European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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There is wide regional variability in the volume of procedures performed for similar surgical patients throughout the USA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of spinal fusion operations with several socioeconomic factors. ⋯ We observed significant disparities in the integration of fusion operations in spine surgery practices in the USA. Increased intensity of neurosurgical care was associated with a higher fusion rate.
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Comparative Study
The effect of design parameters of interspinous implants on kinematics and load bearing: an in vitro study.
A number of concepts with controversy approaches are currently discussed for interspinous stabilization (IPS). However, comparative biomechanical studies among the different systems are rare. Nevertheless, it remains unclear which biomechanical characteristics are influenced by different design features of these implants, such as implant stiffness or an additional tension band. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare different interspinous implants to investigate the biomechanical impact of IPS implant design on intersegmental kinematics, such as range of motion, neutral zone, center of rotation (COR), as well as load transfer like intradiscal pressure (IDP), to gain additional experience for clinical indications and limitations. ⋯ For the IPS, we found a correlation between compression stiffness and stabilization in extension. Here, the system with the lowest stiffness, DIA, displayed nearly no stabilization of the treated segment, whereas the system with the highest stiffness, WAL and COF, was most pronounced. This applies also for the correlation between device stiffness and IDP. In flexion only the degree of stabilization is in correlation with the tensile stiffness, whereas the IDP stays constant and is not affected by the different tensile stiffness. IPS is not able to stabilize in the frontal and transversal plane. Furthermore IPS does not substantially alter the location of the COR.
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Global Perceived Effect (GPE) is a commonly used outcome measure for musculoskeletal conditions like neck pain; however, little is known regarding the factors patients take into account when determining their GPE. The overall objective of this work was to describe the thematic variables, which comprise the GPE from the patient's perspective. ⋯ GPE appears to capture chronic neck pain patient perceptions of change in different domains important to their individual pain experiences that may not be captured by other outcome instruments. Thus, GPE is a suitable patient-oriented outcome that can complement other measures in research and clinical practice. Importantly, many chronic neck pain patients believe it impossible to reach complete recovery because of a perceived intractable aspect of their neck condition; this has important implications regarding long-term disability and health-seeking behaviors.
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The treatment of spinal infection remains a challenge for spinal surgeons because of the variable presentations and complicated course. The diagnostic and therapeutic value of percutaneous endoscopic lavage and drainage (PELD) has been proved in some recent studies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of PELD in patients with advanced infectious spondylitis which may traditionally require open surgery. ⋯ PELD was successful in obtaining a bacteriologic diagnosis, relieving the patient's symptoms, and assisting in eradication of lumbar infectious spondylitis. The indications of this minimally invasive procedure could be extended to treat patients suffering from spinal infections with paraspinal abscesses and postoperative recurrent infection. Patients with multilevel infection may have trivial benefits from PELD due to poor infection control and mechanical instability of the affected segments.