Background/Objectives: Retained epidural catheter fragments are an infrequent but clinically relevant complication of neuraxial anesthesia. Optimal management remains undefined, with limited evidence guiding treatment selection or risk stratification. This systematic review synthesized individual patient data to compare treatment strategies, examine surgical outcomes, and determine predictors of intervention. Methods: A systematic review was conducted across six databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420025638305). Adult cases of retained epidural catheter fragments were included. Functional outcomes were standardized using modified MacNab, McCormick, and Therapy–Disability–Neurology (TDN) scores. Predictors of surgery and detectability were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models with Firth correction. Results: Forty studies comprising 51 patients were included. Conservative management was chosen in 23 cases (45%); 39.1% (n = 9) ultimately required delayed surgery due to symptom onset during follow-up. Surgical removal (n = 28, 55%) was safe and yielded excellent outcomes in 95.8% of cases. Fragment length was significantly associated with increased odds of surgery (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10, p = 0.04), while catheter material was associated with surgery in univariate analysis (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.08–9.00, p = 0.03). An MRI demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.859, cutoff = 70 mm catheter length), outperforming CT (AUC = 0.611) and X-ray (AUC = 0.533). Across all patients, 84.3% achieved “Excellent” recovery per MacNab, with no neurological deterioration in any surgical case. Conclusions: Surgical removal of retained epidural catheter fragments is safe and effective in symptomatic patients. Conservative management is viable for asymptomatic cases under structured surveillance. Catheter material and fragment length may dictate imaging selection and treatment decisions.

Background/Objectives: The concept of frailty has been recognized as an important issue which can influence postoperative outcomes. We aimed to investigate the influence of frailty on clinical and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative spine disease. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 408 patients in whom 506 expandable interbody devices were implanted. The patients were grouped into vulnerable/frail versus well/fit according to the Canadian Frailty Index. Results: The frail patients were older and had a larger number of fused segments (3.0 vs. 2.4 segments, p = 0.009). In the univariate analysis, the frail patients were more likely to experience a postoperative adverse event (AE) until discharge (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.22–2.92; p = 0.004), three (OR 1.57, 1.07–2.3; p = 0.021), and 12 months postoperatively (OR 3.77, 1.96–7.24; p < 0.001). Following the multivariable logistic regression analysis, frailty remained an independent risk factor for postoperative AEs at 12 months (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.69–6.99; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Frailty negatively influenced the rate of AEs until 12 months, while the odds of having a favorable outcome at any time remained unaffected in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion with TLIF. Future efforts are needed to evaluate whether preoperative medical optimization or prehabilitation may positively impact patient outcomes.

Background: Lateral lumbar or thoracic interbody fusion (LLIF) is increasingly considered for anterior column reconstruction and restoring segmental lordosis in degenerative, infectious, or deformity conditions. Reports about using LLIF with expandable interbody spacers for spine trauma are scarce. Methods: In this retrospective, single-center observational cohort study, we reviewed all patients treated by an expandable LLIF interbody spacer (ELSA^® Expandable Integrated LLIF Spacer, Globus Medical Inc) for trauma indication at our spine center between September 2018 and January 2024. The primary outcome measures were fusion rate at 12 months, change in segmental sagittal Cobb angle, and clinical outcome according to the MacNab criteria. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and complications. Results: We identified n = 21 patients with a mean age of 48.3 (standard deviation (SD) 15.7), 47.6% were female. LLIF was mostly performed at T11/12 (n = 4; 19.1%) and T12/L1 (n = 10; 47.5%). Indications were AO Spine type A2 (n = 4, 19.1%), A3 (n = 14; 66.7%) or A4 fractures (n = 3; 14.3%) with ligamentous (B2-type) in eight (38.1%) and hyperextension (B3-type) injury in one patient (4.8%). Surgery included the release of the anterior longitudinal ligament in four cases (19.1%). Intraoperative AEs were noted in n = 1 (4.8%), postoperative AEs in n = 3 (14.3%) at discharge, n = 4 (19.1%) at three, and n = 2 (9.5%) at twelve months. Segmental sagittal Cobb angle changed from 1.3° (preoperative) to 13.3° at twelve months (p < 0.001). Functional outcome was excellent/good in n = 15 (71.4%; four missing) at 12 months. The fusion rate at the LLIF level was 100% at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: LLIF with expandable interbody spacers for spine trauma (off-label use) is safe, promotes solid fusion (100% fusion rate at 12 months), and enables correction of sagittal segmental Cobb angle (mean improvement of 12°), with good or excellent clinical outcomes in most patients (71.4%).

Background: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with static cages is a frequently performed procedure. Larger series focusing on the use of expandable TLIF spacers are less common. Methods: This retrospective, single-center observational cohort study reviewed consecutive patients treated by TLIF using expandable titanium interbody implants (ALTERA™, Globus Medical Inc., Audubon, PA, USA) for degenerative pathologies from L2-S1 between 11/2018 and 09/2023. Surgical parameters, adverse events, radiological outcomes (fusion rate, segmental lordosis, spinopelvic parameters), and clinical outcomes were analyzed through a mean postoperative follow-up of 12 months. Results: This study identified 270 patients (mean age 65 years, 50.4% female) who underwent TLIF with expandable interbody spacers at 324 levels. Clinical outcomes were good or excellent in 74.1% of patients at 3 months and 71.8% at 12 months. Radiographic fusion was achieved in 73.1% of assessable segments at 12 months. Segmental lordosis increased significantly from 17.8° preoperatively to 20.0° at 12 months (p < 0.001). Adverse event (AE) rates were acceptable across all timepoints, with no device failures or device-associated complications observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that TLIF with expandable titanium interbody implants was safe, associated with high fusion rates, and enabled significant restoration of segmental lordosis that was maintained during follow-up.