Surgical site infection (SSI) is a feared complication in spinal surgery, that leads to lower outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Among its risk factors, sarcopenia and osteopenia have recently attracted particular interest. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the influence of sarcopenia and osteopenia on the postoperative infection rate in patients treated with posterior fusion for degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. This retrospective study included data from 308 patients. Charts were reviewed and central sarcopenia and osteopenia were evaluated through magnetic resonance images (MRI), measuring the psoas to lumbar vertebral index (PLVI) and the M score. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for infection. The postoperative SSI rate was 8.4%. Patients with low PLVI scores were not more likely to experience postoperative SSI (p = 0.68), while low M-score patients were at higher risk of developing SSI (p = 0.04). However, they did not generally show low PLVI values (p = 0.5) and were homogeneously distributed between low and high PLVI (p = 0.6). Multivariate analysis confirmed a low M score to be an independent risk factor for SSI (p = 0.01). Our results suggest that osteopenia could have significant impact on spinal surgery, and prospective studies are needed to better investigate its role.

Background: Robotic surgery is currently a reality in surgical practice, and many endeavors have been made to extend its application also in pediatric surgery. In the absence of easy access to a robotic surgical system, new devices have been developed to offer a valid alternative such as wristed instruments. These differ from conventional laparoscopic instruments owing to a wrist-like mechanism at the tip, which faithfully reproduces the movements of the surgeon’s hands, regaining more movement’s degrees; Methods: We present two case reports in which the patients were subjected to minimally invasive procedures with aid of wristed instruments, followed by a review of the literature regarding the devices commonly marketed; Results: Articulated or wristed instruments render the same features seen in robotic surgery, such as major dexterity in smaller spaces, restitution of more natural movements and the ability to get over obstacles in a direct visual line. Our center recently equipped with ArtiSential® articulated instruments and so far, they have proven to be of great value; Conclusions: wristed instruments could represent a standpoint for surgeons wanting to benefit from the advantages of robotic surgery with a cost-sensitive perspective.

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Proximal Junctional Disease (PJD) and Surgical Site Infection (SSI) are among the most common complications following spine surgery. Their risk factors are not fully understood. Among them, sarcopenia and osteopenia have recently been attracting interest. The aim of this study is to evaluate their influence on mechanical or infective complications after lumbar spine fusion. Patients who underwent open posterior lumbar fusion were analyzed. Through preoperative MRI, central sarcopenia and osteopenia were measured with the Psoas Lumbar Vertebral Index (PLVI) and the M-Score, respectively. Patients were stratified by low vs. high PLVI and M-Score and then by postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis for independent risk factors was performed. A total of 392 patients (mean age 62.6 years, mean follow up 42.4 months) were included. Multivariate linear regression identified comorbidity Index (p = 0.006), and dural tear (p = 0.016) as independent risk factors for SSI, and age (p = 0.014) and diabetes (p = 0.43) for PJD. Low M-score and PLVI were not correlated to a higher complications rate. Age, comorbidity index, diabetes, dural tear and length of stay are independent risk factors for infection and/or proximal junctional disease in patients who undergo lumbar arthrodesis for degenerative disc disease, while central sarcopenia and osteopenia (as measured by PLVI and M-score) are not.