with knee osteoarthritis and tendinopathy being most commonly studied. Of the 132 studies, only 44 (33%) characterized the composition of PRP used, and only 23 (17%) reported the leukocyte component. MSK studies were more likely to use patient-reported outcome measures to assess outcomes, while studies from other specialties were more likely to use clinician- or imaging-based objective outcomes. Overall, 61% of the studies found PRP to be favorable over control treatment, with no difference in favorable reporting between MSK and other medical specialties. Conclusions The majority of level I/II clinical studies investigating PRP therapy across all medical specialties have been conducted for MSK injuries with knee osteoarthritis and tendinopathy being the most commonly studied conditions. Inconsistent reporting of PRP composition exists among all studies in medicine. Rigorous reporting in human clinical studies across all medical specialties is crucial for evaluating the effects of PRP and moving towards disease-specific and individualized treatment.

Background: Although the toxic effects of bupivacaine on chondrocyte monolayer culture have been well described, its cellular and mechanical effects on native and engineered articular cartilage remain unclear. For the repair of articular cartilage defects, fresh autologous and allogenic cartilage grafts are commonly used, and engineered cell-based therapies are emerging. The outcome of grafting therapies aimed at repairing damaged cartilage relies largely on maintaining proper viability and mechanical suitability of the donor tissues. Purpose: To investigate the in vitro effects of single bupivacaine exposure on the viability and mechanics of 2 cartilage graft types: native articular cartilage and engineered neocartilage. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Articular cartilage explants were harvested from the bovine stifle femoral condyles, and neocartilage constructs were engineered from bovine stifle chondrocytes using the self-assembling process, a scaffold-free approach to engineer cartilage tissue. Both explants and neocartilage were exposed to chondrogenic medium containing a clinically applicable bolus of 0.5%, 0.25%, or 0% (control) bupivacaine for 1 hour, followed by fresh medium wash and exchange. Cell viability and matrix content (collagen and glycosaminoglycan) were assessed at t = 24 hours after treatment, and compressive mechanical properties were assessed with creep indentation testing at t = 5 to 6 days after treatment. Results: Single bupivacaine exposure was chondrotoxic in both explants and neocartilage, with 0.5% bupivacaine causing a significant decrease in chondrocyte viability compared with the control condition (55.0% ± 13.4% vs 71.9% ± 13.5%; P < .001). Bupivacaine had no significant effect on matrix content for either tissue type. There was significant weakening of the mechanical properties in the neocartilage when treated with 0.5% bupivacaine compared with control, with decreased aggregate modulus (415.8 ± 155.1 vs 660.3 ± 145.8 kPa; P = .003), decreased shear modulus (143.2 ± 14.0 vs 266.5 ± 89.2 kPa; P = .002), and increased permeability (14.7 ± 8.1 vs 6.6 ± 1.7 × 10−15 m4/Ns; P = .009). Bupivacaine exposure did not have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of native cartilage explants. Conclusion: Single bupivacaine exposure resulted in significant chondrotoxicity in native explants and neocartilage and significant weakening of mechanical properties of neocartilage. The presence of abundant extracellular matrix does not appear to confer any additional resistance to the toxic effects of bupivacaine. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be judicious regarding the use of intra-articular bupivacaine in the setting of articular cartilage repair.

Background: Preoperative optimization in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion is essential to limit the number and severity of postoperative complications. Here, we, additionally, evaluated the impact of hypoalbuminemia on morbidity and mortality after posterior spinal fusion surgery. Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed using data from a prospective multicentric database (ACSNSQIP:2015–2020) regarding patients undergoing posterior spinal fusions. Factors studied included; baseline demographics and 30-day postoperative complications (i.e., reoperations, readmissions, and mortality rates). Results: There were 6805 patients who met the inclusion criteria. They averaged 62 years of age and had an average BMI of 30.2. Within the 30-day postoperative period, 634 (9.3%) sustained complications; 467 (6.9%) were readmitted, 263 (3.9%) required reoperations, and 37 (0.5%) expired. Although multiple preoperative risk factors were analyzed, hypoalbuminemia, severe hypoalbuminemia, and dialysis were the strongest independent risk factors associated with complications (i.e., reoperations, readmissions, and mortality). Conclusion: Hypoalbuminemia, severe hypoalbuminemia, and dialysis were significant predictors for morbidity and mortality after posterior spinal fusion surgery.

Background: We analyzed the role of hypoalbuminemia, dialysis, and other risk factors that increase morbidity/ mortality following surgery for primary pyogenic spinal infections (PSIs). The American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) that included 627 patients was utilized as our database. Methods: Primary spinal surgery for spondylodiscitis was evaluated in a ACS-NSQIP database involving 627 patients between 2010 and 2019. Outcome assessment included evaluation of 30-day postoperative morbidity, and mortality rates. Results: Within 30 postoperative days, complications occurred in 14.6% (92/627) of patients; 59 (9.4%) required readmission, and 39 (6.2%) required additional surgery. The most common complications were: wound infections, pneumonia, septic shock, and death (1.8%). Hypoalbuminemia (i.e., significantly associated with unplanned readmission and reoperation), and dialysis were the two major risk factors contributing to increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: Among 627 ACS-NSQIP patients undergoing primary surgery for PSIs, hypoalbuminemia and dialysis were associated with higher risks of major perioperative morbidity (i.e., within 30 postoperative days – mostly readmissions and reoperations) and mortality.

Study design Retrospective review of multicentric data. Objectives The modified 5-item frailty index is a relatively new tool to assess the post-operative complication risks. It has been recently shown a good predictive value after posterior lumbar fusion. We aimed to compare the predictive value of the modified 5-item frailty index in cervical, thoracic and lumbar surgery. Methods The American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) Database 2015-2020 was used to identify patients who underwent elective posterior cervical, thoracic, or lumbar fusion surgeries for degenerative conditions. The mFI-5 score was calculated based on the presence of 5 co-morbidities: congestive heart failure within 30 days prior to surgery, insulin-dependent or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pneumonia, partially dependent or totally dependent functional health status at time of surgery, and hypertension requiring medication. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the independent impact of increasing mFI-5 score on the postoperative morbidity while controlling for baseline clinical characteristics. Results 53 252 patients were included with the mean age of 64.2 ± 7.2. 7946 suffered medical complications (14.9%), 1565 had surgical complications (2.9%), and 3385 were readmitted (6.3%), 363 died (.68%) within 30 days postoperative (6.3%). The mFI-5 items score was significantly associated with higher rates of complications, readmission, and mortality in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar posterior fusion surgery. Conclusion The modified 5-item frailty score is a reliable tool to predict complications, readmission, and mortality in patients planned for elective posterior spinal fusion surgery.