Spine
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A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage implant filled with autologous bone was designed to separate the mechanical and biologic functions of posterior lumbar interbody fusion. ⋯ The Brantigan I/F Cage for posterior lumbar interbody fusion and the Variable Screw Placement System are safe and effective for the management of degenerative disc disease.
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A retrospective study was performed on the longitudinal changes of the trunkal balance in King II curves treated with selective posterior fusion of the thoracic curve. ⋯ Selective thoracic fusion for King II idiopathic scoliosis curve can achieve acceptable coronal and sagittal plane balance of the spine. The rod to centersacral line distance is a helpful parameter in assessing the results and prognosis of surgically treated patients.
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The cranial pin force history of a halo-vest orthosis was measured using an instrumented halo in a clinical study with three patients. Pin force values at the time of halo-vest application and at subsequent clinical visits during the halo-vest wear period were compared. ⋯ The study confirmed the hypothesized decrease in the compressive pin forces with time. All patients had developed at least some clinical symptoms of pin loosening at the time of halo-vest removal.
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A case report of unilateral leg ischemia caused by femoral artery compression detected using posterior tibial nerve somatosensory-evoked potentials during spinal scoliosis instrumentation surgery. ⋯ Although technical malfunction should always be suspected when all intraoperative somatosensory-evoked potential waveforms are initially seen and subsequently lost, one should also consider the possibility that intraoperative ischemia due to limb positioning could be the etiology.