Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ketorolac use for postoperative pain management following lumbar decompression surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
Prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. ⋯ There were no significant differences in available patient demographics, intraoperative blood loss, or postoperative Hemovac drain output between study groups. Morphine equivalent requirements were significantly less at all predetermined time points in addition to the overall hospital morphine requirement in patients randomized to receive Ketorolac. Visual Analog Pain Scores were significantly lower in patients randomized to receive Ketorolac immediately postoperative in addition to 4, 12, and 16 hours postoperative. There were no identifiable postoperative complications associated with the use of Ketorolac. CONCLUSION.: Intravenous Ketorolac seems to be a safe and effective analgesic agent following multilevel lumbar decompressive laminectomy. Patients can expect lower morphine requirements and better pain scores throughout their postoperative course.
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We have conducted an outcome instrument validation study. ⋯ The CAT-5D-QOL is feasible, reliable, valid, and efficient in patients with back pain. This methodology can be recommended for use in back pain research and should improve outcome assessment, facilitate comparisons across studies, and reduce patient burden.
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Comparative Study
Letting the CAT out of the bag: comparing computer adaptive tests and an 11-item short form of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire.
A post hoc simulation of a computer adaptive administration of the items of a modified version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. ⋯ A CAT-based back pain-related disability measure may be a valuable tool for use in clinical and research contexts. Use of CAT for other common measures in back pain research, such as other functional scales or measures of psychological distress, may offer similar advantages.
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The adjacent discs of 13 goats, originally used in a lumbar spinal fusion model study, were analyzed for symptoms of intervertebral disc degeneration by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), macroscopy, and histology. These goats were followed for 6 months and the results were compared with 6 control goats. ⋯ Large animal fusion models offer an excellent opportunity to study ASD in vivo, as pre-existing degenerative disc disease is not present and biomechanical effects of the fusion can be studied more isolated. Our results suggest that adjacent disc degeneration does not develop in our spinal goat fusion model. There is, however, an increased risk of disc degeneration in the L5-L6 level through an unclear mechanism.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of adverse events between the Bryan artificial cervical disc and anterior cervical arthrodesis.
Randomized controlled study. ⋯ Bryan cervical disc replacement and anterior cervical fusion are both safe procedures with a low incidence of significant adverse events related to the procedure. Statistically, more serious adverse events and reoperations occurred in the fusion group while a greater number of less serious surgically related events were seen in the investigational group.