Spine
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Prospective clinical trial of vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) in patients with combined spine and chest wall deformity with scoliosis and fused ribs. ⋯ Expansion thoracostomy and VEPTR insertion with serial lengthening may be the preferred treatment for young children with chest wall deformity and scoliosis associated with fused ribs but requires multidisciplinary care and attention to details of soft tissue management. When indicated, surgical intervention with VEPTR can be considered early in growth, before deformity is severe, since spinal growth will continue with treatment.
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Clinical Trial
Instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with bioresorbable polymer implants and iliac crest autograft.
Twenty-seven patients underwent instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures using bioresorbable implants as interbody spacers. The greater than 2-year clinical and radiographic results of this series are presented along with as a review of relevant preclinical and preliminary clinical studies of bioresorbables. ⋯ Bioresorbable implants have significant potential for use in spine surgery. This potential is realized in this first published clinical series using bioresorbable implants as interbody spacers with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, significantly exceeding the biologic "life expectancy" (12-18 months) of the implant material. Both the clinical and radiographic results of this study support the use of interbody devices manufactured from bioresorbable polymers for structural interbody support in the TLIF procedure.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of a novel moldable, resorbable, and degradable sealant of bone surfaces for hemostasis after bone graft harvesting from the iliac crest.
A prospective, controlled, open, randomized multicenter study. ⋯ Bone Seal is an effective and safe hemostatic material for sealing bleeding bone surfaces after iliac crest bone graft harvesting. By virtue of its hemostatic efficacy, Bone Seal is preventive for wound healing disorders.
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Review article. ⋯ Cervical disc replacement is an innovative technology that preserves motion at the instrumented level/s and will potentially improve load transfer to the adjacent levels compared with fusion. Clinical reports of success of cervical total disc replacement are encouraging but are also quite preliminary. As the U.S. IDE studies are completed, a clearer role for the place of cervical disc replacement in the spine surgeon's armamentarium should emerge.