Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2011
Comparative StudyRisk factors for postoperative wound infections of sacral chordoma after surgical excision.
A retrospective study, analyzing the risk factors for postoperative wound infections of the sacral chordoma after surgical excision. ⋯ Patients undergoing sacral tumor surgery may be at greater risk for developing wound complications. In this study, it seems that albumin<3.0, operating time >6 hours, and previous surgery may predict those patients that were more prone to developing postoperative wound infection. Using a single surgical team and no instrumentation seems to provide protection against postoperative wound infection in this patient population.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2011
Comparative StudyRadiation exposure to the surgeon during percutaneous pedicle screw placement.
In-vitro radiation exposure study. ⋯ On the basis of this data, percutaneous pedicle screw placement seems to be safe. A surgeon would exceed occupational exposure limit for the eyes and extremities by placing 4854 and 6396 screws percutaneously, respectively. Lead protected against radiation exposure during screw placement. The "hands-off" technique used in this study is recommended to minimize radiation exposure. Lead aprons, thyroid shields, and leaded glasses are recommended for this procedure.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jun 2011
Comparative StudyAnalysis of measured D-dimer levels for detection of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after spinal surgery.
A retrospective clinical study. ⋯ The D-dimer assay was useful in predicting DVT development. A D-dimer level of ≥10 μg/mL is considered to be a risk factor for thromboembolic disease after spinal surgery. False-positive cases of thromboembolic disease preclude the use of this assay as a stand-alone test for DVT diagnosis. CT venography and CT pulmonary angiography are recommended to confirm thromboembolic disease.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · May 2011
Long-term follow-up of revision decompressive lumbar spinal surgery in elderly patients.
A retrospective study of elderly patients (more than 65 y of age) who underwent surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis between 1990 and 2000 was carried out. Among all these patients, the patients who underwent revision surgery were studied. ⋯ Even in reoperated elderly patients with spinal stenosis without spinal fusion, an improvement in functional status and somewhat in pain perception can be anticipated.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · May 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyBiomechanical comparison of odontoid plate fixation versus odontoid screw fixation.
Randomized controlled trial with statistically significant difference or statistically no significant difference (Level I). ⋯ Plate fixation of the odontoid process for certain type II odontoid fracture patterns provided a significantly higher biomechanical stability than the technique of odontoid screw fixation. Using a specially designed plate construct fixed with 2 cancellous screws into the body of C2 and an additional cortical screw inserted in the odontoid process, 84% of the original stability of the intact odontoid was restored. Single- or double-screw fixation of the odontoid only restored approximately 50% of the original strength.