Spine
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Comparative Study
The efficacy of using an image-guided Kerrison punch in performing an anterior cervical foraminotomy. An anatomic analysis.
This study comprised two parts: first, a feasibility study to determine the efficacy of using an image-guided Kerrison punch while performing a foraminotomy during an anterior cervical decompression and, second, an anatomic analysis using vector measurement to determine the distance from the entrance of the neuroforamen to the medial margin of the vertebral artery in the subaxial cervical spine. ⋯ An image-guided Kerrison punch may be used successfully when performing cervical foraminotomies during an anterior cervical discectomy, thus eliminating the risk of potential vertebral artery injury. These data confirm previous findings by other authors. Knowledge of these data may aid the spine surgeon in performing a foraminotomy during anterior cervical decompression.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of cervical laminectomy and laminoplasty. A longitudinal study in the goat model.
An evaluation of the longitudinal radiologic changes up to 6 months induced by multilevel laminectomy and laminoplasty and the biomechanical responses in the goat model, complemented by biomechanical studies of intact specimens. ⋯ Radiographic and biomechanical results in the goat model suggest that laminoplasty is superior to laminectomy in maintaining cervical alignment and preventing postoperative spinal deformities.
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An investigation of the in vitro biomechanical effects of multilevel fenestrations and discectomies on the behavior of whole lumbar spine motion, using a material testing system (Instron 1341, Instron Limited, High Wycombe, England) and Elite three-dimensional motion analysis system (BTS, Milano, Italy). ⋯ The results demonstrate that multilevel fenestrations and discectomies affect lumbar spinal stability in flexion, but have no effect on the stability of the lumbar spine in lateral bending or axial rotation.
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Comparative Study
Kinematics of the chest cage and spine during breathing in healthy individuals and in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The lung function test by a Plethysmograph enabled calculations to be made of the total lung capacity and vital capacity. A Motion Analysis System (Elite, BTS Inc., Milano, Italy) was used to observe and record chest cage and spinal movements and as to correlate lung function with the chest cage and spine kinematics. ⋯ The range of movement of the chest cage and spine is more limited in the scoliotic cases. This overall stiffness of the chest cage and the spine may contribute to the mechanical inefficiency and impairment of pulmonary function found in scoliotic patients.