Spine
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
The effect of pedicle screw/plate fixation on lumbar/lumbosacral autogenous bone graft fusions in patients with degenerative disc disease.
A prospective, multi-center Investigational Device Exemption Study was carried out in the United States using a pedicle screw and plate system to perform a fusion in patients with degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis. The patients' pain function, complications, and fusion status were evaluated and compared with literature controls. ⋯ A statistical analysis showed that patients with degenerative disc disease who underwent fusion without pedicle screw instrumentation were over 24 times more likely to have a pseudarthrosis than comparable patients implanted with a pedicle screw/plate system. Regarding the most important goal in performing a spinal fusion--fusion of the spine--the pedicle screw/plate system used in this study was shown to be a safe and efficacious method of facilitating fusion with autogenous bone graft for this patient population.
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This is a case report. ⋯ These observations suggest a wider indication for computed tomography scans of the thorax in blunt chest trauma. Also, whenever intraspinal air is found in the diagnostic course of a traumatized patient, a hidden pneumothorax should be suspected and ruled out.
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The superficial and deep lamina of the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia have been studied anatomically and biomechanically. In embalmed human specimens, the posterior layer has been loaded by simulating the action of various muscles. The effect has been studied using raster photography. ⋯ Anatomic structures normally described as hip, pelvic, and leg muscles interact with so-called arm and spinal muscles via the thoracolumbar fascia. This allows for effective load transfer between spine, pelvis, legs, and arms--an integrated system. Specific electromyographic studies should reveal whether the gluteus maximus muscle and contralateral latissimus dorsi muscle are functionally coupled, especially during rotation of the trunk. In that case, the combined action of these muscles assists in rotating the trunk, while simultaneously stabilizing the lower lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.
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Comparative Study
Bony and vascular anatomy of the normal cervical spine in the sheep.
This study analyzed the vascular and skeletal anatomy of the sheep cervical spine. It discusses the comparative anatomy of the cervical spine of sheep and humans. ⋯ To properly assess the effect of various pathological processes on the spinal cord, an anatomically valid model is required. This study established that the sheep is a suitable animal model for studies of this type.
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This report is a preliminary description of the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in thoracic spinal procedures that otherwise require open thoracotomy. ⋯ Given consistently improving surgical skills, a number of thoracic spinal procedures using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, including thoracic discectomy, internal rib thoracoplasty, anterior osteotomy, corpectomy, and fusion, can be performed safely with no additional surgical time or risk to the patient.