Neurosurgery
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Cervical fusion surgery is associated with adjacent-level degeneration, but surgical and technical factors are difficult to dissociate from the mechanical effects of the fusion itself. ⋯ Taken together, our data suggest that congenitally fused cervical spinal segments at C4-C5 and C5-C6 are associated with adjacent-level degeneration independent of fixation instrumentation. This study design removes surgical factors that might contribute to adjacent-level degeneration.
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Awake craniotomy (AC) is a common neurosurgical procedure for the resection of lesions in eloquent brain areas, which has the advantage of avoiding general anesthesia to reduce associated complications and costs. A significant resource limitation in low- and middle-income countries constrains the usage of AC. ⋯ Despite many constraints, AC is being safely performed in low-resource settings. International collaborations among centers are a move forward, but adequate resources and management are essential to make AC an accessible procedure in many more African neurosurgical centers.