Spine
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A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery. ⋯ Dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery is a common early finding. However, it decreases significantly by 6 months. The minority of patients experience moderate or severe symptoms by 6 months after the procedure. Female gender and multiple surgical levels could be identified as risk factors for the development of postoperative dysphagia.
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A clinical prospective observational cohort study of 15 patients undergoing cervical intervertebral disc replacement. ⋯ Cervical intervertebral motion can be maintained with the new device, which is clinically stable. Meticulous attention must be paid to the surgical technique to maximize the chances of a good result. The pilot study was successful, although it has yet to be determined what conditions will benefit most from this technology.
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical testing of posterior atlantoaxial fixation techniques.
An in vitro biomechanical study of C1-C2 posterior fusion techniques was conducted using a cadaveric model. ⋯ The results clearly indicate the screw-rod system's equivalence in reducing relative atlantoaxial motion in a severely destabilized upper cervical spine, as compared with the transarticular screw-wiring construct. These findings mirror the previously reported clinical results attained using this new screw-rod construct. Thus, the decision to use either screw construct should be based on safety considerations rather than acute stability.
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Peer-reviewed literature was reviewed and summarized. ⋯ A successful arthrodesis is the fundamental surgical goal for patients with chronic pain of spinal origin. However, a successful fusion does not always correlate with a successful clinical result.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effects of side-posture positioning and spinal adjusting on the lumbar Z joints: a randomized controlled trial with sixty-four subjects.
A blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. ⋯ Spinal adjusting produced increased separation (gapping) of the Z joints. Side-posture positioning also produced gapping, but less than that seen with lumbar side-posture adjusting. This study helps to increase understanding about the mechanism of action for spinal manipulation.