Research and Publications

Twin Cities Spine Center (TC Spine) surgeons and research staff focus on exploring and substantiating operative and nonoperative treatments, diagnostic methods, and the natural history of spine problems, specifically related to clinical, radiological and surgical outcomes.

Research projects result in findings that positively affect treatment at TC Spine and the field overall. TC Spine maintains a vigorous commitment to ongoing research, and new projects are always being added. Our projects include patient enrollment for retrospective and prospective studies.

To date, our surgeons have collaborated on over 500 research projects and continue to publish and present their findings in prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals and at national and international spine meetings.

John E. Lonstein, MD
Medical Director of Fellows Research
For a complete CV, contact education@tcspine.com

John M. Dawson, PhD
Clinical Research Director
For a complete CV, contact education@tcspine.com

Publications

Ongoing Research Projects

Adult Low-Back Degeneration and Deformity

Anterior Lumbar Exposure Review: Clinical Results, Complications, & Anatomical Variations.
Dr. Christopher Alcala, Principal Investigator

Effect of Pelvic Incidence on Post Junctional Failure after Adult Spine Deformity Surgery.
Amir Mehbod, Principal Investigator

Evaluating the Long Term Outcomes and Need for Further Surgery Following L4L5 Floating Fusions: A Surgical Outcomes/Natural History Study.
Dr. Ensor Transfeldt, Principal Investigator

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Surgical Outcomes and Complication Rates.
Dr. Benjamin Mueller, Principal Investigator

MIS Decompressions without Fusion on Low Grade Spondylolisthesis with Stenosis.
Dr. James Schwender, Principal Investigator

One and Two-Level Minimally Invasive versus Open Instrumented Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
Dr. James Schwender, Principal Investigator

Adult Cervical Degeneration and Deformity

Complications and Outcomes of C7-T1 Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.
Dr. Eiman Shafa, Principal Investigator

Outcomes of Posterior Cervical Fusion for Stable Nonunion after Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.
Dr. Benjamin Mueller, Principal Investigator

Safety Aspects of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Cervical Disc Arthroplasty in the Inpatient Setting.
Dr. Timothy Garvey, Principal Investigator

Surgical Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy: Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion vs. Cervical Disc Replacement vs. Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy.
Dr. Ensor Transfeldt, Principal Investigator

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Natural History of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: 30-year follow-up.
Dr. Christopher Alcala, Principal Investigator

Sagittal Profile Changes in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Undergoing Surgical Management.
Dr. Timothy Garvey, Principal Investigator

General Surgical Studies

Comparison of Radiation Exposure to Surgeons during Fluoroscopic Assisted Spinal Surgeries with a Novel Disposable Vertical Radiation Protection Device.
Dr. Manuel Pinto, Principal Investigator

Does Liposomal Bupivacaine Improve Postoperative Pain Control after One Level Posterior Spinal Fusion with Instrumentation?
Dr. Christopher Alcala, Principal Investigator

Dose Responsiveness as a Measure of Clinical Effectiveness During Neuromonitored Spine Surgery.
Dr. Stanley Skinner, in collaboration with TC Spine Surgeons.

Effect of Biologics used in open Single Level Lumbar and Cervical Fusions in Addition to Local Bone and Allograft on PRO 1-2 yrs. or More Postop, and Cost and Rate of Reoperation.
Dr. Benjamin Mueller, Principal Investigator

Intraoperative Radiographic Detection of Retained Surgical Sponges.
Dr. Amir Mehbod, Principal Investigator

Two-Year Minimum Follow-up for Postoperative Wound Infections Following Spine Surgery.
Dr. Joseph Perra, Principal Investigator

Nonsurgical Studies

Do Pre-Operative Nasal Antiseptic Swabs Reduce the Rate of Surgical Site Infections?
Dr. Christopher Alcala, Principal Investigator

Efficacy of Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthoses in the Treatment of Progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Prospective Study Including Monitored Wearing Time.
Dr. Joseph Perra, Principal Investigator

Robotic Surgery

A Retrospective Evaluation of Revisions and Complications in Thoracic and/or Lumbar Spinal Procedures Utilizing the Mazor X Stealth Edition Robotic Guidance System.
Dr. Eiman Shafa, Principal Investigator

Accuracy and Reliability of Pre-operative Planning in Surgeries Done with the Mazor X Robot.
Dr. Eiman Shafa, Principal Investigator

CT/MR Imaging: A retrospective study to evaluate a module generating virtual CT images from standard diagnostic MRI.
Dr. Eiman Shafa, Principal Investigator

Biomechanics

An In Vitro Biomechanical Evaluation of Thoracic Screw Placement
Dr. Eduardo Beauchamp, Principal Investigator