Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2009
Clinical TrialAnatomic determination of optimal entry point and direction for C1 lateral mass screw placement.
Anatomic study of C1 osteology using computerized tomography. ⋯ C1 lateral mass screws are best placed beneath the posterior arch, parallel with the arch in the sagittal plan. The entry point is the medial border of the neural arch at its junction with the lateral mass. Straight ahead screw direction is safe in the axial plane, but up to 20 degrees of medial angulation will increase the safety margin from the vertebral artery foramen, and this technique avoids vertebral artery damage and optimizes lateral mass screw purchase. We suggest that this is the preferred method of entry into the lateral mass of C1.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2009
Preventing distal pullout of posterior spine instrumentation in thoracic hyperkyphosis: a biomechanical analysis.
An in vitro biomechanical study. ⋯ Posterior dual rod constructs fixed distally using pedicle screws were stiffer and stronger in resisting forward flexion compared with cables or hooks alone. Augmenting these screws with either infralaminar hooks or sublaminar cables provided additional resistance to failure.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2009
Case ReportsRetrieval analysis of a ProDisc-L total disc replacement.
We retrieved a functioning ProDisc-L total disc replacement and associated tissues at 16 months of service life. ⋯ A larger series of implant retrievals will be needed to investigate possible wear and the biologic response to increased particle generation.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2009
Anterior decompression and interbody fusion with BAK/C for cervical disc degenerative disorders.
A retrospective clinical study of 64 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with BAK/C for disc degenerative disorders. ⋯ Although BAK/C technique was generally effective and safe in the treatment of cervical disc degenerative disorders, the pitfalls of cage design resulted in the disability of maintenance of cervical lordosis and intervertebral height in the long-term follow-up. Cage subsidence, which tended to develop in the patients with 2-level fusion, was possibly responsible for the recurrence of neck pain.