The Spinal Column Surgical Outcomes Laboratory aims to improve the neurological outcomes and functional capacity of patients undergoing spinal surgery.

The laboratory collects large-scale retrospective patient databases and prospective patient registries to report high-quality data relating to the outcomes of neurosurgical operations and participates in the National Neurosurgical Quality and Outcomes Database (N²QOD). This multi-institutional collaboration has set forth a three-year prospective study to benchmark quality and surgical outcomes measures across several academic institutions.

The laboratory specializes in:

• Biostatistical analysis of large-scale clinical databases.
• Outcomes studies of traditional and novel spinal procedures.
• Quality control and cost-effectiveness research.
• Clinical trials relating to spinal surgery outcomes.

Education and Training Opportunities

Postgraduate and Resident Training

We currently have positions available for highly qualified residents or postgraduate students interested in spinal surgical outcomes research. Positions are open to M.P.H. or Ph.D. students interested in application of biostatistical models to surgical outcomes research. Interested applicants should have a preexisting understanding of spinal pathologies, interpretation of CT and MR imaging, and a strong desire to participate in projects aimed at improving the understanding of complex spinal reconstruction for the treatment of spinal disorders.

Medical Student Training

We currently have positions available for medical students interested in spinal surgery clinical outcomes research. Ongoing research projects are available at the Spinal Column Surgical Outcomes Laboratory located in the Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory. Candidates should have a strong desire to participate in projects aimed at improving the understanding of complex spinal reconstruction for the treatment of spinal disorders.

Our Funding

Our research is supported by generous donors like you. Learn how to donate if you are interested in supporting our research program.

Publications and Media

Ali Bydon is the director of the Spinal Column Biomechanics and Surgical Outcomes Laboratories within the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery. Along with his team of scientists and clinicians, Dr. Bydon conducts revolutionary applied and translational research in diseases of the spinal column. You can read his published abstracts through PubMed, a service provided by the United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health.

Related Articles

Spinal Synovial Cysts

• Recurrent back and leg pain and cyst reformation after surgical resection of spinal synovial cysts: systematic review of reported postoperative outcomes.
• Factors associated with recurrent back pain and cyst recurrence after surgical resection of one hundred ninety-five spinal synovial cysts: analysis of one hundred sixty-seven consecutive cases.
• Hemorrhagic synovial cyst: the possible role of initial trauma and subsequent microtrauma in its pathogenesis: case report.
• Treatment of spinal synovial cysts.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy

• The efficacy of minimally invasive discectomy compared with open discectomy: a meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials.
• Recurrent disc herniation and long-term back pain after primary lumbar discectomy: review of outcomes reported for limited versus aggressive disc removal.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

• A role for motor and somatosensory evoked potentials during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for patients without myelopathy: Analysis of 57 consecutive cases.

Intradural Spinal Cord Tumor Surgery and Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Surgery

• Short-term progressive spinal deformity following laminoplasty versus laminectomy for resection of intradural spinal tumors: analysis of 238 patients.