Spine
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical comparison of a fully threaded, variable pitch screw and a partially threaded lag screw for internal fixation of Type II dens fractures.
Stiffness and load to failure were studied in a human cadaver model of Type II odontoid fractures stabilized with either a single partially threaded lag screw and washer or a headless fully threaded variable pitch screw. ⋯ A headless, fully threaded variable pitch screw was biomechanically favorable in comparison with a partially threaded lag screw and washer in this cadaver model of Type II dens fractures. The mode of failure at the C2 vertebral body may have important implications for further improvements in construct strength.
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Comparative Study
The incidence of donor site pain after bone graft harvesting from the posterior iliac crest may be overestimated: a study on spine fracture patients.
A retrospective cohort study on patients with traumatic vertebral fractures who underwent fusion with iliac crest bone. ⋯ Patients probably cannot differentiate between donor site pain and residual low back pain. The reported incidence of pain related to posterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting may therefore be overestimated.
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A retrospective clinical study. ⋯ Reduction of intervertebral height and loss of sagittal profile occurred in both groups. Complications relating to the bone graft were more common in Group I than in Group II. Despite loss of correction, both groups had a high fusion rate without recurrence of infection. The reduction of intervertebral graft height appears to be the result of destruction of the endplate either due to surgical debridement or the infective process.
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Technical note. ⋯ We present a technique for controlled extension osteotomy correction of chin-on-chest deformity in a prone position. Use of the operating table mechanism in conjunction with a closing-wedge osteotomy diminishes the risk of translation, decreases risk of air embolus associated with a sitting position, and promotes greater opportunity for fusion through the osteotomy, and the stability allows for placement of modern instrumentation.
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Retrospective radiographic review of consecutive patients with universally applied standard. ⋯ Large (> 1.5 mm) facet effusions are highly predictive of degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 in the absence of measurable anterolisthesis on supine MRI. A clinically measurable facet effusion (> or = 1 mm) suggests the need for SLFE films to diagnose degenerative spondylolisthesis that can be missed with supine positioning on MRI.