Robert K. Eastlack
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View article: General and Spine-Specific Sarcopenia in Adult Spinal Deformity: a Narrative Overview of Current Strengths and Limitations
General and Spine-Specific Sarcopenia in Adult Spinal Deformity: a Narrative Overview of Current Strengths and Limitations Open
Study Design Narrative Review. Objectives Recent studies have separated assessment of sarcopenia into two main categories within spine surgery: (1) general sarcopenia assessing systemic muscle degeneration and (2) spine-specific sarcopenia…
View article: Early Outcomes of Multilevel ACDF With Segmental Plate Fixation
Early Outcomes of Multilevel ACDF With Segmental Plate Fixation Open
Study Design: Case series: retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Objective: To study the outcomes of segmental plate fixation in multilevel ACDF. Summary of Background Data: Multilevel ACDF constructs with a single contiguo…
View article: Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation Vs Unilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation for Single Level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Outcomes, Cost Analysis, and Radiation Exposure
Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation Vs Unilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation for Single Level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Outcomes, Cost Analysis, and Radiation Exposure Open
View article: A collaborative regional multisite and multi-departmental initiative for improving consensus on clinical outcomes data in spine surgery
A collaborative regional multisite and multi-departmental initiative for improving consensus on clinical outcomes data in spine surgery Open
Study Design Retrospective chart review with consensus. Objective To establish a consensus-driven multisite collaborative database of individuals undergoing care for spondylolisthesis as a model for identifying barriers to standardized qua…
View article: Distal junctional failure following pelvic instrumentation in spinal fusion: a novel classification system
Distal junctional failure following pelvic instrumentation in spinal fusion: a novel classification system Open
OBJECTIVE While traditional literature in adult spinal deformity (ASD) examining mechanical complications has focused on proximal junctional kyphosis and failure, distal junctional failure (DJF) of constructs ending at the sacrum with or w…
View article: Impact of thoracolumbar inflection point on outcomes and complications in adult spinal deformity
Impact of thoracolumbar inflection point on outcomes and complications in adult spinal deformity Open
OBJECTIVE Existing literature on the impact of alignment parameters relative to the thoracolumbar inflection point remains sparse. The authors aimed to investigate the influence of the inflection point, lumbar lordosis apex (LLA), and othe…
View article: Enhancing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Report Comprehension in Spinal Trauma: Readability Analysis of AI-Generated Explanations for Thoracolumbar Fractures
Enhancing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Report Comprehension in Spinal Trauma: Readability Analysis of AI-Generated Explanations for Thoracolumbar Fractures Open
Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports are challenging for patients to interpret and may subject patients to unnecessary anxiety. The advent of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4o…
View article: The “20-minute Rule” in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Fact or Fiction? A Multi-Center Analysis of 658 Patients
The “20-minute Rule” in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Fact or Fiction? A Multi-Center Analysis of 658 Patients Open
Study Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Objective Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a treatment option for correcting lumbar degenerative pathologies that uses a retroperitoneal, transpsoas corridor to the disc space. Conventional…
View article: Safety and Feasibility of Transabdominal Muscle Action Potential Monitoring in Lateral Lumbar Surgery
Safety and Feasibility of Transabdominal Muscle Action Potential Monitoring in Lateral Lumbar Surgery Open
TMAP during lumbar spine surgery is feasible and safe for patients being treated for lumbar degenerative disease, while avoiding some of the drawbacks of transcranial motor evoked potentials. Additional studies are needed to assess clinica…
View article: Spinopelvic Fixation Using an Osseointegrative Implant: Analysis of Postmarket Surveillance to Determine the Failure Rate
Spinopelvic Fixation Using an Osseointegrative Implant: Analysis of Postmarket Surveillance to Determine the Failure Rate Open
BACKGROUND: Adult spinal deformities, affecting up to 60% of individuals older than 60 years, often require long segment fusions. Constructs spanning the lumbosacral junction commonly include pelvic fixation. Despite robust pelvic fixation…
View article: The Comparison of Cost-Effectiveness Between Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Provocative Discography in the Identification of Chronic Low Back Pain Surgery Candidates
The Comparison of Cost-Effectiveness Between Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Provocative Discography in the Identification of Chronic Low Back Pain Surgery Candidates Open
This study demonstrates cost-effectiveness dominance of MRS with the Nociscan diagnostic algorithm over PD for identifying CLBP surgical candidates. MRS provides significant cost savings and leads to better surgical outcomes, making it a p…
View article: Does force control in posterior thoracolumbar fusion contribute to proper form fit of the connection between the pedicle screw head and the rod? A retrospective clinical study
Does force control in posterior thoracolumbar fusion contribute to proper form fit of the connection between the pedicle screw head and the rod? A retrospective clinical study Open
View article: Distal extension rates after lower instrumented vertebrae of L4/L5
Distal extension rates after lower instrumented vertebrae of L4/L5 Open
View article: Comparative Analysis of Outcomes in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients with Proximal Junctional Kyphosis or Failure Initially Fused to Upper Versus Lower Thoracic Spine
Comparative Analysis of Outcomes in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients with Proximal Junctional Kyphosis or Failure Initially Fused to Upper Versus Lower Thoracic Spine Open
Background: Patients with proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) or failure (PJF) may demonstrate disparate outcomes and recovery when fused to the upper (UT) versus lower (LT) thoracic spine. Few studies have distinguished the reoperation and…
View article: Letter re: Incremental Increase in Hospital Length of Stay Due to Complications of Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity
Letter re: Incremental Increase in Hospital Length of Stay Due to Complications of Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity Open
View article: Assessing Abnormal Proximal Junctional Angles in Adult Spinal Deformity
Assessing Abnormal Proximal Junctional Angles in Adult Spinal Deformity Open
Study design. Multicentric retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Objective. On the basis of normative data from a cohort of asymptomatic volunteers, this study sought to determine the rate of abnormal values of proximal junc…
View article: What if You Could Treat the Same Patient Again, Would You do the Exact Same Spine Surgery? A Multi-Surgeon Survey of Their Own Revisions
What if You Could Treat the Same Patient Again, Would You do the Exact Same Spine Surgery? A Multi-Surgeon Survey of Their Own Revisions Open
Study Design Case-based survey. Objectives This study aims to investigate what a group of surgeons learned from their own revisions, and what they would do differently today. Methods A multi-center database of ASD surgical patients was que…
View article: Incremental Increase in Hospital Length of Stay Due to Complications of Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity
Incremental Increase in Hospital Length of Stay Due to Complications of Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity Open
Study Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Objectives Length of Stay (LOS) and resource utilization are of primary importance for hospital administration. This study aimed to understand the incremental effect of having a specific complicatio…
View article: Radiographic outcomes and complications of anterior column realignment (ACR): a systematic review
Radiographic outcomes and complications of anterior column realignment (ACR): a systematic review Open
Based on the limited data available in this systematic review, the ACR technique has significant ability to restore and, when needed, correct the local segmental intervertebral angulation and thereby influencing the overall regional and gl…
View article: Revision Strategy for Proximal Junctional Failure: Combined Effect of Proximal Extension and Focal Correction
Revision Strategy for Proximal Junctional Failure: Combined Effect of Proximal Extension and Focal Correction Open
Study design Retrospective review of a prospectively-collected multicenter database. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine optimal strategies in terms of focal angular correction and length of proximal extension during re…
View article: Impact of Self-Reported Loss of Balance and Gait Disturbance on Outcomes following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Impact of Self-Reported Loss of Balance and Gait Disturbance on Outcomes following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Open
Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate if imbalance influences complication rates, radiological outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Methods: ASD patients with bas…
View article: Establishing a Gold Standard for Noninvasive Identification of Painful Lumbar Discs: Prospective Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy vs Low-Pressure Provocation Discography
Establishing a Gold Standard for Noninvasive Identification of Painful Lumbar Discs: Prospective Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy vs Low-Pressure Provocation Discography Open
PURPOSE: Verifying lumbar disc pain can present a clinical challenge. Low-pressure provocative discography (PD) has served as the gold standard, although it is invasive and often a challenge to interpret. We reported that magnetic resonanc…
View article: An Integrated 3-Dimentional Navigation System Increases the Accuracy, Efficiency, and Safety of Percutaneous Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Placement in Minimally Invasive Approaches: A Randomized Cadaveric Study
An Integrated 3-Dimentional Navigation System Increases the Accuracy, Efficiency, and Safety of Percutaneous Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Placement in Minimally Invasive Approaches: A Randomized Cadaveric Study Open
Study Design Cadaveric study. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare a novel, integrated 3D navigational system (NAV) and conventional fluoroscopy in the accuracy, efficiency, and radiation exposure of thoracolumbar percutaneo…
View article: Table of Contents
Table of Contents Open
View article: Alterations in Magnitude and Shape of Thoracic Kyphosis Following Surgical Correction for Adult Spinal Deformity
Alterations in Magnitude and Shape of Thoracic Kyphosis Following Surgical Correction for Adult Spinal Deformity Open
Study Design Retrospective review of prospective multicenter data. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the shape of TK before and after fusion in ASD patients treated with long fusion. Methods ASD patients undergoing posterior spina…
View article: Finite element analysis comparing a PEEK posterior fixation device versus pedicle screws for lumbar fusion
Finite element analysis comparing a PEEK posterior fixation device versus pedicle screws for lumbar fusion Open
Background Pedicle screw loosening and breakage are common causes of revision surgery after lumbar fusion. Thus, there remains a continued need for supplemental fixation options that offer immediate stability without the associated failure…
View article: Adult Cervical Deformity Patients Have Higher Baseline Frailty, Disability, and Comorbidities Compared With Complex Adult Thoracolumbar Deformity Patients: A Comparative Cohort Study of 616 Patients
Adult Cervical Deformity Patients Have Higher Baseline Frailty, Disability, and Comorbidities Compared With Complex Adult Thoracolumbar Deformity Patients: A Comparative Cohort Study of 616 Patients Open
Study Design Multicenter comparative cohort. Objective Studies have shown markedly higher rates of complications and all-cause mortality following surgery for adult cervical deformity (ACD) compared with adult thoracolumbar deformity (ATLD…
View article: The ISSG-AO Complication Intervention Score, but Not Major/Minor Designation, is Correlated With Length of Stay Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
The ISSG-AO Complication Intervention Score, but Not Major/Minor Designation, is Correlated With Length of Stay Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Open
Study Design Retrospective review. Objectives The International Spine Study Group-AO (ISSG-AO) Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) Complication Classification System was developed to improve classification, reporting, and study of complications a…
View article: Does the interfacing angle between pedicle screws and support rods affect clinical outcomes after posterior thoracolumbar fusion? A retrospective clinical study
Does the interfacing angle between pedicle screws and support rods affect clinical outcomes after posterior thoracolumbar fusion? A retrospective clinical study Open
Pedicle screw/rod interfacing angle mismatch is a frequent occurrence after fusion surgery. Mismatches indicate that the construct was assembled under mechanical stress. All preventable mechanical stresses, for example, unintentional uncon…
View article: Are We Focused on the Wrong Early Postoperative Quality Metrics? Optimal Realignment Outweighs Perioperative Risk in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Are We Focused on the Wrong Early Postoperative Quality Metrics? Optimal Realignment Outweighs Perioperative Risk in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Open
Background: While reimbursement is centered on 90-day outcomes, many patients may still achieve optimal, long-term outcomes following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery despite transient short-term complications. Objective: Compare long-…