Vincent J. Alentado

Bio: Vincent J. Alentado is an academic researcher from Indiana University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Decompression & Quality of life. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 9 publications receiving 152 citations. Previous affiliations of Vincent J. Alentado include Case Western Reserve University & Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.

Decompression surgery for spinal metastases: a systematic review.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on reported outcomes following decompression surgery for spinal metastases. METHODS The authors conducted MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science database searches for studies reporting clinical outcomes and complications associated with decompression surgery for metastatic spinal tumors. Both retrospective and prospective studies were included. After meeting inclusion criteria, articles were categorized based on the following reported outcomes: survival, ambulation, surgical technique, neurological function, primary tumor histology, and miscellaneous outcomes. RESULTS Of the 4148 articles retrieved from databases, 36 met inclusion criteria. Of those included, 8 were prospective studies and 28 were retrospective studies. The year of publication ranged from 1992 to 2015. Study size ranged from 21 to 711 patients. Three studies found that good preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS ≥ 80%) was a significant predictor of survival. No study reported a significant effect of time-to-surgery following the onset of spinal cord compression symptoms on survival. Three studies reported improvement in neurological function following surgery. The most commonly cited complication was wound infection or dehiscence (22 studies). Eight studies reported that preoperative ambulatory or preoperative motor status was a significant predictor of postoperative ambulatory status. A wide variety of surgical techniques were reported: posterior decompression and stabilization, posterior decompression without stabilization, and posterior decompression with total or subtotal tumor resection. Although a wide range of functional scales were used to assess neurological outcomes, four studies used the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale to assess neurological function. Four studies reported the effects of radiation therapy and local disease control for spinal metastases. Two studies reported that the type of treatment was not significantly associated with the rate of local control. The most commonly reported primary tumor types included lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. CONCLUSIONS This study reports a systematic review of the literature on decompression surgery for spinal metastases. The results of this study can help educate surgeons on the previously published predictors of outcomes following decompression surgery for metastatic spinal disease. However, the authors also identify significant gaps in the literature and the need for future studies investigating the optimal practice with regard to decompression surgery for spinal metastases.

The Relationship of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Attachment to the Distal Femoral Physis

Abstract: Background:No published study has ever described the relationship of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) attachment to the distal femoral physis in skeletally immature cadaveric specimens. As such, there continues to be much confusion about this relationship, which is important when considering MPFL reconstruction in the skeletally immature patient.Hypothesis:The MPFL footprint is distal to the medial border of the distal femoral physis.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Sixteen skeletally immature cadaveric specimens were used for this study. The average age of the specimens was 12 years (range, 10-15 years). The MPFL femoral attachment, adductor tubercle, and medial epicondyle were identified in all specimens, and the topography of the distal femoral physis was carefully described. Measurements were then taken of the distance from the medial aspect of the distal femoral physis to the MPFL femoral attachment and the horizontal distance from the MPFL femoral attachment to the point wh...

Lumbar spine surgery positioning complications: a systematic review.

Abstract: OBJECT There are a variety of surgical positions that provide optimal exposure of the dorsal lumbar spine. These include the prone, kneeling, knee-chest, knee-elbow, and lateral decubitus positions. All are positions that facilitate exposure of the spine. Each position, however, is associated with an array of unique complications that result from excessive pressure applied to the torso or extremities. The authors reviewed clinical studies reporting complications that arose from positioning of the patient during dorsal exposures of the lumbar spine. METHODS MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science database searches were performed to find clinical studies reporting complications associated with positioning during lumbar spine surgery. For articles meeting inclusion criteria, the following information was obtained: publication year, study design, sample size, age, operative time, type of surgery, surgical position, frame or table type, complications associated with positioning, time to first observed complication, long-term outcomes, and evidence-based recommendations for complication avoidance. RESULTS Of 3898 articles retrieved from MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, 34 met inclusion criteria. Twenty-four studies reported complications associated with use of the prone position, and 7 studies investigated complications after knee-chest positioning. Complications associated with the knee-elbow, lateral decubitus, and supine positions were each reported by a single study. Vision loss was the most commonly reported complication for both prone and knee-chest positioning. Several other complications were reported, including conjunctival swelling, Ischemic orbital compartment syndrome, nerve palsies, thromboembolic complications, pressure sores, lower extremity compartment syndrome, and shoulder dislocation, highlighting the assortment of possible complications following different surgical positions. For prone-position studies, there was a relationship between increased operation time and position complications. Only 3 prone-position studies reported complications following procedures of less than 120 minutes, 7 studies reported complications following mean operative times of 121-240 minutes, and 9 additional studies reported complications following mean operative times greater than 240 minutes. This relationship was not observed for knee-chest and other surgical positions. CONCLUSIONS This work presents a systematic review of positioning-related complications following prone, knee-chest, and other positions used for lumbar spine surgery. Numerous evidence-based recommendations for avoidance of these potentially severe complications associated with intraoperative positioning are discussed. This investigation may serve as a framework to educate the surgical team and decrease rates of intraoperative positioning complications.

Comparison of clinical outcomes in decompression and fusion versus decompression only in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: a meta-analysis

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a pathological calcification or ossification of the PLL, predominantly occurring in the cervical spine. Although surgery is often necessary for patients with symptomatic neurological deterioration, there remains controversy with regard to the optimal surgical treatment. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors identified differences in complications and outcomes after anterior or posterior decompression and fusion versus after decompression alone for the treatment of cervical myelopathy due to OPLL. METHODS A MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science search was performed for studies reporting complications and outcomes after decompression and fusion or after decompression alone for patients with OPLL. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate effect summary mean values, 95% CIs, Q statistics, and I(2) values. Forest plots were constructed for each analysis group. RESULTS Of the 2630 retrieved articles, 32 met the inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of excellent and good outcomes and of fair and poor outcomes between the decompression and fusion and the decompression-only cohorts. However, the decompression and fusion cohort had a statistically significantly higher recovery rate (63.2% vs 53.9%; p < 0.0001), a higher final Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (14.0 vs 13.5; p < 0.0001), and a lower incidence of OPLL progression (< 1% vs 6.3%; p < 0.0001) compared with the decompression-only cohort. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the 2 cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This study represents the only comprehensive review of outcomes and complications after decompression and fusion or after decompression alone for OPLL across a heterogeneous group of surgeons and patients. Based on these results, decompression and fusion is a superior surgical technique compared with posterior decompression alone in patients with OPLL. These results indicate that surgical decompression and fusion lead to a faster recovery, improved postoperative neurological functioning, and a lower incidence of OPLL progression compared with posterior decompression only. Furthermore, decompression and fusion did not lead to a greater incidence of complications compared with posterior decompression only.

Patient-specific prediction model for clinical and quality-of-life outcomes after lumbar spine surgery

Abstract: Objective Patient demographics, comorbidities, and baseline quality of life (QOL) are major contributors to postoperative outcomes. The frequency and cost of lumbar spine surgery has been increasing, with controversy revolving around optimal management strategies and outcome predictors. The goal of this study was to generate predictive nomograms and a clinical calculator for postoperative clinical and QOL outcomes following lumbar spine surgery for degenerative disease. Methods Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery for degenerative disease at a single tertiary care institution between June 2009 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Nomograms and an online calculator were modeled based on patient demographics, comorbidities, presenting symptoms and duration of symptoms, indication for surgery, type and levels of surgery, and baseline preoperative QOL scores. Outcomes included postoperative emergency department (ED) visit or readmission within 30 days, reoperation within 90 days, and 1-year changes in the EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D) score. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. Results A total of 2996 lumbar surgeries were identified. Thirty-day ED visits were seen in 7%, 30-day readmission in 12%, 90-day reoperation in 3%, and improvement in EQ-5D at 1 year that exceeded the minimum clinically important difference in 56%. Concordance indices for the models predicting ED visits, readmission, reoperation, and dichotomous 1-year improvement in EQ-5D were 0.63, 0.66, 0.73, and 0.84, respectively. Important predictors of clinical outcomes included age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, indication for surgery, preoperative duration of symptoms, and the type (and number of levels) of surgery. A web-based calculator was created, which can be accessed here: https://riskcalc.org/PatientsEligibleForLumbarSpineSurgery/. Conclusions The prediction tools derived from this study constitute important adjuncts to clinical decision-making that can offer patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery realistic and personalized expectations of postoperative outcome. They may also aid physicians in surgical planning, referrals, and counseling to ultimately lead to improved patient experience and outcomes.

State of the Art Treatment of Spinal Metastatic Disease.

Abstract: Treatment paradigms for patients with spine metastases have evolved significantly over the past decade. Incorporating stereotactic radiosurgery into these paradigms has been particularly transformative, offering precise delivery of tumoricidal radiation doses with sparing of adjacent tissues. Evidence supports the safety and efficacy of radiosurgery as it currently offers durable local tumor control with low complication rates even for tumors previously considered radioresistant to conventional radiation. The role for surgical intervention remains consistent, but a trend has been observed toward less aggressive, often minimally invasive, techniques. Using modern technologies and improved instrumentation, surgical outcomes continue to improve with reduced morbidity. Additionally, targeted agents such as biologics and checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer care, improving both local control and patient survivals. These advances have brought forth a need for new prognostication tools and a more critical review of long-term outcomes. The complex nature of current treatment schemes necessitates a multidisciplinary approach including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventionalists, and pain specialists. This review recapitulates the current state-of-the-art, evidence-based data on the treatment of spinal metastases, integrating these data into a decision framework, NOMS, which integrates the 4 sentinel decision points in metastatic spine tumors: Neurologic, Oncologic, Mechanical stability, and Systemic disease and medical co-morbidities.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Oligometastatic Spine Metastases: An Overview.

Abstract: The oligometastatic state is hypothesized to represent an intermediary state of cancer between widely metastatic disease and curable, localized disease. Advancements in radiotherapy have allowed for delivery of high precision, dose escalated treatment known as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to targets throughout the body with excellent rates of local control. Recently, the first phase II randomized trial comparing conventional radiotherapy to comprehensive SBRT of oligometastatic disease demonstrated an overall survival and progression free survival advantage. The spine is a common site of metastasis, and a complex site for SBRT given the adjacent spinal cord and the tumor embedded within the bone tissue putting the patient at risk of fracture. Although there are expert spine SBRT guidelines for practice, there are as yet no reported randomized trials that proves superiority as compared to conventional radiation. The use of SBRT in patients with oligometastatic disease and spinal metastases is the focus of this review.

Origin and insertion of the medial patellofemoral ligament: a systematic review of anatomy

Abstract: The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the major medial soft-tissue stabiliser of the patella, originating from the medial femoral condyle and inserting onto the medial patella. The exact position reported in the literature varies. Understanding the true anatomical origin and insertion of the MPFL is critical to successful reconstruction. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine these locations. A systematic search of published (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library) and unpublished literature databases was conducted from their inception to the 3 February 2016. All papers investigating the anatomy of the MPFL were eligible. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified CASP tool. A narrative analysis approach was adopted to synthesise the findings. After screening and review of 2045 papers, a total of 67 studies investigating the relevant anatomy were included. From this, the origin appears to be from an area rather than (as previously reported) a single point on the medial femoral condyle. The weighted average length was 56 mm with an ‘hourglass’ shape, fanning out at both ligament ends. The MPFL is an hourglass-shaped structure running from a triangular space between the adductor tubercle, medial femoral epicondyle and gastrocnemius tubercle and inserts onto the superomedial aspect of the patella. Awareness of anatomy is critical for assessment, anatomical repair and successful surgical patellar stabilisation. Systematic review of anatomical dissections and imaging studies, Level IV.

Recognition of evolving medial patellofemoral anatomy provides insight for reconstruction

Abstract: The scientific literature concerning the anatomy of medial soft-tissue stabilizers of the patella is growing exponentially. Much of the surgical literature has focused on the role of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and techniques to reconstruct it, yet our understanding of its anatomy has evolved during the past several years. Given this, we report on the current understanding of medial patellofemoral anatomy and implications for reconstruction. Current and historical studies of medial patellar anatomy were reviewed, which include the MPFL and medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament (MQTFL), as well as that of the distal medial patellar restraints, the medial patellotibial ligament (MPTL) and medial patellomeniscal ligament (MPML). In addition to the reported findings, the authors’ anatomic descriptions of each ligament during their dissections were identified and recorded. Despite the name of the MPFL, which implies that the ligament courses between the femur and patella, recent studies have highlighted the proximal MPFL fibers that attach to the quadriceps tendon, known as the MQTFL. The MPFL and MQTFL have also been referred to as the medial patellofemoral complex, reflecting the variability in anatomical attachment sites. The MPFL accounts for only half of the total restraint to lateral patellar displacement, and the remaining contributions to patellar stability are derived from the combination of the MPTL and MPML, which function primarily in greater degrees of knee flexion. The understanding of the complexity of the medial patellar stabilizers continues to evolve. Although MPFL reconstruction is gaining wide acceptance as a procedure to treat patellar instability, it is important to recognize the complex and changing understanding of the anatomy of the medial soft-tissue stabilizers and the implications for reconstruction. V.

Incidence of thromboembolic complications in lumbar spinal surgery

Abstract: Introduction: Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) cause significant morbidity and mortality in orthopaedic surgical practice, although the incidence following surgery to the lumbosacral spine is less than following lower limb surgery. Our objective was to compare our rate of thromboembolic complications with those published elsewhere and investigate whether the adoption of additional pharmacological and physical measures had reduced the incidence of clinically evident deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and Method: This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of DVT/PE during the 10 years from 1/1/1985 to 31/12/1994, and then to assess the effectiveness of an anticoagulant policy introduced during 1995 using low dose aspirin or LMH in high risk cases. All records for spinal operations were reviewed for thromboembolic complications by reference to the Scottish Morbidity Record form SMR1. To ensure that all patients were compliant with the policy, data for the whole of 1995 was omitted and the period 1/1/1996 to 31/12/2003 was taken to assess its effectiveness. Surgery was done with the patient in the kneeling, seated prone position which leaves the abdomen free and avoids venous kinking in the legs. Results: Records of a total of 1111 lumbar spine operations were performed from 1/1/1985 to 31/12/2004 were reviewed. The overall incidence of thromboembolic complications was 0.29%. A total of 697 operations were performed from 1/1/1985 to 311994 with two cases of DVT and no cases of PE giving thromboembolic complication rate of 0.29%. During the period 1/1/1996 to 31/12/2003, 414 operations resulted in one case of DVT and no cases of PE, a rate 0f 0.24%. Conclusion: The incidence of thromboembolic complications is low whether or not anticoagulation is used. We believe that the kneeling, seated prone operating position is a significant contributing factor.