Introduction: The breadth and rapidity by which randomized controlled trials (RCTs) alter neurosurgical practice patterns is unknown. Patchell et al.’s 2005 RCT showed significant benefit with surgical decompression in patients with spinal metastasis (SpM). We examined trends in spinal surgery for patients with SpM, before and after the publication of the RCT.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify a 20% stratified sample of SpM admissions to US non-federal hospitals from 2000-2010, over two successive 5-year periods excluding 2005, when the RCT was published. Multivariate analysis assessed the effect of patient and hospital characteristics on the adjusted odds of surgery in pre- versus post-RCT groups.

Results: More surgeries were performed for SpM in the post-RCT group (55%) versus the pre-RCT group (45%) (p<.0001, OR 1.3, 95% CI=1.27-1.39), while fewer patients were diagnosed with SpM in the post- (49%) versus pre- (51%) RCT group (p<.0001). Adjusted odds for surgery were higher in the post versus pre RCT group for patients with 1 or more comorbidities or myelopathy, visceral metastasis, and lower income. Pulmonary, venous thromboembolism, renal, urinary complications, and decubitus ulcers were more likely in the post-RCT group; however, in-hospital mortality decreased (p=.02). Teaching hospitals (p=.02) and hospitals in the Western US (p=.01) showed increased surgical rates post-RCT as well.

Conclusions: Surgery for SpM increased after the publication of the Patchell et al. RCT, despite fewer patients being diagnosed with metastatic disease. Patients with more comorbidities, lower socioeconomic status, more extensive metastatic burden, and more severe neurologic compromise underwent surgery after the RCT, with more associated surgical complications but less in-hospital mortality. The results of the RCT were adopted both quickly and widely, with broader adoption in the Western US.

Patient Care: This research suggests ways in which a randomized controlled trial (RCT) shapes the clinical practice of spine surgery for patients with metastatic disease. The findings in this study will help clinicians understand how patient characteristics, geographic factors, and institutional culture might influence patient care and clinical decision-making.

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session participants should be able to: 1) Describe how a randomized clinical trial (RCT) has influenced the practice of spine surgery for metastatic disease in the United States. 2) Discuss in small groups how these RCT results influenced trends in patient selection for surgery and how these trends compare to the RCT’s original inclusion/exclusion criteria. 3) Identify institutional and geographic factors that may affect surgical decision-making for patients with spinal metastasis.

References: 1. Amin-Hanjani S, Butler WE, Ogilvy CS, Carter BS, Barker FG,2nd: Extracranial-intracranial bypass in the treatment of occlusive cerebrovascular disease and intracranial aneurysms in the United States between 1992 and 2001: A population-based study. J Neurosurg 103:794-804, 2005 2. Adeoye O, Ringer A, Hornung R, Khatri P, Zuccarello M, Kleindorfer D: Trends in surgical management and mortality of intracerebral hemorrhage in the united states before and after the STICH trial. Neurocrit Care 13:82-86, 2010 3. Patchell RA, Tibbs PA, Regine WF, Payne R, Saris S, Kryscio RJ, et al: Direct decompressive surgical resection in the treatment of spinal cord compression caused by metastatic cancer: A randomised trial. Lancet 366:643-648, 2005 4. Dasenbrock HH, Wolinsky JP, Sciubba DM, Witham TF, Gokaslan ZL, Bydon A: The impact of insurance status on outcomes after surgery for spinal metastases. Cancer 118:4833-4841, 2012 5. Patil CG, Lad SP, Santarelli J, Boakye M: National inpatient complications and outcomes after surgery for spinal metastasis from 1993-2002. Cancer 110:625-630, 2007.