NASS 2026 Best Papers


Hear the highest rated research shaping the future of spine care in these multidisciplinary presentations at NASS 2026. See the schedule of times, titles and presenters listed below.

Wednesday, October 14 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

11:00 AM - 11:05 AM 
Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in reducing symptoms and NSAID dependence in patients with chronic lumbar spinal stenosis: A randomized controlled trial

Junghyun Lee, PhD

11:05 AM - 11:10 AM 
Pre-surgical bone optimization clinic: A cost-saving strategy in adult spinal deformity

Keyan Peterson, MD

11:10 AM - 11:15 AM 
Preoperative epidural steroid injections in posterior cervical fusion: Elevated risks of pseudarthrosis and reoperation without increased infection rates

David Gibbs, MD

11:15 AM - 11:20 AM
Is there a cervical alignment threshold warranting cervical inclusion in the construct of thoracolumbar ASD patients?

David Liu, MD

11:20 AM - 11:25 AM 
Evaluation of intraoperative evoked potentials monitoring during spine surgeries compared to the clinical result postoperatively

Vasileios Marougklianis, MSc, MD\

11:30 AM - 11:35 AM
Reoperation rates after posteromedial vs lateral/posterolateral sacroiliac joint fusion: A propensity-matched cohort

Usman Zareef, MD

11:35 AM - 11:40 AM 
Postoperative restoration of balance and fall-risk reduction following cervical decompression in degenerative cervical myelopathy: Cone of economy and posturography analysis

Ram Haddas, PhD, MBA, MEng

11:40 AM - 11:45 AM 
Faulty devices: A comprehensive review of product liability litigation in spine surgery

Tobias Mattei, MD

11:45 AM - 11:50 AM 
Comparing the operative costs and direct hospital costs of endoscopic discectomy versus microdiscectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

Omkar Anaspure, BA

11:50 AM - 11:55 AM 
Comparative clinical and radiographic outcomes of mini-ALIF with percutaneous fixation versus MI-TLIF in intermediate-to-high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis

Siraj Shaikh, MD

Friday, October 16 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

11:00 AM - 11:05 AM 
Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement in McCune-Albright Syndrome

Siraj Shaikh, MD

11:05 AM - 11:10 AM 
Meaningful Pain Relief After Thoracic Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation: MCID and =50% Improvement Rates in a Retrospective Cohort

Kerry Mian, MD

11:10 AM - 11:15 AM 
How does Prior Lumbar Fusion Shape Total Hip Arthroplasty Complications Over Time? A National Cohort Analysis.

Arman Kishan, MBBS

11:15 AM - 11:20 AM 
MRI-Based Morphometric Analysis of Lumbar Intervertebral Foramina: Variation by Level Age Sex and Laterality

Sree Veda Mahanita Kaza, BS

11:20 AM - 11:25 AM 
Mechanical Complications in Functional vs Normative Alignment Targets in Adult Spinal Deformity: Should There Be Adjustments for Age?

Themistocles Protopsaltis, MD

11:30 AM - 11:35 AM 
Patient-Centered Digital Platform for Objective Preoperative Assessment and Fall Risk Stratification in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Preliminary Clinical Validation

Ram Haddas, PhD, MBA, MEng

11:35 AM - 11:40 AM 
Aspirin Use Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Pseudarthrosis in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion: A Multi-Institutional Study

William Marmor, MD

11:40 AM - 11:45 AM 
Financial Impact of Acellular Bone Graft Substitutes on Spinal Fusion Surgeries: A Monte Carlo Analysis

Gurjovan Sahi, BS

11:45 AM - 11:50 AM 
The Outpatient Paradox: Financial Implications of Lumbar Fusion with Major Comorbidity or Complication in the Hospital Outpatient Department

Katharine Playter, BS

11:50 AM - 11:55 AM 
Trajectory Matters: Medial Angulation Improves Feasibility and Safety of C1 Pedicle Screw Placement

Rehan Khan, BS

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