Background:

Patients often use the internet for information on their spinal surgeries. The goal of this study was to assess and compare the quality of lumbar fusion and arthroplasty videos on YouTube and to identify predictors of video quality.

Study design:

Cross-sectional.

Methods:

YouTube was searched utilizing 3 search terms for both lumbar fusion and lumbar arthroplasty. Fifty videos from each search were categorized and analyzed. Videos were analyzed using 3 scoring systems: JAMA, informative, and clinical scores. The JAMA score rates online information based on 4 factors: authorship, attribution, disclosure, and currency. The informative score previously devised by Zhang et al was also applied to each video. Finally, 2 surgery-specific scores were created for lumbar fusion and lumbar arthroplasty based on peer-reviewed information. These were modeled on the informed consent procedure. Data analysis was conducted using the Jamovi 1.1.9.0.

Results:

Eighty-four unique lumbar fusion videos and 82 lumbar arthroplasty videos were analyzed. Educational videos were the most common in fusion (78%) and arthroplasty (47%) groups; however, arthroplasty videos were more likely to be commercial (17%, P = 0.01). Fusion videos were more viewed (P < 0.001); however, arthroplasty videos had higher positivity ratings (P < 0.01). Overall, quality was poor for videos in both categories. Mean JAMA scores were 1.57 and 1.70 for fusion and arthroplasty, respectively, and did not differ significantly (P = 0.32). Fusion videos had higher informative scores (1.57 vs 1.23, P = 0.02) and higher clinical scores (21.8% vs 15.9%, P = 0.06).

Conclusion:

Information on YouTube for lumbar fusion and arthroplasty is poor. However, information on fusion is better than arthroplasty. Metadata can be used to help patients pick higher quality videos.

Clinical relevance:

This paper provides clinicians with an oversight of what their patients may accessing on the internet. Patients may have incorrect information regarding the surgical proceedure they are being offered. These misconceptions must be resovled in order to gain true informed consent from the patient and avoid damage to the surgeon-patient relationship.