Articles: surgery.
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Spinal fusion surgery is known to be an expensive intervention. Although innovative technologies in the field aim at improving operative efficiency and outcomes, total costs must be considered. The authors hope to elucidate any differences between robot-assisted (RA) and computed tomography navigation (CT-nav) or freehand fluoroscopy-guided (FFG) pedicle screw placement in relation to patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness in lumbar fusion surgery (LFS). ⋯ This study shows that RA pedicle screw placement in LFS provides similar patient outcomes to CT-nav and FFG. Robot-assisted operations were found to give rise to cost savings via decreased length of stay when compared to both CT-nav and FFG techniques. Cost-savings of $4086-$4865/patient and $7317-$9654/patient could be achieved when utilizing RA over CT-nav and FFG, respectively. However, extra upfront and maintenance costs may impact full adoption of RA in LFS.
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Preoperative medical evaluation can minimize inefficiencies and improve outcomes. Thoughtful use of preoperative testing can aid in that effort, but, conversely, indiscriminate testing can detract from it. ⋯ Testing is supported only when clinical indications are present. Particularly in low-risk patients, such as those with an ASA classification of 1 or 2 who are undergoing ambulatory procedures, evidence suggests that preoperative testing fails to reduce the risk of complications.
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Multicenter Study
Temporal Shape Changes of Pedicle screw-rod Constructs After Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
Retrospective multicenter study. ⋯ The temporal shape changes of screw-rod constructs following short-segment lumbar interbody fusion progressed up to 6 months after surgery but not significantly thereafter.