Spine
-
Immature goat spines were instrumented at 5 levels with 2 different fusionless scoliosis implants. Instrumented and subadjacent spinal segments were analyzed to determine the effect on the disc and endplate. ⋯ Fusionless scoliosis implants result in alterations in viable cell density within the disc and reduced vascularity in the vertebral endplates of instrumented but not subadjacent discs. Though obvious disc degeneration was not observed, the implications of the cellular and histologic changes are not known. Additional study will be necessary to better understand various fusionless scoliosis surgery strategies and their effect on surrounding tissues.
-
In vivo study on cervical spine motion. ⋯ The current study demonstrated that for the comparison of functional outcome after different therapies of C2 fractures clinical measurements do not serve for reliable data on total neck rotation and particularly atlantoaxial rotation and the percentage of C1-C2 rotation of total neck rotation. The use of dynamic CT-scans in the analysis of functional outcome after C2 fractures is strongly recommended.
-
Comparative Study
Biomechanical evaluation of short-segment posterior instrumentation with and without crosslinks in a human cadaveric unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture model.
This study evaluates the biomechanical characteristics of spinal instrumentation constructs in a human unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture model simulated by corpectomy. ⋯ Crosslinks, when added to short-segment posterior fixation, improve stiffness and decrease motion in axial rotation, but do not restore baseline stability in this corpectomy model. Short-segment posterior fixation is also inadequate in restoring stability in flexion with injuries of this severity. Short-segment posterior instrumentation alone can achieve baseline stability in lateral bending, and crosslinks provide even greater stiffness.
-
Comparative Study
Thromboprophylaxis in traumatic and elective spinal surgery: analysis of questionnaire response and current practice of spine trauma surgeons.
A survey on thromboprophylaxis in spinal surgery and trauma was conducted among spine trauma surgeons. ⋯ A basis for a consensus protocol on thromboprophylaxis in spinal trauma was attempted. No more than mechanical prophylaxis was recommended before surgery for non-SCI patients or after surgery for elective cervical spine cases. Chemical prophylaxis was commonly used after surgery in patients with SCI and in patients with elective anterior thoracolumbar surgery.