Spine
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This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical outcomes of several surgical procedures for thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). ⋯ A considerable degree of neurologic recovery was obtained by posterior decompression with instrumented fusion, despite the anterior impingement of the spinal cord by OPLL remaining. In addition, the rate of postoperative complications was extremely low with this procedure. We recommend that 1-stage posterior decompression and instrumented fusion be selected for patients in whom the spinal cord is severely damaged before surgery and/or when extirpation of OPLL is associated with increased risk.
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Examination of ADAMTS-4 expression, and cellular lineages, distribution, and numbers of ADAMTS-4 (aggrecanase-1) expressing cells in herniated lumbar intervertebral discs. ⋯ Macrophages infiltrating granulation and adjacent disc tissues express ADAMTS-4, suggesting its involvement in herniated disc regression.
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Prospective observational study. ⋯ Adverse events can frequently occur (14%) during spinal surgery, however, the majority (76.5%) are not associated with complications. Improved patient safety can only be maximized by independent practice audit and the development of prospective methods to record adverse event data so that enhanced, evidence-based, clinical protocols can be developed.
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A prospective observational study of patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. ⋯ In patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, older age predicts a greater risk of late recurrence of symptoms, and women have higher VAS scores than men after surgery.
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Longitudinal follow-up of animals after a surgically initiated scoliosis. ⋯ This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a flexible posterior asymmetric tether in creating idiopathic-type deformities in a shorter tethering period than previously described. With substantial remaining spinal growth after the 8-week tethering period and preservation of the essential spinal elements in an undisturbed state, this model is suitable for the study of scoliosis progression and various fusionless scoliosis treatment methods.