Orthopedics
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Sixty-six patients underwent posterior lumbar interpositional arthroplasty using a combination of calcium sulfate pellets, decompression bone, and autologous growth factors. Patients who underwent this modification of the soft posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) (Jones technique) were evaluated using clinical and radiographic ratings. ⋯ Furthermore, 93% of patients achieved at least 50% opacity of the disk space area. The Jones technique for the soft PLIF provided reduction of pain and stabilized the disk space height in addition to decreasing morbidity and cost.
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This study assessed patient experiences with interscalene block anesthesia for elective shoulder surgery. Routine use of interscalene anesthesia was introduced at our institution in 1997. All patients who underwent interscalene anesthesia during the first 3 years of our experience with this regional anesthetic technique were asked to respond to an anesthesia-related questionnaire. ⋯ The duration of pain relief postoperatively was 10.5 hours for patients with a successful block. Patients consistently reported that having an interscalene block was less painful than anticipated; 90% said they would have interscalene anesthesia again for shoulder surgery. This study demonstrates that interscalene anesthesia for elective shoulder surgery is safe and well accepted in this patient population.